How much do referees get paid?

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree.....could you please take yourself down and get packed away so I can work on the other things in life? Such as the laundry pile (I really need underwear), playing referee to the kids, the dishes in the sink, playing referee to the kids, reorganizing for the new gifts, playing referee to the kids, cleaning the bathrooms, playing referee to the kids, gathering up the trash, playing referee to the kids, feeding the dog, playing referee to the kids......are you noticing a trend???

Today has felt like one big battle....maybe it's the fact that we havent been out much due to the temperatures? or maybe we have been out of our school routine for too long, but the kids seem to be getting on each others nerves. Not that they don't normally argue, but it just seems worse today.

I would love for them to just stop yelling at one another for the day...playing with their new things, or just sitting around watching a movie together without a battle....is this too much to ask? A quiet afternoon would be nice....while watching them enjoy the time they have with each other. They are growing so fast, and will one day, sooner than we realize, be going off on their own to live life...So today kids, enjoy the time you have together, play nice, respect each others feelings, treat them in the way you want to be treated, and give this mom a bit of a referee break.......

Oh, and I might like to have a shower today too.....

It is time for some fun! I have finished my shopping, and now I need to wrap some gifts and prepare the house for the kids return Christmas Eve.....this year is going to be great! So many surprises and wonderful things planned...I am having a hard time focusing on actually cleaning....oohhh something shiny! You get the picture. Lol!

The kids will meet me back at the church for the Christmas Eve service on Friday. It is a tradition I intend to keep. They enjoy the music, the story, and most of all the candle lighting (that part makes me nervous). Christmas is such a sweet time, and I want to keep our traditions true and maybe add some new ones of our own. Christmas cookies on the eve is definitely on my schedule for this year! And of course we will awake with sausage balls and juice for Christmas morning! That is one of our favorites! The house will be chaotic for awhile and then we will relax while one of the kids reads the Christmas story from the bible. I will always encourage them all to worship God...though sometimes we get caught up in the hustle bustle, they will know what the celebration is all about.

Only 6 more days, and they will be back home....wow, I better get busy! There are presents to wrap, rooms to clean, and groceries to buy....better not forget the sugar sprinkles!

It's Christmas time again.....2010

It's here again....the time of year I love so very much. Last year, began a new experience for us. It was the first Christmas with me being the only parent at home. We had a great time and made it thru the year just fine. This year is still going a bit differently from what we are used to. Last year, the kids and I were still together for the whole vacation, other than the scheduled visits with their dad. This year, the kids will be staying with their dad this whole week until Christmas Eve. Not many people like change, and I am probably the worst at accepting it....lol. So now, they have left for their visit, and I am sitting here trying to figure out how things got to be so very different.

As I said, I love this time of year so very much! I love the family time, the parties, and all of the shopping in crowded malls....I know, I'm crazy...(believe me, I've been told numerous times)...but I just love to watch people and how they react to this time of year. Some are excited creatures, bumbling around from place to place, searching for just the right items for each person on their list. There are lots, who are in and out finding what they need and quickly getting back to their normal routines. Others, come in, scratch their heads, frown, and just walk around discouraged that they can't find the items they want. I love to look at all these people! Its just completely interesting! Myself? I am the bumbler...especially on Black Friday!

I love the decorations, and the gifts, and the music! I love the church services, the visits with family, and all the food! I sooo love Christmas! And though this year brings yet even more change for me and my 4 wonderful children, I will still remind them of the greatest gift that ever was. Even in our struggles, my children will know that God gave us His only son....a great and perfect gift for all.