My favorite thing

I can't tell you how much the picture above means to me. I am still waiting to get my disk from Conlee's birthday, but Chris e-mailed me a few. This my friends is why it's a good idea to have a professional photograph a birthday. No way could I have ever gotten a pic of my entire immediate family all looking at the camera and smiling. This one is going to Hobby Lobby to be matted and I'll have it hanging in my house forever!

On a separate note, Bo took Crawford to get a haircut (yes I am still officially out of that duty!). He texted me a pic. Becky's shop is in an old caboose - so Crawford wants to go get a haircut everyday!

Spotlight

It cracks me up how Conlee loves to be in the spotlight. Of course the kids wore Christmas stuff to school today - so of course I wanted a pic of them together. Little Miss wasn't having it. She was all smiles and saying "cheese" when it was just her. But, when she had to share the spotlight with Crawford she wasn't having it. I might have to have someone at work photoshop a cute pic of them together!

Bo and I took the kids to see Santa at the mall on Wednesday afternoon. I knew Crawford would LOVE it, but I was scared Conlee wouldn't be a fan. Turns out they both LOVED him.The first sighting.
As we got closer.
Next in line.

Getting to "know" Santa. He wants a motorcycle, a Gator and a pink 4-wheeler for Conlee!
Conlee checked him out and was ready to join Crawford.
They won't let you take pics with your own camera anymore. I was so scared we wouldn't get a good shot -but it's adorable. Conlee has a look of wonder and Crawford has a full-on cheese face.

Here's a pic I could "sneak" from behind the set!

Another shirt project

Leave it to Dale to come up with another adorable shirt project for Christmas. We did hand print turkey's for Thanksgiving. For Christmas...it's hand print Santa's. The kids did so great! They are really getting food at doing their hand prints.They colored while I put the finishing touches on Santa. Well, Conlee decided to eat the crayons vs. color. Thank goodness Crayola is non-toxic!!!!
The finished project. I'll post pics of the kids sporting them!

In the Spirit

The kids officially got ready for Christmas - we broke out the "Christmas outfits" for school! Bo thinks it is absurd to have more than one Christmas outfit. He so could not have survived the 90's when mom and I had a different Christmas sweater/sweatshirt for all 25 days! And you know - we had matching earrings and blinking socks too :)

It's official - I may never get another "good" pic of the 2 of them. Conlee immediately starts walking to me!
How cute is Crawford's shirt? Got to love Dale and Dawn - those two really have helped a TON with my dad in the hospital! Thanks guys!
One of my favorite pics of Con - smiling and you can see her teeth! I wished it was in front of the tree...
This is the look I got in return! HA!

The count down is on. The kids presents are all done - but this Saturday I have my master list and plan on getting it ALL done!

Christmas Cards

With so much going on, I was really scared we were going to miss getting Christmas cards out this year. But So Inviting was able to turn them in a day and Court came over to take our picture -so it looks like cards will be in the mail by Wednesday! I thought it would take forever to get a good pic of the 4 of us, but believe it or not - the first one Court snapped was the winner!Conlee thought she was all dressed up to go somewhere!
The first shot of the night - the "chosen" one. I wish you could see the cute Santa on Con's dress - but all 4 looking at the camera was too good to pass up.

Loved this one, but Crawford's not looking!

Not too jazzed about what I have on (it's what I wore to work that day). But, I love the pic of me and Conlee.
We tried one with the kids standing vs. holding them...not a success!
I'm starting to get in the Christmas spirit! Merry Christmas from the Garmon's!

Trying Times

I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged! There is so much to catch up on. We've ridden the train with Santa, taken Christmas pictures and tons more. But, unfortunately the BIG news of the past few weeks has been that my dad is very sick.

My brother and I went home the Friday after Thanksgiving only to have to take dad to the ER that Saturday. Since then, there have been a gazillion doctors and a few procedures/surgeries. This past Wednesday, December 9th, Dad went through a 9 hour operation to try and remove his cancer. He has a very rare form that does not respond to chemo - so you cut it out or there's no option. The surgeon (the same one that did Steve Jobs' transplant) said he removed all that he could see. But, they did biopsy the lymph nodes and we'll find out tomorrow if it had spread there. We are extremely hopeful and optimistic that it is good news and our prayers are answered.

