Happy Birthday Vance

Happy Birthday! Vance!

I hope that you have a fun day!!

Love you!

Mission Impossible?---no way!!!

I am on a mission. I am finding furniture for my children. I will be back when the mission is complete. I am almost there!!

Real life shots

Just a few images from Saturday---Real life around our house!

Updated pictures on my 365

Updated pictures at Picture My Year.

What a week it has been!

It is 10:52 p.m. on Saturday night. Almost everyone is in bed. I am up trying to update my 365 pictures--I enjoy trying to document at least one thing a day--however, trying to keep up is a bit hard. I have to stay on top of it--if I get too far behind I will just give up!

So--where have I been all week?

Let's start at the beginning.

Sunday-Miss E plays piano in church--beautifully plays " I am a Child of God"
Late Sunday night/early Monday morning----go to the Emergency Room with Miss A for extreme stomach pain. They temporarily ruled out appendicitis--she is still having pain.

Monday-tired Mom, Dad and Girl---I buy two twin beds off of KSL classified--have Tina pick them up in Logan for me.

Tuesday-Preschool, I purchase another entire bedroom set off of KSL, six loads of laundry, pick up MissE from school with the barfies, fix dinner, go to M's late basketball game.

Wednesday--return orthodics to Dr., drive to Tina's to pick up twin beds, go to lunch and do a bit of shopping, return home-make dinner, homework, piano, etc. Help D set up one of the new twin beds--they have to be re drilled.

Thursday--Preschool--free paint day! Go to Roy and pick up twin box spring-bought off KSL. Help D put together the second twin bed. Watch tivo'd Biggest Loser.

Friday--go to boot camp at the gym, drive to SLC and have lunch with D, go and pick up the bedroom furniture for M. Come home and start cleaning the furniture--my way. I wiped, polished and buffed. Took J and E to Javier's for dinner. Came home and finished putting the bed together. Stayed up too late and watched tivo'd American Idol--I love not watching commercials!

Saturday---slept in! Cleaned dirty couches, washed dirty dog, made food, picked up dirty clothes, put away toys, made beds, spent over an hour trying to salvage a vinyl word phrase that got stuck together.Comfort J after he crashed on his bike. Dinner at Steph's, run to grocery store, made chocolate chip cookies, sorted laundry, loaded pictures on computer and updated 365 blog.

The End

I'm alive!

I am not dead. I am not sick. I am not depressed.

I am busy---with laundry.

be back soon-with pictures!

Picture My Year---update!!

picture updates on Picture My Year!

From Feb.4--Feb. 21

Is Spring coming?

This past Tuesday we were BLASTED with snow! We received two feet! Yes, two feet of the heavy, cold, wet stuff. My poor Mr. Sweetness came home from work early to plow. He plowed and plowed and plowed.

I am ready for spring!!!

One day

One of these days I am going to take the time to write something interesting. Or I might just write about the laundry again!

Moving on

Feeling better. Now---the laundry!

Ickyness

It doesn't matter how old I get, when I am sick I want my Mom!

One knows that there is something wrong when you actually remember the last time your stomach hurt this bad. CHILD LABOR!

The Real Feb 11 (recap)

Today REALLY is February 12.

Yesterday was a long day. We left here at 6:00 am to drive the 3 1/2 hours north to Grant's funeral. It really was a nice funeral. We went to the cemetery in a blizzard. As we drove past the headstones I mentioned that this was the type of scene that movie makers love to use. Cold, frozen, drifted over headstones.

I was aware of the date. It was strange to be at the same cemetery on this particular day. I chose not to dwell on it.

After the graveside we went to the church for dinner. Laurel had to leave to catch a plane. I visited with her family a bit. After that we headed home--another 3 1/2 hours!

It was a long day, I am glad that D was with me--he is a great driver!(among other things)

What is the date anyway?

Wow-I am a dork.

Today I looked at a calendar that actually said FEBRUARY! Today is February 10.

I have no deep thoughts only that I should pay closer attention!

February 12, 2009

It happened.

I never thought that this would happen, but it did. Today, I was reading and turned with a jerk to look at the date. February 12,2009. My Dad died 21 years ago--YESTERDAY. This is the first year that I have not been keenly aware of the date. It is always there, in the dark recesses of my mind. His loss is never far from my thoughts.

