It's for you...

Happy New Year

Last List

...of the year, for the last day of the year.    (Not that I'm much of a list maker, but just in case it was one of 09's resolutions....:))

1. Library (check if open)
1. extra copy+ "Ida B" for read aloud
2. Nitty Gritty Grammar
3. Dan's English books
4.  bill for addy verification
2. Pick extra treat to take to New Year's Eve Party
1. add needed item(s) to grocery list
3. Store
1. guacamole for dip
2. extra bag(s) of chips
4. Wrap / deliver "Ultimate Gift" to ...friends
5. ***NAP*** for Thanny and Rachel
6. Hook up new (used) washer, (thanks to landlord)
1. do load for evening
7. See if Mom has another copy of her Christmas card
8. Blog
1. check comments for great party treat idea (anyone...please?)  :)
2. write early post (only 2 more to go!)
9. Make dip and treat
10. Help girls with switching rooms...if clean
11. Love the list (for next year's inspiration's sake)
12. Party!
13. 11pm addition--remind kids to flush...cause that's just not pleasant

A few weeks ago we were talking about New Year's Eve and staying up until midnight with the kids.  After we put the kids to bed (these two slept on the couch in the living room) we watched a movie in our room.  When the movie was over we went out to check on, I don't know, something--and found these two trying to keep their eyes open. 

"What are you guys doing?!?  It's almost midnight." I ...grimaced. 

"Trying to stay up 'til twelve," they replied as they attempted sign language.  (We'll see if Ellie fares any better tomorrow, lol!)

A Perfect Moment

I remember when I just had Dan and spent oodles of time playing dinosaurs, cars, legos, etc.  As a new mother, that was exactly what I wanted to do.  As my life's boiled down (or is it up?) to six kids, the playing isn't remotely in the same ballpark.  When I sit down to play these days, it's more guilt ridden and with half-hearted attempts as my mind whirls about with "what needs to be done next" thoughts.

Well, I had a morning a couple weeks back that put "play" back into perspective for me.  I was thinking about the activities I had to do that afternoon, and what I needed to do that morning to get ready for them.  The house was fairly quiet when Thanny asked me if I'd like to play with him... 

I started to take a deep breath when it was as if someone placed an ingenious spark in my mind--and I had a sense, but didn't fully understand that it would turn out to be one of those moments where you're:

In the right place

At the right time

Doing the right thing

The equation for a perfect moment.

A modest smile found my lips as I cleared my mind, slithered onto the floor, and played like I haven't...in too long time.  We traveled the world as we made farms, cars, boats, animals, and castles (strangely enough, there were no weapons or massacres involved)--and it was simply...joy.  As we were drawing to a close, I discerned my longing to cling to the moment, and quick grabbed my camera (surprise!) for these precious shots. 

A couple phone calls later and my not so busy day became cramped.  That day, in my moments of stress, I relied heavily on these pictures to keep me grounded, to bring me calm.  Even now, in my mind, I bring them out to relieve the perfect moment.  Those enchanting eyes and smooth wood morsels do more for my spirits than I think they'll ever know. 

Bit-O-Reading

...and eating.  Isn't that the perfect combo?  Comfort food and thought...food.  After I took this shot, I went to work on this post, when I remembered I need the Photoshop book--I must've gone to the kitchen four different times to retrieve it.  I left only with buttery fingers.  That's the thing about fresh bread, it just calls to be sliced, buttered, and enjoyed--if you can keep from swallowing it whole, that is.  The repeated trips led me to tattooing "get book" on my palm; that worked...course I left with a buttery book though.

Ellie's stash.  She can't just read one book at a time.  (Where could she get that from?)

Megan has kitchen duty this week, I found this propped in front of the microwave.  Busted, girl!  ;)

This is what we were supposed to be reading for scriptures tonight.  (I'm sure it's a fantastic chapter!)  But this distracting little girl kept us in a fit of suppressed laughter.  (I'd look up to see everyone, yes everyone! with their chin down, but eyes on up; really, who could blame them?)  We'll do better tomorrow---if we wait 'til she's in bed, I mean.  :)

Poor Dawn:  pulled, pushed, prodded, patted, yanked, smacked, just generally terrorized; patient as could be that one.   (Hmmm, even from this perspective she looks like her dad, huh?!)  ;-)

It was like she hadn't seen her toys before.

