this is what straight looks like

I took the girls for a hair trim the other day. And our new hair chick thought it's be fun to straighten Macy's hair.


And what's up with hair twists and bobby pins? Trust me, they were needed.


I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd have a child w/such curls but I do! And the longer her hair grows, the tighter the curls.

I love it how people ask me if I ever thought about letting her hair, you know, grow.

Yes, only for the past five and a half years!

But, with Macy's hair texture, it needs a nip every two months.

Don't question it. If you have ever seen/touched her hair in it's natural state, then you'd get it.

And I love how people ask if I ever try straightening her hair.

I mean really, how can I explain the above pictures to anyone?? Can't. And I really don't want to well-meaning intrusive strangers.

Pictures are really worth a thousand words.

But all Macy has ever asked for was hair to my shirt. And she has it!

these children are not of my flesh

It's no secret that I'm not one to be found dirty outdoors.

But let my girls outside in play clothes while Gregg is power washing and they start sticking their heads in the puddles.

I caught Macy shaking her hair and bottom like a doggie that is soapin' wet!

The only thing I like soapin' is my kids CLEAN!

...Funny story...when we lived in Temple, one of Gregg's sweet college employees said once that we have the cleanest kids she's ever seen. (That is when Paige was an infant and I've slacked relaxed at bit since then.)

rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God

Today marks 4 years since my dad died. Last night I wasn't sure if I was going to blog about it. I turned off the computer for the night at 7:45 to tune out the thoughts in my head of thinking about blogging about it. Maybe I'd wait another year and then I'd be ready.

Then this morning, I had a ecard from Lisa who sweetly remembered that this is the day.

Where to start? How much do I want to say? Tell a bit of the story now? Save some for later?

Ray McNew was my step-father but I knew him from the day I was born. Ray and my real dad, George, were in the service together in Massachusetts in the sixties. That is where Ray met his 1st wife, Jan, and my dad met my mom. The couples got married. Ray and Jan moved to California, then to San Antonio, Texas. My mom and dad moved to New Mexico and then to San Antonio as well. The Berich's (my maiden name) even visited the McNew's out in California.

The families all lived in San Antonio and would get together with all of the children. The McNew's had three boys ~ Jay, Michael, and Brian. My parents had Susan and then I came along in August 1976. Jan McNew signed my baby book as a hospital visitor...

George was an abusive alcoholic that beat my mom. Apparently, my sister and I used to hide in my sister's room when he would be in a rage. He didn't want my mom to work (she did sell Avon), get out of the house much, or have friends of her own. He kicked her out of the house Labor Day weekend 1978. She said she grabbed her Avon money out of her car and walked to a friend's house. She eventually had him arrested and a plan to divorce him was in place.

At this time, Ray had already separated from Jan due to other issues. George sent Ray over to our house as a "go between". My mom was like, "let me tell you what has been happening for the past 14yrs..." (My parents had been married for 10 years and dated for 4 years before that ~ she knew what she was getting into.) Ray had known that George was abusive to women because he had seen him do that while they were in the service together. Ray later said that he hoped George had changed.

Ray moved into our house and they lived together until they were married in our living room in November 1979. Susan grew up with major issues about Ray being her dad's friend one day, and living in our house the next. For me, I never knew any different ~ I was two when they got together and Ray was always my "daddy" in every way. If George would've treated my mom right, then they would've stayed together. Period.
1979

George had his issues as well. He would call Ray "the shackup" long after my parents were married. Ray's nickname was "Mick" for "Mickey McNew" because he was so talented he could "Mickey Mouse" anything ~ fix cars and later build houses. Susan continued to call Ray "Mick" until the day he died while to me he was always, "dad". George would get set off if we were with him for the weekend and we wanted to go to "McDonald's". George never remarried and remained bitter and alone until the day he died in Aug. 2005.

Jay, Michael and Brian continued to live with their mom and we had them every other weekend. It was almost like the Brady Bunch. Michael and Susan were the same age and me and Brian were only a year apart.

My parents were always close and loving as a couple but weren't like that with us. It's like they had their "thing" and we were secondary. It's like they loved us at arms-length.

My dad was very "old-school". He grew up in West Texas ~number 10 out of 11 kids~ practically working from the day he was born. He raised us with that mentality ~everyone had chores, everyone was to be up at the crack of dawn like he was, and he was a firm disciplinarian. My dad worked a good job at IBM and we always had a nice house but they always drove old cars. We never took vacations and we weren't given money for clothes, cars or college. He was tight but in reflection, I am grateful for that because in the end, he left my mom with plenty.

