Christmas pictures

Being a "single mom" isn't something I particularly enjoy and although it's not a permanent situation, when Chad's deployed I am living the life of a single parent to a degree and most the time I handle things fine, can do most everything that needs to be done myself, etc...there are times when I miss Chad so much I feel like I'm going to burst, but well that just goes with the territory you.

Christmas Eve and Christmas brought on a new light for myself...assembly required...2 of the most dreaded words any parent can read, much less a mom who's a little more frazzled than a normal Christmas...I had much to wrap since my 2 yr old felt the need to get a sneek peek earlier in the week, it was only a few gifts...but man those were 5 that I already HAD wrapped and now had to rewrap not including all that I still had left! Ugh!

Christmas Eve we did our normal PJ's that they get to unwrap, thanks to a dear friend of mine who sent not only Christmas Eve gifts, but also sent more pj's for the boys since she knew that I've had a hard time finding PJ's for the boys, she was very kind and generous! God's definately blessed me with amazing friends. I also let the boys open up Polar Express DVD so we could watch it together. We took the boys and my niece to see it in the theaters last yr and I'm so glad we went there..it loses a little bit on a smaller screen, but it's still just such a wonderful movie! Oh how I love it! :) I also bought them a Little People's Christmas Story (Nativity Set)...it'll only be pulled out during the Christmas season when the tree is set up and will be packed up when the tree is packed up, so that the boys can play with it, then. It's a really cute set and if you have younger children I highly recomment purchasing it...it's well worth the money!

      

I had made some cookies and put some in baggies and left a bag for each of my neighbors...there's 7 total of us living in our stairwell right now, the apt below me has been empty since the beginning of September.

       

   

 

Those above are some pictures from Christmas Eve of the boys. I thought they were cute and although it looks all cute and easy, Jack was ANYTHING but easy to get into position, but once I got him there then he was a little ham! lol

 

Here's a few from Christmas morning:

  

Here's a few of each boy individually.

.. 

 

Jack on his pony                                           Jacob with his Teddy Bear from Jacob

 

I'll write more and post more pictures later...going to go play with the boys!

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

 

Oh the Rescue Hero Truck was from Daddy for Jacob. He got Jack a Weebles Treehouse. :) Ok so I got them, but they were from Daddy! Jack's Santa gift was the pony and Jacob's was a new bike..Jacob got Jack a beanie baby fish and you see the bear that Jacob LOVES from Jack! He sleeps with it every single night, he loves it so much!

 

God Bless

Update on last post

Well he called me, and before that he called his Captain and even if he wasn't coming for the VTC he has to go down there anyways now. We didn't hang up on good terms, mostly I was crying as he tried to explain away him being a butt head. I love that man, he sure does know how to get me though. I know I'm the same with him.

I'm going to go to bed as soon as the boys do. I have tons to do, but it's just going to have to wait until tomorrow.

Darned if you do and don't

I know the saying's another word, but I don't cuss...so...darn is as bad as it gets.

I got a call last night saying that we were going to get to video teleconference with our hubby's over the weekend, exciting right. I called this morning and set up a time, not sure if my husband would even get to, because he's not with the rest of his battalion, he's located in another place so he can do his job better/easier.

I was down transferring laundry from the washers to the dryers and come upstairs and could hear the chime of yahoo msg and knew it must be Chad. Jacob was on here typing out his name so Daddy would know someone was here and he wouldn't get off. Good/smart boy I have huh?!

I get on and read what my dear husband's wrote...to him saying that he thinks I need to think if I realy want him to travel the 2 1/2 hrs (funny he'd told me before it was between 30 min-1 hr travel time) in HARMS WAY to go where the rest of his bn are so he can do this. He said, "I'll do it, but remember I will not be safe and I will be in harms way and who knows what will happen". Nice huh? When I got the call last night and made the time apt I told the ladies who I talked to I wasn't holding my breath because I didn't figure Chad would get to participate in it, but the Colonel said EVERYONE would get to, so I took a chance and said ok.

He thinks I want him in harms way, for a 15 minute teleconference. Of course I'd love to see him on a nice flat screen I think it's 35 inch tv, but seeing him on my 17" flat screen computer is fine when he's able to use his webcam.

