Highlights from Thanksgiving

Gavin and Kaden proving that they are little men in the making. Zoning out in front of the boob tube after the big feed.

Ashlyn took it upon herself to be the official roll taster. I was a total failure at taking pictures because this is it folks.

This year for Thanksgiving we had our friends the Patterson's over for Thanksgiving. Since they live right across the street from us we were able to create quite the joint feast. They made the best stuffing I've ever had and Chris actually tried their sweet potato souffle. A big step for him because he had never been brave enough to try sweet potatoes before. He ended up volunteering to take care of the leftovers for them. =) I found a kindred soul in Dave who liked my raisin pie AND my homemade cranberry sauce.

Porter and Ashlyn decided to strip down to their diapers and get naked. (They are vying for the world's record on most stubborn child who refuses to toilet train.) They both kept stealing rolls and had about 10 each.

Chris and Dave were questioned by the MP's for their suspicious behavior. They were taking the Patterson's table back to their house when the MP's happened to drive by and overhear Chris say (in his quiet little voice) Yes, the door's unlocked! They were in the doorway getting ready to take the table inside but the MP was a little worried they were relieving someone of their table.

Emilie and I mapped out our plan of attack for the Black Friday sales. She has been out every year for the last 18 years and that's a tradition you just don't mess with! It was a first for me though. I had worked in retail before but never been on the customer end. I have to say I like it much better from the customer's side. We actually got up at 3:30 am on Saturday morning which is a once a year happening for both of us. We did score some pretty sweet deals though!

Whitney and Colton did their best to never be within 5 feet of each other since he is 11 and she will soon be 10. We woudln't want anyone to get the wrong idea. It is funny to see them hit that age where they become hyper aware of these things.

Ashlyn's Sweet Earrings

Ashlyn received these sweet earrings for her birthday from her true love "My Ben". Ashlyn has a thing for younger men. She never refers to Ben as simply Ben it is always "My Ben". For the past two Sundays when I have been getting her ready for church she insists she wear her earrings. Amazingly she actually has wore them for the whole three hours of church! These babies are so special they are reserved for Sunday Best only. I couldn't get a very cute picture of her modeling them because she was being a stinker. As a side note does anyone have any recommendations for getting rid of eczema? I cannot get rid of that patch on her cheek. I have tried countless OTC creams and even some prescription creams.

Alp Noggin Hats

The talented Natalie Kattelman made this darling hat for our Miss Ashlyn. Natalie was crocheting it while at our house and Ashlyn requested that "she put lots of flowers all over it"! She has yet to learn the less is more rule of fashion. Go check out her blog www.thealpnoggin.blogspot.com and get your little cutie a handmade hat today! She has several styles and your choice of colors to choose from.

Mr. Manners

Gavin was quite proud of himself to receive a "Manners Award" at school the other day "for displaying wonderful manners". My little handsome mansome is turning into quite the gentleman.

At long last...

I started this little project back in August and it is just now finally finished. Hallelujah!!!! We got this table second hand from an older couple when Chris was in flight school. They said they'd bought it in the 50's but had to downsize because they were moving to a retirement village. We were down to only 2 of the original chairs and it was in need of an update. But the table itself is really nice wood and well made so I decided I wanted to paint it and get some new chairs. Chris wasn't too keen on the idea. I'm not sure what came over me because I am not crafty and usually a total chicken about taking on projects like this. Many thanks to Emilie who had to hold my hand every step of the way and helped me paint it in the hot garage. You're the best! Also, thanks to Chris for lacquering it after I got pregnant. He wasn't too happy about that but was too worried the baby would come out "with an arm on its forehead" if I did it myself. Though he did take his own sweet time to do it, as his way of punishing me. He is a vindictive little soul. =)

Discrimination

I saw my OB doctor today for a routine check up and I have to say I left feeling a little discriminated against. I have been to the office probably 4 to 5 times now and without fail every visit someone on the staff makes some kind of condescending comment to me about being pregnant with my 4th child. Almost every visit someone asks or assumes I will be wanting a tubal ligation when I deliver. Apparently, 4 is the number that pushes you over the edge into the "too many kids" category.
I am willing to concede that having 4 kids is something that is not for everyone. Up to this point I was able to just think to myself whatever. I had even anticipated that I would get people who would have negative things to say but I never imagined what a nasty edge some people would have. I'm not quite sure what it is that they find so offensive. Maybe if we were living on welfare or I was addicted to crack I could understand their point of view. It is true we will not be able to provide our children with a lifestyle where they receive a brand new car on their sixteenth birthday or vacation in the Bahamas every Christmas break but is that really such a bad thing?

Clarifying

It has come to my attention that my knocked up post has led some people to believe this pregnancy was a surprise. I thought I should clear things up. =) This pregnancy was not a surprise in the typical sense. Just a very sudden and unexpected decision. I literally woke up in the middle of the night with this conviction that we were supposed to have another baby. I even told Chris though I didn't expect him to hear me because he sleeps the sleep of the dead. The next morning first thing he said was, did you wake me up in the middle of the night and tell me you wanted another baby? I said, yes. He immediately jumped on the band wagon. This is not how it usually goes in our house. I have this tendency to over think and over analyze things to death. We basically have to be pushed into having a baby. We tried to blow it off with Whitney for awhile and then finally caved. With Gavin I was a little more receptive but Chris had to be brow beaten into acceptance. And Ashlyn! I literally spent months debating and agonizing over whether or not to have another. A month before Chris shipped off for Iraq for the second time I finally made up my mind to try. Chris said he could literally see people doing the math when he'd tell them his wife was pregnant. Some brave souls even asked him if he was sure the baby was his. I love our kids and I am so glad we have them! They have brought me more joy and taught me more than anything else ever could or will. It is just a huge decision/responsibility to bring a child into this world. You'd think it would get easier after three kids but it hasn't. After all, I am the girl who didn't get her drivers license until she was 18 because I was so worried about possibly having an accident and hurting someone. I think it can be safely said, that I have an overly developed sense of worry and caution.

The Eternal Optimist

The other day Whitney came home from school very excited. She said, "Mom, I've got something really exciting to show you!!!" And then she handed me this piece of paper. In case you can't read the writing it says that Whitney Weaver is a finalist for A Family Vacation to Orlando, Florida Drawing. Then the fine print says: The vacation will be 4 nights and 5 days in Orlando, Florida. It will include paid travel, hotel accommodations and theme park passes for the winner and immediate family. Total retail price is $5,000. The SchoolMall will conduct the drawing on May 15th. The winner will be notified by Mr. Earl, The Prize Man.

Now in Whitney's mind it is not a matter of if but when we win this fabulous vacation. She has spent much time speculating on which theme parks we will receive passes to and what our hotel will be like. This totally comes from Chris. He always thinks he is going to win things while I on the other hand never even entertain the idea that I could possibly win something. Too much of a realist I guess. Alright, more like too much of a the glass is half empty/pessimist. I thought to myself should I tell her the chances of us winning are very slim or should I just let her go on thinking she is going to win and then be super disappointed? Then I thought, let her believe good things are going to happen. I hear the power of positive thinking is highly underestimated. And who knows, we just might be hearing from Mr. Earl, The Prize Man on May 15th.