Elf... in the tree?

This is what we woke to Friday morning. Apparently she either likes making a mess or she was trying to replace the angel with... herself!

Candy, TV and mischief

Glory is causing quite a stir at our house and it's only day 2!!
Day 1, we woke to her sitting on the sofa watching cartoons, drinking Kenzie's Gatorade. She'd doodled a picture and eaten one of Jim's Reese's. The girls found this cute!
Day 2 brought even more mischief as she seems to be more comfortable with us. She snooped through the kitchen cabinets, dragging food and candy out everywhere. This was just too humerous as the girls laughed and laughed. And of course, Mama pretended to be so upset over having a mess to clean up. That just made their morning.
More mischief is coming, I'm sure. I'll keep ya posted!

Meeting Glory!!!

The official introduction of my girls and their elf was last night and it went better than expected. She was waiting in our Christmas tree with a letter from Santa. We were home for over an hour before she was spotted and I was wondering if I'd have to point her out! Kenzie finally saw the letter first and read it to me then we found Glory. My girls are soooo excited to have her!!!!!!!!! Here are a few pictures of them after meeting her. Her first mischievous act was last night... I'll post pictures and details later today.








Merry Christmas all!!!!!!!!!

Glory the elf

It's the Christmas season and seems we parents will do and try anything to make our kids behave above and beyond what we normally ask. We tell them Santa is watching and that he knows what they are doing and when.
I've taken it a step further this year and will be having an elf that checks up on the girls and reports back to Santa. Yes, we are doing the Elf on a Shelf thing this year and I hope it's a magical experience for them. I really want it to be more of a fun, exciting experience than a reason for them to behave... but behaving would be a nice bonus!
Now, I've just got to come up with ideas of mischief for Glory to get into during the night. I have a few ideas that I "stole" from a friends blog... hope she doesn't mind!
I plan to blog each activity and event that occurs with Glory here with pictures so I'll have a lasting treasure of this magical time.
She will make her appearance today. She's already hiding in our Christmas tree for them to find when we get home.
Here's the letter that Santa (AKA me) wrote to them:

Dear MacKenzie and Cassidy,

This is Glory and she’s a Special Elf you see,
her job is very important to me.
She has came to stay with you awhile
and see when you cry or smile,
During the day she’ll stay hid out of sight,
but she comes to life at night.
That’s when she tells me whether you’ve been bad or good,
whether you’ve acted as you should.
She may get bored when she comes to life
and cause you some strife.
Check each morning to see where she is and what she’s done
as she enjoys having fun!

I’ll pick her up when I come to your house on Christmas Eve
but don’t be sad that she has to leave.
Her special job will bring her back year after year
to watch and hear.




Love,
Santa Claus

I miss my friend...

I lost a dear friend several years ago to a horrible car accident and I always get melancholy around Christmas. Josh was a friend to everyone, and I do mean everyone. He'd give the shirt off his back for anyone that needed it. I remember him being there for me several times I needed him. When one of our other friends had a bad car wreck on his graduation day, Josh rushed to Vanderbilt to be there. I could go on and on about the wonderful things he did but this blog isn't that big!
One of the hardest parts is that I pass by the spot where his accident was twice a day going to and from work and sometimes more. There is a lovely cross with his name on it. Some days I pass by and have happy thoughts and smile. Some days, like today, I pass by and get sad. Christmas gets me every time. You see, Josh was in his 20's when he died and he never got the chance to celebrate Christmas as a parent. He never will get that chance either. I look at my kids and think about how I'll slip Santa gifts in and what I would do if they woke up and found us "being Santa". My friend will never have that joy. He'll never see the wonderous smile on a childs face when they wake to see what Santa left and the cookies eaten.
His family... Oh, that gets me too. There are loving parents and 3 sisters that have to celebrate each holiday without their son and brother. There are neices and nephews that don't get to play with their new toys from their uncle. As a parent, I cannot fathom how empty it feels to see that empty seat that the Thanksgiving table. As a sister, I cannot imagine not having my sis to call when I'm having a bad day. As a friend, I cannot begin to understand why I can't call Josh when I need a shoulder to cry on.
Yes, I miss my friend but I will smile through the tears because I know that he is happy. He is in the presence of our Lord! He will celebrate Jesus' birth WITH JESUS!!! How amazing is that thought?! And it's that thought that puts a smile on my face when I begin to get sad. Yes, I miss my friend but I know I'll see him again someday and what a joyous day it'll be!
To Josh- I miss your smile, your laugh, your kindheartedness. But I'll see you soon and I'll hug your neck when I do! PS...tell Jesus happy birthday for me!

Thanksgiving lunch with Kenzie

Today, my mom and I went to Kenzie's school to eat Thanksgiving lunch with her. It was pretty good food and even better company!




As you can see, she was pretty happy to see us


I believe the pie was her favorite part! lol

My beautiful daughters

Here are a few pictures I took of the girls last Sunday. They are wearing pillow case dresses that my sister had made for them from pillow cases her Grandmother made years ago. Cassidy is the little blonde, she's 5 and Kenzie is the dark haired beauty, she's 8.