Challenge I'm Up to it are you?

Gift of Gab is having a Do Gooders challenge and I'm going to step up to the plate - hopefully hitting at least one home run. (I hate sports - I have no idea why I used it for an example......oh well I digress) Click on Gift of Gab to read all about it.

I am Alive

I keep getting emails and text messages asking if everything is okay and if I am Alive. The answer is YES........thanks for asking :)

Christmas was so different this year....... Randy and I went to First Baptist McKinney for the Christmas Eve service....it was so very moving, their pastor is an Artist and he did a sand "drawing?" show during a song and it was so awesome. He read a poem about how God looked through the nothingness - down through time and he saw Me. The sand art show started with an eye and then he transformed it into creation then into the nativity scene and on to the cross ending with the empty grave - it was so GREAT!!!!!! I told Randy that even though we were at a service where we knew NO ONE and No One knew us - God knew that it was where we needed to be. It was also very sad because Christmas Eve Service was my favorite time at First Baptist Lutz...... it was also bitter sweet to know that Britt and her Family were there this year - seeing friends and I wasn't. Trace got to love up on one of my dear friends and I know both of them received just what they needed during this special cuddle time....but to be honest I was very green eyed about it - I wanted to be there with them both!

Randy and I got up Christmas morning and watched more of Heroes Season one - (in fact we watched all of Season One this past weekend). We are saving season two for New years weekend. We pretty muched vegged out all weekend. Nyki and her family came over Christmas night and Rylee and Jakob opened their presents and we played Mexican Train game why they played ........then we all loaded up and went and looked at the Christmas lights, which was fun the kids were great and to quote "Rylee - I just can't pick a favorite - so I like them all!" and the day was gone.

Friday Randy and I wondered through downtown McKinney shops (something we had been meaning to do since we moved here and it was very nice......) We then went home and you guessed it watched more TV - hehehe. We had stopped by Michaels on Friday night and I got paint to fix something for the granddaughters - we were up until 3 a.m. with me working on it and us both watching TV. We went to bed and got up at the crack of ohhhhh sometime between 9 -10 and I finished the crafts - I hope their mothers (and the girls of course) like it as much as I do. I will post a picture once they have seen them.......do not want to ruin the surprise.

Shawn called and talked to his dad a couple of times and I talked to the boys Christmas night but we really didn't spend much time talking to anyone, so please do not be offended if I didn't talk to you.

The weirdest part to me is I was so looking forward to a kick back Christmas - which is exactly what we got...........but I discovered the truth to "be careful what you wish for" I know that Randy loved Christmas day and I am glad, I enjoyed it also........but I feel like I didn't have Christmas because to me it is all about family and friends and craziness. I enjoyed Thanksmas but it seems like such a long time ago.

Now you know why I haven't talked to very many people because.....when I thought about hearing how much everyone else was enjoying Christmas I became even more bummed out over it. So now you know why I have been laying low.......next time I promise I will invite you to my Pity Party but this year it was just a select few that got invites.

Hope y'all had a GREAT Christmas and have big plans for New Years.

Christmas Friday Fill In

If you would like to participate go HERE

2008
Fill in the lyrics...with the correct ones or ones of your own :-) Have fun with this, don't worry if you don't know 'em...just make up something silly or do a silly one and a serious one! The most important part is to have fun with it.Here we go!

1. Said the night wind to the little lamb, __Dude did you hear what the shepherds is planning for you tomorrow?___.
2. The first Noel, the angel did say, _I hope someone shares their ham with me____.
3. __The snow is falling___, Over the hills and everywhere.
4. It came upon the midnight clear, __that this baby doesn't like to sleep___.
5. _Drink a wine cooler and_, Let your heart be light.
6. And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing _while in the shower____.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _ well looking forward to is a stretch but cleaning house____, tomorrow my plans include _Christmas shopping with my honey - what do you buy a 1 year old who has everything? I know a Hippotumus____ and Sunday, I want to __Join in with my fellow believers for the Birthday Party for Jesus and host small group at our house then deliver our gifts to a family down on their luck___!

2007
1. Away in a manger, no room for a _dirty diaper - he must be changed!
2. Dashing through the snow, in a _pair of flip flops - freezing off my toes____.
3. Hark! The herald angels __hum - Silent Night___.
4. It's coming on Christmas __and their are presents to still buy___.
5. When I was small I believed in Santa Claus, Though I knew it was __no use because I was always Naughty___.
6. That Christmas magic's brought this tale _of how I rode a whale____.

