The Wonderful World of Thomas..

So my girls are not usually 'into' what every other kid in the world is into it seems.. Like the whole "Frozen" thing.. I have put it on several times.. They just don't care about it. I feel like they are a choice few who are not.. but I can honestly say I'm not sad that I don't have to hear "Let it go" 235 times a day..

My girls have always liked.. 1) Daniel Tiger, 2) Bubble Guppies, 3) Sofia the 1st. out of those, they really like Bubble guppies the best. But.. Recently they started loving trains. The Church library has a train table and they love playing with it every Wednesday when we are there.. The Church was a lot smarter about their train table.. They SCREWED IN the tracks.. SMART. SMART.. Why you say? Because our train track looks like a sad mess. No tracks together.. no buildings standing up.. Just sad. In my defense, I tried to glue it.. but they magically tore up the glue.. So.. I'm either going to have to get out the hammer or screws soon for our train table..

Anyway I digress.. Because they have started liking trains.. the only Real "train" toys.. is Thomas the train. Now.. I have seen Thomas a few times.. but when I found the show on TV I have to admit... Thomas The Train is Creepy. Its a Creepy Show.. They have these trains that ride around on Tracks with giant faces on the front of them.

The Crane that puts stuff onto the trailers of the Trains is named "Cranky".. I mean that does not sound fair. Would you want to be named "Cranky".. I feel like it auto puts the Crane guy in a bad mood.. But they are all a little weird. The animated one is better than the older one that looks like stick people and clay trains.. but the faces are odd.. of course the girls now love this, so I'm resigned to watching Thomas.. and James.. and Spencer.. and Cranky Apparent. Welcome to Toddler Life. 

So the girls went to Western OK last weekend.. They are talking NON stop now, both of them.. and they love to face-time with their grandparents.. Although every-time Gigi Calls to talk to Cille, Cille says "Gigi, where's Pa?".. Mom came and got them last Friday and they had a big time. They went to Pops and Grammy's on Saturday to play with Ava.. They always have a good time when they go to the farm.. but now they never want to come back.. Which sometimes makes me sad.. because I have to convince them to come home with me.. But when you think about it, why would any kid want to come home from their grandparents house? Here's what they get to do at the Grandparents house:

1) Cross drinks Coffee With Gigi every morning

2) Cille wears her PJ's as a Superhero Cape

3) Cross takes off her clothes, gets under a soft blanket, and then has Gigi give her back rubs. 

4) They both eat Maraschino cherries out of a Jar. 

5) At Pops & Grammy's they drink Sweet Tea and Limeade

6) They eat whatever they want at all hours of the day

7) They go to bed whenever they want to

8) They Get up whenever they want to

9) They have someone to push them on the swing for like 24 hours straight

10) They play in the hay, feed cows, and feed their Donkey Kris

11) Pops and Grammy have a room that is filled to the brim with toys.. that they get to go in, destroy, and not even pick up after themselves! 

So yeah.. after I read over that.. I would also only want to stay at my grandparents house! I always wanted to stay with my grandma Leona. She kept me while my parents were at work when I was little.. and when I think back about why I loved being with her so much.. its because she made my time with her ALL ABOUT ME. I remember sitting in the floor and us playing marbles.. Eating Cherry pie filling right out of the can.. Building forts in the middle of the living room with sheets and cushion.. Going to the TG&Y and getting to pick out a new stuffed animal to take home (EVERY TIME WE WENT TO THE STORE)..We would play Old Maid.. or Hide & Seek.. It was like every moment I was at her house, Her own world stopped because she was only there to be with me. 

