The Last Post of 2008

and nothing is going on. Madison is headed to a friend's house to spend the night with 9 other girls. (I'll be praying for those parents...lol) The boys and I will spending a quiet evening. (I'll be kicking butt at Guitar Hero.) I leave you with this...
...my baby is walking!

It's That Time Again...

it wasn't me who spent way too much time twittering today. even learned that i can twitter via text message.

it's not me who is way too obsessed with guitar hero that ian received as a christmas present from my parents. (but it is totally me who play every single note of when we were young)

completely not me who decided that she has way too much scrapbook stuff. will have to take a pic to show that i totally don't have enough...ha!

soooo not me who got the crazy notion that i am going to take a random photo everyday for the next year. who in their right mind would attempt this?

i wish it wasn't me who was up all night vomiting and having the cha cha cha's. (i know tmi) i am feeling a bit better and managed to keep the mrs. grass soup that i ate for dinner down.

Christmas

Ian @ Age 4

Merry Christmas!

Qui, Moi? Non!

I did not go to the store wearing a pajama top this morning. I did not think that if I zipped my coat up all the way so no one would see.

I am not currently having one of my random allergic reactions. I am also not hopped up on mega doses of benadryl.

It's not me who keeps trying to bug Michael into letting us get a dog for Christmas.

I did not come home from church yesterday and proceed to pass out for 3 hours.

Totally wasn't me who went out in a snow storm on Friday just to take pictures.

I do not still have shopping to do, although I swore I would be finished by this time.

I do not still have all of my wrapping to do, although I swore I would not be wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve at midnight ever again.

Snowed In And Nothing Better To Do

Your Christmas is Modern

Your wish for the New Year is more happiness. For you, Christmas is a spiritual holiday. You can't separate it from your beliefs. You are patient when it comes to Christmas. You don't celebrate too early, and you don't like seeing holiday decorations in October. You like Christmas traditions, but you're not uptight about them. You do things your way. You have some preferred ways of celebrating Christmas, but you're open to compromise. You enjoy Christmas more than anyone you know. Some might call it an obsession! You like giving to your friends and family during Christmas. You focus on the people you're close to.

What Does Your Christmas Say About You?

You Are Considerate and Mature

You approach the holidays with responsibility and cooperation. You'll do your part to make sure that everyone else has a happy holiday. You aren't particularly picky or high maintenance during the holidays. You're happy to be in the company of people you love, and you're willing to "go with the flow." Of all the types, you are the most likely to give someone exactly what they want. You're also the most likely to wrap all your presents well - to prevent peeking!

The Wrapping Paper Test

You Can Say "Merry Christmas" in 14 Languages

You can say "Merry Christmas" in: English Spanish Japanese French Arabic German Swedish Portuguese Greek Gaelic Hawaiian Korean Latin Esperanto

How Many Languages Can You Say "Merry Christmas" In?

Christmas Concert

Madison is playing the viola on the far left and Ian is playing the cello and is on the right side in the red sweater vest.

Time For Another Thrilling Edition Of Not Me Monday

This week it was not me who woke my kid up from his nap because I couldn’t resist the bubble wrap that came with my most recent Etsy purchase.

It was not me who just got her Christmas tree up on Saturday.

It certainly was not me who had 2 children with pink eye last week and then didn't give it to their Grammy.

I am not the person who watched 12 episodes of Big Love this weekend.

It's so not me who cannot figure out why my Kodak software decided it no longer wants to work. Also, not me who can't fix the issue...even when it's uninstalled and then reinstalled.

I did not practically blind our son with the flash from my camera, turning into a paparazzi-shooting, camera-crazed mama. *FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!* Not me! It's totally not his first Christmas tree picture.

Again, I did not create this post on Sunday night and schedule it to automatically post at a random time on Monday. It would not truly be a Not Me Monday if I were to do something like that, which I did not do, by the way...I swear.

Sunday Sevens

Seven things I did before I was a Mom?

