Christmas Eve Jammies...
And here are some quick pictures from Christmas day.
We opened way too many gifts and ate way too much food.
My children encrusted themselves with chocolate. It was great!
(P.S. You may notice the much nicer quality of the last three pictures as opposed to the first. Ben sneakily bought us a new Nikon!)
Monday, December 26, 2005
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Thursday, December 22, 2005
Ho Ho Ho. Does Anyone Have a Sharp Object On Which I Could Throw Myself?
I need a servant. Someone to go shopping for me and clean my house and give me pedicures. Yes. That is what I need.
I do not need one more ounce of stress. If one more family member hacks up a lung in my general direction, I'm jumping off a cliff. If one more "cheery" holiday shopper cuts out in front of me in their car or with their shopping cart, my head will explode. And if I think of one more thing to add to my gargantuan list, I will quickly forget it and pretend I never remembered in the first place. Ahh, denial. Works every time.
As it is, I have a ton of stuff left to do. And the really sad part of it all is that I don't really make Christmas that huge. I can't imagine what I'd be going through if I did all of those extra nifty things that earn you lots of points for your mommy badge. Like sleigh rides and knitting everyone matching Christmas sweaters with my toes while I write an enthralling Christmas letter to send out with our hand-crafted Christmas cards.
Nope. Unfortunately, even with the minimalist traditions that we do have, I am still overwhelmed.My kids wouldn't notice if we had Christmas a couple of days late, would they?
C'mon. Lie to me.
I do not need one more ounce of stress. If one more family member hacks up a lung in my general direction, I'm jumping off a cliff. If one more "cheery" holiday shopper cuts out in front of me in their car or with their shopping cart, my head will explode. And if I think of one more thing to add to my gargantuan list, I will quickly forget it and pretend I never remembered in the first place. Ahh, denial. Works every time.
As it is, I have a ton of stuff left to do. And the really sad part of it all is that I don't really make Christmas that huge. I can't imagine what I'd be going through if I did all of those extra nifty things that earn you lots of points for your mommy badge. Like sleigh rides and knitting everyone matching Christmas sweaters with my toes while I write an enthralling Christmas letter to send out with our hand-crafted Christmas cards.
Nope. Unfortunately, even with the minimalist traditions that we do have, I am still overwhelmed.My kids wouldn't notice if we had Christmas a couple of days late, would they?
C'mon. Lie to me.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
This Just In
Breaking News: Apparently Ben is not completely devoid of all Christmas cheer. He just watched The Simpson's Christmas Special and laughed. Repeatedly.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
4 Months Old
To my sweet baby daughterYou are 4-months-old today. I can't believe it! You are growing up so very quickly. You roll over and eat your toes and play with toys. You're even starting to do that scooty combat crawl. You laugh, but only for me. You smile and coo and chew in your fingers. You love it when your daddy sings to you. You love to play peek-a-boo with your brother and sister.And today you have a bad cold. You've been sick since Thursday night. I've held you almost constantly since then. Your feverish little head is resting on my shoulder right now. You seem to feel better when you're next to me. And that's ok with me. I hope that you always feel that way, because I'll always be ready to hold you whenever you are sick or sad.I love you forever, my sweet baby girl.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
It's All About Perception
The other night, I took my children to watch a movie. It wasn't at a normal theatre, but at the Visitor's Center at the LDS Temple near where I live. The movie is called The Testaments. It depicts what was happening in the Americas at the time of The Savior's crucifixion.
The next day, Ben asked my son what the movie was about. My son went on and on about what had happened in the movie and gave a pretty impressive account of the whole thing. Then Ben asked my 2-year-old daughter what she thought the movie had been about. "Hmmmm" she said. "Batman and Robin....and Scooby Doo!"
Well alrighty then.
The next day, Ben asked my son what the movie was about. My son went on and on about what had happened in the movie and gave a pretty impressive account of the whole thing. Then Ben asked my 2-year-old daughter what she thought the movie had been about. "Hmmmm" she said. "Batman and Robin....and Scooby Doo!"
