THIS TIME...IT STUCK!

Well, after more "snow" talk than I can remember, it finally snuck up and surprised us. We've had several dustings this winter but this one beat them all. No one was even talking about running out to get milk and bread. I've never understood that one. I told Brett this afternoon, sooner or later, it's gonna happen. Maggie was beside herself when the yard began to turn white. She stood in the doorway just holding her little cheeks. "I can't believe it. I just can't believe it." Later, she told me, "When you get excited, you grab hands and jump around in a circle! Come on!" Since it didn't get going good until past bedtime, Brett went out to build her a snowman so she can be surprised in the morning. Such a good daddy. I got a big giggle when he ran in the house to get a carrot. I particularly like the Titleist hat but those pvc glue caps make freaky looking eyes. Downside though, school will be canceled tomorrow. Maggie is going to spit fire when she realizes that means no Valentine's day party. Don't fret, they have another one Friday but that won't console her much in the morning.

WHAT I WORE WEDNESDAY

Well, I've never done a "What I Wore Wednesday" and probably won't do one again. For one, I just normally don't dress that cute. I mean, it's usually just me and one other person here in the office. I wouldn't mind doing a "What I Wore On A Saturday Night Out With Friends" or "What I Wore When Out With My Hubby When We Have A Sitter." That would be fun. And the second reason is our mornings are just mad at our house. This picture was actually taken while all three kids were already loaded in the car. If you want to see regular WIWW, go to MK's blog or Lindsey. But, my reason for this WIWW...drum roll please...I'M DOWN A SIZE! Hip Hip Hooray, the Super-Readers save the day! Whoops. Got sidetracked and I have SuperWhy on the brain. 10-15 pounds down, I fluctuate, and am back down to a size 6. I have a long way to go but I'm just glad I'm going!

Shirt-New York & Co.

Jeans-New York and Co. (SIZE 6!)

(NY&Co. has THE best rewards program)

Shoes-Yellow Box that my 13 yr old niece outgrew

earrings-Premiere

My photographer told me to put my arm up so my shirt wouldn't look bunched up. I've realized through the years, and at age 30 I'm excepting, that no matter what size I get down to, I'll always be a squatty body. Those jeans are petites and still need rolling up when I'm wearing flats. That's okay though. Like my mother always said, "Dynamite is small but it's powerful." That expression didn't help me all that much in elementary school but boy, did she say it anyway!

"THE PRAYER OF JABEZ for Little Ones."

I've had several nights in the past few months when I went out with my friends. Brett is always so gracious and never complains about staying home with the kiddos. He knows I need my girl time. So, I arranged for him to go to dinner with his brother and best friend tonight. The kids and I hung out and played. Around bedtime, Mag brought me a load of books and we piled on the couch to read. One of the books, "The Prayer of Jabez for Little Ones" was given to her for Christmas. Thanks, Crystal. It had been floating between her and Mac's bookshelf for about three weeks but we had not read it yet. So, I read the book to her, noticed there were some questions in the back but quickly shut it. It was past nine o'clock and all three needed to get in the bed. Well, Maggie noticed and called me out on it. I'm ashamed to admit it but I said, "It's just questions and you probably won't know the answers." For those that know my Maggie, that didn't fly. Here is what followed. And yes, she answered each question in pageant form.

Question #1 What is the biggest blessing God has given you?
Answer: The biggest blessing God has given me is His love. He loves me and gave us Jesus. And sharing. It makes God happy when we share with others.

Question #2 How can you help someone and make God smile?
Answer: You can help someone by helping them if they are sick. If they fall, you can help them up or give them a band aid or something.

Question #3 How does God help you not to be afraid?
Answer: God helps you not to be afraid like if you are in a dark cave or something, He will give you light to see. He is always there. Jesus is always there to light the dark places. We have Jesus in our hearts so we can show light to the whole world.

Question #4 What could you do today to obey God?
Answer: I could obey God today by obeying my parents (small smirk), my teachers, my grandmother, everyone. It makes Him happy when I do the right things.

I'm amazed at the simplicity yet vastness that can come out of a child's mouth. And next time, I'll read the entire book and expect no less from her or from God.

A SLIGHT POTTY PROBLEM

Okay, first off, let me remind you that our children are all very young. Maggie-4, Mac-2, and Mary Brooke-1. Brett and I have basically done what needed to be done to survive this past year. And we did, indeed, survive. Hooray! So, we have had our house completely child-proofed since Maggie came along. Brett and I realized that in doing so, Maggie has been held back. She's an extremely bright girl so I don't mean in that aspect but in the fact that she is not able to open doors, cabinets, etc because of the said child-proofing. So, Brett removed several door knob covers. Mac has never tried to open them & Mary is too short. Brett and I went over some bathroom information with her. Yes, we were still wiping her because each time we go into a bathroom, it's like a magnet for the two little ones. We try to get in and out as quickly as possible. Of course, Mag had it down pat from the get go. Well, we forgot one little rule...close the door, close it quickly, and watch little fingers. After dinner the other night, Mag took off for the bathroom. I passed by and Mac was seated on Mag's Tinkerbell stool (so she can reach the sink) and Mag was on the toilet. They were having a little chat. No biggie. I went back in the kitchen, got Mary out of her highchair & sat her down. Not two seconds later, I remembered...the bathroom door is open! I take off running down the hall to find Maggie on her stool, washing her hands, Mac was splashing the water in the toilet, not flushed yet mind you, and Mary slinging the wet toilet paper all around the bathroom. I immediately shouted, "Guys! What the heck is going on?!" or something of that nature. Poor Maggie was trying to finish washing her hands and shouting the entire time, "Mom! I've got! I've got the babies under control!," as she tries to kick them away from the toilet with her foot. Needless to say, in the tub they all went. Now, Mag has the hang of it. Bless her little heart. Since they are usually on her heels, she now makes a mad dash for the bathroom, slams the door, & just like her momma and daddy, has no peace to do her business because her shadows are standing right outside banging and yelling for her. Such the responsibilities of the oldest child.

