Silence

Lately, even though the kids have bundles of new toys around them to amuse them, they've been really interested in the scrapbooks -- especially the ones surrounding their births. I think they enjoy seeing that at some point they made me suffer like this little one is. Yesterday, they somehow dumped all the pages out of one of them. Drew was insightful enough to clean it up without me having to freak out and scream at everyone but as I was cooking dinner I reminded the kids about how much care, money, and time those take. I think what I said was something along the lines of, "When I scrapbooked, I used almost all my free time, and a lot of my own money to make those with." And then came Conner's answer "You mean, you're not doing them anymore?" And there was silence. Two little pleading faces -- just like when they want candy --stared back at me. "Well, I hope to get back to it after the holidays, I guess it's something that's important." And then time moved on. They were re-assured that each moment would be captured.

I think the last page I did had a photo from fall 2007 (and I am a total chronological scrapbooker, if Stacy Julian couldn't pull me away from it -- you won't either, just move on).

Since then I've grown further and further behind, with stuff accumulating to scrapbook (thankfully, I haven't bought hardly any supplies since then, a few -- I think, when I was in UT). It's overwhelming to even look at it. I have had a pretty specific system about how things would work and that was at a complete standstill.

So, today I decided, was the day to organize my scrapbook stuff. I'd already tackled some of it in the office closet, eliminating a lot of that (and OMG, I put my bazzil cardstock with my regular cardstock -- I call it the Unified Cardstock District now). Today I went through all the stuff that was accumulating, and figured out what was really important to our family, and what isn't. It felt good to organize that, and now I do have page packets ready to go when I'm ready.

One big thing happened. I've been throwing all my scrapbooking magazines in there, and I have almost a year and a half that I haven't so much as even peeked at. I threw away all the 2007's and I called and cancelled my subscription to Creating Keepsakes Magazine. {gasp}
I used to get SO excited when the magazine came. But now I just get tired when I look at it. I still have a few to peek through for ideas if necessary, but I'm well aware that the Internet is a treasure trove of ideas just waiting to be used.

So, what happened to the scrapbooker in me, you might wonder.

I'm not really sure. I did have some really bad experiences with some of my publications. I felt like things were too expensive and I was being told I just COULD NOT scrapbook if I didn't have certain supplies... when, no one knows more than me that all it takes is some card stock, glue and a pen. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the pretty paper, and the embellishments -- but it's overwhelming to decide at times. Plus, going out to lunch with friends was giving me more joy than buying supplies. :)

I'm back on the wagon. I want to get the page packets done that I made today, and I want to do at least 1 photo from each month of 2008. I think that's a realistic goal -- and it's one that will help me document what's REALLY important in our lives, not just cute and phony. :)

HOWEVER, I do a family DVD each year, which is what I've really been on top of as of late. Kids like it, and it does a fair job of showcasing the photos (which also makes me feel like I don't have to scrapbook each photo -- almost every decent photo I take goes on the DVD, along with the video we take). I actually HIGHLY recommend this. It's so fun to take music you love and combine it with your family photos. I also give a copy out as my mother's day present every year {shhhhh....}.

I think it's my new years resolution to get back on this. So, what about you? Do you have a hobby that you loved for YEARS and YEARS (I SB faithfully since 1994) and suddenly it's just not working for you? Do you think it's worth it to bring it back? Do you think I can do it? Are there things causing clutter in your life that you need to "cancel" -- New Years is a great time to re-evaluate.

The Good Part About People Leaving

The good part about people leaving (and my-0-my have people left us here, COUNTLESS) is when they come BACK! Sometimes I get a little glimpse into what it was like to be Caroline Ingalls when an old friend would come by (although nothing near that, I can't imagine a friend leaving and knowing that most likely you wouldn't see each other again til' heaven -- not even on facebook or their blog). I'm SO excited to see them.

Holidays are great like that at church. I had a great old friend come back with her family, and all the girls are home from college. It's so nice to catch-up, see how they're all growing, have the ooo and ah, over the fact we're having a baby girl.

It is literally one of the best gifts I've gotten this season, I am so lucky to have the people God has put in my life. I wish they could all stay by me forever.

What I Learned

I do believe that talk was a wakeup call for myself. I've been getting lax about how I do sacrament meeting, and perhaps Sundays in general. However, what I learned most was that Sacrament meeting is the MOST important. For me, it is also the hardest part.

