Things we did

Paul went to New Mexico for a few days to help his brother with his bookkeeping. I knew I would be lonely (and scared) without Paul, so Lisa came and stayed with us. It was a blessing.
We found a great deal on a flight and the timing was perfect! What did we do?
1. Gym: my sister is very athletic. She is one tough cookie. After our 2 hour workout on Wednesday, even she was sore...hee hee.2. Play: I know I have adorable children, you don't have to tell me. Of course our family agrees so I didn't have to persuade Lisa to play with the wild ones.
3. Graceland: not only did it stop raining but it was Elvis's birthday. They have strict picture taking rules, however we managed to sneak a few in. Side note: Elvis lovers do not take great pictures. It was amazing the sign is actually in this one. 4. Memphis Zoo: Eden commented in the 'animals of the night' exhibit: "mommy, this is scary for Eden." They mainly wanted to go to the playground, as long as their happy...I'm happy.
5. Taylor Grocery: Famous for their catfish and sharpie signatures, this place is packed every night. It is a shack! The image of what Americans picture when they think of Missisippi. Live folk music, mounted animal heads, wooden doors and the friendliest people around.

Eden had plenty of names to read while going potty.

6. Shopping & The Square: our courthouse reminded Lisa of the clock tower from Back to the Future. We window shopped on the Square and went to a movie.
Last and least...
7. Watching David pick his nose: any ideas on how to get a kid to stop digging for gold mines?

Goodbye - Hello

This week we said goodbye to Paul and hello to Lisa!

Christmas 2008

The morning presentation. Santa came!

Dad Ordyna used to say to Paul: "Seeing you open presents is a present enough".

This year we had a little taste of that saying. It was so fun watching the kids. We had the batteries, tape and screwdriver ready. This marks the first Christmas all by ourselves. We made Julie's pumpkin waffles with buttermilk syrup. Jamie made them for us in Dallas. They are so yummy. It was a Merry Christmas.

Do you want to hear something funny?

I came home from work tonight and this is what Paul said (in a nut shell):

"For dinner...ummm? I had candy, soda and hot chocolate...I have lost it. I put up my feet, watched two movies and did nothing. The house is a mess...just so you know."

I laughed (now he will understand when I have a day like that).

Do you want to hear something else? Paul and his feet. Everyday he sits in the tub and scrubs his feet. He refused to wear flip flops due to dirt, thorns and bugs (plus whole the stubbed toe factor). For Christmas I gave him ankle socks. He was polite and thanked me. I instructed him to wear them with his shorts. Tube socks with shorts is so ugly (that's what he wears). By the end of the day he couldn't take it anymore and he spilled his guts.

He explained how fashion is not practical. He saids these "no show" socks are ridiculous. I tried to argrue how nice they looked (that didn't work). He claimes his feet get dirty and the socks bunched up under his heel. Plus he saids bugs target your large veins which are by your joints. Hence the ankle becomes a new target. All this grief just for fashion. He kept going on and on and I was just laughing. So please, if you see Paul wearing socks in the middle of the summer with his khaki shorts just know that he is a practical man.

Christmas can come

now that we fixed the lights and I finished the stockings!

Ho Ho Ho

Texas

These are the people we were with last week. Every time there is a family gathering we are jealous. Now it is your turn. Go ahead...be jealous.

Nick & Jamie are the best hosts. Jamie's cooking alone is a good reason to visit. We had a great time. We wouldn't change one single thing.

Let the pictures begin...

Making a grow box with dad Ordyna.

Birthday celebrations

Throwing rocks

Apparently David decided he was hungry. Those ducks had enough bread anyways...right? I think it is a child's instinct...dad gives you food...put in mouth.


Going Bonkers: Dance Revolution & fearless David.

Carson & Nixan are skilled artist. They draw the coolest pictures. We forgot to "buy" one of Carson's artwork. Carson loves anything army. Once while talking to him this was our conversations:

Me: "Carson, what do you want to do when you grow up?"

Carson: "I am going into the Marine Corps because I'm not really an air person. I want to go to battle...a real battle for 3 -4 years. Then if I'm still alive, I want to go into the air force."

He is a realist.

Thank you for having us. We love you guys.

3 years

Eden Jae is 3 years old...even though she won't admit it. We end up arguing when I try to get her to say she is "3". She is convinced she is turning "1". If only the numbers went down my little princess.
Eden
- has an opinion about everything.
-LOVES red bell peppers. She doesn't like them cut into strips. She likes to eat the whole thing (once the seeds are out).
-Also she loves the Barbie movies. At the moment she is asking for "Diamond Castle singing Barbie" for Christmas.
-Still dances and sings all the time. She is getting crafty with her spins adding a leg lift.
-Knows almost all the words to "I'll make a man out of you" from Mulan and "Don't say your in love" ( I think that's what it is called) from Hercules. It is the funniest to hear her say the phrase "no man is worth the aggravation..."
-Pretends to be shy when she meets people. At Wal-Mart she won't look at Santa. When I asked her why she didn't want to talk to Santa she said, "I"m shy mom".
-Likes to have her fingernails painted.
-LOVES lip gloss.
-Protects David. We often hear her say, "he's my brother".
-Puts objects under her bed while she sleeps (dolls, puzzles, books).
-Remind us, "I'm not a kid, I'm a big girl".

Eden, you are growing up. I can reason with you. You are understanding the concept of time. You look forward to future events and love to think back on the past. It is December and you just stopped talking about being a scary witch for Halloween (which is what you want to be next year). You let me sleep in your bed, unlike daddy who you make sleep on the floor. You are my special girl. I love every moment with you. Happy 3rd Birthday sweetheart.