A NEW NAME

I finally changed the title of the ole blog. Maggie, Mac, and Mary's Blog was quite a mouthful. It started out in 2007 as Maggie's Blog. Then, in '08, Maggie and Mac's Blog, then of course, Mary was added to the title in '10. So now, Shewmake Shenanigans it is! That's what our lives are anyway, a whole heap of shenanigans. Seriously, you should be a fly on the wall in this house. Oh, the things you would witness. Your eyes would burn and face would blush. But, you know what? I think it's awesome and love it that way. Really, Brett Paul is THE funniest person I know and has the amazing ability to ease any situation. I think it's so important for your kids to grow up in a loving, Christ-centered home but that does not require humor and silliness to go out the window. Kids need that. We need that. Now, it's not always a barrel of laughs when kids are sick, screaming, etc. but in the midst of all that, we still manage to catch each others eye and make some sort of joke. For Brett, that may mean just whipping a body part out. Or two...or three. Absolutely no modesty around here. Some may think we're inappropriate but you know what...we have a very happy home, a comfortable home and have a blast with and really love each other and each other's company. That reminds me. Last night, I was joking with Mag and asked her to change Mac's diaper for me. (nope not potty training yet. he freaks out if you put him on the toilet and I hate those little potty seats, think they're gross & our bathrooms are too tiny anyway) She jumped up and said, "yes!" So, she grabs a diaper, takes off Mac's pants and diaper and that's when Mac takes off. You may be waiting for a "pee on the carpet" moment but there wasn't one. Mac is running/giggling all through the house. Mary is trying her best to catch up with them, and Mag is trying her best to put a diaper on a moving target. BTW, Mac absolutely looks like a malnourished spider monkey when naked.

CHRISTMAS EVE & MORNING 2010

Tracking Santa one last time on the radar before bed.

Milk and cookies - check.

Telling Hermie bye. Even though she totally wasn't really into the whole elf thing.

Santa came!

Some reindeer were clumsy & dropped some chewed on carrots down the chimney.

Hermie left a note.

As always, Santa was hungry but he couldn't get too full. And he knew I'd be unhappy if any milk was left to spill.

Sweet squishy cheeked baby's first Christmas!

You can't have too many flavored chapsticks.

Her new little "Fancy Nancy" books.

Mary showing Mac a few things on his wheels.

My Maggie looks so grown on her new bike!"

"Hold on and let me check that there tire pressure for ya."

"I think you're good to go, ma'am."

"Well, where the heck is my bike?"

Mag's new mic.

MB's favorites things were the Reese's cups that were in Mac & Maggie's stockings. She carried them around for a while.

"Hooray!"

Reese's cups.

Mac is belting one.

"Let me lower that for ya, son."

Or better yet.

He's such the crooner.

"Let's get ready to rumble.....!"

Reese cups.

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST AT MY PARENTS

They got to open a few presents too. Here's their new shopping cart with groceries.

Doing a little reading. Really, that "Fancy Nancy" book is tiny!

My parents got Mac a racetrack and were SO unhappy of the quality these days. "It's sure not like when the boys were little. We had those things running all over the house! They just don't make things the way they used to."

"This stuff is just junk!"

A "circle."

A "V."

A "circle" in a "V". Still don't think that's quite right.

Poor Mac. This is the best it got.

Mary is enjoying her first Christmas.

Mac likes boxes. Mac likes trucks. So, it's only natural for him to sit in a box and play with trucks.

Mag's new gas station princess cup Brett bought that morning while making his caffiene run.

"Where's Brett? I can't find you..."

Well, now I really can't find him.

Mac was so excited to find this "W." Can you see it?

Our Christmas snow. Man, it was really coming down! ;)

CHRISTMAS NIGHT

Love my silly man.

"Got ya boob."

Obviously, it was a requirement for every person in this picture to hold another person.

Love this pic of these two.

He's such an awesome uncle if I do say so myself.

Me and my boy. Poor Harry Bear. He felt like crap and rightly so. He was in the ER right after leaving that night and had an absessed something.

Me and my girl.

We cracked up at her face.

Hayden looking fab while doing some dishes.

Robby and Veronica playing on the computer.

Sweet Hayden and sweet Mary Brooke.

Harrison's newest weapon from Grandpaw.

This may not look strange to you but if you've never been in my parents' house, this is why is does...

Aunt Terrie reading to the little ones.

Danny didn't want to wrap the entire grill so he just covered up the important parts.

Chocolate break.

Sweet Mac retreated from the madness for a bit to watch the singing Santa and reindeer on the computer...again.

Mag and Shelby Lynn. With these two bossy, I mean dominate, personalities, I'm still amazed at how well they play together.

David playing with...

and harassing the girls.

Grandpaws new toboggin.

Okay. Mom is THE pickiest person when it comes to what fabrics she can wear. Crazy picky. DeJ decided to make her a burlap scarf & let her open it before opening her real one. Mom's fake "thank you" face was priceless.

DeJ finally let her off the hook and explained it was a joke.

Mac was having a ball playing with his new "Thomas" set with Uncle Danny and Aunt Terrie.

Kong had other plans for that train track.

Mag had to put on her Repunzel dress immediately.

Sure glad my shirt was long enough to cover my butt crack.

Chaos. Utter Chaos.