Clark W. Griswold

Ok. so if you know me at all you will know that I am a nut when it comes to Christmas. From the music... and not that ol stuff they play on lite 98.... no no no, the good stuff from Frank, Dean, Sammy, Harry, THAT stuff... good Christmas music. I tend to play Christmas music all month long. I love the parties, the socializing, the presents and play Christmas movies all month long, usually it is National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Sadly I know every line in the movie.... ok well the good lines, from either Clark, or Cousin Eddie. And I promise you... Holly, no matter what she says... LOVES IT. And lastly, if you were to drive by my house anytime between know and the first of the year you will see my house lit up like a redneck Vegas on crack. I take pride in how tacky, redneck and undone my house looks for this one month of the year. Each year my family will chip in and buy some new fixture for my house or yard. This year however I have gone and changed it up... I have made my new fixture. I would suggest you ride by and check it out, that is the only way you will get the full effect.


However Christmas is not just for awesome music, lights, eggnog, presents and the drunk uncle at every party. There is so much more to it. Lets be honest, between family, friends, and GOD, we have so much to be thankful for. Whether you are sitting high atop Church Hill in your million dollar mansion or you are sitting low in a bench in a park on a cold night, you have GOD, and what more could you want. I know that is so easy for me to say sitting in my warm house, with 3 wonderful kids and a GORGEOUS (brownie points) wife, but no matter where you are or your circumstances, there is God. And no matter how big the present, how much you drink or how loud you get. THAT is what you need to be thankful for, for without him, we would not have the lights, the music, the eggnog, the drunkel (adj. meaning drunk uncle), or a warm home to sit in with watching that famous, awe inspiring National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Movie.




Enjoy the movie clip and photos from my house......

Things That Are Making Me Smile Right Now

1. Lin put up some of our Christmas lights and yard decorations this weekend and Medium is scared of the blow-up Santa and snowman. Every time I open the front door she says things like, "He not gonna come in here is he Momma??". It's a little sad...but funny too! ;-) I think we might need to call them the chickens instead of the penguins, they are scared of EVERYTHING (that part is not making me smile!!).
2. The BEST day of the year is coming up in just a few days!!!!!!!
3. It's 6:45pm and all the penguins/chickens are in bed.
4. I might have the sweetest. husband. ever. and perhaps the funniest (he has a new boyfriend). If you'd like to read a blog post about that let me know. ;-)
5. Large needs Medium to hold her hand every time I dry her (Large's) hair with the hairdryer. She's afraid of the hair dryer. When I said they are scared of everything, it's no joke; but to see Large turning to Medium for comfort makes my heart happy. From the cradle to the grave, people!!!
6. My small group, I love those cats!
7. Raising Hope. No Lin and I do not have a new baby!!! Raising Hope is a tv show that comes on Fox after Glee. It's funny, you should check it out at 9pm on Tuesdays.
8. Music. All music, any music. The songs on the radio, the Christmas songs I heard in wal-mart yesterday, the songs my kids sing, even the songs on Glee....they all make me smile.
9. My God and all the amazing work that I see He is doing everyday.
10. Sweating two days before Thanksgiving. I know it's unnatural and all that blah blah blah but the bottom line is I like warm weather and being able to let the babies play on the playground for 3 hours in short sleeves is fabulous (even if it is November)!
11. Tomorrow is going to be a good day and I am looking forward to it.

Happy Turkey Day my sweet readers!! Be Thankful!!
~ Holly

Freaky Friday Random Thoughts

It's been a while since I've written a random thoughts post.....they are my favorite posts to write, I think. :-)

1. So remember I got a fancy new phone a while back? Well now I have UNLIMITED texting!! Yes that's right I said unlimited; I am super excited about it. I know that is lame but I don't care.
2. Yes We Have No Bananas! That's because Medium keeps eating them all. When did she become obsessed with bananas? IDK (he he) but she will sneak them anytime you are not paying attention. Now, of all the crazy things that happen here at the Animal House eating 4 bananas in one day is not really that big of a deal....I guess.
3. Had to take sweet Large to the Dr yesterday and this was the report: ear infection, sinus infection, bronchitis and strep throat. DO WHAT? And if you are wondering yes we did bathe her in germs. We like to keep it interesting around here.
4. Would anyone care if I slept for 4 days straight? I am crazy tired today!
5. Small is getting even cuter (is that even possible?). He has started clapping his hands and it is adorable. He can also say 'bye-bye' , 'Large (he says her actual name!)' , 'ma-ma' and 'da-da'. Genius. My other favorite thing he does is scream and cry like crazy and then when you pick him up he stops immediately. Charming. Have you seen the commercial where the baby does that?
6. Any job where I can get paid while writing a blog post is pretty awesome.
7. The BEST day of the year is right around the corner, people!!!! I look forward to black friday all year long. It's my fave. Shopping, time with my girls, good deals....doesn't get much better than that!!
8. Terrible news-- the cookie dough did not come in and it won't be here until after Thanksgiving!! What will I bring to all those family gatherings? Maybe they'll take a penguin instead of cookies. In case you didn't know I have been selling cookie dough as a school fundraiser and even (got) volunteered to help with tallying....12 hours of my life I will never get back!!

