My Favorite Christmas Songs

When I was very young we had a tradition of going Christmas Caroling around my grandmother's town in Mayfield, KY. All the grandkids would huddle together and sometimes sing clearly for all to hear and other times just goof off earning reprimand from all the adults. The adults loved to go singing after dinner at my grandmother's whether it was raining, snowing or just freezing cold. The cousins started giving eachother those little handwarmers to keep in our pockets every Christmas Eve so our hands didn't go numb! My dad has the most beautiful voice and has for years led singing at church. He was in charge of picking the songs & leading the way on our caroling adventures. Thanks to that I have some favorite songs that when I hear them each year I get flooded with great memories of all of us cousins tromping along behind the grownups singing loud for all to hear! 
Yes folks Buddy the Elf is right! "The best way to spread Christmas cheer IS singing loud for all to hear!". Here are a few of those favorite Christmas songs. How I wish my own boys had this special memory as well. There was nothing like knowing your presence at someone's home who can't get out very well put a smile on their face & made their Christmas special.

These are the good ole classics I know, but when I think of Christmas this is what I think of hearing playing from my radio. I have a few that I love now that where not in the caroling rotation. How I miss those days long ago when everything seemed so easy & simple. If someone had told me my future and how every other Christmas I would spend alone with my boys hundreds of miles away from my family I never would have believed them. But here the boys & I sit for one more Christmas alone with out my husband or any immediate family. I will put on our Christmas music on Christmas Eve as we open our gifts from extended family & I'll remember the great memories of the Christmas's of the past. I will pray that my husband enjoys his gifts we picked out with care & mailed. I will pray for all my family to remember that each day they have is precious & what a gift it is to get to spend with your loved ones. That it's a gift that I can't explain , but if your a military family how precious every day is needs no explanation. I hope everyone has a great Christmas weekend - stay safe & remember some families have empty chairs around their tables this year.

Merry Christmas from Afghanistan- we had our Skype Christmas time last night since the internet tends to get overwhelmed on Christmas Eve & day.

My last favorite that makes me cry anytime I hear it during the year.

The Nice List...Are You on It

We are on Santa's Nice list or at list on mom's clip art list-haha  But my little guys did receive a letter straight from the North Pole today! Jeremy was so excited as Jacob read it a loud for him. It said how proud Santa was of all the help the two boys had been for mom & dad. That if they just finished cleaning up their rooms they would have a great Christmas Morning!! Better believe Jeremy hustled into his room to clean! Heck I should have a letter a month sent starting in January to this kid. Super pleased that he thinks he is on the good list. We finished making about 4 dozen cookie cut outs today to decorate tomorrow. Santa will have some yummy gingerbread & cream cheese cookies to taste on Christmas Eve. I just wish the big guy who loves to eat them all up was around to do it instead of Mrs. Claus this year. Pretty sure she has sampled so many cookies & treats at this point she is sugared out! Happy Tuesday everyone only 5 days left!

It's Official!!

The Holiday Edition

 

Yesterday my sweet husband left me a Facebook post on my wall letting me know someone had taken the time to hand him the Holiday Edition of the Stars and Stripes. I was estatic- he said "I got your Christmas message thank you and I love you ." It made my heart all warm and fuzzy also put a HUGE smile on my face. I try every time Paul is deployed over Christmas to make sure he gets that special shout out in the Stars and Stripes Holiday Edition. It may not mean much to anyone else, but for him to know I took the time months in advance to go to their website to submit the photo & write a little message means he knows he is thought of continually. To me that is the most important thing on the earth while he is deployed. I know he get's tired, discouraged & home sick. If this small gesture of love shows him how loved & missed he is then I will take the time every deployment to make it happen. Here is the link to go look through the digital copy. We are on page 2 lower left hand corner. But take the time to look at all the faces of the families who are missing a loved one this December around their Christmas tree. Take the time if you see someone you recognize to send them an email or text message to remind them they are in this special edition. Also if you know of a military family that is missing someone this year drop in the snail mail a card to just say we are thinking of you all. It will mean more to that family then you could ever possibly know. All we want is our soldiers to feel loved & everyone to remember they aren't all home yet.


Holiday Edition of the Stars & Stripes

Here is the picture we used for Paul, he is missing from the photo which makes it even more meaningful. We love you and can't wait to see you on R&R hopefully in the next few months.

Things that Make Me Laugh

It's been another crazy busy week around our home. My lower back hurts so bad & no amount of pain pills seem to help. It's just stress I didn't injure it working out. It actually feels good to stretch it out with long walks. But it has caused me to stay in my chair a bit more this week with a temperpedic pillow behind me which of course leads to aimlessly browsing the internet or Facebook. I came across of few things that made me laugh out loud . With some crazy spouse drama that I am trying to avoid going on around our part of town as well as back ache I needed a good laugh.  I thought I would share a couple with you this Thursday since we don't have a lot of new to report on lately. I hope they make you laugh or at least smile as well. Have a great Thursday everyone!

Another funny red-head posted this & I got a chuckle. You know why if you read my Blog Post on Stages of Deployment.....if you didn't go check it out!