On Saturday I told Mr. Sweetness (when he was looking at my creative mess) that Valentine's Day had been tainted for me for the last 20 years. This was the year that I was taking the holiday back. Sunday rolled around and we were busy with church, trying to nap(not successful), piano practicing, and making Valentine cookies. Never once during the day did I even think about the date.

Ten years ago I would have wondered if this was a lack of caring on my part. How could I forget? If I forgot when he died did that mean I was forgetting him?

I now wonder if perhaps it is just the opposite. Perhaps by finally not agonizing over when he died I can actually get on with living. My living with my little family. My Dad was a very outgoing person. He did everything with gustso(even snoring). He would never want anyone in his family to be paralyzed by the grief that his death brought.

So, today is February 12. It is a new day!

Grant-You will be missed.

I had a lucky childhood. I had two homes. In my parent’s home, I was the fourth and youngest child. There was always something going on at our house. My Mom went back to college while I was little, moved two thirds of the family out of state for nine months to finish her degree and started teaching when I was in third grade. My Dad owned his own automotive supply business where he worked long hours. He was also an avid outdoors men. My three older siblings were very normal. They were busy, messy and loud. I shared a bedroom with my older sister. We were usually fighting about something. Often who was responsible for the messy bedroom!

My second home was the home of my best friend Laurel Chandler. Laurel is also the youngest of four. That is where the similarities ended (in my child’s eye). Laurel’s parent’s, Grant and Donna had always wanted a daughter but were not blessed with one the old fashioned way. When they brought Laurel home from the adoption agency her closest brother was twelve years old.
Laurel and I were friends before birth. After birth we were inseparable. I remember making mud pies outside their old house, getting in trouble for taking good spoons from the kitchen. I remember Donna curling our hair using a playing card to protect our ears.
Laurel and I would run around the back of her Dad’s office when we we little(the old one, torn down to make way for the freeway), we would jump large rolls of carpet, boxes and other huge items. There was always a fridge full of sodas.
We would talk about the bridge the city should build across the river from the park, then it would be easier to get to each others houses. Laurel and I went to kindergarten together, up the huge wide stairs. I remember sitting in the back row by the huge windows. Donna would often take me home while Mom was at class.
When we were about seven, Chandlers decided to build a new home outside of town. This was also the year that we went to Logan, Utah for nine months so Mom could finish her degree. I remember driving out of town wondering if I would ever see Laurel again, missing her so.

For a second grader the year in Logan was an adventure that went by quickly. It was finally Mom’s graduation day. The day the call came. The call about the Teton Dam breaking, sending a twenty foot wave of water toward St Anthony. My first thoughts were of Dad’s shop and sand paper floating out the door. My next thoughts were of Laurel and her family. Would the water get both their brand new house(barely moved in), their old house and their business?
Fortunately, both family’s homes and businesses were not harmed. I remember finally getting to come into town. I remember driving past Laurel’s beautiful new home, all safe and sound. I was so happy to be home.
From this moment on there very few days that I didn’t spend part of it at Chandler’s. I didn’t go to the front door and knock. I went through the garage and knocked as I was entering! By the time Laurel and I were ten years old her brothers were grown—off in college, missions, getting married. Laurel was basically an only child. Therefore we pretty much had total run of the house! We were able to bake, sew, decorate, sing, etc. without any older siblings telling us to stop.
Throughout high school Chandler’s just continued to be my second home. Grant was in the Stake Presidency so I had opportunities to meet with visiting authorities. I remember meeting Elder Marvin J. Ashton. I also remember staying at their house while they hosted members of a choir. We were love struck tweens!
During high school my family had some serious family issues (who’s doesn’t?). Laurel’s house was always open to me. I never once had to explain our problems. They also never expected an explanation. They just welcomed me, no matter what day or time. I went on vacations, ate Sunday dinners and basically became one of theirs.
I have been out of high school for twenty three years. Over the course of those years I have stopped by on occasion. I almost always still go through the garage. More than once I have noticed my little families Christmas picture on their fridge. I have walked a block from my Mom’s house to Grant’s insurance office. Even after Grant retired I was greeted like family by Laurel’s brothers. Usually being called something like Rosemont or Rosie BD(don’t ask me why?).
Yesterday Mom called and told me Grant passed away. He hasn’t been well for awhile. I am so saddened by this news.
Grant was a constant in my life. He was my Bishop when I was a little girl. He helped us bottle feed baby lambs, helped us feed baby chicks. He never complained about our “creative messes”, staying up all night playing monopoly or our constant giggling. He allowed access to his office so we could deliver circulars, never complained when we drank all the pop in his fridge. Always gave us money for gas and treats. He even gave us access to his wood shop, even helping us build doll houses for our own little girls.

