The Hectic Christmas Season has Begun !!

This weekend was as event filled as they come for the Phillips household.

Friday night I got home about 5:15. By 6:00 the youth group from our church had invaded my space. We ate, opened presents, and then went to look at Christmas lights and Ice Skate. Clint and I got home about 10 pm.

At 8 am Saturday MawMaw called. She had so graciously kept the kids for us Friday night. She said that Camon was throwing up. Wonderful!!!! Clint went next door and got him while I tried to cook the 7 dishes that I had to take to parties in the next 3 days. He got home and in 10 minutes was jumping on the couch and asking for breakfast (camon - not clint). Then the candy monster (Isabelle) then brought him Hershey's Kisses, which I did not know about until he had eaten about 10 of them. He never got sick again. I asked him what he ate the night before and he said popcorn and skittles (which was later verified by my father-in-law). NO wonder he was sick if that was supper. In their defense they tried to get him to eat and he "wasn't hungry" until they sat down with snacks to watch a movie. So, by 1:00 when I could tell that there was nothing wrong with him, we went to the Phillips Christmas Party. Now, if you have never been to one of their Christmas gatherings, you should try one year. There is always about 200 people in a house that should not have more than 20. There is always at least one fight, this year was no exception. And there are 75 people talking and no one listening. It is quite fun. Don't get me wrong I love Clint's family, but prefer them in small groups. My sister-in-law said it best. She asked Betty if she had ever been to the Audubon Zoo. Betty said, "No." Grace said, "Well it is kinda like this." It was so bad this year that in the middle of the party, Clint yelled out, "Next year we are sending invitations, and if you don't get one then don't come." He is so bad!!!

So, we leave there at 5:00 and head to our Sunday school Christmas party. It was very calm compared to where we just came from. There was a great turn out and everyone had so much fun. We got home about 10 pm again.

Sunday morning we get up and head for church about 9 am. Leave church and go to the Bell's Christmas (this is Betty's family) We were there until church again that night and got home about 8:30 pm. I then had to make 3 desserts for today at work, Clint had to help Camon with his homework, fix the kids some supper, and get them in bed.

It was a wild and crazy weekend. But, I have decided that it could be worse I could have no friends or family to spend the Christmas Season with. So, I will just be Thankful for the chaos!!

Two funny things happened in all of this:

Saturday morning while Camon was on the couch "sick" watching his cartoons, I asked him to come to my room to see something. He yelled back to me, "Can you bring it to me? I don't think sick kids are supposed to get out of bed." This was right after he was using my couch as a trampoline and eating chocolate kisses for breakfast.

Clint got a really cool LSU blanket at the party on Sunday. It is really soft and you can also fold it into a pillow. Well, it WAS his... We got out of his truck last night and Isabelle grabbed the blanket and said that she wanted to carry it inside. So, I said sure. Once inside she asked Clint if she could sleep with it. He told her yes, but only at home and she couldn't take it to school. So, she then asked 10 times before she went to bed, "Is it time for bed?" She could not wait to go sleep with it. She carried it around with her until she went to bed. Then when she said her prayers she started something like this, " Thank you for Daddy's LSU blanket...." We were mentioned of course, but not before the blanket. I think Clint has lost that gift.

Isabelle and her Moose (Reindeer)

Ever since we got out the Christmas decorations, Isabelle has carried this Christmas Reindeer around with her. Now, she calls it a Moose, but it is a Reindeer. The thing is as big as she is but she insists on carrying it with her everywhere. The other day, we were headed to school. Isabelle was in her car seat and the "Moose" in the middle seat. I pulled out of the driveway and headed down our road. About a mile from our house, she started crying hysterically. I hit the brakes and asked her what was wrong. She said through tears, " You didn't buckle my moose and the Policeman is going to get her." (I think she has heard that from me one too many times - I probably should start telling her that Policemen help us, too.) Anyway, I stopped at the stop sign and turned around to buckle the moose and the tears stopped immediately. I can not honestly say that ten years ago, I ever thought that I would buckle a stuffed animal into a car seat, but there have been a lot of those moments in the past few years. It is amazing the silly things you will do for your babies.