I am sensing a pattern amongst my fellow Army wives.....just saying once again go check out my last post-hehe

I just thought this one was cute.

 After the week I've had this made me bust a gut- some people  just deserve to be on  Santa's Naughty list!

I can't imagine that anybody hasn't seen the movie ELF by now, but if not hurry out to buy a copy! We've already watched it twice this week. " You smell of Beef & Cheese"-HAHA

Haha- poor Santa!

I am so glad we have a fake tree or my dogs would be saying this!

 

Last is a picture of our sweet Banyan who was resting in front of the Christmas tree after being groomed yesterday. Not sure he was to thrilled but he sure is cute.

I hope you find somethings in your day that makes you smile & forget about all the craziness for a few moments.

Yes Folks There are Stages.....

All of you Army Wives out there in Blog world or for that matter any Military Wife know that there are Stages of Deployment. Well yesterday I hit month #5 of this year long deployment. I was having a decent day playing one of Santa's Elves by wrapping all the presents I had gotten off of layway. Can I just say how glad I am they brought layaway back to Wal-Mart. I have four boys folks & have run out of hiding spots! Wal-mart made for a great place to hide all the gifts.  
Anyway back to the stages....I actually didn't even realize that I had hit 5 months of deployment until I was wrestling with the tangle of Christmas lights on the front porch. I was standing on the very tippy top of our ladder trying not to fall & crash to the ground ending up unconscious- you know that would totally freak the boys out when they walk up from the bus. Here lies mommy in a mass of tangled twinkling Christmas lights asleep on the porch. I am betting the older two would step over me at this point go into the house fix a snack then ask each other " Why do you think mom wanted to nap on the porch? It's freezing outside!". Huge sigh here folks.... I love my life but some days it resembles the sitcom  The Middle with Patricia Heaton- so unbelievable that it's hysterically funny!

My day went downhill for a few hours as Army Wives provided non-stop drama around Facebook & our neighborhood. I love my neighborhood a lot. We chose to not live on post to avoid a lot of the drama that can occur. I was so happy when about three years ago a friend decided to start Military Coffee groups out in our neighborhood so we could have the support with out the drama. It was a wonderful three years but like all drama free military situations it had to come to an end sometime. We out grew our small intimate group & in doing so I met more wonderful ladies from all branches who I am happy to call friends. But it also opened the drama door with a gaping wide path to craziness. That's when I decided I needed a girl's night in my home with A LOT of WINE involved! That folks is how I knew when I heard this lovely & oh so accurate song posted on my Facebook I had hit Deployment Stage #7!!  Wine has become a Food Group - thank goodness for it-LOL I only need one glass on occasion in the comfort of my home with my favorite girly movie on & some chocolate so yes Stage #2 is still sticking around! But I am no where near Stage #12 yet which would mean this silly deployment is almost over!


I know the stages of deployment well & have gone through most of them maybe only one stage have I ever skipped- never had to have a child with him gone. BUT I could replace that stage with "spent a week in the hospital with your sick soooooonnnnnnn all byyyy myself!". Imagine it sung to the tune of The twelve days of Christmas -haha So enjoy this little ditty posted by another Army wife who also is living with the Stages right now in her life.  Then try to remember if you are not currently living through the stages how you felt when you where in the throws of them all! Take a little pity on us crazy ,stressed out, exhausted, over worked, barely hanging on for dear freaking life wives / mom's -  just be nice smile  leave us ALONE with our chocolate & Wine to pretend we  are doing just fine!! Or if you must become involved in our lives be uplifting, encouraging but by all means PROVIDE said Wine & Chocolate before entering our home or writing on our Facebook Walls!!

It doesn't mean we don't still love you all, it just means we are a little cranky & over sensitive at the moment so proceed with caution before entering our world.

Christmas Parade

Today was our town's annual Christmas in the Park & Parade. The younger two boys decided to brave the 29 degree temperatures with me & head to the parade this morning. We took Banyan with us and I was nervous all the noise from the band,horses,dune buggy's & children would be to much. He did pretty well considering all the distractions. He had a moment when the High School band came by with the drums where he had to be right up against my legs. But I ruffed his neck up & told him in a fun voice it was OK. There was a little yippy terrier about four people down who he would occasionally look at  like he wanted to eat him but he did very well not trying to even go over to that crazy dog. When the Human Society marched by with about twenty-five dogs of all shapes & sizes he sat up to pay attention. But he never once pulled & tried to go greet them- AWESOME!  When the dune buggy's revved their engines he came right back to sit by me-lol I don't blame they where loud & obnoxious.We froze but had a great time catching all the candy that was thrown the boys way. They left with two very full plastic bags . Banyan was more then ready to leave after the parade. He jumped right into the van & sat down. But over all he did so good & I was one proud mom!


Next we headed to our church to decorate the Christmas tree with some of our ornaments that where collecting dust in my garage. The boys had fun & Banyan took a nap most of the time, just happy I'm sure for the quiet after the parade. The boys did a good job on the tree & we headed off home finally. It was a fun morning & everyone was tired. Not a peep out of the back of the van as we listened to Christmas music all the way home. It was a good field trip to watch Banyan's reactions to the loud chaos- to know we can take him almost anywhere so far is a great relief. Now he is alseep in his kennel relaxing for the night. Have a great weekend everyone!

