You can say there's no such thing as REINDEERS..................

 

 

BUT AS FOR ME, I NOW BELIEVE!!!!!!

Real live reindeers

I had no idea that reindeers really existed.  I really didn't.  All my life I just thought they were made up to go along with the Santa Clause story.  But last Friday night, I found out that they really do exist.  The question I still have is, Do they fly????  That part I still have to wonder because I technically never seen them fly Friday night.  But they were selling magic reindeer food that I didn't purchase.  Maybe if I had just spent the few extra dollars I could have seen them fly!!!!  Maybe next year.........

In case you are wondering where I seen this big beast of a reindeer (there were actually 3 or 4), it was at Southern Lights at our KY Horse Park in Lexington, KY.  We took our little youth group from church on an outing.  We stopped at Pizza for supper and then we divided up the girls all in one vehicle and the boys in the other.  Maynard had all plans on me driving, but this worked out perfectly!!!

The girl's ride down was quite interesting.  Of course, I'm sure the boy's was too, but I couldn't say for sure and really don't want to know. lol  I insisted everyone use the bathroom before we left because once you get in that line to drive through the lights you are stuck until it is over.  We made it maybe an hour down 75 and them girls began to holler they had to use the bathroom.  Really?  An hour????

So we stopped at a gas station and they all piled out.  Then they all piled back in because the restrooms were out of order.  So we had to drive off to another gas station and let them all pile out again.  By this time Maynard is calling saying there isn't an exit 120 I told him to take.  So he had to reroute and figure out how to get there.  We had to reroute as well.  My pastor's wife is quite smitten with her Iphone.  I mean me and my friend Michelle (the driver) had androids, but she wanted to ask Siri (is that right? Remember, I have an android phone)  Her conversation went a little like this:

Lora: Siri, Navigate to Southern Lights in Lexington.
Siri: Navigating..........
Lora:  Hee Hee.  See, ya'll.  I'll have ya there in no time.

Not that I don't trust Siri, but I had to do my own little navigating on my android.  As we were getting off the exit, my phone said turn right.  Siri said to turn left.

It was battle of Android vs. IPhone.

Sis. Lora insisted that her IPhone would get us anywhere we needed to go and we needed to just hush and listen to Siri.

So we shut up and Michelle drove exactly where Siri told her to go.

We didn't mean to complain or contradict Siri, but soon we were dab smack downtown Lexington late on a Friday night.  We were getting a tad nervous and finally just had to lay down the law for Sis. Lora to tell Siri goodbye.  She finally gave in and Michelle gave me permission to take over the navigation.  We got back to where we left off and I proudly claimed, "Now this is where we should have turned RIGHT!!!  Sis. Lora began to apologize to Siri and told her that her friends thought she was stupid and Siri replied that that wasn't very nice and blah blah.  However, I am tickled to death that I got us there.  Correction, my android got us there.  About an hour later than the boys!  Yep, Maynard had full control over 6 boys including Titus.  We finally got in line to see all the lights.  What we came to see, right?  And this is what I hear??

Girls:  Is it almost over?
Girls:  We want to get out.
Girls:  How much longer?

Oh my goodness.  Next time I'm riding in the burping vehicle. Ha ha

Michelle found us an awesome parking spot close to the front.  No cell phone was needed.  She just knows how to save herself as many steps as possible. Ha Ha

The boys were riding camels during this time and we missed it.  By the time we got there they were in line to ride the train.  We decided to join them.  I thought we were at the back of the line, but actually I marched our group right up to the front and thought we were good to go.  Then the riot started and I was asked to please go on back to the end of the line.  Ha Ha  Ok, not really a riot, but a few dirty looks.  A little kid had to kindly tell me I was at the beginning of the line instead of the back.

It says Line Begins Here!  So that is where I stood.  Never did I think about why all the people were facing forward to the end of the line.

