#XMAS Jammies

This is cute alternative to a Christmas Card! My friend sent this to me and said she thinks our family could pull something like this off. With the theatrics that go on around here on a daily basis, I think she is right. However, I think it would take a lot convincing to get hubby to dance in public! ;-)

 

Hubby vs. The Squirrel

Hubby has been in an ongoing battle with a very bold and persistent squirrel.

Round 1:

The fury little creature ate a hole in the top of our plastic garbage can. So, hubby had a new one delivered. He ate a hole in that one too.

Squirrel- 1. Hubby- 0

Round 2:

Hubby heard that squirrels would be turned off by the smell of coyote urine. So, he bought a spray bottle full of some concoction that included coyote urine from Home Depot. He sprayed that all over the top of our garbage can. Apparently, the squirrel thought the concoction was there for his benefit. So, he used it as his barbeque sauce. He continued to get in our garbage.

Squirrel-2 Hubby-0

Round 3:

Hubby thought he would really outsmart our little nuisance by using duck tape to put a mesh wire tightly over the hole that the squirrel made in our garbage can. This seemed to have worked for a while. But, eventually the squirrel decided that the mesh wire could serve as a sort of appetizer before his main course and ate through that too.

Squirrel-3 Hubby-0

Round 4:

Hubby got wind of the fact the squirrels hate the smell of ammonia. Thus, hubby got a large towel and kept it soaked in ammonia and stuck it inside the hole that the squirrel had made in our garbage. Hubby had finally won. The squirrel stopped coming around and seemed to finally be defeated.

Alas, tis not that simple. Once the weather warmed up and it was hard to keep the towel wet, the squirrel came back and ate an even bigger hole in the garbage can.

Squirrel-4 Hubby-0

Which leads us to Round 5...

You are looking at Hubby's latest conception. It consist of plastic from a canola oil bottle that is literally cocked to the garbage can. Furthermore, the brick you see is holding the plastic in place with the help of that shovel.

Has hubby finally defeated the notorious squirrel? Or can this squirrel eat through brick and mortar? At this point, I wouldn't be surprised. Perhaps it can also leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Actually, hubby says that if the squirrel can get through this one, he deserves our garbage. In fact, he says he might just buy the squirrel a big fat victory cake and set it inside.

To be continued...

How to Change a Diaper

Connie, a homeschooling mom of 8 blessings, has a delightful and informative blog called Smockity Frocks. Not only do I acquire many useful tips while browsing her blog, but Connie's upbeat persona and sense of humor keeps me laughing out loud while I read.

Because I am currently at home perfecting my newborn mothering skills with baby #4 (and since she's pooping right now as I type this), I decided to watch Connie's tutorial on How to Change a Diaper. Like me, perhaps you've already changed your fair share of diapers. But, you should watch it anyway. Not only does Connie offer some unique tips and a great perspective on diaper changing, but I'll bet she makes you laugh while doing so:)

Christmas Eve Play

Unfortunately, we didn't make it to Noelle's Sunday School Christmas play last week. She was supposed to be the sheep and was disappointed that we didn't make it. Hubby and I felt bad too. As a result, hubby promised her that we would have a play at home, in which she could be the sheep.

Thus, last night (after very little planning:) we put on a little play during our annual Christmas Eve tradition of Chinese food! We added pizza and ribs to the menu this year, and once everyone was full, the entertainment began. My parents were the audience.

Baby Jesus is Born
Luke 2:1-7

Cast:

Joseph: Kenneth

Mary: LaSandra

Baby Jesus: Noah

The Sheep: Noelle, Bella, and Caleb

Inn Keeper: Ricky

The man who helped Mary and Joseph: Ross

Narrator: Tiffany

Costumes: Tiffany and LaSandra

Song: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

As you will see, this was so funny, it was hard for us to keep our composure:)

Merry Christmas to all!

In which I (d)evoultionize.

Currently, I'm at the point of the one sitting on the floor with her head slumped down. But, in just five short weeks I'll finally reach the point of that last one lying on her back!