Friday Fill In & Funny

And...here we go! If you want to join pop over here

1. Friends _are the family you get to choose for yourself.
2. __Good___ health; it's _non-existant in my house currently someone is always SICK.
3. I'm ready for _the flu bug to be flushed for good from our house____.
4. _ Aramis____ is one of my favorite perfumes or aftershaves or smells.
5. The oldest ornament I have was taken when our storage was emptied- it was Our First Christmas Together 1979!
6. Take some __family and alcohol___, mix it all together and you have _a party or a fight depending on the mixture of each____.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _snuggle time with my hubby :)____, tomorrow my plans include going to downtown Dallas to minister to the homeless (praying that God doesn't put me on the foot washing line but am willing to serve where he does put me so.........we shall see)_____ and Sunday, I want to _See my grandsons perform before the church (Britt's 3 that is.......unless Nyki decides to bring her kids to join them)!



Now here is a newpaper add that just hit my funny bone! I should call since I'm NOT looking for a car!

'Twas Weeks Before Christmas

‘written by Twila & Brittney

'Twas weeks before Christmas, when all in our new house
The grandkids were stirring, Kailey squealing like a mouse;
The turkey was cooking in the house we all share,
Knowing the rest of the family soon would be there;
The children took sleeping bags over their beds,
So Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins could rest their heads;
Aunt Nyki & Uncle Jeremy bought each a Santa cap,
Moms knew it would be 3 days without a nap,
Uncle Shawn hit the garage door making such a clatter,
I screamed, AC came running to see what was the matter.
Andrew and Trace were in Tasha’s arms in a flash,
All thoughts of the rest of the house cleaning were trashed.
Upstairs in the closets were presents with bows
but first to McKinney’s tree lighting we would go,
Getting ready to leave when who should appear,
It was Santa without any of his reindeer,
Rylee and Jakob whispered their wants so quick,
I couldn’t hear them, "I’ll have to ask St. Nick."
After supper the begging and whining for presents came,
Off to bed with kids, Adults all settled in to playing a game;
"Now, Randy! now, Twila! now, Nyki and Jeremy!
On, Shawn! on Tasha! on, RC and Brittney!
Played the train game until the clock on the wall!
2 a.m. it did chime, to bed with us all!"
At 7 the kids awoke, to be quiet they did try,
Brittney took them to the park, the sun barely in the sky,
Off to the playground they marched two by two,
But the slide was damp and the cold wind blew.
So all headed back home when RC appeared with a poof
All six climbed into the van, excited to be under a roof.
So fixing breakfast was a challenge with all 14 around,
We didn’t go hungry, we each might have added a pound.
Clean up was fun with the chatting and kids under foot,
A big dinner in the oven soon was put;
A bundle of joy all the kids in a pack,
Randy and I agree, TEXAS, it’s great to be back.
Kids eyes -- how they twinkled! Their smiles so merry!
Memories were made that we will always carry!
After Dinner the kids lined up in a row,
The presents were passed out, each ready to go;
From the youngest to oldest each turn was took,
So much love and laughter the house practically shook;
Each voiced their thankfulness to God Above
Our Hearts were so full from His blessing and Love
A tradition was started, mixing Thanksgiving and Christmas
Creating in our family a new Holiday called Thanksmas,

So from Our House to Yours we want you to Hear
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-year."

Snow Ella

Remember when Ella went to the Gaylord Texan with us? She found snow and commented on how she thought snow was cold? No you don't remember will here's a link to the blog POST if you do not want to go back and read through the whole thing here's a picture of what she thought was snow. Okay now that I have jogged your memory I will tell you about a trip coming home from Amarillo.......we are driving along, if the truth be known I was napping and all of the sudden Ella starts trumpeting she was so excited "SNOW, SNOW, SNOW" is all she could say. We looked up and had to laugh she thought she had discovered the beginnings of a snow storm. Randy of course stopped so that she could see for herself it wasn't really snow but a cotton field....which is only fitting since it was cotton that she thought was snow earlier in her visit. Here's Ella learning the difference. Also remember the technical difficulties I was having with the Sleigh picture....ummmm I kind of forgot to make it smaller so it was trying to load full size so it was taking forever.....here you go for your visual pleasure Ella in Santa's sleigh and Ella thinking it is super cool that Santa has a cowboy hat just like hers!

Ella a normal couple of weeks

Ella has fit right in with the family.........it hasn't taken long for her to become such a part that we have created a RUT Day in and day out she has spent her days playing and learning and learning to play with the grandkids.

