Christmas 2008

For Christmas this year, we first went to visit the Big Man! We went out to Santaland on the weekend before Christmas to put in our last few wishes. We waited in line for an hour and 20 minutes!!! The boys did really well!

The little one had his final breakdown right outside of Santa's door, but I do not think Santa heard because he did not let on that my youngest buckaroo had been bad. Santa was fooled once again! LOL!

So, my oldest Buckaroo went first and he did really good! He told Santa he wanted a lot of Autobots and Megatrons! (Score for Santa!!!)

Then it was the little one's turn. And, as you can see... or you may be able to recognize, he is definately my son. He was not talking to this guy in the red suit. He was not talking at all!

So, we then took the pic of the two of them and my oldest told Santa what the youngest one wanted, which just happened to be the extended list of what the oldest one didn't get to tell Santa the first go round! HA!

As soon as we were done taking pictures, and Mrs. Claus gave the boys their peppermints our youngest was grinning from ear to ear. He was so impressed with that Mr. Santa. We then took a picture of my guys with baby Jesus! I love this picture! I hope to see all of them with Jesus for real one day... okay enough sentimental! * This will have to do for now! But, i still love it!

Christmas Eve we spent at my husband's great Aunt's house with the his whole family. We had a lot of fun exchange the girl, guy gifts, watching the kiddos opening their loot, and eating lots of finger foods! It was a great time!

Then, I could not believe it!!! "Santa's been here! Santa's been here!" squealed my four year old at 3:26 AM!!!! What is he doing up so early!!! Good thing we all went to bed before 9! Including Santa!

Please excuse the underroos!!!

Our boys were so excited! They could not believe it! They got everything they ever wanted!!! Or so they said that morning... which was the right answer! Santa had listened very closely!

That afternoon... after we had all taken a short morning nap... we went to Brownfield to visit the man's grandparents and eat lunch with our family! We had a great day, and the boys got to play with their new toys AND their cousin! Fun stuff!

On the 26th we packed up the car, and got on the road headed to Paris, TX, to see the fam! We got there, and the boys were so excited! They did so good on the 8 hour road trip... they knew they were going to see their Meme, Granddaddy, Granmommy, and favorite Aunt's and Uncle's!

I did not get any pictures on this trip for some reason! I thought I did, but I must have been so overwhelmed that I left my camera in the car! Bummer! We opened a TON of presents! Once again the boys were SPOILED ROTTEN! As always by my family! Then we ate dinner, and all spent the night at Granmommies house! Saturday, we got up had donuts and coffee at Meme and Grandaddy's and played with our loot! We then at lunch, gave lovin' and got on the road again!

We then headed to Rowlett to visit GDaddy and his crew! We had a great time! The guys played football out in the street, we ate dinner and then opened some presents! Our little clan spent the night at GDaddy and Janice's house, and then got to visit a little on Sunday.

Finally, about 1:30 pm we got back on the road to head towards Lubbock. We took our time and ventured by the old Stonewater Bend house. We counted all our blessings... stopped for lunch... and made our way back to the current abode.

We have had a wonderful 2008, and cannot wait for 2009! I pray the Lord blessed your holidays as much as our's were blessed! Thank you all for everything! We love you guys very, very much!!!

Turkey Day!!!

I have not posted in a while. Well, i don't think since i started my new job at Tech!

I have been a little busy, but never too busy for you guys! My avid followers! HA HA!

Anyways, so tomorrow is Turkey day, and here i sit in my new cubicle. I do enjoy my new job and all that will be coming with it. Including 2 paid days for the holiday, opposed to unpaid holiday days. However, i must say, regardless, i am ready to hit the paved way. I have lots to do tonight including ordering some Scentsy orders, picking a few orders up, cooking the dressing for tomorrow's big meal, and getting to bed at a decent time.

I am sorry we are not able to be with all of our family for this holiday! However, we do get to spend the day with most of Dub's fam and then my sis and brother-in-law will be out here this weekend. Hopefully, once i put some time in here at the BIG school in town, maybe i can take a little more time off to be with those of you not in Lubbock!