The great news is that late this afternoon, he finally got out of ICU and transferred to a regular room! He's been in in ICU 5 nights and was on the respirator for 3 nights! He's been up in a chair and while he's in a lot of pain, the doctor's finally say that his counts are improving and that he's looking pretty good.

I am sure there won't be too much sleep in our family tonight - but we are extremely hopeful that we receive good news. He's had the best surgeon and has a "gang" of doctor's looking out for him. I'll go back and post some of the pics from the last few weeks later this week, but just wanted to let you know that we are here and we are very much alive and thankful.

More than anything we are all so thankful to have the love and support of our friends and family. Dad is only 65 and is way too young to be enduring this on top of everything else he's dealt with the past 20 years (blocked arteries, blood clots, 2 artificial aortic valves, etc.). Matt and I spent the past week there (I can't remember the last time I spent a week at home!). Bo, Sue-Sue and J-J stepped up to the plate and handled things here - so I was able to be with Mom, Dad and Matt. I can't describe how torn I was. I HAD to be with my Dad, but I MISSED my kids sooooo much. Bo and Courtney drove the kids over on Friday to visit and I was so happy to see all of them. Friday night as I read Crawford a book, he said, "Momma can I come visit you again soon?" He honestly thought that I wouldn't ever be home again. I told him I was coming home with him and he said good.

So, it's with such strong mixed emotions that I write this as I sit at home with my two precious kids tucked in bed knowing that my mom and dad are spending a long night together in the hospital (the doctor told mom it would be good for her to stay with him tonight). My heart aches to be there with them - but I know that we are there in spirit. Praying they get some rest and we receive good news tomorrow. I'll keep you posted. Until then, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Hospital Pics

Being in the hospital for 1 month doesn't make for too many "good" pics. But, I did snap a few on my phone that I have to share. Dad is at University of Methodist Hospital. On Tuesday, the nurse said there was a celebrity who wanted to interview cancer patients about the level of care they were receiving. It turned out it was Kathy Bates. She is from Memphis and is donating money to cancer research there.

The first time she came by mom, Matt and I met her but dad was in a procedure. She was so nice and said she'd get back around to see dad. She asked mom how long they'd been married and mom replied, "35 years this past Sunday. We are working on number 36." Kathy replied with, "Awe, I say you shoot for at least 40."

For dad's last meal before surgery, we went to the Rendezvous and picked up ribs. It was so great to see everyone there. Jack who has waited on mom and dad for at least the past 30 years even knew dad was sick and he got teary eyed asking about him. Nick the owner even said Greek's don't pray much but he'd have dad in his prayers.

When we got back to the hospital, Kathy Bates and Dad were in his room having a nice chat. She was wonderful and so positive. She called to check on him in ICU the next day and has promised to keep praying for him. What a nice treat!

The nurses had to replace Daddy's pic line - and they let Matt and I stay and watch. I am totally fascinated with all things medical. Mom of course - bolted - she hates it all!

The running joke is that Mom would get mad at Matt for getting in Dad's bed because she said the nurses didn't like it. But, every time he was gone, Matt would dive in for some nap time. I played a gazillion games on my phone. The waiting will drive you crazy.
Dad was operated on on Wednesday and it took 9 hours! We were so lucky to have family and friends stop by to keep us company. Megan and Stella drove over from J-town to visit and have lunch. Hasselle and Mike (dad's brothers) were great company. I can't tell you how much it means to have the support of so many people.

Dad is still there and we are praying he is home by Christmas.

Santa Train

Bo and I took the kids to ride the train with Santa on December 5th. It was perfect because Crawford has just started watching Polar Express and was so excited. I tried to get a good pic before we left.Would have been a great Christmas card - but of course - user error made it blurry!
Precious.

She is so happy. Yes, that's her comb in her hand. She wasn't so happy when I tried to take it away from her. I live by - you pick your battles.
My favorite pic of the day. Crawford on the left, Cole on the right.
Another attempt at a Christmas card. Too bad it was during snack time!

How precious and innocent is this? They had just spotted Santa and were so excited.

As he got closer, Cole decided he wasn't a huge fan!

Conlee wasn't a big fan either!
Despite the bad picture - Crawford was the only fan of the bunch. He loved him!

We had so much fun. We did the "short" ride which was perfect. We went to lunch after and made it home just in time for nap time. What a great day!