Wait wait I have gotten ahead of myself some of the fun and unusual things she has been doing is

riding a horse...

Hiding amongst the bottles..(trying to get away from the grandkids probably... )

Climbing Windmills....this was before we made her come down a little bit.

This is after....

She decided to try a new hair style.......my great nephew helped her out....we discouraged it after seeing her - but thought y'all might want a chance to see it also.

Plains Trains & Sleighs?

Ella has had a busy busy time - well up until everyone started coming down with the flu in the house! Luckily so far she has stayed healthy as a Horse ummmmm an Elephant might be more accurate!



Ella attended a Trade Show with Randy and I at the Gaylord Texan (where we spent our anniversary. She had a GREAT time but the Hotel now has posted signs stating No Elephants Allowed. Not sure how it happened but Ella found a Saloon and discovered she didn't much care for the "FIRE WATER" served there and then with her sharp eyes she found this lovely little Margarita Bar. Where she began to consume way too many margaritas.After we finally were able to drag her from the Bar....actually she went willingly we discovered this lovely ginger bread house - Ella insisted that she have her picture taken in front so here she is.

Unfortunately for us the fence had cookies on it.....cookies that have CHOCOLATE CHIPS in them so Ella had herself a couple of bites. While we weren't watching. She did say that didn't taste like she expected them too. I just didn't figure she would understand that they were made out of styrofoam so I just said "Hmmm maybe it was all those Margaritas that you drank making them taste funky." She nodded and then took off lickity split for she had spied a TRAIN....... with SNOW.

Again she was disappointed - stating she remembered snow being COLD...and this was just fluffy. Then she got worried that she was sitting in Heaven - I assured her it was just that the snow was fake.

She did discover an area that reminded her of her time in Hawaii and spent time playing there. She said that she had made such great friends at Quilly's and she is hoping to go visit again sometime soon. I volunteered to take her but she stated that she thought Melli had already volunteered.

She has discovered she LOVES TEXAS. She loves the Teams and the Cattle....she decide that this was as close to a bull as she was ready for this trip.

NOW for the Plains, Trains, and Automobiles (or SLEIGHS) Ella is quite the little traveler and she was her charming self and convinced a neighbor at work into taking her up in his classic airplanes:

ON the way to the Trade show she saw a train......she was able to sit on it but not knowing where it would take her, I suggested that she just have a picture on it.

DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES YOU MUST STAY TUNED TO HERE THE SLEIGH BELLS RING........OR EVEN TO SEE PICTURES OF ELLA IN THE SLEIGH.

Ella's Checks in with her Family

First let's start with why I thought Ella was home sick last weekend......

She did inform me that she just wanted to see how they were doing and that she is so enjoying visiting all over the world.

Come back later to check out what all she has been doing. Plains Trains and Automobiles just might appear!

Miss Adventure a.k.a Ella

Ella did meet new Friends - M & B on Halloween night....I think M gave her some Chocolate and created a craving that was not to be satisfied.

Ellas got up early the next morning NOVEMBER 1 - not able to hold her excitement in any longer she let out a couple of loud Trumpets so strong that she knocked her hat right off her head. After being told we were getting ready and would leave shortly she calmed down.......here she is all ready to go having put back on her hat and decided to wait patiently on the bottom bunk.

Once we were done decorating - with help from Ella of course - man can she haul heavy loads. She wanted to pose by the table centerpieces.

She really liked the shiny one that was on the punch table....btw Elephants should not drink punch even NON-SPIKED makes them a little hyper (and when she laughed it spewed from her trunk......making a huge mess!)

While I was cleaning up her laugh mess she decided to explore the party surroundings. She discovered the sign in book and guess what she found surrounding the book. Chocolate tons and tons of Chocolate bars......Ella remembered (because you know Elephants never forget) that she liked the chocolate that M had given her last night so she tore into one or twelve of the bars.

Luckily Pawpaw Don knows how to doctor and cuddle ill animals (and children) so he helped her tummy settle back down. But even still Ella had to lay down - unable to attend the party with all the guest. Which disappointed her greatly and me even more. I explained to Ella that anything is bad if overdone....too much broccolli could have made her sick also but Chocolate was best in small pieces.

