I'll Be Home for Christmas

Here is my basket full of Christmas Joy!

Well, this is the last post you'll see from me till after Christmas. I'll be heading home soon, where I do not have internet, so I will not be back till Wednesday next week. I wish to everyone who reads my blog and who doesn't a Merry Christmas and God's Blessings on you and your family.

I will be hosting Christmas at my house this year. I have a bit of a different menu planned, so I hope it goes over well. The guest list consists of: Grams, Gramps, Mom & Dad, Aunt C & Uncle C and their kids R and A. Just enough for a cozy Christmas.

There is little under the tree, but more in our hearts than ever before. I prefer it that way, really. The greatest gift that we could ever receive has already been given. That's the reason we are celebrating. For all who are willing to accept him, Jesus is our saviour and Lord. Each year it amazes me more and more how he walked so humbly among his creation out of love and sacrifice in order to keep us with him. There truely is no greater gift than this. May the spirit of God bring healing to the hurting, peace to the troubled, and joy to the wounded hearts.

Quote for the day: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

We've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there!

Here is another of J's great Christmas photos. Just look at all those rolls!

So, the Christmas countdown approaches! Care to see my list of chores? Here goes:
Vacuum carpet
Vacuum ceiling
Finish decorating house
Clean kitchen
Clear off dining room table
Get out Christmas dishes and re-wash
Borrow folding table & chairs
Straighten up nursery
Clean out refrigerator and freezer
Wash guest room bedding
Finish gift shopping
Buy fresh produce for Christmas dinner
Wrap gifts
Prep for Christmas dinner
Pick up clutter around the house (this will likely consist of throwing everything on my bed Christmas morning and closing the door, then throwing it back on the chair in the living room before going to bed that night. LOL)

Not too bad, eh? Think I can get that all done? Should I make that my new poll question? LOL Well, lets see, I have to shop on Saturday and have a Christmas dinner with my siblings & families on Sunday, so that leaves me four evenings and one full day to get all that list done. I wonder what can afford to be skipped?

Heaven.....I'm in Heaven!

This is one of J's 7 month pictures. Look at the first finger of his left hand. That is his very first little bandage. Yes, he was injured in the trenches of babyhood. (His daddy awarded him a purple heart.) I cut his little finger while trying to cut his nails. It was a small cut but wouldn't stop bleeding. So I had to make up a baby bandage. So sad! (I know, he looks scarred for life, doesn't he?)

Have I mentioned on here lately how much I adore my husband? No? Well, I do. Let me tell you why. Last year for Christmas he bought me a gift certificate for a one hour full body massage. Well, last night I cashed it in. I don't even know where to begin to try to find the words to tell you how incredible and wonderful it was. I literally feel like a new woman. I had never had one before. It was something I always wanted, and R got it for me last year when I was pregnant and having so much back pain. But I never did use it because I was afraid of laying on my belly that long while pregnant, and then J arrived and it's been so crazy busy ever since. I've thought about it often but never felt like I could fit it in. Well, the certificate was about to expire, so I bit the bullet and made an appointment. It was such good timing too, because I was really beginning to hold in the stress, and had a tension headache for about three solid days this week. I've never felt better, let me tell you!

Gentlemen, if any gentlemen read my blog, buy your ladies a massage for Christmas!!! It's worth twice what you'll pay for it, I promise. Ladies, ask for one. As for me, next time I'm going for the facial, manicure and pedicure. Does that sound great or what?

Just another Manic Monday....

If you look closely in this picture, you can see J's two teeth. They are getting bigger and bigger every day.



Well, we survived another weekend. It was a very busy one again. Friday my dad and I headed home from work about an hour early because we were told that it was snowing hard back home. I’m so glad we did! As it was we had a tough time the last few miles. I can’t imagine what it would have been like if we’d waited another hour. My dad drives me to work each day. He drives a Mustang GT, which is totally fun and awesome….except on snow or ice. Then it is really scary! The snow was pouring down and it looked so pretty. R got out to bring me and J home from my mom’s house. We got home and stayed toasty warm inside all night. The snow kept up through the night. On Saturday morning we woke up to the loveliest blanket of sparkly white! We had about 8 inches overall. It continued off and on through the morning. J was totally mesmerized watching the snow fall outside the living room windows. Then he had lots of fun watching his Daddy shovel the walk and driveway. He was leaned way over staring out the window. Then BAM!! Daddy threw a snowball at the window right in front of his face. It was funny.

