Wow. I am really slacking in the whole blogging department. I can't help it! I'm enjoying my family so much! :)
I hope to have time to catch up after New Year's Day...but I may be very sporadic until then. Or not. I just don't know what each day will bring.
We celebrated Christmas with our kids on the day after Christmas. It was the day when everyone could be here, since Holly had to work Christmas Day...and Logan and Morgan were with Morgan's family.
We had a great time, and I think the kids all enjoyed their gifts. Of course, the greatest gift is celebrating the fact that Jesus was born. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and Only Son, that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16.
No greater gift.
And it was the best gift to me to have all of the kids here at the same time.
But the sweetest gift BY FAR...was when Joshua gave Holly a present for her baby.
A couple of days before Christmas, Joshua came downstairs and whispered to me, "I have the perfect gift for Holly's baby."
Now, I had gotten a couple of things for the new baby...a book, a "soft" Nativity set (that he/she can play with)...and something for his/her nursery. I had not mentioned to anyone that I was getting gifts for the baby...since he/she won't be born for several months.
Joshua's eyes were all lit up and sparkling. He was so excited. I said, "what's the gift?" He said, "Nathan."
If you knew Joshua during the first 8-10 years of his life, you knew Nathan. Nathan was Joshua's Cabbage Patch baby doll, and Joshua took him EVERYWHERE. In fact, Joshua "loved" Nathan so much, that his head was nearly severed and was hanging on by a thread...and I had to rush around and try to find a NEW NATHAN that looked exactly like the OLD NATHAN...and make the ol' switcheroo.
I haven't seen or thought about Nathan in years. Like...in twenty years or so. The first Nathan is in the hope chest...severed head and all...but the 2nd Nathan? I had no clue where he was, but, apparently, he was on the top shelf of Joshua's closet. Joshua said he had to "use a golf club to whack him down."
Sweet, right?
I was really taken back by all of this, because Joshua thought of this all on his own. He was so excited to surprise Holly. I seriously almost lost it when he told me about this (turns out I wouldn't be the only one).
I told Jim and the boys about Joshua's gift, so we all knew it was coming. We saved it for last. Holly opened the bag. Joshua had written a "poem" to her about the baby. On the outside of the note, he wrote something like, "a great treasure for your baby is inside this bag."
She opened it up, and pulled out Nathan. I recorded the whole thing and posted it to my Facebook and IG (martythemoose). To say she was shocked would be an understatement. She started crying...and then she laughed...and then she cried.
SHE KNEW what a special gift this was.
Joshua said, "I don't need him anymore...it's your baby's turn."
(sniff)
Nathan is a little bunged up, a little dirty...and he may have every disease known to man on him...but we were all so touched by Joshua's selfless gift.
"Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
...finding joy in the UPside of DOWN...
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Maternity Clothes and The Purple Bra
Holly and I had the best day today! Joshua's girlfriend's mom called, and asked if Joshua would like to spend the day with Jenni and the rest of their family at their Christmas celebration. Holly and I took him to meet up with them, and then we headed to Little Rock for shopping.
I wanted to get Holly some maternity clothes for Christmas, but she kind of needed to be there to pick things out and try things on.
But first...LUNCH.
We had lunch at Chuy's, and then took a nap in the car.
JUST KIDDING...but that would've been nice! Because, as my father-in-law would say, I was as "full as a tick!"
I really didn't know where to go for maternity clothes, but I decided to take her to A Pea In The Pod. It was a good choice. I was really hoping it wouldn't be one of those places where you buy shirts with writing on them that say things like "BUN IN THE OVEN," or have a big arrow pointing to her belly.
No, thank YOU.
Holly will not need or want a whole lot of maternity clothes. She's hoping she can get by on leggings and her husband's shirts for as long as possible! But she's got a wedding to attend in March, and then there's Easter...and a couple of other times that she will want to wear something a little nicer.
So we went through the store, and looked at or touched almost every item. We gathered a bunch of things, and she went to try them on. The employee-lady told her to put the fake belly on, so she could see what she would look like at 7 months pregnant.
It.was.hilarious.
Not as hilarious as Holly trying on pregnancy/nursing bras.
I haven't laughed that hard in a LONG time!
In the end, she came home with a purple bra.
PURPLE.
