Happy New Year...Kayci is home!!

Thanks to all of you for your calls, emails and prayers!! Kayci was discharged today from the hospital. It will be about five days till she is not contagious but she was so happy to be home!! We were thrilled also!!


We have our New Year's Joy!! Happy New Year to Everyone!!!

Update on 'Jonah Days' post

Well I am headed off to the hospital in a few minutes because they decided to keep Kayci overnight due to her fever and testing positive for RSV. Still, it is a curable illness so life is good! Will update as soon as I am home with her...hopefully tomorrow!

Jonah Days

We all have them...those days you'd rather forget! Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for the life that I have and my family!! Things just seem to get better and better as time passes and I am so thankful for that!!

So why the title? Well as I posted earlier, my girls have been sick through the holiday and today my youngest took a trip to the emergency room. She was running a high fever and having trouble breathing...I am assuming that she has RSV. Both my husband and I are pretty familiar with that because our first daughter, Zoe, caught that when she was 3 months old and we spend new year's in the hospital. I guess I am just having flashbacks. She has not been admitted as of yet so I am hopeful that a new round of antibiotics and steroids will do the trick. I just wanted to vent a little over my poor little ones...especially Kayci. The one thing that I appreciate about Jonah Days is how they remind you of what really matters and why I am so thankful for my life and the loves that are in it!

(Disclaimer: Grandparents who read this post....there was no need at this point to alert you. It is not a life threatening illness and there was no need to disturb your holiday as of yet!)

The O'Neil Family 2007 Year in Review

A Christmas Story??!!

By now I am sure that most of you have heard of, if not watched...several times, the movie, A Christmas Story. Well, for those of you who have not been blessed by this Christmas wonder, let me enlighten you. It is hilarious movie about the goings on of a family in the 1940s. Now my siblings and I have remarked on many occasions how similar the dad and mom are to our own, IN SOME WAYS...must be clarified to avoid any unfortunate happenings as Paige is the only one at present able to escape their wrath!
Anywho...as I was saying, some of the things in the movie have actually happened at the Bennett household from time to time. SO...I got this wonderful idea to actually 'play out' a movie event. In the movie, the dad receives a "Major Award" for something he had applied for and when it arrived, caused quite uproar to say the least!! It was a full plastic leg lamp which lit up very brightly and was placed, by the dad, in the picture window in front of the house! The mother was not amused...as can be imagined and the lamp met a tragic end soon after...totally by accident!!??(or did it)

Well I happened to find that same lamp...online of course... and purchased it for dad for Christmas. Oh she is a beauty with her hardcore fishnet stocking and black three inch pump. The reaction from both parents was exactly what I expected...for reference see movie or Christmas 2007 montage below! Though she has not ended up in the picture window yet, she is perched on the den TV at present! Will I hear the sound of taps being played...one will have to wait and see!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

May you and yours have a blessed day!!
Love the O'Neil's

Merry Christmas Eve

What an original title....right? Well I mean it!! Merry Christmas Eve everyone. As you get ready to eat, drink, and be merry... if not already, let me remind you of the reason we celebrate this special occasion. It's a birthday really...although perhaps not in this actual month.

...and there were in the same country shepherds keeping watch over their fields by night. And lo an angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were afraid. The angel said to fear not for he brought good tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a saviour who is Christ the Lord. This star shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and laying in a manger.

That baby was Jesus...that was the first Christmas and the first gift that was given. His later gift was to be his life for our sin so that we could be with him one day! What a holiday to celebrate!

Merry Christmas to you and to you all the love He has to give!

I want my chocolate peppermint stick!!!!

Well I guess that I can't expect things to run smoothly all of the time when I have children right?! Ugh....my littlest one has a version of pink eye and ear infections that we are keeping a close eye on. My middle one is coughing and taking breathing treatments. My oldest...well she does not seem to be getting along with anyone in the family at present...woe is me... seems to be her staple right now (she is 5 so what can I expect at 13).

Well I got to thinking...as I sometimes do... It occurred to me that at any other time of the year I'd probably not bat a eye, so to speak, and just chalk it up to having children and what comes along with it. During the holidays, however, I seem to take an approach that all should be rosy and bright, candles flickering, Christmas music playing, fire roaring, and snowflakes gently falling outside our picture window. When someone throws a rock, braking the window, I get a little discombobulated! I want to join in the chaos and throw myself down on the floor screaming, "I want my chocolate peppermint stick"(see last post). But, if life gave us those all the time we'd probably lose the ability to savor the sweetness they give!

Alas, tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la I love my girls EVEN when my life's not quite perfect. Merry Christmas to all and to all a chocolate peppermint stick!!