We bundled up and went out into the snow about 1:00 in the afternoon. R and J and I went to town for some mega shopping and errands. It was so nice to have R take care of J for me in the store. It made the whole trip so much nicer and faster. We had to pick up our “Angel Food,” which is a ministry run through a church in town. It is a nation wide thing, and they buy a bunch of food in bulk and distribute it through churches to people at a discount price. We get a huge box of fresh and frozen foods and dry goods, including lots of meat for only $30 a month. Well, the pickup day was Saturday. Since I was going to town anyway, I picked up my mom’s, step-mom’s and grandma’s orders too. So we had to go to my step mom’s to pick up her ticket (can’t claim the food without it) and stop at grandma’s for her ticket, then get to the curch and pick up the food. After that we went to Wal Mart. R and J looked at the goldfish, and the lobsters, and the flashy singing toys in the toy department. Then J decided to be difficult. He didn’t want to sit. He didn’t want to lay down. He wanted Daddy to hold him while he leaned waaaayyy back and looked at the ceiling. (The same ceiling he was looking at while laying down, but that wasn’t nearly as fun.) When we were all done, R took all the groceries out to the car and drove up to the front door, so that all I had to do was carry J out the door. Have I mentioned lately how much I love my husband? After that was a quick run into Home Depot, and through the pharmacy drive through, a stop at grandma’s to drop off her food, and back home. We had to hurry to unpack the vehicle, put away the food, feed J, and get dressed for R’s company Christmas party.

The party was a lot of fun. J got lots of spoiling and attention. A made a wonderful dinner of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and dessert. There was a little girl there who was 20 months old and she and J totally fell in love! (She was blonde, of course. How am I going to teach this boy to love brunettes?) They just hugged and kissed each other over and over and over. It was totally sweet. We had fun with our gift exchange, and then J got tuckered and fell asleep on his Daddy’s shoulder so we headed home.

Sunday we cleaned up around the house a little. Not as much as I need to. Played with J and fed him his breakfast. Then he had a nap and when he woke up he and I picked up my mom and went to my aunt’s house for holiday candy making. My grandparents came over for lunch as well. J had a great time. He had his Mommy, Grandma, Great-Grandma (Grams, as we call her), Cousin A, and Great-Aunt C all at the same time. If he wasn’t just the prince of the province, let me tell you! Once he got under Aunt C’s Christmas tree before Grams could catch him. The little booger is fast! He got his nose scratched a little, kicked the tree and watched the little pieces flutter down, and pulled off an ornament. Not harm done besides the tiny scratch. When we went home J was so tired. I still needed to take my step-mom’s angel food to her and make a stop to see my cousin who had a reception for her college graduation that day. So the executive decision was made to leave J with Daddy while my mom and I did that. Poor R. Not long after we left J very suddenly started screaming and would not stop. Nothing would pacify him, not a bath, not a bottle, not a binky, not laying down, not sitting up, nothing. By the time I got home R was sooooo stressed and upset. I took J and he practically raced downstairs for a smoke. (R, that is, not J, LOL) J finally calmed down, but he would have not part of his bottle and went to bed about an hour and a half earlier than usual. That left him with only having had 18 ounces of milk all day. I was very worried.

Today J has eaten better, and is gnawing on things with the right side of his mouth like crazy, so I hope that was the issue and nothing serious. He normally eats about 30 ounces a day, and lately has had only 24 several days. But 18 is just not enough. I hope he is over the problem soon. Poor baby.

Well, now that I have written you a book, I will go about my business for the week. Christmas is just around the corner, I can hardly believe it. Hope everyone has a good week. I’ll see you soon.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.....

Here is little J enjoying his tree.
Forget my toys, man. This thing BLINKS!
The lovely finished product....finally!

So here are the promised pictures of the tree. As you can see, J really loves it. We had to get the "fence" to put around it because he got himself under it and scratched his face on the branches. The "fence" is actually a Superyard XT, and I really like it. It will come in handy as he gets older too.

Well, this weekend looks to be another busy one. We are finally out from under the ice, and they are predicting a thick blanket of snow starting tonight through tomorrow. I hope it doesn't hit us too hard, because I am badly in need of going to town for some shopping tomorrow.

Tomorrow night is R's company Christmas party. It will be fun to take J and see him soak up all the attention! That is, assuming his bosses have their electricity back! LOL

Sunday I plan to go to my Aunt C's house for our annual togetherness tradition of making Christmas candy together. This is one of my favorite holiday traditions.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend. Get out there and finish your shopping so that all you have to do next weekend is cook and relax.

