Thanksgiving

(3 posts in one week. I know... record breaking. But this one is a must.) Since I can remember, my family has gone to my Aunt Ona's house for Thanksgiving. This February, a tornado literally obliterated my Aunt Ona's home. My Aunt Ona, who is in her 90's, hid in a closet and was found several yards away in a field. Praise the Lord, she survived, but is still recovering in an assisted living facility. Below is a picture of her and Belle taken last Thanksgiving Day in her home. The next pictures are before and after shots of the house. I'm sad at the end of such a special tradition but so grateful to have spent so many years with such a precious lady.

Jeb and the Straw

Jeb is learning to drink from a straw and finds this process quite hilarious. After weeks of practice, he finally got a big drink today. His daddy was so proud of him.

The Dreaded Christmas Card Picture

It's not even Thanksgiving yet, and I'm already dreading trying to get a good Christmas card picture. Last year we cheated and went with a beach shot from the summer, but this year, I've decided we're going to have to bite the bullet and get a current family picture... which, with this crew, is pretty much impossible. I have Belle, 'the high fashion, America's Next Top Model, inappropriate' poser. Then Estella Dru, the 'I will smile but refuse to look in the general direction of the camera' child. Then Jeb, the typical 9 month old. I need say no more. I am already feeling the anxiety of Christmas card day.

Here is the last attempt we made. These were taken at the house in Siloam (Christmas '06). We set the camera up on 'delay', so Matt could set it, then hurriedly run get in the shot. It was going ok until our mentally challenged cat decided to attempt suicide.

Here is Faulkner thinking about jumping into the fire.

Here is Faulkner in the fire.

This is the one we went with.

Surely this year's photo session will go smoother than the last. I'm already praying.... (FYI: The cat suffered only from severely singed fur.)

Two Thanksgiving Programs in One Day=A Lot of Thanksgiving Programs

Both Belle and Estella Dru had their Thanksgiving programs at school today. The SAME program... different times and venues. I guess that's what I get for having girls just 15 months apart--one in K-5 and one in K-4. The performances were really cute. Even Jeb enjoyed it... twice. (Oh, did I say Belle and Estella Dru? I meant Shooting Star and Dancing Doe. Yes, they picked their own names.)

9 months old

Jeb turned 9 months old yesterday. He is such a little mess. I love this little guy.

Surprises!!

This weekend, I got two fun surprises. The first, from my friend Olivia at our yearly Christmas party. I won it fair and square at our 'dirty Santa' gift exchange. (Thank you, KB, for not stealing! What made you think I liked it???) Isn't it so awesome?

And only because it is so awesome am I still speaking to Olivia after she took this picture of me driving home in Grandpa's truck. (I didn't want to leave Matt and the kids at Grandpa's without transportation so, I took the truck, and left my Jeep.) It was a selfless act! Then I look over at the stoplight and find a camera pointed at me. I think someone was a bit jealous of being left out of the Earl-mobile experience.

And speaking of Matt... he gave me an even bigger surprise this weekend. Check it...A super cool iPhone. I am so excited. I have the best husband EVER! Thank you, Sweetheart. I owe you. (And no, Matt, it has nothing to do with Ed Young.)

I love this man!!!

I just found this picture of Grandpa on my friend Lena V's facebook page. (It was taken at her son's wedding.) Isn't my Grandpa the most precious thing? I love him, love him, love him. It's incredible how God works. The path He had for me was a rough one at times, but so well worth the bumps. (I learned a lot through those bumps!) The people He ordained to guide me... Grandpa and Grandma.... How blessed I am. What a namesake for my little boy.

Best and Worst

BEST
Let's be honest. This kid has the best hair ever. Yes, in the past, I have been a bit cynical about my son's do. HOWEVER, I have recently grown to appreciate it's utter coolness. You rock, Jeb Man.


WORST
Today, I was craving something sweet, so being the awesome mom I am, I went rummaging through the girls' Halloween candy bags. What I found... was shocking.

Come on. 'Fess up. Who handed out these nasty things to poor, unassuming trick-or-treaters? There were at least 587 in each bag. If you've never had the opportunity to taste this heap of deliciousness, they taste exactly how they look. Who knew they still made these things? Better question: Why do they still make these things?

(I also believe it's worthy to note that inside both the girls' bags I found only one teeny tiny box of Nerds. I know! Disgraceful. What is this world coming to?)

Baby Matt/Jeb???

I wanted so much to believe that I could produce a child that looked like me. I almost bought it, too, until Matt's grandma showed up with this at lunch today.

Yeah. They could pretty much be twins. Awesome.

Last Fall Pictures of '08

Bath time for Jeb

Halloween Slaughter 2008

It just sounds scarier than Slaughter Halloween 2008, doesn't, it? We had a great time Friday night... complete with the traditional trips to grandparents' homes, pizza at Gigi's, and ending with a short trick-or-treating run. The girls were Razorback Princess Cheerleaders (complete with crown and football wand), and Jeb was a Razorback football player. It was a really fun night.