Growing up, my dad would leave IBM, stop on the way home and get a beer. Everyday, he'd come home with the beer in a small paper bag around it. He'd sit at the kitchen table and finish it while my mom cooked dinner. He'd go change and then head outside (where was able to smoke) until dinnertime. He'd eat dinner, leave his plate on the table and head back outside until after dark. He'd piddle in his workshop or in the garage and come back into the house about 9. Then he'd stay up and watch the news and go to bed.

On some Sundays my mom would take us girls to church. My dad would stay behind and either go fishing, hunting, or do something at the house. He never went to church with us unless I was in a program or it was a holiday.

Everything changed in May 1997 when my dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that metastasized to his brain. He was given 4 weeks-2 months to live "if" he "chose" to treat. He was 52.

My dad chose to be a fighter. Within a week, he started massive chemo and radiation treatments, quit IBM (can't drive while on seizure meds), stopped smoking and drinking beer (didn't taste good w/chemo drugs). I was living in Bryan at the time and would come home alot and go sit with my dad at chemo.

Within a week, my dad also turned his life over to God. From that point on, he never worried about cancer and lived everyday loving life. He would tell us that he wished we had the peace that he had. He became a faithful member of the country church down the road and would tell his testimony to anyone. He would go to Brotherhood breakfast, Promise Keepers, volunteer and just be a walking miracle. And he was affectionate! He even would hug other men and tell him that he loved them!

I believe my dad got cancer so he could finally be the man he had the potential of being.

Within a year, my dad was declared "in remission". Then a couple years later, he had something come back in the brain. He had out-patient gamma knife surgery to remove it. He made FIVE years (remember he had two months to live!) and my parents celebrated by going on a cruise.

Within a month, in late June 2002, my dad was diagnosed with leukemia. Leukemia was a result of all of his chemo and radiation over the past five years. My dad needed a bone marrow transplant and a donor. He was sent to MD Anderson in Houston and put in isolation for a month. It was like visiting someone in jail, we could only talk to him and see him through a glass window. He was so sick and they were breaking his body down to it's lowest to be built back up with healthy bone marrow. My dad's brother, who was 20years older than him, was a match.

My mom rented a house in Houston and by December he was released to that house. They still had to be close enough for him to receive treatments and testing. Then he was free to come home to Georgetown that spring.

Macy was born in May 2003 and he was there for her birth. After having three sons and two grandsons, Macy Lynn was his first baby girl!. It was a large room which had a sitting area off to the side. At the very last moment, I asked him if he would like to watch. I thought for someone who has been so close to death, it would be cool to see birth.

Within a month, he was back in the hospital. He'd fall at home, have seizures at home and at church and was basically a very sick man. Everything came to a head when my parents went to my brother's wedding in early October 2003. My mom had to wheel him around in a wheelchair and his health was steadily going downhill. When the plane touched down in Austin, she took him straight to the hospital. Susan's 1st son, Tyler, was born that night.

It was the beginning of the end ~ for real this time.

Amazingly, Gregg, Baby Macy and I had just moved to Temple the week before. We were 45 minutes away from Georgetown, I wasn't working anymore, and I could just pack my baby up and we'd go spend time with my dad. Clearly, God's hand was all over this.

From the hospital in Austin, it was decided that he needed to be at MD Anderson again. Baby Tyler was just three weeks old when my sister and her husband drove to Houston from Mississippi. She needed Tyler to meet his Papa and Macy and I came that weekend as well. Susan and I said our "goodbyes" to him because we were certain he wasn't going to make it.

God wasn't finished with Ray McNew yet. Since there was no further treatment that MD Anderson had to offer, it was time to leave. With his health, his seizures, his falls and being in a wheelchair, my mom could not care for him at their home. In November, at 59 years old, it was decided to put him into a nursing home in Georgetown. He was the youngest person there.

Macy and I went a couple of times a week to see him. He lit up and was so good with Macy. Her third word was "Papa" which she always said in a whisper to him. He thrived, had rehab and always had a smile. He was in and out of the hospital a couple of times with pneumonia and in January he was put on hospice. Then they took him off hospice because "he was better." Such a roller coaster.

