Crazy Christmas Sweater

We had our annual Christmas party with the Home Team this weekend - and we all wore Crazy Christmas sweaters -- it was a lot of fun. We also do a "re-gift" exchange and joe ended up with a bread knife and I ended up with a hat and scarf - so we did pretty good!

The weekend ended last night with Christmas Spectacular, me, Joe, Momo and Papa Joe took the girls and they loved it. Elle was glued to the stage -- she said that she loved every act and every song and when I asked her again what was her favorite part of the show, she said "why do you keep asking me this? I have told yall 15 times that I liked every song." well -- that is just our little sweet 4 year old!

Emme on the other hand, after the intermission -- she walked out of her seat and whispered to me -- "I am going home now." So anyway, we took turns taking her up to the top or outside for breaks.

I would say over all my girls did pretty well -- however a lady in front of me thought different. She looked back everytime anyone of us said anything. Even as Elle was singing along with the Rockette's, she looked back at us. I finally said to her "Can I help you with something?" She said "what?" and I said "Can I help you with something?" She didn't look back again.

I am hoping I will blog alot this week considering all of the activites we have planned in Conore. Needless to say, we are all ready for this week and can't wait to spend some time with the family.

Yes, Joe won 2nd place in his category -- but I am not sure if it was the female or male category!

Am I Still Cool? I Still Am, Right?

I have not blogged in forever! I am so behind on this, but I have a lot of things to write about.

One of my best friends from home, Stacey, is getting married and Joe and I went to Houston for her shower. As I sitting by an old friend, a guy friend of mine and we were talking about high school, of course -- and he said something about my cool Mustang Convertible I had -- of course ;) and I was just trying to convince him that I am still way cool in my 30's!

When I started to tell him how cool I was -- I had to mention that I drive a Minivan and drive really fast with my window down singing "I put my hands up, their playn' my song," I workout at Curves, go to bed around 9 pm and just probably some more things about how cool I was. Anyway, it was an interesting conversation and you probably think that I was left depressed -- but not really... because I just kept thinking about my sweet hubby and my 2 great girls and you know what -- that makes me the coolest person, or at least cool mom. My friend Rachelle calls me "the fun mom" sorta making fun at me at the same time, but I secretly love it!!

Stacey and me at the shower! The shower was so fun!!

Joe and I went to New York last week and it was a great time. We saw all of the fun things in NY, ate great food, shopped and saw Wicked and Mama Mia.
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By far the best play I have ever seen -- Wicked!!

Before Joe met me in New York, I was north of the city at an HR conference and we had a 70's night. This is my team, Jessica, me and Betsy (my manager).

I love this time of year and especially running out to my mail box each night checking to see if there are any Christmas cards!!

On another note about Curves. I joined back 1 month ago. From the time I left 17 months ago till November, I had gained an embarrasing 16 pounds -- ouch!!! So, back on it and today I had my first weigh in... after a month, I have not lost any weight, but I did drop 3.75 inches (total for my body) including numbers like: 1.5 inches off my arms and .5 inches of my abdomen. So, that encourages me to keep on keepin on!!

My Talented Husband!

I have not blogged in a while -- lots going on, but all good stuff.

Joe bulit the girls this book shelf that is attached to the back of our couch that is on risers in our game room. We put everything in last night and trying to organize all of the toys before Christmas.

Joe also built this computer desk for the girls. Mom got these computers at an Estate Sale and the girls love it! I found the pink chairs, just love those! We also put up these dimploma frames where we can switch out the images/coloring sheets. They really like seeing thier "work" hung next to our Diplomas.

One of the biggest praises the last couple of weeks is Grand Lilly's health. She has gotten so much better and went in and out of 2 rehab facilites and now has moved in back home to the Nursing Home in 3 Rivers. Here we are with her saying Goodbye before she moved. The girls loved visiting her and she has been such a blessing to our lives.

Joe created and printed his own Christian Magazine, set to come out next week. Those closest to me know that I have been fighting this huge battle with the devil over this one. He as torn away at me and taken my "support", but the Lord has one this battle and my heart is really very happy for Joe and think this magazine is more in line with what Joe really strives to be in his everyday life: One of God's soldiers on a daily mission to spread the Good News. I think that this magazine, which outlines all of the areas events for Christmas as well as a two page article from Mary's point of view, will be a wonderful tool for him. I am so proud of him!!

I Love Halloween

I think this was my title of my blog last year too..... we love Halloween and this year was one of the best! We had our traditional dinner with the Smouse's and then we went to our 'hood to trick or treat. Our neighborhood goes all out with pre and post parties!

The girls were thrilled to dress up as brides and they were so cute!!!

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A Great Homecoming

We all went to Baylor Homecoming this past weekend. Joe and I have not been back for about 9 years, it was fun to be back and see how much the campus has changed and even more special to see my kids running around where we used to walk! It just brought back so many awesome memories, I truly loved my Baylor experience!!

