We spent Thanksgiving day at my Aunt Jan and Uncle Kiah’s new home and it was a wonderful day! My cousin Tammy (their youngest daughter) and her husband built them a small home on their property, behind their pool so that they could be closer now that Aunt Jan is retired. It was an extra thankful Thanksgiving gathering this year as my Aunt Jan was diagnosed with melanoma in her foot a few months back. She had to have surgery and no one was sure what her out come would initially be. But praise be to God that she is cancer free now and you can’t tell she’s been sick a day in her life. I love this woman.

I don’t have a lot of pictures to share from Thanksgiving because I dug out my “old” Canon Rebel that is a film camera and have been using it a lot lately. I am trying to learn how to take better quality pictures and preparing myself for the day (in the far, far, far) future that I get the DSLR I’ve been dreaming of lately. Did you know that no one develops film in one hour any more? And it takes 7-10 DAYS for it to come back. Bummer. Waiting on the film is “teaching me patience.” Ha!

In my last post I mentioned the all night black Friday excursion I would be partaking in. Well, I had fun with my sister and Mandy. We laughed a lot and had some hilarious conversations about all kinds of things because at 2 a.m. standing out in the freezing cold waiting like a herd of cattle for the Belk employees to open the doors so that you can race in and hope to get your hands on a pair (or 2 or 3) of those expensive boots that they are practically giving away, you’re not exactly lucid! In fact, upon review whilest I was falling asleep sitting up at JC Penny, I decided that a person is not lucid to begin with if they are willing to endure such sleep deprivation and freezing conditions for a “good sale!” It was a fun memory to make but not one that I see myself making again in the near or distant future. And I told my husband that if I have a moment of insanity next year and talk about doing it again to please chain me to the wall!

My husband turned 30 the day after Thanksgiving this year and after we had some ice cream cake while LSU whopped the sooooie out of those Arkansas pigs, he and I enjoyed a night out together with no kids. It was refreshing!

In the land of Olivia, hers is now a play yard baby! Meaning she scoots around so much she wont stay on her pallet unless it’s in the play yard. She’s growing so fast, entirely too fast for this mama and daddy and I predict that she will be crawling by Christmas.

She also turned 5 months old last week and since we were in my mama’s neighborhood then we had Olivia’s half birthday party the day before Thanksgiving. It was fun, just like they all have been. I let Liv try a smidgen of cool whip just to see her face! She didn’t like it.

The Christmas season is upon us again and it’s hard to believe Christmas day is less than a month away! I’ve just about got all my shopping done and all our decorations up. We trimmed our "Charlie Brown" tree on Monday night and the kids were beyond excited! They kept asking "and who’s ornament is this one?” wanting to know the story behind each one and they think that all their ornaments are their “first one’s” because they each got like 5 baby’s first ornaments the year they were born! Olivia was enthralled by the lights on the tree and she gets so very excited every time she looks at them!

I’m not sure if there will be a Mizell Christmas card picture this year. I haven’t been able to get a picture of the kids that I am pleased with. And I refuse (yes, I am stubborn sometimes) to use a picture that “will do.” Call me silly but I can’t help it! And I have decided that the world will not stop if we don’t send out a card this year. Maybe we will do New Year’s or Martin Luther King or Valentines or even Easter or maybe just wait till next year because I refuse (yes) to act ridiculous more than one day a year (no comments) to try and get a good picture of my kids. Yesterday (in the freezin cold I might add) I hauled the kids out to the other church that Jon pastor’s where there is one of maybe 3 cotton fields that have not  been picked yet in the state of Georgia and made them sit in the middle of it while I screamed and yelled and did all kinds of ridiculous things to get Olivia to actually look at me. I wasn’t even shooting for a smile, just a look in my direction. Here’s a few that just will NOT do!

