Thompson's Eleven

Between the two of them, my girls received ELEVEN dolls for Christmas.

Aren't they all so cute!?! The girls love 'em and have been playing with them all except the one in the middle. She went right back into her box until her owner is old enough to play with her!

Happy Birthday, Marlee Mouse

Today is my sweet baby's birthday. She's one today.

I can't believe a year has already come and gone. It happened too quickly. I don't know how it's possible but the the first 12 months of her life went faster than my nine months of pregnancy. Not that I'm complaining. It was an easy pregnancy and even easier delivery. I think I pushed twice with the nurse and twice with the doctor. And then she was here. Pink and Perfect. 7 lbs 5oz and 20" long. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Precious.

She's still pink and perfect. She still has her blue eyes. She's still precious.

She gives the slobberiest kisses and is easy to laugh. She is joyful and brings much joy to our home. I can't imagine what life was like before she was here.

Happy Birthday, Marlee Jan. You are my heart.

'Tis the Season

I can't believe Christmas is almost here. Tomorrow! Well Christmas Eve starts it all, right?

We spent the weekend in Ruidoso with Chris' family sans one brother. The weather was so nice and the kids played so well together. Truly, they did great. It's always nice when you can leave the kids to entertain each other and have adult time! And where Mouse didn't really "play" she stayed entertained.

And it was vacation. We mostly ate out so there was no cooking except for breakfast. I didn't have laundry to do or anything. Awesome! We took the kids to Winter Wonderland where they played in the snow and tubed and rode kiddie carnival rides. They were so cute. I have loads of pics and video from all of it and just don't have the time/energy to download the camera right now :/

We're planning on spending Christmas Day with Chris' family and will have our tree then. I can only imagine how fun it will be to watch four little girls opening gifts!

Santa is coming to Levelland this year and Chris and I are excited to have Santa in our home! I tried really hard not to go overboard and think I did pretty well. I did end up taking some presents out of the Christmas pile and moved them to the Birthday pile. Jaybird has been asking for a castle. I didn't buy a castle. This has been a new development over the last week and a half. My shopping was done. (However, her Nana is giving her a pink princess tent so we're calling that a castle.) I had already gotten her golf clubs. Pink ones! And Mouse is getting the 2008 American Girl Doll. She'll love it...someday...like 5 years from now!

We're going to my parents on Christmas Eve and then again the day after Christmas. My kids will get to play with their cousins and I'm hoping I'll get to play with all my cousins too! The food will be awesome but the fellowship even better. I'm truly hoping for lots of belly laughs!

Saturday will just be our immediate family at my parents. Did I mention that my brother is home from Iraq this week? I think you can imagine what our Christmas will be like!

What are your Christmas plans? Have you been good this year?

Merry Christmas, friends. Much love and many blessings to you all.

The Boy

In my last post I said, "Put a big red bow on the boy..."


I was referring to my brother as "The Boy". I should have made it a proper noun and capitalized it! Seriously. My whole life my Mom has called him "The Boy". I can't recall my Dad calling him that or really my sisters but I do on occasion as well. Not really when I'm talking about him to anyone else except my Mom. Weird? Maybe.


And it isn't "Boy". It's THE Boy. I guess because he's the only boy in our family. So maybe Mom would refer to "the girls" and "the boy". I don't really know.



He isn't called that all the time. It's a pet name. A term of endearment.


Did I mention the Boy is coming home from Iraq this week!

Can't Wait

It started at January 7th -ish. But then we got word that it would be December 18. And that's what we planned around. Then we were told December 19 then December 22 then December 20 then 21 then 22 then 23. It's been set for December 23 for over 24 hours so we're very optimistic!

You see, my brother is coming home from Iraq this week and we've literally been on the edge of our seats for over a week waiting for word of when his arrival would be. We don't want any of that "Estimated Time of Arrival" business. We want the real time.

As frustrating as it has been for us at home I can't imagine how my brother and his comrades must feel getting the run-around and their redeployment date getting pushed further back. Even getting pushed back by a measly 12 hours totally sucks.

BUT he's coming home.

So I do. not. care. that they've changed the dates seven bagillion times. He'll be home safe and sound!

He'll be home for Christmas! How exciting is that? Put a big red bow on the boy and sing "Deck the Halls". I'm getting my Christmas present December 23rd this year!

Happy Friday

This picture was taken back in May but it ALWAYS makes me smile!

