Happenings Around The House

So we've been busy prepping for Christmas and all the stuff to go with it.  But I wanted to jot down some stuff that's been going on.

I totally forgot to let everyone know what our church decided on as its new name.  After lots of debating and research,  we felt Family Of Faith, A Southern Baptist Church   best suited us.  We felt God led us toward that name from the beginning.  Check out the link Family Of Faith


Last night, Chris went out with the guys to see that boxing movie that's out right now.  As a treat for me and my boys, I ordered pizza...A large pepperoni and cheesy breadsticks.  Chris ate a bite and took off and that left me and Adam and Caleb at the table to finish our meal.  I'm facing Caleb and breaking his food into little pieces and Adam is sitting on the other side.  I look over at Adam and my gaze is drawn to the box of cheesy breadsticks that lay open in front of him.  Last I had looked, Adam was working on a piece of pizza and there were about 5 bread sticks left.  Now every bread stick has a huge bite taken out of it...EVERY ONE!!  He had claimed them all for himself in his own creative fashion.  Stinker.  I couldn't believe it!

Caleb, who is now 13 months, has a fascination with the Christmas Tree...I know, all babies do.  But, his is more of a, "I know this is a no-no, but I just want to see you yell and clap at me and then run across the room toward me while I giggle and run (or waddle) the other way.  It's hilarious Mom! Fun Game! "   I've yet to discover a punishment for this kid that he doesn't smile at.  I'm not kidding. He thinks a spanking and a stern "NO" is funny.  I thought being separated from me for a baby time-out would get him after another "Tree" episode, but as he sat in his room on the other side of the door, he just knocked repeatedly and mocked me with having no reaction at all.  Challenge!!

Christmas Tree 2010

 We set off Saturday to the Christmas Tree Farm to pick the most perfect tree to bring home and decorate.  Adam, who had been excited for days, found a stick and began poking, digging, and hitting stuff.  Caleb saw the long aisles and we could read all over his face, "Free space!!  Finally!!" 

Letters To Santa

Adam stressed about getting his list to Santa all day the other day, so we sat down and wrote it properly.  He also helped me write one for Caleb because we didn't want him to get missed.  We posted it and he put it in the mailbox.  The next day, he remembered he also wanted a gun that shoots balls and he forgot to write it down.   To solve this dilemma we asked our "Elf on the Shelf", Marley, if he would tell Santa that night that Adam forgot to write down the toy gun on the list.  Problem solved.

Our elf...Marley.  The other day when I got all our Christmas stuff out and read the book to Adam about our elf, Chris was as work.  Look this up if you don't know what I'm talking about.  Anyway, usually Adam likes his door cracked at night, but that night, he asked his daddy if he would close it.  Chris asked why and Adam said, "I don't want that little guy to come in."  Chris freaked internally (I'm sure you all know of Chris' fear of things coming to life and ghosts and stuff).  Panicking,  Chris inquires further.  "What little guy?"  Adam says, "That little guy that comes to life at night."  Picture Chris frozen.  He must get to the bottom of this if he expect to get any sleep tonight.  He asks, "What does the little guy look like? Can you describe him?"  Adam says, "That little guy in the living room that talks to Santa at night."   Chris' heartbeat starts to return to a normal rate.  Realization happens.  He says,  "Oh, you mean the Elf On The Shelf, Marley?"   "Yes,  Daddy.  Close my door so that little guy doesn't come in my room."     I don't care if Chris rags on me from here to eternity about how stupid this new custom is, it was worth starting just for this one moment.  Hahahaha.

Lighting the Advent Candle

Our pastor asked if our family would be a part of lighting the advent candle last Sunday and we were excited to do it.  Of course Caleb starred at the band the whole time, but he and Adam were both great while we read. 

StudentsFirst.org

I've seen this woman, Michelle Rhee, in the public news for awhile.  She was made Chancellor of DC Public Schools and made headlines for not sugar-coating anything.  She resigned as chancellor recently and instead of taking another job with another district, she's taking on the whole country's education system.  Everyone knows our schools in this country are...suffering is the nice word.  But, unlike a politician, this woman is ready to do something about it instead of talking about it.  I'm very interested in what she will be doing in the next few years.  If you're interested, take a look at the new movement she's started.  Read the mission statement, the stats, and about Michelle Rhee.  Students First

Thanksgiving in North Carolina

We flew, yes the four of us, to North Carolina to spend Thanksgiving with my Papaw, my parents, and my sister.  The flight there was stressful, not because Caleb was upset, but because he WOULD NOT SIT STILL!!  I think somebody slipped him some candy canes or something cause it was ridiculous.  He also liked trying to hear his voice as loud as he could get it over the engines.  The people on this 6am flight did not get to catch up on sleep like they planned.  When we arrived we spent four great days just spending time as a family and letting the boys soak up time with their great-papaw.  Thank goodness the boys slept for the flights home.

Are We There Yet???

 Aunt Teresa and Caleb

Papaw and Caleb work on a Jack-In-The-Box

 We visited Old Salem, NC (not witch hunt Salem) where the Moravians settled.  Very interesting culture.

The interactive tour featured Moravians in traditional attire making the delicious Moravian cookies...Yum!!

Also fresh bread...this place smelled so good!

Mommy and Adam cuddling at a dinner out.

Caleb helps us pack

Caleb's First Haircut

It only took him a year to need a haircut, but we got a little bit off for the baby book.  It's so fine that it was mostly just getting it above his eyes and off his ears.  What a wiggle worm.  Chris had to hold him, I did the cutting, and Adam documented with the camera.