Here we come 2009

As 2008 is winding to a close, I'm thinking about how I would like to start out the new year. I've never been a big believer in extravagant resolutions. I like to set myself up for success, rather than failure. Last year's resolution was to have a current address book. I managed to accomplish that this last month in the process of doing this year's Christmas cards. When I made the resolution, I thought it would be a very easy one... ha! That VERY easy resolution took me 11 months to accomplish.

So this year, when trying to come up with my resolution, I decided that it just wouldn't do to take on something too much more ambitious... I've decided that my New Year's resolution for 2009 will be to wear more hats! I am going to wear hats in the winter to stay warm and hats in the summer to keep the sun off my face and try to slow this progression of wrinkles I am noticing.

A small resolution, I'm aware!

Along with my one designated resolution, I'm also thinking a lot about the person that I want to be in 2009. I want to use this January 1st as an opportunity to take stock of my life, and my outlook on life. In 2009 I want to be a little kinder, a little more patient, I want to appreciate every moment with my children a little more, and I want to look for more ways to show my husband how much I love him. I am going to live 2009 to the fullest and count my many blessings each day!

Happy New Year!

Sealing the Deal

On December 27th, Big Ben and I were sealed in the Sacramento LDS Temple.
It was a beautiful and joyous occasion. It has been a VERY LONG road in our lives for us to get to this place together. I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man!

7 years and 1 day

Seven years and one day ago, I got the greatest Christmas present of my life!

It was the gift that has kept on giving!

The last 7 years have been filled with more delight, joy and pride than I ever could have imagined.

A birthday post for Ben HAD to be done in Black and White because Black is his favorite color. When Ben was 3 years old, he decided that he liked black, and explained that it is his favorite color because anywhere you look you can see something black.

Christmas Confession

I need to confess!

When Ben was born, my mom began giving him ornaments. She continued doing it each Christmas. She started giving them to Sarah when she was born as well.

I was only mildly interested in the "tradition." I've put them up on the tree each year, but not with the greatest enthusiasm. But....

Now pay attention, this is where the confession part comes...

Mom was right!!!

This year the kids were old enough to be interested in Christmas decorating. Putting their ornaments on the tree with them was so fun. They were excited about each one and we talked about Bubbe, and why she chose the ones she chose.

So there you have it. You won't get it from me often, but I'm admitting it here and now...

Mom,

About the ornament thing...

Yeah, you were right!

Wintery Wonderland

When there are icicles hanging from your icicles, you know it is cold out!

We had our 3rd snow day today.

It snowed all day and is still coming down.

It is beautiful.

But I'm positive schools will be closed again tomorrow.
Will anyone volunteer to take kid snow day duty for a day in my place?

Stuck

Aaaagghhhh! I'm praying for a sunny day tomorrow!

Another snow day, another long day for mom. The difficulty is that I still have to work on a snow day. So I'm not available to entertain the kids and they just are bored out of their little minds. They are cooped up and we are all going crazy!

Today, I got off of a phone call to find this:

He's smiling, but he's completely STUCK. I took this picture after I had begun disassembling the chair. This was also after I had searched the house for Vaseline, opted out of the mess of butter and tried slathering him up with lotion. None of the tricks work, the chair had to be dismantled.

I think I might have growled, mumbled and said a few four letter words in my head.But rest assured he is out and his head is still attached to his body.

How to know if he's a SUPERMAN

I've had a 24 hour reminder that I'm married to Superman. But I thought I'd put together a little guideline so you too can tell if you are married to a superman of your own:

1. If you even have to question it, then chances are he's no Superman
2. He comes home early from work to play in the nasty slushy snow with the kids just because Snow Day is synonymous with Miserable Mom Day.
3. He stops on his way home to buy the kids new snow gloves because there are none in the house and the kids had to play in the morning snow with plastic bags and socks on their hands.
4. He designs and builds his own furniture. (Pictures to follow)
5. He goes outside at midnight, during a storm to find out what is tapping on the bedroom window and bothering you.
6. He walks in the house on a snowy day carrying a Dr. Pepper for you (that is better than flowers) and treats for the kids.
7. He wraps Christmas presents and all of the upcoming Birthday presents.

I love my Superman!

Baby it's COLD outside!

We woke up this morning to an announcement of a snow day! NO SCHOOL!

The kids have BIG plans to spend their afternoon sledding.

Where are you Christmas?

Last night as I was driving home from an errand, I found myself feeling sad. I have been saddened by a lack of "Christmas Cheer" in the world this year. Stores in our small town aren't decorated for Christmas, very few people put up Christmas lights this year and I can't even tell you how many people I've heard talk about the things they just don't do anymore. Friends have confessed to not making Christmas cookies to deliver to neighbors and friends, they don't send Christmas cards and some people I've heard talking about not decorating at all.

This is sad! Christmas is a time of tradition, festivity and cheer. I'm not sure if this is a result of the economy, busy schedules or selfishness. Oh, don't get me wrong... there is plenty of commercialized Christmas still out there, but has happened to the heart of Christmas?