TGIF

Don't Be Mad

The first part of this video may anger some of you. Apologies! The second half is cute but alot of "Go get the ball...go get the ball!" I don't know how to edit.

Gearing Up

I'm gearing up for my holiday baking! I'm very excited about my yummy treats but a little nervous about the timing of it all. You see my plans are up in the air at the moment and I'm not sure when said treats will be needed!

I've emailed my Mom to find out which items need to be frozen before they're cooked and which should be cooked first and then frozen. I'm still waiting for answers.

I signed up to take a sweet treat for J's class party on Thursday so I'll be starting with Tea Cakes - also known as Sugar Cookies! I bought sprinkles this year which is kinda new for me because I usually just go with colored icing. We'll see where the frosting spirit leads us!

Also on the list are Sausage Balls, Cinnamon Pinwheels, Cranberry Poppers and Pumpkin Bread.

Hopefully I'll be able to share pics and recipes this week as I'm baking along.

None of these recipes are new for me or my family so why the excitement? Because they are so stinkin' good I can't wait to partake!

What do you have planned for your holiday cooking/baking?

Blog Award

I've been "given" the Lemonade Stand Blog Award by my fellow blogger friend, Georgia!

But unlike most awards where you receive a plaque and go merrily on your way this blog award comes with strings attached!

So, here are the strings...er, rules attached to the award: I have to pass on the Lemonade Stand Award to 10 other amazing blogs and link back to the blog that gave me the award. Then, I’ve gotta leave comments on all the 10 blogs informing them about the award.

Actually I think this is a great way to get more exposure for my blog so that maybe someday I'll become a super rich blogger making loads of cash just by telling stories and posting them on this silly blog. Also, it's good exposure for my ten recipients. Who doesn't want more readers? Oh, you don't? You wanted to keep your blog private? Sorry.

So here are the recipients for the Lemonade Stand Blog Award in no particular order

Jennie at Heart of the Matter

Tai Ann at Timely Rantings

Emily at Milestones & Memories

Amberly at Athan's Journey

Jen at I Believe in Love

Amanda at Great Things Start with F

Ummm, I'm only giving the award to six people because I feel like a blog stalker in reading blogs that I don't comment on or reading blogs that I don't actually know the writer like this one or this one. So if you feel the need to give the award to all 10 people that you're supposed to, go right ahead! But I, Abby Lynn Wells Thompson, people pleaser deluxe, am breaking the rules today (gasp) and only doing 6!

Congrats fellow bloggers!

Pink Glove Dance

I hope this video makes your Monday a good one. I love this. I watched it twice and couldn't stop smiling!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw

The Girl Effect

Let me preface by stating that: Yes, I am an Oprah fan.

But, I'm a discriminating fan. I don't watch every single show. I only watch the ones of particular interest to me and I don't take everything she says as gospel.

Let me also say that this is the first time I've EVER given to a cause publicized by Oprah. It's worth your time to check out these causes.

I just finished watching an Oprah episode with 2 time Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas Kristof . The stories he and his wife told regarding the injustices to women across the globe were heartbreaking. They told of women dying in childbirth, child prostitution, and rape. They also discussed the discrimination against women in developing countries. In many countries little girls aren't given vaccinations because they are saved for the boys. Girls don't get educations that boys get. Girls don't get the time of day.

I can't eloquently blog here about all the injustices. So go here to educate yourself.

Nick asked viewers to think about their daughters in similar situations. I have been blessed with two of the most precious gems you can imagine. And I can't imagine them going through the things that were discussed in this episode. It made me nauseous.

I posted this video on Facebook entitled "The Girl Effect". I don't know if it makes sense if you didn't see the Oprah episode but it's still interesting. It's kind of the "Give the boy a fish and he'll eat for a day. Give a boy a fishing pole and he'll eat for a lifetime." theology.

The point Nick Kristof and Oprah were striving to make is that everyONE can make a difference. Small donations can provide school supplies or textbooks. Larger donations can provide farm animals or tuition to school. You can even LOAN money to women in developing countries to start their own businesses.

I checked out Oprah's website and found all the ways I could make a difference. I chose to donate $14 to buy two girls textbooks for a whole year of school. It's Christmas after all and that's the least I would spend on a secret Santa gift. So why not give it to CARE?

Sawwww-reeeee

Well - I totally messed up last week's plan of blogging about the things I'm thankful for every day. This blogging thing takes up more time than I'd imagined. Once I post my blog I always find things I don't like so I go back and edit. And edit. And edit again.