Isabelle with the Moose sleeping on top of her (and the baby Moose in ther arms)




The Moose (es) with Isabelle in the car.

Weekly quotes...

Someone asked me the other day, how do you think of things to write on your blog every week? I simply laughed (because she does not have any kids) and said my two children are all of the material that I need!!! Here are the latest things that I have heard from them...

Camon and Isabelle were in the backseat carrying on a conversation. He spoke up and said, "I have decided what I want to be when I grow up. A trash man." Now I have heard that little boys like trash men, but I never thought that my child would be one of them, especially since I live so far out in the country that we do not even have a trash man. Oh well! So, I spoke up and said, "Why?" He said, "Because they help clean up the place." Now, either my child was saying that I am a slob and need "the place" cleaned up or he has some of his daddy's OCD????? Then he asked Isabelle what she wanted to be. She quickly responded, "A Princess." There was no explanation needed for that one, she is the Princess.

We were in a restaurant eating last week and as we were leaving the kids and I went to refill our drinks. As we were standing there a very nice lady started talking to us. She told me how beautiful the kids were, asked them their ages, and what they wanted from Santa. About that time, Camon asked her, "Why do you have gold teeth?" I wanted to die! That reminds me of the time that my mom, grandmother, myself, and Camon were out eating when he was about 2 1/2. The waiter came to the table with earrings in his ears. Camon asked, "Why are you wearing earrings?" He said, "I just like them." So, Camon said, "Only GIRLS wear earrings." My mom and I wanted to crawl under the table, or at least switch tables so that he did not spit in our food.

We were driving home one night and Clint said, "I smell a fire." From the backseat,a sweet little 3 year olds voice said, "Actually, you smell smoke." Is she smart or what? She must get that from her momma.

Yesterday, Camon had a secret Santa store at his school. We sent money with him and he got to choose gifts for his grandparents, Isabelle, Clint and I. He came home and was so excited. He went into his room and one at a time brought what he had chosen to me and I helped him wrap them. I wish that I could have captured the look on his face each time he showed me a gift. He was so proud of his choices. He actually did a good job of choosing things. He kept telling me that I could not see what he got me. Then when everything was wrapped (except mine that his Daddy was going to help him wrap) he came in the room and said, "Momma, is your umbrella old?" I told him that I did not have one because the last bad storm that we had it got torn up and so I threw it in the trash. He said, "Then I think you are really going to like your Christmas present." HMM? I wonder what it is.

Christmas with the Critters

Friday night we went to a farm with the children's group from our church. It was a neat place. They read a Christmas story (and Camon was the star - see below), had a hayride, roasted marshmallows, held baby animals, rode horses, played in fake snow, and saw Santa. It was a fun experience. However, it was 75 degrees and so did not feel much like Christmas. I guess it could have been 30, so I will not complain.



The Phillips and Cabana kids on the hayride.






Isabelle hugging "her boyfriend" (aka her daddy).





Camon with his "I have the special box" look! The Christmas story was "What does Jesus want for Christmas" and there were 7 boxes with items that the kids were handed out. Camon had number 7 which was the one with what Jesus wants.



Camon delivering his box to the story teller. It was a mirror - Jesus wants you for Christmas.



Roasting the Marshmallows.





Digging in the snow in 70 degree weather - ha!





Camon petting the sheep.







The rooster that was glad when Camon left - he was bothering the poor thing a bit.





A baby calf in the petting pen.





A cute little Billy Goat.







A not-so-cute little pig. (my opinion, of course)





A beautiful reflection on the pond. JESUS is the reason!!





Bubba the cowboy!!!







Izzy the cowgirl!!!

The real meaning of Christmas...

