He's Here!!!!

Born at 5:54 a.m. this morning, weighing in at 6 lbs 2 oz and 19.5 inches long little baby Aiden came into the world. Welcome, my little Sweetie!

December 30th

Will I bug anyone if I just do little snippets that are more like status updates than real blog posts? I can't seem to find the mojo for posts right now.

Updates:

1) Karen went into the doctor yesterday and when the midwife checked her they found she was dilated to a 2. The midwife told her to not even bother scheduling another appointment because she thought that Karen would deliver before the weekend was over. :0

So with energy from my nervous excitement I decided to make burp rags



out of cowboy print flannel on one side and plain yellow on the flip side.



I plan to make more, too, because I remember how many a baby can go through!

2) Michael has done the one step forward and two steps back thing. He has resisted drinking any more pediasure but is continuing to snack on things. Ah well, Rome wasn't built in a day.

See you later for more updates, especially with Karen. Can you believe it?!

Hurray!!!

We interrupt today's post to bring the lastest update on the home front:

My oral aversed, g-tube fed Michael just ate a turkey sandwich and drank a can of pediasure! Success!!

Now, back to the previously scheduled post.

Getting back to normal

Life is returning back to normal every day life. Though I love Christmastime, I think I love the mundane even more. (Every year come mid-January, though, I wish for a second Christmas. It seems that is when I'm really ready for it! :)

Emily and Matt have loved creating with the play doh the family got for Christmas.


Volcanos


Tropical Island Paradises (the details are great! - notice the little boat sailing toward a cave)


Ice Cream Cones


A Trip to the Beach


Can you believe that 2010 is just 4 days away?! I'm kind of glad. It'll be a time to clear the slate, make resolutions, and make a better life. I like to believe that I create my reality, though it is an uncomfortable thought when things are going wrong. Even then, though, I have the choice to look for the silver lining and, like Pollyanna, play the "glad game" (because, like I often remind myself during those times, things really *could* be worse).

I'm starting to ponder my 2010 resolutions already. It will be interesting to look back at 2009's and evaluate how those went. I have a feeling that a few will be repeats.

I created a tradition a few years ago where Steve & I go out to lunch armed with paper and pens and start writing down goals for the new year. I have every intention of keeping that tradition going this year! I love the relaxed feeling of being out with the one I love, who is my best friend in the whole world, reviewing the past year and looking to the future, all the while smelling the smells and tasting the tastes of good food, feeling the warmth of the plates and cups, seeing the beauty of a nice setting, and only hearing the occasional clink of dishes or quiet conversations going on around me. Perfection.

But today will be filled with a doctor's appointment for Amber to see if she has pink eye, treats being made, more organization in progress, pondering what pattern to use for AJ's quilt, and the regular tidying and meal-making that only those who have had a house full of children & young adults will understand. You know, just the wonderfully mundane things of running a household. :)

I wish for you all the best today!

An Early "Merry Christmas"

I know I'm a few hours early, but I know that some of you will be taking a break from blog reading for a few days and I really want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!

Happy Solstice!

(Pics that Steve took last year)






So exciting! The days will be getting longer from here on. Soooo nice!

I don't formally celebrate Winter Solstice because I'm always still running around until the very last minute trying to get ready for Christmas, (I could probably use an excuse to slow down and feel gratitude though. I'm going to rethink my priorities today!:), but Stephanie at Ordinary Life Magic does. So if you need a suggestion or two of how to celebrate, slow down, and enjoy the moment, she has some great ideas!

Have a wonderful, little longer, little sunnier day! <3

Thankful Thursday - December 17th

Today was a crazy great day. So much to be thankful for!

1) I am feeling better! Not 100% yet, but lots better than the past few days. There was a close call for a minute when I thought I had yet another type of infection, but it was just a fluke.

2) That Steve can fix just about anything! Today I heard water running. I sent Jared outside to see if frozen outdoor pipes had thawed and had water running, meanwhile I went upstairs to see if the drippy tub faucet was worse. Instead, I heard water pouring in the basement, which was no good seeing as how we have no water taps down there.

The water heater's faucet had broken off, water was spraying, and there was at least 3" of water on the floor. Jared had enough sense to turn off the water to the outside (thank heavens Steve had taught all of the kids where the turn-off spot was!) I immediately called Steve and ask him to PLEASE! come home... for the third time this week. I bet his boss is so sick of 1) me being sick and needing him to pick up the kids on Monday and Tuesday and 2) me having problems I can't solve. (Trust me when I say that he works *a lot!* at home - many hours of overtime, so he makes up for it... but still.)

He ran back and forth between the water heater and the hardware store for 3 1/2 hours straight (buying a new faucet, parts to clean the left over plastic faucet off of the threading, and eventually the part to ream new threads all together) but we have a fixed water heater minus plumber's fees! My husband rocks!

3) Taco Time. Tacos and burritos make my world go round! And thank heavens someone else can make dinner for me when I have no water to use for food prep or hand washing!