Grant was a figure of strength for me. As an adult I am well aware that we all have short comings. I am certain Grant had them. However, as a child I felt Grant’s faith. I knew he had a testimony of Jesus Christ. I knew this before I even understood what this truly meant. I knew he loved his family, he would do anything he could for them. He was a strong example of a good husband, father and leader. His example helped me know what to look for in my own husband.

I feel blessed to have been part of his family.

He will be missed.

Sick Day

Last night my little man looked horrible. He was fevering, glassy eyed and sounded like a seal. I decided that I better call and cancel preschool for today. I don't want my child to be the one that exposes 16 other children to croup!

What a great day this has turned out to be. Just exactly what I needed. A sick boy that is not TOO sick. Just sick enough that I don't want to take him out. He just laid low all day.

What did I do you ask. DIG OUT my laundry/storage room! I know that it sounds like I am always buried. Well, I am! I am trying to simplify(isn't this such a catch term right now?) my life but right now, I am just trying to figure out what that means. So, today, I have done laundry. My 15 loads last week helped so much-unfortunately for me, I haven't done even one load since last Wednesday! So-lots of laundry and sorting as I go. It is once again time to go through everyone's clothes. They all seem to be growing constantly, I feel like I just barely went through their stuff to pull out the things that don't fit. I guess that is just part of life!

I am often curious about when and how people start having their children be responsible for their own laundry. My friend Lara has her very young children do theirs, I have other friends who have them start at 12 others 15. The truth be told, I was never totally responsible for my own laundry until I went to college. I did know how to do it. I was taught how to sort(well, thank you very much) and to not wash one shirt(sorry Mom). However, my Mom really never required me to do it. Now, I wonder if I am doing my older children a disservice if I do or if I don't? I certainly would like two less people's laundry that I am responsible for. However, I haven't decided how to go about this.

Updates

Updates on picture my year 365 blog.

I'm Alive!

Hello there world!

I am still alive. However, it is still winter and I am still running in slow motion. I am hoping that very, very soon I will actually feel like I WANT to do instead of I HAVE to do!

Wish me well!

Spring-please hurry!

Spring, where art thou?

I am ready for January to be over. It has been a nonstop month of craziness. I realize that most of the craziness is self induced. A cruise in January makes for a crazy Momma. I prefer to go on a trip in February.

So---I am hoping to an early spring. I have decided to bring out a few touches of happy colors--anything to fight the winter blahs that have invaded my soul.

I bought a cute tablecloth before our trip. It is bright and cheery. I now need some beautiful Gerber daisies. I wonder if I could find any? I could buy some artificial ones or a certain niece could just send me some from her beautiful wedding!(kidding)

What are the things that help you fight the winter blahs?

Laundry-laundry and more laundry!

As I gathered the laundry from every crevice of my house I was thinking about how laundry is such a mind drain. I have known people that love laundry. I am not one of them. The actual sorting, washing, drying and folding is not the problem. That is easy. The problem that I have is that it seems to take up so much of my life.

Today I decided that I was going to load up all the laundry and take it to the laundromat. At the mention of this my sis-in-law Julie is gagging! How gross is it to choose to take my families clothes to a laundromat? Well, I decided that the sanity of this family's mother was more important that the idea of using washer's that strangers use!

So, I loaded up the 'burban --I actually had to lay the back seat down, and we headed to town. Little J was so patient. He thought it was fun for a bit. I sorted and sorted and then loaded and loaded machines. I filled eleven machines and then one HUGE machine that held about three loads. After feeding the machines with quarters we went and had lunch. After lunch we headed back to start sorting the dry with no dry clothes. We once again fed the hungry machines. The dryers seemed even hungrier than the washers.

After we folded and folded I finally reloaded the 'burban with the clean clothes.

Now to get them all put away before I have nine more loads!!

