I'm slow

I can be slow about doing things but I finally put in pictures for Christmas morning. Check 'em out!

And the year winds down

Another year almost gone. {sigh} I remember being about Jesse's age when I started wishing I was another age, for whatever reason I had at the time. My Mom told me not to wish my life away because as I got older the years would go by much faster. Did I believe her? Not really. But she was right.

I look at Jesse and feel like I was just in the hospital having her yesterday. And Chloe, of course I cannot forget her birth...it was very lonely. No offense to my Mom, Jesse or Shannon but I would have given anything to have John there. So to realize Jesse is now nine and Chloe seven is hard to take in some days. I know the day is quickly approaching when they will leave the nest for their own adventures.

This year I has been good in so many ways and exhausting too. Believe it or not it was March when we started working on the yard, felling trees. John and I took three trips to Charleston; one was the first trip we took by ourselves. Which means the girls took their first trip to stay with Grandpa and Grandma by themselves. Another trip to Disney, but our first to trick-or-treat! And how could we forget the birth of all those cats!! So much excitement for one year to hold.

Don't think I forgot

We had company last week! I know it is seems unlikely, but we really did. Our nephew and niece made it for their visit last week.

They spent much of their time playing hide-and-go-seek. In our house, it was difficult at best. Not too many things to hide behind or places to hide in. It did not help that our bedroom was off limits because John and I had not wrapped the girls presents yet.

I believe our nephew was worried about being bored. He asked if he could bring his Wii and of course John said yes enthusiastically. Would you believe they spent less than an hour total playing it? When they were not playing hide-and-go-seek, they spent most of their time playing the girls mini-golf game.

We also took them to the SC Military Museum at John's work. I think our nephew enjoyed the cannons. From there we went to spend the afternoon at the zoo then the Lights Before Christmas. We even had a picture taken with all four of them with Santa! On our way back home that night John asked me when we were going to have the other nephew over. Well, we'll have to ask him if he wants to come. He has no sister to keep him company. It would be him and two girls...not sure how he would feel about it. But we would love to have him.

Snow! Wow!

We actually woke to find snow on the lawn this morning. I know they were calling for it; however, I rarely ever believe them.

The girls spent quite awhile outside building a snowman, and starting a second one. Rosie kept them company for sometime before she decided she was cold.

John has been bored this morning. Sitting doing nothing is not his favorite thing and he bores easily. So. While the girls were playing in the snow, we were having our own Nerf War in the house. I believe we all had a bit of fun this morning.

The cats; however, are not amused nor happy. I believe they have finally ventured inside their houses. Though Momma was in there this morning refusing to come out to eat. Smart cat. I thought by now they would be on the front porch. You know, where it is dry and covered. But no. They are still in the back. Go figure.

Christmas Morning

Not sure where to start so we'll start.

Chloe had somewhat of a Tinker Bell Christmas. Tink luggage from Santa and two pair of Tink pj's from us.

Jesse is quite happy with her new drawing pens (black and color) from Santa. Ferb now has green hair! The fun part of the day was when John, Jesse and Chloe all opened one of their presents to all discover they now all have new Nerf guns! The girls new Dad was getting one and the John knew the girls had theirs. I had all the fun of conversations from both sides about the other. Master Mike almost blew it last week at our TKD graduation dinner when he mentioned our Nerf wars. I quickly corrected him in saying he was probably thinking about the girls playing with Nerf guns at the park a few weeks ago. But we do have water gun wars. Nice save (at least that what the girls and John told me at different times afterward). ;) I do love giving!

Right now I am laughing hysterically because now I'm thinking the guns were not a good idea. Jesse is trying to protect the dog by shooting John, who is shooting the dog. (Bad John!) Jesse was trying to shoot his gun and instead shot in right in the center of his forehead. Maybe I should I have thought about this one longer. {sigh} "Duck and cover Chloe! Duck and cover!"

I personally had a great gift receiving morning. Chloe gave me a stuffed Snoopy hugging Woodstock. Jesse gave me a collection of philosophy books from the Peanuts gang. And John gave me my own MP3 player (no, I did not have one) with some of my favorite songs already loaded, including the song from our wedding. See, he loves me.

We only took videos this morning so you will have to give me time to "take" pictures from the videos. I will post some tonight or tomorrow.

Hope your homes are full of love and laughter this morning.

Christmas Eve

Well, it is Christmas Eve and all is well...kind of?