When we asked about getting one in a more neutral color...say, WHITE...or maybe NUDE, the lady said, "THIS BRA ONLY COMES IN PURPLE."
WHAT?
I just canNOT WAIT for Aaron-the-son-in-law to see it!
We got several things. I'm going to wrap them up, and put them under the tree. And, on Christmas day, after she works her 12 hour shift at the hospital...and then comes over to our house at 8 p.m. so the kids can all open their gifts together...she better freak out like she's never freaked out before...and I better hear her say, "HOW DID YOU KNOW?" and "IT'S JUST WHAT I WANTED!"
Today was such a fun day! :)
"The LORD your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with song." Zephaniah 3:17
I wanted to get Holly some maternity clothes for Christmas, but she kind of needed to be there to pick things out and try things on.
But first...LUNCH.
We had lunch at Chuy's, and then took a nap in the car.
JUST KIDDING...but that would've been nice! Because, as my father-in-law would say, I was as "full as a tick!"
I really didn't know where to go for maternity clothes, but I decided to take her to A Pea In The Pod. It was a good choice. I was really hoping it wouldn't be one of those places where you buy shirts with writing on them that say things like "BUN IN THE OVEN," or have a big arrow pointing to her belly.
No, thank YOU.
Holly will not need or want a whole lot of maternity clothes. She's hoping she can get by on leggings and her husband's shirts for as long as possible! But she's got a wedding to attend in March, and then there's Easter...and a couple of other times that she will want to wear something a little nicer.
So we went through the store, and looked at or touched almost every item. We gathered a bunch of things, and she went to try them on. The employee-lady told her to put the fake belly on, so she could see what she would look like at 7 months pregnant.
It.was.hilarious.
Not as hilarious as Holly trying on pregnancy/nursing bras.
I haven't laughed that hard in a LONG time!
In the end, she came home with a purple bra.
PURPLE.
When we asked about getting one in a more neutral color...say, WHITE...or maybe NUDE, the lady said, "THIS BRA ONLY COMES IN PURPLE."
WHAT?
I just canNOT WAIT for Aaron-the-son-in-law to see it!
We got several things. I'm going to wrap them up, and put them under the tree. And, on Christmas day, after she works her 12 hour shift at the hospital...and then comes over to our house at 8 p.m. so the kids can all open their gifts together...she better freak out like she's never freaked out before...and I better hear her say, "HOW DID YOU KNOW?" and "IT'S JUST WHAT I WANTED!"
Today was such a fun day! :)
"The LORD your God is with you; He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with song." Zephaniah 3:17
Sunday, December 20, 2015
It's The Biz-Busiest Time of The Year!
We have had a busy few days. I hope to get caught up and update everything for my own memory...but it won't be tonight.
Today we celebrated Christmas with Jim's family down at the Lakehouse. It was crowded...and loud...but that's how it always is, and we had a lot of fun. Logan said he hadn't been down there since the summer!
Jim and I, Joshua and Clark, stopped to pick up Logan from his in-law's house. Morgan went to church with her family and said she would join us later. Aaron came in his own car, so he could be free to leave and get back home if things ran long...because Holly worked today, and he didn't want her coming home to an empty house.
Both of Jim's brothers were there...their wives, and nearly all of the cousins.
The guys grilled steaks, and we had baked potatoes, green beans and rolls. Jim's mom made a chocolate cake and a lemon ice-box pie, and Jim's sister-in-law made 2 pecan pies.
No one went hungry, that's for sure.
We didn't eat until around 2, and then we gathered in the living room for "Christmas." Jim's mom always gives us a SACK OF STUFF. I call it my SOS. It's a large gift-bag, and she fills it with the most random things ever. One year, I got a throw-blanket and a book of poems on friendship and a little bag "to keep my panty-hose in when I wash them "(WHAT?), some "push-pins" (thumb-tacks) with decorative fruit on the ends of them, a hammer, a towel turban thing to wear on your head after you wash your hair...and a pink wrench.
Yeah.
Always entertaining, and always leaves us all scratching our heads as to WHAT IN THE WORLD? And WHY?
This year, I got another "throw-blanket." I may or may not have mentioned that we get one of these every year.
We EACH get one of these EVERY YEAR.
