Thankful Thursday

I can still be thankful on Sunday right???

1. A new work schedule.
I am finally up on the senority list a little bit more at work, and have a little bit more choice in when I work. That combined with that fact that someone dropped the shifts that I could work make it so I wont have to work on Sunday anymore. (At least for now, in the medical field you can't always get away from it completely.) I'm really glad, especially for Trevor. Bless his soul for taking five kids to church by himself every other Sunday for as long as he has. And going to church every week will be nice, although I'm really really going to miss the five minute sacrament meeting at work.

2. Forgiveness.
I hurt someones feelings this week. Someone I love and would never want to hurt. I'm so thankful that she forgave me and didn't hold a grudge.

3. A warm house, warm bed, and warm socks.

4. Our Christmas Tree.
When we moved a couple of years ago we somehow lost the box that held all of our Christmas tree decorations. Everything. (This is the only box we lost in our move, and believe me we have looked everywhere.) I had made everything that was on our tree, but the thing that makes want to cry to this day is my button ornaments. When my Grandma passed away I inherited her button box. There were tons of buttons that she had collected for years. I put her buttons in clear glass ornaments and they were so cute tied with a little raffia bow. Sigh. I still miss those ornaments. I just haven't loved our tree as much since then. So every year I feel a little bit bittersweet about our Christmas tree. I love it, but it feels like something is missing.

5. Chapstick and lotion.

It's Official

I am a 30 something college student. I have been at my job for almost two years and my goal has always been to start school and get my nursing pre-reqs done and then go to nursing school when Cole and Cagney are in first grade. (or around there somewhere.) When I first started they were only 18 months old. First grade seemed worlds away. So I put off school, and put it off and put it off. But lately I started feeling like I really needed to get started. But there was one problem. I was SO intimidated by it. It just seems too scary! And I'm not one to back down from a challenge. But I finally (after a lot of help from girls I work with...thanks Ashley, Kaley and Britt for helping me figure out all of the computer stuff and Elsha for loaning me your book) got myself registered! It's only one little online class, but it is something.

I'm pretty darn excited! And seriously thanks again girls for walking me through it, I couldn't have done it without you. This is the beginning of a LONG road, but at least I'm on the road now.

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,
Thank you for coming to our family party last night. I know that you and Mrs. Claus must be so busy this time of year. The kids were delighted that you would visit them in their own house. The songs were fun, the candy canes sticky, and the kids loved having a second to talk to you about what they want you to bring them when you come back on Christmas Eve. This however is where I was not so delighted.

Imagine my surprise as I heard my little darling children tell you about their Christmas wishes and they weren't all the same things that they told ME that they were hoping you would bring. I guess they were holding out on me and wanted to tell you about it themselves. But what I really had the problem with was your response to their wishes. "Sure, I can do that." Is not an appropriate response. Did you not see the not so subtle signals I was giving you??

Don't you know that you are supposed to give them very vague responses to their wishes? (We are supposed to be partners remember?? I sometimes give them vague responses when they ask about YOU.) Let me give you some ideas for appropriate responses. (Please keep these on hand for future reference.)

"Ho, Ho, Ho. Well that is a very popular toy this year!"
"You keep being a very good little boy/girl and I will see what I can do!"
"How about if Santa surprises you?"

See? Any of those would have been better. No commitment. Now you have put me in a very sticky situation. I'm really trying to keep the magic alive, but it is HARD! I know, I know, you have a hard job too. I shouldn't complain too much. But don't worry. We still love you. Just please try to remember for next year, okay?

Love,
a very tired mom (who up until last night had all of her Christmas shopping done)

Favorite Photo Friday

Wow it has been awhile since I posted one of these. Which seems so odd because I have have absolutely nothing to do that past few weeks!


December 2006. Meeting my parents at the airport. They were returning from their mission to Nigeria.

Thankful Thursday

1. Holiday movies.
There are certain movies that I love to watch every holiday season. I especially love movies that make me laugh like...