I'd imagine that is what every kid wants. Just to have someone want to spend time with them. I think with me having twins its sometimes hard to just let time stand still and just "BE" with them.. I'm always trying to cook supper.. or get them ready for church.. Or Rush around to this or that.. But all they really want me to do is just sit down and be WITH them.                                                                                                                                                                             This morning before I left for Work, much like every morning.. Cross wants "Mommy, sit by you".. that is all she wants. Me to just sit with her in whatever she is doing. Watching TV, Playing, whatever it is.. she just wants me to be present with her, because that is what is most important to her.. And I think that is why grandparents are so awesome.. For that weekend, or that day, or those hours they have them.. its all about The girls, and they love it. Parents have so much responsibility that we rush around and don't always get to enjoy the moments with them, but Grandparents just sit and wait for you to bring them over so they can soak up every drop of their childlike sweetness. That is Awesome, and something I'm so grateful for those moments. 

On our weekend of Freedom, MJ & I went out to dinner with Friends, and over to visit my brother Randy's new Baby, Harper.. I didn't hold her.. Because I barely wanted to hold my own babies.. so I just admired her from afar, lol.. Having my own babies didn't make me any less scared of other babies.. so there's that. 

I think our favorite thing about "No kid weekend" is sleeping past 5:30am. We both go to work early, and the girls have always Woke up early.. so getting to sleep till 7 is magic.. 

The Michael Jackson Party Planning is in full swing. I have to say, I think I probably get more excited about it than the girls.. They stop whatever they are doing if Michael comes on and immediately start dancing around the room. Here's some ridiculous things the girls have been doing lately.. Cille now knows all the words to "Joy Joy Joy" and sings it into her Karaoke Mic.. Cross still likes to sing "Santa Claus is coming to town" and "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay"

Cross gets upset anytime someone gets onto her, or onto Cille and she will say "Hey, quit being mean to me".. Not realizing that dicipline is probably going to be considered 'mean' for the rest of her life. She also points a crooked finger at you while saying this. They have started being sweet to each other a little.. and giving each other hugs. Cross will say "HI _____ I've missed you!" and then give you a hug. They both now say "TRUST ME" because Leslie says that to them.. so they will look at you and say "TRUST ME".. 

They love the new swingset. LOVE it. We got it from someone in our neighborhood who was moving. We have no idea if we got it at a good price or not, We paid $575 for it.. but.. We didn't have to put it together, so that was worth that alone! Plus Kenny at All Star Moving and Storage Moved it for us and put it back together.. So if you ever have things like that you need done, or furniture moved in your house, call All Star Moving.. 405-399-3004 Love those guys! 

The only other thing I have to tell you about, is a new Page I joined on Facebook where you can buy ridiculously Cute outfits for a fraction of the boutique prices you would pay elsewhere.. Its called "Spades Boutique".. Just hit "Join" and you can get in on the deals as well!... you're Welcome. 

Who's Bad?

For those of you that have followed my blogging about the girls.. You might remember at the young age of 2 months old, My sweet Crosslee had kinda turned into a jerk.. She would go into these fits of crying rage and we had no idea how to soothe her.. Until I figured out her trigger.. Michael Jackson Music. I remember sitting in Sunday School class, and getting the dreaded text from the nursery: "Please come to room 234 in the nursery".. which mean "Your child is hollering and we don't know what to do with her"... So I would go.. I would get her, and take her to a quiet room in the church and play "Blame it on the boogie" and all was well in the world.. This is one of the first signs that I knew that this was MY blood in her veins.. lol. Watch in this video.. At first I'm playing "Happy".. which only makes her sad.. Watch her little face as she hears the first "Wooo!" from Michael..

Now her love from him has grown into a fascination.. She watches the "This is It" and thinks that every fedora, or sequin jacket, or sequin anything really is a "Michael Jackson' Outfit.. When she puts on anything sequin, or shiny.. she will run up to people and says "look.. its my Jackson bow.. or my Jackson pants.. or my Jackson jacket".. People find her bizarre.. and I can't say that I blame them.. lol.. She's been wanting to wear the same Silver sequin pants for the past week.. she digs them out of the dirty clothes.. She also loves this jacket.. I might have setup a photo shoot..