And here is what I think when I look at these pictures:
5. What was I thinking with the 10 times too big Santa hats?
4. Why in the world did I have a bow in Audrey’s hair if she had on a hat?
3. Why is there more dirt than cotton in some of them?
2. Was it really that important to get this picture and risk giving my children pneumonia?
1. And too bad that I wasn’t trying to get just a picture of James!

The Land of My Nativity

I love coming home. Even though it makes me a tiny bit sad but only because I know I will be leaving it again in a few days. I am thankful however for the time we do have here and that gives way to any sadness. Words cannot express how excited I am thinking about tomorrow. I can hear that fried turkey and all the rest of the fixins my Aunt Janice and other family members will fix, calling my name. I can also feel that comfortable mattress calling my name when whatever it is that is in turkey to make you sleepy settles into my blood stream. I better take a nap this year for sure. Me, my sister and one of her good friends (she’s mine too....I haven’t had to buy any clothes for Audrey this fall/winter thanks to Mandy!!) are going black friday shopping. But we’re taking it up a notch this year and starting at 10 p.m. Thanksgiving night and taking the old saying “Shop till ya drop” to heart!! May you all have a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving.

Size 3 Hipster

Olivia is officially a “hip” baby now, meaning she perches herself on my hip all day long with out bobbling around. The little girlie is getting so heavy I am actually glad of the graduating to my hip. Much easier to get stuff done when she wants to be held. She also has grown out of her size 2 diapers and into a size 3. She also gets up on her knees and rocks back and forth which makes her creep any where she wants to go and she spins around in circles. She is still the happiest, most content baby in the world and any body that meets her will tell you that. She has started to laugh at us when we do silly things (which is a lot of the time!) and it is the best laugh in the world. Kinda reminds me of James’ laugh when he was a baby. Speaking of James as a baby, when Olivia gets upset (which isn’t often, mind you) she sounds just like her Bubby did. She doesn’t have a level 4 though, just a level 2! We had tons of baby toys so we didn’t have to buy any and she already has 2 favorites: Mr. Elephante (which happened to be James’ favorite) and the Star taggie in the pics below. Neither James nor Audrey ever were interested in these taggie toys but Olivia loveees them! She examines those tags so closely she makes her eyes cross!

Last week was parent observation week at Audrey’s ballet class and we had a blast getting to watch and listen up close and personal. I was so proud of myself for remembering to load videos and pics from the camera to the computer so I’d have plenty of room to catch our little ballerina in action. However, I didn’t think about checking the battery so, when we got in there and I turned it on, the battery started blinking. I didn’t get much and the quality of the pictures aren’t that good. But I have a great memory anyways! James did exceptionally well sitting in there watching her. I think he enjoyed it but then when I asked him if he wanted to put on a pink tutu and dance around he made a horrible face and said “NO!! I’d look like a girl.”

Two weeks ago we went out to Louisiana for Jon’s dad’s 60th birthday celebration. It was a short trip but well worth it. It was a beautiful morning and since we were in the French Quarter for a jazz brunch in the courtyard at the Court of Two Sister’s, it was perfect. Another wonderful memory! But this time I got lots of good pictures.

Last Sunday morning the twins lost all television priviledges for the entire week. My sister said “What’d they do to make you punish yourself so bad?” There is so much truth in that question, haha! But they deserved it. No really, they did. I wont give all the details. They are learning a hard lesson and even though day 3 is getting a little hairy, it’s been good for them. I invented “Mommy Boot Camp” and have had them cleaning a room each day. And I must say the play room is as clean as it’s ever been! We’ve all had to get real creative and stretch our imaginations extra far but it’s been good. It’s made me make time to do some Thanksgiving crafts with them that I found on Pinterest and it’s made them (hopefully) appreciate their “priviledges” around here. Ask my kids what priviledge means next time you see them. Betcha they can tell ya!

