Merry Christmas

So Santa arrived about 1:30 and the boys were up at 2:00, we did get them back in bed until about 4, just to make sure Santa had time to get here. I cannot believe they were up so early. Well Danny was and he waited till 4 to wake John Michael.
It was great to head downstairs and see all of the amazing things that Santa had left. The boys got a game table that has like 12 games they can play. They also got all sorts of legos, Wii Games, DS Games, books, Crayons, Markers, Candy, Nerf Guns, board games, and so much more. Santa definitely made it a great day for the boys, so full of magic. They also are able to keep the elves through the Epiphany which is amazing for them. For these 12 days of Christmas though the elves will give the boys a good deed to do each and in turn they will make even more of a connection to Christ. Next year I think the elves will have them do this through Advent and Christmas.
We came upstairs to open presents, and so I could get breakfast started. We had ham and biscuits, which is Brandon's favorite Christmas morning breakfast. While we said the blessing, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. This is my favorite thing to do Christmas and I always cry during the song. There is something truly amazing about Christmas and the celebration of Jesus' birthday.
The presents under the tree were abundant, and I am so thankful for all of my gifts. The boys' said that it was the best Christmas ever and this made my day.
Meme, Pop, Meemaw, Uncle Brock, and Aunt B came by to visit and see what Santa brought to us. It was great getting to visit with them.
We had a great day at home with each other. This is what makes Christmas so great, we stay home and enjoy the day and each other. There are not many days that we are able to do that so when we can I am so thankful for them. I hope that everyone had very special, magical and Merry Christmas!

First Day of Spring!!!

Well, the night before school goes back into session after Spring Break is also the first day of Spring. Something off in that equation, but what can you do? Anyway, at least it was a gorgeous week and we all return to real life tomorrow. The boys were out of school and I decided I was not going to clean, well minimal cleaning. The kitchens and the bathrooms and laundry can never be avoided, even when on vacation. Oh well. Tomorrow I will take the boys to school, hopefully we will not be late, then I have a few errands to run, then home to clean and get my act back in gear. Watch the post tomorrow night to see how that plays out.

I am most worried about the running late, it is 10 and the boys have just now fallen asleep. I am tired, and know I need to go to bed, but my mind is in overdrive. I have so much to edit, and so many ideas that I want to pan out. We shall see.

The store was on the agenda today so that I could get some spray for the wasps. I also plan to take back over my back deck this week, I love the sun and plan to be in it as much as possible this spring and summer. I am also ready for the beach and the lake. I do not think it is possible to spend too much time at either place. Maybe one day I will have the money to permanently reside at one of the two places or at least visit the beach more often. Really hoping for a trip to the beach just the four of us this year, but definitely need some jobs lined up.

I hope that everyone has a great night, I will be headed to bed shortly, but not sure where sleep falls into that category. Hopefully soon. Before I go to bed I will as always say a special prayer for all of my friends and family. I have a special request for my mother-in-law, who just needs to know what she means to all of us and how amazing we think that she is. Well, we know that she is.

The pictures from today are the boys making bouncy balls...they love this kit! I have already bought a few more for Christmas presents for others so watch out!!! Most of today has been about getting ready for tomorrow and working on the pictures that I have to get edited and the video that Brandon has to get ready! It was a great day though!

The day that started with a backpack!!!

Well if it was not enough that we started this morning late.... I was so proud we all slept late, and somehow managed to get in the van and into Irondale with time to spare this morning. That was until Danny asked where his backpack was. The very backpack that I told him to get on his way downstairs. So we turned around came home got the backpack and took John Michael to school. On the way into John Michael's school I noticed Danny was not wearing his belt, which is a uniform essential. So we came back to the house so he could get his belt and then finally off to his school again!

Monica vs. the House got off to a late start because of the backpack adventure, but still in today's episode Danny's room was the target and I got a bulls eye. I even got a head start on tomorrow which is the den. This is the room that I am scared of. Seriously! Today alone two bags to the trash and two to donations. I have been tossing bags from my Christmas 2011 shopping in there so now it is time to get them somewhere until time to wrap and give. I am proud to report that currently Monica is defeating the house.

Well, it is almost 9 and unless a miracle occurs and Danny's goes to bed (his bedtime is 8) then I will not make it in bed before. Oh well, I will not give up. Before I go to bed as always I will remember all of my friends and family in my prayers. While today was super hectic and definitely not my ideal morning, it was a great day and it was productive! Remember even when things do not go what we perceive as right does not mean that they are wrong just that we have to make it work. I was very irritated this morning and then a few deep breaths and I figure that there was a reason, maybe it was just for the few extra minutes with Danny. Whatever this morning was meant to do it did not ruin my day! Enjoy each day and the blessings that it holds.