Decorating the House Prt 1

Yes you looked at that right.... it says part 1.  One may think that it is because we have so many decorations or even that our place is that big.....neither are correct.  We are so busy that we have to do it in parts, inside first than the outside.  Outside is Paul's least favorite part so that always take some time....

We were lucky enough to have some friends who had an extra tree that we could use this year.  To be honest it is the best fake tree I have seen in a long time.  Trent is great at fluffing.....

The best part of the tree.....

Sydnee wanted to put the angle on the tree.  I am pretty sure she wanted to do it because she felt that Trent had more stuff to put on the tree.  (Each kid gets to put on their own items.) When Paul tried to explain to Sydnee that it was because Trent was older she didn't find that an acceptable argument....

The Allen family tree is not one that you would find at Pier One or Dillard's.  We have colored lights because the kids love all the color and nothing matches.  A third of the ornaments are handmade from the kids and they are allowed to put them on the tree where they want.  All of this equals the Allen family tree.  The kids are always excited to see the tree complete.  I am very happy this year because I was actually able to put out all of my decorations.  We are all looking forward to seeing what the front of the house will look like.  Will post more later........

Jet Tub Night....

     The bath tub in our apartment in Oregon was the size of a match box.  We move to New Mexico and BAM we have a jet tub! Sunday night is called Jet Tub night, both kids love Jet Tub night.  Sydnee enjoys it because she feels like she is swimming and loves the jets because they are like waves.  Trent enjoys it because he has a room all to himself where he can blast his music and zone out.  Mom and Dad love it because we do not have to actually buy bubbles.  All that form is from shampoo!

Coming Down from our Turkey High

This Thanksgiving my family went to see Granny and Pawpo in Texas.  They are located in a town about 7.5 hours away; however, as those of you with kids already know the odds of us getting there in 7.5 hours were minimal.  To get in as much time there as possible we decided to leave at 12:15 am on Wednesday and get there in time for breakfast.  To make this happen Paul came home from work at about 5:30 and was in bed by 6:30 to get a quick nap.  Trent and Sydnee went to bed in the clothes they would travel in and Stella spent plenty of time outside to burn off some energy.  

   
       This is at our one and only pit stop of the trip.  YES we were able to pull that off, don't ask me how, it will probably never happen again.  Even though we left so early Trent and Sydnee were awake most of the trip.  The interstate that we spent the first 4 hours on is nothing but farm country.  This means at this early hour it was completely black out so one would assume that the kids would get bored and fall asleep....NOPE....not my kids.  Stella (that is her head sticking up from the back) did great on her first long car trip.  I was very surpised to see 8:00 am flashing on the car clocked when we pulled into Granny and Pawpo's.
       We spent most of Wednesday talking and looking at pictures.  Sydnee has not seen them since she was 3 so this was all completely new to her.  Trent was a lot more comfortable and just made himself at home.  He has no problem doing this anywhere he is....

       Granny had done a lot of prep work for our Thanksgiving meal so cooking time on Thursday was minimal.  I felt very special because she even decorated the table for us.

Trent rockin his Thanksgiving Day out fit.  He sure can clean up nice!

       After our meal we went to Pam's (Pawpo's oldest daughters)  for dessert.  Granny and Pawpo were excited to show off their Great-Grand kids (I would like to say they were excited to show me off but we all know that wasn't true) and I was very excited to meet people I have heard about all of my life or haven't seen in years.  On a side note Paul and I come from small families compared to the whole "Ball Clan."  I consider everyone in my family very out going but when you walk into a house with 30+ people you are a little overwhelmed.  Everyone was so nice and excited to see us that I don't think I stopped talking for 3 hours!

Two of my favorite man in the world!

We look great considering we are in a "Turkey" coma and just want to be in our  sweat pants.

I have to say that I think my grandparents get shorter every time I see them....that or my son is getting taller.  I will let you decided....

       O.k o.k I have shared all the family mussy stuff now lets get onto the totally awesome part....

Pawpo told Trent that he could drive the pick up truck if he helped clear some brush.  (Fun Fact:  I learned how to drive on this exact pick up truck.  You suddenly feel really old when your child is learning in the vehicle that just yesterday you were learning in!)  I have never seen my son work so fast!

Trent did a great job and for all of his hard work Pawpo held up all his of the deal and let Trent drive....

I will be honest here.  I was nervous, the poor kid could hardly see over the steering wheel!

and drive...

       

       I am glad to say that Trent and Pawpo both lived long enough to visit with Uncle Boyd.  For those of you who do not know Granny is 1 of 16 but all of her siblings live in the south so I have not had an opportunity to meet them.  We were able to share a meal with him and swap stories.  

