A LOOOOONG FOUR DAYS!

WOW-what can I say about last week in the Wilson household. First of all it was supposed to be the busiest weeks for me personally that I have had in a long time. I was scheduled to begin working with the women's ministry at my church on Tuesday; Wednesday morning we were to have our Women's Bible Study and then I was immediately leaving to drive to Houston to speak at the women's meeting at Lakewood Church; on Friday our best friends Shon & Tina Shelton were supposed to come for a soccer game and we were going to renew the tradition of Friday night dinner between the Shelton's & the Wilson's; then on Saturday I was to teach part of the Vision class for our church. Needless to say, NONE of those events happen. Not a single one.

All of the sudden on Monday evening the weather forecasters begin to say we have misjudged the storm coming in. It is going to be a major storm and we will get a lot of ice. I quickly made a phone call to Jackie Garner, my old boss at Lakewood, to inform here that would be a "small" chance that I may not be able to make it on Wednesday. We all went to bed Monday night wondering what Tuesday would hold. At 4:50 am they made the announcement that Frisco ISD was closed for Tuesday. I immediately knew my trip to the church office in Southlake was off. So Tuesday we were iced in with below 0 wind chills. Because of Joel's asthma, I wouldn't allow him to go outside and the other two boys really weren't interested in the ice. Craig of course was home sleeping all day and I felt like I spent most of the day telling the boys to be quite, stop running, stop fighting and doing more refereeing than I ever wanted to do!

Tuesday afternoon I received word that we were cancelling our women's bible study for the next morning. Then about 10 minutes later Christian hollered down that school was cancelled again for Wednesday. I was like our you kidding me...I knew at that point I wouldn't be driving to Houston. I called and cancelled with Jackie who was so gracious. She is one of the most gracious women I have ever met. She truly trust that nothing catches God off guard and he has a plan. My outlook for day two in the house was not looking pretty!


Wednesday morning arrived with another cancellation -no youth for Wednesday night. As was becoming the norm I felt like life was revolving around the 4 o'clock news. At 4 o'clock we would know if there would be school on Thursday or not. At 4 they announced Dallas ISD was closed, I knew that our school closure was only a few minutes away. Sure enough shortly thereafter they announced Friso ISD would be closed for Thursday as well.

Thursday was day 3 of being totally iced in. We had not gone anywhere in 3 whole days! My expectations of this wonderful week I was going to have where quickly ending. I now knew that the odds of our friends coming in to play soccer on Friday were quickly vanishing. We kept busy by cleaning the house most of the morning. Like I predicted Tina called around 2 to say the soccer game had been cancelled.

All week they had talked about a chance of snow for Friday. However the forecasters kept saying we would only get a trace to maybe an inch of snow. I felt completely confident that the kids would go back to school on Friday. Forget the fact that if I looked out the front door my whole street was a complete block of ice, or the fact that Craig had driven to work and knew first hand how bad the roads were, I SO NEEDED the boys to go back to school for all of our sanity.

I was glued to the 4 o'clock news Thursday afternoon as I ran on my treadmill. Sure enough around 4:15 they announced Frisco ISD along with 60 other school districts would cancel again on Friday. I thought are you kidding me...I then quickly decided that Christian and I would grocery shop Friday!!

Friday morning we woke up covered in snow. I was like this is WAY more than a dusting or even 1 inch. Sure enough due to a "slight" shift in the weather we got 6 inches of snow. 6 inches of snow on top of 3 inches of ice that had not melted because are temperatures had not been above freezing all week. I decided we were breaking out. Craig agreed to drive Christian and I to Wal-Mart. We did our "big" grocery shopping and they had everything I needed except for milk. There was not a gallon of milk in all of Wal-Mart. We then talked Craig into stopping by Ci'Ci's for some pizza on the way home and at Wal-greens for a gallon of milk. We were a totally different family with some time out of the house and of course some GROCERIES!!

Friday afternoon I received the last cancellation notice of no Vision Class for Saturday - YUCK! Saturday dawned with a gorgeous sun rise, temps above freezing, and the majority of the snow/ice starting to melt. It was an eager Wilson group who got ready for church that afternoon. We were ALL ready early for church. It was great getting out, seeing people, worshipping God and finally eating some Mexican food.

If the winter storm they are predicting for Wednesday comes in, we may be looking at a repeat of no school for next week. At least I will make sure my food supplies are packed and work on having a better attitude!!

(I only took two pictures of this storm. I think that shows how "not into it" I was!

Christmas 2010

We had a very busy Christmas season. We ended up having a total of 4 Christmas'!! It involved a lot of cooking/cleaning on my part. I finally added up and over a 7 day period I had fed a little over 50 people -that is a lot for the woman who doesn't cook, isn't a good cook and doesn't have the gift of hospitality. However, I think a great time was had been all!!

Something we did new this year was to take sweets to the Fire Department across the street from us. I really do want to instill in my kids a spirit of giving and was wondering with our schedule and family dynamics how I could best implement that. When we realized Craig would have to work Christmas eve I decided that was a perfect opportunity for us to do something. So Christmas Eve all 3 of the boys and I made cookies, white chocolate trash, and other sweets. We arranged them on a platter and took them across the street to the fire department. The fireman were so thankful. They gave the boys a short tour, took them in the kitchen, and immediately all dove into their goodies. The boys enjoyed it and hopefully it will be a tradition we do each year!