Thanksgiving Quotes

I'm a talkative person. Thus, it can take me quite a few words to explain my thoughts. However, I often find that men just have a way of putting things that gets straight to the point and makes things plain.

For instance:

"Hey! You have a lot to be thankful for this year; a beautiful house, beautiful children, a husband you ain't gotta dig out the tavern!"

~ My Dad

"About to enjoy Thanksgiving in my new house with my wife and kids...ain't nobody mad but the devil."

~ Hubby's Facebook status

A New Agenda

Oprah Winfrey's interview with former President George W. Bush was filled with interesting political dialogue and enlightening information.

The former President's sense of humor really came out during the interview and I had a few good laughs. My favorite part was this little story he shared about his first day off with his wife, Laura after President Obama's Inauguration:

"So I'm lying on the couch and she walks in. I said, 'Free at last' and she said, 'Yeah, you're free alright. You're free to do the dishes.' I said, 'You're talking to the former president, baby!' And she said, 'Consider it your new domestic policy agenda.'"

Spoken like a true wife!

Swagger Wagon

(Note* This was so silly, I just couldn't resist.)

My hubby was dead set on getting an SUV instead of a minivan for a long time because he felt like he was too young to have "his style cramped" by a minivan. Hubby now has an ongoing joke with one of our friends about how he too will eventually have to "join the club" and break down and buy a minivan. Our friend holds that he will never break.

If you had to drag your husband to the dealer when you finally bought your minivan and/or if your husband says that no matter how many kids you have, he will never drive a minivan, introduce him to: The Sienna Family.

Sure, they have a minivan for the space, but they "fill it up with their swagger."

A Joke for *Real* Coffee Drinkers

On Wednesday night I had this conversation with Noelle:

Noelle: "Mommy, I'm sick. I don't want to go to bible class tonight."

Me: "What?! Girl, don't you know that the church is a hospital? That is where you can get your healing!"

That conversation led to this conversation on Thursday morning:

Noelle: "Mommy, I'm still sick. You told me you would give me some Vicks."

Me: "I did say that. I forgot. I'll give you some later. Right now, put on your shoes so we can go to Dunkin Donuts."

Noelle: (looking baffled) "Oh. Is Dunkin Donuts a hospital?"

At first, I didn't get it. But then, I remembered the conversation we had last night. After I had a good laugh, I answered:


"Yes baby. For many, Dunkin Donuts is a hospital."

Photo Credit: The Honey Bunny

Girlfriends

If you want to catch me when I am least motivated to do anything remotely productive, come see me on a Monday morning. Seriously, it is then that you will find me doing anything but what I should be doing. Today was a good example of that.

I met a friend of mine at the local McDonald's so that our kids could eat and play together in the indoor playground. Meanwhile, we enjoyed some kind of coffee drink and caught up. That's kind of productive, right? I mean, I was feeding my children and arranging opportunity for physical fitness and socialization, right?

Nevertheless, I thought afterwards that it is sure is good to have friends to get together with on a Monday morning, when you are looking for a way to avoid a good day of hard work:) Furthermore, it is sure is good to have friends, period! I'm convinced they come from God!

In fact, Hubby asked me some weeks ago how I deal with stress. I mean, serious- "I can't take this anymore" -"I'm about to lose my mind" - stress. At first, I told him the obvious; "I pray, I read the bible, I listen to Christian music, I get out the house, etc". But, after I thought more about it, I told him that after I have tried those things and I am really at the edge, I call my friends.

I told him I don't even see how I would have made this far in my Christian walk without girlfriends. Most times, I call them with no expectation of them solving my issues, at all. I find it helpful just to talk about my issues or to hear that they got issues too! I can hear their kids crying in the background and that their husband had to work late, again. Or that they are fishing for new ways to save money and I can say "Whew! Okay, thanks girl. Its not just me!"

Isn't it interesting how girlfriends can see the good in your life, even when you are momentarily in the fog? It takes them to remind you, "Didn't you just tell me..." Didn't God just answer your prayer regarding..." "Girl, God will work this out, he always does!"