Winter is here again

It is dark, cold and snowing. I realize that it is still January but I am ready, really ready for spring. I am fully aware that this is a slow, dark time for many people. I am one of them. If you have ever had negative thoughts about anything they are more severe at this time of year.

I have a friend who's mother always told them, "Never make a life-altering decision in February." I am so with her.

Is going to the laundromat with my 35 loads of laundry life-altering? I almost hope so!

Update

I loaded pictures from our trip on my 365 blog-I will hopefully be able to dig out from the mess in a few days and actually do an update. In the meantime check out my picture my year blog. I loaded from January 14-24.

We're HOme!

We are home from our Carribbean cruise! It was wonderful---warm, sunny and relaxing. I will load some pictures later!

Sunday Nights around our house!

My first born child came in tonight while I was downloading pictures for our 365 picture album. She asked why #2,3,4 were always on the blog but she never was. I told her that she wasn't on the blog because she is never home! She said, "I am too". I replied, "No, you sleep, shower and use itunes here."

So-in honor of my first born darling daughter this post is for her!

Sunday night MissA comes into the office. "Mom, can I make cookie dough?" Notice that she didn't ask if she could make cookies. We don't really like the cookies as much as we like the dough. Made with real--RAW eggs! Eewh, I know. Yes we realize that 1 in 10,000 eggs carries salmonella and we could get really sick. Does this phase us? Not one tiny bit. We love cookie dough.

On this night MissA decided to be artistic---"Mom! Mom! come and take a picture! They are so cute!"

When one of my children uses the phrase "come and take a picture" I just beam inside because I think that they get my crazy obsession with photos.

So, in the kitchen I went. MissA had made beautiful cookies, with a darling little chip on the top. It made me realize that I have never, ever made chocolate chip cookies with a large chip on the top-like most good homemaking mother's would have done. My 15 year old daughter had to figure this out on her own with the tiny little chips that we dug out of the hiding spot.

Perhaps I should buy some big chips-Kisses or Guittard-- so that we can make some treats to give to the neighbors--they have lived across the street for a little over a year and they still seem to like us.

Pay It Forward!

My friend Mia has a little "tag" type of thing on her blog. It is a Pay It Forward type of thing. There is just so much negative out there. This is just a little way to send positive vibes out into the universe.

Here is the gist of this

"Here are the rules: The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward in their own way. This is how it works… I am going to agree to send something fun, inspiring or uplifting to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry (please leave your email address if I don’t all ready have it.).
In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. There are no cost restraints, but don’t go crazy! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile. Maybe something unique from where you live? And remember that kindness doesn’t have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around.”

I hope that this will be a fun little thing that will help get people thinking of ways to brighten other peoples lives because I firmly believe that if we are serving other people we will be much happier ourselves.

So---play along! Who will be first?

Monday

Monday

I have almost always liked Mondays. It seems like a new start.

Sometimes, however, Monday is a hard day. There are dirty dishes left over from the weekend. Dirty socks, pants, undies and rugs litter the floor. Unmade beds, dirty mirrors, dusty baseboards, sour laundry, overdue library books, and unpaid bills.

Sometimes Monday's just seem to slap me in the face with all the things that I am not doing as well as I think I should be.

Why is it that women take it personally when their children leave their dirty underwear on the kitchen floor? Why do we think that it is our fault when the garage is a total wreck, full of wet stinky snow boots and gloves? Why do we think that we are failures when our children's bedroom looks like a war zone? Why do we feel inferior when our kitchen floors resemble a movie theater floor? Why do we have a mental list of all the things that need to be done, checking things off, slowly realizing that the list is getting longer not shorter because we keep adding to it.

Why can we not realize that most of the things that we take personally are not really "ours". The dirty underwear? I didn't wear them and dump them on the kitchen floor, a little four year old took them off there because he was trying to get his own pj's on. The dirty dishes that are endless? A family that was fed. The dirty mirrors and stinky toilets? The blessings of indoor plumbing-remember the outhouse of yesterday? Unmade beds and dirty bedrooms--a sign of a warm place to sleep and a home that is large enough to have extra space. Clothing strewn about? A sign that we are well covered and not trying to stay warm in the cold.
The list that never ends---a sign that we are not finished, there is always room for improvement. If we are breathing we need to be living. If we are living then there are messes.

Lots and lots of messes.