I love you all! I am blessed to know each of you, call you friend and family!

love,
Amy

google Scentsy Lubbock, TX

when i did, my blog came up!!! how funny is that!I am a new Independent Consultant for this awesome company called Scentsy. The infamous, wickless candle that warms by a 25 watt light bulb and never gets too hot for handling! I am in love with this thing. I have 3 burning in my little home at one time, one at my NEW office, and one now properly stationed at my favorite cowboy's railroad station (his office). So anyways, if any of ya are interested, have never heard of it, or need to order... just look me up!

www.scentsy.com/amychisum. And there i'll be. Waiting to hear from you guys!

Oh and if you want a party all your own... that will just be reason enough to get the favorite cowboy to gas up my little red sports car so that i can come for a visit! Just let me know!

My oldest Buckaroos furry little friend!!!

Last Sunday after church the boys really wanted to go outside. It had been raining all morning, and had subsided for just a little bit. So as i prepared our lunch the boys went out for adventures in the backyard.

My oldest Buckaroo came in to show me his new little friend. Mr. very hairy caterpillar. So, once i directed the child and his buddy back outside. We decided to take some pictures of this little creature. My boy was so proud!

TTU vs. Nebraska game

This past weekend Dub and I went to my first Tech football game since I left TTU in 2000. I do thoroughly enjoy Collegiate football games, especially here at Tech. I am not Tech alum as I transferred to NWOSU to be with Rdub, and finished my degree there. However, I will always love TTU, and as we now live here in Lubbock I do see us attending these home games regularly. It was too much fun! I cannot wait to get season tickets for the four of us next year, and start bringing the boys to these games. They will just love it! And, truly, I do not remember seeing so many little ones at the games when I was here, but Saturday it seemed like there were kiddos everywhere! Anyways, the game was good. We beat the Husker's in OT... which really was not necessary, but our defense and our offense just had a quite a day. Thank the Lord though, they got it all together at the very end and won it for us!

Go Red Raiders!!!

Green Chiles from New Mexico

a couple of weeks ago, Dub told me that one of his guys is bringing us some green chiles from New Mexico. i was not sure really what that all entailed but then he came in from work one night with a large styrofoam cooler full of roasted green chiles. it took us FOREVER to skin them, but they smelled oh so good...

so we peeled them, and then bagged them, and now they are happily freezing in our new deep freezer. and last weekend i sliced chicken breast in half, put some of the green chiles and some mozarella on the inside and "sandwiched" the chicken breast back together... i then seasoned the chicken breast... wrapped it in bacon with toothpicks... and baked it at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes... let me tell you, it was freakin' awesome! i highly suggest even without fresh roasted green chiles to try this recipe with some of the canned Hatch whole green chiles. you will not be disappointed! love you guys!

Garage Sale Goodies

So, a few weeks ago Dub and I got on a little garage sale binge... we made out like major bandits!

Our neighbor is a sales man at a local furniture store, and informed us of the store's "garage sale" for their scratch & dent items. He called Dub & suggested that we come down and check out the selections on the friday before the sale. The headboard and footboard below were on a wall that had a sign on it that said "all items on this wall $10!!!" I about fell out!

So we went back in the store, and ordered the rails that match the set! We got the entire deal for $79 and some change!!! Talk about super duper excited!!!

So, here is the Dubster putting together the awesome, super cool black sleigh bed frame! I cannot believe it!!!

Then... the next day, we hit a garage sale bright and early. I was not completely overwhelmed until the owner asked me what i was looking for and i mentioned a set of bunk beds for my boys. She said she knew they had 2 sets in storage, and that if i came back she would get them out for me!

So we left there after Dub purchased a few fishin' rods. We then stopped at another sell on our way home and found a practically new stand up deep freezer for $75! I have yet to snap a pic of that fine beauty so until i do, she will just sleep in her newly cleaned garage and freeze my roasted green chiles! (*that will be another post... hopefully sometime soon*)

Later that afternoon, the boys, Aunt Carolyn and I went back to see if they had dug out their bunk beds. I was very pleased to see the red metal bunk bed frame leaning against the fence. I agreed on $50 for the owner, and paid her $20 to hold it until we could come back the next morning to pick them up... as the Dubster had gone about his way that afternoon and would not be available.

