"Maid" to Love

Today was house cleaning day...and we sooo needed it. I didn't forget about my Thankful Thursday, I just didn't have time to blog. I learned something so neat in bible study yesterday that I will treasure for a life time....well, as long as I am cleaning my own house! A woman in bible study said that she has been doing this for years and actually some of yall might have already heard this before....but anyway it was new to me, but what a difference it made in my house cleaning day. She said since cleaning is such a chore and most of us dread doing it, we might as well make the best out of it by giving glory to God. She said, the whole time you are cleaning, as you go around to each room, and to each thing, thank God for that "thing" and send up thanks and praises to him for blessing you and your family for that thing. Like today, I thanked Him for each thing I was cleaning and spoke why I was so thankful. Today I was thankful for my fridge... I said "Thank you for this fridge even though it is not new and big...it keeps my food cold for my family so that we can have plenty, good and fresh food to eat whenever we get hungry, days and even weeks from now." Today I was thankful for my carpet...I said "Thank you for this carpet even though I wish to have a house filled with hard wood floors....this carpet is so soft on my baby's delicate feet and it is warm to walk on bare foot when it is cold outside." Today I was thankful for Avery's training potty...I said "Thank you for this little potty even though it gets nasty and I have to empty it frequently...it gives my little toddler security while she is learning to do big girl things....I'm thankful that I am washing it instead of changing diapers." And today I was thankful for the trash can....I said "Thank you for this garbage can even though it stinks....I'm so grateful that I can just simply throw away my trash and garbage and get rid of it and never have to deal with it again."Being thankful for the trash can reminded me of some of the promises that God has made to us! As far as the east is from the west. Cleaning house this way, made it where it wasn't just work but it turned into worship and also serving for my family. I wanted to share with all you, others that don't have a maid yet! Maybe some day I will be thankful for a maid....but I will still go around and be glad and thankful for everything that I am blessed with.

While vacuuming (which is the very last thing I do) the vacuum started smoking and smelling really really bad. I truly believe the enemy will try even harder when there is worship and praise music going on through out your house. (By the way, Avery just loves it when I put praise music on...she sings and dances).....hey! that's another thing the enemy didn't like today! Anyway, what Satan didn't realize that even though the cleaning stopped....the praising sure didn't....AND that I have candles for the smell...AND I have a handy dandy husband who will get home later and fix the vacuum!

Our Little Christmas Tree

I didn't wake up with the Christmas spirit but shortly got into it. We did however wake up in our pajamas which lasted all day. Avery and I started to put up the Christmas tree around noon today in our PJs. I always forget just how long it actually takes to put that little thing up...especially with a two year old. Avery helped so much....................

Not too long after we were making some progress, Avery decided she was bored with spreading out the limbs for Mommy.......

HA! I finally got the tree up, undecorated....it's our little family's little tree...it's only 6 ft, skinny and bare but it will do. It has added so much already and it will light up our little apartment. We are really going to enjoy our first San Antonio Christmas! I even got out Avery's tiny tree for her room, but she was so busy with all the other Christmas things...like wearing the big socks (stockings)! Let the holidays continue. Season's greetings everyone....the season IS here.

Monthly Vegetable

Grandparents, you would be proud. Check out this spinach salad Avery was shoving down last night! I just had to take some pics because it might be a while until we ever see something as rare as this again. For over a year now, the ONLY veggies that Avery eats is an occasional green bean and maybe uncooked carrots (of course dipped in Ranch). It depends on what mood she is in. I was just amazed at how much she enjoyed her "leafs" and the fact that she just couldn't get enough or get them in her mouth fast enough. (I just feel sorry for the teachers at MDO that takes her to the potty today!)

Before I forget...I've been meaning to mention something about the Bachelor.....for those of you who watched....WHAT was Brad thinking? It still bothers me a week later. I think he must have been told and paid not to pick someone! AND....on Days, can you believe John Black is really and truly dead and gone?

Ok, had to get that out of the way. I'm very proud of my news boots that my Dad bought me (maybe as an early b-day present) when we went shopping together. Remember, it was freezing and I needed some shoes bad! Ladies, get to Wal-mart now....these are the cutest crochet boots for winter and they were only $14. I saw them and remembered that Oprah had them as one of her favorite things...except they weren't from Wal-mart! The brand name is UGG and they are like $130. And so comfortable.

Avery has been so excited to give her MDO friend, Wyatt, his b-day present. We weren't able to go to his party since it was Saturday and we were in Tyler. She has been talking about giving him his present at school and then "getting a little bit of Wyatt's birthday". I think she means the cake.

I think anyone would love a birthday card as beautiful and artistic as this one!

SAHM - After T-Day

It's Monday...back to the real world. But I still love being a SAHM. Avery found some more uses for her latest favorite toy..... you know, remember the "knee pads"? She calls these her new flip-flops. Even thoug they are stuck to her feet I think she thinks that she has to "hold" them on with her toes. She didn't call the next anything but was wrapping them around her hands like gloves. WOW...so interesting. HA!

We had a great time during Thanksgiving. We left SA in 85 degree weather...I was literally sweating because Avery and I took a walk before our 5 hour trip. We we arrived in Tyler, actually 6 1/2 hours later....it was FREEZING. We had fun staying up playing games and in the morning Pa Pa made an awesome Thanksgiving breakfast. Later at Grandaddy and Granny's house 30 minutes before Thanksgiving dinner the fun came to an end because Grandaddy had to go to the hospital because of some chest pains and high blood pressure. We all wanted to be safe than sorry. Grandaddy (David's Mom's Dad) is still in the hospital and may be there a while...I will update with some more news tomorrow.

