Chirstmas Tree and Gingerbread House

So, it is that time of year - I'm not a super big fan of Chirstmas time - I just like for it to pass so that all the shopping and planning will be done. I am looking forward to two weeks off, and it will be really nice to just spend time with the kids at home. We are not going to Colorado this year, so it will be very different for us . We are kicking off our "Christmas celebrations" this weekend. We have one side of Mark's family get together on Friday night in Rockwall, and then we will be going to Gunter Saturday morning for his other side of the family. We will have to quickly get back here for Morgan's basketball game, and then Mark and I will be spending Saturday evening in Ft. Worth for Mark's company Christmas party. We have a very full weekend up ahead, and hopefully we will make it to all events. Mark woke up Sunday morning around 4:00 with a stomach virus. He is back to work today, but he is still feeling weak from two days of not eating or drinking much (by the way Jeff, he said he is not playing in the basketball game tonight). Morgan woke up this morning at 3:00 with, what appears to be for now, a weaker version of Mark's problem. I am not feeling well either, so I am anticipating it hitting me today too. Anyway, here are a few pictures of us getting ready for Christmas. As mentioned in previous blogs, Jacob cannot take a picture without Lightning anymore - here are a few to enjoy.

Mark is trying to protect his ears from Lightning - in case your wondering what he's doing!

We have found, over the years, that not too many people in Decatur buy the live tree for Christmas. That means that not too many people sell them either - Wal-Mart used to be the only place that sold them until Lowe's moved in! Wal-Mart sold terrible trees too, so I am glad that Lowe's came (great trees by the way). We used to drive to Denton to buy a decent tree! We have a very small house that we are living in right now, so as you can see, the tree had to be short and skinny. This is Mark's favorite part of christmas (sarcasm here)! He did say this was his favorite tree rather than the ten foot trees we had at our old house with the tall ceiling!

Haleigh really loves Christmas, and this truly is one of her favorite things to do!

Morgan decorating! As you can see, we had to use the entry way to put up our tree - good thing we use the back door!

This picture shows Jacob's two "things" right now - 1)being in his undies and 2)sticking his tongue out. I don't know where either of these areas of interest came from, but he does look cute in his Spider Man underwear! I could live without the sticking out of the tongue!

The final touch - putting Santa atop the tree! Only, there was a problem with the skinny, wimpy tree...

Santa was too heavy...so, our tree is topless right now. I guess we need to look for something lighter or just go without a topper.

On to decorating the gingerbread house - if you'll notice, Jacob is not completely unclothed this time - just slightly! Morgan got a new haircut too! And, yeah for our b.ball victory against Paradise - we are 1-0!






Isn't it lovely?!

Okay, now to answer questions about my interview - the principal said it went extraordinary, but they cannot give me the job. I am not yet certified in Texas, and they cannot even make a recommendation for me to the administration building because they won't even consider me. Well, that really stinks, huh? I have worked my butt off for the last two years to finish school, and I'm not "highly qualified" according to the "GREAT STATE OF TEXAS". I was already going to have to start the process of getting certified in Texas, but I wasn't aware that it would keep me from being employed. Apparently the state is able to withhold funding from any school district that hires a teacher that is not certified by the state of Texas...well, they don't want to take that chance on me. So, I will continue my aide job that pays really well (ha ha) until next school year. The next available test date is Feb. 23, 2008 - so, I have lots of time to study!