What is Your Elf Name?

Okay, had to do a little lighter post from my last one. This one's fun. Click below to find out your elf name & comment me to let me know your's.....

Your Elf Name Is...

Happy Fluffernutter

What's Your Elf Name?

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice, I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl' on a day in December, "Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram' always remembers." "My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. "I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home". "I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother." "Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least, Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?" "It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long." "For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
* May God bless those who have risked or given their lives for our freedom.

Proud

I just wanted to take a minute & say how proud I am of my parents. They've been together for almost 35 years (April 2007) & are still going strong. They only knew each other 3 weeks before they got married & have beat the odds & the doubts of all the "it will never last." They've had ups & downs over the years and have had to deal w/some tough issues, but they've always stood by each other's side. They've always been there for my brother & me and continue to be there for our families. Recently, they have found a new zest for life. They started working out & are both doing great. They joined a gym & seem to be sincerely devoted to working on their bodies & health. Since February, she has lost about 35 (?) pounds & he has lost about 25 (?) pounds. He quit smoking after 40+ years! Most importantly, they've joined a church & have been going every Sunday, along w/bible study before service. I think the peace they now have knowing Jesus Christ is on their side has filled a hole that they probably didn't even realize was there. They've always been in love, but now their eyes shine when they're together. They are more patient, understanding & excited about life. They hardly even take naps on the weekends anymore!!! :-) I just wanted to let everyone know how proud I am of them. Their recent changes are definitely for the better & I will be here to fully support them while they walk into their sunset together. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

Santa Part 2

Well, I talked to the mall manager & she "made some calls." Turns out they do reserve 8:00-9:00 on Wednesdays for animals. They came back w/it's a liability issue ~ what if a kid was allergic? Which does make sense, but they agree it could have been handled differently & that if kids can't see him at that time, he shouldn't be visible to them. They did apologize for the actions of Santa's "helpers" & have offered us a free photo package w/Santa. I'm sure we'll accept the pics ~ we hadn't had any taken this year yet. I'm just thankful Ryan wasn't upset by it!

DENIED By Santa's Helpers

Okay, so we're at the mall tonight. Ryan said he wanted to go & see Santa. (he doesn't know about Santa yet....) We go over there & Santa's "helpers" meet us at the entrance.
Helper # 1: "Santa's not seeing children tonight. He's only doing pictures with animals."
(Ryan is standing right beside me, hearing the whole conversation. I look around & see NOBODY waiting in line & NO animals anywhere around.)
Me: "He won't see my son?"
Helper # 1: "No, he's got hair all over him and everything."
Me: "Can't he just go & talk to him?"
Helper # 2: "No, he won't see him at all."
Me: "That's a real nice thing for my 7 year old to hear!!!"
(And we walk off.)
I AM SO PISSED!!!!! I don't even know what to say!!! I've never heard of such a thing. Okay, it's understandable for Santa to take breaks. Santa was not on a break! He was sitting in his chair, with no animals anywhere around, & his helpers were turning kids away. What the heck?! & Since when do they allow animals in the mall?! If they were having a special animal thing, they should have had the area blocked off so Santa couldn't even be seen. Ryan's less upset than I am ~ he actually told me Santa probably wouldn't bring me anything for Christmas since I was rude to that lady. (Thank God for childrens' innocence!) But what if it had been a 3 year old? How would one explain that to a 3 year old?! It was like an hour before closing, so I'm sure there wasn't anyone still working who could fix the situation. That's probably a good thing, b/c as mad as I was, I probably would have made a big scene, which would not have been good for Ryan to see. I do intend to make phone calls tomorrow until I talk to someone who will make this right. Please comment ~ am I over-reacting, or is my pursuance justified?

We're Almost There.....

We close on December 21st! Here it is.....

Written in stone. :-)

(Okay, it's corny, but this pic totally makes me cry!)

I Didn't Mean to Lie

Okay, so I know I said I was gonna post new pics of the house, but I need to wait til tomorrow, so I can get a better pictures.

I didn't mean to lie!
So, here's a recent picture of me & my baby.

Isn't he handsome?!