So, I'm gonna work hard on Sacrament meeting, and perhaps give myself a little slack during the other 2 hours for right now.

It's all about baby steps friends, and hopefully we can travel somewhere. :)

My RS Lesson on the Sacrament

My RS lesson is coming up on Sunday and it's on Dallin H Oak's talk on the Sacrament and Sacrament meeting from this past General Conference.

I must admit I think I've let my children become the reason I'm not so reverent as of late. Which is pretty dumb since they're 4 and 8 now, and fairly independent during the meeting (although reverent isn't always a word I'd use to describe them).

So, I wanted thoughts from the readers. Yes, when children are irreverent or fussy -- those are situations that need to be dealt with. How do you do them, and still attend the meeting in a quiet, reverent, broken heart/contrite spirit sort of way? I'd love to hear thoughts. Or, if you'll be suffering through my lesson in person on Sunday -- feel free to save your ideas until then.

Also, for my ADHD friends out there (no, I am not diagnosed, but I have the approximate attention span of a 4 year old most days) -- how do you stay engaged in the meeting when you are literally bored to tears by what the speaker has chosen to present?

And To All a Good Night

Well, wipe away the tears folks, because if you didn't get a Christmas card YET from us, you're not gonna. However, I have many blog readers who I also love so I thought I'd post it here, along with our letter.

Christmas 2008

Wanting to be all PC and get on the Obamawagon, we jumped on the change wave. We set out to change our whole lives. We only got to a few things but we’re proud of anything we accomplished. We’re parents after all. Here are just a few of the changes we made this year (it will be up to you to decide if it’s change you can believe in):

Drew’s wish of a lifetime was granted this year. We had been saving for a new bass trombone for him for years, and years (millennials, if you ask Drew). Our attention was always diverted by something – a new house, a new car, a new sweater for Hilary – but finally it is his. It has more insurance protection then our own lives, but let’s face it – it’s probably worth more.

Spencer took his first big step into his education by entering the Learning Adventures Pre-K Program. So far he is afraid of singing the Dracula song, is top notch at drawing and reading, but can’t figure out that your thumb goes on top when you’re cutting. Obviously, it’s pretty advanced.

Conner, full of the vim and vigor that only the genes of two exceptionally musical parents can give a boy, was eager to start band this year. After exploring the many options that we gave him (pick something that you can carry on your own), he decided on the trumpet. After buying the trumpet, and feeling like that was a pretty light expense we realized it would be far exceeded by the amount to sound-proof his room. He continues on the piano, and of course is doing great in 3rd grade, and enjoyed being baptized this year surrounded by friends and family.

The church lead us Californians on a crusade like no other this year, and after some consideration we donated ourselves to the cause, some of us more willingly than others. Hilary and the boys spent several hot afternoons knocking on doors sharing the joy that having a mother and a father can bring to a family, while screaming at her children to stop cowering behind cars “in case there’s a dog” and to pick up their bikes and pedal. Hilary thought about sending “The Election is Over” cards instead of Christmas cards, because that date was more awaited than any gift she will get.

In case you weren’t lucky enough to see our life in pictures, we took some great vacations this year (because why do it now that gas prices are all cute and low?). In April we went to Disneyland for a week. Hilary still has the lost and found looking for the soles of her feet. In June we packed up for almost an entire month and headed east to Yellowstone, Tetons and visiting family. We did both journeys without the aid of a DVD player or TV in our car, gasp all you want – but just wait til’ you see our upcoming TLC series “Two Kids and Dimented.” I mean, what’s more fun than the salt flats? The idea is to keep expectations low people.

Last but not least is the little matter of Hilary’s belly. She took great pride in losing two sizes at the beginning of the year, after realizing she had the portion size all wrong (hand, not head – anatomy was never her best subject). However, as of late it seems to be expanding. Word on the street (and the 10 ultrasounds she has had – you know, just to be “sure”) is that there’s a baby inside her – of the female variety. We are all very scared what kind of pink she will want or {gasp} a tiara, but we are ready to stand steadfast in the wake of this change – offering her fire trucks and dinosaurs and realizing that perhaps a little estrogen is just what this house needs.

A baby is the reminder of the season. That one so small can change lives and hearts in such a big way. In hopes that your hearts are as warm as ours we wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Love,
Drew, Hilary, Conner, Spencer
and suspected female due in late April currently under the code name Fina.

