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?