Never has Christmas vacation gone by so fast for me. I know it was because of all the activity we had in the house. For once NOBODY was ready to go back to school...but we did!!

Happy Birthday Christian!

Today, Christian turns 14! Oh my goodness where has the time gone. It seems like once they start school the time just flies by.

Christian at 14 you LOVE to aggrivate anyone! Especially your mom and your brothers. You have a very quick witt and enjoy laughing! You love band and are hating Algebra this year. You just found out you made first chair All-Region Band and you were so excited. (Or as excited as you can get). You enjoy playing on the computer, listening to your Ipod and hanging out with your friends. You HATE having your picture taken or wearing jeans or a long sleeve shirt. You are content to go to school in shorts and a sweatshirt even if it is in the 20's!!

I am so proud of the man you are becoming. I love you so much! I know this next year will be a great year for you.

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Yesterday was Caleb's 10th birthday. (I had every intention to post this "on" his birthday but I was sick!).

Caleb is not a morning person ESPECIALLY when he has to go to school, so it was so nice when all I had to do was call his name once and he jumped up! He got up to the surprise of donuts for breakfast and a movie that he had been wanting (Percy Jackson & The Olympian's). He left for school excited that it was Friday and feeling like he knew his spelling words!

Craig and I arrived at school in time to see Caleb perform with a 2nd grade class the constitution song. Then we headed back to his classroom with his teacher Mrs. Cizdziel. He picked a little boy named Boon to be his helper and so proudly passed out donuts to everyone. Once everyone had a donut they all sang to Caleb. Caleb REALLY does not like being the center of attention (unlike Joel) and he hung his head while they sang. He got to choose where we ate dinner and he had his favorite dessert of a M&M McFlurry from McDonalds.

Caleb at 10 years old you still don't like school very much, your favorite subject is Science, and you LOVE to play outside with anyone in the neighborhood. You are so kind to others and very sensitive to anyone who is hurting (except probably your brothers!). You are such a prayer - I love hearing you every night as you are in your bed praying. You always ask me, Mom can I pray for you about anything? My prayer for you is that you would see and understand how special you are and that you would be confident in who God has made you! God has great plans for you and just like Caleb in the Bible I believe that you will spy out the land and come back with the good report that with God nothing is impossible! I love you so much!

Happy Birthday Joel!

Today is Joel's 8th birthday. I honestly can't believe that my youngest is turning 8 today. Time really does go by fast (especially after they start school).

A few thoughts about Joel this morning....Joel you are all about donuts and baseball! You love to smile, laugh, annoy your brothers, learn, read your bible, have your picture taken and do cannon balls in the water. You like school - reading and math and you said your favorite class is music! Out of your brothers your are the most competive, love to be the center of attention and love to win at anything-baseball, checkers, uno, video games, etc. Sometimes you put a lot of pressure on yourself rather than just relaxing and enjoying life.

As I type this blog you are laughing in my room while watching Tom & Jerry. I LOVE listening to you laugh-that loud, cackling laugh that dad and I alway think sounds like some who has smoked for years laughing! I love that you still want to hug me, hold my hand and just aren't embarassed to love on your mom! You also are a worshipper (your current favorite song is Jesus You Care for Me as well as past favorites of Friend of God; You Are Good and Let the Redeemed Say So).

You are such a joy to me and dad. You truly complete our family!


Love you so much!

Christmas!

I guess since it was a month ago I should post something about Christmas!! Especially since it was soooo much better than last year. (If you missed last year's Christmas post check it out in the archive).

Since we moved into our house 2weeks before Christmas last year, this year I started decorating EARLY!! I always like to use the excuse that since we are gone at Thanksgiving and then the next weekend is Christian's birthday that we HAVE to put up our tree early. I put it up the weekend before Thanksgiving. Craig agreed to put out lights (not on the house but he did do the yard), for the first time I had a dinning room table to decorate, as well as my mantle and a new wreath for my door. I was so EXCITED... UNTIL, the tree was crooked, Craig accidentally broke the top of the tree and the tree topper and I couldn't find my manger scene. Luckily my mom came and rescued the day by wiring the top of the tree, creating a tree topper, helping to locate the missing manger scene and adding touches to the mantle. We were on our way!

Our first Christmas was with Randy & Sherri, Shannon & her boys (Shawn was out of town) and Angie & Jake at Angie's house in mid-December. We had a great evening and everyone was excited to spend their money and gift cards. Joel was very confused though that he had to go back to school and that Christmas was still about 2 weeks away!

Christmas Eve it began to snow. It snowed all day. That evening we went to our church's Christmas Eve service - what a wonderful time of worship and word as we prepared for Christmas Day. It had snowed heavily while we were at church and the roads were very slick on the way home.

Craig and I got up about 6:00 am in order to be ready and see the kids as they came downstairs. Before we were even completely ready we heard someone up. Surprisingly, it was Christian who was the first kid up that morning. He said he couldn't sleep!