4) That I could sit and talk to my dad on the phone for an hour this afternoon. Very nice to talk to him for such a long time! I'm glad that he is in good health and good spirits.

5) For the next day and a half day of school that are full of class parties and movies that my kids don't mind opting out of and staying home with me instead.

6) For finally getting around to getting rid of a few pairs of shoes that will fit my neighbor's little girl that were just taking up space at my house.

7) That the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series has at least 10 books in the series and I'm only on book 7! Seriously love these fun, fun books!

8) That I found a new photo blog that gives helpful hints and tricks.

9) For all of you sharing your Christmas excitement, projects, and daily "stuff" to lighten my mood.

10) For all of you who leave comments (or call me on the phone and talk to me about something you just read on my blog :) to let me know that someone is actually reading this stuff and I'm not just talking to myself. ;-) Today is my 2 year blog-iversary!! Thanks for making it a great 2 years! <3

Falalala lalalala!

Happy Christmas to All!

I thought of this picture today, so I dug through my computer's photo files and finally found it:



This pic was taken back in 2004. Emily and Matt assembled all of the parts and pieces and wanted their picture taken. Aren't they cute? Mr. and Mrs. Claus with a reindeer pulling their sleigh (notice the sticks poking out of the horses head :)? Too cute, I think!




And did I tell you that I saw where Santa keeps his reindeer? (technically elk, but close enough, I say! :) I did!



They were all there, too:




Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph! You didn't know they lived in Utah during their off season, did you? Since the North Pole doesn't have field grasses for them to eat it just makes sense, I think.

Enjoy the magic of the season!

Christmas Preparations...... or something.

I've got nothin' to write about. Lots of undone project; that's what I've got.

Borrowed quilting frames (they were at my sis's house, but technically still my mom's). I've got a quilt or two to toss on. No quilting stitches for now, just tied quilts. And then binding. Wish I would have started on them sooner.

Trying to figure out "fun" presents. I have some presents for them that they've needed / wanted, but few that are "fun". Working on it.

My house is the pit of dispair. Lots of loads of laundry to do. Fridge to clean out and pull out and mop under both it and the stove. Usually do that before Thanksgiving. At least I cleaned the oven before baking those yummy pies at Thanksgiving. Need to do something with the boxes of my mom's that have taken over several rooms in my house. But came home from church feeling like garbage. Haven't fully recovered from any illness this season. Is there more out there this year? or is my immune system so weak that I'm wearing a sign to germs saying, "Hop aboard!"

In other news: school is only in session thru Thursday. I'm so glad for the reprieve!

Hope your Christmas preparations are going along more quickly and smoothly than mine.

This has been my theme song this season:

And here are the lyrics:

WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS
Mame:
Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
All:
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.
Mame:
Haul out the holly;
Well, once I taught you all to live each living day.
All:
Fill up the stocking,
Young Patrick:
But Auntie May, it's one week from Thanksgiving Day now.
All:
But we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
Agnes:
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
Ito:
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
All:
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy
"Happy ever after,"
Need a little Christmas now.
Need a little Christmas now.

I need Christmas this year. And it better be good, dangit! ;-)

Universal Health Plan - A Funny

I found this in the December newsletter from my mom's nursing home (and then I found it online at: Today's Additions: My Little Sister's Jokes so I didn't have to retype it!). I thought it was cute enough to share:

The American Medical Association has weighed in on the new Obama health care proposals.

The Allergists voted to scratch it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves. The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.

The Obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception. Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted. Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the Pediatricians said, "Oh, Grow up!"

The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it. Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing. The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter...."

The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea. The Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the @$$%&~*$ in Washington.

Snowday!

It dumped on us over the past few days! Last measurement was 15 1/2 inches of snow! Look at this:


I finally called the city buildings yesterday about the roads since they hadn't plowed in front of our house since the storm came through. There was 15 inches of snow on the road, too!


See the roof over the rabbit hutches? That is how deep the snow really is!


The snow is leaning precariously on the posts; look at the end one with the leaning tower of snow!



I'm so glad that I'm warm and dry inside! Outside is bitterly cold. I hope you stay warm today, too!

These are a few of my favorite things.... 12/3

This is my favorite tradition:



I love hanging up the kids' first Christmas stockings and Steve's and my stockings that came from our original homes. These aren't the ones Santa fills, those will be put out on Christmas Eve; these are the ones that just make me warm fuzzy from remembering Christmases past.



And this statue of the Holy Family is my absolute favorite. Mary cradling and nurturing baby Jesus, while Joseph protects them both from the cold and dark. Each helping the members of their family unit feel as comfortable and loved as possible. Perfect.

How about you? What traditions or decorations are your favorites at your home?

Cute Christmas Crafts

(click on the links provided to see the craft)
Be Different...Act Normal spotlighted a really great Christmas Countdown idea from Make and Takes made with construction paper. I love it!

I also loved her idea from The Long Thread about making Santa decorations to hang on the Christmas Tree. They look so easy, cute, and fun!

I need to do some of these fun things with my kids! How about you? What kind of fun things are you making for the Holidays?