In addition, I find that my girlfriends never cease to amaze me. I may not share all the same interest, hobbies, or strengths that they have, but I sure am impressed by theirs and they inspire me to perfect my own. They are also a great source of laughter. You can laugh with girlfriends over stuff that men "don't get." Its so nice to have someone who "sees it your way."

For all of the reasons mentioned above, I laughed SO hard when I found this clip of Nicole Johnson!

Nicole is a "motivational entertainer" and is known for her performances, books, and DVD's about the "challenges facing today’s mega-multi-tasking woman." You can check out more from her at: Fresh Brewed Life.

Submission Humor

Now here's a definition that might make submitting a little easier...

"Submission means: learning to duck, so God can hit your husband."

~Tony Evans

Wordless Wednesday~Eeeeew Cooties!

I want to be like Kim when I grow up.

Kim, mother of 9, soon to be mother of 10, is surrounded by her children in the picture above.

Her eldest daughter, Deanna posted this picture on Kim's blog in a post entitled, "My mom is Spoiled".

Deanna explains:

Need I say more?

Did you notice the footstool? Look at the woman! She's living in the lap of luxury.

This is a picture of a woman for whom mandatory dish washing, laundry washing/folding, dinner cooking, bed making etc. are a thing of the far past. The main part of her duties consists of shopping (not for long) blog maintenance, and general parental oversight.

She's been promoted to management.

Not that I mind. When we gave her the Netbook for Christmas she said "Wow, I like having rich kids." But she's been getting foot/hand massages, not to mention all of the cocoa, cocoa-mocha, frappucinos, chocolate milk, snacks, shoulder rubs, hair brushings, etc that she's been getting for years.

Again, I'm not complaining. She's earned it. Just today though I made her a ready made cocoa-mocha first thing in the morning (first thing for her. It was 10:30), and for brunch I think it was Megan that made her a cheese and bean chimichanga.

The late rising isn't normal, but the rest of it is. Far cry from the old days, eh Mom?

Cocoa, cocoa-mocha, and frappucinos? Is this what I have to look forward to?

I know one thing. Kim's not doing too shabby for a woman burdened down with all those kids!

The 12 Days of a Large Family Christmas

There is a woman who I run into from time to time. She is a Christian. She is an older woman. Every time I see her she asks me if I am pregnant.

The last time we ran into each other, she asked me the usual. And then, in a very concerned tone, she pleaded with me saying, "You're such a beautiful girl. Enjoy your husband. Enjoy your children. Enjoy your life. Don't have anymore children. Once you have so many you don't have any 'me time!'"

She asked me how many children I had already. I told her 3. So, she tried her best to talk some sense into me again saying, "Okay, well let that be it!"

So, in honor of her and all of the other concerned people at the grocery store, the mall, etc, I thought this song would be appropriate.

Enjoy!

Laughing Bride Tells All

Watch below to view one couple's hilarious wedding video and hear their amazingly-beautiful story of courtship and sexual purity!

Benefits of Abstinence

1. Clear conscience with God.

2. Peace of mind in your life and future relationships, and marriage.

3. More self-respect and more respect for each other and respected by other people.

4. Always remember, in a healthy relationship, respect precedes love. And premarital sex only throws away your self respect and your partner's.

5. You enter marriage with a more positive outlook and without carrying emotional baggage.

6. Personal freedom for both of you and your (future) marriage partner.

7. Significantly better chance in having more satisfying and more stable marriage.

8. Longer lasting relationship. Premarital sex surprisingly breaks up more dating couples than any other factor.

9. No comparing or being compared sexually in marriage. It also means "being free to enjoy maximum sex, maximum leisure, maximum satisfaction, and maximum liberty, in the way God intended" that is in the covenant of marriage.

10. No worries about pregnancy and STDs.

11. Less worries about bad reputation.

12. It's a fact that persons and couples who have premarital sex are more likely to have extramarital affairs as well.

13. Premarital sex often fools a person into marrying someone who really isn't right for them...

Click here to read more benefits and to learn more on Sexual Purity.

Men's Brains vs. Women's Brains

I was in need of a good laugh yesterday and this video did the trick!