Oh that life were a chocolate peppermint stick

Around the holidays...and other times of the year possibly...they make these chocolate peppermint sticks. They are tiny, dipped in chocolate and quite wonderful to eat. This afternoon I gave my girls each a stick and watched them eat it. Of course they got the chocolate all over them and made yum noises as they ate. Zoe and Hannah bit right through and chomped it down but Kayci had to take a different approach because she only has her... 'rat teeth' as we call them... in. She sucked and sucked and smacked and drooled till she had dissolved it and it is all over her face. I got to thinking as I watched the different approaches and realized that it's a lot like how we approach life sometimes. There are those of us that just 'chomp' it right down and then others that saver each moment life has to offer...with almost childlike pleasure. It was in that moment that I decided to take some moments from time to time and experience the pleasure that life is and can be. It is my hope that you will do the same from time to time...make life your 'chocolate peppermint stick' and enjoy!

I send Holiday Greetings!

To All My Democratic Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply th at America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Republican Friends:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Well I guess we all know which way I lean now don't we. LOL!! All political jokes aside....have a great Christmas everyone!!

Party Time!

Since the Christmas Parade, the girls have hardly been able to wait until the school Christmas party. Zoe, particularly, had been counting the days till the party. She had already picked out the outfit she wanted to wear and wrapped the gifts she had to give.

Today arrived and they were both up and around....which usually does not happen but we had reminded them last night about today's party. We snapped some pictures at the house then Mark took them to school and snapped the rest between presents and snacking. Days like today are one in a million and make for sweet memories!

Ice Cream in December

This weekend Pat (or papa hat) came to visit with us and we had a wonderful time! It was even so hot that we made ice cream, coke float flavor...Mark's newest creation, on Saturday night after we went to look at the Christmas light display at North Hill. What a fun time we had with that one. It was just a wonderfully spontaneous weekend....kind of like ice cream in December.

Home for the Holidays

As I have said in an earlier post, my sister usually decorates my parents house for Christmas. Because she is overseas, my mom decorated from pictures she took last year. She did a bang up job and I promised to send Paige pictures. Paige, this post is for you! I love you and miss you very much!

Nan and Pop Claus

Our town has a Christmas Parade the first Monday in December. This year, my parents were selected as the Santa and Ms. of Christmas. It was very exiting for Zoe...who now feels a special connection to the 'big guy' and sure then to get exactly what she has asked for. She even got to ride on the float with them as Rudolph! I think she'll be in the clouds for days!! Hannah and Kayci enjoyed watching the parade from Dad's truck bed. Hannah especially enjoyed catching candy and eating it as the parade went by! It was truly a night to remember!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

LSU...no more needs to be said...well perhaps a little:)

Well I just had to post about my favorite college team! I don't care what anyone says, they have earned this game against Ohio all the way. Les Miles is a wonderful coach and person as far as I am concerned!

The Tigers (11-2), who dropped six spots to seventh after falling to Arkansas in their regular-season finale, bypassed three teams that either won (Virginia Tech) or were idle (Georgia and Kansas) by defeating Tennessee in the SEC title game.

"I'd like to thank the voters, those people that are responsible," LSU coach Les Miles said. "We're humbled by this selection. We'll honor that game with our finest effort."

That game will kick off at the Superdome in New Orleans on Jan. 7th.

Geaux Tigers!!

Friends of the Midnight Hour

Remember how, when you were young, you would stay up late then rise early in the morning for cartoons or whatever reason. The energy springing from a child...of which you were... was almost endless.
Well, it's very nice to know that I can still do it...even though 35 is not old...Well not anymore!
We had some wonderful friends come over last night for dinner. We sat to eat and just began talking about different topics. Before we realized, it was 2:00 am. Wow! Lately I have only been up at that hour to feed Kayci. It was really nice to have adult conversation that lasted till the midnight hour and later! Mark and I (also our girls) really enjoyed the visit and must do it again very soon! Samantha and Lucas are great people and friends of the kind you don't see often! We're lucky that they don't mind hanging around with 'old people':)

Friends of the midnight hour...ride on!

Mr. Scrooge and Santa's helpers

I know it will appear that I am a person with too much time on her hands BUT that is not so!! This was just TOO funny to pass up doing!!

Hope you enjoy my morphisms!!