Our family is single-handedly keeping the displaced residents of our county warm...because there is no way we can use that many blankets.
That was really the only thing in my SOS this year. I mean, besides the gift card. She always gives us a gift-card.
Not gonna lie...I was a little disappointed there wasn't more weird stuff in my SOS. But, never fear...my mother-in-law ended up giving me two hammers before I left. You know...in case you ever need more than one hammer for anything.
And then she told us to "shop" in the you-TIL-TEE room (utility room) and in Mammaw Irene's room (the front bedroom)...both places are crammed full of canned goods, boxed goods, pots, pans, Rubbermaid containers, random kitchen utensils, random tools...and more. Seriously...you can't even imagine.
Think: HOARDERS.
And, also? Come here if the world ends, and eat some Vienna Sausages from 1989...
I usually let Jim bring home stuff, but he never checks the dates on things...and there are many things he's brought home over the years...that are past the expiration date. NOT THIS TIME! I brought home several things...and so did Logan and Morgan.
Side note: My mother-in-law also keeps some bulk items outside in the carport, so, before we left, we had to go through all of that stuff, too: laundry detergent, paper towels, Charmin toilet paper. Even tho I didn't need more toilet paper...I already have 96 rolls of toilet paper, just in our master bathroom closet...I went ahead and stocked up.
Because ya never know!
"A generous person will be blessed..." Proverbs 22:9
Today we celebrated Christmas with Jim's family down at the Lakehouse. It was crowded...and loud...but that's how it always is, and we had a lot of fun. Logan said he hadn't been down there since the summer!
Jim and I, Joshua and Clark, stopped to pick up Logan from his in-law's house. Morgan went to church with her family and said she would join us later. Aaron came in his own car, so he could be free to leave and get back home if things ran long...because Holly worked today, and he didn't want her coming home to an empty house.
Both of Jim's brothers were there...their wives, and nearly all of the cousins.
The guys grilled steaks, and we had baked potatoes, green beans and rolls. Jim's mom made a chocolate cake and a lemon ice-box pie, and Jim's sister-in-law made 2 pecan pies.
No one went hungry, that's for sure.
We didn't eat until around 2, and then we gathered in the living room for "Christmas." Jim's mom always gives us a SACK OF STUFF. I call it my SOS. It's a large gift-bag, and she fills it with the most random things ever. One year, I got a throw-blanket and a book of poems on friendship and a little bag "to keep my panty-hose in when I wash them "(WHAT?), some "push-pins" (thumb-tacks) with decorative fruit on the ends of them, a hammer, a towel turban thing to wear on your head after you wash your hair...and a pink wrench.
Yeah.
Always entertaining, and always leaves us all scratching our heads as to WHAT IN THE WORLD? And WHY?
This year, I got another "throw-blanket." I may or may not have mentioned that we get one of these every year.
We EACH get one of these EVERY YEAR.
Our family is single-handedly keeping the displaced residents of our county warm...because there is no way we can use that many blankets.
That was really the only thing in my SOS this year. I mean, besides the gift card. She always gives us a gift-card.
Not gonna lie...I was a little disappointed there wasn't more weird stuff in my SOS. But, never fear...my mother-in-law ended up giving me two hammers before I left. You know...in case you ever need more than one hammer for anything.
And then she told us to "shop" in the you-TIL-TEE room (utility room) and in Mammaw Irene's room (the front bedroom)...both places are crammed full of canned goods, boxed goods, pots, pans, Rubbermaid containers, random kitchen utensils, random tools...and more. Seriously...you can't even imagine.
Think: HOARDERS.
And, also? Come here if the world ends, and eat some Vienna Sausages from 1989...
I usually let Jim bring home stuff, but he never checks the dates on things...and there are many things he's brought home over the years...that are past the expiration date. NOT THIS TIME! I brought home several things...and so did Logan and Morgan.
Side note: My mother-in-law also keeps some bulk items outside in the carport, so, before we left, we had to go through all of that stuff, too: laundry detergent, paper towels, Charmin toilet paper. Even tho I didn't need more toilet paper...I already have 96 rolls of toilet paper, just in our master bathroom closet...I went ahead and stocked up.
Because ya never know!
"A generous person will be blessed..." Proverbs 22:9
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Tuesday Shopping: War Room, Reversible Belts & Cupcakes
So, I'm still Christmas shopping, and it's not all my fault.
