Olive, the Other Reindeer

There is a popular baby name book called Beyond Jennifer & Jason: The New Enlightened Guide to Naming Your Baby. Let it not be said of Mr. Claus that he is not ENLIGHTENED. Who needs a baby name book when you have access to the list of all nice and naughty childrens' names?

The hip thing of today is to come up with the most "original" name possible for your new little one, or to sort of reassign old ones (or make surnames into first names in creative ways). This all came to my mind yesterday, when Logan was singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He began "You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Connor and Cupid...." Yeah, Connor's not a newbie, but it is one of those old ones resurfacing, or, in some cases, a last name reassigned. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine name and all; just funny the way our ears hear things wrongly sometimes. Kind of like when Josh hears that I want him to clean the kitchen and he cleans it, but it still looks exactly the same way.

Anyway, Santa is not to be outdone by the celebrities of today. Credit Santa with eight "doozies" (nine if you include Rudolph). He was the original who came up with names like Blitzen and "Connor." I'm sure he has been taking notes, though. His next generation of reindeer will go something like, "On Apple and Shiloh and Suri and Moon Unit, Rocco and Bronx and Knox and Tallulah."

The Christmas List

Both of the boys wrote a letter to Santa. They were just too cute. I wanted to put them somewhere I wouldn't lose them. What better place than my blog?

Here is Logan's (all capital letters, lowercase letters, and punctuation are his):

Dear Santa,

I want a blue d-s a LEGO BATMAN set and a LEGO INDIANA JONES set and a KERRY COLLINS jersey.

love, Logan

P.S. Are there polar bears (drawing of a polar bear) or (drawing of a walrus) at the North pole? (backwards question mark)

Here is Nathan's:

Dear Santa,

I want a black Nintendo DS, a reptile and fish of the world field guide, a new Webkinz, a new PS2 game (I like Star Wars games), a LEGO set. I want LEGO Star Wars the Complete Saga for a DS, and another book.

By the way, how's it going around there? The highest I've ever been is Indianapolis, Indiana. I also want a new pencil sharpener. Our's is broken. The lowest I've ever been is Atlanta, Georgia.

Your friend (and about 2 second witness),

Nathan

P.S. (I've learned about letters in school)!

*It should be noted that Nathan believes in his entire heart that he saw Santa when he was 2 flying through the sky. That is what he means by "about 2 second witness".*

Here's mine:

Dear Santa,

The boys have been really good this year. They have a real sense of love for their fellow man and for following the rules. They have both done very well at school this year. They try to keep their rooms clean. I did say "try." They are working on their manners. And, yes, I did say "working."

I know how you love to get good children a lot of stuff that their parents have to find storage places for. Please, Santa, keep in mind that we've already outgrown our current house. I'll be having to walk and live in this space after you've gone back to the North Pole. So, please Santa, no loud, shrill sounding toys. I ask for no toys that require banging; no life sized stuffed items. And please, no toys with little parts that get lost in the carpet and are found by my barefeet in the dead of night on my way to the restroom.

And since I'm asking, I have been a very good girl this year....

Love,

Keshia

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

It is snowing in Tennessee! We are so excited. Nathan is wearing his pajamas wrong side out and sleeping with a spoon under his pillow (a superstition for getting a snow day out of school, I'm told). I should have some pictures up tomorrow.

SHE'S BAAAACCCKKKK!!!!

I know it has been a while. I do apologize to the two people who missed me. I say two people because that is all who stated I was missed. And, I do find it sad, because one is my husband the other my brother. Pretty pathetic if you ask me, but for you, Josh and Kevin, I will start blogging again. Hold the applause.

So much has happened in the space of 2 and a half months. Both football and soccer are now over. The seasons ended well with everyone getting a trophy...you know the "everyone is special, so no one is special" trophy. I remember thinking I was so special one year at school, because I got a trophy for having perfect attendance for the whole year. Trophies just aren't as special as they used to be. Except for the precious soccer and football trophies that I now have to dust....those are VERY special....*wink*.