One of my favorite things is finding errors in print. I like finding misspelled words. I like spotting the misuse of punctuation. I like when people totally use the wrong word or bad grammar. It somehow makes me feel superior and smarter. Who doesn't like feeling that?

BUT it's made me totally self conscious of my own writing since I'm so hard on others.

So yes. Blogging takes longer than I'd imagined.

Also, I'm having trouble coming up with topics that I think random people and my family/friends would enjoy reading. I had tons of ideas before starting this blog. And even in my sleep or in the car I'll come up with several blogging topics. But then I sit down to write and I'm blank.

So apologies for boring you and many thanks for staying with me. Stick around. I assure you it will get better...or more consistent at least.

Doin' the Rachael Ray

This Thanksgiving I'm thankful that I have a garbage disposal.

I've been cooking ALOT more since we've moved to L-town. There aren't as many places to eat out. We don't have many friends that we're meeting and eating with. My kitchen is HUGE! I have so much counter space it's ridiculous.

And I have dishwasher!

And I have a garbage disposal!

Both of which I've been without for the last 10+ years!!! So, I'm enjoying being in the kitchen much more often. And as a side note: I'm pretty good at this cooking business.

Anyway, in the last few months I've been taking a few moves from one Rachael Ray.

I have a TRASH BOWL.

It's life changing. Okay - that's dramatic. It isn't as life changing as the dishwasher or the disposal but it certainly changes the preperation of meals. Who knew? Besides Rachael, anyway? I just use any ole bowl out of the cabinet but I'd really like one of hers just cuz it's kinda fun...and funny.Don't ask me why but the use of a trash bowl reminds me of the scrap bucket at my grandparents house. Grandma didn't have a garbage disposal so all the food left on our plates went into the scrap bucket for Grandpa to take to the dog that stayed on the farm. I've been wracking my brain today trying to remember that dog's name. Myrtle. I wonder if poor Myrtle ever got any real dog food or if it was just scraps. I assure you she (he?) was well fed and well taken care of. And I'm sure the scraps were probably pretty tasty considering how good Grandma's cooking was. I don't really know but I'm thinking she was a lucky dog, that Myrtle.

Back to the bucket... To say the least, it was disgusting! Truly. My trash bowl isn't nearly as awful considering it isn't actual food all mixed in together. It's just egg shells and cans and paper and onion peel. And I'm not feeding it to anything!

I don't think it ever occurred to me at the time how truly foul that bucket was. But now, I'm gagging just thinking about it. So yes. This Thanksgiving one thing I'm thankful for is my garbage disposal (and many many other things we can cover later)! What are you thankful for?

Can you tell from the items in my trash bowl what I was preparing?

Toasty

We have a gas log in our fireplace and I L-O-V-E love it.

We have central heat so it's not like we need the fireplace. But it's oh so lovely.

I light it almost every morning because living in West Texas, it's 40 degrees at 8am and 80 degrees at 4pm. I'd be switching the thermostat from heater to air conditioner daily. Would that be considered high maintenance? Anyway...it's as nice and easy as the hair color. I can just light it with the turn of a knob and then turn it off just as easily when I need to run to the store.

NOTE: It's like a candle in that you shouldn't leave it burning when unattended.

If I had a wood burning fireplace it would hardly ever be used. Chris would have to bring in the firewood and light the fire and then put it out and then sit around to make sure it went out...Chris would do all the work. But with this gas log, it's all me!

Besides all the ease and convenience of this baby, it gives me a great feeling of home.

I love standing in front of it watching the girls play or watching tv. It reminds me of standing in front of the fire at Grandma's. If it was freezing cold outside then it would be freezing cold inside because she didn't have central air. But all you had to do was stand or lay in front of the fire for a few minutes and warm up. For some reason I feel like I always shared the space in front of her fire with either Dad or Grandpa. I'm sure there were others but those are the two that stand out.

I loved the fire at Gana's too. It was always burning on Christmas Eve. Most years it was TOO hot for a fire but one was lit anyway. I think the ceiling fan was usually on at the same time but by golly, it was Christmas. We needed a fire.

Memories of fires in those two homes create coziness and warmth in my soul. I hope my girls will relate someday. I hope they'll make memories around my hearth. And that simply standing in front of a fire will evoke such sweet memories for them too.

