Happy Thanksgiving!

Well is everyone ready for Thanksgiving?? I can tell you..that scheduling holidays with 4 sets of families is not a ton of fun.. there's never really a good time. With Grant & Lexi having Joe, Ava, and Luke.. we like to all try to get together so the kids can play, because they are all so close in age.. but with them having in-laws, me having in-laws, and me having 2 sets of parents.. its really a scheduling nightmare.. I'm sure you all know the feelings.. lol.. But.. Its such a blessing to have people you actually like to be around on the Holidays, so that is the ultimate blessings.

So with Thanksgiving just around the corner we have been trying to decide what to get the girls for Christmas.. We are going to be doing Advent with our small group this year and try to establish some fun traditions for the girls as they get older. I'm super excited about this. Terry & Laura (Our Sunday School teachers) wrote an Advent book that showcases songs, little events, and fun things to do with your friends and families to teach your kids about the importance of Christmas, and the true meaning. We are really excited. This will really be the first year they are excited.. and I say "They".. but I mean 'Cross'.. Londyn Lucille doesn't get excited about much.. Mainly bracelets, puffs, and magnets.. So she will be excited about that..

We did Phase out the Giant.. (Grim Reaper).. He has been in our yard since October.. Cross's best friend.. "The Giant".. but it was getting really windy and cold. So we decided to take her to Big Lots and let her pickout her own giant.. There were plenty to choose from.. Giant Santa's, Reindeer's, Shivering Snowmen, Norman Snowmen, Olaf, a Polar Bear.. I mean there were some good options.. She wasn't really that excited about any of them honestly.. but she picked the Reindeer.. Now, the one thing she DID get excited about.. was a giant Monkey.. but this one didn't inflate. He was just a super soft stuffed monkey. She hugged him.. (I should have known better than to take her over there.. but I'm a glutton for punishment apparently) and when I told her she had to tell him goodbye, she said "Ok Monkey.. I have to go bye bye.. I see you next time" It was so sad.. She will probably get him for Christmas because I'm a sucker.. #dummy. I can't stand their little faces to be sad. LL has the perfect sad face..

This is not the full extent of it.. but if you were to take away those markers.. you would see it come in full form.. So we'll see what Santa has in store for them. I wasn't really going to do Elf On a Shelf.. but.. They both really loved the Pout Pout Fish Book they got for their birthday.. so I think they would like reading a story and then searching for their elf.. so we'll see. Cross is already super excited about Christmas Lights and Christmas tree decorations. This is going to be a really fun year with them. Cille gets excited about bling.. which means she will really love the trees at Gigi's house!

I thought about working on Potty training for about 30 minutes.. then realized we would be driving 3432 places this week, so I should prob wait until we get back into town. I feel like Cross could be ready.. but I'm not sure.. We'll see.. I know for a fact that Cille could care less. She would be happy Poopin' her pants all day long.. lol.. Hopefully.. HOPEFULLY.. she will grow out of that.

But.. as this time of year approaches.. and as I've gone through the whole Nicu/premature baby thing with my friend Kristen.. I've realized I have a whole lot to be thankful for. Don't know how many of you have been following the Blog from Rory, and "Joey+Rory".. but its just been heartbreaking. She's 40 and dying.. and her baby is not even 2. When I think about leaving my girls, it hurts my heart.. I can't imagine anyone else raising them, or laughing with them.. or teaching them.. They are such unique children that I know no one else in the whole world would love them like I do..and she's going to have to leave that baby to a world without her mama in it.. It just hurts my soul. When I look at my girls, I can't imagine anyone choosing to not be around them, or squeeze them, or play with them daily.. but I know that is always a possibility.. So I always want to be here for them.. to protect them, and to raise them. So with that said, I have a lot to be thankful for.. 

1) My Amazing God, My Amazing Church & Church Family.. 

2) My Beautiful Healthy Family.. Sweet Husband, My Sweet girls and dog babes

3) My awesome family of people who love me and take care of me, and more importantly HELP me.. lol. Some days I need a break, or a day off, and they are awesome about coming to my rescue! 

