Wednesday, December 26, 2007

My sweet boy Chad



Well I survived the week from heck...I won't say I got through it with sanity in tact because I didn't. It's been a really rough week for me all together. My emotions are running extra high lately. I swiped these pictures off of Chad's myspace page. I miss him so much. It was so hard to not have him home for Christmas and I don't want to ever do that again. Him and a couple other soldiers exchanged presents and he got our gifts on Christmas eve. They all loved the treats we sent. We also got to talk to him on the phone on Christmas eve and day. That was really nice to hear his voice. Look at the guns on that boy. He's been working out A LOT! :o)
Here are a few snipits of random stuff
  • 2 days before Christmas all 3 boys were puking.
  • Christmas eve Mark felt icky
  • I wrapped all the presents by myself just under the wire
  • For the church party I made garlic mashed potatoes that consisted of 20 pounds of potatoes, 2 heads of garlic, 2 pounds of sour cream, 1 1/2 pounds of butter, salt, pepper and sugar...yum!!!!
  • I also helped Mark make 3 pies...yum again!
  • Really enjoyed all the talents shared at the ward party. Very entertaining.
  • for our family party we made 20 more pounds of garlic mashed potatoes, stuffed pork chops and sweet potatoes. My family brought the rest.
  • The wedding I catered was outside...just so you know, a chocolate fountain will freeze up in cold weather. It flowed for about a minute then it was more like magic shell.
  • I got up in the middle of the night to start making food for the wedding. I discovered the freezer was unplugged yet again. Some of the food for the wedding was in there. I broke down in tears because I was so tired and had no time to go to town to replace the items. My sisters came to my rescue and bought the stuff and came out to my house to help. I love those girls!
  • I still have a stack of Christmas cards that have yet to be mailed out. I ran out of time and $$ to get them off in time. I still plan to send them. Hopefully they will still be appreciated after Christmas.
  • Went to the dentist to have my new crown put on. It didnt fit right so without warning he used the thumper to break it out of my mouth after it was cemented in. Scared me to death. I nearly leaped out of the chair.
  • The family party was really fun and I'm happy with what we won in the white elephant game. Next year the men will not shop for that. We had an abundance of tools in it this year. It was pretty funny.
  • Christmas morning the boys woke us up early to open presents. As soon as they were done and happily playing I went back to bed and slept for a good 3 hours. My body just shut down for over exhaustion.
  • Went to a Christmas brunch in Casa Grande. It was really nice and we had a good visit with some of Mark's family.
  • Still haven't uploaded any pictures. I will soon.
  • I'm going to work on not spreading myself so thin. I'm also taking a little me time. :o)
  • I sure hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

22 comments:

Carol Dunton said...

Hi Jolene! I've been worried about you and figured you were in super over-drive! Wow! Chad looks fantastic! What a brave soldier and he looks great! I am sorry that the week was so hectic, but I am glad that you all had a nice Christmas. I have to crack up at your experience with the chocolate fountain...I didn't realize that you were catering a WEDDING on top of everything else! Good gravy, girl! Please take more time for you... you so need and deserve it! Happy restful week! xox

bethy said...

thanks for checking in with us.
glad you survived :) :) merry christmas!

Melissa said...

Gracious - you have been busy! I'm glad to hear you came out (relatively) unscathed!

And even though Chad is so far away, I'm sure you're in his thoughts at least as much as he's in yours.

Nicole *Ü* said...

Sounds like you had as busy a Christmas as I did!! I definitely need some me-time too!! I hope you enjoy yours and have a nice New Year's! I'm so sorry you're missing Chad. I can only imagine how hard that is.

Grandma September said...

Hey Sweetie, Been thinking about you and worrying. Glad you are okay. I have to say, I'm glad the boys were sick BEFORE Christmas and not ON Christmas, if that's any help at all? I still can't believe the quantities you cook in. LOL I'd be just standing there frozen and staring, eyes glazed over.