The end came the week after Father's Day. His poor body just started shutting down. He was put on hospice again and we were given a book that detailed all of the signs of death. Wednesday was when he had his "sudden burst of energy" as the hospice book describes. It was the last day he ate anything or that I heard him speak. The last words that I ever heard come out of his mouth were "I love you Tracy." (My mom had already told him goodbye for the night). Precious words to me.

The next day on Thursday, he slept and we didn't even attempt to have him eat or drink anything. Two of my dad's sisters came to be with my mom and between the four of us, we rotated staying with him. I was able to say anything and everything to him, just hold his hand and love him. I even sang to him over and over the first hymn that came to mind:
I love you Lord,
And I lift my voice,
To worship You,
Oh, my soul rejoice.
Take hold my King,
In what You hear,
May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.

On Friday, hospice told us he wouldn't make it through the weekend. We left Friday night to go home and get a good night's sleep because we were going to come back and stay the entire weekend. I went home that Friday night and at 10:30 before I went to bed, I began to feel guilty. My dad was alone, in a nursing home, dying. I felt compelled to jump in the car to go sit with him. I talked myself out of it because I knew I'd be there the rest of the weekend. I called the nursing home before I went to bed to check on him and then went to bed. The sooner I fell asleep, the sooner I could go back to be with him.

The phone rang at 1:10 am and it was my mom. She said, "we lost Dad." I threw on clothes and sped to the nursing home in the middle of the night. My mom and my aunts were there and they had already been in to see him. I went in and stood at the end of his bed and finally went to his side and kissed him. He was finally, after 7 years, at peace.

We waited at the nurses station for the funeral home to come get him. I will never forget him being rolled away covered up in a black tarp. It was excruciating.

I have often wondered if I should've gone to be with him that night. I wonder if he was by himself when he died. One of the nurses said she was with him and I hope that is true. As my mom has reassured me, he would not want us to see him that way. It's like he knew we were gone, so he could go.

We buried him on June 28th and it was a blazing hot day. Two days later, we went back to the cemetery again before my brother and sister left town. And it had just rained and guess what? There was a rainbow, like he was giving us a sign "look what I can do from heaven". We were comforted through our tears. I saw more rainbows that summer (and even double rainbows!) than I had ever seen in my entire life.


It is no accident that I am married to Gregg. Gregg lost his mom eleven years earlier so he knew my loss. (And Gregg's sister Melinda's husband lost his father after they married: his other sister, Lindsey, is engaged to a boy that has lost his mother). Gregg has been such a comfort to me all of these years.

For well over a year, I couldn't go to sleep on Friday nights. And I would wake up almost every night around 1am. It haunted me for a longest time. I kept crying and asking Gregg, "time has gone by, when is it going to get better?? Because it's not better yet!"

It has been four years now. The tears are fewer and farther between. My heart is still filled with sorrow and I miss my dad terribly. But I am happy that he is finally has a healthy body, a clear mind and is with God.

God blessed us with 7 extra years with my dad. One would think of all of the chemo, radiation, tests, blood draws, hospital stays, and then living in a nursing home, that he would complain. Let me be clear ~ he never once complained or felt sorry for himself. He was so glad to be alive!

From May 1997 until June 2004, my dad spent every minute of every day loving life, loving everyone in his life and most of all, loving God. He was a walking testament of faith and God used him for His glory. His story inspired everyone who ever was around him. I hope you are inspired as well.

May God continue to bless each and every one of you.


June 2004 ~Macy in Papa's arm~ just the way I imagine God holding all of His children

I found this scripture shortly after my dad was diagnosed and it remained my anthem:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserverance: perservance, character: and character, hope. And hope does not dissappiont us, because God poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

Barbie got herself a tatoo

The other day, Gregg and the girls were busy out in the yard. And, in my attempt to NOT* to be in the yard, I decided to organize the playroom. Go through every basket, drawer and bin and make sure everything is in the right place. Throw away old Happy Meal toys, broken toys, and I even threw away the ginormous Barbie head stylin' thing Macy got for Christmas. It's one of those things where you style Barbie's head and do her makeup. Well, Barbie didn't come with makeup remover and when a four year old decides that lip gloss is a good eyeshadow (apply and reapply daily for 5 months), that is a whole bunch of funk. It's been at least 10 days and she hasn't even asked about it.

