A History of Merry Christmas's Indeed!

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas, because it is a wonderful thing! I think Christmas's just keep getting better and better now that I'm on my own.
The first Christmas I felt the worst, ever! Sooo guilty, as my new hubby and I were expecting a baby in 3 months, and having recently moved only what our cars could carry, strapped our mattress on our Ford Taurus, and drove back from Phoenix, to Ohio. We kinda jumped in to B's parents house (surprise!) on Christmas Eve or so. We had no money, no gifts, no nothing! Our families somehow made up all this stuff to get for us, and we were given sooooo much. I still feel guilty about that Christmas. We were just glad to be back with family where we weren't in a danger of losing the roof over our heads. That was the last Christmas we had with B's Aunt Patt, or PNana we called her because she was pretty much like his mom's other half. She was battling cancer, and her health had recently been declining in large jumps. I remember Christmas was the best time of the year for her. She started doing crafts and things around July. I miss her Christmas joy, every year. No matter how I try to recreate it, it lacks a lot. My favorite thing fromo this Christmas was the skill I learned through these trials-- praying with a sincere heart and real intent. Prayers have never been just a prayer to me ever again. I needed the Lord a lot that year.
The second Christmas was a bit still and tense as the wonderfully mentioned PNana had just passed away, and I had not passed my massage boards...by 2 points. Not passed meant I got a 79 instead of an 81. *sigh still* Anyways, it was an exciting Christmas all at the same time because it was Chloe's first. She definitely loved it... being around 9mo. old. Brian and I had just moved into our own house in downtown Rossford, Ohio. A real fixer upper... lots of stories about that some other time. I think my favorite thing that I got that year... was Victoria Secret slippers and some good smelling perfume (to bring me back from sluggish mom to hot and comfy mom!) I learned this year that I have to tell Brian what to get me.... not just wait and hope for the magical things to appear under the tree. It was memorable for yet another reason--my brother and sisters were all there. It was really fun having everyone together, but it was definitely a different dynamic with everyone's spouses and kids around and one on the way.
The third Christmas was still amazing, because I was balancing life with a new baby- E Rose was almost two months old, and I was adjusting to having two kids. It took a while. Christmas was still a little somber but not too bad. I don't remember anything much except my favorite gift that year was a CD player for the kitchen.. I love it still!! Was it this Christmas or the next?? The Christmas picture was taken when I had gotten everyone ready but myself... a very new mom thing to do so I looked rather hustled and very plain in the pictures that we sent out that year. This was a year I chanced it and bought B one of those DVD burners.
The fourth Christmas Eva had turned one, and I was determined to bring the Christmas spirit into the house by listening to the Christmas music channel in Ohio called the RIVER 101.5, which played holiday music the day of Thanksgiving all the way to Christmas... alllll day long. Eva and Chloe were pooped by the time we celbrated anywhere else that day, and the weather was 60 something and raining. Odd for Ohio at that time of year. My favorite gift that year was a NY and Co gift card - and a cd which had the song, Ride a Cowboy on it. Good song. Loved it! I was able to go to a Glenn Beck show before Christmas, and it made the season very memorable and left an imprint on my soul about the hope of redemption Christ gave us. We celebrated at our house, Brians and my moms for the last time.
The last Christmas we had was fun, but chaotic with life in a new city, state, and environment. Some presents could be opened early and others on the phone, and I was to remember which ones. That terrified me.... My favorite thing was the apron I received... right up there with the little Buddha guys! But I really appreciated going at a slower pace, and not worrying about appearences that day. It was wonderful to not stress about kids, naps, even time!
This Christmas was fun because B's parents were out here, and my Gpop was able to make it out here. It was super fun! My favorite thing was having all the family together while I was working in the background. I love that though. My favorite thing this year was a KitchenAid. I also received an accesory to that now. I imagine it will last me for a good 30 years or so.
That's all the Christmas's until now -- I think they are really getting better and better! Next year Gabriel will be one and it will be amazingly fun! Chloe is getting sooo grown up, wanting girl things now and Eva is following suit.

All I Want for Christmas...

OK. All I wanted for Christmas was:

a much appreciated kitchenaid mixer... check
my two beloved sconces...check
family together...check
baby healthy... forgetting staph, check!
kids healthy... hmmm, we'll have to come back later on this one
happy hubby... he thinks there's more to this question than there is, wink wink - oh my!
a nice place to live...check
freedom to worship...check
a smart president...hmmmm, we'll have to come back when the second coming comes
working cars... check
debt free life....*sigh*, I'll have to.... work... on this one :0)
freedom to worship as I please... for the moment, check
snow...check
a deeper love for the sisters in my ward...check, check!
a positive visiting teaching report...hmmmm.... there's always room for new years resolutions!
a better understanding of Joseph Smith....check
a stronger testimony...check, check!

what more can I ask for? I know there's lots more material things, but taking a step back- things have been really good spiritually for me this year. I can't wait to see what next year brings!