4) The fact that I am healthy, and for the most part, my body still works. And the fact that I was able to carry twins..That makes me proud of my body.. flabby and all.. 

5) That I have a good job, that allows me to live in a beautiful neighborhood, drive a nice car, and provide for my family. 

So with that Said.. Have a great Thanksgiving!! 

Please help me I'm falling...

Lets talk about falling today shall we?

First off.. I apologize in advance, but I can't help by laugh when people stumble and fall.. Not in life, but like really fall down. Like if they trip.. or slip.. or just fall. It sends me into hysterical laughter. I will laugh and laugh.. and then I can even start laughing again sitting at my desk and thinking about it the next day. Falling is funny. I think its so humerus to me, because I do it so frequently..

In College I actually Fell UP the stair to the Swosu Science building.. I fell so badly that my toes were bleeding.. I also fell DOWN the hill at the SWOSU Admin building.. Southwestern is a very hilly campus.. I fell down the hill and rolled by.. while cars were driving.. It was pretty humiliating, but I still can laugh thinking about it.

Anytime there is any sort of moisture on any type of pavement, sidewalk, or walking area.. I fall. No matter what.. Even if I'm not walking near it.. my shoe will somehow find its way to it, and I slip.. Usually I'm pretty stellar at catching myself before I fall all the way down on the ground.. but still.. You know if people are watching me, then they are laughing at the ridiculous amount of balance and care I am trying to control in NOT falling all the way down.

I used to wear cute, fabulous shoes with heels.. Until I kept falling down.. Last year at my brothers birthday party at Iron Star.. I got up to to to the bathroom. I was wearing Dansko heeled shoes.. Just walking to the bathroom.. nothing in my way.. No water on the floor..nothing. I managed to slip and fall.. But.. I wasn't going down alone.. I went ahead and grabbed 2 people sitting at a table near me, and took them down too. It was pretty humiliating.. and I'm also laughing as I think about it now.. MJ was there.. he was laughing too.. as was the whole bar. Score one for me! I haven't worn those shoes since then.. because I fear them.

Oh, and lets not forget me falling through the attic that one time.. that was stellar.. Nothing like that to get your blood boiling.. So I fall.. A Lot.. But it still makes me happy when other people fall too. I love it when people stumble or fall, then look around like they think you didnt' see them.. I always ask them if they are ok.. but I'm also laughing at the time. I'm sorry.. I can't help it.. it just makes me giggle so bad. So.. If I fall down, feel free to laugh.. because if you fall.. its on. I'll help you up, but it will be in the midst of me laughing at you for doing it.. You're welcome.

On a different note.. Girls had a fun Trick or Treat Weekend.. We went to the Fall Carnival At Crossings.. It was pouring outside, so everything had to be inside and it was a bit of a madhouse.. a million kids in church.. But it was fun. They had trick or treating, bounce houses, marshmallow fountains, Popcorn and punch.. Lots of fun! Mom came up and went with us..

We also went to Storybook Forest in Aracadia last week.. Loved it, and so did the girls.. and then We went to Parkhurst in Arcadia last week.. The girls met a sweet pony, rode the horsies (as Cross says) and had a big time on the haybales and swing. Very fun time of the year! Next weekend is Connor's birthday party (in our small group at church) so we get to go to Orr Family Farms! So excited for that too!

On Halloween we took the girls around our neighborhood and we had a blast. Our new neighborhood is the best! Lots of kiddos and the girls really liked going up and getting Candy. Suckers are their favorite by far.. and gummi Life Savers! We had a great time! The Giant is still up in the back yard.. Cross made friends with the bloody clown and death guy hanging from our neighbors tree.. She has been going over daily to visit them.. However, they took them down this week.. that was not good. We had to tell her the Clown was taking a nap and would be back next year.. She still asks for him. I'm not sure how long the Giant will stay up.. He may be a year round staple in our yard, b/c she really loves him, and he entertains her..

House is almost put together. Our new Farm Table came in this week, and its freakin aweome. David James Tables made it.. He and his dad just out working in the shop, building farm tables. We LOVE it so much.. ITS AMAZING. Will be an heirloom that we can pass down. Its our favorite thing!!