We actually went to my parents early for Christmas because they were calling for snow there and here. Not wanting to get snowed in up there we chose to go a bit early. The girls, of course, did not complain because they will wind up with two Christmas mornings.

This morning we opened presents at my parents. The only unknown was a large thin box that I have already been annoyed by. A Foosball table! The box read "one piece" the box lied like a ********* *****. We accomplished getting most of it together tonight, but we still have to do a little more to it tomorrow. Whether it is done completely or not the girls do not care; they have been upstairs for more than thirty minutes playing with it.

We also baked Santa's cookies tonight. I hope he enjoys them as we used a new sugar cookie recipe. We'll see if he eats them or not in the morning.

The girls exchanged their presents tonight (as tradition goes). Of course, Jesse bought Chloe a Tink necklace and a new Tink charm for her bracelet (with her birthstone). Chloe got Jesse a Minnie pin that says, "Its all about me!" and a Minnie backpack thing. You know one of those bags with the pull strings to close it and it goes around both shoulders. Well, I hope you got that because I don't know what they are called.

Hope everyone has a great holiday filled with love and family!

Morgan Christmas

Today, we had John's family Christmas in Edgefield. We actually had everyone there. More food than fifteen people need, but who can complain when it is that good. And the desserts. Oh, my! Mari made this pumpkin thing. I do not know exactly what it was but I can tell you it was so delicious. I am so hoping for that recipe...like I need it. ;)

Chloe was elated when she received many items with the Eiffel Tower: a pillow, ornaments, puzzle and a book. The look on her face was priceless. Tonight she had to get out her Eiffel Tower puzzle to work on upstairs. Her chair was cold so she put her blanket (from the Saxons) on the chair with her Eiffel pillow to lean against.

Jesse received a beautiful bracelet from the Bledsoes. It looked so nice on her. In addition, she got ornaments, blankets, and a gift card from Books-A-Million (she is very excited to start spending it).

Grandma Morgan bought each of them a blanket and the Reels gave them each their very own cupcake kit (apron, pan, liners, spoon, whisk). They are already planning their first use of the bake ware; and Jesse pulled out her blanket tonight to snuggle with on the couch.

The adults did their second year of Combat Christmas (or White Elephant or Chinese Christmas). It is where everyone brings a gift then you either pick from the pile or "steal" one from someone else. I was shafted again this year in that both gifts that came home with us were more "manly" (a man's billfold and a set of flashlights). If it were not for Lawson, I would have been totally shafted. Lawson bought me a pair of beautiful silver hoop earrings. Mari said he didn't think I would like them, but I have to say they are now my favorite pair.

The only bad thing about today was I missed my own family gathering. It was the first year they decided to gather ona day other than Christmas and I missed it. I feel bad because I was the one pushing for meeting on a day other than Christmas. And then I wasn't there. I get picked on a lot about how many family reunions I have, but I usually do not see any of my family from late October until Easter (except my parents of course). And I miss them...and all their drama. ;)

New Challenges

The new year will see many changes to the Morgans. Jesse is now a third degree black belt and will be learning new forms and kicks. John and I talked tonight, after graduation, and have decided that in January Chloe will be joining the ranks of the teaching Morgans. She too will be part of the Jr. Training Program. She is beyond thrilled and at 9:23pm she wanted to learn a yellow belt form!

I will be returning to TKD as a full instructor. I have to admit I'm still not sure how all this happened but it has. Master Mike informed us tonight at our celebration dinner that he is going to be making some changes to the flow of the class. It sounds like we are going toward a more traditional class from what I'm hearing so that should be interesting.

Funnies

Yesterday afternoon the girls were sitting around a table in the living room playing cards and whatever else they were playing. Chloe says to Jesse, "Your Christmas present is bigger than an elephant." Jesse looks at her and calmly replies, "Then how did it get into that small box?" Without skipping a beat Chloe says, "I used pixie dust!"

What else is there to say?

Update on TKD Graduation

Last night Jesse started looking bad: watery eyes and runny nose. I am going to let her rest today and stay covered in hopes of her not getting worse. I may actually let her stay home tonight from TKD just to keep her out of the cold. (I have not talked to her about that one yet.) Fingers crossed on this one.

As for me, I don't know. It is now Tuesday and I still cannot get the white belt form done, I can only "say" the low yellow belt form. I think I know most of the low red form (to "say"), but I will know better when I go to review it in a bit. I have not even started to learn to "say" the high green form yet. AND I still have to finish two questions on the written test. So, am I ready? I would say "not even close!" My friend Wendy told me yesterday she is hoping to come Thursday to cheer me on. :) I do love my friends! I may need all the support I can get.