As we were leaving, the ladies daughter perked up that her mom was also selling the wooden swingset in her backyard that the boys had played on each time we visited their garage sale that day. I said oh really!?! She said my boys were the only kiddos that had played on it in a long time, and that she had thought of me after we had left earlier that morning. So i asked the owner how much she would like to get for the set... she said $100!!! I thought are you kidding! Wooden sets are upwards of 350 or more with wood and all! I told her I would have to discuss it with the honey, but that I was greatly interested! We left quite excited!!!

So, the next morning, once dub and i agreed to add the swingset to the weekends purchases... we went back to their house so that he could look at the bunk beds. While there we negotiated a few more "small" items to add to our grand total! SO... I do not have pictures of the bunks in the boys room yet, because they are still leaning against the fence in OUR backyard. However, below are the pictures of our new, reasonably priced wooden swing set and one of the boys other favorite last minute adds from the weekends garage sale extravaganza!

This is what we like to call Fabulous Treasures!!!

Friday Night at the Chisum Home

So this evening i got out the new camera and got some funny ones of the ol' family! First, there is Dub trying to watch the Cowboy's game, and me wanting pictures so that was pretty funny...

... he was not so excited about me possibly posting his picture. But when you have a man, that you can call your own, and he is just so dang handsome... you got to show him off to people that might want to see just how handsome your husband really is! I have tried to explain this to him, but if any of you see him anytime soon.... could you just simply express to him how much you enjoy seeing his handsome face as well!?! I think he was expecting this camera to just be used on the boys, as was the case when they were newborns... but now it is back on him... So finally in trying to explain all of this... i got one of these...

... a good ol' Rdubya grin! i love him!

SO, THEN...

Came the Monster Jam Rally in the boys bathroom!

I had no idea that not only had the event been planned in our house, but even more so in the boys bathroom sink! It was quite an event and therefore I had no choice, but to snap fast pictures of the outstanding 2 year old and 4 year old commentators at the Monster Truck Rally! Who knew such an event could be going on in my very own home without my even having a clue!

Now you must notice the serious, intent looks on these boys faces. They had 'em lined up on either side of the sink, and all parked along side of each other. Waiting to take their turn in the sink at the Monster Truck rally!

So they each took a turn running their trucks into the sink, and seeing if they would crash!

Did you notice the Capri Sun refreshment in the lower corner? That's my boys' kind of Monster Truck Rally!

Then, they realized i was watching and taking pictures! So this one they are saying "CHEESE!"

It must have been intermission, because the truck grumbling had come to a halt!

however... the action quickly resumed once again!

These two little buckaroos were really into this imaginative play of Monster Truck racing!

i love these little guys! these guys are undoubtedly their daddy's boys! i love that about them, too!

And at the end of their bathroom sink racing debut...

...this is what we call sportsman like conduct in our house!

the new digital camera is on it's way...

so you all (as if i have a legion of readers here *smirk*) should be getting ready for all kinds of picture posts of the Chisum clan! i am just about to become a picture junky like you have never seen. you all thought Tucker-man's first year was highly documented... just wait the 2 and 4 year old have not seen what they are just about to be put through...
i am so excited to be back in full action with the camera-internet combo. just to post all kinds of embarassing, cute and sweet pictures of me and my cowboys!
love you all. no results yet on the exam. and i am putting off the other exams for now until some stress at the office chills out a little bit.
now i am off to get down and dirty with my buckaroos out in the BIG GARAGE CLEAN OUT (according to my sugar)!
"it is time to sell all of it" he said just a few minutes
so off to clean!

the need for a digital camera...

I think I am past the need for a digital camera. The buckaroos are growing up way too fast, and i think i am missing it. I know, i know. We just need to simply pick up another one...
We joined a local gym chain this week so that we could start working out again, and so that we could take the boys to their awesome pool. They are so excited. It really is the most cost effective way to be able to enjoy a pool in West Texas. Otherwise... the upkeep and dirt and wind, oh my!
So last thought for the morning...
fresh home grown zucchini... is what I am really thinking about this morning. I know... really random! But we have some from a family that are patients of Dr. B's, and they let us come out and pick all we want (and of all other fabulous vegetable garden treasures). So I am frying up some zucchini for dinner if anyone would like to stop by... ha ha yea right!