Those of you who keep up with my blog may know that I lost three very important people this past year: my Grandma in January, Clint’s MamMaw in October, and my Uncle in October. I was having a hard time getting into the Christmas “mood”. Oh, I decorated, shopped, looked at lights, sang Christmas songs, and let on that I was excited for my kids, but I was taking my losses hard. Yes, I still have MANY great family and friends around to celebrate with, but I was still so sad about the year I had been through.

Then, something happened. A little boy at Isabelle’s school lost his mother and everything that they owned in a house fire. Now, I am not saying that I am glad this happened by ANY means, but this event brought me to reality. I have realized two major things over the past week. First, little Ollie has lost so much more than I can ever imagine. I have no right to feel sorry for my loss. And, second I have some great friends.

I sent an e-mail to some of my closest local friends asking if they could help this little boy out. I was expecting some hand-me-downs (after all that is what I was thinking about doing). But, the response has been so overwhelming. An entire softball team went and bought this little boy tons of toys. People who I know for a fact make less than half of what I do went and bought him something or gave me money for him. Remember, NONE of these people knew him. I have taken 4 loads of new clothes, toys, and money to the daycare for this little boy. None of this by my doing, mind you. People who I do not even know have contacted me wanting to give something. My heart has been opened to see that although this world is full of evil, there are still so many people who are so caring. These people gave without knowing this little boy, or the details of his situation. This is the meaning of Christmas. They have shown Christ’s love to this family, and isn’t that the “reason for the season”? We should love God’s children just as Christ loves them.

I have not been there to see this little boy’s face when he gets these generous gifts, but I can imagine that he is so excited each time that he gets something. I only wish that it could half way replace all that he has lost, but I know that nothing can take the place of a Momma.

This Christmas I have been blessed beyond measure to realize that I have great family and friends who are willing to give generously to those in need. If I do not get anything at all this Christmas, I know that this will be one of the best Christmases that I have ever had. And what seemed like it would be a sad Christmas has turned out to be my favorite so far.

Sometimes God uses a tragedy to bless a heart and He has done that for me. This Christmas, I want to be more thankful for what I have been blessed with and less concerned with me!

May you all have a Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year! Please remember this little boy, Ollie, in your prayers.

A Visit from Santa !!

Waiting for Santa












I want a guitar??? That was news to Santa, he had already started working on a bike






I want a bicycle and a pink camera









Santa, we've been good this year









The family picture

Trimming the Tree !

We decorated our tree this past weekend. I am usually the type of person who puts the tree up the Friday after Thanksgiving, but it was rainy that whole day and so we did it last weekend. The kids had fun (for about 10 minutes). Isabelle picked up every ornament and said, "Oh! I remember this one. I made it, did I momma?" The child has only been alive 3 and a half years, but she thinks that she made EVERY ornament. However, I have 6 picture frame ornaments. ONE with her in it and the other 5 with Camon. You know how it is with that 2nd child. I swore that I would not do that, but it looks as though I have. Anyway, she found the first one and said, "Is this me or Camon?" I told her Camon. Same thing with the second and third one. By the time she found the fourth one, "She said is this Camon AGAIN?" I felt so bad. Clint did not help matters any. He kept telling her that she was neglected, etc.
Isabelle and Camon hanging ornaments (doesn't her hair look great?!?)<







Of course, she put all of the ornaments at the bottom and I had to secretly rearrange them after she was in bed. Camon did good this year. He was so proud that he could reach up high so he put most of his up in a good spot. Charlie Browns Christmas was on while we were decorating, so more watching and less ornament hanging went on for them. But, it was fun.
The helpers on the floor watching Charlie Brown.

My tree has a "western" theme. And I hang the kids first boots on the tree, some cowboy hats, and some toy guns. I added all of that the next day and when Camon got in from school, he said, "This is SOOOOOO Cool!"
Camon being silly with the stockings.


