Wise Men

The beads and the ribbons, the baubles and balls,
are all a distraction from real Christmas calls.


It's not about presents and bows and the wrappings,
It's not about trees and stockings and trappings.


It's not about hours spent finding gifts for family and friends.
It's about minutes spent caring for the unnoticed, unloved and uncared for He sends. 


Are we being WISE MEN?

Have a wonderful week!

Truth is.........

Truth is.......it's National Cupcake Day and somehow, I forgot.  That's just NOT right!
Truth is.......I just STARTED Christmas shopping.

Truth is.......just need to put a few more ornaments on the tree and it is done and that damn ladder that has been in the MIDDLE of the family room can be put away.

Truth is......I ordered Christmas cards at MIDNIGHT on Saturday.  I think they get here next Tuesday. 

Truth is......I don't have time to care.

Truth is......Trammell and Jen (the sutnningly beautiful fiancee) arrive tomorrow, so NOTHING else matters.

Truth is......every single year, I get to about the 15th and wish that we had JUST ONE EXTRA week to get ready for Christmas.  Why can't we turn back the hands of time?

Truth is......every single year, I swear that NEXT year will be different.  Guess what?  It won't!

My Top 10 Excellent seasonal carols:

Are you feeling a little bit like the Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge?Here are some Christmas Carols to lighten the mood, put things in perspective and help you feel more "peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
1. Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?

2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are

3. Dementia --- I Think I'll be Home for Christmas
4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

5. Manic --- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and.....

6. Paranoia --- Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me
7. Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting You on an Open Fire

8. Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why
9. Attention Deficit Disorder --- Silent night, Holy oooh look at the Froggy - can I have a chocolate, why is France so far away?
10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder --- Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells


Of course, I didn't make these up.  I'm NOT that creative.  However, it IS quite possible that someone has been spying on me and my behavior inspired some of these carols.

Roosters, Hens, Chickens But Not...............

What?  It's Tuesday?  It's December 12th?

I am SO not ready for Christmas.  But at least I have some Christmas RaNDoM for you!

And if you can't get enough RaNDoM, go on over to Stacy's.  She's got MORE than enough for everyone.  She's the Hostess of RaNDoM!

* It wouldn't  be Christmas without the sound of an ornament falling from 10 feet and shattering!

And of course, it has to be one filled with some kind of toxic liquid.

I should have called Hazmat.  Who knows what they put in those snow globes.

* Yep, I did it!

The ladder has been poised in the family room for two weeks.

The tree has been lit and bedecked with beads and bows,

but nary an ornament has found it's way on the tree.

I STARTED decorating it last night.........in a skirt.

Yea me!

* I was unwrapping ornaments and came across this -

WTH?  A rooster in a canoe? This is HIDEOUS?  WHO brought this in to the house?
One look at the underside of the canoe and I saw "Garrett 2010"
I marched into my office, where Parker was taking a test.
"This is horrible! Why did Garrett pick this for his ornament last year? He is NEVER allowed to pick ornaments again."
"Mom, you are disturbing the testing center. Please!"

* Several ornaments later.  I unwrapped this -

Oh my gosh!  What is wrong with my children?
I looked at the bottom of the cock's rooster's feet and saw "Parker 2010."

I march in to my office the "testing center" and proclaimed,
"YOU are not allowed to buy any ornaments either!"
"Mom, it's cool! What did Trammell buy?"
"I don't know, but it was probably something mature!"

Trammell  2010

* Not mature, but WAY more classy! Who can argue with a colorful glass cock rooster.

I marched in to my own office one more time.

"What is wrong with you guys? This isn't holidayish?  This is ridiculous!  Don't think I don't know EXACTLY what you boys were thinking."

It's times like this that being the only child home is SO much fun!
"What?"

"You all bought roosters.  That's NOT funny!"

"But mom, we're the cocks Coxes!"

Merry Christmas from the Cocks Coxes!

Let My People Go!

As I mentioned, Parker got sick of sitting in boring classes.
He applied for early graduation............2 1/2 months past the deadline.

I feel a little bit like my life has turned into the Ferris Bueller movie!

One of the requirements is that HE had to write a paragraph detailing why he should be allowed to graduate.

Another requirement is to have your parents write a paragraph explaining why they support the decision for the student to graduate early.

Here is mine -
"We mostly support Parker’s desire to graduate early. I kind of want him to stay because it’s six hours of free babysitting and I know where he is during the day. But you and I both know that he is just there killing time with stoners, losers and tramps.