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Aubrey Samantha Hancock

I babysit a precious little baby and have had the most fun taking video and pictures of her growth for her first time parents. As always, when I have pictures or video I am going to make a montage because it is just more fun to watch. Of course, I am putting it on my blog for you to view....you know you love them!
Enjoy:)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My best friend's little girl

My best friend Lori sent me some pictures of her little girl, Ellie, at the park. She is 20 months old now and just a doll! Lori and I have been friends, through good times and bad, for some nine years now and she is the most wonderful person I have ever met! She has been my salvation more times than I can count. I love ya Lori!!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kiley O'Neil

Kiley is my niece, Caitlin's daughter. Kiley and my Kayci are the same age. She is beautiful!! Enjoy!

Pecan Pies and Bedtime Stories

Sunday Church

We finally get to go to church as a family today! It has seemed that for the longest time....months...we have not been able to attend together for one reason or another. I am very thankful today to be able to attend church as a family...meaning everyone is well...what a way to end a fabulous Thanksgiving week!

Friends, odds and ends

Today we had some dear friends of ours stop by for a visit. The have moved to Georgia this past year so we have not seen them in many months. It is so good when friends stop by and you can catch up! We miss them lots because our girls are close to the same age and are good friends. It just warms and breaks my heart when they have to say their goodbye's with tears, kisses and I love yous! All in all it's good that they understand that 'far away' friends (as Zoe calls it) can be good friends too!! We had a good visit...just not long enough! Of course, we took pictures and thank you for wondering:)

Oh yes, the odds and ends...well while we were waiting for our friends we put up the Christmas lights and those pictures are included too!!

Enjoy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Playtime

Mark has been off this week and we decided to take a play day today and go to the park! It was very cold and windy but the girls just enjoyed it so much! Of course we brought our 'third eye' to capture the moments so we could enjoy them over and over again!

Mark and I realize what it means to be truly thankful in the little things like just watching your children at play and the enjoyment they get out of it. I am so thankful to have a family to be able to live, laugh and love with!

We hope you enjoy 'playing' with us!

Happy Thanksgiving

I know that this technique is widely used and not very original; but, it is a good way to express oneself so I am using it today! What does celebrating Thanksgiving mean to me?

T---thankful for all of the wonderful people in my life whom I love very much!
H---happy to be able to celebrate in the way I choose in a country that still affords us that freedom.
A---ability to care for the ones we love!
N---Nan (aka my mom) she is the most special gift from God to me and it is her love and guidance that has shaped who I am and want to be.
K---kisses--life is so much sweeter because of them.
S---songs. I love to sing and I love singing with my family. We sing a lot!!
G---God's love and his greatest gift, Jesus!
I---intimate moments
V---visits from family and friends
I---invitations of the heart. They are the best kind!
N---nice warm fires!
G---girls---specifically my three girls: Zoe, Hannah & Kayci I love you charmed ones!!

May you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Cooking with Mark

Mark has taken this week off for Thanksgiving Vacation and is thoroughly enjoying himself. He has even taken up baking. He is teaching a class on cookie making for 2-5 year olds. Below is some of his finest work!

How to get children ready for bed:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Zoe and God

Every night Zoe prays before going to sleep. I think that prayers of little kids are just precious anyway; but, I just had to jot this one down!!

"Dear God,
Please help Paige and all my family and God and Jesus. Acause sometimes you just has to give us grace. Oh thank you God. Amen."

...well I thought that summed things up pretty well...

Christian.....sealed and settled

In my profile it says 'christian' among other things and I finally grasped the gravity of what that word really means to me. I have been a church- goer most of my life and was raised in a christian family by two christian, loving parents. I made a profession of faith at around 13 years old. Well it was 1984, and the world's fair was in New Orleans. It was also Revival week and one of those 'hell and fire' sermons. I couldn't get down the isle fast enough. I was scared to death!! It was around the age of 19 that I realized that perhaps it was my fear talking that day and I had not really considered what I was doing. With a contrite heart I made a rededication at that time. All in all, I have always gone through my life worried if I had really gotten saved or if I was just fooled. At times in my life it looked as if I was producing fruit and then I would do, say or think things that just didn't gel at all with what a christian life should be.

All in all, I felt something was still lacking. Yesterday, I feel that my questions were answered and I needed to settle this issue once and for all. I prayed as the pastor was preaching....Lord is this me....and felt that yes, I needed to make a decision. Although I did not move yesterday in the service, I spoke with Mark and with my mom and got the conformation that I needed....I literally went into my closet and settled my heart condition one and for all today!!

I feel lifted.....I want to continue to grow and be the type of person God wants me to be so I can be what I need to be for my family.

I wanted all to know because when you make a decision of this magnitude it is good to tell of it!!

Blessings!!