Intentions vs. Resolutions

January=New Year's Resolutions

This is what is often on our minds in January. What resolutions do I want to make? Lose weight, read, paint--whatever it is. The only problem is that by February 15 we have already fallen off the resolution bandwagon and are feeling badly about ourselves.

In the last few years I have heard a new catch phrase term that I really like.

Intention

I believe that I am going to replace resolutions with INTENTIONS. What are my intentions. What do I want to improve on in my life?

There are books out there really teaching the concept of Living with Intention. I think that perhaps that is going to be something that I will work on this year.

That and folding the laundry!

A New Day!

Today is a new day.

I am going to teach school--snowball math and keep doing laundry.

I am hoping that it is a sunny beautiful day because I need some sunshine!!!

I have made a decision. I will not be teaching preschool next year. It feels good to just have a final decision.

It is January 8 and I am ready for my Crocus flowers to emerge!

Reality Bites!

Have you ever known something is true but you keep lying to yourself, telling yourself that it isn't really that bad?

Well, today a picture was taken. It's THAT BAD! The picture was taken in honor of my 365 challenge. Something that represents a snippet of life in this household.

The picture taken was of me-folding the mounds and mounds of laundry that have been suffocating me for --well--ever. The lying to myself part is not that I am a terrible housekeeper and can't keep up on my laundry-that is a given and accepted fact. Ask any member of this family! The part that I have been lying to myself about is that I have gained some weight but I am still smaller than I was a couple of years ago because I have been exercising--the whole muscle weighs more than fat concept.

There is an old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words---well---this one picture spoke volumes!

I am fatter than I have been in FOUR years. The only reason that I can wear a smaller pants size is because they are the only pants I have and I am pouring myself into them.

I am trying to decide if I am going to post this picture-it is embarrassing. Terribly embarrassing. Perhaps actually having a record of it will help me to correct myself. It is a new year and new years are full of new intentions and new resolutions. I haven't really made myself a detailed list of the improvements I want to make in my life, however, I know that my health is one of them.

I throw out the term My Health lightly. I like to try and act like the reason that I try to occasionally eat healthy is not because I am on a diet but because I want to live a healthy lifestyle. Well, sometimes, once again, I am lying. It is because I hate being fat. I want to look good in a pair of jeans, I want to feel good in my own skin and not feel like I have a 14 cup of flour dough ball for a belly!

Sometimes a wake up call is painful.

Grab a tissue--push play

I hope that this touches your heart like it did mine!

Picture My Year--365

I have been reading about people doing 365 photo a year projects for a few years now. Well, I decided that this is the year that I am going to attempt this.

This is not a complete album of every picture I take---that would be about 10,000 instead of 365! It is just one picture every day. A picture that helps depict something that is happening in our lives. At the end of the year it will be quite a collection--I hope.

I have decided to have a dedicated blog just for this project. It is called Picture My Year. If you are so inclined you can follow the links here or on the sidebar to get there!

A New Year!!!!

A New Year!

I have had a slow beginning---it being the 5th of January and all. I have a few big plans for myself and my life. I will slowly be sharing them here. Be patient, I am trying to be AWARE of what I am doing and doing it with purpose.

A few ideas floating in my head:

*A word to focus on for the year
*exercise plan and goals
*365 days of daily photography
*Creativity goals
*Spiritual improvements
*organizing and editing

Hopefully, 2009 will be a banner year for having positive energy!

Final December Daily-Christmas Eve and Morning

Final December Daily-Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning
On Christmas Eve we have traditionally had a little birthday party. A birthday party for Jesus. For the last couple of years somehow we forgot about our tradition. My niece Jessica asked me if we were going to do it and it was like a lightbulb-Hello? We haven't been doing our tradition! Little Man probably didn't even remember ever doing it!
So, we decided to do it again. We made cupcakes so that there would be more to decorate. It has always seemed to work a bit better if everyone has their one little canvas to work on. We took our cupcakes and frosting(which I whipped up in Ruby) and went to Mr. Sweetness' parent's house.
The kids and Mom had fun! It is amazing how well you can write with a little tiny hole cut in a ziploc baggie!











Christmas morning came early. MissE just couldn't contain herself. She said that she was first up at 1:16 am. I believe that Santa was probably barely up the chimney! She kept wandering around, Daddy first heard her again at about 4:00, again at 5:30. Finally, at 6:20 she started rousing the rest of the kiddos.