Well I can't say that I have done anything to deny her fascination either.. I mean Gigi & I have bought her sequin pants.. (Although we aren't the ones that named them Jackson, she did that on her own).. So Now I've decided to just embrace it.. Because Londyn loves him too.. We have been having dance parties to Smooth Criminal and Blame it on the Boogie.. those are the 2 favorites.. They both LOVE Smooth Criminal..and when they hear it, they immediately start running around like crazy people dancing.. They also love the Michael Jackson Dance Experience on the Wii.. They really only like the Smooth Criminal Song on that one.. but they will watch "Bad" and "Billie Jean"..

As you can see.. She loves this.. She's like this every time it comes on.. and she will say "Mommy Dance!".. So.. I feel like if its something she is this excited about.. why not embrace it.. So without further adeau, I'm here to announce the "THIS IS IT--Crosslee & Londyn Birthday Bash"..  Yes ladies and gents, we are throwing a Michael Jackson birthday party.. Complete with "King of POP-Corn".. Thriller Water.. PYT (Pretty yummy Treats).. It goes on and on.. MJ is already frightened.. But I'm already seeing VIP Passes, Red Carpet, and Sequins dancing in my head. I've already ordered the sequin gloves..and sequin Socks.. and I'm on the lookout for the perfect birthday outfit. 

Will it be ridiculous? Over the top? Too much? Gawdy? Oh yes.. You better believe it! Keep in mind, this isn't until the end of May.. but I'm a planner.. and these events don't just create themselves.. So.. stay tuned.. All I can do at this point is Blame it on the Boogie... 

...............See what I did there.. You're welcome. 

When you split your pants..

Well continuing the saga of my ever embarrassing, choking, life...

Last week Jordan and I decided to grab the girls and head to BJ's for dinner.. I love BJ's for a lot of reasons.. 1) They have big, round booths.. (Big Round booths are great for trapping your children.. while also giving them freedom to play and enjoy dinner..) 2)They have Dark, DARK beer. I am a fan of Dark beer. They have a Tatonka Stout which I find delightful. 3) They have Pasta.. and Pazookies.. Pazookies are half-baked cookies in a skillet full of magic and wonderment. Its delicious..

So as we are about to pull up, I reach down.. and realize I feel something weird.. That something weird.. is my flesh.. I have torn my pants in the crotch area..  Now.. at this point I have two options. 1) Go home, change pants, go back out.. or.. 2) Power through this.  I chose option Number 2.. Now you might be saying, "KC, have you no self worth?You are seriously just going to go into an eating establishment with torn pants?"..... Hi, sorry.. yes.. Yes I am.. Because I needed a Beer.. and I needed some Pasta.. and those car seats are a huge pain to get the girls in and out of.. Because we were already there and I didn't want to turn around and go back.. Because I was hungry.. I mean I could go on.. but I won't.. The good thing is.. No one seemed to notice the big pant rip.. I wore my coat.. and didn't gallivant throughout the restaurant.. So I felt like it was a win. You'll be happy to know, I did throw the pants away.. and not continue to wear them..

Crosslee's obsession with Michael Jackson is still strong. Its mainly about "Smooth Criminal" the song, and wearing sequins or glitter, or lame' or anything shiny. Those are the things she associates with Michael.. For Christmas, she got several pairs of sequin pants.. Silver and Gold seem to be her favorite.. This week she wanted to wear the silver ones to church, so we put them on.. but when we got home, we realized she had torn a hole in the crotch.. Jordan's response "Like Mother, like Daughter".. lol...

These are some more awesome examples of 'Jackson' pants.. As you can see, Cille likes hers pretty good too, but she doesn't demand to wear them every time she goes out of the house.. Its really unfortunate Cross wasn't born in the 80's.. she truly fits the part.. 

IN other news.. Londyn has officially become "Normal"... if you recall when she was 18 months old our Pediatrician recommended we have her evaluated because she didn't say very many words.. MJ and I were never really worried about this.. but we knew she wasn't where she was supposed to be vocally.. so we took her to Sooner Start.. We got synced up with an Amazing Therapist who has worked with Londyn Since then.. and now she is officially being discharged from the program because she basically never shuts up. I will say, that as her mom, its been hard.. its so hard not to compare your child to other kids.. or even their siblings.. Our Therapist always assured us that we were doing the right things, and told us little things to work with her on..and with her help, Cille Blossomed! She is now talking non-stop, counting, coloring, naming colors, and is a little social butterfly. 

