Good Food, Good Company

This morning the washing machine is chug-chugging, and luggage is scattered around the floor of our laundry "facility". The recovery effort has begun.

Tuesday after school, we immediately headed to Rogersville for Grandma and Grandpa's house. And Corwin could not wait!!! He knew that Ethan, Emerie, and Eliza were there waiting for him, and the fun times would begin!

Thanksgiving Day was spent with Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa, Aunt Pammy, Uncle Gary, Lindsey, David, Brooke, and Cousin Silas! The food was superb, and the family time was even better! And, the day was not complete without the annual trip to Bass Pro Shop.
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The rest of the time was spent playing and working. Grandpa, Uncle Shelby, and Daddy spent all that time cutting wood. They had their work cut out for them with two century-plus-old trees. Every night the men snored all night from exhaustion. But, the kids had fun! Owen loved all the sticks and grasses, and especially Uncle Shelby's Kubota RTV (glorified golf cart). The weather was pristine, and the kids played hard on the wood pile.

Here's a picture of our future wood cutters. It won't be long before Ethan and Corwin are required to do more work than play. This picture includes about half of the wood that was actually cut. They didn't even get to finish the largest tree. The chainsaw wouldn't go through it, it was so thick. Saturday was spent splitting the wood with a hydraulic splitter. This proved to be just as exhausting as the chainsaw work.

But, now we're home, and it is all behind us. Jason is glad to be home; glad to go to work and rest a little. :) It was a good time. I am so blessed to have a great family whose celebrations center around Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us. I am equally blessed to have married into such a family. It is truly because of Him that we have hope, peace, and are loved.

Vroom!

The chug-chugging sound you hear in the background is my washing machine. :)

The "booden-booden" sound you hear, is Owen.

What Are You Thankful For?

I am thankful for FINALLY getting to meet my new nephew, Jack David. He is a sweet little thing! Corwin thought so, too. Owen? Well, he wasn't sure what to think. He wasn't all that fun, anyway. :)

We spent last weekend celebrating an early Thanksgiving with Jason's family. His cousin, Jake, is joining the Air Force next Sunday, and thus the early celebration. It was an excellent weekend with amazing weather, super food, and even better company.

Sweet boy!

He's pretty sweet, too!

Jason got a very small deer one morning. Now, I'm exploring the world of cooking venison. My first attempt will be tonight. This should be interesting.

Corwin, trying to be a good big cousin.

Owen received some early Christmas and belated birthday presents. Seems like every time we see that Texas crew, they shower my children with gifts. Can someone tell me how to put a stop to that?

Here's Owen enjoying his early Christmas present from Big Cousin Jake. And, here's Corwin seeing how fast he can go without making Owen go air born. Or, maybe he's trying to make Owen go air born. Either way, he has been successful. Ugh. Big brothers can be a pain in the rear sometimes!

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Today was a tragic day for the Morris boys, and nearly as devastating for their Mommy.

Immunizations. That is the politically correct term for SHOTS, NEEDLES, and PAIN!!!

Owen had his 12-month shots and Corwin had his "Kindergarten" shots. The age window for kindergarten shots is 4-6 years. I thought it'd be a good idea to get the two boys' shots taken care of at the same time. I'm not convinced that was the best plan of action.

I began to prepare Corwin last night for what lie ahead. Attempt to reason #1: If he wanted to go to school, he had to get his shots. His answer: "I don't need to go to school. I've got plenty to learn in my school work book." (This is a workbook we have that introduces colors, numbers, writing, etc.) Attempt #2: You have to get these shots, or you might get really bad sick. His response, "Well, if I get sick, you can just take me to the doctor, and he'll give me some medicine that I can put in my mouth that will make me better." Hmmm.... Okay. Attempt #3: Owen needs you to get some too so he doesn't get scared and back out. Corwin: He'll be okay. He's had them before and done just fine. Corwin is a hard one to argue with. He's too smart.

Finally, I said, "Well, we'll see what the doctor says. If he says you don't need them, then we won't get them." That seemed to satisfy my son and, at the same time, pushed the blame off of me and onto Dr. Russell. Yes, I'm a chicken. Bawk-bawk!

So, Corwin was brave and strong, until the needle was an inch from his leg, then he decided to tell everyone within a 10-mile radius that HE DID NOT WANT A SHOT!!! PLEASE! PLEASE! DON'T GIVE ME ANY SHOTS! The nurse tried to calm him because his legs were so tense and hard as a rock. Finally, he weakened a bit, so she stuck him and told him to say the magic word over and over, as fast as he could. "Bingo." So, he "Bingo, bingo, bingo, bingo-"-ed through five excruciating immunizations. When it was over he and I both were crying. Owen got his two shots with only a whimper.

But, it wasn't over. They then sent us to the lab for a blood draw to check hemoglobin and lead levels. I did not want to go through the drama again. But... doctor's orders. This time, Corwin marched in there, told the phlebotomist he was going to be tough, and began to impress her with his gallantry. He cried right before they stuck him with the needle, then watched as the vile filled with his thick, red blood. The phlebotomist was amazed at his courage! She said he was the youngest patient she'd had that sat by himself and endured the torture. Most want to sit in Mommy's lap and proceed to scream the whole time. Owen, again, endured like a pro. He made a face when they removed the needle, but that was all.

So, now I am exhausted--emotionally and physically. It took all morning to get those pesky sticks done. But, I'm so glad it's done and over with for a few years. Maybe next time Corwin will be big enough to really be tough. But, then it'll be Owen's turn to be four and terrified. Ugh. The price of parenting.

Football Practice

Corwin was out playing football this morning, and decided to use Owen for practice. Owen enjoyed it...for a while. Then, I came in and had some fun editing a couple pictures. Enjoy!