I got really crazy and grabbed my beloved black Sharpie Ultra Fine Point marker. I decided to go through the girl's Barbies and label whose is whose. Because I remember such details. On all 18 Barbies. And then I moved onto the baby dolls. If they had a tag, I wrote on the tag the baby's "given name" and which daughter it belongs to. If the baby does not have a tag, I wrote the name on the back of the head, under the hair. The whole process really brought me alot of joy and satisfaction. I roll like that.

When my daughters are grown, I want them to have what is theirs. My sister and I always fought over our Christmas stockings every year. I said mine was the one with the Christmas tree on it. Susan said that it was HERS and mine was the one with the red plaid ribbon. My mom never remembered so there you have it. When the "stuff" was divied up several years ago, Susan got the tree stocking. We had to rack our brains over who had Papa Smurf and who had Smurfette, who had the boy Munchie-chi, and who had the girl. (I had Smurfette and the girl :-)

Christmas 2001

My mother always told me that when "you're the mother, you can do things my way." Well, I guess "labeling" is one of my many, neurotic ways.

*I hate doing yard work or really anything much outside where I might get dirty (even picnics). I've made it 31 years and have never operated any piece of lawn equipment. My hands start getting itchy, the eczema flares, the eyes itch, the snot starts flying, the sweat starts seeping and I become a big, helpless mess. Not a good combo for me. So, I go inside and find me the biggest project I can and "busy myself". "Yes, husband, I'll bring y'all some water but you and the kids - y'all just stay outside b/c I've got a mess I'm going through in here..."

just a measure of my neurosis

I keep one of these at the computer so I can measure my girls for a cute outfit/shoes I might "win" for them on ebay.

Because what else would I use it for ~ to measure fabric? If that crossed your mind, you must be new to this blog ~ welcome.

(I'm sure it was originally purchased to measure various body parts. And drink a SlimFast and remeasure. Because SlimFast does just what it says... to make you slim. fast.)

I wasn't the least bit surprised when I found Macy measuring Paige's waist and length (from the top her her shoulder).

Then when she was done, she went on to iron her dress.

Apparently, she's seen me do both of these things a time or two...

My children rarely leave the house without creases in their sleeves and even play clothes ironed. Even to go to the gym.

I had a friend email me and ask if I was still going to the gym b/c I hadn't blogged about it lately. That's like asking me if I drank a Dr. Pepper today. Because I'm not talking about it, doesn't mean it's not happening. It is, I just don't bore you with the details.

I'll end with a funny story about ebay. I first time I won something, I was all excited and telling Gregg, "I won! I won!" He informed me, that I hadn't won anything~ I still had to pay for it!

I'm with him

I felt inspired, yes I did. My girlfriend, Lisa, wrote today on her blog about how she sometimes gets the "I'm with him" feeling about her hubby. I get that.

But it's when I watch him at Lowes is when I feel that. Seriously. He gets all bossy and authoritative and has a tone. He is the boss of 150+ people. He has a walk. The Lowes walk. And he walks all day. Years ago, I bought him a pedometer because I didn't believe how much he walks in a day. I ate my words because he walks like 12 miles a day.

I love going into any random Lowes with him. We rarely shop at his store when we are together b/c his is 20mins. away. He just commands au-thor-it-tie. But the rare times we are at his store, I love watching him shake his employee's hands, calling them by their name and being postive. I enjoy the Lowes Christmas parties where I get to hear him address his employees as a whole and their families. He has a gift for public speaking. His voice is strong ~ which he uses to praise his employees and their hard work and then he uses his voice to bless the food.

Every morning at 7:00, all employees present gather at the front of the store for their morning meeting. And then at the end, they do the "Lowes cheer". Gimme a L, gimme a O....I don't know if this happens at Gregg's store here in the hood or not. But, back in Temple, it did b/c a neighbor walked in one morning and witnessed it.

This past Sunday, I had the "I'm with him" feeling about about him. We stopped at the Lowes by our church to pick up some mulch. He drove his truck to the side of the garden center and immediately got two employees loading bags of mulch into the truck. Just watching him all dart around and do his thing did it for me, yes it did. He told me when he got back in the truck that 3 customers stopped him and asked him if he worked there. I told him he must've been doing the Lowes walk.

Something about a man in his element...

or maybe it's the sex-ay Lowes vest!

10 months forward, too many beers back

Remember this post?

Gregg is an alcoholic.

...the sneaky, I can handle it, random binge drinking kind.