Fondue

My cousin, Katy, turned 29 again last week. She wanted to celebrate this special occasion that only comes once by having a girls' night at her parents home in Tahoka. Captain Awesome kept the kids and shoved me out the door a few hours early so I could buy a gift for the birthday girl and shop a little. I didn't get a whole lotta shopping done except paint at Lowe's and a snack mix at World Market. I did however find a birthday present. AND, I treated myself to a mani. I needed fresh polish.

After driving to Tahoka and changing into this dress I was ready to par-tay.

After some yummy apps and a glass of wine, we sat down at the dinner table for a Fondue feast. Katy has been to Switzerland and a few dinner guests had been to The Melting Pot http://www.meltingpot.com/. This however was my first experience with Fondue. We had sausage, potatoes and bread for the cheese/entree and then out came the chocolate and caramel (pronounced car-mul) dessert. I dipped apples, stawberries and angel food cake into these oh so yummy sauces. Truly, it was a great night of fun. I even ended up spending the night so the fun could last longer!

I definitely recommend Fondue for your next get together. It's casual and family-like since you're all eating from the same pot! I didn't even experience any germ issues...

And all through the night my inner actress kept saying, "Yo, Fondue" from the Grease song "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee". I'm so glad I was saying it in my mind because when I looked up the lyrics here: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/g/grease/look_at_me_im_sandra_dee.html I discovered that the words are actually, "Hey, Fongul..." Who is that anyway?

Reading Rant

Chris sent me on an errand this morning to get a book at Barnes and Noble in Lubbock. Their new location opened just yesterday at the mall. It's ginormous. It's new and clean. It's spaced out with lots of room between the aisles. The cafe has more to offer and the children's section is much improved with toys and games and puzzles. They carry movies on blu-ray and are promoting the "nook" which is the new computerized book. There are several areas with comfy chairs to cozy up and read in...unless you have germ issues like me and choose the un-comfy wooden chairs ;0)

This bookstore is impressive.

But it's AT the mall...it's at the front of the mall right next to the main entrance. For those of you familiar with South Plains Mall, it's in the old Luby's. So on the occasion that I'm at the mall it will be nice to mosey on over and shop at Barnes.

But on the days/nights that I have just a moment and want to grab something quick (like Tuesday afternoon when I found myself in Lubbock without a thing to read and headed to a solo lunch) there's no way I'm gonna want to fight mall traffic and hunt for a parking place just to run in and grab a magazine. That quick run could take forever. It will be faster to go in a gas station and get the latest "People" or other gossip rag I feel like wasting my time with.

Although I've always considered books as an investment, I think this may be a sign that I should stop buying as many books and start checking more out from the library.

And on that note...

When we first moved to Levelland the girls and I made our way to the city library to get a few reads and apply for a library card. The clerk wasn't very friendly and didn't understand why my driver's license didn't have my current address. Uhhh, cuz it's a new address. I had to give an emergency contact and phone number. I didn't know anyone in Levelland so had to give my mother-in-law's info. The clerk was perturbed that she's not a Levelland local. Seriously, I felt like I was applying for a job with the FBI. But perhaps they take great pride in their books here at the Levelland library. They want to take great steps to ensure the enjoyment and education of our citizens. That's why my shiny new library card says in all caps, "The patron is responsible for all items borrowed with this card, to PROMTLY report any address change or lost card....". Seriously.

Why Not?

So, why not? Everyone, well almost everyone, has a blog these days. I've been debating starting a blog since I saw "Julie & Julia" and was encouraged by a blogger friend to start one. I read several blogs that I've been introduced to by friends, Google Reader, Facebook etc.

Lots of blogs are really interesting.

Most. are. not.

I'm not sure what you'll find here. I'm not sure what I'll write. I'm not the most eloquent of writers. I don't have the deepest of thoughts or insights. I'm not the funniest girl in the classroom or in my own house for that matter. I don't have the most interesting life.

BUT, I'm a good storyteller.

So starting tomorrow, I hope to treat readers with the stories of my life. The day-to-day mundane, the hysterical/emotional/chaotic present and past. I'm sure I'll embarrass myself and those dear to me along the way. Apologies. Maybe I'll change the names to protect the innocent, er, guilty parties!

Anyway, I'd like to share recipes, movie and book reviews and general stories from the goings on of all things Abby.

Enjoy!

PS - I don't scrapbook so I'm looking forward to getting my blog all cutiefied. Any helpers???