Ice, Ice Baby!

This is the awesome power of our God in nature!
See how each individual blade of grass is highlighted with it's own glassy sheath of ice.

And each needle of an evergreen tree or bush is the same way.

This is how thick the ice got on a tiny twig of a tree.

This is a bush beside my house.

It looks like it's dipped in acrylic.

It amazes me how something can be both so beautiful and so destructive.

Life...On Ice

I am pleased to be here to report that all is well. The ice storm was not near as bad where I live and work as they predicted it would be. One weatherman said that if it had been just 1 ½ degree colder it would have been a complete disaster! As it is, I live just on the outskirt of where the heaviest damage is. We got a lot of ice, but there is only a small amount of damage in my town. Thus far we never lost power in town, though my dad who lives just south of town has none. I am so thankful! I have some good pictures that I hope to be able to post tomorrow.

My step dad lives in the hard-hit area. They have been without power since Monday night, and they are in a rural area, so I do not expect they will have it back very soon. Last I heard, the temperature inside the house was in the 50’s. Now, my step-dad lives with his aged parents and takes care of them. They are both in poor health, and without electricity his dad has been without his breathing treatment meds. I am hoping that he will bring them to town so they can stay with my mom till the power is back on. They do not need to be catching pneumonia from all of this. Prayers for their situation would be appreciated.

I stayed home from work yesterday with a nasty head cold. It is getting better today. I enjoyed playing with J in between nose-blowings. He did the coolest thing yesterday! We were reading a book together, one of those board books for babies. J turned his own pages! I was so surprised! The little booger is so smart.

Well tonight little J man and I are on our own. R has to be on the road. L I will miss him. I’m not sure what J and I will do. We may go to church Advent service, or we may just stay home and stay warm. I hope to get some laundry done and get some more Christmas decorating done. Usually my house is strewn with Christmas, and this year all I have up is the tree. I am planning on having Christmas dinner at my house, so it would be nice if it looked a bit more festive.

Well, I will be back again tomorrow with some pictures for you. Everyone have a nice night and stay safe and warm.

Quote for the day: Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.
Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

I have the best husband in the world!

Today’s picture is one of my favorites. It is J when he was just a few days old. He was in the hospital, stuck in an incubator on photo therapy. He'd been in there for several days at this point. That's why we titled this picture, "Dear God, please let me out!" You can see the IV in his little head. Poor guy!

Ok, can I please just say that my husband is THE BEST!! We had such a wonderful weekend together, and he is really wonderful to me. He and J are such buddies, and it is a joy for me to watch them together. It makes me fall in love with R all over again. It is so funny when R leaves the room, say to get a cup of coffee or something, J will strain himself practically out of my arms trying to look around the corner for his daddy.

Saturday we had some ice on the ground, so I decided it would not be a good idea to get J out to go shopping. Instead, I left him home with Daddy, and I just went to the bank, post office, and our little local grocery store, rather than all the way into town. We decided that it did not look like we’d be able to go to our Christmas party. So we lounged and relaxed for the morning. Then later it began to look better and we decided that we could go to town after all. So we began getting ready. We dropped J off at my mom’s house and we went to town early so we could do a little shopping together before the party. We found an awesome Christian bookstore. They were out of some of the things we wanted, but we did get a new study bible for R, which is something he’s been wanting for a while. We also got two bible studies for us to do at home together.

Then we were off to the party. Wow! All I can say is Wow! Have you ever been to one of those Japanese steakhouses where they do the hibatchi style cooking at your table? It is freaking awesome! We had so much fun, and the food was super delicious. It was totally worth it, and we will be going back! Hopefully my other son T comes home again soon, because we’d like to take him and his girlfriend there. They’d really love it. That was the first thing I thought of when we were there. I was a little bad too. I had a drink. J It was called a “Madame Butterfly.” It was delicious. We were headed home to pick up J by 7:00. Not exactly wild and crazy kids, but we had fun.

Sunday was super nice. When I woke up I could hear a very strange sound. It was sleet pouring down outside! Yuck. So we opted out of going to church. Instead, R helped me get the house cleaned up, and we started our bible study. It was wonderful! Getting in the Word with my husband is one of my favorite things to do! We are studying Ephesians, which is also one of my favorite books. We kept that up most of the day, in between J’s needs. LOL We also cleaned up the house together, and R did my dishes, finished the laundry, and cleaned the basement. Did I mention I love my husband?