...The big Lowe's annual sales meeting in Feb (now in Vegas - ugh) has been our biggest trial. He went in 2005 and 2007 (Paige was born in Feb. 2006 so he missed that one -whew!) Both times, I am psycho momma tracking him down after he didn't call to say goodnight (immediate red flag). I'm thinking, he is going to lose his JOB b/c of this addiction!

...And this is the deal. You get to know us, it comes out. Gregg's alcoholism is not in any way a secret. It is a fact.

...Alcoholism is apart of who we are both as individuals and as a couple.

...AA will be apart of our lives until the day we die.

...There is no cure for alcoholism.

...It is not going away.

...Relapses likely will occur.

...It is what it is.

...It is a journey, our journey ~ I chose this man to marry.

Gregg has been in Vegas since Friday. Last night he gave up 10 1/2 months of sobriety in order to drink that first beer. I'm sad, disappointed, frustrated but mainly, just. very. sad.

Our journey continues...

100th post

Have 'ya noticed I haven't posted much lately? It's because my 100th post has been looming over me and being the ultimate procrastinator, I've been avoiding it. Not like you know it is the 100th post, but I do so I didn't feel right about going on w/my usual nonsense without the recognition of 100! I'm am so not a rule-stickler in real life, so for me to actually care is ironic. I'm quirky like that. So, here it is:

5 favorite desserts:
1. chocolate
2. chocolate sheet cake
3. chocolate chip cookies
4. apple pie
5. cheesecake

8 places I'd want to take a week vacation to:
1. Disney World
2. anywhere tropical
3. a cruise anywhere but Alaska
4. New York
5. California
6. Italy
7. South Padre Island
8. South Carolina to see my new niece (oh wait! I'm doing that next week!)

5 things I wish you knew how to do:
1. sing
2. play the piano (not enough to want to learn how)
3. be coordinated
4. speak in public
5. be more patient

6 favorite restaurants:
1. Red Lobster (for shrimp)
2. Braums (for a bacon cheeseburger)
3. Outback (for cheese fries and Alice Springs Chicken)
4. Cheddars (for casual dining)
5. a hot sandwich anywhere (right now my fav is Firehouse subs)
6. pizza anywhere

**I used to say LaMargarita for Mexican but got violently ill when I ate it last so it is banned, even though it has been my all time favorite since I was a teenager**

4 Favorite meals (other than above):
1. breakfast food
2. hamburger quiche
3. lasagna
4. Gregg's chili

5 things I don’t leave home without:
1. kids
2. my cell phone
3. wallet
4. earrings in
5. lipstick on

5 things that help me relax:
1. zoning on the internet - blogging, reading blogs, browsing ebay
2. a warm bath
3. a piece of chocolate chased down by a Dr. Pepper
4. a Benadryl (I take one every night in order to fall asleep)
5. reading before I fall asleep

5 favorite flowers/plants:
1. roses
2. zinnias
3. tulips
4. geraniums
5. magnolias

5 names I considered naming my children:
1. Mallory
2. Morgen (basically any M girl name)
3. Avery (chose Paige instead)
4. Kyla (I got seriously laughed at by just about everyone - still doesn't sound ethnic to me!)
5. Blake Evan (our only boy name)

16 jobs I've had: (I seriously have done everything but fast-food)
(I started babysitting at 11)
1. at 16, a bagger at HEB (1st job), then promoted after 3weeks to
2. video dept., then summer ended and I started senior year and co-oped at a
3. secretary at a real estate appraisal office
4. human resources assistant at a manufacturing plant
5. clerk at Anthony's dept. store
6. medical records at a clinic, and got a 2nd job at
7. clerk at Eckerds, went back to the clinic and got a 2nd job as a
8. waitress
9. secretary working for a friend's business. It had something to do w/pipes but I was pd to be hung-over and answer phones. His business slacked, I was let go and his wife got me a job as a
10. TAMU student worker for Texas Forest Service
11. TAMU student worker for for TEKS Public Works, then got a 2nd job as a
12. cashier at Lowes (where I met Gregg)
13. worked at a Hallmark store
14. worked at Ikon through a temp agency placing service calls, then started student teaching and became a
15. 2nd grade teacher, then I came a
16. mommy!

**let's not fail to mention the scars I still have in my forearms from all of the plasma I donated in college for $$**

5 favorite posts on my blog:
1. It Is What It Is
2. How Many Licks Did It Take?
3. Who Is The King of The Kingdom?
4. Randomness - Christmas Edition
5. Happy Birthday Paige!

