Monday, December 17, 2007

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.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

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.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

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!!!

Monday, December 10, 2007

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.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

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 !!!!!!

Monday, December 3, 2007

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!