Better out than in

Objective : To take a decent holiday photo of all four of my kids sitting together in their Christmas jammies.. Results :  Connor you poked Garrett in the eye  OK guys sit up straight  better, but lets all look at the camera  no faces, Garrett put your arm down  seriously guys?  where did Garrett go?  ok now we lost Tanner, GINGER go lay down!!  Dog photo bomb  ok Tanner.. why the face?   Garrett you look like you are pooping..  Paige, stop sulking, boys be nice, ok lets try this again  almost.. Paige hands down  now lets open our eyes, and Connor stop looking so serial killerish  Garrett no posing  don't hold your breathe  Garrett get down FINALLY!! mommy needs some of her special egg-nog

I really am.  I am trying to be just a super bright Polly freakin Sunshine, and I think I am failing miserably this week. I must say I have tons of things to reflect on that have happened this week that have just blessed my socks off. I am so truly truly fortunate to have been surrounded by some of the most amazing friends in the world.  I have absolutely a bazillion things to be grateful for this week, and I very much am.  It's this whole deployment thing... IT'S BRINGIN ME DOWN MAN! I know I know, it's part of the job, I know I know, I knew what I was getting into when I got married.. but I am OVER IT!! It hasn't even started yet and I am ABSOLUTELY OVER IT!  I don't want to spend the next umpteen days/weeks/months playing zone defense. I really don't. I will, I will survive, I will get through it, as will my kids.  I will get through mostly because the afore mentioned amazing friends.. and because I'm strong like ox. :) Ok no more venting... on th

What do you get when you hold 100 seven year olds, in one small classroom for 90 minutes, only to send them out on a stage?? You get tears, messed up curls, and some of the funniest pictures I've ever taken....

A friend made a comment today that got me thinking. (dangerous I know) So, I was wondering, (if ya'll wouldn't mind chiming in) at what age your kids either did or will do the following activities... ok so survey says..... How old was/ or will you child be when you let them.... play outside with no parental supervision- sleep over at a friend's house - wear make-up - have a bed time later than 7:30 - go on a date - there are no right or wrong answers here, just curious.  Everyone is different and what works for one may not work for another, so no answers will be judged.. I am just wondering where I fall in the averages :)

Sometimes I read this comic strip and I really think someone has been peering in my windows...

Well the late night home work fight arguing with no end in sight final grades up ahead can't slow down ..I have no time so I gotta keep rollin these 4 kids running round , soccer gonna bring me down keepin up with marching band, all I want is a cappucino.. but gotta keep rolling Ooh I'm driving my life away, and all this week is half days, for Green ooh I'm driving my life away, looking for a a nap day for me Well they all play at least one sport, don't you think that should be easy? add a few hundred instruments, tutor, girl scouts, soccer and karate weren't they all just babies? Hey I need me another cup of coffee can't slow me down, gotta get back to the high school in a fast way band practice finished early ooh I'm driving my life away, maybe a chauffeur is the only way? Ooh I'm driving my life away, every day is groundhog day for me

Sister-friend (n) - definition : A friend who is more than a friend. A friend who is family. Someone who sat by you in the seventh grade through all that Jr.high awkwardness.  A person who drove you around in her Jeep when your car broke down.  Someone who consumed her weight in taco bell lunches with you.  The person who stood up at your wedding, flew all over the country to see you, and still sends cute Thanksgiving cards. The person who's family claims you even when yours doesn't.  Someone who calls just because, picks you up when you are down, and knocks you down a few pegs when you are a little too full of yourself.  Someone who would wait out in the cold for an hour with her husband and 3 small boys, just to walk around with you in an overcrowded holiday light display. THAT is a sister-friend and THAT is Dixie  (totally the Webster's definition.. no REALLY!)   (and has anyone else noticed that I'm the only one who has aged in any of these photos?!)

I knew this day was coming... I still was so unprepared.... Teaching my son how to drive YIKES! Whereas we are still a bit away from the driver's license it seemed a good time to take him out and start getting him used to all the ins and outs of being a driver. He actually did very well..  ( i taught him everything I know :) :)) This is how Connor handled it... This is how mom handled it.. any questions??