5 things that scare me:
1. something happening to my children
2. something happening to my husband
3. public speaking
4. escalators
5. being chased (a recurring dream of mine)

5 cities I've lived in:
1. San Antonio, TX
2. Georgetown, TX
3. Stephenville, TX
4. Bryan, TX
5. Temple, TX

5 cars I've driven:
1. 1982 Nissan (Datsun) Sentra (1st car)
2. ? Buick Skyhawk
3. ? Mercury Cougar
4. 1986 Nissan Maxima
5. 2000 Toyota Camry (my 1st NEW car!)

3 things I've never done:
1. smoked or done any sort of drug
2. eaten alfredo sauce
3. snow skied

3 things I'm not the person to ask to accompany you to:
1. a Chinese food restaurant
2. a scrap-n-chat
3. camping

5 things I secretly like doing:
1. shopping (ok, that is NO secret! but for anything ~ whether toilet paper or clothes, I'm on it!)
2. baking
3. hostessing
4. having a full/stocked pantry and fridge at all times. I'm not one of those buy as you need kind of gals. I like options!
5. having my hair cut and highlighted - relaxing!

5 things I'm grateful for:
1. My family
2. to be able to stay home to raise my girls
3. Gregg's sobriety (prayers needed - he leaves for Vegas tomorrow!)
4. our health
5. my salvation

Flashback Friday

Later this morning, I am taking both girls to have their hair trimmed by Beth. Here are pics of the first time Macy had a professional haircut right before she turned two. I had a wicked obsession with the scissors prior to that because I was bound and determined that I would have a daughter sporting a cute bob. So, I trimmed the back of her hair as often as I could to keep it even with the sides that were growing out. I had time on my hands like that. Now, I leave the scissors to the professionals and just obsess over every other aspect of my children. It is what it is.
May 2005

Dancing Queens

At some point of every evening, you'll find this scene at our house. Me, all comfy in flannel bottoms and tshirt, dancing with the girls. Now, the black socks are not typical - I had worn them with my boots that day and hadn't changed them. Yes, I realize that I have quite "a look" going as husband told me. But you can bet on it, that we were having a ball!

this is as close as we are going to get

Gregg, Paige and I are all allergic to cats.

While we were at Petsmart the other day,
Macy said: When I am a mommy, I am going to have a cat.
Me: Oh no. Then Daddy, Paigey and I won't be able to come over because we are allergic.
Macy: That's ok. I'll just put the cat up.

Got thumb?

reminder to self: have Macy turn off her ears at night

Last night Gregg went to check on Macy after we had put her to bed. She asked him why were you and Mommy kissing outside my door? Gregg asked her isn't she glad that she has a mommy and daddy that kiss and love each other?!

This morning I asked her about it. I asked her if she snuck out and saw us kissing. She said that no, she still had her good ears turned on.

Then she asked if we were having a kissing party.

Yup.

The Christmas 2007 post

I haven't posted anything about Christmas yet and I've been feeling like I need to post about it. It has been weighing on me so I been tackling this slide show nonsense for I don't want to admit how long today. It is done and please excuse any typos on it. Slide shows are harder than you might think. After this, I might not post for a couple of days because I am officially brain dead.

Anyhoo. Christmas 2007 was great! We left town the Friday before Christmas to head to Lubbock and then out to Levelland. Gregg's little sis, Lindsey, goes to Tech and Gregg's Meme lives in Levelland. Gregg is from out there and we are able to get see his mom's side of the family when we are in town. Which is our favorite people to see because it is relaxed and no drama. I can just "be" and enjoy myself which I can't do with my side of the family or when Gregg's dad is around. I am blessed to be apart of this group ~ this family. I never grew up with any family besides my parents and siblings. Holidays were spent at home and that was it.

I've said before, we enjoy vacationing and spending time with Meme. She is more like a mother-in-law than a grandmother to me. But, I've never had a grandmother nor a mother-in-law so maybe that is why my perception is that way. Her home feels like my home away from home and I feel lucky to share her with all of her many other grandchildren.

We went out to the cemetery to put Christmas flowers on MaryLynn's grave. It was reassuring to see the flowers we put out in October we still there and beautiful. Simply amazing, in fact, due to the wind/snow/dust storms that blow through there.