Lynn

Christmas with a capitol 'C'

Goin Fishin

Zoe, my oldest, is a avid animal lover and she does not discriminate. She loves kitty cats and lizards the same. Her most recent request came after the school field trip to the petting zoo. "Mama and daddy, I want a chicken!" I quickly answered that we could not keep a chicken inside the city limits but that Pop could keep one at his house....my mother was thrilled....and no, we are not keeping a chicken there either....mom still pulls weight with Pop!

Anyway, she and daddy go 'fishing' at grandma Dee's house for minnows quite frequently...as minnows don't live very long.....once they get home:) They have decided to go today because Zoe says her crab is lonely and needs some friends. Zoe is on her way to call her grandmother to make sure that it is OK to catch the minnows...of course it always is. Grandma Dee was still asleep when they called so Zoe said that she would have to 'fish quietly'.

It is a wonderful time for Zoe and daddy to get to spend some time together so when Mark offered for Hannah to come along...Zoe tried to talk her out of it...Hannah, of course, would have no part of it and wanted to 'play' too!!

I just love to sit back and watch Mark and the girls together. He is such a wonderful father to them and meets their needs and little desires with such enthusiasm and love. He, in my opinion, is the perfect type of man to have daughters. He is so gentle and kind....well I fell in love with him for the same reasons!!

Sometimes I just have to stop and soak in my wonderful life and admire the little things that make us a family. I love my family and each year gets better and better...Mark, myself and our little charmed ones!!

It all started with "I Spy"

I have come down with a cold...which is not to odd for this time of year considering the weather. Zoe, my oldest, has decided to take care of me....this includes reading me bedtime stories. She began with the book, I Spy, followed by a couple of others. It was so sweet to hear her 'storytell' the stories, that I had read to her, back to me. As she read to me, I realized that she felt proud to be contributing to my sweet dreams by giving me 'dream ideas'....as we call it...through stories. I just had to have her read to Mark as I took video (or digital camera) so we could always remember what a great time we had listening to her stories. Below is one of the stories that she read to us last night...enjoy!

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It's never dull at our home!!

This montage is kind of a hodge podge of several goings ons at our house. Zoe has a bad hair day while trying to get dressed. Hannah relaxes after a long day. Kayci flirts with the camera and plays with Aubrey which is the baby that I sit.

Finally, the girls 'help' daddy prepare the work Thanksgiving turkey.

Hope you enjoy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Lynn's Letters of Living

My mother in law is using the alphabet in her blog right now to discuss things that she is thankful for ( Finding Direction: The Wind Vane Chronicles ) and it got me thinking about what I am truly thankful for and what each really means to me.

**Disclaimer--no letters were harmed in the making of this list, however not all letters are present and accounted for as of yet**

Attitude--a good one will get you farther than you might think

Blessings--can be masters of illusion

Contentment--is not something you have, it's something you make

Faith--the roots go down and the tree goes up

Girls--I have three and they are the mirrors of my life.

Happiness--comes through doors you didn't even know you left open

Love--is richer when shared

Moments--fleeting treasures

Patience--should be a lifetime achievement

Quiet--communion with God

Time--each moment He gives you...be thankful

Willingness--is the chameleon of opportunity

Youth--has absolutely nothing to do with physical age...it is a condition of the soul

Blessings,
Lynn

A blog for my Sister

This blog is primarily for my sister who is studying abroad and will miss this Christmas. She has always been the decorator of the family. I guess it started with words like, "your not going to put that there are you?" AND "...oh my gosh mom, I can't believe you like that!" OR "...you are the only person who thinks of felt as a fashion statement." She finally took Christmas over entirely!! Each year my parents house would be transformed into a cross between Laura Ashley and Vera Wang. It worked pretty well... until I had kids... who could reach the cornucopias of desire and act as little demolition units! Paige quickly adjusted, placing all the objects of infatuation above the three foot marker...fingertips extended...and tiptoes.

Because she is not here this year, mom had to take a Calgon moment and try to do the best she could....staying away from all the fashion feaux pas that Paige so adamantly fought against in the past. So far she has done a good job as I have not detected any felt.

My house is the one in the slide show as Christmas begins for me the day after Halloween ends. I have lovingly convinced my husband of this fact...by starching his underwear...and we deck the halls for Christmas... with a little Thanksgiving...each year. Really, he has come to enjoy it as much as me...as long as we keep all the decor inside till after Thanksgiving.

Paige....I hope you enjoy seeing what I have done so far....remember I have little ones so it is less Monet and more Picasso:) Love you!!

