Christmas Day

One more Christmas post and then I’ll be done.

I promise.

I’m going to let the pictures do the talking but first I just have to share this. MT had a list of just three things for Santa. An iPad, a piano and an alarm clock (pronounced “ee-larm”). By some miracle we were able to get all three. The two big ones we tagged as “family gifts” and the alarm is all hers (which has changed our mornings completely, don’t know why I didn’t get her one sooner).

Being able to make your children’s Christmas wishes comes true, for me, made the day all the more magical.

After she would open something (that was hers) she would then distribute to whomever she saw fit.

After all the presents we ate lots of really good food.

Here is the evidence.

Such a good day!

Mom Musings

Little Miss usually falls asleep on the bus ride home everyday after school.

And usually she wakes up just as they get to our house. Yesterday, though, she wasn’t ready for that. So I had to go on the bus and carry her off. When we got inside I laid her down on the couch and there she continued to sleep for another hour or so. When she did come to she was all out of sorts. I have a sneaking suspicion that someone woke her up.

For the rest of evening she never could get back in sorts. She wasn’t sure what she wanted. Although she was pretty sure she wanted mom. Although sometimes she questioned even that. I carried her around for the most of the evening to help her be settled. I held her while I was doing dinner prep. Then dad took a turn. Then I held her during dinner. Then I held her up the stairs for a bath. One I hoped would calm her nerves. After some convincing it did finally work.

I tried hard not to grow impatient with her constant state of I-don’t-know-what-I-want-but-please-give-it-to-me. It was touch and go a couple of times.

But as I laid in bed last night I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I could be “the mom.” The one who everyone wants when nothing is going quite right in their lives. When there is confusions. When no one knows what they want. I’m felt grateful that I could hold her. That even though she was unsettled holding her settled things a little. I feel grateful even for our frustrations, both hers and mine. Because even with those frustrations we still had each other to hold on to.

After a lengthy bath and two books read we came down stairs to find The Boy dancing his little heart out. And in the end that’s what got her back to her normal self.

Sometimes all you need is a dance party.

And mom.

Monday Musings

Another Monday.

Another list.

Lists are my favorite.

Kinda like smiling.

Here goes.

• Right now I'm snuggling the littlest. She’s humming and playing with my hair. We’ll see how long that lasts
• On Friday we got KFC, to go, and watched the movie Pearl Harbor
• We’ve done it almost every Dec 7th since we were dating
• I am amazed each time I watch it thinking about that experience
• It’s a good lesson in remembering
• I’m in finish-Christmas-projects-production mode this week
• Crossing my fingers that I can cross some stuff off lists
• Wish me luck
• And the girl is gone, somehow I knew it wouldn’t last
• Today I’m cleaning my oven since my parents are coming for Christmas (a first in my10 years of marriage) and my dad informed me he’s bringing a white glove and will leave if I don’t pass. That’s a lot of pressure. Just sayin’
• Miss Thing has expanded her Christmas wish list. An iPad (thought she would try again since Santa ran out last year), a piano (anyone know of a nice free piano close by?) and an alarm clock. Although she pronounces it “ee-larm clock.”
• The other two don’t really have lists. Makes things easier and yet harder at the same time.
• The kids have been playing “school” lately. MT is the teacher, of course. She even lets them have recess. So, you know, it’s fair.
• I took a total of 5 pictures this weekend. They were all centered around a play dough creation.
• Enjoy!

In a Month

I try not to spend too much time looking ahead at what’s to come. Yes I plan things in advance but I try not to dwell on things that haven’t happened yet. At least some things.

Which is why I gave the husband a big fat “SHHH” last night when he reminded me that this boy would be 9 in one month.

Nine. One month.

Excuse me, I don’t remember giving permission for that.

Handy Work

In the weeks leading up to Christmas books, instead of presents, are what can be found under the tree. I’ve accepted the fact that my kids can’t keep their hands off of whatever is on, near, around or under the tree so I put out our collection of Christmas books. Then I don’t have to overreact to their nosey-ness keep such a close eye on their snooping.

The other day, when MT had taken over my camera to take “one” picture of something, I found her like this.

Snapping pictures of her favorite Christmas book.

Would you like to see her work?

Amazing, no?

I have to admit it makes me slightly giddy to see her take such an interest in taking pictures. I get a little excited thinking about teaching her things like lighting, f/stops and shutter speed.

Then a take a deep breath and realize she’s only 6.

Even so it’s still fun to see what she’s come up with.

To see the magic from her perspective.

Photo Challenge

For the past few days I’ve been snapping a picture or 24 a day for a December photo challenge.

Don’t ask my how this fits into my “simplicity” mantra. Because I don’t want to answer that question.

Today’s challenge is “shadow play.”

So I dragged Little Miss outside Little Miss and I went outside for a little playtime.

Then I thought, “hmmm…might be better if your hair was done. And your clothes matched.”

So inside for a bath

And get dressed.

Then back outside to try again.

Much better.

And then she was done.

Click the picture below for more info.

Monday Musings

A list for this Monday.

Because I do love lists.

And, well, ‘tis the season.