Every year, I ask my kids to make a list for me. They are all pretty much past the age where I can pick things out for them. Except for Joshua. He wants many of the same things every year: a wolf calendar, a planner, some v-necked shirts.
I try to keep everything equal. Jim and I typically give our kids 3 presents each. Jim says if it was good enough for Jesus...it's good enough for the Garland's.
Just sayin'.
Now that they're married and/or have significant others...it gets trickier. I like to get them each 3 individual things...but every now and then, I can get them something together. But not usually. There are sometimes things they want or need for their home, but someone told me a long time ago, "if it plugs in...it's not a present."
I think they were mainly referring to "kitchenware" things. The last thing most women want for Christmas is something to make their cooking and cleaning experiences better.
Unless it's a maid.
I would be down with a maid.
I don't mind getting the kids things they want, rather than what they need...I'll do either, but I really like to get them something that they would never buy for themselves. We have 3 of ours in college/grad school, so there are lots of things that aren't really necessities...things they would never buy for themselves, because they either wouldn't have the money, or they would think it was wasteful. Those are the things they would love to get as a surprise. I know everyone is different and that's great...but those are the items I'm looking to buy for Christmas.
I think I've pretty much got the shopping knocked out...except for Holly and Aaron. I really want Holly to pick out exactly what she wants, so it will be the right thing...and I need her to help me shop for Aaron.
I shopped for Joshua today, and it was so fun! When I say that I try to keep things equal, I do not include Joshua in this. His needs and wants are very simple. He wants pens and notebooks and a calendar and a planner. If I kept it equal, money-wise, he would have those things stacked to the ceiling.
One thing on his list was the War Room book. I went to the Lifeway store, and got the book, and the Bible Study that goes with it...AND a study on prayer that goes along with the book. I was giggling to myself, just thinking about how happy all of that was going to make him! Oh! He also asked for a brown belt. The one I bought him is reversible. The lady showed me how to hold the buckle with one hand, and pull down on the belt with the other hand...and twist to switch from brown to black. I got so excited thinking about how much Joshua was going to love that! I found the wolf calendar and just hee-hawed. I thought he might like a Star Wars calendar instead, but the wolf calendar was ON THE LIST. So that's the one I got.
It's so fun shopping for Joshua, because I just know how much he's going to love everything!
I always put toiletries in their stockings, and so yesterday I spent an hour at my local Wal-Marks...picking up body wash and shampoo and lotion and DOVE SOAP FOR MEN (which Joshua pronounces "dove..." as in, he DOVE into the water...and it cracks me up every time)...and things like that. Joshua loves all of that "smelly" stuff. When he gets out of the shower at night, you can smell him all the way down the stairs!
When I got to the Therapeutic Rec center to pick up Joshua, Ms. Kendra said that one of the moms brought cupcakes. I was drooling over them, so they asked if I wanted one.
"UM...YES!"
She started to put it in a bag for me, and I stopped her. I said, "don't even bother...that cupcake is not going to make it to the parking lot."
And it didn't!
"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." Matthew 7:11
Every year, I ask my kids to make a list for me. They are all pretty much past the age where I can pick things out for them. Except for Joshua. He wants many of the same things every year: a wolf calendar, a planner, some v-necked shirts.
I try to keep everything equal. Jim and I typically give our kids 3 presents each. Jim says if it was good enough for Jesus...it's good enough for the Garland's.
Just sayin'.
Now that they're married and/or have significant others...it gets trickier. I like to get them each 3 individual things...but every now and then, I can get them something together. But not usually. There are sometimes things they want or need for their home, but someone told me a long time ago, "if it plugs in...it's not a present."
I think they were mainly referring to "kitchenware" things. The last thing most women want for Christmas is something to make their cooking and cleaning experiences better.
Unless it's a maid.
I would be down with a maid.
I don't mind getting the kids things they want, rather than what they need...I'll do either, but I really like to get them something that they would never buy for themselves. We have 3 of ours in college/grad school, so there are lots of things that aren't really necessities...things they would never buy for themselves, because they either wouldn't have the money, or they would think it was wasteful. Those are the things they would love to get as a surprise. I know everyone is different and that's great...but those are the items I'm looking to buy for Christmas.