Halloween was in there, too. Nathan was Harry Potter this year. A very excellent Harry Potter, might I add. Logan was Anakin Skywalker from Clone Wars. The mask was designed to look like a cartoon Anakin. I thought it looked a lot like Richard Nixon. When he held up two fingers on both hands and shook his head from side to side, it WAS Richard Nixon. I think we will save the mask and put him in a suit....can we say, "Costume for next year!" (That is not very likely...due to the fact, it is a mother's job to go stand in the crazy line at Party City and tell a sixteen year old girl which costume you NEED only to have her tell you it is SOLD OUT....you then choose the next choice and hear the same thing, and so forth and so on, until you talk the child into settling for an outdated Lassie costume.)

Most recently, my grandmother passed away. It was expected because she had been sick for a while. She was a Christian lady who lived a very busy and full life. I have many memories of her that I cherish.

My grandmother's death has been hard on my mother. She was her 24/7 caregiver. I'm doing what I can to help her cope and to simply get out of the house. For instance, I took her today to Logan's class to help with a "Christmas Around the World" craft. Then I took her shopping. She was falling asleep in the van. I think I wore her out.

This morning as Josh was preparing the boys' lunches, he noticed Logan has not been drinking his drink in his lunch box. He noticed it yesterday, but thought it must be a fluke. Turns out Logan is having trouble opening his drink during lunch. Nathan heard his brother's dilemna and said that he would be glad to come over and help Logan open his drink. (The boys are in the cafeteria at the same time.) I thought that was just one of the sweetest things I've ever heard. In fact, last night while in the shower Logan dropped something. Nathan heard the commotion and ran to ask Logan if he was okay. I love the way my boys are growing to really care for each other. I love my two little "brothers" loving each other.

The boys came home with gifts to go under the tree from school today. They bought them in a little shop set up at school called "Santa's Secret Shop". They are so excited about the gifts they lovingly and thoughtfully picked out for their dad and me. They are sweet boys. Logan was so excited he informed me during supper that he bought me a birdfeeder.

So, I hope I have caught you up the best I can. Thanks for reading my blog....peace out!!! :)

Out of the Office....

I just wanted all my loyal readers (all of you who have nothing better to do) to know that I have lots to blog about, and no time to do it. I haven't forgotten I have a blog. I will get back with you soon. I promise. This soccer/football mom is really being thrown for a loop with all the practices and games. As soon as I have a tiny break from all the running around, I will be back to blogging.

By the way, gotta go to PRACTICE!!!!

"Hey Miss?"

I stopped by the gas station on the way home from dropping Logan off at the church building for Wednesday evening Bible study with his uncle because Josh is out of town and my oldest child is sick (there is an extremely long story here that I WILL blog about in the future).

The van was sitting on E. That was the only reason I even went in the first place. Josh had left me with gas in both vehicles before he left to go out of town, but I was about to run out of gas in the van. I decided to get $20.00 worth of gas.

So, I sat there waiting my turn. While I was sitting, I got my Kroger card for the discount and my debit card ready and in hand. I locked the passenger door for safety and popped the gas door. I was ready to be efficient! The car in front of me finished and moved away. So, I pulled up and jumped out and was showing off my mad gas pumping skills. I guess they were so "mad" that the gentleman behind me thought I really knew what I was doing. He jumped out of his truck to ask me how many miles to the gallon my van got. Believe me, I was flattered. Really, to look at my mad gas pumping skills and consider asking me such a thought provoking question. I really wished I could help this poor oblivious soul. Instead, I laughed hysterically.

"You'd have to ask my husband. I really do not know the answer to that," I said. He looked at me as if I were an alien. Then and there I knew I had wronged him by pumping gas so efficiently. I gave off the wrong impression. I then came clean with him.

"You see, I'm one of those spoiled people. The ones that know that cars come with keys and that you put them in the ignition, turn them, and then go. I usually don't even pump my own gas. My husband does that for me."

He looked astonished and explained why he asked (which all I heard was, "Man stuff, blah, blah, packages, loading, blah, blah, blah, gas mileage, blah, prices, more man stuff, testosterone") and followed it with, "Do you like it?"

"Well, that is a Horse of a Different Color (Wizard of Oz reference...sorry), sir. I can answer questions like that," I thought to myself.

I said, "Yes, I do like it." By that time, he made me mess up. I got $20.01. I felt justice was served. I shouldn't have tried to show off skills I don't possess and trick a poor man that really wanted to know about the gas mileage. I really am not good at anything in regards to cars, not even pumping gas, I guess.

