It's Been Awhile...

This is perhaps the longest stretch I've gone without a new post. I wish I could say I've been doing something productive or incredibly crafty or that I've been working on Christmas photos. Nope. That would be lies, big FAT lies. I've just been living life, very lazily, in fact. I've enjoyed a few holiday parties and done a little Christmas shopping but mostly I've been just enjoying the season and trying not to FREAK OUT.
We had a great time in Anaheim for Thanksgiving so, to update everyone, that's where I'll start.

We headed out with Grandpa Rick on Wednesday morning with 4 kiddies in tow. Made excellent time and only had to hear "Are we there YET" for about the last hour or so. Dustin left town after work with Kris, Riley, and Madison.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of popcorn balls danced in their heads.

...and there they are, a whole bushel of them!!! THE most DELICIOUS and DELIGHTFUL holiday treat. There are so many great things about going to Anaheim and visiting Dustin's grandparents for Thanksgiving and this is just one of them.
It's pretty high on the list though.

Paigey and Gracie.

These cute little Blondie's had tons of fun together.

Karley and Chloe.

I'm pretty sure they had a blast too.

Scott getting prepped for the big feast. He ate so many olives he wasn't very hungry for his dinner.

That's his best smile. I'm sure he thinks he's looking pretty handsome.

More olives.

Feasting on the best meal of the year!

Scott loves showing off for the ladies. He's probably putting on a show for Alexa.

We couldn't figure out who the extra plate belonged to at the table. OH ... Madison. She was in bed all day with a sore throat and a high fever and almost missed Thanksgiving entirely.

Thanksgiving dinner has the same effect on me. I usually want to wad up a blanket and lay on my tummy also.

On Friday we took a trip to Downtown Disney. Where the kids were spoiled with a new Build-a-Bear.

Madison and Karley outside the Lego store.

Building their Bears. Or koalas, puppies, and bunnies.

There's that million dollar smile again.

Scott dragged his box up and down the streets.

Paige, Karley, Mad, Bradley, Gracie, and Scott.

All loving Downtown Disney and their new Build-A-Bears.

We tried to get a new picture of the four generations. It's getting better.

THANKFUL...

...for everyone who sent such kind, warm, and reassuring thoughts my way!! Although I still swim in the sea of overwhelmdedness I really do love this season and the holiday of giving THANKS and I have SO, SO much to be grateful for. I'm especially grateful for friends and family and you are ALL so important to me. I want to list something that I love about those that left sweet comments and put huge smiles on my face. So bear with me:

• Cynthia- You have such gorgeous girls and I LOVE to peek at the beautiful pictures you take. You are so talented. I love your photos.
• Rachel- I love reading your blog. A definite good read. The things you write just crack me up and when I need a good laugh you never disappoint.
• Kathy- You are so sweet to always leave a comment and you always give good advice. BTW- I've tried every one of your recipes in the family cookbook and they are ALL good.
• Kristi- You are so fun. I love the way you do your eye make-up and you have the prettiest eyes. I've never seen you "undone" you always look so put together.
• Becky- Thanks for always commenting although I know I'm the biggest butt head. It always takes me a bit longer than every one else to come around. You are forgiving.
• Marylin- I run into you more than anyone else from high school and I'm really glad.I always enjoy our visits. I love checking out your latest creations. I wish I had as much creativity.
• Leslie- You have always spared no expense when it comes to our friendship. You give and give. I love fight night parties and even just coming over and kicking it so Scott can get his "co co ah" fix. It means a lot that you trust me with your little ones.
• Toni- You were the best VT a girl could ask for and I'm sad that those days are over. I learned so much during this time and I enjoyed every one of our chats. We've had some good laughs and some ugly cries but I always learned something from you.
• Jill- You are a great example to me. You are so kind to every one and I really admire that. You are such a sweet person and you help me appreciate and love motherhood.
• Rick- You have an infectious laugh and I love to hear it. You are so fun to be around. You've always been so generous and we appreciate everything you do for us.
• Heather- I really enjoyed the time we spent together in nursery. I can't believe we had all those kids in that tiny room! That was insane.. but so fun!
• Kourtney- My girl... no one can make me laugh as hard as you do and you'll always be special when I think back to me and Dustin's early days. The best of times.
• Kris- You are so good to our family. You are so patient and kind and calm and I really look up to you. There aren't even enough words...
• Lizzie- I know it's been hard for you to be away and I'm really sad that I took for granted when you did live here. You are a hard worker and our country's lucky to have you on our side.
• Amber- I just love you. I think you are an amazing person. You seem to be able to get so much done in a day and all the while looking gorgeous. I know you're busy but you always make time for my phone calls or if I want to hang out.
• Beth- You, too, can cook up a storm. When you lived a little closer I really loved going over to your house for scones and other goodies. I miss that!
• Brooke- No matter what life throws your way you make the best of it. I'm so glad we got to go camping this year and it was fun getting to know you better.

Thanks for brightening my day.

Thank you, Thank you!

HELP!!!

Haven't really felt much like blogging lately. I've had a lot on my plate. But I feel like I need to write out some things I've been feeling lately. Maybe my girls will read this someday and realize I didn't ALWAYS have it all together. Oh c'mon... Who am I kidding? I've never had it together. Doubt I ever will.

I know, I know...

This is the season for us to count our blessings ( I'm fully aware that I have many) but I don't really feel like that tonight. Right now it just feels easier to count my many tasks/obligations/stresses that I can't seem to handle.

I'm drowning in a sea of overwhelmededness (Yes, I made that word up.)

Forgive me as I go on and on... and on about how crazy life seems right now and hopefully by the time I'm done writing I'll want to slap myself for being such a rotten cry baby.

1. Why can't I get my house clean??? Not to stay clean, I know how to do that. (You clean up after yourself, right?) How do I get it to be clean in the first place? I can't do it by myself and I can't with little kids running around. How do people do it!? Seriously. Tell me. I'm desperate to know!?!?

2. I'm stressed about the way my house looks. I have no base boards, my carpet is filthy, my laundry room is half-painted... and so is the girl's room and my bathroom and my kitchen. And, as was so nicely pointed out to me, I need my grout cleaned!!! There isn't enough time in the day to accomplish everything I need to do to make my house "presentable". Did I mention the grubby hand prints that are on every door-casing and wall about 2 feet from the floor in my house?

3. A sweet friend came by and dropped off some brownies (so sweet, right?I really needed that!) And what did I give her? An hours worth of my ugly cry. And I have a SERIOUSLY UGLY CRY! Why? Why? How can I be a better friend? I try, I really do!

4. I feel like lately something or some one's always slipping through the cracks. I can't get e-mails or phone calls returned and I most certainly haven't been able to comment on any one's blogs. Madison's still in school but the other two girl's aren't. Am I giving her the attention and focus she needs. Does she even "need" me? Do my kids get to see mean-screaming-task-master mommy more than they see nice-happy-fun-loving mommy?? Does she exist anymore? Did she ever?

5. I haven't even started to think about Christmas. That's a lie! I've thought about it A LOT. Like how I'm SO not ready. No presents wrapped because no presents bought. Usually I'm so much more prepared than this. That might just be another lie. Sorry.

WOW! It's amazing how sometimes you just need to get some things off your chest! See, I'm feeling better already. I think I've gotten it all out of my system. No more ranting. No more cry baby fits. No more pity parties.

Tomorrow is a new day!