The Season's Favorite Shots

The only dog Avery's dad will allow her to have. His name is Sparky..... I mean Jo Jo...... oh wait, that's Chinook....... his name changes by the hour.

Rob's company Christmas party at the bowling alley.

Maddox and Logan

Tate and Maddox got Marshmallow shooters but Maddox cracked us up by seriously being most excited by the bag of marshmallows.

This is a family picture we won't forget. Let's just say I had to hone my photoshop skills because SOMEONE decided to make screwed up faces in all but ONE photo. I was a little peeved after running back and forth to the camera timer about 6 times. See if you can guess who got a new head :)

Tate's new 4 wheeler that Santa brought

Oh my...... it's only the beginning.....

Christmas Survey

1. Fresh or Fake Tree

My dad was a freak about fires so we always had a fake tree growing up. I think we had a real tree once and my parents took it down the day before Christmas because it was so dried out and such a fire hazard. I like my fake tree, though. I always know what shape it is going to be. The thought of "the Christmas tree hunt" does sound fun, too.

2. Favorite Ornament

The year that we lost Reese, a co-worker of Rob's sent home this sweet little embroidered piece of felt. Every year when I put it on the kids' tree, I remember. I also let my kids pick a Hallmark ornament each year and as we put them on the tree, I remember all of their outgrown toy fads. It's always very sentimental.

3. Favorite Christmas Song

Okay, here's where I get "grinchy". I don't really care for Christmas music. Something about it seems so cheesy to me. I don't mind to hear it and I'll probably even hum along, but I don't typically buy Christmas CDs or put any Christmas music on my ipod. I know........ bah humbug.

4. Favorite Tradition

Well, traditions change as you get older and start your own family traditions, but I guess my favorite "old" tradition is opening gifts at my mom's on Christmas Eve. My brother, even at 29, gets so stinking excited. He is typically so quiet, but at Christmas he gets a little giddy. My mom is also so much fun at Christmas. I have truly inherited her joy of gift giving. She always goes a little overboard with the gifts, but it's not because we are spoiled or expect it. It's because she loves it.

My favorite tradition with my kids is making and decorating cookies for Santa. We always just use some good ole slice and bakes or those prerolled sheets of sugar cookie dough, but the kids love it none the less.

5. Favorite Gift Ever
Hmmmmm....... this is hard. (I heard that Kristi) My most used gift ever is a fuzzy blanket I got from my grandma when I was in the 4th or 5th grade. I wore mine out, but my brother got one the same year and I am still using his. I sleep with it under the sheet.

My most favorite gift ever would probably have to be Tivo. We got it from my parents just a few years after DVRs came out and I don't know how I ever watched TV without it. We have had to have it repaired or replaced a couple of times and when we do, I refer to it as if Tivo was a good friend going into the hospital (of course only kidding).


6. Favorite Christmas Meal
Ham, turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, Sister Schubert rolls, hash brown casserole, green beans, and strawberry salad. Mmmmmmm...... I looooovvvvve dressing.


7. Favorite Christmas Cookie
Okay, this is a new one. A co-worker, who also happens to be Rob's sister-in-law's mother, brings these iced sugar cookies that her sister makes to work and they are TO DIE FOR. I think she gave me the recipe last year, but I can guarantee I could never replicate it. There's also something special about cookies when someone else makes them. I also love those little shortbread balls with pecans in them that are rolled in powdered sugar. I've tried to make those and I have never gotten them to taste right. Leave it to me to have a whole long paragraph about food ;)


8. Favorite Place to Be
My mom's. The kids get crazy, but it is still fun. I love my family because we can always just be ourselves.


9. Favorite Memory
The year Tate was two and we had just moved into our house. He was just beginning to talk (yes, he was late) and when he got up on Christmas morning, he opened all of his gifts and just gushed about each and every one. He got a Viewmaster and I remember he tried to reach out and grab the air as he was looking through. It was precious. Rob and I were in tears with joy.


10. Favorite Christmas Movie
Okay, I'm going to get "grinchy" again. I'm not big into watching movies repeatedly. Once I watch it, I'm usually done unless I happen to see it on TV when there is nothing else on. I guess I would have to say the old Dr. Suess How the Grinch Stole Christmas, seriously.