The three of us were crammed in a small train.  It was a tight fit.  And when the man came to let us out Sis. Lora told him she was stuck!!!!  He was a grouchy man, but she even made him laugh!!!!  I am thankful for these 2 ladies at my church.  They are truly great friends of mine.  Sis. Lora is my pastor's wife so it's hard to be best friends because there is that confidentiality barrier that you can't cross.  Believe me, I try and it just doesn't work out to good so I know when I'm not getting her to budge. Ha ha!!!  But Michelle!  She is great.  She is just like me.  I can be myself around her and not have to pretend I like all the things she likes and I don't  have to act all proper around her.  She loves me for me and I love her for her.  I'm so glad God put these 2 ladies in my life because He knew I needed friends.  Not saying I don't have other friends, but you know how it is when you have a small church family.  It's just easier to bond with them.  I mean, I see them more than I do my family so they are like family to me.  I can get on to their kids or scold them and they can scold mine if need be and we don't even think about it.  We all know that we love each others kids and we are just trying to help watch out for them.  Lord knows, I need all the help I can get with mine!!

After the train ride Amelia wanted to ride a camel.  None of the other girls wanted to and I was afraid for her to ride by herself.  Then we walked by the ponies and she hollered she wanted to ride a pony. She has a love for animals that did not come from me or Maynard.  She petted on that pony and loved riding it.  It was sweet.

 

Maynard sent me this picture of the boy's camel ride.  Josiah doesn't look too comfortable.  He is so like me it isn't funny!!

 

Maynard was tired of chasing Titus at this point and met back with me to let me know it was my turn to keep up with him.  So we took the kids inside the petting zoo.

The petting zoo was pretty neat.  I bought them each an ice cream cone that had feed in them for the animals.  Not only did the animals eat the feed, but they nibbled on the cones too.  There was some cute animals in there.  They had kangaroos and even a zebra which was pretty neat to see.  Of course there were goats and sheep.  They were pretty aggressive and Amelia finally just threw her cone at the goats.  Then she got mad and realized what she had done and wanted her cone back.  Luckily for her she found one laying on the ground a few steps in front of her.

We left the petting zoo area and washed up and then headed for the Kettle Korn booth.  Who can resist that smell of popcorn anyway????

We ended back at the reindeer booth and gathered in for a group picture.

No caption needed!

And just because I have a tad bit of mischief in me I had to finish the night with a prank.  We all stood right in front of the reindeer fence.  And the reindeers have huge antlers.  (Not horns, because that would just be silly if I called them horns, right??)  Sis Lora may have mentioned she hoped the reindeers didn't get us with their antlers.  So as we gathered in together I couldn't help but jab her in the behind and watch her scream and dance, "It's got me, oh it's got me!"  And then a minute later I managed to get Michelle too.  She screamed, but Lora's dance was a tad more enjoyable.  I cracked up so much over that that I couldn't get to sleep that night.  I was still laughing.

Maynard was wore out and he had to work the next morning, so we switched back into our own vehicle and I drove us home.  I drove and ate popcorn while they snoozed away.

We had a great time and hopefully we can go again next year!!!!

A White Thanksgiving 2013

You know when you first get married and you have to figure out where you are going to spend your holidays????  Before Bro. Suits would marry us he asked us that question during our counseling.  He said it was a bigger deal than what most couples think so it was better to be discussed before marriage.  This is what we came up with....

Christmas would be spent with my family. 
Thanksgiving would be spent with Maynard's family.

It works out great because we go to my Parent's house the Saturday before Thanksgiving and we have Thanksgiving dinner then.  Everyone shows up and then that frees my family up to get to spend the actual holiday with all their in-laws. 

So the Friday night of the boy's school program my Mom and sister in law, and her 3 kiddos, drove down to see the program.  I didn't tell the boys they were coming and you can imagine their delight when they got to our house.