Well alrighty then.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Why I Love This Time Of Year
I'm sure that soon many blogs will have, if they don't already, posts about the true meaning of Christmas. Or posts of frantic shopping expeditions or much loved traditions. Or even posts about how much their authors hate this time of year. Even careful avoidance of the subject of Christmas will be like and elephant in the room, leaving readers to wonder about the author's stance on the whole holiday. The entire spectrum will, undoubtedly, be covered.
My first instinct is to shy away from this as I feel inadequacy well up inside of me. How can I ever put into words what I feel in my heart? I have never been accused of writing eloquently. So instead of trying to be witty and charming, I will simply write what I know to be true.
Since having children, I feel that I can understand my Heavenly Father's love for me much more clearly. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for my children. All I want is for them to be happy. I would give my life for them. And in a way, I do. Everyday. Almost all of my time is spent caring for them, helping them to grow and be happy. And the rest of my time is spent in worrying how they're growing and if they are happy. If I feel this way about my children, I can better understand how my Father in Heaven feels about me. When my children argue or fight, I can better understand how my Father in Heaven feels when two, who think they are strangers, wrong one another. And my heart breaks a little. When I feel my heart swell with pride when one of my children accomplishes a new task, when they reach a new goal all their own, I better understand how much my Father in Heaven wants me to be all that I can. To be the happiest that I possibly can be. And I can better understand just how much He is willing to do to make my happiness and growth a possibility. So it's not hard for me to understand why My Father in Heaven would send His Son. And while I can't even begin to fathom what it would be like to let one of my children serve as a sacrifice so that all may be saved, I do understand the lengths that I would be willing to go to so that all of my children might have all of the happiness that I could possibly give to them.I don't doubt His existence.
I don't doubt His love for me. I do doubt myself, and my ability to do my part. That is why I love this time of year. It renews my resolve to dig a little deeper. To work a little harder. To be a little more. And it helps me to remember that there is One who is doing all that He can to help me do my part. Who was willing to give all, so that I might have all
My first instinct is to shy away from this as I feel inadequacy well up inside of me. How can I ever put into words what I feel in my heart? I have never been accused of writing eloquently. So instead of trying to be witty and charming, I will simply write what I know to be true.
Since having children, I feel that I can understand my Heavenly Father's love for me much more clearly. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for my children. All I want is for them to be happy. I would give my life for them. And in a way, I do. Everyday. Almost all of my time is spent caring for them, helping them to grow and be happy. And the rest of my time is spent in worrying how they're growing and if they are happy. If I feel this way about my children, I can better understand how my Father in Heaven feels about me. When my children argue or fight, I can better understand how my Father in Heaven feels when two, who think they are strangers, wrong one another. And my heart breaks a little. When I feel my heart swell with pride when one of my children accomplishes a new task, when they reach a new goal all their own, I better understand how much my Father in Heaven wants me to be all that I can. To be the happiest that I possibly can be. And I can better understand just how much He is willing to do to make my happiness and growth a possibility. So it's not hard for me to understand why My Father in Heaven would send His Son. And while I can't even begin to fathom what it would be like to let one of my children serve as a sacrifice so that all may be saved, I do understand the lengths that I would be willing to go to so that all of my children might have all of the happiness that I could possibly give to them.I don't doubt His existence.
I don't doubt His love for me. I do doubt myself, and my ability to do my part. That is why I love this time of year. It renews my resolve to dig a little deeper. To work a little harder. To be a little more. And it helps me to remember that there is One who is doing all that He can to help me do my part. Who was willing to give all, so that I might have all
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Joseph Steps In
Last night was one of many family Christmas parties. For most of my life, this party has always included a live nativity and the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible. My older daughter was asked to be Mary.
She was very happy, because this meant that she'd get the chance to hold my baby, who was a shoe-in for the role of Baby Jesus. Well, at the last minute, my normally calm and mellow baby decided to save herself from her sister's "helping" by crying hysterically when anyone who wasn't me held her. So, in a desperate the-show-must-go-on attempt, my aunt wrapped a package of Brawney napkins in the blanket and tried to pass it off as the Baby Jesus. My 2-year-old was having NONE of that. It's a good thing that my cousin's 3-year-old, who was playing Joseph, stepped in and saved the day.
Even if she herself was above holding this lousy excuse for a Baby Jesus, she was most surely not above telling others how they should do it.She made sure that he knew that it was very important to keep the baby covered! and, no no! hold him like this! she said with authority.