At one point she traded in the cat for Ellie.  Somehow it was just as humorous.

When all was said and done, Dan said, "Well, we know who rules this house, don't we?!"   I think she agrees.

Happy Reading

p.s. I'm only pinkish today, but living in fear of showering and changing clothes.  Pathetic, I know. 

Lobster Fest

Never been a fan of seafood.  I don't know if cause of the story about instant death from my late brother-in-law's cousin when he ate seafood.  Or more because of the disturbing creature's claustrophobic swimming in the supermarket tanks whilst awaiting their fatal demise.  Maybe it just has something to do with the pinchers.  Whatever it is, whenever I drive by a Red Lobster, I get the heebie jeebies.  (But thanks anyway for the Red Lobster gift card, Mom...kidding.:)) 

I've been heebie-jeebie-ing all day.  I got up all excited to go to church and my little nursery class (did I mention I'm doing nursery?  so fun...snacks! but not lobster :))  Anyhoo, I hopped in for a quick shower; which wasn't pleasant being that I hadn't eaten and sometimes steam just doesn't agree with me.  I quick donned some attire and ran the comb through my matted hair when I noticed my neck was, um, red.  But dizzy again again and a wee shaky--time for Rice Krispies. 

Thanny drilled me, "Why do you get to eat on the couch?"

To which I have no good answer, "uh, cause I'm feeling...kinda...red?"

A few bites later and back to the  bathroom I went for further investigation.  That can be disturbing on any given day, but Holy Lobster Tails!! One glance at my tums (not to be confused with my heart-burn isses) and I felt like I was in Walmart's heart-palpitating claustrophobic tank.  I was get-me-out-I-don't-belong-here-ventilating-red.  Lobster-Sunburn-Red. From-my-chin-to-my-knees-lobstery.  I came to at some point--but still, even now, hours later, I can't shake the emerging-snapping-tentacles sensation.  Disconcertedly disturbing.

Too disturbing for my little nurserites.  So Rach, and I cozied under the covers with some books and Benadryl--which graced  me with  a five hour nap.  Whew!  Strong stuff.   No worries--the fam was back before she awoke!

So in trying to figure what the cause of this little fest has been...I really have nothing.  'Cept of course a bit-o-itch, painful-to-look-at-body, and more drowsiness than I care to lug around.  It's like anything--could be nothing, could be...death.  My best guess (or hope) is the change in fabric softener (that'll teach me to take my own when I do laundry at the in-laws!)  Which reminds me--I still need to figure out the washer problem...which somehow reminds me again of confined lobster sloshing.

Which has me apologizing for any lobster-phobia I may have induced on you.  And if you happen to see Julie and Julia...there's a part you might want to skip.  Sorry.

And for those of you who were hoping for some free lobster or something, all I can offer you is this never-to-be-tried-by-me lobster recipe.

Best of luck to you both.

As for me, I'm hoping to shed this crustacean crust by morning.

The Big Day

I was hard pressed to get a picture of Thann with his present opening, he usually sat or stood right in front of my with his back to me.  The lazy part of stayed in my seat hoping for a great over the shoulder shot.  Didn't happen.  When he wasn't in front of me, he was moving much too fast; so when he paused for a moment, I was all over it!  I even got out of my chair!

Dan is quite the history buff.  So when his grandma sent him an old calendar with lots of Civil War info, he couldn't get enough.  I think he would've been content if the gift opening stopped there.  If you ever need an history phone-a-friend, he's your guy.

There's nothing like an extra surprise on Christmas.  Apparently a birthday gift was stashed under the tree when it came with the mail.  Seriously, how many surprises can one little girl handle?!

The girls got some new clothes.  And they weren't garage sale or hand-me-down new, now that's something to

talk about.  They seemed to come complete with poses.  Where do they get this from?!?  (Rachel just couldn't stay away from the action.)

Megan was all about serious poses.   Inbetween shots she was a bubble of giggles and laughs.  Too funny.