 

Enjoying some hot chocolate as we wait for the parade to start

 

Jacob wanted Banyan to wear the hat, Banyan wanted to eat the hat!

 

Merry Christmas Everyone

Tune Time Thursday

No I haven't forgotten about linking with Amber over at Goodnight Moon  life just got very busy the past couple of weeks. BUT today I woke up & about FROZE my booty off taking kids to school & running errands. That's when I figured out my song! It's perfect for this time of year & I love it! The original is my favorite but I love it when it pops up in Christmas movies this time of year as well. Seeing as today's high in WA is only 35 degrees, clear, & COLD- I went with "Baby it's Cold Outside" . Love it in Elf when we watch it sung with Will Ferrral as well- just a good tune! But here is Doris Day & Dean Martin my all time favorite singers of this classic. Stay Warm everyone & go link up with Amber today.

Shopped Until I Dropped

Yes folks I am one of the crazy people who get's her favorite girls together & head out into the madness that is "Black Friday" almost every year. This year was no exception except for all the stores decided to take some of the fun I thought out of it by starting at mid-night. I only had one very specific item that I was afraid I would loose out on if I didn't trek out at mid-night. So even though I was puking because my body had a minor reaction to all the really rich food I consumed after months of clean eating- I grabbed a friend to head out to Gamestop. We waited about forty minutes in the drizzle then where in & out of the store with our purchases in thirty minutes! I got home and managed about three hours of sleep then up & out the door for some more shopping! 

The BEST thing ever was when we arrived at Kohls our favorite store to start with on Black Friday we got a super close parking spot! Then when we got inside we realized there was NO LINE!! NONE at ALL!! We asked & found out it was super crazy packed from mid-night until 4Am then it was quiet! It was just like any other shopping day of the week except we where still getting fabulous deals!! We bought so much fun things & saved HUGE!! We continued on to several other stores with the same outcome. HUGE savings with NO LINES!!  I was so happy, relaxed & pleased with our haul! After we finished all on our lists we hit up Red Robin for some much needed food. Our waiter was so sweet & fun. We had a fun time eating & re-charging. We hit up one last store before heading home. Man was I wiped out! But I got home to find the older boys had put up the Christmas tree for  me so we could decorate like we always do every year. I took about an hour off before helping them decorate.
Now we are all laying in pj's watching our favorite Christmas movie Elf- it cracks me up every time! We have watched it so many times I have lost count- but it is hilarious! Now I am ready to sleep & hopefully sleep well. Tomorrow we will try for some outdoor decorating & more fun family time. Have a great weekend everyone!

This was at lunch & my eyes are beginning to drop- but we still had fun!

Let the Christmas Cheer begin!!

Handy man, I mean Daddy

Happy Thanksgiving folks - I know I have been a slacker in posting but we have been so busy. My parents flew in on Monday which was only yesterday but it feels like we have been going non-stop! They only come on Thanksgiving when Paul is deployed so the boys & I have some family around. I save all my household fix-em up projects for my daddy as well. Yes folks I am almost forty & I call him daddy still. My dad & I where at Home depot before 9Am today gathering the supplies on his list. He walked through the house Monday evening to see what damage the four boys had done in the two years since he had been here. Well & one girl doggie named Heidi who chewed through my bedroom door frame this summer .  I now have a new door,door frame, picture frame around my world map,& as I type he is repainting the boys bathroom. It doesn't matter that I told him they will have it trashed in a week after he leaves. He still wants it to look nice for thanksgiving day when I have a houseful of guests . I forgot to mention all the little fixes as well- but I am Thankful for every little tiny thing he has done today so my house doesn't fall apart while my soldier is deployed. I am just not a handy girl & thankfully I don't have to spend a fortune to have repairs done.

Mom & I took ourselves into town while dad worked to gather the supplies for Thanksgiving feast. The turkey will be done by our Turkey guru Nathan so we where picking up things for sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pies,green beans casserole & a ham. We bought enough that I was actually given a FREE Turkey from Safeway! Now I have Christmas Dinner in the freezer already! Plus we used all my electronic coupons & regular coupons so I saved us $103.65 on our final bill!! I was super excited! I am also thankful that I have both my parents still to share holidays with some years. I love that they love my kids & take the time to see them as often as possible. It isn't easy as they live in Tennessee but they never let the distance stop them. They see my four boys at least once a year even if they don't see me or Paul.My boys just don't know how lucky they are to have a set of grandparents that treasure them so much & want to be apart of their everyday life from thousands of miles away.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I will be missing my soldier & it breaks my heart to hear how much he is missing us this week. But I know God willing we will have many more holidays to spend together with him in the future. I have his Christmas packages all wrapped I just need to grab a few more little items to put inside his box. I cried while we wrapped his gifts because I hate that we won't get to see  his face while he opens them. I know he will like them all & I pray we can SKYPE at some point. Holiday's for an Army wife stink when they involve deployment. I will enjoy my family time with my parents & my children this week. Then deal with Christmas the best I can. One day at a time, one day at a time.