Seriously, the school was phenomenal when Trammell attended. And then I blamed Garrett’s intelligence and study skills when it seemed he wasn’t getting the same quality education that Trammell received. But now, I realize that I need to apologize to Garrett. The school has slipped. Parker is bored out of his skull. He’s no dummy. He wants to maintain straight A’s and he wants to be in a stimulating atmosphere. He loves his AP classes. But he has enough smarts to realize that taking ALL AP classes would cut into longboarding time and any kind of social life.

Every day is a battle to get him to go to the “regular” classes. The students are unmotivated. The teachers are disorganized and undemanding. When he gets to class and he is one of just a few kids who have actually done the homework, he is disgusted that the teacher then allows the kids to spend the class period completing the homework that he responsibly completed last night. He spends those periods surfing the web for airfares to longboard races and designing custom boards. Why not let him do that in the comfort of his own home?

Our relationship with the high school is no longer mutally beneficial. He isn’t learning anything. It’s time to move on.......or I could just excuse him from all the useless classes on a daily basis.  It's up to you.

Sincerely,
Gina Cox"

The Blessings of the Temple

I am speaking in church today about the blessings of the temple.
They are too numerous to mention in my 7 minute talk, but I love the temple because it brings me peace and perspective.

The temple is where we can be sealed to our spouse and to our family so that we can be together for eternity.

The temple is all about Christ and helps me be less selfish and more charitable.......and I can ALWAYS use a little reminder of that!


If you have ever wondered why Mormons even have temples or what they do there, check out this video.

SOMEONE!

SOMEONE is hosting a little bit of fun!Mrs. 4444 is the QUEEN of Friday Fragments!

Go pay her a little visit!

* Meanwhile - can SOMEONE tell me why this was the LONGEST week known to man,
but it is already mid December and I haven't gotten ANYTHING done?
Is anyone else having technical difficulties with their calendar?

* SOMEONE is a little bit excited about getting married.
He's been engaged for 10 days and they have -
reserved the temple (okay that was done a month before they got engaged),
reserved the location for the reception,
planned and paid for the honeymoon,
hired a photographer,
and hired a videographer.

I should have had them organize my Christmas!
And maybe it would be done!

* Meanwhile, the youngest Cox is missing school today.
But it's for a important reason.
He's at the State Cheerleading Competition.
SOMEONE has to support the cheerleaders!

* SOMEONE at our house has not even started Christmas shopping.
But I that someone is going to start AND FINISH it today/tonight.

* Where are those Christmas elves?
I need them to come on over and decorate the house!
More than decorate, SOMEONE needs to put away the bubble wrap, bins, paper, and bows that are ALL over the floor.
And for heaven's sake, can SOMEONE put away the ladder that has dominated the family room for two weeks?
But before you put it away, go ahead and decorate the tree.
Evidently, it's not going to decorate itself.

* Just for the record -
I would prefer that ALL my storage bins match and are of a neutral non-holiday color - like blue or gray.
SOMEONE thought it would be a good idea to have orange bins with black lids for Halloween decor and red bins with green lids for Christmas decor and spring green for Easter.
Well, it WOULD be a good idea unless SOMEONE puts the Glitter Corn in a red bin with a green lid.
Glitter Corn is NOT a Christmas decoration! What color would a Thanksgiving bin be?

* Oh, I have HIGH hopes for this weekend..........
like cleaning the house,
writing a talk for church,
getting in the Christmas SPIRIT,
finishing the Christmas decorations,
Christmas shopping,
making Christmas cookies and maybe trying my hand at some toffee and other candy.
Don't distract me!!!!!

Have a great weekend!

Class Act

Congrats to my little brother for being nominated AND being awarded the University of Illinois Medical Center's "Class Act" Award.This is a HUGE deal!
The Class Act Award recipients are people working in the Medical Center that have demonstrated values and service recognized as being exemplary.
The criteria for this award: This employee is a role model who continuously demonstrates exceptional competence and compassion in the performance of his/her job responsibilities...an outstanding example of the University of Illinois Medical Center’s five values: Integrity, Innovation, Service Excellence, Safety, and Accountability.

Chief of Staff, ER physician and the "class act."

Jared: "I am still trying to figure out how this happened. Paperwork mix up?

This is the first time a Resident has received the award.
And it's the first time someone from the Emergency Department has received the award.

Normally, when someone new or a resident is nominated, it's brushed off.
This award is for someone who has a history of excellence and has made a difference, not just in their department but in the entire organization.

Here are some of the comments from his nomination:
“Throughout his shift in the Emergency Department, Dr. Marcucci spends as much time as needed with each of his many patients. He makes sure each patient had a clear understanding of the care they are receiving while in the ER and the plan of care as far as discharge or hospital admission.
Dr. Marcucci is very approachable and has a professional attitude. He listens attentively to anyone who speaks to him. Everyone who worked in the ER is equally as impressed with Dr. Marcucci as I am.