Wishing all of you the merriest of Christmas, and in hopes for a great new year.

Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog

This blog entry is about true devotion, the husbandly-kind.
Drew did my prenatal cardio workout with me. It's 40 minutes of pretty mild cardio, some toning and a lot of talk about "your growing baby."
Seriously, it was precious, what a gem I have.

In other news I plan to watch about 20 Christmas movies today and then head off to some friends for a night of bingo. Just need to get our house vacuumed and the kids writing their letters to Santa somewhere in there.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Letting it Go

Yesterday we were all set to go up to see the new Academy of Sciences up in SF. We left at 9:30, thinking that was fairly decent, along with apparently the REST of the bay area. The museum was closed to more visitors and there was a HUGE line of people waiting for other people to come out. Needless to say we made the best of it going to the Japanese Gardens up in Golden Gate Park. Then it was down to the old Fisherman's Warf (the tackier pier 39) and ate at the Rainforest Cafe.
Of course, this all came at the price of me freaking out. Let's just say that sometimes my husband isn't a "take the reigns" kind of a guy, it's frustrating when I get to do all the planning and then I get all the blame when things suck. And guess who does the blaming, myself.

Why couldn't I have just let it go and realized what we did were things that I wanted to too (and amazingly, were fairly un-crowded)?

Letting go is something I need to do more. Do you let go, and how? What am I missing? Maybe it's some gene I lack. That's right, I'm blaming it on genetics.

Elf Dance

My favorite part is at the end when Drew and I do the splits together.

And most of you are aware that when I'm not in my fragile shape I am able to drop it like a sock just like my little elfin' self.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

We Don't Need Better Regulators -- We Need Better People

I am sick of hearing how we need better regulators on Wall Street.
We need better people,
People who will be honest in their dealings.
People who will know right from wrong. Obviously those are lacking. Seriously lacking.
Why isn't Barack Obama out saying, "What this man did was wrong, it was evil. He should feel like the scum of the earth." My dad thinks we should bring back the stockades -- and perhaps allow all of our rotten produce to be used in this manner. Perhaps we'd be better composters.

Yesterday I was at the dollar store. It was a mad house, and thankfully I didn't find anything worth buying and we were able to leave quickly. However, I was walking down one of the isles and a mom had opened a can of silly string and was spraying it on the store's product and her children. I suppose, she wanted to show her children how it worked? I was appalled, and I laughed out loud as I passed her -- but she didn't even flinch. I wish I would've said something. "What you are doing is wrong. You are cheating the stores in so many ways... and you are teaching your children to do the same." I didn't, but we need people with courage who can say "what you are doing is wrong" and we need other people willing to back those people up.

Anyway, if Barack Obama really wants change, those are the kinds of people he needs.

BTW, has anyone seen about this Warren guy who's saying the prayer at the inauguration. He seems like a stand-up dude, and I think it's sad that so many people hate him. I saw a snippet of him on the Today Show, and I guess he's gonna be on Dateline tonight. Interesting fellow.

Clarification

I'd like to clear-up a couple of things.
a) I think Californians are pansies, don't get me wrong -- but this is pretty dang cold for us... and our lives are just not set to manage it. We don't have hallways in our schools, they don't sell a lot of parkas here... it's a way of life. :)
b) Conner stealing food. I have had a nice talk about what he can eat when he's hungry -- baby carrots, cutie oranges or a banana, beyond that he has to ask. I hope this helps. I do think he might be hungry -- but he does always steal sugary-crap... and that is not OK.
You know, just wanted to keep things clear.

I also thought I'd share that a friend of mine is getting Lasik today and I can NOT stop thinking how jealous I am of her. {sigh} To be single and not spending my money on trumpets, and minivans. I think I'll put a dollar in my Lasik fund right now (btw, now that Drew got his trombone that's the next thing on my frivolous radar... I would LOVE to go without glasses... but it is currently only a pipe dream).

Chilly

The Bay area isn't set for cold.

My son came up to me this AM with a beaming face saying "Mom, there's ice on the playground, it's awesome!"

People are here are dying, and I'm guessing the temp is somewhere near 34'ish, with blue skies mind you.