They had a ball. The two big kids didn't expect much knowing that they had already getting snowboarding passes and new boarding stuff. They were both totally surprised when they did receive a present from Santa. MissA got a new ipod and Man got a new Ripstik.

MissE was overwhelmed when she opened her own ipod box. She didn't even know what to say.

Little Man was the sweetest of all, he was overjoyed with every little thing. He opened a package of socks from his stocking and just gaahed over them. They are just was I wanted!

My sweet Mr. Sweetness shocked me when the last present of the morning was for me.

He bought me a new diamond wedding band! When we were married we had NO money. I told him not to buy me a diamond. It just wasn't worth going into debt for a ring. He had bought me an Irish Claddaugh ring before he came home from Ireland. This was a traditional Irish wedding band. I still treasure this ring. He bought me a simple band and I have loved them for 18+ years. I was not expecting such a beautiful gift.

I am such a lucky girl!

Christmas was quite a messy day. It was a delight to watch my children be so excited. This is what I look forward to. A tiny moment.

Enough junk!

Have you ever eaten so much junk that it actually begins to lose its appeal? That is where I am. I want big leafy green salads with grilled chicken. I want water-lots and lots of water. I also want to want to get my carcass out of bed and run. I want to run.

Okay---I want to be thin and have ten million dollars also!

Anyone with me on jumping back on the healthy lifestyle wagon?

December Daily-December 25, 2008

December Daily-December 25, 2008

The big day has come and almost gone.

Merry Christmas!

December Daily-December 24 Christmas Eve(day)

December Daily--December 24th Christmas Eve(day) 2008



Images from around our house

AND!! A real look at my counter! No Norman Rockwell painting here!

December Daily-December 23, 2008

December Daily-December 23,2008

I feel like Christmas jumped ahead of me this year! In early November I felt so prepared. I had a plan and a few things taken care of. Then came black Friday shopping, more things marked off the list. Then---it is days before Christmas and I feel like I need another month.

I think that that reason I need another month is because NOW, I am ready to actually just sit and soak in the beauty of the season. Perhaps another year I will remember this, get the chores done early-all the wrapping done, house cleaned(still waiting on this one) etc. Do all these things way ahead of time. Oh, wait---I am not in a dream world! I am the one that has to actually do all those things. Along with homework, preschool, laundry----all these things have to be done OVER AND OVER AND OVER!

Oh, well! Here we are--the day before Christmas Eve. I believe that we are as ready as we are going to be. We have some special treats in the house, there is some wrapping going on. There are a few presents showing up under the tree(not too many--too many nosy bodies!)A Hallmark movie is playing. The house is pretty much a wreck and I have decided that I am not going to stress out about it.

Just a head's up-don't wait until the day before Christmas Eve to mail packages. It can be done but not recommended!

December Daily-December 22, 2008

December Daily--December 22, 2008

Today was my day to find all the things that I have been putting off. I spent six hours in town today. One hour was waiting in the Doctor's office(grrh) to have him look at Little man's arm and say that it isn't healed yet. Five hours shopping. What does one shop for five hours for? Gloves, socks, undies-etc. etc. etc. However, I do believe that we are ready for the big day.

The highlight of the day was not the shopping or the slopping around in the wet muck. It was going to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square. We live about an hour away from Salt Lake City so we went with Mr. Sweetness' singles ward and made a trip to see the beautiful display of lights. The lights on Temple Square are fabulous.

It was also the only picture that I have been able to get of my family!

December Daily--December 21, 2008

December Daily--December 21, 2008

Today was a lovely day of church services. I went to two sacrament meetings(LDS) where there was a Christmas program done by the choir. They were both just wonderful. The Spirit was so strong with that sacred Christmas music. Christmas music is one of my favorite things of the season.

I came home and started watching yet another Hallmark Christmas movie. I am such a softie. I was bawling my eyes out and it wasn't even sad.

Later I wondered why I was bawling. A touch of PMS is in order but more than that I am homesick. Homesick? I have been married for 18+ years, how do I get homesick? I have lived in this home for 7+ years. I have been a mother for 15+ years. Yet---I am homesick.