Audrey reading to her “baby"

Working on our Pilgrim hat’s

The finished product! I couldn’t find my right tip so the 

buckles are a little crooked :)

Doers of the Word

A few weeks ago I had an experience that changed my life. OK, not literally, but it sure made me start thinking. Keep up if you can.
Audrey takes ballet on Thursdays and before they split the class one of the little girls she danced with was the daughter of a teacher that teaches with Jon. Well, this particular Thursday that I am speaking of had been a heck of a one. And I mean that, literally. I didn’t feel to great and Olivia had her 4 month well check that afternoon at 1:30 in Tallahassee, which is at least a 45 min drive from our little town. Audrey’s dance is at 3. I tried to change the appointment but if I wanted to see my favorite ped, I’d have to keep it or wait 2 months. So I kept it. Unwise decision #1.

We were having company coming in that night for a big church meeting weekend so I started early. Not really. I waisted too much time surfing the Internet which was the unwise decision #2 of the day and then scrambled around trying to do school and clean and feed a baby and pack clothes and dance shoes and blah blah blah, you get the idea. I magically made it in the car with every thing we would need and made it to the pediatricians office on time. On time to sit and wait for almost an entire hour.

Once we got back to see the doctor, I told Audrey I didn’t think we would make it back in time for her ballet. That was unwise decision #3. I should not of told her then. She broke down into sobs and they weren’t angry sobs they were heartbroken ones, ones I just can’t take. So, told her we would try. And I did which was unwise decision #4. On the way there, they both fell asleep. Not good. When we hit Cairo city limits, I woke Audrey up by throwing her ballet shoes at her (nice, eh?) and telling her to put them on, we were almost there and had 20 minutes left in the class. I should of just let it go but stubborn me pressed on. I mean, I have paid for these classes already. She was crying because she was in that “I’ve just woken up from a nap that didn’t last long enough” and then she started crying harder when I told her we’d just keep on going and go home if she didn’t stop it. I pulled up at the door and told her to get out. She lost it, said she couldn’t go in by herself. Well, there was no where for me to park by the door so I had to drive around to find a space. I was so frustrated because it was just precious minutes she was eating up by acting like this. Which of course hinds sight is 20/20 and if I had just let it go I wouldn’t of ended up being so put out with both of my kids and they wouldn’t of ended up getting in lots of trouble by the time we finally made it home to a house full of company. It wasn’t their fault, it was all mine. Lesson learned, let me tell you!

Once we finally got inside there was about 15 minutes left in her class and I rushed her inside the studio but she wouldn’t let go of me. I guess I traumatized her or something by wanting her to go in by herself. Her teacher finally got her to come on in. I was frazzled by this point and I sat down in a big huff, wiping sweat of my face. Olivia started fussing so I had to go back out to the car for her bottle because I left the diaper bag in the van. Sheesh. Once I got back inside and sat down, some of the students and parents from the next class started trickling in. In walks our teacher friend that I spoke of at the beginning of this parable. We will call Ms. Organized. Here I am panting, wiping sweat off my face, feeding a baby, trying to balance a 4 year old boy on my lap (who is very emotional from his short nap) and I look over and see her. We speak and smile at each other but on the inside I was snarling at her. I mean, I’m surprised she didn’t ask me what was wrong because I couldn’t take my eyes off her. It was like I was in a trance. Why, you ask? Well, Ms. Organized came in calm and dry with 3 bags neatly zipped. She calmly told her little girl to put her ballet shoes on and she did it. Ms. Organized was so neat and proper and cool and calm I could of hit her. Literally.

Here Ms. Organized is a middle school teacher, United Way organizer, Teacher of the Year for the county, jazz instructor and her list goes on and on. Yes, she only has one child but it’s not like the girl doesn’t have any thing else to do. How does she do it?? I want her secret! I want to be like that!! As I was relaying my story to Jon he was laughing and snarling with me! He said she’s so neat and organized and never in a flurry at school too. He asked her one day how in the world she does all that she does and her answer was fairly simple. She gets up at 4:30 every morning and usually doesn’t stop until 9:00 every night. Well.....maybe I don’t want organization and calmness that badly!

