Replacement

Early today, Tyler lost his Thomas the train inside the Fry's grocery market. Like any good mother, I attempted to retrace my steps in an effort to find it. Because I was talking on the phone, I didn't hear it drop. Normally, he would whine until I picked it up but he was engrossed in the box of cereal just placed in the basket.

Tonight, again like any good mother, I went to Target in an attempt to purchase another Thomas the train. I didn't want the whole set because he doesn't play with the tracks. I just wanted the train. But nothing, nada, zilch. So, I had a God-idea. Let's get him a McQueen car and see how he likes it.


From the looks of things, I think we can all agree this was a good choice.

Tight Grip

For Christmas, my parents bought Little Fred a Thomas the Train - train set. It included tracks and other parts in addition to just the train itself.

Little Fred has had a grip on his Thomas the train all day. When riding his bike, playing with his cars, jumping on his sister, napping etc. The train piece has not left his hands. At one point, he dropped it on the side of his bed and whined until I was able to locate it and give it back.

Why would bedtime be any different?

Heck, I could have saved my parents some money and just spent $5 on the train piece instead of the entire set.

Christmas 2009 AM and PM

Well, the kids had a very Merry Christmas. NyCee woke up about 4:00a and walked into my room saying, "Mommy, come see the toys."

The morning didn't officially begin until later. Around 7a. And I didn't let her play with any toys until her brother was awake.


They spent the day playing with toys and chasing each other.





All the pictures above represent how the house looked in the AM.

PM Pictures

Yes, the tree is down and put away. Normally, it would have stayed up until New Year's day. However, I have to prepare for my first teaching class next week. The class has to be completely prepped and ready to go on 01/01/10. The class was not loaded onto my log-in screen Wednesday which means I lost four days of prep time.

After dinner the kids enjoyed S'mores. It was a very quiet and Merry Christmas.

**For the first time in his 20 months of life, Tyler spent the ENTIRE day in pajamas. He was the only one. NyCee and I had on lounge around the house clothes.**

I realized I have a very blessed life. Although, raising two kids alone is not my ideal situation. God has been very good to me and has wonderful things in store. Men who want to take on a woman with two small kids are not readily found. But God will make sure that I have the one who will love us. Overall, it was a very good day. The hardest part of the day was not having anyone, save the kids, to share it with. But this time is for me to grow in God and get prepared. So I embrace it and know it only for a season.

Merry Christmas to all!!

Christmas Eve 2009

Today was a busy day. I attended Candle Light Service which was awesome. The string quartet was wonderful.

After candlelight service and a baby sitting event which involved five (5) children all 4 years of age and younger, the kids and I went to a co-worker's home for dinner. She has two small boys who are so cute. When we completed dinner, we went for a walk through her neighbor to see Christmas Lights. It was quite the displace.

NyCee and Tyler did a great job and Maria's husband commented about how well-mannered and polite the kids were.

Now, the children are nestled and snug in their beds. Neither one of them had a real nap tonight so they are pooped.

Time to make S'mores for Santa.

Little Old Man

I walked into the kids' room and saw Tyler sleeping in the upright position.

It was especially funny to watch as he nodded he would bounce back into the upright position. One time he nearly fell all the way over but pulled himself back upright.

Assignment Granted

I completed my instructor certification course and was given great reviews by my facilitator. As a result, I am now an adjunct faculty member with Colorado State University - Global Campus. I am very excited because this is the first step towards becoming a full-time faculty member - my heart's desire.

As I have written in times past, I am not the stay-at-home mom type of gal. But teaching provides the flexibility I miss. 2010 is going to be a super awesome year!


May I humbly request your continued prayers for my cousin Melvin and his children. As you know, Cari, Melvin's beautiful wife,went home to be with Jesus earlier this year. This is the first Christmas he and the children will spend without her. Every day is hard for him. I am sure he has both good days and bad. But the holidays are just a little harder when the love of your life is not there to share the moments. Thank you for your continued prayers for Melvin, Cameron, Max, and Ella.

Christmas Princess 2009

NyCee has gotten to the place where she does not like to go to church on Sunday without wearing a princess dress. This morning, I was wearing a jean skirt and she politely told me, "Mom, I don't want to wear jeans like this one (pointing to my skirt). I want to wear my princess dress."

Thankfully, her Nana Ida sent her a dress for Christmas. Otherwise, she will be rotating through the same three dresses until Spring. She has several dresses but only three of them allow for a turtle neck underneath to help keep her warm.

Princess and the Prince

NyCee and Tyler were playing a game titled "Princess and the Prince." Apparently, this is something she made up. That is a good thing. I do not let the kids watch TV all day on the weekends. There are times when they just play in their room.

As they were playing, I looked down and noticed Tyler wearing a pair of NyCee's blue princess slippers. I started to take a picture and post it on the blog. But then I decided to spare my father and grandfather the scene of seeing Tyler in a pair of blue princess shoes. Somehow, I get the feeling they would not find it as funny and cute as I did.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!