1. Wore enough black eyeliner, black nail polish and the occasional black lipstick for 5 girls.
2. Went to at least 5 concerts a year.
3. Actually wore combat boots with pretty much everything, including skirts.
4. Wrote in a journal daily.
5. Tended to only think about myself.
6. Drank slurpees on a daily basis.
7. Thought I wanted to be a lawyer.

Seven things I do now that I know Jesus really loves me:

1. Ask REGULARLY for forgiveness.
2. Have quiet time with Him every single day.
3. Sing worship music at the top of my lungs in the car, not caring if people are watching me.
4. Look at life from an eternal view.
5. I know that I am never really alone.
6. CONSTANTLY talk to Him and ask for his guidance in my life.
7. I'm a much better person with Him than I would ever be without Him.

Seven things I would like to do!

1. Go to Hungary to see where "my people" are from.
2. Become a professional photographer.
3. Go back to school and actually get a degree this time.
4. Get caught up with scrapbooking.
5. Travel, travel, travel.
6. Survive my daughter's fast approaching teen years.
7. Finish Wuthering Heights. (I have tried many times and just cannot get into it.)

Seven favorite foods.

1. Stuffed Cabbage (must have sour cream with it)
2. Fresh Mozzarella
3. Hummus
4. Fattoush with Feta
5. Cabbage and Noodles
6. Trader Joe's Organic Dill Pickles
7. Ben and Jerry's Creme Brulee Ice Cream

Seven things I say most often:

1. Seriously.
2. Don't talk to me like that.
3. Please pick up your room.
4. Where is your uniform?
5. Hey monkey boy.
6. May I please have 5 minutes of quiet?
7. Leave your brother (or sister) alone.

it positively positive was NOT me. nope.

The stories below are most definitely fictional and would NOT be anything that really happened in our house this past week!

I did not decide that Elek is not getting anymore vaccinations.

I did not drive 20+ miles on Saturday in the snow to the Carter's Outlet because I don't love me some Carter's baby clothes.

I most certainly did not buy the kids matching Christmas pajamas. Nor did I let them wear the pajamas at the same time. That would just be lame.

I am not the slightest bit amused by my feisty, opinionated daughter, who talks constantly, and lets her feelings be known. Not at all.

I did not watch Cops and laugh hysterically when the dog bite a guy trapped in a Mexican restaurant. I did not repeatedly say "I love this show".

And the piece de resistance, I certainly did not sneak in on Michael kissing Ian good night and PANTS him. Sweat pants all the way to the floor. I did not roll on the floor laughing, snorting and cackling... ( yes, I am that immature!) I did not pay for it at 5am with the "cold-hands" treatment while I was still snug in my bed and Michael was off to work. And I will not continue to be paying for it all week. Nope. No siree. Not Me.

I love not doing stuff.

Better

Elek's doing better. He has slept through the night the last 2 nights. He's still coughing a bit and has 10 days of breathing treatments remaining. He doesn't really act sick. He's still crawling around and being his usual self...getting into everything. Thank you for all of your prayers!

Exhausted

For the past 3 days I've had to do this every six hours.

He's been diagnosed with asthma and has a cold and sounds horrible. He coughs a ton, hasn't been sleeping well and when he is asleep, I'm awake and listening to him breathe.

Can you please pray for him? And me?

I was tagged by my friend Erica to give 7 random facts
The rules are:-Link to the person who tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
-Share 7 random and or weird facts about yourself.
-Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
-Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
7 random facts:

1. I have a bizarre obsession with ears. I love cleaning earwax out of them.
2. Elek has started walking and it's making me want another baby.
3. I love peanut butter and pickle sandwiches.
4. I am tired 99.9% of the time. You would think I would sleep more than 5 hours a night.
5. I want to be an art teacher when I grow up.
6. I don't delete my photos and I take thousands.
7. If it was possible I would rarely leave my house.

And I'm just going to tag whomever wants to play along.

Welcome Back

I find it quite funny that Madison's substitute teacher's name was Mr. Kotter. Hmmm...I wonder where the Sweathogs were.