I told him not to go, because if something would happen to their convoy I don't want that kind of guilt on me. My gosh, it's hard enough having him over there, and I support our troops being there. A lot of things were said that were not especially nice. He more or less "hung up on me" by just getting off and it's not like I can force him back on the computer. He says he's going to be there tomorrow. If I don't go then he thinks it's because I don't love him or want to see him, and oh I am so stubborn.

So I get to sit here for the rest of the night in tears and worry about him. He also told me that he intended on coming the whole time, which just infuriates me that he'd then put that type of guilt on me to start off with. Chad's a great guy over all, but man he can still be a jerk at times and this is just one of those times. See even when they're deployed you can still get mad at them.

I'm exhausted. I think I'm getting sick...all day I've just felt worn out and I got a fairly decent nights sleep last night, but I have just been dragging all day. Oh and I have to make dinner, great.

Uplifting entry tonight huh...and think 2 more days til Christmas. I'm starting to think emotionally Christmas is not going to feel very happy. My focus isn't quite on Jesus at this moment. I need to go read my bible for a while, if anyone can lift me out of this fog it's Jesus.

Teach Your Children

This is how it happened . I just finished the household chores for
the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the
front of the house.  I opened the door to the front room and to my
surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.

He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out.  "What
are you doing?" I started to ask.  The words choked up in my throat,
and I saw he had tears in his eyes.  His usual jolly manner was gone.
Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.

He then answered me with a simple statement.  "TEACH THE CHILDREN."

I was puzzled; what did he mean?  He anticipated my question, and
with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind
the tree.  As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach
them the old meaning of Christmas.  The meaning that now-a-days
Christmas has forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it
before the mantle.  "Teach the children that the pure green color of
the stately fir tree remains green all year around, depicting the
everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making
it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the
children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises
long ago.  God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the
sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE.  "Teach the
children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the
world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of HE who
displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.  "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real
nature of love.  Real love never ceases.  Love is one continuous
round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself.  "Teach the
children that I, Santa Clause symbolize the generosity and good will
we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF.  "Teach the children that the holly
plant represents immortality.  It represents the crown of thorns
worn by our Savior.  The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that
God so loved the world that HE gave HIS begotten SON . thanks be to
God for his unspeakable gift."

"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and
presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh.  We should always
give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it
on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the
shepherds' crook.  The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed
sheep to the flock.  The candy cane is the symbol that we are our
brother's keeper."


He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.  "Teach the children
that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the
Savior's birth.  The angels sang "Glory to God in the highest, on
earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled
out a BELL.  "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by
the sounds of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold.  The bell
symbolizes guidance and return."

Santa looked back and was pleased.  He looked back at me and I saw
that the twinkle was back in his eyes.  He said, "Remember, teach the
children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the
center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow
down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD."

Cure Search

Childhood Cancer MUST STOP: CureSearch 

Not one single parent should know what it's like to hear these words "We're so sorry, but _______ (your child's name) has _________ ( type of cancer here).

I can tell you that's the 2nd worst thing you can be told....

The worst: "I'm sorry but there's just nothing medically left to do."

If you want to take a stand on a killer, this is the one. It's killing more children than ANY OTHER DISEASE COMBINED. This is NOT ok. A child should bury their parent, not the other way around.

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation National Office ... because kids ca

Learn the signs of Childhood Cancer:

Gold Ribbons

Continued, unexplained weight loss
Headaches, often with vomiting, at night or early morning
 Increased swelling or persistent pain in bones,
joints, back, or legs
Lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest,
pelvis, or armpits
Development of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rash

Constant infections
A whitish color behind the pupil
Nausea which persists or vomiting without nausea
Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness
Eye or vision changes which occur suddenly and persist
Recurrent fevers of unknown origin

Did you know... since most of the symptoms of cancer can also be attributed to benign conditions, the diagnosis of cancer can be a long process. As a parent, you must trust your own instinct and work as a team with your doctor, using your knowledge of your child and your doctor's knowledge of medicine to protect your child's health.