Tonight... one last message before to bed...

Thank you, Sister, for updating my blogspot! You are the best! I love it!

SO I have decided and registered to take the English 8-12 Content Mastery TExES Exam on Saturday, August 2nd. This means prayers may begin... I told my sister the other day that I do not think I studied like this in high school or in college. It is amazing the motivation that comes in two innocent and precious faces. I am just so greatful that there are programs like this out there... for those of us that have our heads up our butts during those years of what do I major in to achieve my purpose in this life. I mean really! Sometimes, since we are here in Lubbock, I have to admit that sometimes I have thought about going in and finding that advisor that suggested that I continue on in Sociology! WHAT!!! I distinctly remember it going something like this is a GREAT field, you are talented in these courses, and there are many options for someone with a Bachelor Degree in Sociology!!! It's a good thing that I do not distinctly remember that woman's name.It is also good that I realize she was very well simply fulfilling her position as one in an education profession and possibly even as a mom... I just only wish I would have put two and two together then. Now it all makes perfect sense. Of course she could say that... she was not out there trying to find a job, make a living, and spend limited time with babies with that Sociology degree. However, either way, I am just glad I get a chance to redeem that BA in Sociology for something that will allow me some time with my buckaroos.
We (me and the Dubster) are aware that tests are not my most favorite thing to do with my time, but I am commited. We (me, the Dubster, and my lucky rabbit's foot in my pocket) are also aware that there could be a chance that I just blow this one. The test will tell.
In the mean time, I am working my behind literally off at the office, chasing after all my Cowboys in the evenings, and pulling some late nights here on the web researching English literature, metacognition, classical allusions, and TExES free study guides.
I love the internet... I would be stuck in a Sociology rut without it... oh, and I love my Bro and Sister in law for informing of the site to apply for the alternative certification.
So enough of the talking to no one but the inner self that is telling myself I better get studying before I crash... this will be all for now!

All is really going well on the homefront out here in "Lou-bock!" We are online again which I am so much more excited for than I really thought I would be... hence, I am on her at 5:55 am so that I can get a few words in before the cowboys rise!
I am contemplating a few things this very morning, and am not sure which direction to go. I have been accepted to an alternative certification program to be able to become an educator. Now, anyone that knows me, knows that I have just done about everything in my power to avoid this obvious thing here that is about to happen. You see, I come from a family of educators by choice, and I thought that I would just never go down that path. Not that there is anything in the world wrong with teaching. It's just when you hear for your entire life all the negative about the field it makes you think that maybe you should not go there. However, I am now a mom, with a Sociology degree, and working as an Optician. Not that that any of that is bad either... I am just looking for my purpose here.
Did you know that teacher's have THE best schedule in consideration of the family. I did not realize this as much as a spoiled young lady with a mom that put herself on the back burner so that she would not be required to stray too far from her young. Now that I have young of my own, I feel guilty each morning as I have to go and drop them off to someone else at 7:50 am (the very last possible minute) so that I can go try to make all of an hourly rate with no benefits... not to mention they are there (these two precious souls, that I was allowed to create) until sometimes 6 and 6:30 pm.
SOOOO, with all that said, I have been accepted to the alternative certification program, and my stump... is that i cannot decide what content mastery area to take my cert exams in so that I can get this show on the road. And in this, i feel the usual procrastination that takes over my body when i feel as if i am coming to yet another crossroad in this thing called life.

All I can think now as I really need to get off of this soap box is that He never said it was going to be easy, He only said it would be worth it.

It has been ONE not so full year of blogging!

So we are back up on the internet! We just got our connection here at the Lubbock house! Now if i could only get my digital camera up and going we would be in business! I look forward hearing from all that are going to start commenting on my oh so many posts!

Back on the Blog-wagon!

HA, HA! Well, so back to blogging... no not clogging, but blogging! Man, I am full of them today! We are settled in at our house in Lubbock, and have come in this weekend to Mandy's to bring the boys to visit for their summer vacation! I hope to get some new pics on this weekend!