Winter Storm 2007: a state of emergency......................

It certainly felt like a state of emergency around here this past week. The weather has been a major source of frustration as it has really pump a strain on life in general which has made a usually busy Christmas season even crazier. School was out for us Monday and Tuesday only which was a blessing considering some schools missed the whole week. Unfortunately in my line of work not only do we not get a day off we get busier than usual. The hospital was packed full which created lots of delays with patients needing rooms which backed things up in recovery which made for long hrs for myself and the other staff, not to mention that we were short-staffed as some people couldn't make it in for whatever reason. I was glad to see the week end and even happier to see the bright golden sunshine this morning as I crawled out of bed for church. Today was absolutely gorgeous with the lingering patches of snow shining in the sun and it felt so warm in the sun with no wind. We had 2 great Christmas programs at church today and it really feels like Christmas which it should as we are a mere 8 days away now. The kids are getting anxious as I should admit I am also. I can't wait to pack things up and head out to the grandparents for a long weekend of friends, family, food, and fun. Today was Garrett's 5th bithday which was a low key event as we have already had his official party. But as you can see from the pics we did get a cookie cake and have a family party. Mark and I saved our gift to him for today. I think our parties and misc activities are about over and the kids will be wrapping up school on Wednesday to start the break on Thursday. I have 99% of my shopping done but only about 50% of my wrapping. It will be a busy week. I have my Christmas cards ready to address and mail but that is still a time-consuming process. I pray you will receive them before the week is out. Well it's time for bedtime ritual so I must be going. Merry Christmas and to all a good night............

Home Improvements..........................

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone and we are well underway into the Christmas season. I am sad to say the reason I haven't posted anything about our Thanksgiving travels is because I forgot my camera and didn't have any pics. I had to get pictures from my sister's camera. We traveled to the southwest corner of OK where we spent the holiday with my extended family. The weather was crummy but the food and fellowship was awesome. We had a family birthday party for the kiddos and the new goodies kept them busy. Logan received a football and related items and we had a rousing game outside despite the elements. It was a great time as the whole extended family on that side was able to be there.

We came home Saturday evening and I had hoped to clean house and put up our Christmas decor after church on Sunday but we ended up cleaning and cooking for a Sunday School fellowship that we volunteered to host at the last minute. So it has been a process getting our decor up but we are finally there or as there as we are going to get this year. It seems Christmas is right around the corner and I haven't taken the time to really enjoy it yet. I am determined to focus on my Christmas spirit this week and try to keep Santa's arrival from sneeking up on me!! We are in full swing with Christmas parties, shopping, wrapping, giving, and teaching our little ones the real reason for Christmas. They are just as busy asking, wanting, undecorating (Addi mainly), and anxiously shaking the few gifts already under the tree. I decided to complicate our schedule this weekend with a little (actually HUGE) home improvement project. I wanteed to paint our master bedroom. We have lived in our home a little over 3 yrs now and while the house was being built we had it painted straight white to save money as they were going to charge us a crazy amt to change colors throughout the house. We managed to paint about 1/2 the house prior to moving in and have yet to get to the rest. Well I bought some new bedding and towels for our bed and bath this past summer with the intent to paint and just haven't taken the time. Well now that we are done I know why I've put it off so long. PAINTING IS HARD WORK!! I started Friday evening moving furniture, taking pics off the wall, taping things off, etc. I cont this process Saturday morning and I think the first swipe of paint went on the wall around 1:00 pm. My dear sister came to help me as Mark had chosen today to do his annual holiday shopping run (Convenient, wasn't it). So KK and I painted, trimmed, painted, and trimmed for about 8-9 long hrs and I am happy to say that as I compose this, the room is basically complete. I am really pleased with the result and it feels good to have accomplished such as major task but boy am I tired. I was fortunate to have had some xtra time today to work on the project as church was cancelled today due to the weather. We however didn't realize that as we watched the tv and checked the internet but our church listing didn't show up prior to time for us to leave so we got ready and proceeded to church only to find the parking lot barren. So we made the loop, came home, and proceeded to carry on with the home improvements. I also decided to clean out the kids playroom and make room for their new birthday and Christmas gifts. So it was our family project to sort through, throw away, and select things to donate to others. It really felt good to get organized even if it only lasts for today! I must be going as it's already 7:00 pm and we promised the kids some quality family time this evening. Hope everyone is surviving the weather. Until later..................................