Putting Christmas Away is THE WORST!

WHY IS THERE SO MUCH CHRISTMAS CRAP TO PUT AWAY?  There is just no rationale explanation for it.  It multiplies and does not go back into the same number of boxes that it was just unpacked from short four weeks ago.  HOW?

Last night, I wrangled the boys into helping me pull the ornaments off the tree and absolute chaos ensued. There may or may not have been some yelling, cursing, shoving, dog chasing and a whole lot of laughing. Here is small sample snippet of conversation:


Mom:  Harry if you don't put that cell phone down and start putting ornaments away I am going to throw your phone out in the yard.

Harry:  Mom, I have just read a tweet about a nuclear war situation and I am going to need a minute to process the end of the world as we know it.

Mom:  Harry, you are going to meet the end of the world in two seconds if you do not get back on the ornament boxing!

Chip:  Mom, two things.  Is there a box for this weird pregnant bear?  Also, when you get done yelling at Harry, you might want to get that box away from Cooper before he destroys it.


There is no telling what I am going to find when I open those boxes next year!  I know for sure it will make me laugh just remembering how hysterical we were putting them away!

And putting that tree back in the box.  There was no way four giant tree segments were going back in that tiny rectangle box!  We were cramming, pulling, cinching tie downs.  I was giving good and sound tips to the boys on how to make it work.  My glasses were falling off my face and Harry said "I cannot even take you seriously with those glasses hanging off your nose.  I am going to need them on your eyes or off your head completely.  One or the other."  Cracked me up.

We were laughing and yelling so much in the garage that we actually stopped and said "This would be one of those times that if someone was walking by outside, they would wonder what in the world was happening in this garage."

I don't know if everyone would think that sounds like a good time, but for me it was priceless.  Nothing I like better than carrying on with my boys.

So, God willing I am closing in on getting the last snowman boxed up and hopefully it will all be packed up and put away by the weekend.  And this house needs a deep cleaning.  DEEP, DEEP, DEEP cleaning.

Harry is leaving tomorrow and I am going to miss his face so hard.  And his hugs in the kitchen.  I will miss those so much.

It has been awesome to have him home for a solid month.  I know Chip is going to miss him too!

Harry will not miss Cooper.  Cooper has been an albatross around Harry's neck!  Cooper loves Harry. It is not a good thing for the worst dog in the world to love you.  It is a nightmare.

My wish for you is that you have finished putting away your Christmas decor and your house is nice and tidy and looking a little bit naked without the twinkling lights.  I do miss the twinkling lights.  I would appreciate your prayers for safe travels back to Arizona for my boy!

Have a beautiful evening!

Happy New Year

A new year.  A blank page.  A fresh start.

Is there anything better?

I don't think so!

The boys and I wrapped up 2017 with a trip to Houston to see the Rockets play the Lakers.  It was an AWESOME game.  Double overtime.  Down to the wire.  By the end of the game I was so invested, that I have claimed the Rockets as my new favorite basketball team.  I do that a lot.

Why is basketball so much fun to watch in person, but torture to watch on TV?  I can't explain it, but it is true.  I would much rather watch an NBA game live than any other sport I can think of.  Football is much better watched on TV, especially when watching Alabama football.

How about the Tide?  Beating Clemson with some purpose.  I was prepared for Clemson to beat us soundly.  I was wrong.  And, that touchdown by the big lineman just made my night.  Alabama pulled out a couple of new plays and I was happy to see them.  Next Monday will be a nail-biter for sure, but I am a big fan of Kirby Smart and his Georgia Bulldogs, so may the best team win!

I have been concentrating on making healthy, beautiful food around here and it has been fun!  I love to cook, but too often I just make a piece of toast or grab a handful of crackers instead of being mindful about what I am eating.  Not only is it terrible for you, I often times can't even remember what or if I have eaten.  Taking time to make it look pretty, makes me feel like I am making myself a priority and it also means I am reaching for colorful vegetables to jazz it up and that is always a bonus.

Probably too many calories with all the toppings, but baby steps!  More vegetables and pretty plates and glasses are a good start!

Also, if you have the best friends in the world they always share some of their New Year's bounty!  Karen cooked black eyed peas, cabbage casserole and cornbread and Beth delivered it to me for good luck and prosperity in the new year!  It was delicious!  No picture of my pretty plate, because I scarfed it down!

I also tried my hand at homemade pizza crust yesterday for the boys!  It was easy and yummy!  I will be adding this recipe to my regular rotation and try to get more creative with the toppings to maybe slide in a vegetable or two! 

I am so optimistic about 2018 and feel like joy is mine for the taking.  I am going to look for it everywhere!  I want to be purposeful in my relationships with God, my people and myself.  I want to read good books and play outside and laugh and sing and dance and live.  May we all find a little joy in every day and some massive, huge, ginormous joy every once in a while that makes us anxious to search for it around every corner.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

P.S.  Mom and Dad...do not be alarmed by the background change on the blog!  Just felt like a winter theme was appropriate with these cold temps!  I will hopefully be changing it to something fresh and green and lovely when Spring gets here!