Today I witnessed one of my best friends who I have known as long as I can remember, get married. I cried. Not just because I am a big giant sap.. but because she was so pretty and so in love. THIS is the face of love it was beautiful and touching, and you just knew by looking at her, that this is exactly where she belongs.  I wish her and her new hubby all the happiness in the world. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Patel I love you Jenny!!!

Now that you have exploded your stomach with food, now here is an opportunity to explode your brain... and I really love this guy! Soo funny! I can't figure out how to make the video's show up... sooooo go here and here and especially HERE (in honor of Black Friday) :) and then google it to find a bazillion more.. he is AWESOME! Happy Thanksgiving!

Over the 15 and down the 8, To grandmother's house we go; But first stop for pies oh how time doesn't' fly Thru the traffic jams and slows.. , oh!  Over to Yuma and thru Gila Bend, Oh, how this drive does blow! Kids all need to pee, Garrett's too short to see, The train that went by as we go. OH Over this trip and thru my nerves, NO more car games I can play; Oh, what's that I hear?, "Katie's bringing the Beer!" Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!

Tired weary Amy brings you (drum roll please)   The wonderment of middle of the night T.V. Get your credit cards ready kids, because we are entering the amazing world of late night infomercials. The products that I never knew I needed, but surprisingly think I do now. Like for instance, the SLAP CHOP however the guy in this commercial is probably going to give me nightmares, but man will I be dicing some tearless onions! Then there is the IN-STYLER now at first I thought, "Well that's amazingly ridiculous", and then I thought, "I wonder if it works?", and THEN I thought "Gee that looks cool"  however I know I would use it once get frustrated because I tied my hair into a giant knot and never use it again. The PILLOW-PETS on the other hand.. TOTALLY getting one of those.  Then there are the infomercials that are just TOO good to be true like the instant face tightener serum and the pillowcase that makes you l

Things overheard in my house...  all of which uttered by one or more of the Eagle children "Is there an evil minion school?" "It's cool how they can harmonize off key together, that takes talent" "Whats the difference between a shank and a shiv?" "Ok lets say hypothetically, what would happen if you put jello powder in the keurig?" "Clean until you're sure she's gone, then stick the rest in the closet" "I'm thinking of so many things right now that my head hurts." "By fencing do you mean with swords, or like selling watches?" "Ask if we can go swimming".. "it's raining outside"... "ok, I'll ask" "How old do you have to be to retire?"... "why?"..... "I'm thinking I might retire" "I'm burning calories.. you should try it" "Just blame Smokey, she'll believe that" "No seriously

It started with a video that I posted on my face book.  Then I got this text.... "your little brother has a great voice" So then I posted this picture and asked who people thought was older, myself or my brother and was told that he looks 14!! (umm Connor is 14!!) then MY OWN FLESH AND BLOOD had to ask my uncle which one of us was older. OMG people!! Is it that hard to tell!!???

After a rather.. "I'm gonna go eat worms"  kinda week.. I figured now is as good of time as any to make my thankful list.  :) I have many friends who have been posting every day for the month of November what exactly they are thankful for.. Beings that I already have a gig for the days of November, I figured I would share all my thankfulness right here. I am thankful for : (in NO particular order) My amazing friends My better than the best kids Jazz music Guinness My pets cheetos peppermint hearshey kisses bacon my brain (even though warped) watching the same movie for the 8000th  time being random not being judged my church family kids (not just mine, but MOST kids :) ) that my friend will be visiting at Christmas that I will get to see Dixie next week honesty hope coffee peppermint coffee creamer lazy days (though I don't have them often) my hubby (most days):) painting the word futterwacken my brother cartwh

Well no big turkey win this year, but I will call this year's turkey trot a HUGE success. First off the kids did great! They had fun, tried their hardest, but most of all... Garrett ran the WHOLE race.. FACING FORWARD!!! (ran the whole thing backwards last year.. it took FORever. :)