10 Things I Am Doing Today

1. Reorganize my scrapbook supplies (I have way too many and they are a mess right now)
2. Updating my Kodak Software.
3. Vacuuming for the 1,256,487 time this week.
4. Loading the dishwasher for the 429,513 time.
5. Going to buy formula and Gerber Graduates for Elek.
6. Decorate outside for Christmas (Going to hold off on the tree for a week or two)
7. Drinking 864 glasses of Diet Pepsi.
8. Making cheesesteaks for dinner.
9. Taking a few photos.
10. Christmas shopping.

My Mosaic...

1. Grevillea Ned Kelly with native bee, 2. Fattoush, 3. Harry, 4. reaching out ........., 5. Something New / Simon Baker, 6. Thirsty .., 7. Awakening City, 8. Mint Chocolate Chip Cone, 9. Dotty-Wotty House, 10. The Earth is God's Canvas., 11. Indescribable Night, 12. 23.366 I have an eye for photography

If you'd like to make one of your own, here's how you do it:

Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr search, using only the first page, choose your favorite image, copy and paste each of the URL’s into the mosaic maker (4 columns, 3 rows).

The questions:

1. What is your first name? (Kelly)
2. What is your favorite food? (Fattoush)
3. What high school did you attend? (Harry S. Truman)
4. What is your favorite color? (Periwinkle)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Simon Baker)
6. Favorite drink? (Diet Pepsi)
7. Dream vacation? (Hungary)
8. Favorite dessert? (Ice Cream)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (Art Teacher)
10.What do you love most in life? (Children)
11. One word to describe you. (Indescribable)
12. Your favorite hobby. (Photography)

Today I Am Thankful For...

My husband who puts up with my lunacy. It takes a very patient person to deal with me and he is one of them. For the fact that he goes to work everyday without complaining in order to provide for us. Who knows it's what he's supposed to do and just does it. And tells me I'm gorgeous even when I don't believe him. For being one of the best dads I know.

my Maddy Beth, who is scary smart. Who hardly has to study and makes straight A's. She is one of the smartest people I know and she's only 11. For her being one of those people who are good at pretty much everything they attempt. For her easy smile. The fact that she's a loyal friend. For her wild bed head.

the Eman. My boy that always keeps me on my toes. Always keeps me guessing at what he's going to do next. That he loves school. He always tries his best at everything that he does and that his teacher even notices it. His love of Jesus. He knows that He's always there and that He'll never leave him. Of his ability to remind me of that fact. That he loves his sister and brother more than anything, even when they don't want to be bothered with him.

my tiny unexpected joy, Elek. Who's smile lights up my day. For his constant happiness. His laughter that fills the room. For those gorgeous blue eyes that remind me that everything is all right in the world.

I'm thankful for my parents who's faith in me has never wavered. For teaching me "That God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 2:7 For my Grandma's bible that has the same passage highlighted and underlined to remind me of it too. For my parents for going to every parent teacher conferences that I had, even in high school and no one else's parents went. For being the best grandparents that my kids could ask for. That they never once have moaned or groaned when I've asked them to watch them or pick them up from school. For never giving up on me, even though I'm sure that they probably wanted to a million times.

For my Grandma, whom I miss more than I thought was possible. For the fact that I still feel her love for me. For the most unconditional love that I could ask for. My Papa that always called me baby, even when I had babies of my own. For the most unconditional love that I could ask for. For my Grandpa, who was always pretty grouchy with everyone else, but was never grouchy with me. Who was always willing to toboggan behind his house with me. For my Granny, who has always had my favorite green beans waiting for me. For her warmth, her welcome. That I've been able to sit with her for hours and hold her hand. That she loves me.

I'm thankful for my job working with kids that always make me laugh and make me crazy. That they call me Miss Kelly. How they tell me that I am their best friend. For all the hugs around the waist. And all the picture they make me that hang on my fridge.

For a Savior who's mercy never ends. Who loves me regardless of who I am or what I do.

If you've never tried Elfing Yourself, then this is your year, people.

Mom and Dad, this is for you. You crazy dancing fools. I just never knew y'all had these moves. Dad, you shimmy with the best of them.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

This Is Seriously One of the Cutest Things I Have Ever Seen

Make sure you watch until the end.