The next day, we went over to Dave's (my brother's house) for yet another Thanksgiving. It was so much fun....of course holding baby Rhett all day! Ryan and Avery wore their selves out! Oh, I almost forgot.....(now I sound like Mickey on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse....those with little ones know what I'm talking about). Anyway, before we went over to Dave's, Dad and I woke up early to do a little shopping. I've never shopped on the Friday after Thanksgiving and I will never do it again! It was ridiculous! The only good thing was that I ran into Cherie at 7:00 in the morning unexpectedly. What a nice surprise to see my friend. I was looking for some shoes, because the warmest pair I had were some flip-flops!

Now that we are back, it sure does feel good to be home....it always feels that way...both here and there. It's kinda funny. Today I got to see another friend that I hadn't seen in forever! It was another wonderful thing. Lauren was still in town here in SA and we met for lunch with both of our girls. Side note - You know when your kid acts like a little toot the first time that you friend sees and meets them and you worry that that is what your friend is going to think they are like ALL the time...... Well, that is what happened. Avery was unbelievable....being such a little toot! Ahhh...sorry Lauren that our lunch was not eaten in peace, but it was so great to see you and hug your neck....and see sweet McKinley too. What a precious girl. Lauren assured me that she believes Avery is a precious girl too!!!

We love you Lauren and McKinley!!

T-Day

Let's start eating! Thank God for family, food and fun. We are in Tyler and I am personally ready for hashbrown cassarole, games and the Cowboys. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I'm so thankful for all of you!

Smarter Than the Average Tot

Anyone that knows Avery well enough knows that she is an exceptional child....not quite a genius (I don't think) but for sure a very quick learner and has an amazing memory. Yesterday while she was making a worm with her play dough, she started counting....backwards. She started at 10 and ended at 1 perfectly. Why? I don't know but she is amazing to me....daily. Maybe I should start a weekly post about all of the surprising things that she does. I forget half of them....

This time tomorrow we will be starting our Thanksgiving celebration! We are so excited. First stop is Grammy & Pa Pa 's house.

SEE YOU TOMORROW G & P!

(Yes, Avery marked on her shirt with a red marker)

I cleaned the entire apt today....I hate coming home to a dirty house. Avery helped....she was with me all day today even though we got dressed and packed to go to MDO. It was closed....I wonder why I wasn't notified. Good thing I don't drive half across SA to get there....it's literally two minutes away. Anyway, so Avery was all dressed and no where to go. I had already planned on running to couples places so I drug her with me. First stop...Municipal Court...to show proof of my registration. I've been stopped for it twice now!! WELL...it was due in JULY! Anyway, $10 took care of that.

Avery and I were tired today....we were up from 12:30 to 4:00 last night. I ended up on the floor beside my bed with her....so uncomfortable....she was wide awake.....I wasn't......it was hard....but sometimes I have those nights too when you just can't sleep for nothing. (SIGH)

Well, I don't know what happened to Thugs N Harmony. Maybe they broke up.

Avery just came in here and started pushing buttons on the keyboard...she said "Am I messing up your pooter?" (computer) We are waiting for him to get home...the last two days at the academy, they have been training for Swift Water Rescue. Today they met at the Comal in New Braunfels. I'm anxious to see how it went. Better him than me...that's all I have to say!

Last night, Avery was playing beauty shop with Daddy, putting clips in what is left of his hair - I don't know how she did it..... of course Daddy just loooved it and loved me taking pics too!

SAHM - Change of Attitude

Yes, I'm fully aware that that is MY bed that Avery is in. Tell me, who could refuse an angel like that snuggled up in bed with them? I recently watched a program with Beth Moore giving a great lesson. She was talking about circumstances in our lives and how to deal with them. What I got from that, I know I will never forget and I will always remember no matter how big or small the circumstance. She said "After we have asked God to change our circumstance and situation and it doesn't look like it is going to change for a while....we must then change our attitude". I'm glad God erases bad feelings toward others when we ask Him to and even works the negative things out for good. Well, He promised to do that with everything. This weekend I decided I needed to change my attitude toward some circumstances. For example...as you know.....I was tired of being mad and frustrated with sweet little Avery. For some reason she is scared and I need to do nothing more than to open my arms to her and comfort her. That's what we want our heavenly Father to do with us in the middle of the dark and scary night. It's amazing how much weight I feel like has been lifted now that I have decided to change my attitude instead of praying for this situation to change.

We are excited about this week...our trip back home for Thanksgiving. I've been talking about seeing family as much as possible with Avery and she is getting very excited too. I'm thinking she is getting it and understanding we don't live close anymore. David is back from the deer lease and managed to get his first doe of the season....sorry no pics of that. Oh, I DO need to get pics of something else soon. For the past two evenings there has been three or four "gangsters" parked right outside our apartment. I call them the Thugs N' Harmony because they just stand around this one car listening and singing with their rap music (which is very vulgar by the way) for hours. And while they sing and rap to each other, they bounce. I'll be very scared for them to see me get a pic...but we'll see. They really don't bother me, because the music is not loud enough for us to hear it inside, but it is kinda awkward and annoying when we actually go outside to our car or go strolling...they go right along with their cussing and bouncing. I wonder....do they really, I mean really not have anything better to do??

Hey don't forget to set you DVR's for Oprah's Favorite Things 2007 tomorrow!!