This is what Santa brought us...our first ipod!  (I'm pretty sure any passer-byer could tell it's our first, on account of the insane giddiness that surrounds it.)

There's something about Christmastime...

It's no secret...

...Christmas is work.  We put thoughts, time, energy, love, etc. into making the day and season what it is.  I think there is such a thing as overdoing it and not enjoying it.  This wasn't the case for us this year.  We had a couple small parties/gatherings with new friends and family.  We made a visit to the care center, caroled, baked goodies, did a-bit-o-shopping, listened to music, decorated (minimaly),  watched snowflakes fall, reflected on the meaning of Christmas...okay, my list is starting to get pretty long, but really it wasn't cluttered!

Anyway, as I was watching the kids this morning, and thinking about what we put into Christmas (and what others put into Christmas for us) I had an epiphany.  They they (we) were sitting together, relaxing, smiling with anticipation for both the gifts we would receive as well as give.  There was no greed, no contention, just--peace, a perfect moment, evident in both expression and feeling.  I didn't have my camera handy, but my mind seemed shot the scene just the same. 

I thought how the Christmas season is a bit like life.  We are working to make a good life.  Good for ourselves, good for those around us.  We do what we think is best and then hope it is enough.  Sure we mess up (i.e. sending your packages to an old address, or ending up short a present for someone!)  but we go on and deal the best we know.  At some point our life ends--our work here is finished.

And it's like Christmas.  We get to rest from our labors, to excitedly anticipate what's next for us,

and (I imagine) look over our work and see what it has meant.

(While I love this picture of Rachel's excitement for her new baby and recalling how she changed from fuss to satisfaction in a moment, what I really love and wish I had gotten a picture of is her Granny.   There's a glimpse of her in the background with this expression of ... of what her choice and her work meant to her.)

 And, just like Christmas--it's due to the One who made it possible.  The One, who, without...there would be no Christmas... 

...no rest when all is said and done.

I am glad for Christmas, that it is and that it will be.

The best gift...

under the tree.  :)  Two in a row, I know.  I just couldn't resist snapping scripture pictures.  Christmas and scripts at the same time, irresistible!

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, from our house to yours.

Reflection

Being a little over half-way done with my mini-challenge, I started writing a post about why I blog. "Why Blog"  I was going to title it (how creative is that, wouldn't you be itchin' to read it?!).   It's been on my mind a lot the last couple of days.   So I began with a ditty on why I started in the first place.   Two lengthy paragraphs later, I had barely scratched the surface, and was staring at way too many personal  issues for one night.  Truth be told, too many issues for many, many, many a night.    (And why is it that "many" looks soo odd after spelling it thrice?)

But one thing I can say.  I do it for perspective. 

I battle.  Battle with guilt, negative thinking, lack of confidence, and...stuff.  I do my best to push it away and give, give--better, I guess, better, to both myself and others.  I think I do alright with it, but my mind is often exhausted by the task.  (As I'm sure yours is just by reading this paragraph.)

But in a moment of blog-reflection tonight, I made a discovery or two.   I've found that as I record these little things that make up my life, well, better yet as I look for these little things to record that make up my life, I'm not doing as much battling.  I'm doing more creating.  Creating appreciation.  Creating gratitude.  Creating...satisfaction. 

Creating, Perceiving.

One why-for for blogging.  That'll do...for tonight.

O Night Divine...

Secrets for a Phenomenal Holiday Baking Experience

1)   A (or many) previous disasterous holiday baking experiences

2)   Movie for the kids

3)   Three ingredient recipe (make necessary adaptations)

4)   A clean house, borrow one if necessary

5)   A camera to attest to it's reality

Number 1: Check, check, check, check, check, check...

Number 2: UP (apparently it's great!)

Number 3: Easy-peasy recipe: check

Number 4: I played the we-have-a-broken-washing-machine-can-I-come-over-and-do-some-laundry-and-you-can-see-the-grandkids? card. Worked like a charm.

