Tonight we had my oldest son's birthday
party.  Since he was born on Christmas Day we usually celebrate
early enough for him to have friends over.  I like to pay more
attention to their birthdays since we try to concentrate on Jesus at
Christmas.  They know there isn't a Santa and we celebrate
Christmas because it's Jesus's birthday.

So this year I
offered him a party or the money I'd spend on a party.  He chose
the money but then decided he'd like to have a few friends over for a
couple hours.  Okay, maybe I'm naive.  I'm thinking a couple
friends over to play, like a party but not really a party.

Yea
right!  One thing leads to another and before I know it I've spent
money on paper plates, napkins and a tablecloth.  Then a small
present from the family for him.  I thought I'd order pizza. 
Big mistake.  I forgot Dominos had the deal where medium one
topping pizzas are $5 each and I order larges.  Three pizzas ran
me $40.  Can you believe it?  I about had a coronary.  I
was sure the lady on the phone misquoted the price but sure enough the
guy at the door says 38.55.  Can you spell ROBBERY? or STUPID?

I guess I spent about $40 at Stuffmart, $40 bucks on pizza.  I
could have done a blowout at Gattistown for $120 bucks.  Boy did I
learn my lesson.  Feeding 8 boys, buying pizza, a small present,
oh and I forgot the $14 for the cake!  There certainly wasn't much
left over for the “I want money” fund. 

Then add 8 boys hiped up on sugar from suckers, cake, those yucky puffy cheetos and juice boxes.   We had one doozie of a NONparty!

Tired and ready for bed,
Julie

Today
I joined the ranks of all the people in the world who somehow managed
to allow Norman Rockwell to invite himself into our homes to decorate
for Christmas.  Who does this guy think he is flitting around all over the world showing up when we least expect him?

Okay,
so we got the tree up.  At least that's done.  I then head
off to the movies with two of my boys to see Yours, Mine and
Ours.  It was a good movie and I got to chuckle and laugh and
praise God my father that I do NOT have 18 children.  Although
living in a restored lighthouse mansion wouldn't be too bad. 

So then it's back in the car, back to the real world.  More lights
have made their way outside since leaving for the movies.  I
assess the situation as I drive up.  House looks good.  Lots
of lights, not to tacky, more elegant in it's nature except I still
wish I had a runway of lights leading to a cross.  It's a
wonderful visual of being drawn to the cross maybe I can makemy own
smaller one in my spare time

Perfectly
content to have gotten the tree in it's stand and to put lights on the
tree tomorrow I fix dinner, clean up spaghetti (remember I have an 18
month old) from walls, floor, child, booster seat, underneath table,
& off windows.  Then I clean poop from the tub while my hubbie
holds child after she slipped on the lineoleum when she peed on the
floor, popping her head good. 

Well, my better half wants
to put lights on the tree tonight.  I'm feeling wonderfully well
and rested after 36 hours of fever and nausea…... 
Oh, lets do ONE MORE thing.  This of course led to the Snowvillage
stuff going up.  Now granted, it's easier to do with the little
ones asleep.  I just wish I was asleep with them.

Norman, next year you better just pass on by bigguy!!!!!
You are not welcome here unless you've got Martha in tow, your fairy godmother and a bunch of elves!!!

Maybe
then I can sit back, relax , enjoy the decorations OTHERS did and spend
time with my family without being that little green guy who steals
Christmas trees.  Because I'm feeling a little grenchy about now.

What is it about
little boys sticking things up their noses?  My third son did it
for the second time today.  The first time he did it he stuck a
bead up his nose.  Of course it promptly got stuck.  After a
couple hefty blows it was out…thank goodness. 

Oh, did I mention that before it was in my kid's nose it was stuck with
Elmer's Glue to the dog's butt??  You think I'm kidding!  Not!

BOYS!!!!!!!!!