Cross is a very Precocious learner.. She's weird, and does things way before she is supposed to.. being that we have 2, we wondered why Cille wasn't the same way.. but the answer is.. all kids are different.. and they all develop at Different times. At 2, Cille didn't know her animals, shapes, colors, or Numbers.. Cross knew all of this stuff and spoke full on sentences.. What I've realized through the process is that as long as your child is making any sort of progress...whether it be saying a new word, or even mumbling a new sounds.. ITS PROGRESS. So don't get too worked up about the timelines, and charts that your kids are 'supposed to be' reaching.. they will get there.. But.. also, don't ignore obvious things that they aren't doing, because early intervention is the key for sure.. So be aware. I was always reading and asking a million questions being that I had never had kids before.. 

We are headed to Western Oklahoma this weekend. Pa & Gigi.. They will be gone the next month of weekends to stock shows and such.. so we are going for a quick Visit this weekend... Then we have Cousin Luke's 1st Birthday Party on Sunday.. should be a fun time! 

Tis The Season.. to choke on Holiday Spirit..

Well.. Christmas has been entertaining to say the least.. Where do I start..

Well lets begin at my company Christmas Party.. Each Year the Loves family does an amazing party lunch for the employees. Its a lot of fun, great food, and a good time to visit with your co-workers.. Which is exactly what I was doing... Until... I put that delicious last morsel of steak into my mouth.. Cooked to Perfection.. just delightful.. So delightful it wanted to stay in my throat.. Yup, it was Biscuit-gate 2.0.

I tried water.. Tried Swallowing several times.. Nope. Not happening. Ironically my co-worker, Lovero, who was sitting with me during the first Biscuit-gate 1 incident was also at my table this time..  So he says "Oh No! Not again!!".. I'm also sitting with both of my Bosses.. One of them, Casey, looks at me.. "Whats going on?"---
Lovero, "its ok, she chokes a lot".. lol..
Me--Yeah, this seems to keep happening..things just get stuck in my throat..
Casey: Are you ok?
Me--I will be.. I'll be right back..

So then I have to go into the bathroom and silent gag (because this is a big place and there are a lot of people) and cough up the dang steak.. It works. I go back..  All is well.. but after this day, I called, made the appointment to get 'scoped' in the throat, and see if they can 'blow it up' to be back to normal.. When I went to the Dr, he said its most likely a stricture in my esophagus, or that it has narrowed.. either way, they go in with a scope and blow it back up.. I'm sedated. and my throat is numb.. so hopefully this will be an easy procedure and fix the issue..   So there's that..

 After that Christmas went pretty smoothly. Pa &  Gigi kept the girls for a few days at the farm so MJ and I could build train sets, wrap presents, and fill stockings.. Cross has loved her Elf on the Shelf.. Eliza.. She doesn't really do anything. We broke all the rules and let her carry her around. She basically just "hid" treasures for Cross.. She loved her. She's still asking about her now.. I told her she went to take a nap.. Like the Giant, the Bloody Clown from the Neighbors house, and Santa.. (Hey, you do what you gotta do).. Gigi & Pa took the Girls to the Park in Elk City to "ride the ponies"and see the lights. They had a blast. I'm pretty sure they would live there and never miss Jordan and I.. At one point mom said "Cross likes to take off her clothes, wrap up in a soft blanket, have me rub her back and feed her berries"... Um. Yeah. Who DOESN'T"T???

So on the 22 we went to the farm to begin Christmas. We went to my dads on the 23. We had a big time there.. Girls played with Cousin Joe & Ava.. Those 4 are a mess, but they are all so good.. We never saw them.. they just played and ran and raced down the hallways.. We didn't go bother them unless we heard crying, or fighting.. but there wasn't much of that. They all love playing together. We had a great time down there.. Then on Christmas Eve Sant came to Gigi's house! He brought the girls a big 4 wheeler Power Wheels.. However, they were kinda weirded out by it, and didn't really ride it.. I think they will though.. They loved all their goodies. Cross had the best time with her Tea set.. Serving everyone Tea.. Cille loved her magnets.. They both loved their Karoke Machine! Lots of fun things to play with!