I remember that being the high when I was little. I remember the snow being so high my dad couldn't get his car out -- but my mom just bundled me and my brother up and sent us off to walk to school. Actually, I remember being in Kindergarten and having a personal snow day because it came up almost to my waist, and my mom decided she'd rather keep me at home then wait for the spring thaw to come get me (because in Utah there's no such thing as a snow day -- they never close the schools).

Don't get me wrong, it's chilly here -- and we aren't generally prepared for it. Our homes aren't properly insulated, we don't buy jackets set for the Arctic. Heck, I know I own gloves but I have no idea where they are.

It's just amusing though.

Concert Upon Concert Upon Concert

Parents are here, the terrorists didn't win. Yay.

In other news we have a concert EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES. Or at least it seems that way.

Conner has his first band concert ever tonight. Wondering if I could find some well-concealed earplugs for the event (I know, I'm a terrible mother -- judge all you want). I was asking him what they're playing. I think we'll be pleasured to hear "Hot Crossed Buns" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb". Conner's been playing the tequila song (a band favorite) since he started, but apparently that song is SO advanced they're waiting until the spring to unveil it.

Drew, of course, has his two concerts the nights after... although I doubt I'll make it to both, I really can only do so much. And his trombone choir has one on Saturday.

Really, WHEN IS SOMEONE GONNA COME WATCH ME PUT IN A CATHETER OR SOMETHING? I need recognition people... :) Someone, clap for me.

Grateful for Parents

I wasn't getting my hopes up.

I figured ice, snow, wind, and terrorists would prevent them from coming.

But they're on their way, less than 2 hours away actually. They could probably walk here if they had to. Ok, maybe not.

MY PARENTS ARE COMING FOR CHRISTMAS.

Really, I'm giddy, and I'm not one to easily giddy-ize. the holidays are hard away from family, regardless of how amazing my friends are -- they're just not the same. And isn't it every mother's dream to have her parents say, "this year we'll come to you" rather than me hauling my 2 kids with me and my husband to visit them". I'm a lucky gal.

People always joke that my parents are always here, mostly my mom. I'm so happy about it though. I'm so glad she makes it a priority to come and be withe me and the kids, so they know her and love her (and basically worship her). My mom's a huge Christmas fan so I know it will be special for all of us (not to mention someone I know has a very special birthday and there's a 6 involved... out of respect for the elderly I won't name names).

Anyway, SO grateful for my parents. And really willing to hand them my children while I have some quality time with my couch and DVR.

I am Grateful for Conner

{I am writing this blog entry through gritted teeth today, Conner and I haven't been on the best of terms as of late, he's back to stealing food and it included a fiber 1 bar... I think we've been through this phase before}

Besides my mother reservations with how he is being raised, and issues with trust Conner is an amazing child.
He is smart.
He is caring.
He is musical.
He tries hard.
He is a good older brother, and he is very excited for the new little girl.
Conner brings a whole lot to our house. Pokemon (boo), a fascination for useless facts (hello, can we say that he got that from my dad), a love of reading (which he has passed on to his little brother), and a good knowledge of the gospel. Better then mine ever was at that age (possibly now).
He was my test baby, let's be honest. I expect a lot out of him, but I also have made a few mistakes along the way. He usually rises above any expectations I have. I am grateful he's in our house. Maybe I should write this blog entry whenever I want to send him to his room for the rest of the day. I like him a lot more now then when I started. ;)

The Tiny Parts of Traditions

People, DREW made fun of me for not writing on my blog for a few days.
Drew.
Anyone aware of the last time DREW wrote on his blog. It made me feel ashamed. :)
Anywho. I had a blog percolating in my head, but yesterday I decided to run around to stores and make some Christmas presents instead of blog. I hope to get some pictures up after Christmas. Because both receivers are avid blog readers, I hate to spoil their fun. :)
Back to the blog.
We have a few traditions that we're slowly building up. It's hard when you move away from where you were born, and you're not close to family -- but luckily this area has a lot of fun stuff to do. However, I find that it's not going to the even that my kids remember, it always seems to be something different. For example:

Behold the Gift up at the inner stake center in Oakland. We've gone the past 2 or 3 years and prior to now it's always been the same re-inaction of the nativity. This year they did something different, which -- frankly, I wasn't super fond of until they had the number with the little kids. Throughout the story they had people passing on their "light" in the form of these small LED lights. The same thing happened with the kids, and each one got one (mind you, all of these kids were under 3, adorable as it gets -- all dressed in white -- with the song "teach me to walk in the light" being played -- and yes, moi the pregnant one was tearing up a bit) but at the end, one of the girls forgot where she was supposed to go and she dropped her light, and it went off (most likely broke, according to Drew's calculations). And then it goes on to how we each share the light of Christ in our lives. It ended-up nicely (but the middle was SUPER slow). So, what's the only thing my kids can talk about the whole thing -- "when the little girl dropped her light, and it went out." I'm pretty sure I could work that into a morality lesson -- I doubt I'd even have to try that hard. But, regardless -- that's what they'll remember all year about that particular tradition. Definitely not how we can share our "light" with others. :)

Bethelehem I can't say enough nice things about this. The local Baptist church puts it on. It's amazing. For me, it's my "snow" -- I can't really say it's Christmas time until I have seen it now. It's a live reenactment of the nativity. I'm talking camels and sheep, and horses in the barn. So, what will my kids remember about it? Well, while Mary was singing of her love for her new little savior, the Goat kept licking himself. Oh, and the baby Jesus cried for at least 75% of the snow (yes, it's a real baby -- and a very unahppy one for our show). So, if you ask them about it -- that's all they'll share. What would I share? Well, the nativity is always about Mary for me, and this year was no exception. The thought that she was so young, in a foreign city, with a crying baby, a new husband and the weight of the world on her shoulders. I hope there is a very special place in heaven for Mary (our church doesn't revere the virgin mother, but I also don't think we always give her the credit she's due). To watch your firstborn go through what Jesus did is simple the hardest thing a mother could be ask, right next to what Jesus was asked to do. I hope to give her a hug one day.

Soon we'll build gingerbread houses, and the memory for that will be that Conner stole one of Spencer's candies, etc. It's always something, isn't it? But, memories aren't what we set-out to do, they're what happens, licking goat and broken lights and all.

Grateful for Spencer

I thought I'd start with Spencer, since I most likely usually start with Conner and we all know Spencer will soon be the middle child. Poor, poor kid.

Anyway, Spencer is in the amazing imagination phase... and he is using it to its fullest extent. EVERYTHING is something, and they're all talking to each other and doing things, and planning parties. His life is one big social event, even if he's by himself in a room. He plays amazingly well by himself, and even better when he has a friend.

Spencer loves the little peeps. Lately I've been babysitting a lot and he's been so good with the babies and the littler friends that he has come over. I rarely see him not sharing or showing them all the bad things he can do. Usually he's so happy to have a friend he's willing to go along with them, and play nice.

He is really into coloring, playdough, little figures (literally, any little thing he loves to make them be in situations and do stuff), preschool and "being in a tie" with Conner. Yesterday he ended-up with the same preschool teacher that Conner had and he was SO happy that he could say he was the same as Conner...

I can't imagine what my day would be like without him, and I never want him to change. He's the one I worry about most with this baby but I'm excited to see what a good big brother he'll be. Thanks for always being my buddy Mr. Spencer.

No, it's just a sedated monkey

People are starting to notice I'm pregnant. A sister missionary at the temple mentioned something "new being added to our family" on Saturday and I watned to say "how'd you know aobut our new kitten" -- you know, just to make her squirm.
But now I have a new one.
No, I'm not pregnant, it's just a sedated monkey.
Read it and be amused:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28139472/

Placenta Brain

I have a friend at work who says, "oh, she doesn't have a brain right now -- she has a placenta" and boy oh BOY has that been true this time. Let me give some examples:
1. My little car crash was at the beginning of the pregnancy. I was SO tired and the kids wanted to go swimming, anyway. It's practically like driving drunk when you're first pregnant, I do believe.
2. I am making the boys each a little somethin' for Christmas. I must've entirely thrown one of the pattern pieces (that was hooked onto the fabric) away. I can't find the sleeve for Spencer's anywhere. HELLO....
3. Last night I slept with my contacts in. I'm sure for some of you, this isn't that rare of an occurance, but I've had contacts for 1/2 of my life (since I was 16). Since I started with hard I have just made sure to always take them out at night. The amusing part was me looking for my glasses for a good 5 minutes this AM and then realizing that things sure looked nice (and in the back of my mind I wondered if I'd had a Christmast miracle and was healed -- no such luck).