Winter Wonderland!

Today it snowed, and snowed, and snowed!! And it's still snowing, and is estimated to continue until tomorrow evening! It's been looming around 30-35 degrees, so there's quite the mixture all over, but here were the first of the snow pictures from this morning. After not even 5 min Eva came back inside and said, "Mom, my hands are cold, and I don't really like that." What a desert bloomer! Here I love how the snow just sat on her angelic but crazy curly hair. Yes, Auntie S she now fits that pink coat and quite well, too!

Here Eva was pushing slush off of the car ... so why were her hands cold? This girl hardly keeps her coat on, her sweater on, or a hat on! I did have to take a trip to Bullhead today to buy some gloves and hats for the kidos. I have nooo idea where they would be if I haven't run into them by now. So, we got a clearence special today! And why is there slush on this car when we have a 2 car garage? It's a pretty common thing out here to use the garage for storage because there are no basements (well, few and far between). My goal is to get one car in.... just waiting on the trash removal by a certain someone I love so very very much... wink, wink. Not like he has anything more pressing on his time... lol.

Chloe is showing off her wonderfully pink jammies, and her unzipped jacket with the most in style pink cowgirl boots out there. Quite the combination, but it was put together quickly for fear of the snow melting! no, no hat or gloves either here, moms.... I know, I know.

Here we are, after the drive the long long drive and after I saw my first snowplows in 2 years! We started with a snowman, but soon a snow ball fight broke out. I have never had one before.. it was really really fun ( of course it is with no ice balls and against toddlers and a hubby)! Notice, mothers, the hats and mittens... We have no snowpants though, a little extreme for desert snow.

Snow in the desert caused today:
Schools to let out at 145pm (early)
Route 93 to close *above Kingman all the way to Las Vegas
Las Vegas flights to cancel and delay (can you imagine the back up with all the flights that leave every hour?)
Slush to soak in our shoes, Fingers and toes to freeze, and wetness that encompasses all that touches the snow.
Ground cover (1.5 in or so I think)
A dirty, muddy, mess! BUT!- it's beautiful and makes me feel even more at home with Kingman. B said this only happens every 20 years or so. Really? How enlightening! He's also heard that the Autozone here gets only 12 ice scrapers a year.... for a city 30 miles wide that's really nothing! There's no sleds at WalMart that I recall, or snow suits... for Heaven's Sakes they have 1/2 the store with short sleeves still! Amen to emergency prepardness!!

Raising Engineers

Ok. I was raised by an engineer (dad), married an engineer (b) and have somehow spawned an engineer daughter (chloe). EEEK! It is a complication only because my brain is sooo the opposite. I cant even tell you how many hours my dad would spend trying to get me to learn how things worked... the plant he works at, etc.. Even math is a horrible subject for me. So linear, so unfriendly. Don't misundestand. I love Chloe lots and lots and lots, but I can't follow that side of the road. However, I can certainly recognize it.

Background to this story- Chloe teethed on floppy disks, cds and watched her daddy do computer stuff for hours and hours. She can recognize the hard drive, mouse, web address bar, etc.. She helps B take apart cpu's and laptops and put them back together. She understands a lot, needles to say due to her upbringing. *smile* So, what happened this morning was none other than a continuation of it, but it somehow surprised Brian, upset him, and made him proud all at the same time.

Here goes:
Im half conscious and hear:
*knock knock knock*
me: who is it?
Chloe: Eva, NO! Dont do it!"
Eva: Yes.
*whack followed by the sound of my second daughter letting out a piercing scream*
Me: GIRLS!
*no answer*
Me: BRIAN! Something is going on out there! Chloe just hit Eva!
( To my defense for not doing something, I was feeding Gabe at the time)

As Brian ushered the girls back to their room to finish sleeping for the night (for a second time), I hear: sudden Chloe screaming
I see: Bran return to our room with his laptop, writing tablet, mouse and keyboard.
Me: Should I ask what happened?

What happened was Chloe, not feeling well and not able to sleep, wanted to watch a movie in her room like I do when I'm not feeling well. So, she took Brians laptop from the kitchen-all hooked up and turned off- and relocated the whole schpeal into her room. Apparently, she had done all this in desire of watching a Jesus movie. Ironic. But, it was too scratched and wouldn't play (so she had it turned on, logged in, and inserted CDs into the DVD ROM), and had put in Pocahontas to watch it instead when Eva went to tattle on her. Interesting.