After the program, we followed Mom back home and stayed all night with them.  We had plans on riding back with Mom, but at the last minute, Maynard's boss walked up to him and gave him the day off on Saturday.  I was so happy because he has to work on Saturdays now and he was gonna have to miss Thanksgiving with the Harpers.  How horrible would that have been???  No seriously, it would have been. Ha Ha!!!  Anyway, he was going to have to drive up to get us either Sunday morning or late Saturday night, but it worked out that he got to come with us.  We decided to go on home with Mom and that way I could help her with the cooking before the dinner.  My kids were super excited because we hadn't been there to visit in over 4 months.

My parents live on a little farm now with a few critters.  Last time we were there it was hot and the kids played outside and even swam in the pool.  This time however, it was fuhreezing!!!!  Amelia kept asking to go swim and I kept catching Titus sneaking outside barefoot and in short sleeves.  They just didn't understand the weather change and was not happy about being stuck in the house knowing there was a barn to explore, eggs to gather, and a horse to feed.
My brother Brian had all 3 of his boys there that day and he set up the Wii out in the garage where everyone was going to eat and that worked out perfectly.  Actually, kind of saved the day really.
I stayed busy in the kitchen helping Mom.  Well, if you call it that.  Somehow my family knows when she doesn't fix something and they want to know what is wrong with it.  I helped fix the huge potato salad and about started a riot.  I made it too tangy and everyone was so upset.  I'm telling you!!!  These Harper people and In-laws are very brutal over the food that is brought in.  You will flat be told if they don't like what you brought.  It is kind of tradition really to all agree on what was gross that year.  I'm afraid the potato salad would have won this year. Ha Ha!!!  Even my Mom made a face when she tasted it.  I thought it was good though.  I like my potato salad tangy.  Live and learn people.  Next year, she will have to make it all by her lonesome so everyone will be happy.  The best thing was Mom's dressing.  Yummy!  That's probably my favorite thing about Thanksgiving dinner.  We eat turkey and ham year round so that's really no big treat, but I only have homemade dressing once a year.

All my family got to be there and we had kids going every which way.  So thankful for Mom and Dad's new house and that we actually had room to compensate for all these kiddos.

I took pictures, but they include some of my nieces and nephews that I don't have permission  to post on my blog so here's one of Maynard carving the turkey.

2 turkeys and 1 ham got devoured by this big group.

We stayed all night again at Mom's and went to church with them the next morning.  My kids love getting to go to Sunday School where I am not their teacher.  Not exactly sure why, but they do. Ha

After church Dad bought us lunch at Texas Roadhouse.  I love Texas Roadhouse!!!!!  Then we got back in the car and rushed back to make it home in time for church.

The kids had school Monday and Tuesday and then were off on Wednesday.  It started snowing pretty good on Wednesday morning, but the kids were begging to go to the library to get some books so that is where we bundled up and went.

It was really coming down and the kids couldn't resist a snowball fight before they went in.

It was pretty special that their 1st snow was the day before Thanksgiving and they had the day off from school.
After the library we went to Frisches  because I had coupons for free kid's meal.  As we ate we watched the pouring snow and it just shot out when the waitress asked if we wanted dessert.  I always say, "No, thank-you", but somehow I said, "We will have a hot fudge cake."  The kids were in a state of shock, I believe.  It was a nice treat.

We got home and the kids decided to play in the snow for awhile.

Amelia's Play in the Snow Outfit.

She refused to wear her pink coat because she didn't want to get snow on it.  I finally made her put it on, but by then she was done mad at her brothers for throwing snow at her.  Ugh!  I hate getting onto my kids for throwing snowballs because technically, having snowball fights is just part of playing in the snow in my opinion.  She is such a girl sometimes!!!!! ha

Thanksgiving morning it was so nice to have Maynard home.  The kids made sure he was plenty occupied while I finished up cooking in the kitchen.  We headed over to his Mom's house around 1:00 and had dinner with them.  After eating we just sat around and visited.  It was pretty calm being that my kids were the only kids there.  We stayed a few hours and then headed for home.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family.

As soon as we got home, this is what took place.

They hit the sales papers and went to writing their Christmas Lists.