 

 

 

I actually found these on Lelly journal and thought I'd do them! :)

 

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Hot chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? This year we're doing this different...one gift from Santa and they will not be wrapped (in the past they've had quite a few from Santa)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? COLORED on the tree and when we do the outside blue swag

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, it's poisonous and never been a tradition in our family :)

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Normally within 2 days after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Turkey or home made noodles...a tie!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Being sent to bed with the anticipation of Santa, my brother and I one of us going into the others room, not being able to sleep or just drifting in and out then waking at horrible hour in the morning (3 or 4 am), waking my parents, and screaming in delight (then being sent BACK to bed...we only did the 3 am once! LOL)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? 9 or 10 yrs old

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? My boys open up 1 gift...pj's, although this year they're also going to get to open up the movie Polar Express so we can cozy up on the couch and watch it!
 

10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him? It's often a mixture of choc. chip, sugar, no bake...Jacob has always been the one to decide, soon Jack will be voicing in too!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT!!!!!!!

12. Can you ice skate? Not very good and it's been at least 12 or more years.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? As a child, it was my barbie dream house. As an adult it'd be the butterfly necklace Jacob picked out for me all on his own last year! He was so proud and excited to get it for me!!!!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Focusing on Jesus.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Chocolate Pie with Whipped Cream

16. What is your favorite holiday song? Jingle Bells (secular is what I'm guessing this question is going for) Jordyn would sing this song all the time, well she hummed it

17. What tops your tree? an angel

18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving? Giving..

19. What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Silent Night

 20. Candy Canes? I don't like eating them, but I do like them on the tree and my boys love eating them.

Mom's night out

Last night we had a Mom's night out, which included free childcare for mom's (or dad's) with a spouce deployed to Iraq or Afganastan. My friend Jenny and I went out together! Childcare was from 6-midnight. We dropped our kids off, and off we went downtown to this beautiful city we're a part of. First we decided to do a little shopping and went into a store: C&A...love it! The prices are AWESOME! I got me 2 sweater's, one for 19 Euro and one for 12 Euro and a really cute top for 19 euro. Jenny got her a little outfit for when her hubby comes home! :) It's pretty and she'll need a coat to go over the top unless she can find something to go under it!! LOL Then we went upstairs and I got Jacob some much needed tops, a couple sweaters and a couple shirts and found a little shirt combo for Jackson (shirt ontop of shirt)...nothing was more than 14 Euro, couple things were 7 Euro! I know where I'll be shopping from now on for my boys and clothes! I really love the quality of clothes here in Germany in general and loved the clothes and prices at C&A! So we left there, ok we were getting a little hurried out of there because it was 8:00 and they were closing (they are open late for a German store on a Saturday...but it's Christmas time so a lot of places stay open, well they're allowed to stay open later!) Then....we went and found a place to eat! It was a "steakhouse" you could call it, well that's what they called it....American's wouldn't call it that! My steak which 3/4 was great was supposed to be well done (if there's pink in it at all, it's not done in MY book!)...Jenny ordered hers med-well (hers was WELL DONE, nearly burnt, tough, yuck!) well that last bit of mine was most definately on the med-well done side, closer to just medium, so Jenny at the rest of it! Whew...no more having to look at pink! We had both ordered our drinks earlier me a sprite her a water...then we decided to get something a little more "dangerous"...now I can't tell you the last time I had alcohol. I have felt no need for it to be honest and no desire and it's been a couple yrs for Jenny as well....I ordered a fruity drink *Sex on the Beach*  :X remembering that in my much much younger (and yes illegal to drink) days...it was one I had enjoyed quite a bit, Jenny ordered a white russian. The first drink I took, about knocked me on the floor. When not drinking after many years, you forget about that whole "stirring" it up...yes so I got a big drink of alcohol...whew baby I could feel it immediately. I drank about 3/4 of it, and my head was quite heavy and I was so giggly...we just kept laughing, talking about everything, interrupting each other with our own stories and cracking up with each other. Then we decided it'd be smart to go outside for a walk in the very cold and just finished snowing air and admire the beauty that we're living in. We seemed to "sober" up so quickly. We walked for a good hour or more. We got back to the CDC center and it was 11 pm...I couldn't believe we'd be out so late (I figured we'd be back by 10!). I felt horrible and like a very bad mommy, and of course was really hoping my children would be fast asleep...oh no they were bright eyed and still going. We stood talking to Scott who is the director of the Child Youth Services and is in charge of the mom's night (and days) out for us, anyways we talked to him for a good 30 minutes...Jack walked by the door and saw me and was so excited to see me and I was so happy to see him! He was yelling for Jacob "lets go, Mommy here, lets go!" We came home and he was wired. We changed into our pj's, sat on the couch to read our chapter from "Prince Caspian" from the Chronicles of Narnia, and they were fast asleep. Jack woke up about 7:45 (ugh), Jacob didn't wake until 8...and then asked if I'd just snuggle with him (he'd crawled into bed with me)...so we snuggled. We finally popped out of bed about 15 minutes later and the rush was on...I had a 9 am hair apt! So I got the boys dressed, grabbed 4 frozen waffles, stuffed them into a baggy and we rushed out the door and I dropped the boys off at Jenny's (who fed them toasted waffles! LOL) and I made it to my hair apt right on time....except there was a glitch...we'd had a nice little snow/ice storm yesterday and my hairdresser's doors were frozen shut...she didn't get there until 10! So I waited and just read a magazine and talked to the other ladies! Got my hair cut...about 4 or 5 inches cut off, layered, and eye brows waxed...oops should have done that sooner! :) I left with the thought of possibly coloring or highlighting my hair. I "might" do highlights, we'll see. I have dark brown hair, thinking either light brown highlights or dark blonde. I really like the color of my hair, but I think it would look good...so I will think about it for a couple weeks. I went and picked up the boys, and went and got their hair cuts! This is only Jack's 2nd haircut and it's a good month at least past needing it done, mostly around the ears, but the back was getting a little long for my liking. Jacob needed it around his ears as well...they both look so handsome! I took some pictures of them in front of the tree tonight, I'll post them tomorrow.

