Forced Surprise Christmas Joy!

For the past couple of days, late in the evening, the UPS man has been making a stop to deliver some Christmas orders. Not sure if anyone has had my same experience, but sometimes Amazon will ship out a box that has a big ole picture of the product on the side. So, Russ and I have been trying to meet Mr. UPS at the door and not let the kids get a glimpse of the boxes.

Well, Landon has about as much self control as an dieter in Krispy Kreme (in case you have never had to diet, that equals 0), and he is so beyond hyped up this holiday season. Soooooo, when the truck is in the neighborhood, Landon knows it and he is at the door screaming, "IT IS THE DELIVERY MAN!!!"

To which, I am in another room yelling, "DO NOT GO TO THE DOOR!"

TO which HE IGNORES!

Then I continue, "I AM SERIOUS LANDON! GET AWAY FROM THE DOOR!!!"

Ignored!

Until I finally yell, "I WILL TAKE BACK EVERYTHING AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE CHRISTMAS! I WILL CALL SANTA! I MEAN IT!" Extreme? Possibly! ;-)

Russ started making fun of me and my extreme "holiday cheer" saying, "YOU WILL HAVE A SURPRISE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, BUT YOU WILL NOT HAVE JOY UNTIL THEN...OR NO CHRISTMAS FOR YOU!"

Ok, I see that I may be a little too controlling when it comes to forced family fun! I just want them to be surprised, but I guess it does not really matter when they are surprised, right?

Praying for Zack

Landon and I watched this video this morning, and I stood their sobbing like a broken child! It is unbelievable how far this little boy has come, God is amazing! I am so touched by the unwavering faith that his family holds onto, they have truly claimed God's Word every step of their journey thus far. Amazing testimony for Him!

Also, I as I stood watching, I was reminded that when all things seem to be going well and "normal", it can all change in the blink of an eye! We are not guaranteed tomorrow, not even an hour from now. So thankful for the gift of health, my family, for four crazy, drive me insane boys, and for this day!

Fishing with Math...

This afternoon Landon was working on a homework math worksheet and was having trouble with some of the problems that were on there that he had not yet learned. He asked Blake to help him with the sheet, and Blake agreed. So, Landon asked Blake what the answer was to one of the questions, and Blake replied, "Landon, I will not tell you the answer! ... If you give a man a fish, he will eat for one day. If you teach a man to fish he will eat forever!"

Hmmmmm!

Kill Santa?

This afternoon Blake informed me that he needed to speak with me in "private"! So we went into another room and he very seriously informed me that he thought in order to preserve his brothers' beliefs that Christmas is about the birth of Christ and NOT all about Santa, he thought we should... "metaphorically of course!" KILL SANTA.

To which I replied just as calmly and seriously... "Blake, we are not going to kill Santa."

He said, "OK, I just really wish Nicki Sprecklemieier had not told me the truth in
2nd grade!"

;-(

TOO CUTE!!!

Our newest addition to the family...our niece, Brenna! COULDN'T YOU JUST EAT HER UP?

It is on like Donkey Kong!

Landon has amused himself lately by jumping out from behind everything and scaring Gavin. Gavin cannot see the humor in this fun that Landon is having and after several days of hearing Gavin cry because Landon has scared him yet again, Russ and I decided to give Landon a taste of his own medicine.

Last night after church, I put on a black ninja mask and hid behind Landon's bed in the pitch dark. Russ called Landon upstairs to pick up some clothes in his room. He entered his room, turned on the light and out I popped, roaring as loudly as I could! Needless to say, Landon screamed like a 3 year old little girl and after about 10 seconds of being frozen in place, he took off running down the hallway.

The laughter erupted throughout the house, and we thought that maybe a taste of his own medicine had done him some good.

However, I am afraid that now it is on like Donkey Kong.... I am watching ny back constantly for the next scare!

NORTH

Coming back from North Georgia last weekend we took a "short cut" through the country to try to avoid interstate traffic and cut some time. We went through North, South Carolina, which reminded me of this hilarious video. Russ got to reminisce about his childhood going to the farm for the holidays to visit his Grandma and Papa Temples.

During our looooooong drive through the country, Landon said, "Are we in the middle of nowhere?"

To which Russ replied, "YEP! Ain't it great?