Halloween at the O'Neil Household

My Charmed Ones

Well I realize that I have yet to introduce you to my 'charmed ones' as I call them. The oldest is Zoe Elizabeth who is five (going on 25). She is my act first ask questions later, social butterfly, consequences...what's that...child. She is my wide open with both barrels child that leaps before she looks. I am glad that she is my first as I might have not had the energy to deal with her later. She is my sunshine and that is exactly her personality...to hot to handle sometimes but always spreads light and warmth wherever she goes! My second, Hannah Paige, is the more cautious of the three so far. She is always analyzing, studying, obsessing over the littlest thing....sometimes overly so. She reminds me most of myself but it has not put a damper on our relationship as of yet. I am sure that those bumps are yet to come. Hannah is two and a half years old but seems very wise for her age.....a trend that I hope continues into adolescence! She is my biggest helper and tenderhearted child. Kayci Lynne is my youngest only seven and a half months old. She is Mark, my husband, reincarnated we believe. She is very observant....which we noticed from the beginning. She does not seem to need to 'take part' in the action going on around her but does seem to want to be in the middle of it.....drawing energy from it and learning from it She is laid back in the respect that she is happy to take her time from eating to cutting teeth. She does seem to be a high intensity baby though...certain things upset her or bother her from time to time and we don't always know what to predict might be a culprit! All in all our children are very different, but that's what makes them so special....we get a lot of variety! It's like eating Neapolitan ice cream....the flavors are so different they compliment each other well! Well that's our gals!! Hope you enjoyed reading about them!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My sister is 14 years younger than me and was quite the drama queen as a child. She also loved to pretend and play dress-up as any Disney princess...although sleeping beauty was her favorite!

However, the sister I'd like to talk about today is a beautiful 23 year old with a college degree and a formidable career as a TV news producer!! She is well liked, admired, pursued, and so much more that if I took time to mention it all this blog would exceed even my capacity for thought!!

My sister, Paige, has been called by Christ, is their any higher power, to be a journeyman to a country so sensitive at this time that it cannot be named due to the danger of her mission. Full well knowing all of this, she still decided to leave her successful career and comforts of home to pursue this post. She actually chose to be stationed here....having been given other options...she felt led to this country.

As the oldest sister, I'd always thought that I was the one that led the pack so to speak and that my younger siblings would just follow my lead. It was true to a certain extent when they were younger and followed me everywhere. It was a powerful thing indeed to realize that you had such powers of persuasion.

As the years passed, I watched my sister blossom into a wonderful young woman. She made choices, gained relationships, learned through adversity and joy, built memories, and earned respect. I have to say that the sister who stands before me today is quite different than the little shadow of a girl who once followed me around.

I am very proud and blessed to call her sister and friend and feel very humbled at her maturity and fortitude of mind and will. She commands my respect and support because of her strength of character and spirit.

I now stand in awe of her new life's journey and await in anticipation her return full of the life changes that will have expanded her further!

My sister, I love you always!!

Lynn

Ok....so I am an inconsistant blogger;)

Well I try! It's not that I don't have thoughts it's just that those thoughts don't make it down to paper or computer most of the time. I guess it has lots to do with priority....I keep five children, three which are mine. I cook and cater for others. I dabble in computer keepsakes where photography and video are concerned and keeping up with my myspace page is work in and of itself (sigh) BUT...I really hate having to sit down and write anything! I'd rather just talk about it!

I promise to post more regularly so I am posting a blog about my sister to tide over the masses (lol) till my next attempt!

Hopefully I'll see you before May!!

At times I just have to stop and think about my life and the events that have transpired to get me to were I am today. I am suprised to some degree that I have lived this long taking into account some of the less than intellegent things I have done in my past. Mostly, I ponder how given that I could have won a few 'Darwin awards', I was still keen enough to realize that if I married my now husband, Mark, I would perhaps wipe out all past misgivings of the mind. I do have to say that it is one of the smartest choices I have ever made.
I am not sitting here saying that in my day to day livings with him that we don't have our share of difficulties. I am just stating that he was just what I needed just when I needed it!
He is not a speaker....lord knows I could grow cob webs waiting for him to finish a thought....or a sentence but when he writes it's like the tide coming in. His words are powerful and they build each on top of the other till they just wash all over you. Sometimes they knock you down with truth. Sometimes they're a gentle mist or cool breeze...the warm sun on your face.
He also has power in prayer. I have witnessed first hand many times how God has blessed us, I believe in part, on how my husband opens up and pours out himself in prayer! I am glad to have him as my ally and partner!
All in all, I am so very proud, pleased, thankful, blessed, gifted, loved, to have Mark for my husband, partner, life mate and soulmate.
My husband...I love you!!