10 Things I Did Today

1. Loaded the dishwasher (nothing new there)
2. Drank 4 glasses of Diet Pepsi (I've become somewhat of an addict lately)
3. Watched Jack's Big Music show twice (I didn't actually watch it, but it was on)
4. Took a bubble bath (Heaven!)
5. Took care of a sick Madison (who claimed she was dying...she just has a cold, but is extremely melodramatic)
6. Watched iCarly with the kids (I really did watch this)
7. Cooked dinner (It's Shake and Bake and I helped)
8. Took a few pics this morning (no one wanted to cooperate)

9. Went shopping with Ian (Value City, Dollar Tree, Joann's and Family Christian)
10. Finally updated this blog!

Ian Phelps

Monday night Ian applied 20+ fake tattoos all over his body. His arms, legs, back, stomach, etc. It was lovely...not.

Fast forward to Tuesday when we're getting ready for swimming. I now have to remove tattoos. No big deal, you spray a little haispray on them and they pretty much rub off. I'm working on the ones on his legs and notice he has not one hair on either leg. I ask him if he has shaved his legs. He looks at me as if I'm completely clueless and answers "Yeah, all swimmers shave their legs."

Our Newest Sport

Cheerleading season has ended and heaven forbid Madison not have a sport to participate in. And so we've moved on to this...

Yes folks, we have joined the world of competitive swimming. Ian has also joined this world.
Coach Bud told me that Madison picked up on the Breaststroke quicker than he's ever seen anyone else. There goes that overachiever thing that she has going. Ian on the other hand is not so graceful. His pool entries are glorified belly flops that you can hear in the entire pool area. When he climbs out of the pool his stomach and chest are beet red. He could care less though and gets right back up there and does it all over again. I say practice makes perfect and he seems to love it. He is practicing his kicks here.Maddy swimming to Coach Bud.

Not Me Monday

I did not put my pajamas on at 3:30 p.m.

I did not serve my kids leftovers for dinner.

I did not turn on and then stand in front of my oven to get warm.

I most certainly did not spend an hour fooling around with the settings on my camera and taking a ton of totally random photos.

I do not desperately need to do laundry.

I didn't tear up heavily when I read The Giving Tree to Ian because I personified the tree to be myself and the boy to be, naturally, Ian. I didn't have to pause while reading the end where the boy has grown very old and leaves the tree all alone in order to collect myself so that the tears streaming down my face didn't erupt into a full-fledged sob-fest.

I do not put my children off when they ask me to do something. Not once this week did I say, "Uh, huh, sure Darling, in just a sec," and then answer them again in the exact same way when just a sec became two whole minutes later and they asked me again.


And, last but certainly not least, this past week I did not try, again, to tell God that I know better then He does. And He did not, again, remind me through my circumstances that He does, in fact, know better and that all I need to do is nothing. He will do the rest.

Romans 5

1 We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with him because of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through faith in Jesus we have received God's grace. In that grace we stand. We are full of joy because we expect to share in God's glory.

3 And that's not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. 4 The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope. 5 And hope will never let us down. God has poured his love into our hearts. He did it through the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.

6 At just the right time Christ died for ungodly people. He died for us when we had no power of our own. 7 It is unusual for anyone to die for a godly person. Maybe someone would be willing to die for a good person. 8 But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 The blood of Christ has made us right with God. So we are even more sure that Jesus will save us from God's anger. 10 Once we were God's enemies. But we have been brought back to him because his Son has died for us. Now that God has brought us back, we are even more secure. We know that we will be saved because Christ lives.

11 And that is not all. We are full of joy in God because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of him, God has brought us back to himself.

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12 Sin entered the world because one man sinned. And death came because of sin. Everyone sinned, so death came to all people.
13 Before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not judged when there is no law. 14 Death ruled from the time of Adam to the time of Moses. Death ruled even over those who did not sin as Adam did. He broke God's command. But he also became a pattern of the One who was going to come.

15 God's gift is different from Adam's sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But it was even more sure that God's grace would also come through one man. That man is Jesus Christ. God's gift of grace was more than enough for the whole world.