Then we went back home on Christmas Eve and to our Christmas Eve Service at Church. Oh man. It was so amazing. I LOVED it.. Its one of my favorite services. They turn out the lights and everyone lights candles to represent the Light of the World coming to us on Christmas Day.. So awesome, and so was the Choir.. They sang my favorite.. Listen in.. GLORIOUS IMPOSSIBLE

Then on Christmas day.. Santa Brought the girls a train set! They were so excited.. Traims! Traims! Thats what Cille says.. They loved it.. They tore it all to hell in about 10 min.. but hey, they loved it.. Cross got a "Monster".. she loves him.. among some other babies.. magnets.. little people.. and everything else known to man. They had a blast. After that we went to GT & Nana's and they got even more stuff! It was a great Christmas.. 

On Saturday Jordan's mom came over for yes.. thats right... another Christmas! We all had a fun time because she brought the girls a tee pee, so they had fun with that.. But then the weather came in that night and pretty much ruined my trees again.. They are still without power at the farm.. And to top it off, we have a Huge earthquake in the night.. Geez Oklahoma Weather.. 

I went back to work on Monday.. I was ready.. 7 days at home All day Er' Day with the girls was plenty.. I've since Hot-glued their train about 10 times.. I'm sure I'll do it 10 more.. But they love it, and I love that they love it. I love that they have great Grandparents who love and spoil them. I love our Church, I love our friends.. It was a very blessed Holiday Season. I want them to stay this size forever because watching things through their eyes is magical.. Every snow flake, every new present, every new tradition is something new and magical for them. I know we won't be able to capture these moments forever, but they are so much fun to watch right now.. We will enjoy it while we can! Hope you guys stayed warm, have power, and had a good Christmas! 

Everything is "Magical"

We had a great thanksgiving! Hope you all did too.. Yeah, the ice storm was a bit of a ruiner, but thankfully both places I was at (Western OK, and Home) we didn't lose power.. so that was nice.. I did somehow get Food Poisoning the Tuesday before, and that was NOT cool.. Then Jordan had some sort of stomach bug on the Day after.. so we ended up staying in Western Ok from Wednesday to Saturday.. but it was fun.. the girls want to be out there all the time anyway.. 'Mommy? Go see Gigi? Pa? Joe? Pops & Grammy, Bear? Poppy?".. she names off everyone she knows out there.. So we had a fun time.. Mom put up 5 trees this year.. and the girls loved them. She made the mistake of putting breakable owl ornaments on one.. so of course Cross wanted to "Hode" them.. and you can imagine how that went..

This is a really fun time with them. Everything is magical.. without me even doing anything. These people who do 1235 Christmas Crafts, and spend every single day trying to 'create' magic.. MAKE. ME. TIRED.. "Oh Look everyone a Santa face pancake with apple cream pudding frosting hats!".. Ugh. I thought this was such an amazing read. QUIT MAKING EVERYTHING MAGICAL

"Think about the life of a modern day, Westernized child. Think back to when your children were new. What did they notice?

A fresh child will find magic in every ceiling fan. A baby will be fascinated by the light switch on the wall which, with a simple flick, brings the brightness of noonday in the dead of night.

Even adult humans 200 years ago would have found this miraculous! A child today can walk into a grocery store and see entire cases dedicated just to berries. Half a dozen varieties, flown in from around the country and world are stunningly displayed. We take this for granted as spoiled adults, but this is crazy! Most of the world lacks this ever present variety.The television, the hand held phone, the tablet- all with moving people trapped inside of them who appear and disappear at the swipe of your finger. Children recognize this technology for what it is- magic."