Back to School!!!

Wow!!! The summer sure flew by. It seems we just began summer break. Isn't that always the case, though. Time only stands when you wish it would fly. I have given birth to two children and have had numerous gall bladder attacks and noticed that the clock seemed to never tick. When I'm not thinking about it or even having fun, time seems to tick away. With our two sons, time has just flown by, because loving them has never been a chore.

We have one son who just started 3rd grade! I don't even know where to begin. I remember the day we found out we were going to be given the opportunity to be his parents. That was a strange feeling (and no, I don't mean the nausea from morning sickness!). He came into this world with an amazing thirst for knowledge and truth. He has made us sit in awe of his God given abilities. His way of thinking makes you need to be still and know God. God has blessed us beyond measure with giving us the chance to know him, let alone raise him. When someone with that much talent is asking you questions it is a humbling experience and God is awesome. God has entrusted us with one of His precious souls to teach the ways of the world and the wonderful ways of our Lord. I hope we are making God as proud as Nathan is making us. May God bless his 3rd grade year!

Our other son has just begun 1st grade. God, again, has blessed us exceedingly. We have been placed in charge of one the sweetest souls this world has ever known. I remember the day he was born. Having been a parent before, I wasn't the nervous, frantic rookie, instead I felt great responsibility and concern as one does having gone through it before and knowing what can lie ahead. He has a heart that is so big. He told me yesterday, "Mama, I want to be everybody's friend." He tells me how beautiful my hair looks (and not in the Eddie Haskell kind of way...I know what you are thinking...leave my baby alone) even when I've been hot and sweaty digging in the flowerbed all day. On May the 1st he came in to say, "Happy 1st Day of May, Mama." At the same time, he is ALL BOY!!! He loves sports. He is now playing football (which is scary for a mother). I pray God will help him have a great 1st grade year!

Josh and I feel blessed beyond all comprehension with the wonderful gifts God has given us, our sons. May you all see the beautiful gifts God has given you and not let time slowly tick away, but let it fly by because you are having the time of your life.

Camelot

My boys have play swords and lightsabers. They have umbrellas that they turn into swords or lightsabers. They have pens they turn into swords or lightsabers. They find tree limbs that they turn into swords or lightsabers. Do you see the pattern?

Just this morning, I got up out of the chair and started walking across the floor and tripped. Josh calmly said, "Watch out, there's a sword in the floor." As if it is just understood that there should be a sword in the floor.

Where else in the world would you hear that? Camelot???

Effective Commercials

Chicken Fries....$3.99

Honey Mustard....$1.99

Ketchup.....$.99

8 year old boy looking at the circles of honey mustard and ketchup side by side on his plate and saying, "Hey, look, it's MasterCard!".....PRICELESS

VeggieTells

In our house, once something (an object) takes on a persona (is given a name) then it is "precious". Set apart, if you will, for the express purpose of having that name and not being harmed in any way.

For instance, there once was a spider that sat down beside HIM (the six year old) and didn't frighten HIM away. (Which, on it's own is amazing....the boy is afraid of EVERYTHING!) Josh saw this as an opportunity to talk about how God created the spider and all the amazing things that the spider can do that show how God designed this creature. During the process, the boy got really attached to this one of God's creatures. Then, because it was indoors and my husband is not a PETA sympathizer he killed it. It broke the little boy's heart. Josh talked with him for a while about how they had to kill it (it was indoors!). Josh had taken pity on the boy, because he could see how much that "precious" spider meant to him. Well, Niagra Falls has nothing on this little guys eyes! He cried for 3 hours!!!!

I love my husband's kind heart and how he doesn't want to break the kids' hearts. He is a softy in a lot of ways. I, on the other hand, guess I spend a lot more time with the kids and so I know that I can make up with them later (let's go with that, because otherwise I'm heartless).

Well, unless you ARE NOT a parent or are as lost as last year's Easter eggs, you know of a little show called VeggieTales. Now, we have a fresh, homegrown (somebody's home, not mine) tomato and a cucumber. I sat the tomato and the cucumber out on the counter while I was going to make my salad. Naturally, my oldest son would have to name them Bob and Larry! The spider loving boy then declared that they could not be eaten (since they have a name now!).