They definitely get their love of Christmas from me, but sometimes I wish that I had their excitement. Their favorite thing to do now is to go see Christmas lights. I have to get off at the exit before our house so that we drive downtown and see the lights and of course their favorite display that is set to the radio station.

Jesus is the Reason !!!!!!

Weekend News !

Well, Isabelle stayed with Sydney Friday night. Her mom said that she was so good all night. She did not cry when she went to bed. However, I got a phone call at 6:00 on Saturday morning saying that Isabelle was crying for her momma. So, I rolled out of bed and went to get her. She said that Sydney was "aggribating" her while she was sleeping. If the truth be known, I think she just missed Camon's hair. Each morning, she rolls over sucking her left thumb and plays with his hair while she wakes up. Maybe we won't try that one again for a while.

Friday night while she was gone, we took Camon to see the "Bee Movie". It was really cute. When it was over, I asked him if he liked it. He said, "Yes, but I sure wish Isabelle would have been here to see it." I got tears in my eyes at how sweet it is that they are so close. Of course, Clint looked at me and said, "He'll grow out of it." I hope not.

Then last night on the way home from church, we stopped at a house that has a light display set to a radio station. It must be a station coming from his house, because when you pull 10 feet away from the house the station goes out. It is Camon's favorite Christmas lights. We saw it a couple of nights ago and he had been dying to show Clint. Anyway, while we were sitting there, the music to the "12 Days of Christmas" came on. Camon got excited and said, "Hey. That is the song that I am singing in my program." I then asked him what song it was, because there were no words only music, and I was wondering if he really recognized it. He said, "That bird thing in a pear tree." Then Clint said, "A partridge". So Camon said, "Yes, Porridge in a pear tree."

And of course the news of the weekend - LSU Tigers are the 2007 SEC Champions and even better, they are number 2 in the national standings and therefore going to the National Championship game in January! Geaux Tigers!

Conversations of the week!!

I have not typed much this week, because it has been a pretty event-less time. However, there are two conversations that I had with Camon this week that must be recorded.

I do not know if I mentioned this before, but Camon has a girlfriend. Now, this is not by his admission, of course because girls are "nasty". But, he calls her his "best friend". She is about the only one that he talks about from school on a daily basis and at the fall carnival the two of them chased each other all night and giggled the whole time. That night, Isabelle and Hannah met and became partners in the chase game. Anyway, yesterday I overheard Camon telling Isabelle, "Oh! Hannah told me to tell you hi." Now Isabelle and Hannah have only met that one time and it was a month ago, so I think Hannah must have it bad for my son. She is a smart girl, win the sister over and you have it made. Anyway, Isabelle told him to tell her hello back. He then said, "Well, it would be nice if you would draw her a picture and I will take it to her." What a romantic - get sister to draw a picture and take it to get the credit. He is already learning. Anyway, I am a little worried about this crush, but it is so cute at the same time.

Then this morning he was being an angel getting ready for school. He usually is a little sluggish that early. I said, "Camon you are being so sweet." He said, "That's because I don't want to be on the naughty list." I had to laugh. Christmastime brings out the best in kids.

Camon got his first report card yesterday. He made all S's (which is the highest that he could score). I was so proud of him.

Tonight Isabelle is spending the night with her best friend, Sydney. This is the first time that she is staying away from home with someone who is not family. I am a little nervous but she is so excited. I just hope she makes it all night without her bubby!!!!

The MORE TERRIBLE threes!!!

Whoever coined the phrase "terrible twos" obviously did not have a child that lived to be three. My sweet, precious little girl can turn into something out of my worst nightmare in 1.5 seconds.