It was probably an hour later before Caleb & Joel got up. It took my mom and dad awhile to get to my house (less than 2 miles) because of how slick the roads where. They arrived and the presents where opened. We had a traditional big breakfast that morning and later a very non-traditional but favorite lunch! The time with family, the snow on the ground, made it a very memorable Christmas Day!

The day after Christmas all of my family came. My brother and Leanna with their kids, my parents, my granny, and my aunt and her daughter. I was able to use my dinning room table for the first time (I bought it last April) and it was great to all be able to sit down to a great meal. Everyone stayed the night and we ate leftovers and visited that next day as well. Last year we got some great family pictures...this year we barely got one! The kids weren't real into it. In fact Joel is missing from this picture because he was upstairs sleeping!!

Lastly, Billy & Jo came New Year's weekend and we had Christmas with them. The boys loved their cash and immediately decided to put their money together and purchase a motorized scooter.

Christmas 2009 was GREAT! (Way better than 2008-ha. ha)!! But the best part came a week ago. Joel's teacher sent home a paper they had written the first day back from Christmas vacation. They were asked what was the best thing about Christmas...Joel wrote that he loved the presents but the best part was worshipping God! I was SHOCKED especially since he slept threw most of the Christmas Eve service (ha. ha)!! But, something must have made an impression on him - God is good!!

(More pics - Nicole (Kyle's daughter) kissing my dad through the stairs. My dinning room table ready for family meal. Kid's table. Present opening. Austin and his "guns" courtesey of Uncle Craig & Aunt Adana.)

15th Wedding Anniversary!

I realize I have not even blogged about Christmas and here I am blogging about my anniversary! I will blog about Christmas but my anniversary is foremost in my mind today.

Today, January 7, 1995 at 11:00 am Craig and I got married. We married on his 22nd birthday and I was 20. I remember getting up so early that morning in order for my sister-in-law Shannon to fix my hair. Whew the girl spent hours getting my hair just right, doing my makeup, plucking my eyebrows and even then she had to borrow rollers to fix her own hair on the way to the church.

I remember driving to the church with my friend Gwen with my hair fixed and the veil in place. We had so many people honk and wave at us on the way. Then sitting in the car waiting as they made sure I was not going to run into Craig before the ceremony. We were running a tad bit late and the mad rush to get into my dress and getting everything in place. Just in the nick of time Shannon came in finished my hair and hers and we were off for pictures.

I remember our photographer was a PERFECTIONIST! At the time it was a little annoying but once I got the pictures I was so thankful for his persistance. We took what felt like a TON of pictures before the ceremony. I remember waiting in the pastor's office for the bridesmaids to get back from taking pictures with Craig so I could hear how he was doing. The girls reported back that everytime the photographer said say "cheese" Craig would say "honeymoon". A few minutes before show time I HAD to go to the restroom and the look I got from my loving maid of honor and best friend Emily!!

I remember right before I walked down the aisle Matthew Warnock the ring bearer looking me dead in the eye and saying when I get on stage I am going to do a flip! I don't know where that came from but I calmly told him no he wouldn't since his dad was up there!! Walking down the aisle with my dad and crying. I remember thinking you better get it together or people are going to think you don't want to marry Craig! Finally making it to the top of the stairs. Pastor Chuck forgetting the rings and me having to remind him! Craig telling me as we were taking communion and kneeling at the kneeling bench that he had worn white socks and had to borrow black ones from Randy!

After the recessional crying with my mom and Shannon telling me to blot and not wipe my face (or I would wipe my makeup off)!! The many MORE pictures we took before we could finally leave the church and head to the reception. Riding to the reception in my first limo and Craig informing me had had not finished packing and we would have to go by his apartment before we left!

After being introduced at the reception Craig's family broke out singing Happy Birthday to him! (Remember we got married ON his birthday). A very full house at the reception and trying to speak to everyone. I remember all of the sudden realizing that I hadn't seen Craig in a while. Throwing the bouquet and it hitting the ceiling! Changing our clothes to leave and realizing I hadn't eaten other than a bite of wedding cake!

Putting toilet paper in our ears so that bird seed didn't get lodged in them. Craig's brother-in-law Shawn holding Craig and pouring a huge cup of bird seed down him. Leaving in the limo and realizing I had not seen nor said good bye to my dad. The limo driver offering to turn around and go back so I could say bye. Then the limo driver getting out and hollering for the father of the bride and that hug goodbye with my dad.

Craig making me stand outside on the patio as the "lookout" as he finished packing because he was scared someone would come get our car. (We had left in a limo that took us to where my car was hidden. Craig had done a JOB on Shawn's car when he and Shannon got married and he was fearful of revenge!)

Finally our wonderful honeymoon in the Pocono's mountain. We have been through so much these last 15 years. Some really great times and some raelly low times. But as I reflect back today I am thankful for it all. It has changed both Craig and I into who we are today. Hopefully a lot more wiser, a lot more mature in Christ and I know more in love then when we said "I Do."

Babe, I am so glad you choose me and if I had to do it all over again I would always choose you! Happy Birthday & Anniversary. I Love you!