And I always love a movie that makes me cry, and while this is not necessarily a Christmas movie I still love to watch it this time of year...


2. Our extended families.
We have both of our families Christmas parties this weekend. I'm so glad that we actually love to spend time with our families. It's nice to not have the holiday stress of spending time with people we don't like! I'm looking forward to seeing all of our siblings, parents, nieces and nephews this weekend.

3. A new microwave.
While not exactly what I would want to be spending money on this time of year. Our 14 year old microwave (that we got when we got married) died yesterday. It went out with a bang (quite literally) and a fireworks show.

4. School glorious school.
After being off track for the last four weeks Jared and Gabe went back to school on Monday. Sigh.

5. Putting my Christmas cards in the mail today.
I love doing Christmas cards (and getting Christmas cards) but it is a lot of work! I'm glad I will finally be putting them in the mail today.

Stop the madness...I can't take it anymore!

We went to the Festival of the Trees on Thursday evening last week (post to come). As we were leaving there was a group of piano students having a recital in the lobby. There were two young girls playing a duet...jingle bells. I imagine that their pep talk to each other before playing went something like this...

"Remember, just play as loud as you can and as fast as you can and everyone will think we are GREAT!"

It was painful...I wanted to run screaming from the building. But it was loud and fast...and a whole mess of sharps and flats. Which got me thinking about Christmas songs that I just cannot listen too.

1. Christmas shoes...or any other sappy sappy Christmas song. ICK.

2. Simply having a wonderful Christmas time. Does this song even have any other words??

3. George Michael...Last Christmas I gave you my heart but the very next day you gave it away.....(shudder)

4. And it doesn't matter how many times I hear it, I just can't believe that all Mariah Carey wants for Christmas is me.

What about you?? Are there any Christmas songs that just make you cringe????

Thankful Thursday

1. Christmas decorations
I'm kind of a scrooge about putting them up, but I LOVE having them up. Especially our tree.

2. Christmas lights
This is the first time we have put Christmas lights on this house and I just love love love them. I go outside two or three times every night just to look at them. I'm thankful for my husband who put them up. And for Jared and Gabe who helped.


3. Granny Smith apples
This time of the year they are so good, especially sprinkled with a little bit of salt.

4. Snow
We had a tiny bit of snow this morning and it was so pretty. It's all melted now, but I feel ready for more. Bring it on.

5. A second Thanksgiving dinner
My parents and brother came over on sunday for a second Thanksgiving dinner. It was so yummy and so fun to have them here.

Christmas did you know....

I received this via email and I'm really bad about responding to these types of emails...so here it is on my blog.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper. I actually hate wrapping, it is probably my least favorite part of the holidays.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Fake, always. All of the pine needles would drive me crazy.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Within a few days after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Within a couple of days after Christmas. Sometimes the very next day if it is driving me crazy.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes, love it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A red headed Cabbage Patch doll named Arabella Doralyn. My mom convinced me that she had looked everywhere and couldn't find one so it was a huge surprise.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My boys.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My girls.

9. Do You have a nativity scene?
Three. An olive wood set from Jerusalem, the Little People nativity set and a wooden set from Africa (and the baby Jesus looks like a little monkey baby.)

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail definitely, every year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A slim fast bar in my stocking.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? 
Elf. "Buddy the elf what's your favorite color?"

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually in October.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I don't think so.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? 
Ribbon jello, toffee, and our Christmas morning breakfast.

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, but they must be only white.

17. Favorite  traditional Christmas song?
Bring a torch Jeanette Isabella

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Growing up it was an angel, now it is a star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
One gift Christmas eve, the rest in the morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year. 
Wrapping presents, not enough time to do everything, small talk at holiday parties.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Our tree has santa's, snowflakes, stars and bells.

24. Favorite Christmas dinner?
Roast beast.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Trev and I are buying each other a new camera.