Goodbye Tank, Hello Wii

Tomorrow afternoon Tank's new family will come to pick him up. Andy has taken this pretty hard. Harder than I thought he would. I feel bad that I am asking him to give up this dog that was suppose to be mine, but quickly became his. When we are all home Tank is sweet and laid back and I think, I can do this. And then Andy leaves and I'm reminded of why this dog drives me absolutely insane. I also won't mind the lack of dog hair everywhere. But it will be a sad day. So, I did what any good wife would do....

I told Andy he could put our Christmas money together and go buy a Wii. I was going to head over to Buckle and buy another pair of perfectly fitting, so cute jeans, but instead, we are getting a Wii.

My parents got each other a Wii for Christmas and we have all loved it. I was thinking about getting it for Andy at a later time, but today he asked if we could put our money together (the VISA cards we received from him mom and Grandma) and purchase a Wii. I had a hard time accepting this request because I already knew what I was going to do with my money. (See the previous paragraph.) You see, I, like most women have the hardest time finding a pair of jeans that fit my small waist and big butt. Buckle has just the perfect jeans, but they are kind of pricey. So I thought, and I thought. I really wanted another pair of jeans. But am I being to selfish? I'm already asking my husband to give up his dog. Should I give up my "dream" of owning another pair of jeans that fit so nice and make my butt look amazing? Can I put it on hold for his happiness?

So that's what I did. I told him tonight that he could go get the Wii. He is giving up something, so I can give up something. His gracious smile and heart felt "thank you" made it all worth it. So right now I only have one pair of amazingly fitting jeans. The smile on my husband's face and the time we will spend together playing Wii far outweighs my butt looking cute in a pair of pants. (Wow, that's hard to say).

When God closes a door, He opens a window. So...goodbye sweet Tank, hello fun Wii.

Lyla's First Christmas

Lyla's first Christmas was great. I don't think she really got any of the present opening, but she sure did love tasting all of her presents. We started out on Christmas Eve at Grammy and Big Guy's house (my parents). My sister came in for dinner and present opening. Lyla got way too many presents from my parents, but who can blame them. A few outfits, some shape sorts (one for our house one for their's), a Little People Nativity, a ball, some books and some shoes. Autumn got her a sit to stand Lion that sings. She loved the lion! I think it was because it sang as soon as the paper was torn off.



Christmas morning we awoke to find that Santa had arrived. (I loved playing Santa!) Santa filled Lyla's stocking with shoes, books, an ornament and a new softy. He also left her a book and a mailbox that sings and teaches her the ABC's and numbers. Andy and I also got Lyla blocks and a pop up toy. Andy and I also did some gift exchanges. I think we both did a great job for each other. He way went over our agreed amount of each other, but I didn't mind too much.



After Lyla's morning nap we packed up and headed to Andy's mom's house. We ate breakfast and had yet another gift exchange. Lyla got more clothes a this too cute alphabet train that is a sit to stand. It sings and has blocks that pop in to tell her the letters. So educational and so fun.

All in all Lyla had a great Christmas. On the down side, I got sick Christmas afternoon and ended up in bed until Monday morning. I am still recovering from the lack of food and from the weakness of not moving from my bed for two and half days.

Christmas Traditions

I've seen this around, so I'm joining in. I LOVE Christmas!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapped gifts, but gift bags are easier.
2. Real tree or artificial? Real. The only way to go.
3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving. It's when the tree farms open.
4. When do you take the tree down? Around New Years. It's always sad to pack up my Christmas decor
5. Do you like eggnog? Never had it, so I'm not sure.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Molly doll.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Andy. I always give the good gifts that he wants to my parents.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My mom and now Lyla.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I use to have a Precious Moments nativity and I get depressed every year that I can't find it. So I haven't gotten a new one yet.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. I love to mail out Christmas cards and I love to get them as well. I normally make my own Christmas cards, but I didn't have time this year.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? a Krispy Kreme t-shirt and paper hat. And no, it wasn't a joke.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to start in early November.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, once.
15. Favorite thing to about Christmas? The lights, the music, the presents, the reminder of Jesus' birth, I love it all.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Have always stayed home.
19. Can you name all of Santas' reindeer? Of course! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Doner, Blitzen, Rudolph. (thanks Stephanie for already answering this one)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel (this year)
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both. Christmas Eve is with my family and Christmas Day is with Andy's family.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Long lines at stores.
23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? Santa gave me an ornament every year. I love all of the meanings they have. Some day I'll also have a "pretty" tree, but right now I love going through all of my ornaments and remembering when I got them and why. Andy has picked up where Santa left off.
24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? We've never done a big dinner, it's just nice to spend time with family.
25. What do you want to do for Christmas this year? To open presents with Lyla.
26. Favorite Christmas tradition growing up? Oh so many. Going to Christmas tree farms to cut down our own tree. Waking up Christmas morning and seeing what Santa gave me and my sister, then waking her up to tell her what she got.
27. Favorite tradition now? We are just now starting our own with Lyla. It'll be fun to see what we do to share Jesus and Santa with Lyla from year to year.
28. Favorite Christmas Memory? See Christmas Tradition #26. Pretty much the same.

No matter what I do, I lose.