Hope you have a great weekend, dear readers!!!!!

FEAR

Holly, myself and our small group and PCC have been talking about the book called "Wild Goose Chase". Wild Goose Chase is a book about the cages we put ourselves in throughout or lives that prevent us from chasing the Holy Spirit. The Celtics referred to the Holy Spirit as the "Wild Goose" thousands of years ago.
So in the last 6 weeks I have come to realize maybe I have more than one cage that I am in, and last night I found out that fear was one of them. I am outa town alot for work, sit in restaurants alone alot. Every so often I will end up sitting next to someone and striking up a conversation on occasion. Last night I met a very intriguing gentleman named Gene. Gene and I talked for about 30 to 40 mins about everything from grand kids (which he has) to sports, business and religion. It was tough to here Gene over the loud music that these places have decided to play blasting your ears out while your trying to eat... sheesh..... but I got alot from the conversation, there was alot of smiling, laughing and some silence. But at the end of the conversation, I paid my bill, turned to Gene, shook his hand, smiled and told him that it has been a pleasure talking with him. And without even thinking, I said something that I never ever thought would come from my mouth in a non church environment. "Gene, before I leave, is there anything that I can pray about for you tonight?" Gene's face lit up, smiled and said "yes, actually there is, My wife had a stroke, before the stroke she was the smarter of the two of us. Now, since the stroke she has a tough time with everyday things, she has a tough time dealing with things when I am out on the road. I am lucky enough that we have neighbors that help alot, but if you could pray for her health and safety that would be great."
Without even thinking, I stepped out of my cage, no fear. At least for that moment in time. And it felt great. I get a rush when I mountain bike race, or when I would score a goal in soccer... but nothing like how I felt as I walked out of that restaurant last night...

Thank you God.....

Better Late Than Never

Is it sad that I feel the need to start every post with "Oh how I have missed you, blog; or Oh how I have missed you dear readers!" ? Why yes it is sad, but here I am! There are a couple of reasons for my long absence.
1. The neighbor that I was 'borrowing' internet from finally wised up and blocked me (actually I believe it is broken or turned off or in transition...). I was tempted to ask him about it when we went by to trick-or-treat with the penguins the other night. But I thought it seemed tacky to say, 'Hey-can we have some candy AND some internet???' Maybe next year.
2. My new (and lovely) job cuts into the amount of time I get to spend lounging around with my cup of coffee strolling all over cyber-space while the penguins play 'tornado' (I named that game according to how my house looks when they are done) or 'give small a bath' or 'tea party'.

It actually works out pretty well since I have no connection at home (for now) anyway. Lin is pleased since it gives me more time to finish the laundry. Ha ha ha ha ha, I just wanted to make my baby laugh, y'all! I had to swim out of the ocean of laundry just to get to work this morning. :-) I know what you are all thinking, ooohh new job? Where is she working? I was lucky enough to land a nanny position for a sweet family with a 10yo and an almost 15yo. It is mostly taxi driving and homework help which is a very nice break since I change 12-15 diapers/pull-ups on an average day. We are SO lucky that our family covers most of our child-care and some days they nap while I am gone all 3 hours. That makes me feel like I am not missing too much. I still struggle, though. Am I doing the right thing? Am I letting them have the chance to bond with someone besides me or abandoning my poor sweet penguins? Well the bill collectors are very happy....so that's good news!

What else is happening around the Animal House? The usual fall stuff: apple festival at graves mountain, trick or treating, Lin and I had a fun little get-away to Lake Anna, Small is sitting up by himself but not crawling ...yet, he is drooling constantly (there is nothing I love more than a bib shaped wet spot on the shirt of a sweet, fat baby), Medium LOVES preschool, Large....well not so much! She is a little resistant to school, to my job, to going to bed, to sharing, to pretty much anything that wasn't her idea or doesn't involve candy. If I was super organized I would throw in some cute fall pictures here- so sorry, I am not! But I do love you dear readers and I'll be back....someday! :-)