It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Today is the 1st Official "Snow Day" for school year. We should really call it an "ice day". I can't believe that we had record high temps yesterday in the upper 70's! Here is the view from "The Crow's Nest"! We have a chance of Wintry Precipitation almost every day this week......

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Wilson, OK- Christmas Memories

I grew up in a really small town in southern Oklahoma, Wilson. One of my favorite Christmas memories, was driving through the light/Santa display at the first house located on 70A off of Hiway 70 West. The home belonged to Bo & Be Ward, local merchants of Wilson. There were all kinds of Santa decorations, a house for Santa with a live Santa giving out candy canes, and on the Ward's home, they actually had a reindeer hoisting Santa into the chimney, there was also "A Little Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe...". Mrs. Ward lost her husband this year. I really don't remember when they shut the display down and then sold their home, but my Moma surprised me w/ something this weekend when I went home...

Braden got Tree'd at Nana's House

Today was a breezy 76 degree day in Southern Oklahoma. The kid's and I stayed the night w/ my Moma after my brother's graduation. Braden & my niece Jadyn took advantage of the beautiful weather to play outside before we headed back home. And boy did they take advantage. I think they decided to chase each other up the tallest pine tree in the yard! Braden got stuck and MBL had to help him choose the correct route down. We left to go home at 2PM and by the time we got to OKC, the cold front had hit, the temp was down to 43 degrees, by the time we got to Tulsa.......34 degrees!

"Festival of Lights"

After eating a wonderful meal at "The Fish Place", we went through the "Festival of Lights" in Ardmore. These are all light sculptures sponsored by the merchants from the city of Ardmore, OK. This is a beautiful scenic drive along I-35. What a wonderful Christmas display!

My 'Lil Brother's College Graduation

Many of you read the post in October regarding my introduction of my little brother Jason. (if not, feel free to go to my archives and read) Today he graduated with his bachelor's degree in General Studies from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Congratulations Jason! During the 10 years since he graduated from high school, he has married, has had 4 children, and is a pastor of a small rural church in southern Oklahoma. I say this is a glorious achievement in our family. (Of course, I was the 1st to receive my bachelors, many years ago, 13 to be exact! ) So, to share in this celebration. Braden, Kaybrie & I left at 6:30 this morning to make his 10AM ceremony in Durant, OK. We were met by my parents, my SIL, her father, and my niece and 3 nephews, my Aunt Gracie and cousins Tonya & Angela. At 7 PM that night we met at "The Fish Place" in Tishomingo for a celebration dinner. We also celebrated my cousin Robert's Master's degree. Congratulations to both of you on your Achievement!

Tristan, Liz, Mika, Jason, Judah, & Seth

Happy Birthday Braden- My Baby Boy is 8 years old today!

What was I doing 8 years ago today? Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my precious baby boy. I was induced at 6:30 that morning, the audience included my Moma, sister, and my 19 month old niece Jadyn. All day long, we waited in great anticipation, while watching the ice storm of 2000 outside Mercy Memorial Hospital in OKC. We had many phone calls that day, including my SIL, who was also at a nearby hospital w/ my nephew Seth, he was still in the hospital after his premature birth August 18. And then, at 8 PM, I knew it was time. We begin the counting literally, Jadyn learned to count to 10 that night! At 8:20, I delivered the most beautiful baby boy in the world. 7lbs 9oz. Now 8 years later, he weighs in at 78lbs, is active in football and basketball and video games!

We kicked off his 8th B-Day celebration w/ a birthday breakfast of scrambled eggs w/ cheese, bacon, toast & jelly, and chocolate milk. I placed a football candle in his eggs (he was not about to eat the melted wax). Then he was off to school. His spelling test was a little tough, he scored 14/15. When he got home that afternoon, he was so excited. He came home w/ 20 homemade cards from his classmates, some of them have really great art work! For dinner we had Braden's choice. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and Grandma's rolls. Then we had birthday cake. Yes, I made it. A football made out of cupcakes (I need to take a cake decorating class).

Then, it was gift time. Braden humbly opened his one box from us, filled w/ 4 shirts, and then moved on to his Grandma's Kung Fu Panda PS2 game. Then Jason sent him outside to take the trash out, it took Braden a few try's, but he finally realized that his Daddy's hatch was up on the van and contained a basketball and a portable basketball goal, he was so happy he cried, I mean it, he cried! I caught it on video! Guess what, Mom and Dad outdid Santa this year, we ROCK! Happy Birthday Baby Boy! (I know you hate that, but at least I have refrained from doing it at your sporting events)

Gas to Gas!

Today, I filled up my car w/ gas. I was amazed that I could actually fill it up with only $18. I found a receipt from this time last year w/ approximately the same amount of gallons. Check out the savings, $15.50 to be exact. Of course, we paid a lot more for a gallon this past summer, but I wanted to compare apples to apples or gas to gas!

Christmas Tour of the Crow Home

From October until January is my favorite time of the year. If you are one of my blog followers, you have seen how I decorate my yard for Fall, now I am going to give you the Christmas tour of my home! I have a total of 6 Christmas trees, 4 Nativity Scene's, a couple of animated snowmen, and a Christmas Village, I really need a bigger HOME........

