I'm Baaaaack!!

Ok - I need to catch up. No more excuses. I'm going to power through today and update as much as I can. So much has happened. I will try to be brief (I'm not good at that). :) Check out below . . .

The House we ALMOST bought

. . . it had major foundation issues. This was a house in Coppell that we had driven by several times while house hunting. It was in a great neighborhood and it had a porticochere which is a feature that I LOVE on a house. One time driving by, and feeling down that we hadn't found anything yet, I said "why doesn't a house like THAT go up for sale?!" Tommy simply replied "because when people buy those kinds of houses, they never move out." Weeks later we drove by and there was a "coming soon/for sale" sign stuck right in the front lawn of that beautiful house! God had answered my prayers. We called immediately but it wasn't going to be ready for months. We finally got into see it and fell in love. Love is blind. We put a bid and negotiated that night. During our option period, I had my mom and dad come out to see it. I could tell by the look on my daddy's face that it wasn't good news as we walked around the house. He said that he really thought that there were some major problems with this houses foundation and I should have a foundation specialist look at it. I was upset with myself for overlooking those things that didn't seem right to me. I tried to pretend like everything was fine in my head because I was desperate to have my own house! To save the $500 - $1000 to have it inspected, I had a foundation specialist come out and check out the foundation first for free. Sure enough - there was $15,000 worth of foudation repair needed!! I was sad and frustrated. There was a lot of "cover up" work that had gone into this house to hide the issues and nothing listed on the sellers disclosure. It was a beautiful house (that needed some TLC) and I had already moved in all of our furniture in my head. Just proves that some of God's greatest gifts really are unanswered prayers. :) He is in control and we know the perfect house will come around at the perfect time for us.

Now I must pray for patience.

Zieminski Christmas

After opening presents from Santa, we went to the Whisenants to celebrate Christmas with the Zieminski side. For some reason I only have 1 picture but I took a lot of video on the video camera. See, I'm the photographer, videographer, blogger, etc so if I'm not taking the pictures or asking someone to take one - it doesn't get done. :) I have to beg Tom to take a picture of me with the kids so that they know that I was actually around and so they remember what I looked like when I'm old! I'm not bitter or anything - that's just not very "in the Christmas spirit".

Here's a picture of all the kids (and Chris) eating the delicious Christmas Turkey Kelly made.

The kids were spoiled by Nana and Papa (as usual!). The each (yes - all 6) got their very own recliners! Nana and Papa brought in these huge boxes - all wrapped of course - and whent he last one was brought in they all 6 started tearing and shredding them to pieces! It took some assistance from the daddy's to get the boxes opened and chairs out but Madelyn and Marek sat in their chairs for the remainder of the day! A huge success. They got a ton of other gifts from nana and papa, the Posts, and the Whisenants. Nana and papa also got all the daddies digital picture frames and all the mommies got these great vacuums.

I love the holidays and spending time with family and friends.

God Bless You All and Merry Christmas!!

Oley Christmas

We celebrated the Oley Christmas at Brian and Jessica's new house on Christmas Eve. It was so beautifully decorated and Jessica had prepared authentic Lebanese fare - it was absolutely delicious!

The FamOLEY . . .

Siblings and Spouses (almost, Dan)
Madelyn being a rock star . . .

I've got to get her into drama camp . . .

Dinner was so wonderful and so was the wine and conversation! They actually had moose head cups for our Egg Nog - Just like Christmas Vacation!

After dinner, Mari presented Tom and I with our Christmas gift. It was a movie she made with pictures of the kids, her, us set to music. She wrote some beautiful things to us on it - brought me to tears. It was so perfect.

After I wiped my tears - it was on to opening presents! For some odd reason they tried to do the "One person opens a gift at a time" - not sure whose idea it was but it was insane. This is NOT the Oley way that I've come to know! The kids dug in as quickly as possible.

We drew names (kids too) and Dan got Marek. He got him a Notre Dame authentic jersey, cap, and nerf football. SO cute. Marek, of course, went right into throwing the ball around Brian and Jessica's house. I'm sure they appreciated that. :)

The night wouldn't have been complete without a little Rock Band!

Mari warming up her guitar!

Don't we look like rockstars! Especially Tom in his Clark Griswold sweater. ;)

Thank you, BJ, for hosting such a special evening!