This evening we just vegged out, watched Brother bear, had pizza, a lot of giggling and tickling. We watched Eloise Saved Christmas (I think that was the name of it...I know it was Eloise!) it was cute. It ended at 8:30...so it was story time, then off to dreamland, and laundry time for me! LOL I have 2 loads left in the dryers and then it's off to bed for me too.

It's been a good and fun past 2 days! Oh and my best friends husband was able to walk me through and get things fixed so that my microphone works when having the webcam on chatting with Chad! I've been able to hear him, but he couldn't hear us! It was an easy fix, but it was inside the MSN program, and so that's all fixed now! Yeah!!

Hopefully Chad will get a chance to get online tomorrow!

I Got Tagged :)

Well my Dear Louie has tagged me.

List 10 things that make me happy:

1. My husband...

2. My 3 children, I wouldn't be who I am without them.

3. Jesus....need I say more?

4. Chocolate :)

5. Living in Germany. I love it here, this is exactly where we are supposed to be right now.

6. Good friends, there's nothing like sitting down and talking to a good friend whether it's in person, on the phone, or online. God's blessed me so much with friends.

7. My women's bible study. I look forward to it every Wednesday

8. When my 4 yr old explained that "Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus"

9. Listening to my boys play, you never know if they're going to love each other or tolerate each other when the younger one is born....they LOVE each other!

10. Christian Music...it gets my soul going

 

I'm tagging 5 people: Kelly(2) Charley Betty  Lelly Traci 

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Dona asks

Easy -- Week #30

Easy -- like Sunday morning!

Winter can bring on some extreme weather in many regions around the world. Here in Idaho it is 20 degrees outside and an icy blanket of frost blankets the frozen ground. Looking out my window at this frosty landscape got me thinking.

Tell me...

What is the most extreme place you have ever visited?

Hmmm, I've lived in quite a few states, of course most of them I lived in before I was even 5, so there's not a lot of weather/temp memories. I think really Kansas, just for the fact that the temp. can change so quickly and so extreme. I remember in Dec. '95 the temps were so frigid...Neg 60 with the windchill and tons of snow on the ground. The summers get hot and they're humid!

 

Of course here in Germany the weather can change in a blink of an eye. When I first arrived here in mid/late July we stepped off the plane and it was in the high 50's/low 60's....3 days later it was in the 90's!

