Christmas Trees............

Tonight I am decorating the Christmas Tree and I was struck with memories of Christmas Tree's past- and sometimes I just need to tell someone. Looks like your the someone that I get to tell- don't you feel special?
Several years ago a friend came to the door. It was Christmas time. We chatted on the porch, and she turned to leave, stopped suddenly, and said "Wait! I cant leave here without seeing your tree. I have been telling my kids that I need to see Shelli's tree for weeks now." I thought- "Really, why? There's nothing great about my tree" But I showed her and she left disappointed and unimpressed.
Who am I kidding- I was disappointed and unimpressed myself! Ever since Ross and I have been married we have made our ornaments. The years when we were dirt poor (which has been most of the years) the kids and I have been creative and made dough ornaments. We framed pictures of the kids with Santa and hung them on the tree. We stuck hooks in Christmas cards and hung them on the tree. I was a little embarrassed about the tree- So I made up my mind that very year that I was going to hit the after Christmas Sales and the following year I would have a tree that was fantastic! It would be all snowmen- white, light blues, silvers- just gorgeous!
The following Christmas I had two trees- MY TREE in the front room- to impress anyone who visited- and then the family tree in the family room with all the homemade ornaments. Was anyone impressed???
This year, we've decided to let Kelcey and Ben take the small tree- MY TREE- and we'll just put out the family tree.
Every ornament I hang that was made by one of my sweet kids is just a beautiful treasure-
WHY did I think I needed a beautiful "Snowman" themed tree when I had this amazing tree full of memories?
I love my family tree! Its OUR TREE! and it is beautiful!
Next time someone wants to see my tree I will proudly show them OUR TREE! But be prepared to spend hours hearing about each special ornament!
I'll be honest with you- I may feel a little envious of those perfectly decorated, color coordinated trees in other peoples homes- but nothing compares to the love and memories that are hanging on OUR TREE!

A few things....

That I want to remember from the month of November.

First up- Baylie. I did not get into any trouble last time I blogged about her- so "pats on the back" to all of you for keeping it under your hats!
She recently went to dance #2 at MHS. The strange thing is that I have had 2 high schoolers before her and experienced 0(ZERO) dances. Shes been and Murray High for a whole 3 months and we now have 2 dances under our belts. This last one got me a little worried- she was really liking on this young man and I personally am not ready for boyfriends- but luckily she is totally her mothers daughter and by the end of the dance day (with activities ALL day) she was sick of him and needed a break! My advise to her is to wait to date until shes about to graduate from high school- meet someone, send him on a mission (giving you a few years to be a loner) and then settle down! It worked for me!

Next- Jayce. We will soon be celebrating his 6th birthday- its Thanksgiving day- but I just need to write down a few funny things that he has recently said.
1) We attended our nephews wedding and reception in St George this month and while pulling up to the church house for the reception he said "GEEZ, Do we always have to clean the church buildings?" Guess we have done that a few too many times!

2)"Mom, Will I ever be as old as Jordan?- He's like 50 right?" No Jayce hes only 22.
"Well, he is bigger than dad so I thought he was really old."

3) "Get this NAIL-HEAD off of me!" I am stupid, because I thought a nail head was the head of a nail- but NO- its the part of your finger nail that you would clip off- good to know!

4)"I am so glad that its winter cuz I am sick of wearing short sleeves on my legs!"

5) "When are you and dad going to sell our boring house?" This was after spending the night at Kelcey and Ben's. I had no idea that he would enjoy it so much. Now he wants to move in with them because they have more WII games than we have!

Lets say its because I'm BUSY!

My kids think I have A.D.D- and on occasion I actually give them reason to believe this. On Wednesday we were "puppy sitting" for Kelcey. I walked into the kitchen and started the dish water- then wondered where the puppy was- found her out front with Ross- chatted with him and then spotted Lori and chatted with her for awhile- by the time I made it back to the dish water, it was all over the kitchen! Nice! Sad thing is Ross walked through the kitchen several times but he cant hear worth beans so he didn't notice the water was running. We make quite a pair.

My first ROCKSTAR video

I couldn't resist posting this- Jayce's first Rock star video. I don't know the song- he claims to have made it up himself- who knows! But its funny!

Princess Paisley, Cheif Fowlks and the undershorts man!

Another big week for the Fowlks Family!
Halloween was great fun with the Olson gang. Thanks for having us!
Paisley Belle was blessed on Sunday morning. Check out her beautiful dress on the J & W Fowlks Blog (I failed to get pic's) I donated my wedding dress to them to make a blessing gown out of. It is a beautiful dress and I am so grateful to have a very talented Daughter-in-law. What a great way to pass the dress along! (Thanks for the idea Becky)
Then Ross was promoted to Battalion Chief- big day- long process- and so glad it finally happened! Congrats Chief Fowlks!
And then, theres the under shorts mask- creative kid! Hes a little strange- but creative.