Merry Christmas!!

SURPRISE!

. . .Birthday party for Dan at our house. I think it actually worked - he seemed genuinely surprised!

All the Oley girls (and Marek). . .

(l-r: Marek, Jessica, Gena, Mimi, Me, Theresa, Mads in front)

Madelyn and Aunt T

My little princess is actually quite good at giving shoulder massages. I know that T looks like she's in pain here but Maddie's not messing around!

Singing "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy . . .

The blow out . . .

Danny and some of his friends . . .
Jessica and I had to make an emergency green olive and olive juice run for dirty martinis! We ALSO got blue cheese stuffed olives - yum!

Happy Birthday, Dan!!

Face Painting

A little face coloring fun . . .

My little reindeer . . .

She is my daisy, I love her like crazy . . .
Even Mari joined in. :)

Santa

I couldn't get out to my favorite Santa place this year in downtown Fort Worth so Mari and I braved the crowds at the mall with the kids. I had plenty of stuff for them to do while we waited for 1 1/2 hours in line to see Santa. I also love that you can threaten so many things this time of year "ok, you're not listening and Santa is watching. No presents this year!" 70% of the time it works every time. :)

When we arrived they ate their snacks right away . . . there goes one time passer . . .

Still waiting - playing with stickers . . .

Finally made it! Now give me beautiful smiles!

Perfect!

Madelyn is explaining to Santa that she wants a baby doll and books . . . she's so sweet!

One more picture with Mari . . .

Done and we survived! Next year, we will be on top of things again and get out sooner than December 22nd!

Christmas Program - The Nephews

Chase, Dylan, and Landon's Pre School/Pre K Christmas Program was the night I got home from my business trip in Hickory. I was so tired and Tom left that night so I was solo with my rambunctious children (or shall I say Marek). Nana and papa really wanted to get all the kids together for a picture for their Christmas cards. I had to be a trooper!

We were able to snap a few shots of all the babies - amazing!

All of our little ducks in a row . . .
That was about all Marek could handle . . .

The program was precious!

Emma's 5th Birthday Party

Our little neighbor friend turned 5 today! She had a petting zoo at her house complete with pony rides. Madelyn and Marek loved it! Such a cute idea.

Marek made me a little nervous at first because he was trying to step on the chickens . . .

Playing with the guinea pigs

Madelyn and Emma, the birthday girl!

Madelyn saddling up for her pony ride!

All smiles - she loves this.

Marek's turn!

It made him giggle when the horse whinnied.

Madelyn and her little kid!

After playing with all of the animals, we washed up really good and there was chocolate fondue inside! None for me, though! I have my 1/2 marathon tomorrow morning!

Marek's PreSchool Christmas Program

My big boy had his Christmas program at school. It was during the day so Mari and I went and Nana took her lunch break to see Marek's debut on stage! He was so excited to see us - he broke free from his line to give us some hugs. My sweet baby boy. He seems so confused as to why he can't stay with us . . .

He looked a little unsure about being on stage in front of everyone at first . . .

looking for us in the crowd . . .Then he just seemed interested in the band . . .

Then they got a little too loud for him . . .

He was so happy that we were there and what a surprise to see Nana!!

Au Pair Christmas Party

We hosted the Au Pair in America Christmas Party at our house. We love all the girls and enjoy having them all here!

The whole group . . . and Brock . . . (and me :)

White elephant Christmas gift exchange . . .

Swrils

Wow. Susan and I had one of these margarita "swrils" and we couldn't stop laughing at the misspelling behind her. The staff didn't understand our humor.

Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving this year so I didn't get too many pictures. Here is a picture of the pre-dinner crafts. Nana and Papa brought some large pinecones that the kids put glitter glue on with some bows to make ornaments!

Nana and Papa playing with their iphones. So cute.

We have so very much to be thankful for. Blessed beyond our wildest dreams.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Brown Day

At school . . .

hahahaha . . .

Vegas!

Kelly was performing with Neil in Vegas again and we had our annual girls trip there! This year it was Stephanie, Theresa, Kelly, and me! What a fun trip.

Backstage relaxing after their rehearsal.

Watching another band at the hotel with "our band". . .

Theresa and I watching the Irish ladies band at the Irish Pub at the hotel. They were so funny!

What a great trip!