I'm hoping to start some new Christmas traditions with my own family this year now that the kids are older. If you have any ideas that have worked nicely for your family, please pass them on! This year we got an "Elf on the Shelf" and it has been really fun. I can't wait for Christmas break so that I can put together some more thoughts on things to do. Happy Holidays!



(What is up with blogger that every time I publish a post it messes with my spacing! It drives me crazy to look at it all messed up but I can't fix it)

Calgon, take me away!

I'm trying to keep my cool today, but it has been hard. I've been on the verge of tears or a breakdown all day. But this takes the cake........ This will explain why a quiet almost 3 year old (who is not asleep) is a BAD, BAD thing.....

That is lipstick. In the lovely shade of Mary Kay Downtown Brown. She gets her artistic abilities from her dad and her cosmotology skills from her mother.

Avery also ran away from home 2 times in the last two days. Luckily she ended up at my mom's.

I got about 20 gray hairs today.

Where did Baby Tate go?

This weekend we celebrated the birth of our first born, Tate Aaron. He is a great kid. He has caused me a mountain of worries, but has also seen me through some tough times. He doesn't always listen, but seems to hear everything. He makes me cry my eyes out and laugh my head off. He can't remember where he left his shoes, yet, he knows the lines for every infomercial on TV. He's weird enough to be interesting and a nonconformist. He cries often because he's sensitive--like his dad.

Tate has grown into a wonderful boy. His innocent belief in the Lord makes me crave a theology where God is my Superman. I worry often that I will "mess him up" and I pray like crazy that he will be fine. He loves his family and finds his "best friends" within it.

Happy 8th Birthday, Tate!

I love you,

Mommy

Now, Tate will also share his birthday week with a dear friend's second born, Aaden Isaiah. Aaden was born on good ole Black Friday (the 28th) at 5:07 am. I got to be there!!!! After having 3 c-sections, a good old fashioned delivery was a new experience for me and I was thrilled to get to be a part of it. Welcome, Aaden! And Happy Birthday to you, too!

Thanksgiving
by Tate Anderson


I am thankful for many things. The first thing I am thankful for is God. I am thankful for him because he loves the world and he gave his only son. The next thing I am thankful for is toys. You can play with them and have fun with them. The third thing I am thankful for is home. It keeps me safe. The last thing I am thankful for is pets. They keep me company. I am glad that I have God, toys, home, and pets to be thankful for.


(And I am thankful that Tate has had some fabulous teachers!)

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Rainbows

I remember the day well. I was sitting at home in my flannel pink striped pajama pants that I had worn for over 3 weeks. I was nursing a wound- and not just in a physical sense. It was one of the darkest times in my life and, thankfully, God has helped me to forget the intensity of that pain. But the impression still remains. And that I am thankful for.

A day full of rain. Great. Just what I always needed on a day like this. I tried to shake the grief and overwhelming despair. Why did this happen? The rain darkened my mood and reminded me of my sorrow.

The rain finally stopped late in the afternoon. The sun was just starting to set in the sky. As I sat on the couch, I wondered whether there could be a rainbow. I thought about when rainbows appear. I thought about how the sky is usually so definitely divided -the dark sky moving away, heavily contrasted by the bright blue-grey sky in it's clearing. Surely God wouldn't fail me. I went to every window in the house. I knew where the rainbow had to be, considering the time of day that it was, but I couldn't see it from any of the first 6 windows I looked out.

I ran to each room, frantic at the thought of the "promise" not being visible to me. And then I stood at the threshold of the nursery -the nursery prepared for a promise never fulfilled. I ran to the window, skeptical and hopeful at the same time.

And there it was. My promise. The promise that was first given to Noah and now, I believed, to me. His promise. The promise of new beginnings. The promise of safety. The promise of peace. From that moment, I knew that His promise was unfailing. I realized that I was never promised a baby here on earth. His promise isn't about this earth at all. His promise is much more than that.

I recently drove home from work to a beautiful rainbow arching over my home. I remembered His promise given with the rainbow and I remembered that day four years ago in late November when I searched frantically for it's presence. I am constantly reminded of His promise and, every passing year, I remember and long for the day when it is fulfilled.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Ten for Tuesday

Friday Favorite has been MIA lately so here are ten things I'm happy about today:

1. My husband is off work for the next 3 days! Yea! Of course he still has school, but beggers can't be choosy. I miss him like crazy. I get a little crazy here without adult conversation.