I remember getting out of school for Christmas break. There would be tons of snow, we would watch way to much t.v., friends would come by with tons of treats, family would come by with even more treats. We would go to my grandparents house about an hour away. Almost always coming or going in a storm. We would put some bows on Grandma's tree, eat some chili, watch Lawrence Welk and just feel excitement. On our way home my oldest brother Royce would point out little points of light to me. He was certain that that was Santa's sleigh. "Did you see that red light?" "That was Rudolph." We get home and then get to choose one present to open. It wasn't necessarily p.j.'s--it could be about anything. Then we would sit by the fire and try to not go to sleep. I was always the earliest one up. My sister got to where she threatened me if I got up before 8:00a.m.

We would finally rush down to the tree. We would look in our stockings first, they would be hanging on the stair banister. There would always be socks, undies, a toothbrush, and a trinket or two-maybe earrings, makeup or a little toy. Also, for years there would be a piece of gold wrapped Almond Rocca.

After we went through our stockings we would attack the presents. There were four children in our family so there were always lots of presents. I remember getting dolls, buggies, barbies, roller skates, a walkman tape player and many other things. I always remember feeling such joy and elation.

I am now the Mom of four children and well, I feel homesick.

December Daily-December 20, 2008

December Daily-December 20, 2008

I slept in until 9:00am! That is really a long time. It felt wonderful! The dark dreary winter has been kicking my rear this week.

Mr. Sweetness worked outside for hours today. Plowing,shoveling-just basically digging out from our snowstorm accumulations.

While he worked outside I worked inside. ( I am not adding details to this because today was one of those days that I am not feeling the joy in my motherhood!)

Tonight we went to a salesman party. It was at a nice restaurant in Salt Lake City. We dressed up in our festive wear.

Mr. Man went boarding. He said that it was -16 degrees at the top of the ski hill. That is cold.

December Daily--December 19, 2008

December Daily--December 19, 2008

"Oh the weather outside is frightful"

We are having blowing wintery weather! It is blowing, cold, dark, wet.

Winter has come to stay!

December Daily--December 18, 2008

December Daily-December 18, 2008

I am constantly reminded that as a preschool teacher I am working with little people that are basically not capable of doing much for themselves. They still want me to wipe their bums---I refuse. They must do that, I am not their mother.

Today I had a darling little ornament project for them. I had printed out the pictures I took of them in a Santa hat. I had one of those little foamy packs. It had trees, and all the little things to decorate them. The kit also came with letters to spell out their names. Well, I knew that glue doesn't really work well on the foam. So, I would just use eyelets to attach the picture. It would be fast with my Crop a dile eyelet setter.
WRONG! It took much too long and I could feel the tension increasing by the second. I got the pictures attached and then started having the children put their names on--this was too hard. I ended up putting the names on 16 out of 18 ornaments! By the second session I had learned a few things.
I didn't let them choose the color of tree, I just gave it to them.
I didn't use eyelets. I used a big brad.
I didn't even try to have the afternoon class help with their names, I just did it myself.
After the pictures and names were on I let them go to town with the other little ornaments, bows etc. They were able to do that and they turned out darling. However, this is one project that will be totally altered if I ever do it again--at least with 3-5 year olds!

December Daily -December 17, 2008

December Daily--December 17, 2008

I am a lover of books. If I had lots of disposable time and income I could easily spend hours in a lovely bookstore.

One day I am going to do a post about our Christmas book tradition. I might even take some pictures.

Today I want to share with you one book that you should go out and buy tomorrow.

The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck

Mr. Sweetness bought this book a few weeks ago. I knew nothing about it. After he finished it he told me I would like it. He discovered that it is a huge phenomenon this season. It has been on the #1 and #2 spots for weeks. None of the talk shows will have the author on their shows to talk about the book. He doesn't care! The book is striking a cord with a huge crowd. Mr. Sweetness then found out that the author was having a showing of his live presentation of the book. So, he booked tickets for us. He and I and #1 and #2.

It was absolutely worth the money spent. This was a powerful experience. I am very serious when I say GO AND BUY IT! If you have someone to buy a gift for ---this is a good choice.

December Daily-December 16, 2008

December Daily--December 16

The Biggest Loser Finale. I was hooked. I watched the entire season. I think that this makes me a total loser. I also got many in my family hooked.

We were happy with the outcomes---like it matters in the scheme of my life!