My baby is no dummy. She knew exactly what she was saving herself from.
And in other Nativity related events:
My son, when asked if he wanted to be a shepherd, said: "Sure. Only, I'm not sure what shepherds do, really. And why do shepherds wear pillow cases on their heads? What's up with that?" I don't know son, I just don't know.
She was very happy, because this meant that she'd get the chance to hold my baby, who was a shoe-in for the role of Baby Jesus. Well, at the last minute, my normally calm and mellow baby decided to save herself from her sister's "helping" by crying hysterically when anyone who wasn't me held her. So, in a desperate the-show-must-go-on attempt, my aunt wrapped a package of Brawney napkins in the blanket and tried to pass it off as the Baby Jesus. My 2-year-old was having NONE of that. It's a good thing that my cousin's 3-year-old, who was playing Joseph, stepped in and saved the day.
Even if she herself was above holding this lousy excuse for a Baby Jesus, she was most surely not above telling others how they should do it.She made sure that he knew that it was very important to keep the baby covered! and, no no! hold him like this! she said with authority.
My baby is no dummy. She knew exactly what she was saving herself from.
And in other Nativity related events:
My son, when asked if he wanted to be a shepherd, said: "Sure. Only, I'm not sure what shepherds do, really. And why do shepherds wear pillow cases on their heads? What's up with that?" I don't know son, I just don't know.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
I Am Sad
Glenn Beck is performing reasonably near to where I live, this Tuesday. I think he's hilarious. I agree with a lot of what he says. I really wish that I could go. That is all.
Friday, December 9, 2005
10 Things I Took For Granted Before I Had Children
10. Sleeping in. And don't think that giving your children breakfast and turning on educational TV will buy you more quality sleeping time. It won't. I tried.
9. How little laundry I really create.
8. Eating a whole candy bar. All by myself.
7. Showering with no interruptions. The instant I head in the direction of the bathroom, I'm swarmed. My attention suddenly becomes absolutely necessary to everyone under 4'5". If only I could use my powers for good.
6. Never having anyone else's snot anywhere on me. Like, for example, in my hair.
5. Always knowing where the TV remote is.
4. Smelling good. I currently (and constantly) smell like baby barf. Aren't you jealous?
3. Going to a non-kid movie in the movie theatre.
2. How easy my life really was. What was I complaining about all the time?
1. How much I was missing without my sweet babies.
Silly faces only a mother could love:
(If my baby looks slightly troubled in that picture, it's because her older sister is sitting beside me waiting to "help" her. And my 2-year-old's "help" can be enough to make a grown man cry.)
9. How little laundry I really create.
8. Eating a whole candy bar. All by myself.
7. Showering with no interruptions. The instant I head in the direction of the bathroom, I'm swarmed. My attention suddenly becomes absolutely necessary to everyone under 4'5". If only I could use my powers for good.
6. Never having anyone else's snot anywhere on me. Like, for example, in my hair.
5. Always knowing where the TV remote is.
4. Smelling good. I currently (and constantly) smell like baby barf. Aren't you jealous?
3. Going to a non-kid movie in the movie theatre.
2. How easy my life really was. What was I complaining about all the time?
1. How much I was missing without my sweet babies.
Silly faces only a mother could love:
(If my baby looks slightly troubled in that picture, it's because her older sister is sitting beside me waiting to "help" her. And my 2-year-old's "help" can be enough to make a grown man cry.)
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
The Angry Toothfairy
My two-year-old is a force to be reckoned with. The other day, my son brought me this:
He said that it was a letter to "The Angry Toothfairy". This is exactly what he said as he read his letter to me."Dear Angry Toothfairy,Please stop coming to little children's houses and leaving mud underneath their pillows and taking their teeths anyway. Why oh why would you do this? It is mean. It makes them cry. When I loose a tooth I do not want mud. I want money. If you do this to me unfortunately I will have to tell my sister. She is mean. She will get my tooth back for me so that the REAL toothfairy will bring me some money for it. My sister will scratch your face like she scratches mine. It would be a better choice for you to just leave my tooth alone."
Watch out, Angry Toothfairy.