So much going on

Like I have not felt well in days. I really want to feel better. My sinuses are going crazy and I have no choice but to follow. John also had a couple of days where he was not too well either; he actually stayed home one day (highly unusual).

Last weekend we started yet another project (not that any of the others have been completed). As we proceeded to tuck the girls in one night, I was horrified to find Jesse's room a total disaster! Clothes from the dirty hamper everywhere, the stuff from the floor of her closet thrown (literally) all over the room. All to find a piece for her Hot Wheels launcher she wanted to play with that night. I just stood there, cautiously, in the middle of her room with my mouth open with nothing able to escape it. John came in, took one look then took me by the shoulders, "We'll fix it. Tomorrow, we will fix it."

I felt defeated again. Their rooms have been a source of irritation to me on many occasions; that was definitely one of them. Well, now their rooms are lined with even more shelves and their closets are looking better. Unfortunately, I have already found one of them shoving things underneath her bed...again. Not a good way to start.

Jesse is really excited about this week (TKD graduation). She has practiced very hard, as usual. Master Mike was impressed by her "control" last week. She and Chloe were both practicing their forms when Jesse's outer crescent kick was going to hit Chloe in the head. Jesse managed to finish the kick and not hit her little sister. Great control, girl!! We still need to practice her front/side kick combination and her hook kick for board breaks, but she is ready!

Am I ready for Thursday? Nope. While I have ideas for a white belt form, I cannot get it to work out right. I don't want to do a straight line (which is how MM's is) but a rectangle. Just cannot work it out yet. I know all three forms I have to demonstrate, but I still need to learn the three I have to say. You would not think there would be a big difference in doing one and saying one, but there is a huge difference.

Chloe is not mid-terming this month; however, she has already learned half of her weapon form. I think she likes the weapons...just like her momma.

Time flies

Seems like yesterday we were signing Jesse up for Taekwondo classes. She was just turning four. I look at pictures of her back then and I am amazed how she has grown.

Next Thursday she will become one of two (current students) 3rd Degree Black Belts. She has worked very hard the past five years. She has never once asked to quit. She has given her all most of the time (no one is perfect). I am so very proud of her and cannot wait to see that third stripe on her belt.

Chloe, too, has worked very hard and has almost completed her weapons form. She has worked hard, if not harder because it doesn't come as naturally to her. She will be a wonderful teacher if she wants to join the Jr. Instructor program, which I think she has decided she wants to do.

I am so proud of both of them. I know John is too, but I hate to speak for him. Next week should be good for both of them then they will get a well deserved break.

Wow! That was close!

As you recall, my parents were both sick for Thanksgiving so they did not make it down for our feast. They also did not feel like decorating for Christmas last weekend. So, today I took the girls (and the pooch) up to visit and help spread a little Christmas spirit around their house.

I decided we should leave a little earlier than what I originally planned, because the sky didn't look so great. Would you believe it started sleeting just as we were leaving? It continued coming down, then turning into a mix of rain and sleet, until the south side of Rock Hill.

I was talking to my Dad, when we got home, and he told me about ten-to-fifteen minutes after we left the weather got bad. I'm glad I decided to leave early. Sorry we had to rush but thankful for the safe journey home.

Another adventure

The girls have really been enjoying their new found science class this year. Or is it called nature class? Either way, they love it!

Ms. Chanda (the wonderful teacher at science/nature class) allows the students to bring in items, from nature, for points that can then be used to "purchase" items other students have brought in for points. Did you follow that? I hope so. Today, both girls took in a gourd that Grandpa grew. He actually gave them to us when Jesse was in K for us to paint (I still have quite a few more left, don't worry). Jesse "bought" a peacock feather with her points today and Chloe "bought" a beautiful purple rock (not sure what it is yet...maybe we should have asked).

Jesse's peacock feather (I didn't get a picture of Chloe's rock yet because she traded it just before we left.)

Discussion on wildlife versus domestic animals.





Actual mistletoe in a tree!! No, it is not plastic. ;)




Ms Chanda mixing the plaster...she is so awesome! And no I did not volunteer to help on that one. Too close to a "craft". LOL





Me being silly and taking Wendy with me.




Jesse and her deer track.





Chloe cleaning off her bobcat track.