We came home on Sunday because we wanted to be home all day on Christmas Eve. For lunch on Christmas Eve, we ate at Kincaids with the Pilgrims. We went to the Christmas Eve service at 4 at church and then ate dinner with homegroup friends. Macy changed her mind from wanting to make Santa an apple pie to thinking she needed to be traditional and leave him a cookie. But, just one with an apple and water so he wouldn't eat too much.

Gregg was off all week so we just enjoyed a lazy week not doing much of anything. Gregg got our new kitchen table put together with the help of his childhood friend, Brett, and that was the night we made chili. I also got the guys to move the piano and then rearrange the living room. I love the new arrangement but if it was up to Gregg, we'd never move anything in the house. He grew up where furniture stayed the same way year in and year out. That is so not me.

Then two nights later, the Pilgrims came over for leftovers. I heated up the paraffin and thought I'd treat us to a spa moment. My digits were dry to the bone from peeling those apples and Nicole had been hard at work that day on her new NPO. Because we are domestic like that.

We deserved some time to lock the door, drink some iced tea, watch SoapNet and discuss all things Kenny Chesney. No, wait...it was more like this.

that would be Paige with us


On Saturday morning, Gregg was back at work and life is back to normal. We did really had a great time as a family ~ enjoying our family and our friends ~ this Christmas 2007.


Oh, wait, where was MY mom in all of this? Well, we had Christmas with her the 1st weekend of December and it literally sucked the life out me. All 20hrs of it. And it left me without energy to blog about it. And over $1,000 poorer. Let's just say, it went out with a bang ~ literally with me crashing into a red hunchback (as Macy calls it - really a hatchback). And the banged up hatchback pics won't load, so I'll take that as a sign to "let it be" as hubby likes to tell me. And I always listen to signs and hubby. Because I'm obedient like that. Did I mention that I'm brain dead!?!

It is what it is! May I be the first to say Happy 2008!

Silent Night

I can not for the life of me get through Silent Night without crying. Something about singing it on Christmas Eve ~ at church ~ brings me to tears. I think of my dad, who loved Christmas so much. It is the line ~ sleep in heavenly peace that gets to me. I know he is in heavenly peace and while I am thankful for that, I miss him so much. It does give me comfort that he and Gregg's mom, MaryLynn, are our angels until we join them in eternity. I am thankful for God's son, Jesus Christ, who was born to die for our sins so we have that hope ~ that promise.

Happy Birthday, Jesus.
Merry Christmas, our angels.

Randomness ~ Christmas Edition

If you've been one of my followers, then you'll recall my randomness post from my old blog. Well, at Christmas time I can be really random as well. I've been planning out this post in my head for about a month now ~ thinking of all of the things I wanted to include. But just last night, I thought I'd tie it together with Christmas songs. Some of the content is random and some is just traditions. Bear with me ~ this is a long one!

Oh, Christmas Tree ~ We put up our tree on Thanksgiving night. We have a pre-lit 9' skinny tree that fits perfectly in this house. I do not decorate any part of my house with red and green. I do all burgundy and gold which originated from Gregg's Aunt Beth's tree. Her tree looks like it belongs in a dept. store! And if you know Beth, she is one to emulate (beg, borrow and steal from ~ which I do every chance I get). So, this is my version of Beth's tree (which I think is 12')!

Gregg does all of the ribbon weaving and beads while I busy myself with something (I don't have the patience for such tediousness!) until it is time for bows and ornaments!

Pretty Paper ~ I have a love affair ~ with boxes. Seriously, nothing excites me more as when I get "a good box". I get excited around September because it is finally close enough to Christmas that I can start the massive box collection. I do this because I like different shaped boxes under the tree and a good box makes things easier to wrap. Then if the kids jack with the boxes, nothing happens to the paper. It is not an easy to attempt to wrap a kid's toy without ripping the paper all up. So, I go to my collection and carefully choose the right box for the gift. Now, I'm not as crazy as my friend, K, who has been known to assemble and put batteries in all of her little one's toys so they'd be ready to play with Christmas morning. I leave anything involving a screwdriver to dear husband.
It makes my heart leap just looking at it!

I do all of my paper and ribbon in green, gold and burgundy. I like abundance and options (really in all aspects of my life). I kid you not ~ at a recent shopping trip to Michael's, I had 29 rolls of paper that I painstakingly narrowed down to 9. And no, I do not save my ribbon and reuse it from year to year.
I love wrapping presents!