Not meanly, but very matter of factly, I tell "Mr. Muffett" that they are not named Bob and Larry, Bob and Larry are cartoons that we watch on TV. These are a tomato and a cucumber that I'm going to eat in my salad (they are homegrown!!!). I kissed and hugged him telling him that I loved his sweet nature. Then, I waited for him to leave the room and get occupied with one of his toys. THEN, I ATE BOB AND LARRY!!!!!

Hello, Mudda....Hello, Fadda....

Which would you choose, to have 60+ mosquito bites or to be mauled by a lion? Me, you ask, well, I'm not sure considering I'm in the first category. I feel like I've just returned from Camp Igottalottabugbites.

If you have any home remedies, I'd love to hear them. Please help me! As I am now at Camp Idontwannaitch!

Peace Offering

Have you ever noticed that when you get the kitchen spotless (and I do mean spotless), some kind of little creatures come in and get crumbs EVERYWHERE and dishes everywhere and an unidentifiable slime on the counter?

But, at least, one of the creatures did bring me a delicious egg he made for me! I guess it was his way of giving me a peace offering.

Tea Time?

I went to a Ladies ONLY Bible study tonight. I knew there was going to be limited parking so, my husband and sons dropped me off. While there, I was served this delectable drink. It was Cranberry-Raspberry Tea. YUM! The hostess of the study has a sister who lives in England. When she goes to visit, she brings back some of this tea.

Before I left, I got a refill (not for myself...I'm a wife and a mother...so, I GIVE...just go with me). After a GREAT Bible study, my family picked me up and the opportunity for me to share this wonderful drink with them had presented itself (kinda the female version of kill and drag it home, I guess).

My husband, who loves all things foreign (and wants to constantly travel...which, I try to discourage....I'm a homebody!!), took one sip and spoke of wishing to go to England. My oldest son in the back was chomping at the bit for a drink of the "English Tea". My husband passed the cup to the backseat. The boy took a drink and wished aloud to be in England right that instant. He wanted more Cranberry-Raspberry Tea. He now knows why they (the English) have tea time everyday.

The little brother then wanted his turn at the tea. He took his sip and said, "Interesting, very interesting" (he's six). The older boy decided we should start growing cranberries and raspberries so we can make more tea.

All the Pappas household knows about growing cranberries is water, a lot of water is used. (After looking it up on the web, I see something about flooding them, really like I know.) The youngest then informs his family that we need to dig a deep, deep hole and a wide, wide hole and pour some water in it. (Hey, he knows more than I do. He must be picking something up from the Ocean Spray commercials.)

All this from one cup of Cranberry-Raspberry Tea!!!

Water Displacement

I hope all of you had a great 4th of July yesterday. I know my family did. We went to my sister's house and had a pool party. It was the first time that all 13 of us had been at the pool at the same time. There were 8 adults and 5 kids (all under the age of 9). I found myself constantly doing a child head count. We had great food, great fellowship, and great fun!

My oldest learned to swim yesterday. He is on cloud nine. He tells everyone he meets that he is now a swimmer. Josh and I are so proud of him.

On a lighter note, my sister's bathroom door has issues. When the door is closed, if you don't know how to open, it won't open for you. I've been stuck in there a few times myself. However, I'm very persistent (as I've been told) and can get the thing open. Well, all that background to say, we all were sitting out around the pool, minus my father who had gone in to change from his swimsuit to his clothing, enjoying some refreshments when my brother's cell phone rings. He looks on the caller id and it says "Poppy." (Poppy is the name that refers to my father now that he has grandchildren.) My brother answered the phone to hear Poppy requesting for assistance....he was stuck in the bathroom! Boy did we get a kick out of that. I promised to blog about it. (I now use this blog as torture for those around me...I tell them if they aren't careful, I'll blog about them.) So, here it is!

Happy 4th!

I wish all my loyal readers, all 3 of you, a Happy Independence Day! May you spend time with your loving families as I know I will with mine. May God bless you today and everyday!

This Warranted a Post

A huge shout out to my husband and Burger King! My husband for bringing home lunch to his darling sons, and BK for giving the kids what they always wanted.

The boys now have kazoos. That's kazoo to the second power.

My youngest came to inform me with a look of genuine 6 year old glee on his precious face that the deafening noise that I just heard was him playing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".

I love you, honey!

June Bug not Roach...phew!!!!