Anyway, if I say something that's a little off, or perhaps you think you should call me because my oven might be on, or my garage door is open... you might just want to check up on me. {sigh}

After the Guilt come the Code

I went to work yesterday, Conner told me that another friend of his mom didn't come either because she had to work (and now I'm apparently cool for working -- who knew?). Anyway, that guilt is under the bridge, and now since I'm room mom it's time to move my thoughts to our holiday party.

However, let me share a bit about what happened at work. Well, first off -- let me say sometimes I say my job is stressful, and some people wonder "why?" Well. Besides the rabid doctors, the crazy patients and let's not even head into management territory.... sometimes scary things happen. Yesterday was scary. My patient was scheduled for a routine c-section. Went in, got her spinal, got her catheter, and I mentioned she looked a little funny, but she said she was OK -- just felt tired. Then, I'm turning around getting stuff ready for the delivery when I hear "Hilary, get the crash cart." I whirl around and see flatline on the monitor.

No.
Heart.
Beat. -- from the mom.

Leads on, patient's pastey white, oh boy. So I dash down the hall to get the crash card screaming for someone to call the charge and a code. Thankfully, by the time I got in the epi that he pushed did its job and her heart rate was going back up. Of course, it was nowhere near as high as mine was. Mom's fine, baby's fine... all is well. Except of course that I almost past out about 3/4 of the way through the section (frankly, surgery, wearing the mask and being pregnant really never go hand in hand anyway).

Turns out that when your spinal starts to move its way up your body your heart normally slows. Usually, it's just like 20 beats/minute down from what it was before -- instead of 80 to zero ... just an fyi.

So, my job can be insanely stressful. I doubt any of you who aren't in the medical field ever have that kind of stress. Yes, it's rare, but it happens... and when it does it's someone's mommy. Some little person or the fetus inside needs that woman more than we know. And that makes it all the more real to all of us (you should see how out of breath a code team is by the time they get to L&D... the entire hospital takes our unit a little more seriously for stuff like that).

Anyway, today I am grateful everything turned out fine, and that my husband went and got pizza last night so I could lay on the couch for a good 2 hours and let me back relax out of it's wrenched-with-stress position. Mmm... pizza.

The Mommy Guilt

Today I am supposed to work. I took the shift from a friend who needed it off.

Today Conner is having his awards assembly (each child at the school gets an award at one of four awards assemblies during the year). Does he care that I'm not coming? No. He could NOT care less. As for me, I'm trying to get the day off, I keep checking with him to make sure it's OK. And honestly, when I look at the whole situation -- the point of the assemblies is to cheer on each other, the parents aren't involved at all except to perhaps take a picture. But then again, when are moms really honest with themselves?

It's just the guilt of working... the fact that I have to choose it over him, because I have made a commitment. Of course, showing them that you need to keep your commitments is important too.

Anyway. Just wondering if I'm the only one who gets her panties in a bunch over the little things. :)

Brown Spots

My dryer is leaving brown spots (that kind of look like blood) on our clothes.
Has anyone ever had this problem? I just cleaned out my dryer with a damp cloth, and I'm hoping the stains will come out with shout... so far I've only noticed it on our whites, but maybe it's because th eother clothes aren't showing it.
As if moving into maternity clothes wasn't sad enough, now I have to do it looking like I'm bleeding all over?

Would Christ Not Shop at a Store Just Because They Didn't Wish Him a Merry Christmas?

I was just reading an article about how stores are walking the delicate balance between Merry Christmas and "Happy Holidays." I think it's such a freak show.

My favorite Christmas movie is "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street" -- and in it Mr Hooper is still alive and he wishes Bob a Merry Christmas, and Bob says you too, and then steps back and says "Mr. Hooper, Happy Hanukkah." and it's a warm moment. Mr Hooper was Jewish but still wished Bob a Merry Christmas, and gave his friends Christmas presents. And Bob, because he knew and loved Mr. Hooper, wishes him a Happy Hanukkah, because he knows that's something that's important to Mr. Hooper.

So there are lists of stores that don't include the word "Christmas" in their advertising -- we're not told to "boycott" the stores -- but just have a knowledge of how they advertise. Applying the overly-used verbage "What Would Jesus Do", or WWJD to those who appreciate some good slang, what would He do?

I think he'd wish Mr. Hooper a Happy Hanukkah, I think he'd wish my Muslim friends a happy holidays, I think he'd heal the sick and give the homeless a place to stay. I think he could care less about what Old Navy calls their sale.

