Santa Not Included

   So, birthday was really good.  My in-laws sent a Christmas centerpiece for the new table (thanks Grandma!), hubby got me a new phone, the owner of my LSS sent me a bunch of goodies, but my parents FORGOT. I can understand how anyone else could forget, but I mean they were *there* when I was born. Oh well, the husband is happy because this means he can come out of the doghouse after he forgot 2 years ago. . . and yes I'm 29 again.

    On Sunday after church we took the kids over to a local outdoor mall to have pictures with Santa. It was 48 degrees outside. I had to give big girl my coat to stop her teeth from chattering. Little Man kept pulling off his shoes. After waiting about 30 minutes for Santa to show up, people started leaving. We kept moving up in the line until we were first. At this point Santa was over an hour and a half late. Then the rain starts. So, hubby piled the kids onto Santa's chair and I snapped my photos without him. Sure, I have a feeling that in a few days I will get the kids all dressed up to try again but honestly, with kids this cute, who needs Santa?

    

Tigga is Graduating!

As I write this, my brother is *finally* graduating from college. I know he is trilled, but I also know that there are two people who are even more excited about the prospect of a diploma for the baby of the family. I am so sorry I couldn't be there for your Senior show and the ceremony, but I'll see you soon. Here are photos of Tigga at age 5 and of him and his classmates via my Dad's cell phone. In other news little "e" came home yesterday afternoon and is doing much better. Thank you so much for your prayers. We are starting the countdown until we make our way back home for Christmas. Stay tuned.  And yes, that is still snow on the ground in Hammond, LA!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Happy, happy birthday Grandma. We all miss and love you and hope you enjoyed the snow yesterday! Here is one of my favorite photos from Halloween with the birthday girl in it. Only 9 more days until we can deliver your present in person! 

    Believe it or not, snow on the bayou and it was 60 degrees and rained all day. The snow picture is my parent's backyard. We have crawfish boils on this porch; not snowball fights.

   An update on little "e"-she is still in the hospital with pneumonia. Please keep her and her family in your prayers that she is able to stay off oxygen in order to go home. Sis, I am so sorry that I am not there to help cook a meal or go and play dolls with little e in her room. Just keep the faith and know that this too shall pass. You are a great mom and you are doing a wonderful job.

Little "E"

Please pray for little "e." She has been sick for quite a while and was admitted to the hospital yesterday. Also pray for her parents. It is so difficult to have a sick child. You just want to take all of their pain away and sometimes the only thing you can do is to hold them and love them. I have two out of three kiddos sick around here for the past week. Nothing major, just the regular crud that occurs around this time of year. Pup is sick too. We found out yesterday that she is anemic; she goes back next week for another evaluation. She'll be 12 at the end of this month and has been a part of our family since she was 10 weeks old.  Needless to say both hubby and I are watching her closely and hoping for the best. Working on getting the Christmas cards out a bit earlier this year so people have the new address. I'll post some cards of Christmas past this month to "refresh your memories."