In tradition we also celebrated Sydnee's birthday with the family on Friday.  She is very excited to be turning 6 and was so happy that she was able to be with Granny and Pawpo for her 1st birthday party.  See in the Allen family we get birthday weeks, how cool are we!  We made her a chocolate and vanilla cake with all kinds of girly stuff on top.

       This was Granny and Pawpo's first time to attend one of the kids birthday's.  It wasn't anything big but we were together and Sydnee felt special.  She got some new outfits and a very cute pair of boots.  She told Granny that she did a great job picking them out!  My fashion diva...       

I am sure that I am going to get flack about posting this picture but I just wanted proof that the "DUH" look my kids will get is a family thing.  It is in our gene's so not my fault....just sayin....

Hahahahahaha 

No matter how old you are, your Granny will always be your Granny.

They feel blessed knowing that I had found such a wonderful man to spend the rest of my life with...

After all this fun you would think that we would never leave!  Every vacation must end and at last so did this one.  Pawpo made us a great breakfast and we hit the road.....

The Start of a Great Thanksgiving Weekend!

       This is our first holiday not being in the Northwest.  WIERD!   It will be interesting to see how all of us do this holiday season.  We are going to see this as a blessing,  we get to spent Thanksgiving with people we have not spent a holiday with in over 15 years.  I am not sure if my Granny and Pawpo are up for it but we will be there in 16 hours!
       In typical Laura fashion we are leaving in 7 hours and I am still packing.  Thank goodness my kids are older and are wonderful helpers.  When planning out my laundry/packing deadline I forgot a very important fact, we are leaving at 12:01 am on Wednesday, therefore Wednesday should not count as a packing day.  Talk about a last minute dash!
      Trent and Sydnee are very excited to be traveling to a new place and meet new people.  Trent is very excited that he gets to show off Stella (The newest addition to the family.  She is a boxer and loves life just like Trent does!)

Stella

       So my Prayer Warriors we will hit the road at 12:00 am.  Please pray for a safe trip!  This will be a great road trip.

Progress Report Day

Today was progress report day at the Allen house.  Needless to say Paul and I are very PROUD parents.  Sydnee is NP on; Language Arts, Math and Science.  If anyone was like me and has no idea what NP means I will save you the embarrassment of asking, it means Near Proficient.  I learned after having an awkward conversation with Sydnee's teacher; Mrs. Davids,  NP means that Sydnee is right where she should be and I should not worry.  (My kids have now been to 4 different school between preschool and private/public school and let me tell you---EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO TO THE SAME GRADING SYSTEM!  Just saying...this Momma gets confused.)  She is P in Social Studies, which means Proficient, just in case you didn't caught that. (I didn't.)  The comment that Sydnee got was that she is doing great!







Trent has always had a love/hate relationship with school.  He loves recess, PE, math and lunch.  You know all of the important things.  He has always worked very hard for his C's.  This year it really feels like everything is coming together for him.

Lang Arts:  89.85% (B+)

Math: 89.15% (B+)

Science: 95% (A)

Social Studies: 91.67% (A-)

This I understand!!  Trent is doing awesome,  he is very proud of himself and all of his hard work is paying off!

How to Survive Being a Youth Pastors Wife

1.  You never laugh AT your husband ALWAYS with him.  When they decide to dance with a trash can on their head.  You hold your head up high and tell him how funny he is.

.  When they fall asleep mid-day, let them sleep.  No matter how much sugar and caffeine they ingest they will never have the stamina of a 16 years old so when they crash, they need it.

3.  Once in awhile you will have to remind them they can not fly.  Do this gently!  One of the reasons they enjoy youth ministry is because they get to act like superman at times.

4.  Yes that is Paul with a Mohawk.  Youth pastors will do whatever they need to do to get their students attention.  So when they do something over the top be proud that they care so much that they are willing to go the extra mile.

5.  When parents walk in on a game that may have gotten side tracked help remind them that the kids are having fun and their youth pastor would never hurt them intentionally.  

6.  Just because they grow and get older do not expect them to treat their clothes any better.  ALWAYS, ALWAYS have back ups.

7.  Remember that they are working for the Lord, so pray.  Not only for your husband but also all of the students that they ministering to.  It is our jobs to laugh, be prepared and love them.  If you do this right the ride is a GREAT ONE!

The Epic of Sydnee's Hair.....