But isn't Christmas loving the person. The beauty of Christmas is that it is a one-on-one thing. I buy a present for Spencer, that I think Spencer alone will love, and he buys one for me (which Drew has to constantly remind him is for ME -- not for him). Because I know one of our doctors at work is Jewish I wish him a Happy Hanukkah and he appreciates it -- it's a personal thing.

And THAT I think is what Jesus would appreciate, loving the one -- showing you care to that one person. After all, that was what his life was spent doing, and he still does it today by giving us the gift of warm hearts, and blessings beyond which we deserve.

Grateful for a Husband

First off, can you imagine being pregnant as a single gal? Honestly, who would do all the grunt work? There's SO many things I've just shoved off to him as of late. The yard work, cleaning up dinner, listening to me whine that my back hurts. Poor guy. Anyway, there's a reason that a man gets a woman pregnant -- and that's so she can blame him and make him do a lot of work for the whole 9 months she is "suffering" (honestly, it's a toss-up right now who's suffering more at our house). Just my little plug for getting pregnant only after marriage. :)

Last night Drew prepared a great FHE about the 12th article of faith (be obedient to rulers and laws). It was mostly about how we should be good citizens. He did a great job, and helped tie it into the scouting program. I was so glad he did the lesson as I decided to make apple cobbler from scratch and I was pretty well done once the dinner was on the table (btw, I made tuna casserole and it was DE-lish, I should make that more often -- my kids usually hate tuna but they gobbled that down!).

I could go on and on about all of Drew's great qualities, but I will list 5 as I like things in groups of 5's or 10's
1. He puts up with my eccentricities -- like liking things in groups of 5 or 10's. :) Really, sometimes it's excessive, I'm aware and he is fine with it (or he pretends to be).
2. He is giving to a fault. Sometimes I have to remind him that he needs to save some for himself... but he cares so much about his students, and making sure that music is in the community -- he's always lending his keys and the bandroom to some group or another, just so that people can have more experiences with music.
3. He's a hard worker. Lately I've just had a "Drew Do" list -- and he's plowed through those like a champ. When he takes on a project it doesn't get half done (and I just need to be more understanding that sometimes it will take him 2 weeks to get to the project:) ).
4. He loves my blog. He reads it all the time. Sometimes he doesn't like what he reads, but he does enjoy it and rarely begrudges me for spending time writing it.
5. He finds me highly amusing. I need someone to laugh at my amazing jokes, etc. after a long day. ;) He's totally there for that.

Anyway, the reasons are small, but they sure add up to a whole heap of loving Drew. I'm so glad we're married and he can't leave me without punishment by law (and God). Heavens know no one would blame him. I am so grateful for all he does for me and our family. Go Drew.

Good Deal on Sausage

Lately I've seen a lot of yummy soup recipes with sausage in them (the Italian kind, not the kielbasa kind) but I've been low. Thanks to Safeway, not low anymore. :)
They have the store brand sausage on 2/4 sale. AND if you buy 5 you get 5 dollars back -- that makes each roll 1 dollar each.
Which makes it even cheaper than hamburger.
And almost 2/3 off the regular store brand price (of 2.99).
I bought 10. :)
Eat up.

Gratitude of the Season

My friend Lara did a gratitude entry each day of November (or something like that). I was jealous of her vim and verve for life. So, following her good example I am hoping to do a bunch of grateful entries for the month. After all, Christmas should be a time of showing our gratitude through gifts, whatever form they might be.

So, today I am grateful for Christmas music. I am not a huge Christian music fan in general but I love that at Christmas I can sing about Christ and about how he saved the earth while still feeling hip and cool (hard to feel like that when I'm singing some Michael W. Smith song -- judge if you will). This morning I was listening to what is most likely my favorite Christmas CD -- the Amy Grant Home for Christmas album. She works Handel's Messiah into track #3 and when she got to the part where "His name shall be called wonderful, councelor..." part I got so teary -- and yes, feel free to blame it on the pregnancy. If anyone deserves to be called wonderful it is Him and I was just grateful for that reminder.

Music is obviously a big part of our family's life, I am happy that Conner is really into playing carols on the piano and Spencer is loving singing along. I am sure Jesus is happy to hear those songs being raised to Him as well.

Merry Christmas peeps.