As I was having these thoughts I looked up to see a very large falling star right in front of me. This star woke something up in me, it gave me hope. It occurred to me that I am responsible for Christmas! I am responsible for keeping it alive in my heart and in the hearts of my children. I refuse to get too busy for the simple things of the season. I want my children to remember Christmas cards and Christmas lights and delivering treats to their teachers and the neighbors. I want them to know that it isn't about the gifts they receive, but instead it is about the "gifts of love" that we give to those around us. I love the opportunity this time of year to remember our Savior, to remember the great gift and joy that has been given to us. This year I'm making a conscious choice to celebrate his birthday by showing my love and appreciation for my family and friends.

Walnuts

These aren't very good pictures, but I am uber excited about this project!

Ben and Sarah LOVE walnuts. Not necessarily eating them, but carrying them, collecting them and playing with them. Walnuts grow on their Papa's property and I know they associate walnuts with visiting him. Each time they go to his house, they manage to come home with a bag full of them.

This year I carefully opened two of them, painted them gold and glued fabric inside them to wrap stocking stuffers for each of them. I also made an elastic band to keep them closed.

Sorry about the quality of the pictures. I can't wait for the kids to see these!

Warm Hands, Warm Hearts

Sarah scored a new shirt today when I was practicing applique techniques.

Inspiration

http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/
I think this blog is positively inspiring!

Jump on over for a little bit of this:

and a little bit of this:

Go look at more, it'll make you smile!

Mod

I love headbands, but as an adult I've shied away from wearing them. Today I made a wide cover to go on a cheap plastic headband. I love it! It turned out comfortable and great. I'm going to be making many more!

The Stockings were hung...

The Stockings were hung by the chimney with care!

I finally got our new stockings finished! There were a few snags along the way, but they are done. Making short stockings to fit above the fireplace was a little trickier than I anticipated. Big Ben made the shelf for me. I love it! I am already making plans for what will hang from the shelf when Christmas decorations aren't up.

Twisted Mother Award

Age 6 going on 7 is a rough time. Ben lost a tooth yesterday and wanted to write a note to the Tooth Fairy requesting some of our "fake" money instead of real money. I decided to take the opportunity to get a little "HELP" from the Tooth Fairy. Here's how it went:

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I think you would not understand, I don't want real money. Please pay my mom to get some kid dollars for me. Please leave red money under my pillow.

Thank you,

Ben





Ben,

No problem switching the money. Hope you can buy something good. Be a good boy, Santa told me he is planning to come here early, but he is a little concerned you haven't been good enough for him to leave you a gift. Remember it still isn't too late to get on his Good List!


Keep brushing your teeth. This tooth was a little dirty, you might need to brush longer. If your next tooth is dirty, I won't be able to leave you much money.


Gotta go, your cat keeps trying to play with my wings!


Love,
The Tooth Fairy

Time will tell how well my conspiring with the Tooth Fairy will work...

Better Late

Better Late, than Never!

I just found these pictures on Big Ben's camera. I had no idea they even existed. Once I found them I had to share them.

While Broc and Maris were here for Thanksgiving Big Ben bought them pogo sticks. They had a lot of fun on them and they got quite the workout.

Outsmarted, again!

I don't like video games. I've never liked them and now as a parent, I believe in only allowing the kids to play video games in limited amounts. They play them at their dad's house and they play them here when Broc is here. Other than that, they are a special privilege that must be earned. Sometimes, the opportunity to play them in specified intervals can be purchased in our "reward store" using the kid money that they earn for chores and behavior.

At Thanksgiving, Ben wanted to spend one day of his vacation going to the daycare program at the school. Because I had to work, and it is quite inexpensive, I agreed that he could go there for a day. In the afternoon when I picked him up and asked how his day went, he told me that it was great. He told me that he had played video games there all day. Then he went on to explain to me that the only reason he had desired to go to daycare was because he wanted to play video games without having to "pay" for them (speaking about the kid money).

Are you kidding me? He totally outsmarted me. I ended up paying for daycare for the day so that he could play video games for "free." I had no choice but to laugh in defeat.

Sweet Baby Jesus

The Christmas story as you've never heard before... (I think there might be a little Baby Moses thrown in there for good measure)

Computers

Future Business Woman of the Year!

Sarah's hat

I made this new hat today. It was going to be for me, but I have a slightly large head and Sarah asked for it. It is made out of an old angora sweater and the flower is from some vintage stash material.

Preperations

As I get ready to stay home for several months, I decided that it was time for me to have an apron. Making one out of some favorite, worn out jeans seemed like a natural option.



The down side to this project... my backside sure is wide looking when it's on the front side!

Catch up!

I'm finding myself a bit behind in the business of posting. We had a very eventful Thanksgiving, so I will take just a moment to catch up a bit.

Broc and Maris came to visit for Thanksgiving! We had a small Thanksgiving lunch/dinner on Thursday and then I took off to prepare for Black Friday shopping. I actually started shopping at 6 pm on Thanksgiving, went out again at midnight, and then went to WalMart at 5 in the morning. It's crazy, but it's tradition!

After the eventful shopping, we attempted to take the 4 kids to get new family pictures taken on Saturday. That is always an experience.

The first photo shoot turned out to be a dud! We had to reshoot all of our pictures. While waiting for them to upload our shots, we wandered around the mall with the kids a bit.

They rode a roller coaster:

Then we made our way over to see Santa. Sarah was very excited to tell him her Christmas list:


Ben wasn't having much to do with this. He says that he isn't interested in talking to someone who is "just Santa's helper." It's the real thing for him or nothing at all!

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'll be posting family pictures soon!