2. My birthday is this weekend. I don't forsee any huge parties, but maybe I can eek in some hubby time and shopping..... maybe?

3. My daughter is potty trained! Yippee!

4. Post-it paper on a roll. What can I say? My life is simple. This stuff is super for the kids to create --it sticks to the table and then they can hang it right on the wall.

5. Fisher Price Digital Arts and Crafts Studio....... I love you. You have occupied my kids for hours this weekend. Yes, you have been neglected for almost a whole year since we got you for Christmas, but thank you for your patience.

6. The Duggars. Watching freaks like you makes my life seem much more normal. No offense.

7. It's almost "tights" season. So much easier to keep up with than little socks.........

8. The leaves, the smell ..............this time of year often brings back some creepy memories --but I can't help but love it. I thank God for that.

9. Daylight Savings Time. I know, I know, it screws with your mind for a little while, but I so enjoy waking up when it's light outside and having an earlier "come inside" time in the afternoons. It makes my life much easier.

10. Sweet tea. I know, it's random

Boo!

We had a good Halloween despite Rob having to work. The kids are getting old enough that it's much easier for me to handle hectic holidays such as this one without pulling all of my hair out. My only complaint is all of the driving and stopping at relatives' houses. Mainly because driving on Halloween is never fun and the kids start to get a little frustrated with all of the getting in and out. My kids also love to give out candy so all of the driving around limits their time for doing this. I love going trick or treating with the kids, but I'm also looking forward to the day when we can decorate and dress up and just stay and home and greet trick or treaters. If only my kids had two parents ;)

Avery, Tate, and cousin Maddox

Avery was a Bobcat cheerleader. I was a little worried about a costume she might actually "wear". She's been a little particular lately about what she has on. So when we went to the ballgame a few weeks ago, I thought this might be an good idea.

My sister in law, Jennifer, rolled Mallie's hair on sponge rollers for her princess costume. It was so funny. She looked like a little old lady who just came from the beauty shop for her weekly "set".


This is why all of the driving around is worth it. My grandparents are housebound and don't get to see my kids very often.


This was Avery's pumpkin request. Her daddy carved this the night before Halloween.

Rob carved pumpkins for hours. It's his "thing". We had a lot of trouble this year because our pumpkins were so thick and tough. He broke every tool he used and finally ended up cutting the tops off with a Saws-all electric saw thingy. When he had just finished the last one (nearly 3 hours later), he missed his stool and sat on one of them and broke it. He just shoved it into a flower pot for a "stand" and you would have never known....... bless his pea pickin' heart.

Tate was Indiana Jones. He loved his costume so much that he wore it for 2 days before Halloween just because. He looked in the mirror and said, "I look like a hunk."

Maddox's costume had a little "problem". This is the back :)

Hope you all had a great Halloween! Time to get out the Christmas tree!

A Laugh At Our History

I'm sorry if some of you don't "get" this. Always trust the "Gospel Advocate".

Me, Circa........

1956

Hi, my name is Alice Anderson. I'll never forget senior year, although I'd like to. Those sock hops were not so fun from the sidelines.

1994

Hey! My name is Jennifer Anderson. It took 2 cans of Aussie and a good blow dryer to get this hair.

1985

Hello, My name is Tracy Anderson.

1978
Hello, my name is Peggy Anderson.

1962
Hello, My name is Patsy Anderson (aka Patty). I was senior class president and lead saprano in the glee club.

1977

Hi, my name is Susan Anderson.

I just can't comment on this...... I'm just too busy laughing!

I'm seriously about to wet my pants!

Remembering Reese

For those of you who haven't met her, this is Reese Avery Anderson. She was born asleep from unknown causes on November 20, 2004 at 34 weeks gestation weighing 5 lb 2 oz-- a beautiful thread in the tapestry of our lives. She changed our lives forever and we will never forget her. Today was the National Day of Remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss. We remember her every day as we are not the people we were before she came. We thank God everyday for her brief physical presence in our lives and His eternal care for her. Reese is at home in heaven with another sibling who we lost due to miscarriage in the summer of 2006. We rejoice in the hope of seeing them both again. You can read my post from last year here.

A Not So Stinky Day

Amanda, Jeremy, Mason, Addie, and Tate, Avery, and I went to Pumpkin Hollow in Piggott yesterday. We loaded up into my mom's truck with four kids, two wagons, and a picnic lunch and set off on the hour plus drive. The kids were good on the way up and besides a little scenic tour of the backroads of Clay County, we made it safe and sound.

