Christmas In Arkansas 2019

We spent Christmas in Arkansas again this year; it was our 9th year to make it back home to visit family around Christmas time and I'm so thankful it has always worked out that way for us. (And for a husband who knows how important it is to us and does everything in his power to make sure we're back home!) When we lived in Colorado there was always the threat of a blizzard that could hinder our trip home, and in Texas there's sometimes ice, but for the last two years it's always work that gets in the way. Justin requests vacation time, but in the oil field, that doesn't always mean anything. 

This year, a few days before we're scheduled to make the long drive to Arkansas, more jobs came up and he needed to stay to make sure it was all taken care of (same thing happened in 2018 too). It's annoying, but something we're pretty accustomed to after 8 years in the oil field. Last year Justin drove us to Arkansas and then flew back home to work the weekend, and then flew back to Arkansas right before Christmas. This year, he enlisted the help of one of his sweet brothers to get us home. Uncle "Jake-o" drove to Midland on Wednesday morning, and then followed me and the kids back to Arkansas Thursday morning. Justin stayed to work and then flew to Arkansas on Saturday. 

Cousins had sleepovers and played games with Uncle Drew-

We hiked at Lee Creek (very slowly)-

Some rode bikes (and borrowed his mama's shoes)-

We opened presents-

Uncle Dan and Aunt Monica put together a fun game for all the kids-

We enjoyed each others company-

Juliette met Grandmas, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins-

And we kept tradition by visiting the Hodo House for their light display-

Juliette's first time :)

It was a short visit. We only got to stay about a week, but we had a wonderful time. We celebrated our own Christmas on January 1st.

Juliette Is Four Months

Late as usual-- Juliette turned 4 months old on the 1st. She rolls over like a pro, loves her play mat we got her for Christmas and adores her siblings--and they adore her! I love this cuddly, curious, baby fat age. She giggles in her sleep, which is totally precious. Her whole body shakes from being so tickled by a dream. I just love it! (The first time it happened she was only two weeks old!) She also loves her toes and found her feet a few weeks ago. We can't wait to see her grow more!

Not Resolutions

I'm always amazed at how quickly the new year comes. It seems like it speeds up just a bit more every year. I love the Christmas season and reflecting on all that happened over the last 12 months and the dreaming and planning that goes into the next year. I love sharing my goals and hopes with Justin on our drive to Arkansas. I love fresh starts. We've made a lot of plans over the years. Some we've followed through on, and others not so much. We always have the best of intentions; a game plan; a deadline. 

Like last year, a friend of mine boasted about the number of books she'd completed that year... I thought, I could do that. It was something crazy, like nearly 100. I think I finished out the year with maybe...one. I *started* a lot of books though. (And if we count medical and health articles, then yeah, I read a lot). 

Another one, of course, is lose weight. I did the opposite this year and grew a person instead. (And I birthed her in my bathroom with some assistance from Justin. I did the hard part, after all). I'll brag about that till the day I die. It'll probably be on next year's list of accomplishments too!

I still spent too much time on Facebook. I did blog a lot more though and I'm happy about that. 

(Also, I have to brag on Nathaniel who has gone carbonated free for an entire two years.)

A wise woman told me today: "If one needs a certain date or deadline to make needed changes in negative behavior, one will never or seldom accomplish said changes. Just freakin' do it."

Here's to just freakin' doing it.   

Picture of us, just because. 

December Kid Quotes

Nathaniel needed a new hockey jersey and he had outgrown his old Oilers one, so he wanted a new one like it. He and Justin looked online one night while I was out with Gabrie and Lillie and when I came home they told me they ordered one. Nathaniel showed me the one and I asked what size they ordered. After looking at measurements, and comparing it with his last Oilers jersey, I told him it probably would be too small. He and Justin argued for a minute about whose fault it was...

Dude: you never should've trusted me me with this!

Me to Nathaniel: You're getting leaves all in my house!

Pennie: Daddy bought this house!

Dude watching TV: How did he just pull his shoe lace undone so fast?

Justin: It probably wasn't double knotted... most adults don't double knot their shoes.

Dude: (embarrassed) Ohh...

Justin: That's how I know you're still young!

Addie eating cheese dip: This stuff is changing my life!

Addie: Can I walk around with Juliette when I'm 10?

Me: Juliette will be FIVE then! She won't need you to hold her.

Pennie: Your heart is in your tummy right? 

Dude: No, it's in your chest.

Pennie: No, it's in your tummy.

Dude: Alexa, where is your heart?

Alexa: I don't have a body.

Dude: Alexa, where is MY heart.

Alexa: I found an article that may help you. *Reads us a paragraph about hearts*

Pennie: Ohhh.

Gabrie: Wait a minute! (Runs to the kitchen and comes back with a ruler). That's way too close!

Gabrie: Does this sentence have direct "quotients"? (Quotations)

Pennie: Alexa, call the cops.

Me and all the other kids: NOOOOO!

Addie: Pennie, are you gonna live with Mama and Daddy forever?

*Pennie nods*

Addie: Me too.

Pennie: Cause they're our parents. Right, Addie?

Addie eating chicken soup: Mama, could I just eat the chicken?

Me: No, eat all of it.

Addie: Please? I don't like it.

Me: Nope, you have to eat it all.

A few seconds later....

Addie: ugh, I'm a vegetarian now!

Me: You just asked if you could just eat the chicken...

Nathaniel telling a story about how he failed at making lunch.

Lillie interrupted him, trying to tell it herself.

Nathaniel: Lillie, stop interrupting me.

Lillie: What, you're a bad story teller.

Pennie: Why would they make that cake? It has glass in it. And if people eat glass, they'll swallow it and their heart will stop beating. Right, mama?

Pennie: Hey tickle monster! I need a drink. Pause!

Okay, unpause.

Pennie: Wait, is that cottage cheese? I love cottage cheese! It's a kind of yogurt I like.

*Singing rock a bye baby to Juliette*

Lillie: Down below baby cradle and all.

Nathaniel: It's down will go baby, cradle and all.

Lillie: When the bell breaks the baby will fall.

Nathaniel: It's when the bell rings!

Me: It's when the bow breaks.

Sometimes I make a list of chores for the kids to do before they can play a video game. This particular time they each had three to complete.

Me: Let's see who can get all three done first!

Kids running off to complete them: Yeah!

*And then there's Penelope*

Pennie: Nah...

Pennie: I heard the door ding bell.

Pennie: Why are babies so cute? 

I was telling Nathaniel about our upcoming schedule for hockey and co-op. 

Dude: The Tuesday after Monday? *laughs* I mean the Tuesday after practice.

Also this month, Pennie used the word "edible" correctly.