Last night, she decided that she was scared of the dark. She cried for us for a while and so I sent Clint in to her room. He stayed for a while trying to convince her it was okay. Then, he finally left out of there thinking that she would stay. Well, she did not. She has never gotten out of bed after we have said prayers and gotten kisses. Well, she did last night. She came to our room crying and begging to sleep with us. She first tried, the "I am scared". When she realized that we weren't buying that, she said that she was cold. When that didn't work either, she said ,"Really, I just do not like sleeping with kids." She sleeps with Camon still. I had to cover my face and laugh. Clint asked her who she wanted to sleep with and she said, "Big Kids." Well, she meant us, but I would not classify us as big kids, but she tried. I let her stand there a while and beg and then I took her to her room and put her back in bed. She cried LOUDLY for the next few minutes. I could hear Camon whispering to her, but could not understand what he was saying. This morning, I asked him if he finally convinced her not to be scared and he said, "I really tried, but she finally just cried herself to sleep."

Well, she did not wake up any better. She got dressed, let me brush her teeth, and comb her hair and just as I thought all was going well..... She decided that she did not like her shoes. So, I told her to go change them. She did, but then as we are walking out the door she realizes that she doesn't want those either. So, I send her back in her room and tell her to find the ones she wants. I walked Camon to the car and went back in for her. The child that I left in the room and the one that I came back to were 2 totally different people. She was in the floor screaming at the top op her lungs with tears and snot everywhere. I asked her what was wrong and she yelled, "I wanted to get in the car first." I tried to explain that would have happened had she just worn the shoes that I originally put on her. She started kicking and I think I saw her head spinning. She pushed her dresser about 6 feet and almost knocked it over. She started throwing shoes. Needless to say, I was not happy and let her know it. It did not matter what I did, the fit did not stop. I then grabbed her up, got the first pair of shoes that she had on and went to the car. She screamed and gagged all the way to school (30 minutes). Getting into class was not much better. I feel sorry for the young girl that I left her with. I am guessing that she got over it though, because I have not gotten a phone call to get her. She did go in without shoes, though!!!!

I hate to bring up the bad things for the world to see, but I want this here so that I am not giving you a one sided story. And, because we tend to forget the bad things as our kids grow up, but I want this in writing so that I can share this with her children one day. They say parents pay for their own sins from childhood - Clint must have REALLY been bad!!!!

Be Thankful !

I started thinking about all of the things that I am thankful for this year, and the list is just so long. In many ways, this has been a very tough year for me. But, God is so good, His love never fails. The following is a list of just a few things that I have to be thankful for this year (besides the obvious Clint, Camon, Isabelle, Family, Faith, Friends, Health, Material Blessings, Freedom):

1. I am thankful for snoring, because it reminds me that I have a husband sleeping right beside me each night.
2. I am thankful for spousal disagreements, because making up is so much fun.
3. I am thankful for a messy house, because it reminds me that I have two wonderful kids who make that mess. (and a husband who knows that there are more important things in life than having a spotless house)
4. I am thankful when the kids jump on the furniture, because it means that they are healthy and able to jump and run.
5. I am thankful that Isabelle cut her hair, dented Clint's hood, put baby powder all over my living room, and that Camon got in a fight at school, hates homework, slammed his finger in the door; because this will forever be memories.
6. I am thankful for peanut butter and jelly, because it means that I do not have to cook if I do not want to.
7. I am thankful for clothes that fit too snug, because it means that I have enough to eat.
8. I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing and repairs that need to be made, because it means that I have a house.
9. I am thankful for laundry, because it reminds me that we have clothes to wear.
10. I am thankful for the military, because it gives me free speech and the right to serve the Living God. (and men in uniforms)
11. I am thankful for the scent of a skunk, because it means that my nose works (okay, that one is stretching it).
12. I am thankful for people who sing off key, because it means that I can hear.
13. I am thankful for income tax, because it means I have a job (a smaller percentage would be nice, though).
14. I am thankful for my aches and pains, because it means I am still alive.
15. Most of all, I am thankful that there is a God in Heaven who loves us so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross and rise again so that we may have eternal life.

Isabelle's First Real Haircut !