Merry Christmas a day late. Been stalking your blog so glad you checked in. Chad looks great...

Anonymous said...

I've been checking in and just new you were working hard, merry christmas and do get more "you" time in before the new year :)

Vida said...

Jolene, you're one sweet potato! :) Love all that you do and wish I was there with you to help out! I am not a cooker, but I sure do appreciate all the cookers out there. I need to find time to do that! :) I finally downloaded some photos that I've been taking and I do have a page or two to share :).

Merry Christmas to you and your family! I wish I could have sent you a card, but I didn't have your address! :( Please e-mail it to me when you get a chance!

Hugs,
Vida :)

Maren said...

Merry Christmas Jolene! I hope you have some down time in the near future.

Chad looks great. I hope you have a Happy New Year!

Maren
marensgarden.com

Anonymous said...

Okay, Jolene, I think you need a few days at a spa - you've got plenty there in the AZ area....enjoy!!! ~Cathy P.S. Chad is one "hunk" of a man!! :D

deedub said...

Like other things we seem to have in common, our Christmas state of being was again very familiar. I hope you give yourself the downtime you (and your exhausted body) need to mend itself. And I hope you have a very happy, happy New Year!
It is sooooo awesome that you got to talk to Chad! I can only imagine the anguish of having him so very far away.
GIANT Hugs,
-d.

Monogram Queen said...

Wow Chad looks good :) I know it was very very hard not having him with you and I hope you do never have to go through it again.
Yes you need "me" time and you seem to spread yourself too thin but for good causes. You are such a good kind generous person and i'm sure those lucky enough to get a card from you will appreciate it just as much ater Christmas as before.

Valerie said...

whew! i was afraid you over did it. it sounds like you've had a complete rollercoaster for the last few weeks; here's hoping it mellows out for you!

so glad you got to talk to Chad - great pics and amazing guns to boot!!

Valerie said...

whew! i was afraid you over did it. it sounds like you've had a complete rollercoaster for the last few weeks; here's hoping it mellows out for you!

so glad you got to talk to Chad - great pics and amazing guns to boot!!

Chickenbells said...

I'll say the boy has been working out! Sheesh...he looks huge in the muscle area...good for him! I'll bet he missed being home for the holidays as well...It sounds like an exhausting season for you...and darned that mysterious freezer unplugging...I am so glad the girls could run over and help out...it sounds like you could use a little break to sleep for a while...get some rest!!

Jacquie said...

Merry Christmas to you all. Chad looks to be quite fit LOL, he's going to have girls everywhere when he gets home ;-)

A winter wedding sound wonderful, you busy girl. They made a great choice having you do the food though!

Andi said...

My, my...but your Chad is one fine looking young man!!! And yes, the boy does have some serious "guns"!!!

You take good care of yourself Jolene and have a wonderful New Year!

Leah said...

Yea! on the "you" time. Sounds like you need it! Glad you made it through Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I just want to say thank you. Thank you to your son that is fighting for our freedom and thank you to you and your family for the sacrifice you have made in having him gone. It is not very often that I get to personally say thank you so please know of my love and gratitude. Please also know that as my little 4 year old prays to our Heavenly Father each night she asks him to not only bless the missionaries but also our brave soldiers. May the Lord keep him safe....

Jenn T

Anonymous said...

Oh yay! I'm so glad you got to talk to Chad. Glad you had a great Christmas.

Happy New Year!

Gypsy Purple said...

Hope you had a blessed Christmas. Wishing you and yours a prosperous 2008!!!

Susie Q said...

You take care of YOU dear Jolene.
I knew it would be tough missing Chad...but oh is he a seriously good lookin' guy!
Have fun the rest of the week and take time for YOU! Even if that means sleeping!! When you need it you need it!

You are a blessing...I hope you did get me card...probably late but the wishes were still warm!

Love to you all,
Sue

Anonymous said...

Ah, that sucks that you were all sick. Hope you're better now. Chad's arms are HUGE!!