But the events that happened at the end of his shift, make Dr. Marcucci so deserving of the Class Act Award. I received a patient at 05:40am who was in quite a bit of pain. Dr. Marcucci's shift was to end at 6 am. I asked if he could order pain medication for the patient before he left. Not only did Dr. Marcucci immediately order pain medications for this patient but he stayed until 8:30am caring for this patient. I accessed the patient's port-a-cath to administer fluids and pain meds. The patient needed a CT scan of her chest and the port-a-cath had to be removed. Dr. Marcucci started a peripheral line using ultrasound to locate the vein.
Dr. Marcucci explained all the procedure to the patient; he explained the need for admission to the hospital and our plans to control her pain while she remained in the ER. The patient was very appreciative of the care she received from Dr. Marcucci. Dr. Marcucci truly embodies the values of UIMC. His dedication to his patients well being and his profession is genuine.”

The following remarks are summarized by John Williams MD. He incorporated his comments and other comments from various attending physicians and nurses in the ED.

Jared is an intelligent and outgoing resident who is thorough, energetic, genuine and unusually compassionate. Jared’s significant life experiences have given him a sense of perspective beyond his years. In a discipline where the physicians pride themselves on being patient advocates, Jared clearly goes the extra 2 miles. He routinely stays late after the end of his shift to address patients’ needs and assist them in ways both clinical and personal. In fact, he has been known to come in early for shifts in order to go upstairs and see patients he cared for previously in the ED.

Jared is sensitive to the patient’s perspective: he’s committed to ensuring that the patient is well cared for both medically and emotionally. Jared is humble and conscientious, showing a level of empathy that is rare in young doctors of his age. Jared is aware of the many factors affecting illness that others often brush aside.

Jared is friendly and outgoing, and goes beyond being a “team member” by personally engaging with and assisting other individuals no matter their role. He reaches out personally to everyone, it seems, including the entire ED team. As an example, our Emergency Department PharmD and our regular APN in Fast Track both commented on how he introduced himself at their first meeting and made them feel welcome from the beginning and offered his help to them.

Jared always seems to have keen insight into patients’ family and social conditions that ultimately affect their health care. This is a rare trait among young physicians. Our attending physicians agree that he is an astute clinician, keen observer, and an excellent patient listener with a “heart of gold”—an unusual combination. His sense of humor is refreshing and uplifting to those with whom he works. He’s eager to learn and strives to improve his medical care. What is more, he is eager to share his energy and talents, and we are much richer for it.

Congrats Bro!  You ROCK!

Gina

Can it Get More Random?

It doesn't matter that the Christmas tree still only has 5 decorations on it and the ladder is STILL in the middle of the family room.Life goes on.
RaNDoM goes on.
In fact, RaNDoM REIGNS!
If you don't believe me,
go see the queen of RaNDoM

Stacy knows RaNDoM!
I'm pretty well acquainted with it myself!

* And now, just FYI -
REAL cowBOYS do NOT wear earrings.
It's not up for debate.
They just don't.
* Yesterday at 2:30 pm, I drove into my neighborhood.
The thermometer in my car read 14 degrees (the high of the day).
By the time I got to my house 1.8 miles later,
the thermometer read 9 degrees.
Wow, that high was short lived.

* I didn't mind that it was so cold because -
the sun was out,
the sky was bright blue,
and I was wearing these -

Yep - my friend Margaret spied them in a shop window in London.  When she stopped short on the sidewalk and gasped, the man right behind her, who ran into her, thought she was hurt. As he started to apologize for injuring her, she explained, "Oh no. Those gloves are so cute, I have to go into that store and get them for my friend."  He thought she was crazy.

Thank you Margaret!

* I was feeling so sick last night.  I have had a headache for seven days.  I felt nauseous and every time I bent over to pick something up, I thought I might throw up.  Plus it sounded like there was an erupting volcano in my stomach.  So instead of having chili and cornbread for dinner,
I had candy and cookies.

* Who was the CUTEST indian in Romania on Thanksgiving?

Hands down, it's that cute missionary in the front row with a hot pink head band and a floppy feather. Only Garrett would look good in hot pink!

* Parker does not let the snow stop him.

Yes, that is a snowy, icy street in our neighborhood.

Yes, he is on a longboard.

Yes, he is stupid.

Have a RaNDoM TueSDaY!
Gina

What Could Go Wrong?

It was nice to have Trammell home for Thanksgiving weekend.
It was nice to have Parker home.......wait, he lives here.
Kind of.

The older the kids get, the less you see them.
It's not that hard to say goodbye when they leave for college because they are NEVER home their senior year.
And Parker is no exception.