I am with the author of this article.. If you feel the need to do this for your child.. go ahead.. and I'll be proud for you, but I just don't have that kind of time.. Or those clever crafting skills apparently, lol.. I have seen this first hand when we take the girls to the farm, and maybe because I grew up on a farm, I feel this way.. but Hay bales are magical.. Just sitting there.. You can turn them into forts, jump and climb on them, roll down them, hide in them.. And its just a bale of Hay.. Some may feel the need to paint they hay bale, put reindeer ears on it, and add lights to it.. But.. Its still just as magical without all those things.

Here's something for you.. I remember one of the most 'magical' things in my childhood being what I called a Gymnastics Bar in the Barn.. I used to go out to it every day and hang from it.. spinning, twirling, doing dismounts, watching the pretend crowds cheer for me as the pretend judges awarded me "10"s... Guess what that bar was? A deer Carcass bar..

When the hunters would shoot a deer, they would bring it out to the barn to let it hang and the blood to drip from it.. Yeah, I know.. Gross.. but didn't really take away any of that magic for me!! Magic is Magic.. Especially if you have a great imagination.. Which I do.. and I think my girls do too.

We get so caught up in creating special things for ourselves and our kids that we miss the magic.. I remember thinking the Ipod was the coolest thing that ever happened.. My kids will grow up thinking music always just came with their phones! If you look around there are so many magical things this time of year.. you really don't have to create any if you don't want too, its there if we just look for it. So Do what you can.. but don't feel bad if you don't wake up and make Reindeer Shaped Cinnamon Roll.. If you have time to do those things, then YAY! But.. We can only do what we can do.. and shouldn't feel bad about the rest.

Speaking of Magical.. We went to 1Smart Cookie's "Cookies & Milk with Santa" event on Saturday.. It was so much fun. We thought it would be a nice place for the girls to take Santa Pics.. Well Cross was super excited.. She had talked about him for days and all the way there.. When we got there she said "OH! Santa!! HI SANTA!! and Introduced him to JA... And that was it.. She didn't want to sit by him, or take a pic with him.. Cille pretty much hated everything about him, so yet again, for the 2nd year in a Row, MJ and I are in the Santa pics.. But.. it was a super cute event.. Cookies were Delicious, and the girls enjoyed coloring pics and drinking chocolate milk.

Tonight we are going to the "Live Nativity" at Crossings. There will be a sugar cookie bar there, petting zoo, and then they are going to tell the story of Jesus. I love our Church so much. They have so many fabulous events to go to and take your kids to learn about Christmas. Tomorrow night we have small group. We have been learning about Advent. Tomorrow is "Peace".. It will be really good. 

In other news.. Cross is obsessed with her Monster PJ's these days.. She wants to wear them all day everyday.. if you put them in the dirty clothes.. she will get them out and say "No, I wear the Monsters".. I mean, there's a reason we call her Creepy Cross. Cille still hates me trying to take pictures of her.. But I can't help it. She's really pretty, so I still try.. This is how it always goes...

 She just hates it.. So there's that. I'm so excited about Christmas this year.. We did a wishlist for the girls to make life easier.. I remember when I was buying presents for peoples kids.. Man, what a jerk I was.. I probably bought them blocks and 355 things they didn't need.. but you just don't know until you have kids of your Own! So forgive me for that.. I did a wishlist of things I really thought the girls would love to make life easier.. So if you are wanting ideas, consider doing that for your relatives.. I think it is super helpful to me when they send me lists of what they want, or what their kids want. 

We will try to go look at Christmas lights this weekend.. When we see them Cross says "Look Sissy.. So PURRRDY".. lol.. She's also started saying her name "I Cwosslee Maaple".. if you ask her what Londyn's name is she will say "Sissy Maaple".. Londyn has learned all her colors, letters and numbers now.. she's very proud of herself.. She will sit in her bed at night chatting about all her colors.. Its super cute. Special thanks to Suzanne, her speech therapist, and to her Ipad Apps, Endless Alphabet, and Endless numbers for helping teach her those things! Oh.. and of course, Daniel Tiger.. 

You guys enjoy the holiday season!! 

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!!