Made in China

The girls curiously asked me what the writing said on the bottom of their new ponies they received for Christmas. I read it aloud "Made in China". They laughed and Landri said that was a funny name for her new pony.

Then yesterday afternoon I heard Paige calling to Landri, using her new name "Made in China", across the living room. Too funny. :)

However, it reminded me that sometimes my life looks like I have been "Made in China", a cheap cast of who I really am - instead of resembling the person created by the God of the universe.

Ever feel like you are standing in the middle of chaos being consumed by the world on every side? My prayer is that I would not be eaten up by the things of this world that daily fight for my integrity, hope, peace, and rest. Rather, my focus would be on the maker of my soul reflecting to to my little section of the world "Made by God".

Ice Skating

On Sunday we went ice skating - well actually Paige, Coley and Aunt Bessie (aka Heather) went. The rest of us - Mom, Ethan, Landri and I watched on from the not-so-warm lobby and drank Starbucks while Dad and John browsed at some nearby "manly" stores. Ethan, our little professor, just stared in awe and then would use his little chubby boy finger to point at the people skating.
Landri did get brave enough to try it. Try she did - for one lap- and then was done. I took her off the ice and she said to me "it is too cold. I don't like being cold." I bundled her up, took off her tiny skates, and said to her "We are beach babes not ice rink babes." For which she relayed to Big MeMe "I'm a beach babe"....
Fun times!

Merry Christmas!

We woke up around 7:30 a.m. to the girls being very excited! The girls were too funny as they ripped open gifts. They were excited about everything but especially their stockings. Landri was proud that she got me "fussy-socks" to keep my feet warm. They both doted on the Christmas tree Peeps and orange M&M's they picked out for Coley's stocking stuffers.

Paige did tell me (with one hand on her hip) that I had lied because there was no snow on the ground. What? See what reading Christmas books and watching Polar Express does to kids living in Texas...total confusion about the fact that they will probably never wake up to a white Christmas. :)

We had Christmas lunch at Jack in the Box and dashed north to surprise MeMe and Pepper. The girls were thrilled to be there and quickly searched under the tree for their presents. Heather, Ethan and John arrived later that night and Tanner and Jessica came the next day. We got to celebrate Christmas for 5 days or so and it was too much fun. The cousins played, and played and played. Pepper each got them stick horses which was hilarious to watch!

Christmas Eve

The girls started feeling better on Christmas Eve so we dared to venture out to the Christmas Eve service at church which was such a blessing (first time out of the house in 5 days)! Kelly and Heath joined us and the girls could not have been more excited to have them with us. It was a good time to reflect on what Christ has done for me and to enjoy time with friends! Kelly and Heath also got them lots of cheerleading gear which Paige has worn everyday that we have been home.

Lets' Pass the Germs!

Germies! Yuck! We are now 4 days away from celebrating Christmas and we are all sick! Landri woke up Saturday with a nasty cough and snotty nose. They tested her for RSV and it came back positive so we are now officially separated from the rest of the world for the next few days. Joy!

I think every child in this part of the state is sick with everything from strep throat, stomach bug and RSV. Its all been passed around at church. Paige started feeling bad last night as well...and as for me...well maybe I am a little paranoid but I also feel a little achy today too.

The weather is nuts! Yesterday it was 80 and today 40. Crazy!

Still looking forward to Christmas and spending time with the girls and Coley and family. This is the first year in a long time that we will be in our own home on Christmas morning and get to celebrate as a family - like I did each year growing up. So for that I am excited even if we are slinging snot and coughing. :0)

"Baby, its cold outside!..."

Brrr! Yesterday is was 82 degrees here and then a wintery front blew in and dropped not only the temperatures to the low 30s but also sleet and heavy rain for most of the night. We also had hail and lots of lightning. The girls did enjoy wearing flip flops yesterday! They are still in denial about it being cold outside.

Paige woke this morning with much excitement that "God had sent us snow!" as she and Landri peered out the front door. It was actually pellets of frozen sleet that was stuck to the grass, but we can consider that snow because that is as close as it is going to get to snow around here!

Thanks-Giving-Shopping

What a celebration! We had an awesome weekend with family and friends celebrating Thanksgiving. My mom, brother and new and wonderful sister-in-law kicked it off with Midnight Madness shopping experience at the Outlet Malls only to return home around 3:30 a.m. It was crazy but invigorating in some weird way -like being in Vegas when you can't remember the time of day. The sales were amazing and so were the lines so we weren't too serious. However, Tanner and Jessica did swing a few elbows while shopping at Carter's and Mom and I broke a sweat as we walked the entire 200 acres of stores!

Most of all it was just good old' family time! The laughter almost outnumbered the number of calories we consumed! Ethan has officially given me my name "Manda". It is too precious! He and the girls just loved on each other and fought passionately over a few toys. God is good!