But he was around more this weekend.
And so, what do you do when the family gets together and you want to have some good ole bonding time?
WORK IN THE YARD.
Okay, so *I* wasn't home.
I'm not stupid!
I heard "work" and I suddenly had to run some errands.
I think I went to the grocery store because there was NO FOOD in the house after Thanksgiving. ;)
But Brian told the boys he just needed an hour or so to gather up the fallen leaves and pine needles.
They had bagged up ten 40 gallon trash bags and still had several to go.
Boredom set in.
Boredom is BAD!
Boredom is dangerous!
But you've gotta love kids who can make work lethal fun.
Why BAG the leaves when you can BURN them?

Is that even legal?
What could go wrong?
Really........what could go right?

Just as I pulled up, a neighbor girl came running down the street to say that some neighbors up the hill had just called them and asked if our house was on fire.  They could see the flames and were getting ready to call 911.
Luckily, no one was injured and no property was damaged.  Everyone just smelled like a forest fire.

Gina

God Has a Plan

I went to the funeral of my friend, Jane yesterday.
It was beautiful.
All six of her children delivered wonderful tributes to their mother.
She left behind an amazing legacy.

Her family is sad.  They will miss her deeply.
But they feel comfort.  They feel peace.

What give people the strength to carry on after the death of a loved one?
It is the knowledge that there IS a God and He has a plan.



Have a wonderful Sunday!

Gina

Two Parties & a Funeral

Is it seriously Friday?
Well, according to Mrs. 4444 it is.

I need five more days.  We have a crazy weekend and I need it to be Monday so I can get ready for Friday. Can you believe I am saying that?  What is WRONG with me?

Don’t answer that.                            

·         Priorities for today –

o  Order Funeral Flowers

o   Make a Christmas Carol Trivia Game

o   Buy Christmas presents for the Company #1 Christmas Party.

o   Write a letter to the school administration saying I support Parker graduating early.

·         Yeah, the Christmas Party for Company #1 is tomorrow.  It was supposed to be at MY HOUSE.  It was supposed to be TONIGHT.  Yep – Company #1 Friday and Company #2 Saturday night.  My house isn’t even decorated for Christmas……….unless you count a tree with 5 decorations and a ladder in the middle of the room as festive.

·         Luckily, I talked Company #2 into having their Christmas party in January.  And then I moved Company #1 to Saturday………and out of my house. Phew!  Now, I’m only in charge of games and presents.  I can do this!!!!

·         Would you ever order this – for a funeral?

I hope not.

·         Trammell is over-the-top goofy in love.  Yesterday, I spoke with him three times. 

“What are you doing?”

“Well, my beautiful fiancée and I are driving to………..”

                Or

                “We are talking about dates for the Colorado and Minnesota open houses, do you think…. Oh here….you can talk to my beautiful fiancée.”

I love it!

·         Parker may or may not graduate a semester early.  Yeah, we know the deadline to make that decision was 2 ½ months ago. At the time, he didn’t think he would graduate because 1) he was still 16 and didn’t want to start college in January as a brand new 17 year old. 2) he thought 2^nd semester would be “fun.”  Having all your college apps turned in, knowing your grades don’t really count for much, hanging out with all of your friends sounded kind of appealing.  But now that he’s bored out of his skull………it doesn’t sound THAT fun.

Well, I've got to get to work on these priorities!
Happy Weekending!
Gina

I Won! I WON!

Oops!  I thought I posted this last week.
What the heck was I doing?
Shopping for diamonds?
Making pies?
Roasting turkey?
Who doesn't like to win?
I LOVE to win!

My dear friend Andrea over at Maybe it's just me..... gave me this happy little award!

and I get to pass it on to five blogging friends who keep me entertained.
Ooooo............such power!

Without further ado -
* Julianna - over at Surviving Boys.
She's a newlywed with a teen boy and two youngers who regales us with stories about work, domestic life and romance <- if you count working on home improvement projects together as romantic.  She's UBER talented.  She made her own wedding dress!

* Danelle - over at Outnumbered.
She's a mom of all boys. And they keep me almost as entertained as they keep her!  Her photography is beautiful.  Go for the pictures.  Stay for the writing.

* Mama Badger - over at Out of the Boondocks.
She might have the two cutest little boys in the universe.  They are dolls.
And she almost has me convinced that living in the midwest might be fun.

* Andrea - over at The Sock Monkey Mom.
She's an "old" blogger with a "new" blog.  She's a great writer and always has something fun going on.

* Stef - over at Oops...there goes my mind.
She has a pack of funny kids and a humorous husband as well.
She always entertains and lightens my day!

Congrats girlies!
Go forth and treat some of your favorite bloggers with an award!

Gina