After our picnic lunch, which we had to fight some flies and bees for, we decided to take the kids to the porta-potties. This is where the fun begins. I helped Avery use the bathroom while she questions everything inside. Of course I just want her to hurry, but she is facinated by the indoor/outdoor potty. I help her finish up, get her pants pulled up, and try to shimmy around in the potty, keep her from opening the door and find enough room to pull down my own pants.

Then I heard it PLUNK.........

Oh yes, something fell. Keys. And yes, I looked in the potty just in time to see the bubbling of their decent into the blue abyss.

I stood in shock for a moment. How deep was it? Since it was so blue, you couldn't see the bottom. I had a clue where the keys had landed, but what had they landed on? I couldn't tell. My only hope was to reach in. I know, *gasp* I reached in and grabbed them as quickly as I could. My arm went a little more than wrist deep. UGH I quickly grabbed some toilet paper, and wiped as much as I could from my hand. Then, luckily, there was a little outside sink with some antibacterial soap where I attempted to scrub my hand of the vile disgusting horror.

And then there were the keys. I washed them under the sink and lathered them around in the soap as well. I didn't think the keyless remote had much of a chance of survival at this point anyway.

Of course, Jeremy and Amanda didn't believe my story. Would I actually make something like that up? Like I pride myself in reaching my hand into a toilet filled with other people's crap? They finally bought it.

The rest of the trip was good. Avery had her heart set on riding a horse and Tate really enjoyed the "barn". Aside from the keys in the potty, dumping Avery out of the wagon as I pulled it, and the kids nearly getting trampled during the pig scramble, I think we could call it a good time.

By the way, after a little more drying, the keyless remote still works. And, I forgot to tell you that we had taken my mom's truck instead of mine............ shhhhhhhhh

"I don't think I can pick this one up"

Cowgirl Addie

Avery fed the goats white oak acorns..... Jeremy's idea

King of the Hay

Four tired children "sitting" on a bench........ priceless

I've been tagged!

Seven random things about me:

1. I can sew. I know most people know this, but in a day and age when few people do, it might seem random.

2. This might be a downer and most of my readers already know this, but I have a rare acquired blood antibody (kell) that could threaten any future pregnancies. It's kind of like Rh negativity but much more rare with no known cure or treatment.

3. I can't stand to hear or see anybody cut, chew, chomp, or grind ice with their teeth or any other tool.

4. I am a terrible housekeeper.

5. I have never broken a bone. I've always assumed it's because mine are so big.

6. I would honestly make a batch of brownies right now just to eat the batter.

7. I don't really like chocolate chip cookies.

I tag Andrea S. and Kari R.

Whew!

What a week! Even though I have been here at home the week and weekend, I've had a lot of projects to finish up on. I finally got all my clothes priced for the consignment sale (I still need to check for ironing needs--yes, you heard me right, it has to be ironed or they supposedly won't take it. I have had them cull some of my stuff for minimal staining or wear, also), had my friend Deana's shower today, and finished an art project for her baby room this morning at 3 am. I didn't have to have it finished by today, but had I not finished it while I had it out, my house would have been turned upside down while I waited to finish. I also got few bow orders last night and would like to get those completed either tonight or tomorrow night.

Friday night, we went to a cookout at a friend's house who has a son Tate's age and a daughter Avery's age. It was wonderful weather and company. The kids had a good time. I tried. Being at events where Tate is with age matched peers is often very hard for me. I may blog about that later..... but not tonight. This post is not meant to be that deep ;)

So, tomorrow, I have to drive to Jonesboro to drop off my consignment clothes. Doing this sale can be a real hassle for me, but it's worth it in the long run to get that little extra money in a few weeks. I always take on too many things at once. Why does it always seem like everything always hits at once?

Anyway, I'm leaving you with a picture of the canvas I made for Deana's baby. We saw these at a boutique children's store in Jonesboro for $250! Of course I think, "I can make that!" But after finishing, I realized that those things are worth every penny of that $250. It was very time consuming--- lots of layers of paint and mod podge drying. I am going to try to make Avery one for her room while I have it in my head. Of course hers will be much more girly and HAS to have some bling on it.



Sorry to bore you with my crafts! Have a good week!