Ally's Asthma

We headed back to LeBonheur for another Ally appointment. Her asthma combined with her heart issues have really given her some trouble on the court this year. We are just trying to get a handle on it all. So, we went to an asthma Doctor to sort of "regroup" on her treatment.

This is Ally taking her breathing test. She failed it 5 times! It was really cool. She blew into the mouthpiece like she was blowing out the candles on the computer screen. She couldn't blow them all out-not one time. That was sort of scary to watch. 

I can only get away with posting this because Ally NEVER reads my blog! This is her passing the time and taking her mind off of being at the Doctor. Ally has always hated going to the Doctor. I really liked our Doctor and I hope her new meds/plan will help her breathe easier. 

Do NOT Play with Knives...

Did your Momma ever tell you NOT to play with knives? Well, obviously my husband didn't listen. He was at his Momma's house playing with a knife. He acted like he was going to do a fancy trick. It slipped out of his hand..first instinct was to reach and catch it with the other hand...and boy did he catch it! OUCH! As soon as I saw it, I knew he needed a couple of stitches. We headed to Baptist Tipton thinking we would be there half of the night. Surprisingly, we were stitched up and back home within about an hour! WOW! 

Here is the knife that he was slinging around...He was lucky he didn't do more damage. 

Funny Story: When we were checking in the ER, they asked him how it happened. Being the comedian that he thinks he is, he says, "My wife tried to stab me with a knife and kill me". Can you please call the Sheriff and protect me"? Their response...that's pretty funny Mr. Naifeh. I'm sure you deserved it! 

Nothing like growing up in a small town. 

Joy

"Joy", the name of Oney's LAST Elementary Christmas program! WOW! That is a hard one to swallow. The years have flown by...and have been FULL of JOY! 

I snapped this picture of Oney and Lexie on their way in to the program. They both looked so grown up and did a great job performing. We have an awesome music and art teacher at TRA. Everybody loves Ms Carole. 

Sweet Words

Who ever said "stick and stones may break my bones but words may never hurt"? Well, I'm not sure who coined that phrase, but it is SO UNTRUE! Words...whether positive or negative...stick around for awhile. I would MUCH rather someone smack me! 

I have really been dreading my "40th" birthday...like really! So when the day finally arrived, all I could do was soak it all in...I am a freak when it comes to having "unchecked notifications" on my phone. For some reason, I decided to relish in all of my sweet wishes this day. If you aren't on social media, you are really missing out when it comes to the birthday! These are just a few. I couldn't take it after awhile and I had to clear them out. THANKS to everyone that took the time to think of me. It really made me feel special. 

These two were by far my favorites-from my sweet daughters! How sweet are these words? Yes, it made me cry! What an awesome way to start off my 40th birthday. More to come...

The Stockings Were Hung

After having the same homemade (by me) stockings since our first year of marriage, I treated myself to new and improved stockings this Christmas. I stumbled upon a childhood friend, Jennifer Bringle Twelvetrees,  (thanks to social media) that sews, embroiders, etc. I contacted her by email and sent her images of what I had in mind. I was thrilled when I picked them up! They were exactly what I wanted...I LOVE them! If  you need anything, I would highly recommend her. She is working on another project for me as we speak. I can't wait to see how it turns out. 

Happy Birthday Oney

Somehow Oney always gets several "takes" on his birthday. I'm not sure if its because it is so close to Christmas and I feel like he is getting the shaft or what? Here are some snippets of all of our mini celebrations. We don't do grand parties every year. This was an off year for Oney to have a "party". 

Who doesn't LOVE cupcakes? Even though we have a super bakery at the store, there is just something about pulling those fresh baked cupcakes from the oven. So, I made some of Oney's favorite confetti cupcakes. They didn't last 24 hours! 

The actual date of Oney's birthday was a school day. Oney's best friend, his Sittie, had a great idea and recruited Ally to help her out. Since Oney was so into the Christmas lights, Sittie wanted to give him one of those huge inflatable Santas. What else do you get the kid that has everything?! Sittie asked us to set this up in Oney's room while he was taking  his shower. When he came back to his room to get dressed, he started screaming and cheering! He loved it, of course! Success!

I always take cupcakes or a cake to school for the kids birthday. These are the cupcakes that I took this year. Aren't they cute? 

Oney and his special friend, Ema! We all just adore her...she is so beautiful and full of life! We had her sit with us at lunch and eat a cupcake! 

Oney, Mac and Daniel ate at our special table. It is always fun to have lunch with the kids friends and get to know them better. The conversations can be pretty amusing. 

Oney was so surprised to see his Daddy, too! He knew that I was coming but Daddy was our surprise! He was thrilled! 

This was Oney's cake at our family birthday celebration. He is starting to be into the hunting like his Momma! I was really proud of how this cake turned out. We actually sold several after I posted pictures of this cake on Facebook. 

On December 3, Oney's official birthday, the girls had practice. So, Judson and I thought it might be special to have dinner just the three of us. We never do that. We decided to let Oney pick the place. He picked his favorite, Huey's! Why? So he could shoot toothpicks! 

Father and Son

Have I told you that we love cupcakes? You think we have celebrated Oney enough yet? Well, we made one last stop on the way home. Gigi's Cupcakes! Yep, we did it. We did something we NEVER, EVER do. We bought something we sell at Naifeh's, elsewhere. It was painful (expensive) but it was delish! A nice treat but not something we will get used to doing. 

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY MY MAN!

WE LOVE YOU! 

Christmas is Coming!

Some sights we have seen in and around our house that Christmas is coming! 

LOOK at our AWESOME lights that my "lighting engineer", Oney produced this year! I forgot to take a picture of the back. It had colored lights and was just as beautiful. He did a WONDERFUL job and worked VERY hard for many nights making this all look so perfect.

A cool Christmas ornament, Magis' Camel, that my sister in law gave us. It has extra special significance since we rode camels in Dubai this Summer.

Oney's ornament that Aunt Jan gave him this year. She has given the girls an angel and the boys a Santa every year since they were born! WOW! Thanks Aunt Jan for starting us an awesome tree of our own.

This was Oney and my creation in the back yard. Pretty neat, huh?

A definite sign that Christmas is coming...the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. We watch it as a family every year.

Judson's Grinch makes his way out of storage. Judson has always been known as "the Grinch" during the Holidays. I think being in the retail business puts a damper on his Holiday Spirits. He has always told the kids since they were little that he was the Gr-Gr-Grinch! The girls made this Grinch at Build a Bear when they were probably 3 and 4 years old. They look forward to pulling it out every year!

We all sit together in one room and watch Christmas movies, specials, or shows. 

The tree goes up. Typically, Thanksgiving week. This year it was a little late. 

The ELVES come back to visit us!!! 

Pipkin, Cinnamon & Blossom

We had Christmas carolers come to our house! We ALWAYS go caroling to our friends each year. But, this year we didn't get to do it.