The Story Of Our Xmas Lights

I still remember the first Christmas that Craig and I were married...... I had grown up in a family that didn't do much in the way of outdoor Christmas lights. If we had a few strings on a bush that was about the extent of it.

The day came when Craig announced we were going to put up Christmas lights outside. "Ok", I thought, "This could be fun"........Little did I know what was about to transcend. Craig got to work and work he did. More and more and more lights continued to go up. It got to the point where I was starting to get embarrassed. All I could think of was that comedy Christmas movie where the utterly ridiculous man over decorates his house to the point of being hideous.

I didn't voice my opinion and decided to let Craig have his fun. It didn't take long for those lights to grow on me and I will have to say it actually grew into one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Most years it was freezing cold when we would put the lights up. We would get all bundled up and Craig would put a speaker in the window so we could listen to Christmas music while we worked. We would put a few strings up then walk out to the road to admire our work and see where more needed to go.

On Spaulding Street we became famous for our Christmas lights. One year we won 3rd place in our town decorating contest. People would stop their cars in front of house to look and take pictures.

Sadly, we did not continue the tradition in our new home when we moved 4 years ago. We tried by putting up a few light here and there but we never reached the glory we did on Spaulding Street. Our excuse was that this house had 2 stories and it was too hard to get up on the roof or we just simply didn't make it a priority with our busy lives.

Every year since we have moved I have heard Craig say that he misses our Christmas lights. It looked like we were headed into another year of excuses but then today Craig announced that he was going to put up Christmas lights. I had other plans so begrudgingly I said I would help. It didn't take long and we were both getting into it again.

My favorite houses are the one's that are so elegantly decorated with all white icicles. I left Craig on the roof and quick ran to Family Dollar and picked up 4 string of the icicles. They looked beautiful on our two story house. We found ourselves talking about what could come to be if we added more next year......... It was a beginning today but I bet next year our lights will be bigger and better than this year and so on........

Thank You Craig for giving us the tradition of our Christmas lights and for teaching me to love it!!!

Thanksgiving at Mom & Dad's

Happy Thanksgiving from the Mullauer's.........

We are family.....

Craig & Caleb

Grandma & Bell

Caleb & Jordan Thanksgiving Dinner

Dad carving the turkey

Morning Glory Photo

I don't know how well the detail of this photo will show up on my blog. I was looking at some pictures that I had taken this summer and I came across this photo of one of my morning glories. I love this picture. It looks like rays of sun are coming out of the center of the flower. You can even see the drops of dew on the leaves. I love the rich color of of the flower too. You know, photography is one of my hobbies. I wish I had a better camera and a better knowledge of photography. Maybe someday...........when I have more time to devote to it.

"God's Beauty"

"Nature is the art of God" .....dante

As I was driving home from work yesterday I found myself feeling envious of all the hunters that were out in the woods. Everywhere I looked I saw pick-up trucks parked beside the woods. I was not wishing that I had a gun in my hands waiting for that majestic buck to appear but wishing that I was out there witnessing all of "God's Beauty" to be seen in those woods. Something was calling me but at the same time I was glad to be going home into the safety of my home away from the flying bullets. My prayer yesterday was for the safety of all those men out there in the woods and that they may truly appreciate "God's Beauty" while they are there.

"Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array"

Genesis 2:1

Jordan's New Smile

Before......

After......

Jordan got her braces off today. I cannot believe what a difference it makes in her looks. She looks like she's 17 now!!! Not to mention how beautiful she looks. Even Caleb has complimented his sister on how "pretty" she is.

Orchid Show

This was my favorite flower at the Orchid Show that Jordan and I went to today. You may think it's boring compared to the rest of the photos but you have to appreciate the uniqueness of it. I've never seen a flower like this before.









These flowers were gorgeous. I loved the rich color of this one.
It's amazing that all these flowers are orchids and all look so different.

This reminds me of the lady slippers that you find among the wildflowers in the woods.





Mom & Jordan by Mom's Orchid Society display.

Christmas before Thanksgiving

Craig and Caleb were complaining today because one of our local radio stations had already switched to all Christmas music. I'm the opposite........I love it. I hung up two signs by the back door, "Winter Welcome" & "Let It Snow". That's as close to Christmas as I am allowed to get before Thanksgiving. I did try to take some Christmas pictures of Seadra & Zoe today but Seadra hates the antlers and won't be still long enough to snap the picture. I did get this adorable one of Zoe..........

iPod Geek

Well, I finally did it. I joined the generation of "iPod Geeks". I've been spending some time lately messing around with Jordan's iPod that she got for her birthday and I got myself hooked. I planned to buy one for myself around Xmas but Meijer's had their 30GB iPods on sale this week for $175.....a great deal if you know anything about iPods. I actually took the ad to Best Buy and asked them if they would honor the Meijer sale price which they did no problem. I am now the proud owner of a 30GB iPod. Now I just have to learn how to use it. I know how to play music but downloading stuff on it is another story. The kids are pros so I will learn from them. Time for my lesson.........

My Zo-Zo & My Boo-Boo

Seems like I always have a favorite picture from time to time. I have a new favorite picture of Seadra and Zoe (aka: My Zo-Zo & My Boo-Boo). I just had to post it. Are they not the most adorable dogs you have ever seen?

More Blessings

Jordan and the "Gang"

Dad & Jordan at State Marching Band Competition

Mom and Jordan in Detroit at Marching State Competition

Marching season ended last week on a wonderful note.....no pun intended :-) Hartford went into the state competition in 9th place and ended up taking 9th place. We were pleased that we didn't fall back to 10th but above all it was a great end to a wonderfully fun season. I didn't realize how much I was going to get into this band stuff. I couldn't watch their routine without getting emotional all season. I'm such a sap when it comes to my kids.

National Honor Society 2006 New Members

Caleb & Jordan (Proud Sister)

Caleb & Josh National Honor Society

Caleb was inducted into the National Honor Society this week. Another proud moment!!!

Lindsey, Aly & Jordan Halloween

Yes....Jordan is 15 and still gets together with her friends to go trick-or-treating. I guess there are much worse things she could be doing and as long as she wants to still be a kid then that is fine with me.

Above all else this week I was most thankful for two of the most wonderful teenagers in the world. I love you Caleb & Jordan more than you will ever know.......... You bring more joy to your Dad and I than we ever could have imagined!!!