Do You Hear What I Hear? ~ It's no secret that two of my favorite artists are Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride.

O Holy Night is one of my top 5 favorite Christmas songs and Martina can sing it like nobody's business. Oh, and Kenny, well he could sing the phone book and I'd be happy. But I especially love Christmas in Dixie sung with Alabama. Back when I was a kid, it was tradition to play the Alabama Christmas tape while trimming the tree. I also love Kenny singing He's Just A Kid.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas ~ I love Christmas cards ~ not necessary the making of the Christmas card ~ but receiving them. I love looking a people's kids and reading holiday letters. I do like getting my yellow tablet out and listing everyone I'm sending a card to. When the cards arrive, I take my yellow highlighter and highlight who sent the card to keep track of the importing and exporting. So, if you don't send me a card, I know. No really, cards and stamps are expensive these days so I know alot of people just don't do it anymore. (Believe me, I have become the queen of the e-card). The highlighting goes back to me still being the little girl who likes to play secretary. Growing up, it was my job to keep the address book updated when the Christmas cards rolled in. I do love cards though and I attempt to get them out the very 1st of December. Oh, we are going to really attempt to follow through a cool tradition I heard about a couple of years ago. After Christmas is over and you don't know what to do with the cards, take one out a day and pray for that family before a meal. So, if you think you might be needing some prayers come Jan. 2008, then send us a card!

I write all of my envelopes using a Ultra Fine Point Black Sharpie.

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year ~ I do love shopping of any kind. I start in September and start stashing in the closet. We also pick out Hallmark ornaments every year. We did this growing up and have carried on to my girls. The girl's each pick an ornament and Gregg and I choose one together for us. Macy chose Barbie Island Princess, Paige chose "Belle" and we chose the fridge (which I can't get a link to). Seriously, I have a refrigerator hanging from my tree that lights up when you open it. It has been the year of the appliance around here (shall we say, the week of? That is a whole 'nother post) and due to slim pickings at Hallmark, I chose it. It was time to get out of the store anyways b/c the cart fell on top of Macy when she was climbing up the side of it and I had to move fast! Luckily Gregg was there to haul two screaming kids out of the store! Good times.
I buy these candles every Christmas!

Jolly Old Saint Nicolas ~ We went to visit Santa at the mall on Wednesday afternoon. Paige wouldn't have anything to do with "Ho Ho" (yes, she called him that to his face) so I had to jump in the picture with the kids. Gotta do what you gotta do. Pics with Santa are one of things that are tradition. Oh, I'm anal like this ~ my girls will have different outfits on for holiday portraits, the Christmas card, and Santa pics. It's just how I roll.

Paigey showing me Ho Ho.

What Child Is This? ~ Macy drew "Baby Jesus in the manger" last Christmas and I just treasured it so much that it found a good home in one of my many junk drawers. I pulled it out recently and asked her if she remembered what this picture was. She said a "hot potato." It'll always be Baby Jesus to me and is safely in a frame that I'll pull out 'till I'm old and gray and remember my three-year old Macy.

Away In The Manger ~ I love, love, love this nativity. We only pull it out at Christmas. Two Christmas' ago, Macy insisted on sleeping with Baby Jesus every night. Macy still likes playing with Jesus, Mary and Joefus ..And the angel says, "Fear Not!"

Up On The Housetop ~ No reindeer... just Gregg hanging lights. We always enjoy driving around looking at lights so we make sure our house is lit too.

You can imagine Gregg's joy of me taking a picture of him through the window! All for the blog, honey!

This was taken tonight with Gregg and the girls on the sidewalk. Gregg still wants to hang the wreaths on each window and maybe add lights around the flowerbed the reindeer are in.

Frosty The Snowman ~ Last Friday night we went to Casa Manana to see Frosty The Snowman. We went last year as well ~ a fun, cultural tradition that the girls will never outgrow.

Barbie came too.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town ~ Macy told Santa at the mall that she will be leaving him apple pie and chocolate milk for his snack at our house. I don't know where she got that idea but Gregg happens to agree that Santa might enjoy that. On Christmas Eve, the girls choose one present from under the tree to open. Santa leaves his presents and stockings filled unwrapped by the hearth.

I'd love to hear everyone else's Christmas randomness and traditions. If you have a blog, I tag you or feel free to comment! Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!