Tree Tag

I love my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.  It has so many great memories.  Let me start with the tree.  Matt and I inherited this tree just before we got married.  Someone from our church was getting remarried and had offered us their old washer and dryer.  When Matt drove up to get the two machines, the man kindly offered their old, artificial Christmas tree.  As a young, engaged - and broke - couple, we gladly accepted.  I never dreamed we'd have it this long. Matt has allergies and I've heard stories of his near death experiences with live trees, so we chuckle every year when we pull our tree out of a box and reminisce its adoption into our family.

And what would a good Charlie Brown Christmas Tree be without one hundred million ornaments on it?  My romantic and thoughtful husband started a beautiful tradition early on in our relationship by buying Christmas ornaments for me each year.  Since we began dating, he would secretly purchase an ornament, have something painted on it - and would present the gift to me each year at Christmas.  Doesn't that sound lovely?  Well, wait, I found a way to ruin it.  Two years ago, I decided that I wanted to have a "grown-up" tree with every ornament matching the decor in our home.  (I know, crazy, just bare with me...)  So, I left all of the old, but very sentimental, ornaments in their boxes, went to a well-known store and purchased matching ornaments...much to my husbands chagrin.  He was so deeply hurt, that he vowed never to purchase another ornament for me again.  Which he has kept. In an effort to gain back his love - and hand-picked ornaments - I put every ornament we've ever received on the tree last year.  It didn't work.  So, I tried again this year.  Still didn't work.  Although, he did inform me of a new tradition, which would be to purchase Annelise a new ornament each year, special, from her daddy.  A good compromise.

So, that's the long, but true story of our tree.  I tag YOU to share yours!  

For the Love of Toilet Paper

"What?"

 

Christmas Letter

  
How is it that when your life is the busiest its ever been, you actually have time to write, print and mail a Christmas letter to all of your extended family - something that has never happened in the history of our life.  Weird.  

Anyways...some of you may be getting this in your mailbox.  So, don't spoil the fun by enlarging the thumbnail and reading it now.  And if you don't get it in your mailbox, well...do the latter.

'Tis the Season.

The Big 5-0

Here's a shout out to the most incredible mom in the world. 

Happy 50th Birthday!

Love, 

Matt, Rachael, Annelise and Boogaloo

A Bartlett Thanksgiving

What a fiasco.  My husband clearly didn't know the chaos he was marrying into...or did he? The holiday began with a photo-op.  After many out takes (too many to post) we finally got a great family photo.  Everyone but Annelise smiling?  I'd say that's success.

L to R: My brother Matt and his wife Emily; My sister Leah and her boyfriend Jason; Mom and Dad; Sister Sarah; and the Nealios.

We also thought we'd try to get a Neal family photo for the Christmas card this year.

Outtake number one.  Who's dog is that??

Ah, here's a good one.  Some of you may be seeing it soon in your mailbox.

Matt was obviously having too much fun with this.

My dad getting ready to cut the bird.  Yum!

Great Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is such a busy time of year for our family.  With me still working at the Mission, it means serving over 600 meals on Wednesday night at our Great Thanksgiving Banquet.  This event has been engraved on my heart.  My dad has been in the rescue mission ministry for over 20 years now.  And I have been serving (as a staff member, though I've spent countless volunteer hours throughout my life) for three years.  Its such a blessing to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by giving of my time and talents to those in need.

Consider spending some time at your local Mission during this holiday season.  Thanksgiving and Christmas can be a wonderful opportunity to teach your children (and remind yourselves) that serving others is very rewarding!

Photo Meme 5 of 4

Another request.  Our bedroom.   

I accidentally had the color swap feature on during this photo, so the walls shouldn't be pink.

Photo Meme 4 of 4

This was the hardest one of all.  Annelise has such a vibrant, but diverse personality. One minute she's crawling all over the house, chasing me.  She hates to be alone.  Quite often, she'll spend her time sitting on the living room floor, happily playing with....coasters.  

And without fail, she's always got those two fingers in her mouth (upside down) for comfort.

But, my choice photo would be of the flowers in her crib.  Its a little game we play.  Every time I wake her up from sleeping, this is what I find.  Droopy flowers.  How sad!  So, I promptly stand them up.  And without fail, I will surely find them again, dead and drooping to the floor. 

Let's just say her greatest personality strength is consistency.

Photo Meme 3 of 4

Little jackets.  

This is something in my house that makes me smile.  Its a reminder that we have a little person in our house that actually wears those jackets.  

Photo Meme 2 of 4

Linen Closet #1 - Doubles as a game closet.

Linen Closet #2 - In our bathroom.  

I didn't touch either of them before I snapped this shot.  Good thing I talked Matt into helping me clean them out last weekend!  Who'd a thought?

Photo Meme 1 of 4

My Kitchen.  I desperately wanted to use the photo from when I first remodeled it.  But, felt less than honest. So, this is what my kitchen really looks like day-to-day.  Since the remodel, the drawer face to the silverware drawer has come off - and we still haven't put the doors on the cabinets to the left of the dishwasher.  Nonetheless, I still love it much more than it used to look. 

Shoot, Me Either

Alrighty, Katie.  Thanks for pointing out your error, so I too can point out mine.  I responded to Krissy's meme.  And the directions clearly state (though I didn't read them) that I must post this in my blog too.  

Ask me to take pictures of any aspect of my life that you’re interested in or curious about. It can be anything from my favorite shirt to my cell phone. Leave your requests as a comment to this entry, and I’ll snap the pictures and post them as soon as I can. I would also add that you can ask anonymously, if you'd like. And if you decide to play along, do post the meme in your own blog!