Number 5: Ten loads of laundry (and a free tasty dinner) later, I was mesmerized:

Couldn't take my eyes off  'em.  Perfection. Well, danafection anyway; cause when you have more number-ones-than-you-can-count, perfection is a very impressionable concept. But for me, it was an etched-forever-into-my-brain-fection moment. A fleeting-ten-second-before-they-disappeared-fection moment. But. still.  Any 'fection moment is almost more than I can handle.

Perhaps in '10 I can hatch up a scheme in contemplation of secrets-for-phenonmenal-holiday-baking-with-your-kids-experience.   (or did I eat one too many of those?)

Either way, I'm dreaming pretzels tonight.

Eight, Eight, Eight

She came smiling.

I don't think she ever stopped.

Happy Birthday, my doll.

I'm gonna celebrate with a tissue now.

A time to laugh

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Rachel is super tired, she really wants to nurse. (With the hospital trip, we went cold turkey. I think we even ate some, interestingly enough..) Anyway, she gets sooo mad at me; she cries and does this two-steps-forward-two-steps-backward thing.  She tries to stay mad at me, but finds it quite difficult. (I like to think it's my charm. :))  There is real risk involved if you are another human offering comfort (might wanna wear a glove).  The vacuum, on the other hand, now that's someone you can depend on. He's like a teddy bear the way she loves on him. The tatooed "Hoover" across it's front is taking on personal meaning here.  I think I'll call him Hoov.  Shoot, now he's growin' on me.  Excuse me, I think I feel a hug coming on.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Ellie, can you grab me a spoon or a fart, please?"  -Me  (have I mentioned this words-flying-out-of-my-mouth problem I have?)
 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Something terrible is happening to me!  I'm starting to like cottage cheese!!  -Ellie

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Mom, is Hoover Dam a bad word?"  -Megan  (Hoover's just taking over this week.)

"Hell or damn?!?"  -Me

"No, HOOVER Dam!  -The girls

"Oh...oops."  -Me

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of ...uh, I-I can't finish this scripture."  -Cherith

"HELL!"  -Me  (my girls don't find me so funny)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I, apparently, find myself hilarious; this was really supposed to be this week's funnies from the kids, but I just couldn't get these out of my head...Hoover Dam. 

(I'm really sorry, please don't stone me.) 

May your days be merry and bright...

Little Baker

Being inspired by yesterday's post (which actually took place a couple weeks ago) I set out to spread some Christmas cheer with Thanny. We washed up and put on crispy clean aprons with witch to enjoy our jolly afternoon.

We had more, uh, joy than we anticipated. It began with the cocoa. I was informing Thanny that opening cocoa was "tricky because sometimes it..." BAM--it exploded all over my apron, arms, face, hair, pants, shoes, up my nose, in my mouth, and onto the floor. As I was gasping for air, he kept at it.  I looked up (or through) to see him covered with flour and the mix perfectly blended.  It was as if he was trying to help me feel less awkward.  (Though I'm sure it was more of an "awesome! we do that?! moment).  I couldn't help but smile; he has a quirky way of  bringing me the calm.

Things were much safer under his reign.

Even the screech and drama from the next room didn't faze him.

He just calmly and collectedly looked on and stayed the task.

While our home may not have the grace and style that enfolds my in-laws home, this reality does find a way of bringing me joy, despite the chaos.  (Perhaps the Tylenol helped a smidgen.)

Scrumptious Kick-off

     

Christmas joy with (and by I 'll add--I'm not nearly this on top of things!) grandparents.   Don't they take good care of us?!  It was every bit as cozy and tasty as it looks.         

I hope you can refrain from licking the screen (if not, beware the fire). 

Attempt II

Snow pictures...maybe.

Let me know if it's not working...again, and I'll do some more scratchin'.

Puddles

There's just something about jumping in puddles.  If you ever were a kid, or have a kid, you probably know something of their irresistible nature.  I was sweeping yesterday when Rachel wandered in and reminded me of puddles.  She just graced over with this look of  delightful intrigue and started gliding through the filth.  I quick tossed the broom aside and lunged for my camera.

She forgot about the joy of puddles.

 

But embraced her other joy.  I mourned puddles for but a fleeting moment, by reason of a brighter realization.  She had a bit of me in her!  It's in the food.  Food, and it's claim over us.