Buddy 12/24/2010

Today's prank will be Buddy's last for 2010. I'm a little sad. We've gotten many laughs and had lots of fun at his expense. The whole point in doing this was to bring a little more magic to our Christmases. As the kids get older, it becomes more and more important to me that their memories of our family Christmases are magical and fun. I have 3 very special kids and they deserve a special life, complete with elf-filled Christmases.
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Buddy 12/23/2010

I wonder how mad Alli will be when she sees herself...
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In all things, give thanks. (Even barf)

So, it's 2:30 am the first full day of Christmas break. I have just spent the last hour holding back hair, cleaning up vomit, washing a load of clothes, and bleaching, bleaching, bleaching. And don't forget praying. Praying Alli would get well and get well now. Praying that the little girls staying here with us tonight don't get sick especially here at Christmas and especially since they are about to make a 14 hour car trip to see family in Oklahoma. Praying that I don't get sick because not all presents are bought and most aren't wrapped and if Santa walked in my door right now (I don't have a chimney) he would put some coal in my stocking and walk right back out. Praying that no one else gets what Alli has. No one!

Can I just say I was sleeping wonderfully? I mean, blissfully. Until the knock at my bedroom door at 1:30 am. I knew immediately that was a mom-I've-yakked-all-over-the-living-room-carpet knock. I knew because she mentioned last night having a headache and belly ache. As I was cleaning up the mess, my first reaction was several things:
worried that she'll still be sick at Christmas and have to miss out

worried about the three little girls spending the night or the boys would catch

completely stressing that this yucky virus would make its way to me before I finish getting ready for Christmas

really tired and quite frankly, a little grossed out

And that's when it hit me. It was honestly almost like I heard God saying, 'In all things, give thanks.' Really God? I'm cleaning up chicken nuggets and grape soda in their ugliest form and you want me to give thanks?

So, I did. I began thanking Him for sending me a daughter to take care of and serve. I thanked Him for the occasional stomach virus or strep or cold to be the worst illness she's ever had to go through. I thanked Him because I was cleaning up in a warm house stocked with cleaning supplies and money to buy things to make her feel better.

I know I sound a little 'Polly anna'-esque, but really, I view it honor to be able to take care of a sick child. God has blessed me with 3 precious gifts, 3 of His children, that for whatever reason He trusted me to take care of and I am so thankful for that.

While cleaning up the remnants of a Chick-Fil-A kid's meal is not my idea of a great time, I'm still honored to do it and blessed to be a mom.
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Buddy 12/22/2010

I mean, really, how much cuter does it get?! I know you are wishing you had your very own 'Elf on the Shelf' right about now.
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Buddy 12/21/2010

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Buddy 12/19/2010

I thought this was just hilarious. Even funnier, was their words..."Santa, noel, candy, sugar, lights". Crack me up! Who knew being a prankster was so much fun? I suppose I'll need to come up with year long tricks! This has been so much fun. Every morning, the kids are just in awe of what Buddy has done while they've slept.
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Buddy 12/17/2010

This morning, we woke up to this. The boys thought it was really funny...Alli, on the other hand, completely flipped! She was convinced that somehow someone snuck in our house and got my keys and had moved my car. This was, in no way, my fault. It's not like I had suggested that so as to add to the mystery. Not me, I'm way too mature for that. ;) After I got Alli calmed down and convinced we had not been burglarized, she seemed to warm up to his latest prank.
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