And NO!  I did not go Black Friday shopping.  I almost went with my friend, Michelle, but I didn't tell her whether or not I was going until she had already left.  But she walked in Walmart and then walked right back out so we wouldn't have got much shopping done anyway.  I don't even like grocery shopping when it's crowded on the first of the month.  I'm afraid my sanctification would be put to the test and I'm afraid I would fail miserably.  Yeah, ya'll got some good deals, but I will just have to take your word for it!!!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and spent with the ones you love!!!!!

Acorns to Oats. LCA 2013

The highlight of our kid's year at school (other than the last day of school) is probably their Thanksgiving program they have every year.  It begins with a yummy turkey dinner with the works and then everyone gathers in the sanctuary for a musical play.

The highschoolers were up first and they did a song and did all the sign language to it.  It was great and I loved it.

Next the Kindergarten class was up.  Four pilgrims and the cutest Indian!  There is a story behind the indian part.  Josiah was the indian in his kindergarten class.  Titus claimed last  year as we watched the program that, "Next year, I'm going to be that Indian."  His heart was set on it, but there were 2 other boys in his classroom and they might want to be the Indian as well.  I tried to explain to him that it was his teacher's decision and we would just be happy whether he was a pilgrim or Indian.  A few days before the program he came home and shouted, "I'm the Indian!"""  I was really happy for him.  And if I was the organized mother I should be then I would include a picture of Josiah as an Indian along beside Titus, but.... well you know.

Proud Indian

A picture before the program

They pulled their program off like pros.

They quoted The Lord's Prayer, Psalms 23, they sang a cute song, and then each of them individually said verses according to each letter of the alphabet.  I was one proud Mommy.

Josiah the farmer.

Acorns to Oats.

Josiah at first had an acting part.  He gets his acting from me and his Daddy.  I was happy for him and then later found out that he opted out of acting and would rather have a solo singing part.  Josiah loves to sing and he done a great job,  As he sung he kept his head down and his straw hat completely hid his face.

The whole program was cute and I am glad my kids were able to participate.

Amy Teaches School!!!

A few weeks ago I received a phone call from our school's principal asking me if I cared to come substitute for the Kindergarten teacher the next day because she had to attend a funeral.

Did I have to think about it?  NO!

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to do it.

My boys were so excited they couldn't hardly stand it.  I would be Titus' teacher and not Josiah's, so Josiah was a tad jealous, but still excited, nonetheless.  Isn't it neat that my kids want me at school and aren't embarrassed of me yet?  I need to savor these moments because I know it's just a matter of time.

As soon as I walked into the classroom the kids hollered, "Are we having a party?"  Which is hilarious because I was there in Sept and Oct for the boy's birthdays and so they assumed I was the party planner around there.

Their teacher left and then it was just me and 5 of the cutest little students ever.  It was break time and their most favorite part of the day.  We had an extended break where they played in the gym and fought over the classroom ball.  Then we headed to the cafeteria for their snack.  They even offered to share with me their snacks!!!

Snack Time

They were taking forever to eat and I was dying to get back to the classroom to do what I had came there to do, TEACH.

We got back to the classroom and it was bible time.  I got to teach about Joseph.  I was really into my story when Celeste covered her ears and said, "You are really loud."  There normal teacher is soft spoken and well, I'm not. Ha

After bible story we practiced with flash cards, numbers, blends, and three letter words.  I used the classroom ball to make it a game.  If they got their numbers or words right I let them bounce on the big ball or I would throw it to them.  They absolutely loved this.
Then they had one seatwork page to do.  After they finished their work, we worked on saying their memory verses and then it was time to head to the sanctuary for their Thanksgiving program practice.

They can say their verses speedy fast!

All too soon it was 12 o'clock and time to meet their parents outside.

I thoroughly enjoyed substituting that day and maybe can do it again another time.
It was like getting to teach Sunday School for 3 hours and actually having time to do lot's of stuff rather than the normal 45 minutes you get on Sunday morning.

Have I missed my calling??? Hmmmm.