Chris is working 12 hour days until January.  He goes to work early in the morning when I take Gracie to school, and usually comes home after the girls have gone to bed.  I hate, hate, hate cooking dinner for Trinity to throw her portion on the floor, Gracie to eat three bites and claim she’s full, and Chris to say he hates leftovers.  It seems like I spend an hour in the kitchen with the girls crying and whining for me to hold them or play with them, or ask 50 times “is it ready yet?” and then we sit at the table for 10 minutes with the above mentioned scenario.  Then I get to do the dishes.  Then I get to clean the floor.  Then it’s bathtime.  Then I have to clean the bathroom after they soak it.  Ugh.  It’s never ending.  I’m soooo tired.     

Tonight is Gracie’s cheerleading so at least we’ll have something to do.  But mostly at night, I’m lonely.  My friends have their husbands home in the evenings.  If I could get away I would, but I still have the girls with me so I don’t dare venture out.  There’s just no break.  And if I put them to bed 30 minutes early, I just have to deal with them 30 minutes earlier in the morning.  Pray for me ya’ll.  I’m exhausted.  

In other news, Trinity has been talking a ton, and pretty much repeats everything that Gracie says.  And Gracie can write anything now.  She has been copying letters and making words–she is so smart!  I am constantly impressed with her ability to remember every little thing she’s learned.  Both girls are so bright.  I really am a very lucky mommy, even if I can’t keep my eyes opened. =) 

It SNOWED last night!  None of it is sticking and it will be all melted by the time Gracie gets out of school, which will break her heart.  All she’s been talking about is making a snow angel.  But I’m sure there’s more to come.  We celebrated the snow by dressing Trinity in her comfy “Let it snow” outfit.  That’s all I have today, folks.  Nothing too exciting, just a very cute child. Have a great day! 

First things first.  Many of you are asking about my afro.  Ahem, I mean, hair.  Well, here it is, in all it’s glory.  I try and keep it tamed.  If you pray for me, please ask God to make it grow into cute little (DOWNWARD) spirals soon, because I don’t know how much longer I can go without shaving this insanity right off my noggin.  Thanks!

And our day yesterday.  We ate waffles, dressed in our Christmas tee shirts, put up our tree, decorated it, and ate a special lunch. The girls were so proud just to get it set up and plugged in…we hadn’t spread out the branches yet!

Trinity was pretty much confused the whole time… 

Ahhhh, the Little People Nativity set.  We put it up with Christmas decorations every year so it’s like a new toy!

Gracie hanging the plastic ornaments on the bottom half of the tree. Our tree is hilarious, plastic ones on the bottom and nice glass ornaments on the top.  I guess that’s the way it will be until they’re old enough not to break stuff. 

All done!  Nevermind our suicidal angel on top there.  She won’t stay straight for anything…

All that decorating made us tired, so we had a special princess picnic lunch.  

Yum!

So that’s how we spent Black Friday.  I think this is going to become the new BF tradition for us.  We had so much fun together and our house is all ready for Christmas!

So isn’t it ironic, that on the eve of this most “thankful” day, people all over America are planning their black friday strategies, pouring over the best deals, setting their alarms for ridiculous hours, and for what??  So we can HAVE more STUFF?  I’m so frustrated with myself on this.  I placed holds on some things for the girls at Gymboree, one of my favorite places to buy their clothes.  They’re having a 30% off sale starting at 5am, and then I have a 20% coupon.  I’m not going back for it.  I just can’t thank God for so much on one day and then turn around and shop for petty stuff the next.  We’re going to be sitting this sale out and I think it will be good for me.

Tomorrow, the girls will play (hopefully?) while I get the tree and decorations out of the storage building.  By the time Chris gets home from work, the Christmas candles will be lit, the house will be decorated, and we will have enjoyed the day together–no money required.

Thank you, God, for all the wonderful blessings in my life. Teach me what it means to be truly, deeply grateful.  Let me want what I have and not covet for what I don’t.  What more could I ask for?  You are so good to us!   

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!  Count your blessings tonight–and do it tomorrow too!

We had tea and lunch with Janie at a new tea room.  It was lovely.  Then…

Why do I do stuff like this to myself?  Sigh.  We were already out, so I took the girls to the mall with me because I had a couple coupons for some free undies at Victoria’s Secret and I refuse to let them expire.  Also, Trinity wore a top the other day from Baby Gap and when she got home I realized it had a hole in it.  So, off to exchange that as well.  Gap was crazy busy.  I don’t know if it’s the lighting in there or what (and I may have mentioned this before) my kids turn into complete animals in there.  The employees tolerate us because I’m their biggest sucker.  Ahem, I mean customer.  But I am positive they see us (hear us???) coming and cringe. Then of course, Victoria’s Secret.  Except it moved.  In it’s place, this magical fiber optic Christmas tree store.  It was all dark and only the trees were lit, and there was Christmas music playing so we walked through and it was so peaceful.  I could have just stayed in there all day.  But I had to get my undies–so off we go–to find VS.  I had no clue where it had moved, and I know better to stand still looking confused next to the Dead Sea salt lotion place…and this young, beautiful middle eastern girl comes up and says, “may I ask you a question?” with her lotion all ready to demonstrate.  I don’t do these things well at all.  So I totally ignore her question and pose my own, “Can I ask you a question?  Where is Victoria’s Secret?” She told me off we went, all the way across to the OTHER SIDE of the mall…sigh.  By this time the girls were cranky and tired and mad at me.  The girls at VS just wanted me to leave I’m sure.  Then back to where we parked, but not without Gracie noticing Santa.  Just a quick visit, no pics…Daddy should be with us for pictures.  Trinity ran away crying and Gracie asked him if I really did have his phone number.  LOL I had promised them candy and was VERY grateful to see the See’s Chocolates and Candy holiday kiosk up, the nice lady gave me a toffee sample and both girls lollipops.  Fabulous.  Well, I mean, until they got them all over their clothes and hair.  At least the whole day was free.  Free undies, free exchange (it’s a different top, but that’s like a free shirt right?) and free candy.

I do understand now why moms say, “Oh I haven’t been to the mall in years”  I used to just think they were wusses, but honestly I get it.  I’ve tried over and over to make it work and it just doesn’t.  It’s torture for me and for the girls.  Malls are for teenagers and mothers who only have one child.  I’m convinced.  No more mall for a little while.  At least until the kids are in college. 

You guys have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  Try not to miss being grateful for the little things, even if it’s for the kids who drive you nuts or for your husband who leaves his shoes in the middle of the floor.  They are gifts, and I am truly blessed to be the wife of Chris and mother to Trinity and Gracie.