Returning the Favor

I'm catching up on blogging today, so if this is the first post you're reading, scroll down for lots more!  

I have a wonderful friend, named Lisa, who watches Annelise each week while I work.  She is an amazing stay at home mom (read: incredible mother to her two daughters) and has chosen to bless our family by watching Anne at no charge!

In exchange, Matt and I try to watch the girls for them so they can go out on dates.  Well, today, I was able to return the favor for her.  It was a fun day, but made me realize that I'm not ready to add another two children to my household - and how much I appreciate what she does!

Acacia - Lisa's second daughter who's birth was just two weeks after Annelise!

Morgan - Lisa's first-born.  She'll be three in February, but is already such a big helper!

The "play-time" mess that was created in our living room.  This was only 5 minutes after they arrived!

THANK YOU LISA for all you do to help bless our little family!  We love you!

A Love Affair

Is it wrong to love your vacuum so much you'd marry it?

Ok, that was cheesy, but warranted.  My wonderful husband graciously allowed me to purchase a Dyson.  I vowed to find one cheaper than retail and succeeded.  And so, without further ado, here is the new love of my life - at least when it comes to cleaning my home.

Do you notice the uncanny sparkle in this photo?  

I would HIGHLY recommend this machine.  If you want a vacuum that actually cleans your floors - bare or carpeted - get a Dyson!

PS - Did I mention its snowing...a LOT!  6 inches already today!

Our Weekend

First, let me thank all of you that commented on my blog about discipline.  Some of your entries gave me a good chuckly (which helped lighten the situation) and others were very practical.  I hope to report back soon with a perfectly disciplined child...yeah right.

Matt and I vowed to relax this weekend, until we heard reports of snow and realized we still hadn't raked our leaves.  So, the beauty of home-ownership consumed much of our Saturday.

Annelise cried most of the time Matt was outside.  She watched intently as he raked the leaves.

PS - It snowed today.  Looks like we're going to get about 3 inches.  Welcome to Michigan!

Punishment?

My mom used to look me deep in the eyes (during times of rebellion) and say

"You know, your children are going to act like this someday and you'll get a taste of your own medicine."

And  I always thought "someday" meant I had at least 15 years.

HA!

My daughter is almost 10 months old now and I'm already seeing her rebellion.

Last week was probably the worst of it.

Halfway through our weekend, Matt looked at me during a moment of this previously stated rebellion and exclaimed

"I think she just sassed you!"

(And at that moment, I went from feeling like a frazzled, dramatic mother to...)

"Why yes, she did.  And she's been doing it all week."

I must admit, I haven't quite known how to handle it.  Do I spank, scold, a combination of the two?

I've landed on flicking her lips, which gets her attention immediately.

And allows me time to address her tantrum verbally.

But what about the...

arching her back on the changing table

swinging at me when i take something away

screaming at the top of her lungs when she doesn't approve

I'd love some insight on how you correct your children from a Christian perspective.

Tagged

1. What is your husband's name?  James Matthew Neal
2. Who eats more?  Hm...depends on what we're eating. :)
3. Who said, "I love you" first?  I think me, in a round about way.
4. Who is taller?  Matt
5. Who is smarter? I'd love to say me, but its obviously him.  He's a teacher!
6. Who is more sensitive?  Its a toss up. Neither one of us is very sensitive.
7. Who does the laundry?  Me, until Matt needs something specific washed.
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Matt - closest to the door and the robbers that will try to snatch me.
9. Who pays the bills?  Matt, until he forgets and then I go online and save the day!
10. Who cooks more? ME ME ME!
11. Who is more stubborn?  Me, wait him, no...we're both pretty bull-headed.
12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong?  Matt.
13. Who has more siblings? Me.  I have two sister and one brother.  He has one of each.
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship?  Matt, though I try.  That darn sin nature!
15. What do you like to do together?  Eat.  We love to eat out.  Even though we're broke most of the time, we find ways to buy snacks here and there.  We love to watch movies, go for walks, play with Annelise.  All family stuff!
16. Who eats more sweets?  Matt, definitely.
17. Guilty Pleasures?  McDonalds Milkshakes late at night.
18. How did you meet? College.  Read our story here.
19. Who asked whom out first?  Matt asked me.  I still get butterflies in my stomach when I think about it.
20. Who kissed who first?  Oh man, what a great story!  Matt didn't kiss me until we had been dating 8 months.  Our first kiss was in the courtyard of the 4th Presbyterian Church in downtown Chicago.  If you've never been there, you must go.  It's right across the street from the Hancock and is magical.
21. Who proposed?  Matt - in the Cincinnati airport when I arrived home from a summer overseas.
22. His best features and qualities?  He is hilarious!  He loves God so much that his passion is teaching the Bible to high schoolers.  He is the best dad in the world!  

I  tag Candace, Angie and Paulina.

One Fall Day

Diaper Help Needed

I'm going to get straight to the point.  Annelise has been sick with diarrhea for a few days now. The doctor said that form of the stomach flu is going around.  Great.  She is currently wearing a number three diaper - and it fits greats.  During the day, she never leaks.  But at night, she's been going through everything!  Normally, this would be a simple annoyance, but the diarrhea adds a whole new dimension to this issue.  (I think I heard Matt through the monitor throwing up this morning.)  Plus, I'm really tired of washing clothes and sheets constantly.  So, I'm heading out to Target today to find a solution.

Do I buy the next size up (#4) and put those on her at night?

Or is there another solution I'm not thinking of?

Thanks for your help!

Baby Dedication

Matt and I joyously dedicated Annelise to the Lord on Sunday.  It was such a celebration!  Our prayer is that each of you would hold us accountable to raising her in the love of Christ.