Bless your heart, you are reading the post from a Southern gal.

Last night, I sat down at the computer and was finishing my Diet Coke (caffeine free, if you wanted to know). I got to the last bit in the can...yes, I was drinking straight from the can....which means I couldn't see in it....anyhoo, the last drink had a big, hard, wiggly thing in it. Well, I did not want to be like the old lady who swallowed the fly, so I just spat on my kitchen floor everything in my mouth. Which included, a bit of Diet Coke and a BUG!!!!! The BUG was on it's back and was wiggling it's legs in a most disgusting fashion considering it had come from my MOUTH! Notice I said, "WAS". Yes, I killed it with not a second's thought. Then, I put it in the trashcan in a napkin (this part is important!!!). I was home alone with the kids at the time. My husband was on his way back from preaching in KY. Not wanting to frighten the children I just went and quietly scalded my mouth and then used Listerine to decontaminate myself. If I had a hazmat suit, I would have put it on.

Also, it should be noted that I am a Southern girl who knows nothing about bugs except just very basic things. When I see bugs in their element, I can identify the most basic of bugs. For instance, a fly that is flying around a horse is a "horsefly", and a bee that is around a hive full of honey is a "honeybee". So, I saw this bug around food and thought....ROACH!!!!

I then call my hubby on his cell phone to tell him my horrific news, because really I thought my life was over. Would he ever love me after such a thing as this? Would he feel comfortable kissing a BUG MOUTH??? He reassured me that after I had scalded my mouth and used Listerine until I developed burns that he would then feel comfortable kissing me.

Eventually, he came home and I ran to the door to get some pity. He kissed me. What a trooper! I love this man. We talked some more about the event and then he heard me say something about the BUG being in the trash in a napkin. (Were you paying attention??? I told you this would come back in the story.) He went and looked at the remains and told me it wasn't a ROACH! That it was one of those beetles that fly around lights. AHA, then I knew it was a JUNE BUG....after all, it is barely out of JUNE! YIPPEE! He is my hero. He saved me from this torture.

Then, I remembered stopping by my parents' home after church services and getting the Diet Coke and walking to the van with the boys and as I was letting the little one in a JUNE BUG hit me in the head and disappeared. Obviously, into my drink. I was so happy because that meant that I had a Tennessee JUNE BUG in my Diet Coke and not a nasty, disgusting, ROACH from the Coca-Cola plant.

All is well with the world, JUNE BUG not ROACH....phew!!!!

More Pain, More Gain????

If the saying, "No pain, no gain" is true, then is more pain, more gain???? Please tell me it is! I am so sore from working out Monday night. I've already made the little ones separate the laundry (thanks, boys...mmmwwwaaa) because all the bending and stooping was about to make Mama have a stroke! I was even so sore that I walked/jogged....hey, wait a minute....won't I be sore from that? Okay, okay....I'll just listen to the Rocky music in my head and stay the course.

No Pain, No Gain

Isn't it true? No pain, no gain. We've all heard that and at some point in our lives we realize that statement in a personal way. Blogging for me has been something I've toyed with for a while. I've created my blog and deleted my blog more times than I care to remember. Trying to read those smashed/jumbled/slanted/blurry letters and numbers in that cryptic code box and then trying to type the code in the other box to be given the opportunity to even set up your account in the first place is part of the painful process. So, to go on and delete your account after you've finally deciphered the code is very painful. However, I think the worst part for me is to just blog. I feel that I have something neat to offer the blogworld, but I'm fearful of putting myself out there and not having a great post and then feeling worse pain. (Hello, insecurities!) I know, I know...no pain, no gain. So, the question is then what do I have to gain by blogging in the first place? The answer...I don't know. I plan to find out.

I have several things I'm working on in my life right now. My relationship with God, husband, kids, friends, family, and strangers, finances, and weight. All of these things you have to apply the same principle of "no pain, no gain" to. I have two good Christian friends with whom I am working out. All three of us are living out this principle right now after our workout last evening. Every time I get up out of a chair I hear an "aaahh" and feel the pain! I know that someday the pain will have payed off and I will be healthier and thinner. That leads me back to blogging. I don't know what will result from blogging, but I think I can safely say it won't make me scream and feel physical pain just from getting up out of the chair. So, what do I have to lose?