I think I've pretty much got the shopping knocked out...except for Holly and Aaron. I really want Holly to pick out exactly what she wants, so it will be the right thing...and I need her to help me shop for Aaron.
I shopped for Joshua today, and it was so fun! When I say that I try to keep things equal, I do not include Joshua in this. His needs and wants are very simple. He wants pens and notebooks and a calendar and a planner. If I kept it equal, money-wise, he would have those things stacked to the ceiling.
One thing on his list was the War Room book. I went to the Lifeway store, and got the book, and the Bible Study that goes with it...AND a study on prayer that goes along with the book. I was giggling to myself, just thinking about how happy all of that was going to make him! Oh! He also asked for a brown belt. The one I bought him is reversible. The lady showed me how to hold the buckle with one hand, and pull down on the belt with the other hand...and twist to switch from brown to black. I got so excited thinking about how much Joshua was going to love that! I found the wolf calendar and just hee-hawed. I thought he might like a Star Wars calendar instead, but the wolf calendar was ON THE LIST. So that's the one I got.
It's so fun shopping for Joshua, because I just know how much he's going to love everything!
I always put toiletries in their stockings, and so yesterday I spent an hour at my local Wal-Marks...picking up body wash and shampoo and lotion and DOVE SOAP FOR MEN (which Joshua pronounces "dove..." as in, he DOVE into the water...and it cracks me up every time)...and things like that. Joshua loves all of that "smelly" stuff. When he gets out of the shower at night, you can smell him all the way down the stairs!
When I got to the Therapeutic Rec center to pick up Joshua, Ms. Kendra said that one of the moms brought cupcakes. I was drooling over them, so they asked if I wanted one.
"UM...YES!"
She started to put it in a bag for me, and I stopped her. I said, "don't even bother...that cupcake is not going to make it to the parking lot."
And it didn't!
"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." Matthew 7:11
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Christmas Program Rehearsal and Christmas Cards!
Today...I don't think I can even tell you what I did today. I don't even know. I took Joshua to Little Rock for his Therapeutic Recreation, and poof! The day was gone and I was there to pick him up in the afternoon.
His group of FRIENDS are working on the Christmas program they will perform at the end of the week. THEY.ARE.SO.EXCITED.
It will be so cute!
It won't be smooth...or polished...or like anything you've ever seen.
But it will be perfect.
Also, Joshua's girlfriend, Jenni, has been trying to get "more healthier" (Joshua's words). She told Joshua this morning that she has lost 20 pounds so far. Joshua said, "well, no WONDER I can't keep my hands off of her!"
EEEK!
When we got home, our Christmas cards were waiting on the porch for us! WOW! They told me it would be December 22 before I got them. At this point, I didn't even care. I was just happy to have them ordered and on their way. Holly pretty much took care of everything for me. She took the picture, helped me choose the best one, and narrowed down the card selection process for me.
All things I appreciate.
So, after I cooked dinner...and we ate it...and I cleaned up...and I made a cake for Jim to take to work in the morning...I started addressing our Christmas cards. I just got done. Whew! HAND CRAMP!
I'm so happy to be getting those cards out this week! :)
"Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!" Psalm 100:1
His group of FRIENDS are working on the Christmas program they will perform at the end of the week. THEY.ARE.SO.EXCITED.
It will be so cute!
It won't be smooth...or polished...or like anything you've ever seen.
But it will be perfect.
Also, Joshua's girlfriend, Jenni, has been trying to get "more healthier" (Joshua's words). She told Joshua this morning that she has lost 20 pounds so far. Joshua said, "well, no WONDER I can't keep my hands off of her!"
EEEK!
When we got home, our Christmas cards were waiting on the porch for us! WOW! They told me it would be December 22 before I got them. At this point, I didn't even care. I was just happy to have them ordered and on their way. Holly pretty much took care of everything for me. She took the picture, helped me choose the best one, and narrowed down the card selection process for me.
All things I appreciate.
So, after I cooked dinner...and we ate it...and I cleaned up...and I made a cake for Jim to take to work in the morning...I started addressing our Christmas cards. I just got done. Whew! HAND CRAMP!
I'm so happy to be getting those cards out this week! :)
"Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!" Psalm 100:1
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