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

1st Tree-Living Room - All the Presents Are Wrapped!

2nd Tree- Braden's

3rd Tree- Guest Bathroom

4th Tree- Kaybrie's

5th Tree-My Bedroom

6th Tree- Kitchen w/ a couple of Village Pieces

Christmas Village and 2 Nativity Scenes (don't you love that calculator image on the TV?)

I guess I have 7 trees! Nativity & Moving Snowmen, and Stockings (not a great pic)

Jason's B-Day Present (our newest addition to decorations)

Outside Nativity

Our Outside lights, no that is not snow on the ground, but very dead Bermuda grass it will help make the snow we get look whiter, :)!

Guess What? Only 16 Days Till Christmas!!!!

Christmas Tag!

Got this Tag from Matt 'n Meg's Blog!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper
2. Real tree or Artificial ? Artificial.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving, and actually I think it was the Saturday after Thanksgiving this year!
4. When do you take the tree down? I usually take it down the day after Christmas.
5. Do you like eggnog? Love it, I'm gonna try the soy milk kind this year!
6. Favorite gift received as a child ? My Barbie Dreamhouse
7. Hardest person to buy for? Jason
8. Easiest person to buy for? Kaybrie
9. Do you have a nativity scene ? Yes. I have 3 up this year!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards ? Mail, I mailed my photo cards out December 1st!
11. Worst gift ever received? I don't have one that I would tell......
12. Favorite Christmas Movie ? All
13. When do you start shopping? All year......
15. Favorite thing to eat or drink at Christmas? I love fudge, all of the snacky type foods, and basically everything full of calories!
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, pre-lit for me and clear.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night, My Grown Up Christmas List, and anything by Point of Grace.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? At home
19. Can you name all of Santa 's reindeer ? Yes, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer , Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and last but not least Rudolph! (I stole this)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve, and Christmas morning is all about Santa.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The weather. 80 one day, 30 the next, gotta love the Sooner State!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color ? All ornaments
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham, Turkey, Dressing
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Hopefully the husband is reading...1ct diamond studs!

Now it is time for everyone else to share......

Family Christmas at Dry Gulch USA

What happens when you get 15 family members, 1 family member in the womb and 3 family friends together for a old fashioned western Christmas meeting? Utter chaos and scattered folks everywhere (I love my family)! This year we decided to take a drive to Dry Gulch USA (east of Pryor) to hop aboard the Christmas Train. Now, I have to admit, I have a very committed and loving family, since one of my cousins drove from Houston, and the other's from the Durant area.

The Church on the Move here in Tulsa actually runs this Christmas attraction, this is its 1st year opened after being closed for 3 years for extensive remodeling. What a great attraction. The train ride included a narration of the Bible, from the Beginning until the crucifixion of Christ. Braden had lots of questions. The village was beautiful, with wagon rides, stagecoach rides, carousel horses, and lots of food.

My only complaint. Santa. What a Bah Humbug. He just sat there, did not say a word, and remained expressionless. Of course, he may have not liked the fact that 18 people were in the room w/him and 15 wanted into a group picture. The picture by the way was not that great, my Daddy was cut out of it, not a good thing, since I begged him into the family memory!

Christmas Gathering

Hopefully, I don't get into trouble for a copyrite infridgment, but I just had to put the above themed picture on. This was the theme for my church's annual women's fellowship. It was all about the Home: decorating ideas, recipes, gifts, and keeping healthy for Christmas. I believe this was the 5th year for the event, and it has grown by leaps and bounds. By the number of ladies last night, I am thinking either we better hurry up and get the next phase auditorium built (which ours is only a few months old)or we are gonna have to move this holiday tradition to 3 nights. How can I describe what went on last night (yes, it was my first time, but not my last)...Someone said it was where Oprah's big giveaway meets HGTV, there are no better words. Our sanctuary was completely full of women, we had food, laughs, giveaways, (I'm not telling, for those of you going tonight, I refuse to spoil the fun!)and a definite opportunity to share Jesus with others.
One thing that was once again pointed out to me this past month, 1st in one of the CML forum (visit my badge)and now at the Gathering is the story of the sisters Mary and Martha. Of all the women in the Bible I am probably a "Martha", I don't slow down, I am easily agitated when others don't jump in to help. I really must learn not to sweat the small stuff, laundry, dishes, dust. If Jesus was to visit me today, He doesn't care what my house looks like, he only cares about my soul and my heart. I really did enjoy myself last night. I did volunteer to decorate a table for the two nights, but that was very minimal considering the amount of volunteers it took to pull off such a wonderful evening. My friends, Angie, Carrie O, Carrie T, and Stacye also went. Next year I am definitely going to take more friends w/ me! I am also going to add a few new blog links. These are lady's from the church and they have such wonderful ministries to share!

Workout Time: Kid's Learn by Example

In some of my blog entries I talk about Carrie O, Carrie T, & Stacye. These are my BFF's that I met in my Stroller Workout class. Well, Stroller class has of course ended, but we all still get together and walk, workout, talk, and eat! Our babies have grown up watching us bounce, lift weights, do crunches etc. It's really not surprising that they have picked up on our "great habits"! Check out Kaybrie, Cydnee & Justin with the 2lb dumbells! Priceless.