BEFORE

       For those of you who know my daughter I would bet that you would agree that she has no problem communicating what she wants.  When she went to the 3's program in preschool every little girl in her class had long hair, I am talking down to their mid-back section.  At that moment Sydnee decided that her bob she was rockin wasn't good enough.  Her hair MUST touch her butt before she would be happy.  For all of you mom's out there you will understand my reaction; "No, no, no, no, no way."  She proceed to look at me with these huge brown eyes and says "but Mommy my hair would look so pretty, PLEASE."  I caved.....
       As long as she kept her hair out of her face and did not throw a fit every time there was a knot in her hair she would be able to grow out her hair.  Sydnee has done a great job keeping her end of the deal up, I however did not think my end through at all!  Did you know that Sydnee has a ton of hair and that it is very thick.  This translates into; I have spent HUNDREDS of hours doing her hair over the last 2 years.  The day that I spent more time doing her hair then mine I made a plan.  I will out smart my daughter (she was only 4, it shouldn't be that hard) and talk her into chopping off her hair.........

AFTER

       Sydnee will be 6 on November 29th and every time we get her hair cut I start planting the "chop it off" seed.  (To be honest I have been shocked that I have not been able to talk her into it in 2 YEARS.  I would also like to say that this does not reflect on my "smooth talking" skill, she is just that stubborn!)  I have tried pointing out other little girls with cute shorter hair cuts, reminding her how many tangles she gets into her hair and how many hours we have spend sitting on the bathroom flooring doing her hair.  Her response has always been,"no" or "Mommy I keep it out of my face and do not throw fits about the tangles.  I just want a trim."  So to my disappointment....we trim her hair.  UNTIL YESTERDAY! YEAH! YES! RIGTH ON!  She was sitting in the Stylist chair, the Stylist asks her how much she wants to cut off.  Sydnee says, "up to here."  The Stylist had not been briefed on the Epic battle of Mom VS Sydnee's hair so she blindly says, "oh but honey your hair is so pretty.  Are you sure that you want to cut off that much?"  I ran across the room, before Sydnee has a chance to answer and bark "just do it NOW!".  Looking back I probably responded to harshly and am lucky that I was not kicked out of the salon.  After we left the salon and Sydnee had left 10 pounds of hair on their floor I asked why she was ready now to cut off so much.  This is what I was told, "Mommy I am pretty no matter what my hair looks like.  Beside you couldn't see my beautiful face behind all of it."  Self confidence is not going to be an issue.....WATCH OUT WORLD!

Wide awake at 4 a.m

     At 4 this morning my mind decided that it should think about all the possibilities in life.  Does this ever happen to you?  As I was laying in bed trying to "will" myself to sleep it dawned on me that it wasn't my fault that I was up this early but my children's!  (Anything not to accept responsibility.)  I was thinking about them this morning and worrying about how they would succeed in life.  This Sunday the sermon was on Matthew Ch. 6 where Jesus teaches "Not to Worry."  This is a great chapter and it basically says if God would take care of the birds and flowers why would he not take care of you, so have faith!  So I ask does this mean I am not strong in my faith, that I allow myself to loose sleep over things I have very little control over?  I like to think not.  


     My husband tells me all the time, "Laura don't worry about it.  Give it to God and let it go."  I will be honest with you here as he is saying it I am mocking him (love you Honey!) in my head.  Don't you think I have thought about that....it isn't that easy.  My greatest gifts in life happen to be my biggest challenges; Trent and Sydnee.  They bring so much joy to my life I wouldn't have had it any other way; however,  the Big Guy upstairs and I will talk about including a manual with these gifts.  Bottom line:  I have to remember that God does not walk along side us when we are in need.  If we let him he will carry us through it.  My children were his before they were mine.  So come on Laura....HAVE FAITH! 

The Reason I started......

Many may asking, "Why would Laura start doing this now?"  It is a great question with so many social media outlets, why would I?  To understand I must give you some background here.  We lived in a large city where Nana and Grandpa lived blocks away as well as a set of grandparents 5 hours away.  Aunties were just a few miles away, our church was right down the road and our children had childhood friends within rock throwing distances.  We recently were given a great opportunity to follow God's calling to a small town in New Mexico.  My family had to say "See you later" to everything we hold dear.  You may have noticed that most of the family we have left are well over the age of 40 (NO I AM NOT CALLING ANYONE OLD, so please no phone calls) and social media outlets are not a popular choice.  My BFF (yes I am young enough to use this term)  has a blog and I love how I have a peek into her world.  So long story short; I am hoping that this will give all of our love ones a peek into our new advantage.  Hope you enjoy!