He said that it was a letter to "The Angry Toothfairy". This is exactly what he said as he read his letter to me."Dear Angry Toothfairy,Please stop coming to little children's houses and leaving mud underneath their pillows and taking their teeths anyway. Why oh why would you do this? It is mean. It makes them cry. When I loose a tooth I do not want mud. I want money. If you do this to me unfortunately I will have to tell my sister. She is mean. She will get my tooth back for me so that the REAL toothfairy will bring me some money for it. My sister will scratch your face like she scratches mine. It would be a better choice for you to just leave my tooth alone."
Watch out, Angry Toothfairy.
Sunday, December 4, 2005
Me
I feel like such a dork! I didn't even realize that this had posted here! I was trying all day yesterday to get some software downloaded so that I could host this pic online and put it in the "All About Me" section of my blog. My computer kept blocking the download, or so I thought.
The title says "Our Happy Family", not "Our Perfect Family", Folks.
Lest you think that I was being smug when I chose the URL for my blog, I will put your mind at rest right now. While we are, for the most part, a happy family, we have our days. Like everyone does, I suppose. If you had been a fly on our wall last week, you would've witnessed Ben and I having our Annual Christmas Argument. (Yes, I've titled it.)
My husband can be a grouchy seventy-something trapped in a twenty-somethings body when it comes to holiday functions. Every year since we've moved back to the area where we grew up, this has been a fight. Ok, who am I kidding. It's always been a fight. But when we lived too far away to go, Ben was off the hook. He doesn't like to go to family parties, you see. I'm not exactly sure why, either. And then, to add insult to injury, he says agrivating things to me in regards to the parties, just because he can. For instance: Both of my parents' sides of the family have a Christmas party. So rather than saying "no I won't go" or (my personal favorite) "yes I will go and I will have fun! And I'll even be my wonderfully jovial self that everyone knows and loves just because I love you soverymuch!" Ben says, "I'll go to one party. I'll flip a coin to decide, even! You know, because I'm all about being fair." So it's come down to he's not going, and I am going... alone. And nothin' says Christmas like being alone. It makes me so completely sad. It's so hard for me to undersand why he equates a family party with being stabbed with hot pokers. There will be yummy food, and family that may ACTUALLY WANT TO TALK TO HIM, and ohmygosh, GAMES. Not those! And WHAT IF PEOPLE SING SONGS??? What will he do then? There will be presents (for him, even!) and general holiday cheer. I hate that part the most, myself. When people are all hollidayish and cheery.
I wish with all of my heart that he would just go! So I'm not looking forward to the 12th and the 21st, when I get to go to parties that I would normally be looking forward to, but instead get to go as a lonely holiday widow who's husband just couldn't stomach going for her. Merry Christmas to me.Yeah, yeah, cry me a river.
My husband can be a grouchy seventy-something trapped in a twenty-somethings body when it comes to holiday functions. Every year since we've moved back to the area where we grew up, this has been a fight. Ok, who am I kidding. It's always been a fight. But when we lived too far away to go, Ben was off the hook. He doesn't like to go to family parties, you see. I'm not exactly sure why, either. And then, to add insult to injury, he says agrivating things to me in regards to the parties, just because he can. For instance: Both of my parents' sides of the family have a Christmas party. So rather than saying "no I won't go" or (my personal favorite) "yes I will go and I will have fun! And I'll even be my wonderfully jovial self that everyone knows and loves just because I love you soverymuch!" Ben says, "I'll go to one party. I'll flip a coin to decide, even! You know, because I'm all about being fair." So it's come down to he's not going, and I am going... alone. And nothin' says Christmas like being alone. It makes me so completely sad. It's so hard for me to undersand why he equates a family party with being stabbed with hot pokers. There will be yummy food, and family that may ACTUALLY WANT TO TALK TO HIM, and ohmygosh, GAMES. Not those! And WHAT IF PEOPLE SING SONGS??? What will he do then? There will be presents (for him, even!) and general holiday cheer. I hate that part the most, myself. When people are all hollidayish and cheery.
I wish with all of my heart that he would just go! So I'm not looking forward to the 12th and the 21st, when I get to go to parties that I would normally be looking forward to, but instead get to go as a lonely holiday widow who's husband just couldn't stomach going for her. Merry Christmas to me.Yeah, yeah, cry me a river.
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