I have really been struggling lately with what to do with Tank. He has been living with us for 4 months and has been driving me crazy for about 3 and half. I went back to read the post I wrote about him when he first came to live with us. I was so excited to have a big dog and especially Tank. I just couldn't understand why Curtis' wife wouldn't want to keep him. I understand now. In fact, I was reading about how he cries whenever Andy leaves and had hoped it would pass. It hasn't. He will cry for hours. Which can be tolerated until Lyla starts getting fussy and then my patience ends. Several times I have considered giving Tank to Curtis' parents until they could find a good home for him, but it just broke my heart to imagine Tank with strangers. You see, Curtis has had a really hard time letting go of Tank. Apparently he wouldn't mow his lawn while he was still in town because he couldn't stand to be in the backyard where Tank use to play. For Thanksgiving Curtis was home and so we took Tank to my parent's house (across the street from Curtis' parents house) so Curtis could see him. Curtis wouldn't come over.

But some things have changed. Curtis is getting a divorce. And I am sure that he would want Tank back when he comes home next September. I've thought about keeping Tank until then, but some days I can't see myself surviving with him for 9 more months. It's been a rough 4.

There are many things about Tank that drive me crazy. His crying is one. He also sheds like nothing I've ever seen before. I feel if I'm not constantly cleaning my floors then they are covered in hair. Lyla is crawling so she is usually covered in hair, sometimes from head to toe. My house smells like dog, and I hate having a house that smells. A major concern is the cost to keep him. The food isn't so bad, but he needs his shots, his flee and tick and heart worm meds. All of which cost money. Money I don't necessarily have when paying for baby stuff, babysitter, bills, etc.

All of these are valid reasons for giving Tank to Curtis' parents. Hoping that they will keep him until Curtis comes home. But there is one reason to keep him with us, and that is that Andy loves having him around. I have learned, after several atttempts, that I am not a dog person. I've tried and tried. However, Andy is a dog person. He loves playing with him and just having him around.

So, if I get rid of Tank I make my husband sad. If I keep Tank I run the risk of pulling out my hair. Which is why, either way I lose. So what's a girl to do? Do I pick my sanity over my husband's happiness? Do I deal with the hair, the crying and trying to budget in another mouth to feed and "person" to upkeep? I'm at a loss. When Tank is driving me crazy I am ready to pick up the phone and make the call, but then I talk to Andy and I just can't do it. Andy has said it is my decision and he understands all of my reasons. It also doesn't make it easier that it was my decision to take Tank. I guess I didn't know what I was getting in to. Curtis kind of sugar-coated some of Tank's behaviors.

It also doesn't help that Tank is stuck inside most of the time because we don't have a fence to keep him corralled. So the crying and dog hair are unavoidable.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

8 months

8.MONTHS. When did this happen? When did my sweet little bundle of fuzz turn into a babbling, crawling, cracker eating 8 month old? People always say they grow fast, but you really don't get it; truly get it until you experience it. I'm already thinking how we are 4 short months away from a 1st birthday. There are days when I miss how Lyla would ball up in my arms and sleep for hours. Then there are days when I remember how tough that first month was and I'm so thankful for where we are now. It is a pure joy to watch Lyla grow into her own personality.

Things to Remember:
- Lyla has 6 teeth. Yes, that's right. Six teeth in 8 months. Wow.
- She is an expert crawler, getting where she wants to with ease. She especially loves to crawl up to me and pull up on my pants legs and then wait (not so patiently) to be picked up. I think she does this pant leg thing with everyone.
- Lyla is "talking" so much these days. She has more sounds such as "bababa" and something that sounds like "yeah" and "hi".
- Lyla is eating more "big girl food". She likes crackers, bread, and little pieces of cookies. She has become quite the little beggar, but she's just so darn cute.
- Lyla did a great job with Santa. She wasn't too sure about him, but a little tickle and she was smiling away.
- Everything goes into her mouth or on the floor. Lyla loves to pick things up and them drop them on the floor.
- We are still struggling with reflux although it doesn't seem to bother her.
- Lyla makes this little fake cough noise to get your attention and then loves to play a mimic game with it. She also will play copycat with raspberries.

I truly think Lyla is one of the easiest going babies. It makes me nervous to think what I will get next, but I'm just thankful to be so blessed. I'm sure I've said it before, but there is nothing better than coming home after a long day at work to a smiling face. For a brief moment in time I can do no wrong in her eyes. I'll enjoy that while it lasts.

Some pictures of the cutest 8 month old.

Lyla and Santa

Today we took Lyla to meet Santa. We made plans to meet my parents, sister, and Andy's mom at Bass Pro Shop at 2PM (after Lyla's nap). Well, my parents got there first and found out you had to get passes and the next available was at 6pm. Not going to work. After some discussion we decided to give La Cantera a try.

My parents and sister hopped in the car with Lyla and me and we headed over. Being smart thinkers, my parents had me drop them off at the front so they could get in line. Everything was going great until they tell us that Santa is about to take an hour break, but here is a pass to go to the front of the line at 4. Needless to say this mommy started to loose it. I knew by then Lyla would be in need of a nap and therefore not so festive. We were only 3 away, so we stayed in line in hopes that we would be able to squeeze in. And sure enough...we got in.

Lyla did such a great job. She didn't cry and only need a little tickle from mommy to get a smile.

Lyla's First Christmas Tree

The Sunday after Thanksgiving we took Lyla out for her first Christmas Tree shopping experience. Going to a tree farm and cutting down our own tree has been a tradition since I was 18 months old. Andy joined in on the family fun when we got married. It was so exciting to be able to share the tradition with my daughter. We picked up my parents and off we drove to New Berlin, TX. Lyla was very cranky in the car because she needed a nap, but refused to take one.

We got to the tree farm and set out to find our perfect tree. It didn't take long to notice how badly the drought had effected the tree farm, but we found one we thought would work in our home. Lyla had a great time even if it was a little drizzly.





She even was graced by a lady bug.


The final product.

Found Them

Here are some of the pictures that Yvonne took of Lyla at the Halloween football game. Hope you enjoy my little giraffe.