So Ella didn't get to see the surprise on Nanny and Pawpaw's faces or the tears they cried when they found out that they are going to Alaska this year.....only fitting since they have been to 49 states in the first 49 years of their marriage. So the 50th state is a must to be visited in their 50th year! She also didn't get to have any of the cake (come to think about it NEITHER DID I! I was too busy.....bummer now I am sad maybe I should eat a couple or 12 of the left over chocolate bars to make myself feel better!)

Ella has spent this week recooperating from the busy weekend she had. She has discovered at my house that she likes to play on the stairs almost as much as Kailey does. She has really gotten into meeting the 4 grandkids at our house.

Oh yeah and do not forget she did get to Vote. Even though her candidate didn't win she said she would Pray for the candidate to learn of Jesus' love and that unborn children need to be protected! Hmmmmm Mellie where did she learn to the love of Christ? Oh yeah you taught her by example - and I know she is greatful for that!

Stayed tuned for pictures of her getting to know the grandkids and why I mistakenly thought she was homesick. Also lots of plans for Miss Adventure coming up this weekend!

Ella LOST????????

Okay before anyone panics Ella is FINE NOW.....but she did have an adventure that wasn't so much fun..........let's start at the begining of Halloween Day.




Ella got up early and went with me to my parents house. She was so excited to see the TEXAS Star at Don and Liz's - she had commented on all of the ones she saw on our way there. At least one in every 6 houses have one. (Ella thinks that we need one on our house.)



Ella decided to go Horse Back riding - she was disappointed to discover that it wasn't a HORSE....














She discovered that she could sneak up on deer.









She whispered in my ear that she knew that the dear weren't real but she had a blast sneaking up on her pretend friends time after time. She also wanted a pair of boots but these were way to big for her.


Did you know that schools have rules against elephants coming into a classroom while the kids are in it? Frogs and Turtles are fine but that say Elephants are toooooo biiiigggggg but my Niece agreed to let Ella come in and see the classroom after the students went home. Ella got a kick out of seeing the things that the kids had made for Halloween. She also liked the Skippy John Jones quotes on the wall.


















Ella is ready for y'all to see her new outfit.........Say Hello to our little cowgirl - we even found some boots that fit her! Ella noticed a pumpkin patch on her way to Shawn & Tasha's and begged to go to one. We were running late to get ready for Friday Night Footbal - TEXAS STYLE so we promised her she could sit on the pumpkins at Tasha's house. She looked so cute in her Texas Outfit on the pumpkins.



















Well after we went to get ready for the Football game - we came out and noticed the Ella was not in the House we hurried out to find her - figuring she was in the pumpkins because she did so LOVE them - she liked the smell of fresh cut grass and the fall nights - she couldn't identify the smell but I could after being gone for 10 years .....the smell was TEXAS AUTUMN...(I think it is what Heaven will smell like)


I rushed around trying to find Ella - I looked EVERYWHERE.....
















I called my son the Policeman and he came right away.......














As I approached the car I could see that he had a passenger in the back....













He had come across Ella trying to walk to the pumpkin patch.......I explained to her that she must not ever wonder off on her own again. She was very sorry but did ask if I had ever gotten to ride in a police car. She said it was scary and fun all at the same time.

So if you are going to host Ella make sure that you keep a close eye on her......In Hawaii she snuck into the chapel to hear music, she wonders off (and I do not believe she ran away.......) to find the pumpkin patch. Remember an Elephant NEVER forgets and when Ms Ella finds something that perks her interest she heads to discover it is as great as she imagined.

Tomorrow (or as soon as I can.....pictures from the Anniversary party and is Ella homesick?)

Anniversary Party & Ella's 1st Night in Texas

The anniversary party went GREAT! My parents were very pleased - and seemed to enjoy it (talk about an answer to prayer!) They saw friends they haven't seen in years......they saw friends that are so dear to them. (I saw friends and family that I haven't seen in forever and made new friends). Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. I will post pictures of everyone later on - after my special guest leaves ............so for now HERES ELLA!


Ella had a tough time picking out her outfit.......formal was not for the party and yet neither was the cheerleader outfit she wanted.....finally the clerk came to the rescue and helped her pick out one that was JUST RIGHT!



Ella was so tired and hungry from her long trip that after purchasing her outfit she suggested (and might I add what wonderful manners she has) that we might want to think about eating some supper. She suggested Red Robin - I was game since I have never eaten at one before.











Poor Ella was so exhausted that she only took a couple of bites of her SALAD before she just tuckered right out............. Jet Lag and all she seemed to enjoy her first full day in Texas!

Tomorrow you get to see her trip to school - her not so fun adventure and her Trick or Treat Party outfit!