But seeing her the other day in my state of confrusion and what not, really did make me start thinking. I have to start making better decisions with my time and stick to at least one of my many schedules that I have made in the last few months. And I totally threw the baby out with the bath water on that hectic Thursday and will remember it for years to come and hopefully be very careful not to do it again.

Stay at home moms have so many distractions in this day and age. Blogs to read, facebook to keep up with, pinterest to look at, grocery deals to look at, emails to check blah blah blah the list goes on and on. This problem I have with distraction has been on my mind a lot lately and I have been trying to remedy it halfheartedly and this passage of scripture has been on mind. When Jesus’ parents were looking for him and he told them “I must be about my Father’s business” He did not get distracted. I feel like all these distractions are looking for me every hour and I am constantly answering them, there for many of my tasks fall by the way side and I am constantly playing catch up or scrambling around out of breath or getting frustrated with my chirren. I know that my Father’s business for me is reading and studying His word and being not only a hearer but a doer. *But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. So I must *Rise while it is yet night.......Open my mouth with wisdom and kindness.......and look well to the ways of MY household and eat not the bread of idleness.”

Look for me to blog on Wednesday’s and if I have blessed any one today with the baring of my soul, please, go out and be doers of the word.

Educational T.V.

A few conversations of late with Bubs:

Me: James! How neat that you made airplanes out of tissues. Did you think of that all on your own?
James: No, Kipperd is educational so he learned me, no, no he taught me how to make them!

Me: James!!!! How in the world did you get the child proof cap off your pill bottle?
James: Because mama, I am a really smart boy.
Me: But James you are not supposed to do that. Don’t you remember what happened the last time you did that? You ate like 10 and scared me half to death.
James: Oh don’t worry mama. I only ate 1 this time.

Me: Y’all know Owen from church, right? Well he was so sad today because his mama has gone to be with Jesus in heaven and it will be a long, long time before Owen will see her again.
James: I think I’m gonna go to heaven for the rest of the week but you can see me when I get back.

And my personal favorite this week (yep all those were from this week alone!) while I was standing in the kitchen just minding my own business James comes up, grabs hold of my leg and says “You are the best mama in the world.” I can live on that for a few days!

4 Month Well

Last Thursday Olivia had her 4 month well check and had to get more shots. Poor baby. Hers never fussy and always smilin but not Thursday evening. I felt sorry for her and gave her a little dose of Tylenol when we got home from T-ville and that made her feel better almost instantly! The pediatrician told me to only give it to her if she was just too pitiful because there is some thought that it can interfere with the shots so that’s why I waited so long. She didn’t sleep the whole next day like she did last time but she was just as pleasant as she always is! I busted my behind when we left the doctor’s to get Audrey back to Cairo for dance, then came home to meet my dad, Nelda and some of their church members that had come in for Tired Creek’s 5th weekend meeting. Then we headed over to Thomasville for James’ swim lessons and then went out to eat at Jonah’s, this delicious little restaurant that serves the best hush puppies you eva put in your mouth! Thursday was a busy day, to say the least!

On October 27, 2011
Olivia weighed
14 lbs and 13.5 oz                               75%
Was 23.5 in long                                 20%
Had a head circumference of 40 cm    45%

Dr. Walker chuckled when he saw her height saying she sure was short. Poor girl, looks like there’s just one more way she takes after her dear old mom! He said she was doing wonderfully though and that she’s growing perfectly and he’s very pleased. He also said to start in with a little rice cereal just before we come back for her 6 month well check. Whaaatttt??? It’s almost time for solids already? Waaahhhh!!!!!!

Right before he left the room he asked if I had any questions for him and I said no. We both laughed, remembering the list of questions I used to bring in with the infant twins that he would so kindly read and then write the answers down next to the questions! Then he said “Things are much different the 2nd time around, aren’t they?” “Like night and day” was my reply.

The perfect way to keep them quiet at the doctor!