1. Yesterday this girl bore her testimony in church for the first time. She’s been wanting to for weeks and asks each Sunday asks if it’s “fast Sunday.” We told her she first had to share it with us. So she told me what she wanted to talk about and I helped her form the right words. She memorized them and said them perfectly. She walked right up at the beginning of the meeting, waited her turn, then said what she needed to. I learned again what it means for your heart to burst, so to speak. I was so so very proud.
2. I’m happy to report I finally finished my Christmas decorations. For now, at least. I keep thinking of things that I might add here and there.
3. My goal for this Christmas season is to simplify. Too often I make things too difficult. For myself mostly. I’m going to try hard to make things simple. Simple can be beautiful. I may have to keep reminding myself of that.
4. Last night I snuggled my boy while we watch this. It’s my favorite way to start December.
5. Saturday I put up Christmas lights outside. Not too many (remember, simplify?) but just enough for kids to be excited with them.
6. The weather has been weird lately. Warmer than it should be, weird. We’ve had a few fires but not enough for my liking. So what I’m trying to say is, as nice as the weather has been, I’m ready for cooler weather. I said cooler, not 30 below freezing!
7. MT was so kind as to commandeer my camera this weekend and take pictures of our Christmas decorations and such. I shall end this post with her handy work.

Happy Monday to you!

The Spirit of Christmas

“The spirit of Christmas is something I hope all of us would have in our hearts and lives—not only at this particular season but also throughout the year.

When we have the spirit of Christmas, we remember Him whose birth we commemorate at this season of the year: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

In our day the spirit of giving gifts plays a large role in commemorating the Christmas season. I wonder if we might profit by asking ourselves, What gifts would the Lord have me give to Him or to others at this precious season of the year?”

President Thomas S. Monson

Decking The Halls

This past week I had to remind myself each day that we were still in November. When Thanksgiving, and my birthday, are over it feels like it should be December. So I felt a little sneaky with an entire week before December actually started. I amazed myself with how much I was able to get done. It was like I was given an extra week.

And yet with the most magical of holidays approaching a few children I know were demanding a Christmas tree. So Monday I set it up and they decorated that evening. Then everything else sat in boxes until Friday evening.

While I set the tree up I must of felt the oodles of extra time that come with a whole extra week so I made a little video of my tree setting up progress.

Now that December is here. Now that my decorations are up. I feel like I get to enjoy every moment of this magical month.

Christmas Memories: This Time Ten Years Ago

This technically isn’t a Christmas memory.
But it is kind of, to me.
It was 10 years ago, the day after Christmas, that David first spoke the “M” word.
This is how that conversation went.
D: I think maybe we should start talking about marriage
Me: Ooo-kay
Translation: You can talk about it all you want
Somehow, though, he missed the translation. The “okay” was enough for him and the next day he went out and bought a ring. He had plans of waiting until Valentines day. Giving me time to get good and ready. But things never turn out like you think they will. And when the dude behind the counter told him he had 30 days to return it it was like a stopwatch in  his head started going off. Then it turned into a hot potato that he had to get rid it of as soon as possible.
In the days that followed I found out, since he couldn’t (and still can’t) keep secrets, and began the first in my freaking out series. My sister, who took part in the “finding out,” then started coordinating things. She staged arranged for David to speak with my father. More freaking out on my part.
Then on New Years Eve we spent the evening together talking things through. This helped lessen my freaking out. The conversation kept building and building until finally, at 11:20 pm, he popped the question.
As funny, and crazy, as everything came together it couldn't have been more perfect.

‘Twas The Week After Christmas

And all through the house,

The mess was enormous!

Christmas day, this year, seemed to hit me like one of those tornados that you didn’t see coming. Then all of the sudden it’s gone and you have a mess unlike anything you have ever seen. Maybe tornado isn’t the right word. Perhaps earthquake would be better. Although to my knowledge no one or no thing was swallowed up.

I’ll stick with tornado. This is Kansas after all.

Christmas morning when we got up we let kids open stockings before getting ready and heading off to church.

Which really amounted to

candy,

candy,

and more candy.

Afterwards we came home and changed clothes then waited for all of our visitors. Almost all of David’s family was able to come for the Christmas holiday. It was great fun.

Pretty much from this point forward things got blurry. We passed out gifts and then I forgot to suggest we do things one at a time.

Presents were being open left and right I didn’t have a change to see what everyone got. Or to watch people open things that we had given them. The Boy was opening things that didn’t belong to them. Name tags were falling off presents so we didn’t know what belonged to who. Little Miss would open a present then give it away. Miss Thing ran out of presents to open, it was like speed of light watching her unwrap her gifts. Then she started pouting that she wanted more. It was all so overwhelming. I hardly took any pictures. David later said it was good because I got to enjoy the moment. I think I would have been more organized if I had my camera out. Just sayin’.

Here is what I do have to show for the morning.

The Boy got some wheels. He’s quite speedy on them. Although he hasn’t figured out the break. No matter, as usual he takes those things into his own hands.

It’s no I-pad. After the mayhem of Christmas she’s has gotten more and more into her new ride. Although she still is working on the bravery thing. And hasn’t mentioned the I-pad once.

Miss Thing got a new crib for her baby dolls. I suppose she felt she needed to do some mattress testing before letting her babies sleep in it. A good mama that one is. I know I never slept in my baby’s crib before putting them in it.

The partying kept going al throughout the day. And every day since then, actually. Today has been my first day to survey the destruction that has become my house. I’m not sure how tornados are rated but this one was a doozy.

No matter. It was fun while it lasted. And oh so very worth it!