What's hilarious about this? I can hardly be very angry. She's doing what comes to her naturally, what makes sense, and fixing her own problems. What's bad about that in and of itself? She's being just like her daddy. And he, when he was little was just like this: taking apart his moms computer while she was at work. His defense to that? I was not 4. I was 12. And I'm stilll smiling because what does this event tell me? My daughter pays excellent attention when she wants, and she knows Jesus brings her mind and body peace when she listens to stories or music about him. What's not to be proud about?

After recounting the tale to me Brian says, "I bet that will make the blog, won't it?"

Yes.... it did. *smile*

2 Months

10 1/2 lbs, 23 in, Sleeps 6-8 hours at night, up at 6am no matter what, Lifting head and chest, Flips from stomach to back, Smiles, Coo's, Fights sleeping, Gassy, gassy, gassy! Most alert - mid morning/early afternoon. Belly sleeper.

What a week!

After church, Dec 7th - Little G is two months. My dad came out for his blessing! (Thanks, again Dad) Outdoor pictures were a no because it was sooo cold that day, and very gloomy. I think it was raining that whole night. Brrrr.

The girls gave Grandpa some great looks while he was here! This is Chloe's christmas dress for this year. Eva doesn't really have one this year... unless I missed something. I think I'm losing my mind these days sometimes.

Four generations of righeous men! Four stripling warriors in the fight for truth and righteousness! My grandpop, My hubby holding Little G, and my dad. What great guys! WOW!

A pic of B and dad with little G. He was not very happy for some of these pics. So it goes infant life though...
Relief Society Dinner---
My life has been whirly swirly for the last few weeks and is for the moment at a pause. I successfully (due to much help) held the RS Christmas dinner and boy, it was fun! Lots of work, stress, and calling but I think everyone had a great time, there were some leftovers and it was great for my first hosted event. Our theme was Come Unto Christ, and I had people bring in their nativities to similate the nativity rooms some stakes put on, hoping to bring Christ into the room a little more. We had 16 songs- 13 were special musical numbers, and about 23 scripture readings. My favorite song was truly Michael Mcleans song, I Was Not His Father He was Mine, sung by a man who to me, closely resembles my father in countenance. Both very warm mannered, great with kids, and so full of compassion for others it just eeks from their beings. It gave me chills to hear, and I wished I could've stayed in that moment for a long long time. I think it is because I feel so much that the children in my home, esp. Little G has some incredible tasks to complete in these Latter-Days. I feel so much like a guardian for him--more so than a mom/buddy. I hope I make the big guy up there proud, and I pray that I can have the strength to be the teacher for little G that he needs.

Little G Update---
On that note- The day before the dinner, Little G was diagnosed with staph. Long story, lots of stress was added to my shoulders and I felt like the worst mom in the world--who lets their kid get staph at 2 months? Who lets their kid get staph, period? Never google a medical condition unless you're ready to see lots of really scary pictures and hear lots of uncomforting advice. Ended up calling mom in tears looking for some kind of comfort... felt a little better. End of story is that we caught it pretty early, and he's cleared up and is finishing up his antibiotics soon. One brownie point for doctors and western medicine this time. I think we're even now. ;0)

Dads visit to the desert---
Then, it was getting my house back in working order for the arrival of my dad two days later. We took him to the Hullapai mountains, the infamous Wal Mart, and out to my gpop's house where we got the great 4 generations shot. He even got to see how joy school works... at least my attempt at holding joy school with a screaming infant and kids that would rather be playing than following any type of routine. My favorite thing my dad does is read. He's always reading to the grandkids when they let him, and he seems to get their attention like I wish I could. Pure interest. He read some Christmas tales to the girls and I think at times I was more into the story when they were, because it was so much of my childhood I think. He would always read to us, and he reads to the girls a lot, too. I can't wait until my kids are old enough for the Just So Stories. My dad read those to me and to me, that was what made those longer stories fun and bearable. I appreciate my dad and the contribution he has put toward my own ideal family outline. Eva just watched a short video I took of grandpa reading The 12 days of Christmas and she was saying it along with him where she could. She really misses him, but I have had to tell her that Grandma shared him with us- and she wants him back too. Thanks Grandma for sharing! I hope he felt like we took good care of him. And thanks Grandpa for being in CONTROL and helping us avoid the KAOS. hahaha.