December Daily-December 15, 2008

December Daily--December 15, 2008

I love a good party. Especially when I don't have to clean to get ready!
Tonight was Mr. Sweetness' singles ward Christmas party. It was lots of fun, until I realized that I was sitting at a large round table for eight by myself while Mr. Sweetness went and sat somewhere else. Excuse me? Am I not the center of the universe? Shouldn't he realize that I was sitting there for 20 minutes while he mingled around --before I had to take Little Man to the potty and he didn't know where I was sitting?

I looked cute though!

Shallow Christmas wish

What I want for Christmas----A Maid.

The end.

December Daily--December 14, 2008

December Daily-December 14,2008
I was pleasantly surprised when I received a little award the other day. It is called the Spirit of Christmas award. It is supposed to be awarded to people who really believe in all that is Christmas. Jennifer Lavendar awarded it to me.


This is how you play along:

You must be a true Christmas lover to accept this award.
The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with Christmas.
You must link back to the person who gave you the award.
You must list 5 things that you love about Christmas. If you can’t limit it to 5 things, then keep going until you run out of space!
Pass the award along to as many people as you like. That can be 1 or 45; it’s up to you. You must pass it on to at least one person in order to keep the Christmas cheer going.
Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving them a comment on their blog.

So here goes.

First and Foremost: I love that we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Because our Heavenly Father sent Him we can all return to live with them again. Rejoice and Remember--He is the Reason for the season.

Next:
#1 I love Christmas music. I could listen to most Christmas music all year long-although I do get funny looks when I sing Silent Night in July!

#2 I love all the Christmas displays in all the stores. All the glittery bright decorations. I am hoping that someday I can have at least one display in my house that looks as festive and beautiful.

#3 I love totally holiday clothes. I would love to have a red velvet dress with white fur around the cuffs. I would also like a wrap to go with it that had a beautiful hood and a hand muff.

#4 I love simple traditions like decorating the tree with old ornaments. Ornaments that have been around for years. I like discovering new traditions as well.

#5 I LOVE receiving Christmas cards with pictures.

I am supposed to tag a few others with this award.

Christa

Tina

December Daily--December 13, 2008

December Daily--December 13, 2008

We left Boise early in the morning so that we would be back in plenty of time to pick up Mr. Man(#2) from the ski hill.

We ended up having to drive quite slowly in places due to icy roads. To take my mind off of the roads and let Mr. Sweetness drive without me panicking, I read out loud a new book we picked up. It is called The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren.

This is a non-denominational Christian book. It was definitely worth the read. I would recommend it to anyone. It isn't a light and fluffy Christmas book, however, it could be quite life altering if one took the things and really incorporated them into one's life. If you are a studying Christian at all these purposes are not new. We already know them, however, Mr. Warren has put them together in a way that really is wonderful.

Four hours later we were still running behind. We headed up a windy narrow canyon to get to the ski hill. The storm had been raging for quite a few hours so the roads were treacherous(as my Mom likes to say!) We actually lost control once on a corner and almost had a disastrous crash. Luckily, Mr. Sweetness is a great driver and was able to maneuver the suburban during the spin. We only ended up with a tiny scratch on the side of the car. The rest of the drive to and from the ski hill was horrible as well. Mr.Sweetness was a wreck when we finally got home. However, we had to rush into the house, change clothes and go to the annual Christmas piano recital.

Both Mr. Man and MissE were performing. We literally arrived at our house at 1:45 p.m., changed and arrived at the church at 1:55 p.m. That is cutting it close!

Both the kids played their memorized pieces well. I believe that this is the year that Man is going to really excel in his piano. He doesn't' realize it but I do. His teacher and I feel that he can really be pushed now.

My how I love a man that can play the piano!

December Daily--December 12, 2008

December Daily--December 12, 2008

Today consisted of driving 350 miles so Mr. Sweetness could take one of his largest clients and staff to a lovely Christmas dinner. It is a long drive but it is always nice to have an excuse to be completely alone with my love for awhile.

It is also a really fun reason to put on fancy Christmas party clothes!

December Daily--December 11, 2008

December Daily--December 11, 2008

Happiness! I finally got my Christmas dishes out and into my cupboard. They just make me smile every time that I pick one of them up. I am still so glad that I splurged and bought them last year.