Go figure...I'm just a girl that likes to live in places where the weather is unpredictable! LOL

Krissy's Photo Scavenger Hunt

  Photo Scavenger Hunt #53

Photo Scavenger Hunt (Krissy's from Sometimes I Think)

#53 will be due Sunday, December 11, 2005 at 11:00 P.M. EST.

CATEGORY:  Angels or Snowmen

Please post a link to your entry in your journal here.

Thanks and have fun!

http://journals.aol.com/lv2trnscrb/Ofmini-pawsandmenopause/entries/232

Here's mine! :)

 

                Here's my snowman that I got at the Nurenburg Christkindlemarket on Friday

  

Here's "My "Angel" " Jordyn....

Patrick's Saturday SixPack

I don't these very often, mostly because I forget :( but thanks to Charley I'm doing it, I highly suggest visiting Charley journal and I really enjoyed his answers!

Here's the link to Patrick's blog: Patrick's Weekender

Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. You're producing a school program for the holidays and you learn that there will be major objections if you include in your musical selections the traditional Christmas hymns that reference the "true meaning of Christmas." Assuming that there are secular tunes (like "Frosty the Snowman") already included in the program, what do you do with the hymns? Do you allow them to go as is, do you use the melody and rewrite the words, do you include as many pieces of music from other religions as possible, or do you remove all but the secular songs? If they don't like it, they can leave is my thoughts, they want to teach their children that CHRISTmas is about being selfish, self-absorbed, and just all about them, fine they dont' have to participate.CHRISTmas is about CHRIST, it's not about shopping, eating, toys, etc. It's about the gift of LIFE. It's about Christ being born so that he could one day die for ALL OF US, so that if we accept him as our savior we can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, despite our sins. It's time that our Great Nation stops being so P.C constantly, most importantly at Christmas time.

2. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done at this point? When do you expect to have it finished if you haven't already finished? 100%

3. What was your favorite board game to play as a kid? Is it still your favorite now? As a little kid I loved Operation. Now it's Sequince

4. Take this quiz (if you haven't already!): What famous artist should paint your portrait? Edvard Munch should paint your portrait.  You are a very emotional person.  You are always up for a good talk with one of your friends.  You don't like to keep things bottled up.  Often, you are friendly and outgoing, but that can change very easily to being introverted and cold.

5. How accurate is this quiz's description of you? It's pretty accurate.

6. If you could go back in time and have one more picture taken with a deceased loved one, who would you select and why? Yeah that's easy...Jordyn

 

Christmas Market

 

Ok well because I'm me, and I'm forgetful...I left my camera on the charger this morning (since I wanted to make sure it was all charged up for taking pictures...haha!)

One of the ladies who went took pictures and said she'll email the pictures, she said it may take her while...and honestly I'm hoping that I can get back down there before the 20th and just explore and take pictures! I'm also going to go to our town's Christmas market and get some pictures...so I'll post them. Nurenburg's Christmas Market...all I can say is WOW! I didn't get to see all of it, I believe I saw the "main" part, but there was a whole other section that I didn't get to see! :( It's just huge! AND.......WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Anyways......I found some great things! I got a really a very tall Nutcracker for our family, a small round nutcracker for my friend's son who just loves them! I got 3 smokers...one for me, he's a wonderful snowman, a fisherman for Chad, and one who's sewing for my mom (yesterday was her birthday!) I also got 2 German porclein dolls for my nieces, and...I got me the cutest snowman Christmas ornament who's arms and legs move when you pull the string! I love those things! He's already hanging on our tree!

Here's the pictures of what I got today! :)

     

The first nutcracker is for my friends son who loves them. He's very unique with a beautiful glittery paint finish. Great price for the quality. The tall one is our family's 1st Nutcracker and lots of nice little details (the crisscrosses for example), he was only about $33.00! :) The doll is part of a set for my nieces.

 

This is my beloved snowman ornament up close. These are all the finds I got today. The front 3 are what's called "Smokers" You put these unique type of incence in them and light them and smokes comes out their mouths! The fisherman is for Chad, the snowman is mine, and the one at the sewing machine is for my mom!

 

        

Here's my snowman ornament from more of a distance. I LOVE Snowmen!