Here is Jenni and the kids watching the parade

The Tinsley Family
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Tommy "walking" around the Bonfire

Go Bears!

When we got home from Homecoming, we had a Dallas Cowboy party with our Home Team and here are the kids.... and we were missing 7 kids, yes, I said, we were missing 7 kids! Can you believe how many precious kids we have in our group. It is a true blessing!

Prayer

I have to record this or I will forget years down the road. When I take the girls to school, I try to pray with them in the car. I usually do the same prayer each time.

Last week, when we were getting in the car, Elle said, I want to pray this morning. I said ok.

Here is what she said (mind you, she is using alot of the same words that I use, but adds her own in at times)

"Dear Jesus. Be with Emme as she goes to school today to play with her friends. Be with Daddy as he goes to work on the plane. Be with Mommy as she goes to work, allow her to have a good time and allow her to see the candy lady and bring me candy. Let us all come back together again"

It was just so cute... and she was using "be with" and "allow" -- It really did fill my heart with joy!

Halloween Craft & Silly Pictures

Last weekend, the girls and I (and Joe too, even during the Cowboys game) made a center piece for our dining room table. We had a great time, although it was terribly time consuming! Elle stuck with it for a long time and Emme ended up just playing with the beans!

Step 1: Gather sticks in the yard and paint them

Trace circles on brown paper bags

Use a wine cork to make dots as your leafs on trees

Fill the vase with beans!

Joe made these cute creatures out of corks

Final Place mats

Final Centerpiece

Did you know we painted our red room blue?

Another look! Next on the list -- new chandelier!

We had family pictures on Saturday.. and the girls were so silly.

Silly

Silly

Oh my... so silly

Elle joining in on the silliness

A really really early save the date notice.... for those that read my blog that have girls. I think for Elle's 5th Birthday party (yes, next spring) I am going to take her girl friends and their moms to see Cinderella at Casa Manana. So, if you have even bought your 2010 calendar yet, put April 3 @ 2pm on your calendar ;)) Plans may change, but Elle said that would be something she would want to do.... you can go out to casamanana.org/cinderella.htm

NNO

NNO - National Night Out! A new term for me, but I went to my first National Night Out last night and it was so fun! All of the neighbors come together for a night of fun and rally against crime. The Fire and Police Departments came by and the kids had a blast.

The kids on the truck

Here are the girls in our hood.
Rylie and Emme with McGruff!

Emme had fun on Ally's princess ride on

The Ratliff Rules

A little less than a month ago, we started a new discipline structure. I wanted to wait to blog about it until I had a full cycle completed. There are those standard things that Joe and I struggle with when parenting Elle and Emme. We decided to write down 5 rules that our family feels strongly about and if you broke the rule the first time, then there was a consequence. We also wanted a way to praise them for the "everyday" things they should be doing without complaining.

So, we started a marble system. I will tell you all about it and it if you have any other suggestions that you think would work for our next cycle, please let me know.

Here is sweet Emme this morning, because today is the day they reached their "goal marble count."
Step 1. We bought jars and marbles.

Step 2, we determined the rules. The Ratliff Rules, such as Listen on the first time and no fighting are listed with pictures for them to understand.

Step 3, we listed out the Happy Face Jar rules -- if you complete any of these items, at any time, without complaining, then they automatically get a marble in their happy face jar. Items on this list include putting on seatbelt by themselves, without being asked. Getting dressed for school, gymnastics and church. Drinking a glass of water. and so on......

Step 4: The Reward -- if they got 100 marbles, or marbles to the line on the jar, then they get what ever toy they want.

Step 5: The consequence. Everytime they break a Ratliff Rule, the get a marble taken out of their happy face jar and into the frowny jar. It just delays the time/days until they get their toyHere is Elle's sad face showing you how many marbles they got in their frowny jar over these past couple of weeks.... I think we were pretty nice, probably should be alot more in there ;)

Here is the toy they picked out a month ago. We printed a picture and put it by the rules. When I pick them up from school today, we are going to get the toy for them. They are so excited.

Final Thoughts. I really do think this system is working. Are my girls perfect? No. Do they still fight? Yes. However, it has given me and Joe a mechanism of encouraging them and disciplining them that means something to them. All we really have to say is, "that just cost you a marble" and we make them go get the marble out of their jar and place it into the frowny jar. They are crying the whole time, but, they see the consequence of their action -- without Joe and I having to yell or spank or mess around with time out.

Are there times we have to still spank and implement time out, of course. However, I have seen this system work so well -- especially in the area of putting their seat belt on (this used to be such a fight) and washing their hair -- now they still hate washing their hair, but if they do it without complaining, they are able to go put a marble in the jar!

Monkey Party -- Tommy Turns 1

We went to Tommy's birthday party in Houston this past weekend and it was very fun and quite the success. Here are a few pictures.

Here is Tommy eating his cake!

Here are the cupcakes I made for the party, I was pleased with the way they turned out.
Elle and Emme with the monkey masks. They had a great time with Tommy and the other cousins