Zoey's 4th Birthday

Zoey had a great day. She got up and got what she wanted for breakfast.. of course with 4 candles stuck in it. She got to unwrap her presents, which were a pony toy and a trunk of princess dresses. She was thrilled with both. After she opened her presents we got ready and headed to have our family pictures made. They turned out fairly well. My head looked like a frizz ball, but at least all the kids were cute. We then went to shop for the remainder of our Christmas list and then headed to eat lunch. Naps were short or none at all today. The kids played around most of the afternoon inside since it has been raining for most of the day. Then we let Zoey pick where she wanted to eat for supper and she chose Chick-fil-a. So we ate there, let the kids play for a bit and then headed to church. We took snacks tonight for the Cubbies which was juice and cupcakes to celebrate Zoey's birthday. I was told they were a hit with all the kids. I did apologize to the parents I saw that it was my fault their kids were wired. SORRY!!! :) We then headed home and the kids got baths and then headed to bed. Zoey also got a lot of cards in the mail from her grandparents and great grandparents. Now it's time to gear up for the party which will be this Friday night. The kids are looking forward to it! So, Happy 4th Birthday, Zoey!!!! I hope you had a great day!

Happy Birthday, Zoey

Dear Zoey,

I never dreamed I would be having you so soon after having your brother. But you are full of surprises. We call you our wonderful surprise baby. And indeed you are. In the four years you have been here, you have brought so much joy and happiness to my life. I look at you and so far this world, it's cruelness and cold ways, haven't fazed you. You just chug right along with a smile on your face. And girl, you don't meet a stranger. Everyone knows who "Zoey" is. And everyone knows me, because I'm "Zoey's mommy". You are beautiful, loving, smart, kind, compassionate and tough. I never thought I would have a girl who loved worms, frogs, snakes and all things bugs like you. But you do and I wouldn't change it for the world. I hope that your fourth birthday is a great one and that you are showered and spoiled just like a princess should be. I love you, my sweet baby girl. Always and forever will.

Love,

Momma

I just did whaaa?

I have been a mother for over 5 years now. So I know all about not sleeping. In fact, I am pretty sure most nights when I do have to get up, ahem- several times, that I do so mostly asleep. Otherwise, I would never sleep. So when my mom and I decided to stay up allll night and do Black Friday shopping starting with the midnight madness at ToysRUs, I thought.. "I've got this". I was pretty hyped up, too. Caffeine, adrenaline.. call it what you want I was pumped and ready to go.

We get to ToysRUS at 11:45pm. The parking lot was packed. I figured as much. Get to the back of the line that was long. And when I say long, it was around the back of another building, across the road from ToysRUS.. so yeah.. long. I had on jeans, a t-shirt and a sweat shirt. That was it. Did I mention it was cold and windy? Yeah, it was both of those. We waited in line for 2 hours... freezing. By the time we got in the store the line to check out was CRAZY! And everything we went in to buy was sold out. Crud and crap all rolled in to one.

So by this time it was 2:15am and OLD NAVY was set to open at 3am. We make our way over there and there is already a line outside of their, too. I told momma that if we weren't in the store in 30 minutes from the time it opened that we would forget it. Thankfully, they let everyone in until the check out line got too long then they started making people wait. I grabbed a few things and took a place in line. Let my momma shop then she got in line with me and I went and finished my shopping. It worked out well. While we were standing in line a pregnant lady's water broke. Her husband looked scared. Also, right when we got to the front of the check out line, a girl (teenager) with a bag FULL of stuff came up to the women in front of us and asked if she could pay them to let her in front of them ($20). The ladies said no that it wasn't fair for all the people behind them who had been waiting. I agreed.

After OLD NAVY we went and ate some breakfast and then headed to Target. While in Target looking around at the toys a fight broke out in the electronics. We finished up our shopping and went to the back of the check out line that was wrapped around the inside of the store.. twice! After Target was K-Mart and then Wal-Mart. Both places weren't crowded by the time we got there. All in all we did well. I got a lot of my shopping done. And I think we had a good time.

Oh, by the time I was able to take a nap.. I had been awake for 30 hours straight.

I'm still recovering.

Recliner Rumble

After a big turkey meal all you will want to do is sit down in your nice, fluffy, comfortable recliner and sleep. But what happens if you don't get there before someone else, or maybe you go make a quick bathroom visit and someone else slides into your chair while you are gone. What then? Well my friends.. it's call the recliner rumble.

Kent slid in while daddy was away.

But daddy says, "When you are at my house you always get in MY recliner, so I should be able to have yours!"

Kent's losing his grip.

Ut oh, his shoe has fallen off. He better call for back up!

Zoey to the rescue!

"Get off my daddy!" Thankfully Zoey saved her daddy...

And he was able to remain on this throne for another day.

Thanks Review

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My parents arrived late Tuesday night and stayed until Saturday afternoon. I am so glad they were able to come. Monday night my mom started feeling bad and was running a fever, so their trip plans were kind of up in the air for a bit. But thankfully she started feeling better and we were able to spend Thanksgiving together. My mom and I cooked all day Thursday. My dad, Kent and the kids played outside, watched football and we all just sat around when we could. My daddy, Kent and myself did get a bit competitive with our "Farkling" on Facebook. I'm STILL trying to beat their scores. Finally, after a whole day of cooking we all got to sit down, at one table, and enjoy Thanksgiving together. We weren't rushed. We didn't have to worry about being anywhere else. It was wonderful. I am so glad and thankful for my time with my family.

A week of Thankfuls: Day 5

Today I am thankful for Black Friday. For all the craziness that it is and all the fun it can bring. I am thankful to spend this day of shopping chaos, with my momma. Our first time ever to do the Black Friday thing together. I am thankful for the deals I hope to find and the happiness I get from picking out the perfect gift. I am thankful for being able to spend this day out and about alone because of my wonderful husband and daddy who are making sure my children are well taken care of. I am thankful for the holiday season that is now here. I am thankful for Christmas and all that it means and brings. For Jesus is the reason for this season and all the seasons in between.

My week of thankfuls is now over, but let's not forget that everyday should be a day of Thanksgiving!!

A week of Thankfuls: Day 4

Today I am thankful for family. For the chance to cook a meal with my momma and sit down at a table with my husband, children, momma and daddy. I am thankful that we are all healthy enough to come together and enjoy a week of Thanksgiving. That we are able to sit around and talk, laugh and eat. I am thankful that my parents and Kent's parents too, raised us up in a Godly home, going to church, learning the Bible and teaching us right from wrong. I am thankful for a family who loves me despite my faults.

And today I am also thankful for a bird by the name of turkey. Oh yes, for today you will fill my stomach up and I will smile indeed for I am thankful that you are on my dinner table. I am thankful for all your friends who are called by the names of dressing, gravy, sweet potato casserole, mash potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs, green beans, rolls, red velvet cake and blueberry fluff. Today I am thankful for my plate being full.

But mostly I am just thankful for my family.