 

German Christmas Market's

Tomorrow I'm excited to be going to Nurenburg to the Christmas Market! Here's a link, it's a few yrs old but it will give you an idea!

http://www.open-eye-publishing.com/christmas_markets.htm

I have decent amount of Euro's to take with me tomorrow, so hopefully I can find some really cool and original German things! :) I will take some pictures tomorrow and put them up here to show all of you what it all looks like! :)

Oh and the boys will be in childcare (it's free!!) and Jacob has Basketball pictures tomorrow evening, he starts practise in January! :)

Ah the joy

I know it's been a while, life's been a little crazy and hectic here! I'm helping one of my neighbors until she moves to another post (single new mom). She's supposed to have her orders this week, but we'll see it is the Army! :) The extra money has been really nice though. On Friday I was watching the baby and feeding him while my boys were playing in the playroom....I could hear them playing and didn't think much of it. Then out came Jack....with paint all over his face (Nooooooooooooo! LOL) Fingerpainting, no, how did they get fingerpaint? Jacob had snuck into the bathroom to get cleaned up, because he knew he'd be in trouble. I walked into the playroom to look at the damage, it was far worse than I thought.....

 

                       

What you don't see is the rest of the radiator or the window or all of the floor, or the toys or the book they also painted, and as you can see I had about half the table on the way to being cleaned off, actually that was Jacob's job to wipe the table down. Jack attempted to clean, but only seemed to make a bigger mess so he was sent away! I did get it all cleaned up, unfortunately the radiator now has a green tent and the wall right behind the radiator (under the window ) still has paint on it and it's not coming off! Ahhh! Thankfully we can get paint for free from self-help so come this spring the wall and radiator will be repainted, the RIGHT color! It's not been even a week and I can life and smile about it, but Friday it was no laughing matter...it was over all just one of those days.

Not including the one baby I'm watching right now, I've also been watching my neighbors (right across the hall) her baby. He's 4 wks old right now and when she returns to work (she's also a single soldier and his dad is also in Iraq..both are in Chad's unit) I'll start watching him until April when she's taking him to her mom, she may or may not have to deploy. I know I could never leave my children, so I'm really not understanding her logic behind leaving her baby if she DOES NOT deploy, but the fact is, he's not my child and it's not my decision. Anyways I've been watching him for a couple hrs here and there for the past couple of weeks while his mom runs to apts (it's verycold here), she doesn't have a drivers license (she took the test, just  never went and got it while living in the states and without a state license you can't get a license over here!) so she has to walk everywhere...the post is small so it's not that big of a deal, but still! The extra money has been great! I've been able to have enough money that I didn't have to use hardly any of our military pay for Christmas gifts! Friday I'm going to Nuremburg to the Christmas Market, which is the 2nd oldest and largest/most popular Christmas Market in Germany! I'm excited! Childcare is provided, so my boys are taken care of for the day!!!

Here's a picture of our post Christmas Tree. I know the picture isn't the best. The tree is huge. I'm hoping to get the boys up there this coming weekend and get some pictures of them in front of it.

                               

Saturday I picked up my friend J and with my boys and her 2 girls and we all went shopping! We went to our local Christmas Market, I got almost all of my Christmas shopping done there (family's) and then we went up to Wurzburg to the PX and finished shopping! I have all our family's gifts wrapped and I'm mailing it tomorrow. I'm planning on wrapping the rests of the gifts throughout the rest of this week and hopefully will have presents under the tree by this weekend. Of course I may have to figure something out with Jack, since he already unwrapped little gifts that are to family! Ugh! So goes being 2 huh! :)

 

Krissy'sPhoto Scavenger Hunt

New Home for Krissy's Photo Scavenger Hunts :)

WELCOME ALL! I'm going to be running Krissy's photo scavenger hunts for a little bit. Here's the why

Here's this week's:

This Week's Photo Scavenger Hunt (#52) will be due on Sunday,  December 4, at 11 PM EST.  

When  you have completed your entry, please leave a link to it in  MY journal Of mini-paws and menopause.  Do not leave the link to your entry in KRISSY'S journal.   

Category:  Gift

 

Chad had just returned from Iraq....that was the best gift we all recieved that year!