Isabelle has had several "trims" before. But, last night Uncle Justin's girlfriend, Kara, came over and we all got haircuts. Isabelle wanted hers short. So, I let her. Her daddy agreed to it, but I could tell he was not really excited about it. She loved it though. She kept grinning and touching it. She even told her cousins not to touch it because they would mess it up. Camon got his cut, too. That is the one of the things that he truly hates, but he did not give her too much trouble.

The GRIN...









The CUT...









The PROUD smile...









The BACKSIDE...









Camon's CUT... (Doesn't he look happy!)









Are we done YET?????

Stage Fright Breakthrough !!

I am proud to report that Camon and Isabelle finished a play last night at church with, get this, NO TEARS!!!! This was truly a breakthrough for them. The play was "Acorns to Oaks" and it was about growing children in the Lord. It was really cute. Camon was in the children's choir (no major parts for him yet!) and Isabelle was an acorn. They were so cute.




The day before, Camon started whining about how he hated to sing and he was too scared to do a program. I asked him to go to dress rehearsal for me. He said, "Okay, but I am not going to sing and I am not going to do the motions." I told him that was fine. All I asked was that he did not cry and that he left his neighbor alone. He said okay! Of course I told him that he could get a "prize" if he did this - for me - of course. Clint thinks that it is terrible that I "make" them do this. But, I just kept thinking that they would grow out of their shyness on stage. I think we are headed in the right direction. He made it through dress rehearsal. And, true to his word he did not sing and did not do the motions, but he stayed up there, so I am proud. I took several pictures though, because I was sure that we would not make it through the real thing. Much to my surprise he did. There were several times that his mouth would be slowly singing the words and then he would realize it and stop. He could not help it, he wanted to sing but wanted to be shy at the same time. Right before the last song, he asked one of the ladies helping them, "Isn't this the last song?" When she said yes, the little toot started singing every word and doing every motion. Either it took him a while to get started, or he was just being stubborn. On the way home, he said "Momma. Programs aren't so bad after all. Especially that one, I liked it."










Isabelle on the other hand, wanted to go to do the play. But, when we got to dress rehearsal she would not go up on the stage with the other acorns for the first song. I thought, here we go. But, then for the next 30 minutes she asked when the acorns would get to go back up there. When they went up for their second song, she was the leader and she sang every song with every motion. When we got there last night for the real thing, she started crying 10 minutes before the start and I just knew it was over. (She had refused to take her afternoon nap.) But, MawMaw saved the day. She came in the choir suite and offered her gum. Nothing gets to that girl like gum. She immediately dried it up and went in the church and put on her best performance. I was so proud of her.



Maybe they will not be afraid the next time that they are "forced" to perform. But, who knows with kids, they are so moody!!! (I guess they get that from me!)

My little Indian Squaw!

Have you ever had a child that cried anytime that they were up in front of people? How about 2 children???? EVERY time that my kids have had a program, whether singing, speaking, or just going up to get an award, they CRY! I am not talking a little tear, I am talking cry, scream a little, and then do the gasping for air thing that makes everyone feel so sorry for them.

Isabelle had a Thanksgiving Day program today and then we (Me, Clint, Mimi, and Deda)ate lunch with her. It was a small group, just her class and their parents/grandparents. She was not even on a stage - just standing on the floor in front of our table. But, she cried uncontrollably. I felt so sorry for her. But yet, do not understand it. It has never bothered me to get up and show off in front of a crowd. I guess they both got their daddy's shyness. We have not yet made it through a program where they did not cry. Clint wants me to stop making them do things, but I keep thinking they will grow out of it. I am beginning to think NOT!!!!

Oh well, she was the cutest little Indian "Squaw" that I have ever seen.



She walks through the door, looking away from the crowd, we all know that look - she's about to cry!!!!





She Cries!!!!!

Mrs. April to the Rescue!!!

Playing afterwards with her bestest friend - Sydney!!!

Aren't they cute!!!!!!!!!

Isabelle and Mimi!!!