Utter Exhaustion but Lots of Love

Man oh man has it been a busy couple of days. I am absolutely worn out but it is impossible for me to take a nap. I am the only adult in the house with the exception of my dad who is not snoozing away.

Mackenzie's last day of school was Thursday. She had a Christmas party at her school and I go to go to it. Note: I greatly admire any person who can tolerate 16 3rd graders for 7 hours a day. It was a lot of fun and once we got home it was non-stop packing for our trip. Below is a picture of her teacher and yes, her teacher is shorter than she is.



We left Friday morning for my parents house. We were celebrating Christmas early since my grandparents were going to be here, along with Elizabeth and Ben. Now we were suppose to leave by 9:30 but that didn't quite happen. Now I was ready before then by some miracle. It was Lee who was running behind. He had gone to the post office earlier in the morning and there was a long line of people mailing their packages. Then he and the middle row middle seat had a fight when Lee tried to remove it. Lee won the fight, eventually.

Now all I can say is thank God for mini-vans. We had our entire back area packed, half of the back row folded down and packed to the ceiling, the middle walkway packed, and in front of Avery's seat packed full. I cannot imagine traveling in anything smaller. Next time I think we should rent a 15 passenger van. The sad part I'm not even kidding.

We finally got off around 10:40 and I have to say for traveling with 3 kids, one being an infant we made great time. Only one potty break the entire trip. It also helped that I'm not pregnant any more. If I was still pregnant I can tell you we would've stopped at least 5 times. No sooner than us walking in the door is Avery whisked out of her car seat and I haven't seen her since. Okay, I've seen her but only from a distance. She has been constantly held between my mom and Avonelle (my mom's mom. Wilson also adores Avery and loves to hold her. He has had quite a hard time getting her from the ladies but he has suceeded a couple of times. It is safe to say she is very loved.






Friday night we celebrated Jackson's birthday. He had a Batman cake from Publix that was really cute and tasted amazing. It is first year he's been really excited about his birthday and that he has had family around for it. We had mac 'n cheese in Jackson's honor for supper. He got a truck from my grandmother for his birthday and Curious George/monkey themed items from my parents. He loved it all. Especially the party hats.







Yesterday dad drove Lee, me and Jackson to Gardendale so we could see the area we are more than likely going to be living in. It's not quite what I expected but it was okay. One exit down from it (and only 1 mile down the interstate) is a brand new shopping center with a Target. That I enjoyed. In Gardendale there are restaurants and a Chick-fil-a which makes it good oh and a Walmart. Woohoo! I just don't know how impressed I am with the houses we saw. Now we didn't see the entire area and houses but from what I've been told the people there are either well to do or rednecks. I'm thinking we might have to live in the redneck houses.

Oh and then we went to Kohl's to get the big sister's santa present. It's a Hannah Montana guitar. I don't know why Mackenzie has been dying for a guitar. It's been an ongoing desperate request. None of us know how to play but this is the one gift she has been dying for. It was totally awesome (wow, takes me back to the 90's) because it was on sale for 69.99 (I know utterly expensive) but it rang up for 47.xx and then since dad had a Kohl's card he got another 15% off so he paid 40.xx for it. How wonderful is that????



We celebratd Christmas Saturday night. We had turkey, dressing and a lot of other things I didn't eat. I just ate my plain jane food... turkey and green bean casserole. We opened up gifts from my parents and Elizabeth (and Ben). They were teh sweetest most thoughtful gifts. Elizabeth gave Avery a silver brush/comb that is engraved with "Merry Christmas Avery". It is so beautiful. She gave the kids each a frog shower/radio. Jackson's is blue and Kenzie's is pink.

My parents gave Lee a new Bible, Jackson his first Bible, and Avery her first Bible. Ben even got a Bible. But no Bible for me. I'm so sad. I really wanted one too. I did get a really cute bag from Talbot's. I'm going to probably use it for a bag for Avery. Mom said she'd get it monogrammed for me with her initials. So cute. Elizabeth got me Pleasures (the perfume I use to wear and will start wearing again). I told her I needed some pleasure in my life. hehe Then Lee and I got our Christmas money from my parents. Oh and Avery got a stocking with her name on it to match the rest of ours.

Now for the biggest hit. Jackson has been dying for a fishing pole. The Friday before Thanksgiving Lee and I went to visit Avery at the hospital. It was the day that my parents were leaving with Mackenzie. My dad took Jackson for us so we could have an easier time with Avery. Dad took Jackson into the Bass Pro Shop and Jackson had to look at every single fishing pole. Jackson just loves fishing. This is the boy that makes his own poles from different items in the house and fishes from the end of my bed.

My dad for Christmas got each of the kids a fishing pole set. Jackson is thrilled beyond words and I don't think I've ever seen him that excited about a gift. My parents neighborhood has a stocked pond in the front and it's perfect for them to go. Now of course after church today Jackson is dying to go but it's 40 degrees outside and it's not warm enough. He keeps telling us that it has to get warmed to go outside and wants to keep checking the weather channel. It's so darn cute.

I felt badly that we could not get anyone gifts this year. I really wanted to but with our circumstances it wasn't possible. We're even struggling to give the kids a great Christmas. My sister was so thoughtful with all of her gifts. She was so sweet and I appreciate all of it. Mom and Dad have had to put out quite a bit over the past month for Lee and me. They still gave us each a great Christmas.

I'll post about our trip to church and Wendy's the next time. Now don't think I'm boring thinking about posting about Wendy's. There is a significant and a sentimental story behind Wendy's.