Happy Birthday Mom!

To the Crazy Woman Who Birthed Me,

I am so glad you were able to come and visit me for your birthday. This trip has been absolutely fantastic and I will never run out of blogging material because of it. I mean, you are the only one who could fart and Windsor Castle and only be slightly embarrassed and then laugh when I exposed your deed to the internet. Staying up until the wee hours of the morning with me either reading a book or us laughing or butts off trying to be quiet as to not wake the rest of the house. I love that you are not only my mom but my best friend. I can tell you anything and not worry about being judged. OK maybe a little, but I know you will always love me and support me no matter what. So in honor of your birthday here are a few of the important lessons I have learned from you.

1. Mom is always right.

2. Don't argue with Mom.

3. Even if you don't agree with Mom, just nod your head.

4. Farts are funny (especially at Windsor Castle).

5. I am predisposed to snorting when I laugh.

6. A good book is never a waste of time.

7. Even a trashy romance novel is acceptable reading material.

8. Never underestimate the power of a good belly laugh.

9. Sometimes it is best to just shut your mouth and go with the flow.

10. There can never be too many clocks in your house.

11. Bacon is a food group.

12. Tough love is often the best choice.

13. Animals are a never ending source of entertainment and love.

14. Kids do stupid things and it is ok to laugh at them.

15. Wear good shoes.

16. Don't worry about things.

17. When in doubt, have a chat with God.

18. You can never give your kids enough hugs and kisses.

19. Don't take yourself too seriously.

20. Mom is always right.

So Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you, you crazy wonderful woman.

(Mom and the girls at Windsor Castle)

Joy to the World!

It's Christmas Eve! My stockings are hung, my presents are wrapped and plans have been made on how to spend our first Christmas in England. Tonight we are going to attend church on base with the girls. It is a candle light service, which is what we usually attend when we are back home in South Carolina. The base church seems to be really nice and when "the Man" and LaLa went to check out what time the services would be starting one of the lady's from the church invited him and LaLa in for lunch and dessert. I think we will probably start attending church on base because I am not sure what other churches are in the area.

Anyways, after church, we are going to come home and let the girls open one present. This is something that my family has always done. After church we always just open a single present, then it is off to bed so that Santa can come.

On Christmas morning we will open all of Santa's presents and the rest of the presents from the family. This might take a while judging by the stack of gifts under my tree. Seriously, it looks like Christmas came into my house and threw up underneath my tree. I am totally not complaining. It is just kinda funny cause I have this little 5 foot tree and it is being overwhelmed by the presents.

After presents, we will pack up the girls and go to Domino's house for Christmas dinner. OK, I am from the south. Dinner to me is anywhere from noon-2pm (supper is at 6 pm when all the northerners are having "dinner")(sorry about the tangent there). Anyhoo, we are going to be keeping it fairly simple this year for Christmas dinner. Ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, corn, rolls, pie.....yeah ok, so it is still gonna be a lot of food. I guess after we finish dinner we will waddle into Domnio's living room and exchange the gifts that we got for each other. By this time it should also be late enough that I can call my family and not wake them up. Of course the idea of calling them at 9am my time also makes me giggle to myself. Can you imagine being on the receiving end of that.

Mom-*phone ringing looking at the clock which says 4am, picks up the phone* *groggy* Hello?
Me- MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAH! Kids sing Jinggle Bells for MiMi!
Kids- *singing* Jingle Bells Jingle Bells!
Me-Aren't they great mom?
Mom- I am so going to take you out.

I would be living in fear until I saw her in July. It would sooooo be worth it.

So that is what I am going to be doing this Christmas. What are your plans?

Liquid Motivation

Ok we decided to have a damn yard sale. I hate yard sales, but we have so much stuff that is actually in good working order, that it would be irresponsible not to at least try to sell it off for a little extra cash. Yesterday I spent the day cleaning out LaLa and Kiki's bedrooms searching for toys that they no longer play with, clothes that no longer fit, and other things that are no longer in use. I think I found like 20 recieving blankets in KiKi's closet. Today I need to sort out my room, the kitchen, my candle closet (yes I have a whole closet of candles), and the utlility room. I am lacking motivation. Lucky for me I have the best motivator in the world. Coffee. Coffee with hazelnut creamer. Yum. A couple of cups of this and I will be zooming around here like I have jet engines strapped on my ass.

As for now I need to go email my mom some pictures I promised her yesterday. Hi Mom. Yes I know I said I would send them yesterday. I fell asleep at 9pm on the couch though. I was a little tired from organizing all this yard sale stuff. I am on it now I swear.