16 The result of God's gift is different from the result of Adam's sin. God judged one sin. That brought guilt. But after many sins, God's gift made people right with him.

17 One man sinned, and death ruled because of his sin. But we are even more sure of what will happen because of what the one man, Jesus Christ, has done. Those who receive the rich supply of God's grace will rule with Christ in his kingdom. They have received God's gift and have been made right with him.

18 One man's sin brought guilt to all people. So also one right act made all people right with God. And all who are right with God will live. 19 Many people were made sinners because one man did not obey. But one man did obey. That is why many people will be made right with God.

20 The law was given so that sin would increase. But where sin increased, God's grace increased even more. 21 Sin ruled because of death. So also grace rules in the lives of those who are right with God. The grace of God brings eternal life because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done.

Thy Will Be Done

Cheer Competition

This routine...Cheer Competition

...resulted in this.
Maddy has decided the foot to the mouth and the stitches were worth it.

Sunday Seven

Elek the Monkey
Xavier the "Piyate". When I told him to say Argh, Matey he replied "Argh, Maddy."
Emilee the Huntress
Ian the red haired mohawked BMX rider
Madison the Softball Player

Who Needs Fake Stitches For Halloween When You Can Have Real Ones

There was some sort of freak accident at cheerleading practice that ended up with Maddy in the ER getting 3 stitches.

My New (Old) Boyfriend

Margie, I've decided we can be sisters-in-law. I can marry Donnie and you marry Mark. We can be the Mrs. Wahlbergs. (Michael already knows my plan and has accepted it...lol. He knows that Donnie has been my man since I was 12.)

Saturday Night In Photos

Too bad you can't hear all the screaming 30 something year old women reliving their teen year.

Happy Birthday Emilou!

Aunt Kelly will be thinking of you tonight. I'm sending your underwear with Uncle Mike! (I buy her underwear every year for her birthday, it's a running joke.)

Something To Think About

At Home With This Sick Kid

It's that time of the year again. Ian is home with his first round of croup for the year. Supposedly most kids outgrow croup by the time they are 6, Ian's almost 9. What the heck is up with that?

Dumb Bunny

Ian was on his skateboard yesterday. I watched him whiz by a few times and told him that I used to be able to skateboard. He gives me this look that said "Yeah right". I took the bait.

So I take the skateboard from him. I put one foot on and begin to skate down the driveway. That's when the skateboard hits a crack...it stops, I do not. Do you see where I'm going with this?

I go flying. I hit the driveway super hard. I can no longer breathe and I'm pretty sure that I have cracked numerous ribs. Michael comes running over and I notice that Ian is laughing his buns off. I'm still lying on the driveway gasping for breath like a fish out of water. Michael helps me sit up and I notice my palms are full of road rash. My elbow is bleeding. Michael keeps trying to get me to move my wrist...said he thought that I had broken it based on the way I fell. After a few minutes I join Ian in laughing.

I am more sore today that I ever remember being. Substantially bruised too. Don't think I'm going to be skateboarding anytime soon. Now onto the pogo stick.

**Edited to Add** I forgot to mention that this was the second time that I fell yesterday. I landed flat on my face in the parking lot at work.

She Looks Too Old!!!

Pumpkin Baby

Goodbye Papa Jack

Michael's Grandpa Jack died this morning around 3:00 a.m. Please pray for Michael, I think he's going to have a hard time with it.

The Next American Idol

maddy's talent show

My Earliest Memory

I know that you all are going to think I'm crazy when I say that my earliest memory was when I was only 4 or 5 months old. I remember being in a baby seat of on a table. My button up shirt is open. My parents have the camera out. I was not happy and I seriously remember being aggravated at my parents. My mom probably has the picture somewhere.

My next memory is when I am a year old. I am sitting in the backseat of a yellow Volkswagon. I am super bundled up and covered in blankets. I am cozy and warm and safe.

And now something from today that I want to remember.

His Favorite Thing

Standing in front of the TV watching Jack's Big Music Show.