2 years old

David is now eligible for the terrible twos. Although today I am not focusing on anything terrible.

David Paul: 24 months

-You have a little body, you still wear a size 3 diaper and 18 month pants.

-You love trains and trucks. Anytime you hear an airplane, truck or a police car you say, "what's that?" Even at Wal-Mart when they make announcements over the loud speaker you stop and say, "what's that?"

-I love the way you wrap your legs around my waist and let me carry you.

- You still always run and greet me with a big hug when I come and get you from the day care at the gym. Then you turn around and say "good bye" to everyone else in the room.

- You LOVE clementines. When I say love, I mean love. Today I think you ate 10.

- Whenever you get the chance, you take off your diaper and run around. We have rolls of duct tape in the house for you and your diaper.

-Words and phrases you say: "hi guys", "choo-choo", "oh man", "what happened?", "come here", "happy birthday", "please", "this", "orange", "candy".

-Whenever daddy saids, "candy" you come running.

-Again, you are still obsessed with the counter. You climb up a dozen times a day. Eden has started tattling on you. She doesn't like to see you punished.

-You love to wrestle, play hide-in-go-seek, tag and head butt.

- You like to sing. Today in church while the choir was performing a special muscial number you got the hymn book out and started singing. It was the cutest thing!!

You and I have a special bond. You are free and independent, although if I ever left your life you would be a wreck. There is a peace and stability that I bring to you. You do the same for me. I have ogles of compassion for you. You melt my heart. I could kiss you all day, I never want to forget those soft cheeks. Yesterday you fell off the bathroom counter. You ran to be with big alligator tears and snuggled in my shoulder. After a few minutes I knew you weren't ready to let go, so I sat down and snuggled up with you. 10 minutes later you were asleep. I want to remember that moment forever. It brings me great joy to know that you find comfort and safety in my arms. I will always be here for you. Happy Birthday Day Day.

2 for a day

Celebrating two birthdays while they are technically both two years old.
After the first present: David enthralled with his car.

Making a barbie cake.


She loved the kitty. Thank you Great Grandma Garlock.

50 years

Today is my wonderful mom's birthday! I honestly cannot believe she is 50. Indulge me while I gush over my mom.
She is beautiful on the inside and out. She is the whole package...and my dad knows it.
She is a part of me. She has listened, loved and taught me how to be a woman. I feel what she feels. Numerous times I have wished I could blink myself home to be with her. To help fold laundry or watch a Hallmark movie. I love her the way she is. I always will!

Happy Birthday Mom.

Spite

This morning in the car David was screaming because he wanted to play with a flashlight that Eden had. I told them when we got to Daddy's school it would be David's turn to hold the flashlight. Eden happily agreed (I was shocked). When we got to Daddy's school I instructed Eden to give David the flashlight. She laughed an evil witch laugh and said, "I hid it, you'll never find it". I turned around, found the flashlight and handed it to David. Of course she starting screaming and I just laughed. The sibling SPITE has begun.

I couldn't believe she would do that to sweet David. Oh yes, sweet David who threw her dolly in the trash. I guess she was getting even.

Let the party begin!

Notice the lovely cupcakes. One missing and some with little finger prints. We could only find two candles. I wonder what happened to the box? ummm...David?

33 hip hip hoorays for Paul

Bonk on the head

Relighting and blowing out candles with matches...over and over and over again.

This is what water looks like after soaking with a bar of Zest.

What is this? Paul testing out the imagine stabilizer on our new camera (FYI third camera in three years). It is just common knowledge that every year we need a new camera. 1st Canon: lost at park, 2nd Canon: victim of bathtub, 3rd Canon: victim of tile floor. Hopefully our FOURTH Canon will have good luck.

No blur. Fantastic! Mr. Paul is in finals, wish him luck.

Happy 33rd Birthday Paul!

Marianne always said that Eden has Paul's facial expressions. You be the judge.

( yes, this is Eden)

I am so lucky to have Paul! I knew he was "the one" from our first lunch date. Since I've found him I feel complete. His mission in life is to make me happy. I hope I am doing the same for him. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE him! Happy Happy Birthday!

Today I bought The ELf on the Shelf. The ladies at the gym were raving about it. I guess it's a big tradition here in Oxford (according to them). It is the cutest idea. I wanted to buy an elf + book for everyone. Considering they are $30...that's not going to happen. Instead I'll tell you about it.

Read about it here.

BUFFY

Welcome to our private blog. You made the cut!!

Update on my misdemeanors "failure to license a dog" and "dog at large" in Provo, Utah:

Where were you the night of February 1, 1999? Apparently, I was being cited for having a wild dog.

February 1999 I was living with my Aunt & Uncle finishing my last semester at Provo high. My parents had recently moved to Layton, Utah.

My Aunt & Uncle have a dog named Buffy. Buffy is a runner. Famous for escaping and roaming the neighborhood. So what does this have to do with me? I suspect the event went something like this: I was at their house, I answered the door, I gave the policeman my name and he handed over Buffy. The ticket was paid February 10, 1999. By who? I assume by Aunt Janet. Mystery solved.

This is one more reason WHY dogs are so much trouble! Trouble I tell you....although doesn't this picture of David melt your heart (he LOVES dogs).

South Africa ends denial of AIDS

Thank you government for finally supporting the truth and letting your people suceed on the road to recovery. What a great day for this country. Go HERE to read an article.