I put on a pot of chili, and we had my dad, step-mom (Momma J) and brother over for supper. We played several games of pool. We had a blast. J just soaked up the love!

We were off to bed at a decent time last night. I slept like a rock till J woke me up at 3:30AM. That’s right, 3:30. He was babbling happily away, and I could NOT sleep through it. So I went into his room, and there he lay in his crib, on his back with his legs sticking up in the air, just playing with his feet and talking. I gave him his binky and put his blanket back on him. I went back to bed and about 20 minutes later, he did it AGAIN! Same exact thing. So I gave him the binky a second time. I didn’t hear another peep till the normal waking up time. Thank goodness.

This morning R had to drop of J for me. He needed to have the Durango since the bug has no defrost. Imagine that, he thinks he needs to see where he’s going! So I got him bundled up and sent him off with Daddy. He looks so funny all bundled up in his snow suit. We are expecting a big ice storm tonight into tomorrow. They are already talking about this being the kind of storm that can knock down trees and power lines. Then one that came through three years ago was super nasty, and they say this could be worse. I am really praying that we do not loose our electricity. I can’t imagine trying to take care of J with no heat, not lights, no fridge for his milk, no microwave for his frozen homemade baby food. I’m sure we’d manage, but it wouldn’t be fun. I am also praying for R to make it home before the ice starts. I do not like the thought of him in that big ole truck on the ice. So if by chance you don’t hear from us for a while, don’t worry. We just don’t have electricity! LOL Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth!

Today’s picture is one of J's Christmas pictures. Thank you Big Bird! You're the best photographer ever!

Hooray! It’s finally Friday! I have made it through another week. December is just flying by this year. Tomorrow we are supposed to have my company Christmas party, then next Saturday is R’s, then the weekend after that is Christmas weekend! I can’t believe it. When am I going to have time to shop? Well, good thing I don’t plan on buying much this year. As always, I will buy for my nieces and parents, and for the gift exchanges we participate in. R and I aren’t buying for each other this year. We aren’t even sure if we’re buying anything for J. After all, he will be more than adequately spoiled by his many aunts, uncles, and grandparents. And he is young enough that he won’t know the difference. But on the other hand, it just doesn’t feel right. We’ll see.

Well, the big news for today is that J now has two teeth! His second one came through yesterday. Now he has his two bottom front teeth. Yay! Now hopefully he’s done being a booger head for a while! Also, I finally got that stupid tree finished last night. It looks very lovely and I am happy with it. I didn’t put nearly as much on it as I usually do, but it’s nice. I’ll have to get a picture this weekend to post for you.

Last night was pretty nice. R didn’t work yesterday due to the ice on the roads. So he was home when I got home. We looked at some catalogs together, then I went to pick up J. He was doing very well yesterday, other than not really wanting to eat. We came home and he was happy to play on the floor and play with Daddy while I straightened up the kitchen. I put some hamburgers on the foreman for supper. Easy pleasy. We ate while watching “Are you smarter than a fifth grader.” Then I gave J his supper and then J and I had a bath. Daddy took care of his bedtime routine so I could get myself cleaned up after J was clean. So J ended up going to bed by 9:00. R went downstairs to play a computer game and I finished my tree. (Whew) Then we cuddled on the couch for a little more TV, and it was off to bed. I slept so soundly. It was great. J slept all the way through for the first time in a long time. (he doesn’t get up in the night, but often cries a little, or scoots himself up to the top of the crib, making his angel monitor alarm go off.)

This morning was great. Everyone woke up in time, things were going smoothly, J was happy. We were just about to walk out the door to take him to his grandma, when…..
BLECH!!! Right down the front of my shirt! Yep, that’s right, baby verp smack in the middle of my chest. I was wearing a V-neck shirt, so it was largely on my skin. I had made the mistake of sitting down to feed J without a burp rag, so there was nothing I could do but sit up and let in run down my cleavage and into my fresh clean bra I had just put on this morning. EEEEWWWWW!!! So we ran a little late this morning. LOL He’s a smart boy, though. He didn’t get a drop of it on himself.

The weather is greatly improved today over yesterday’s icy morning. I sounds like we will have plenty of ice tomorrow, though. So I don’t know what that will do to our company Christmas party. Hopefully it’s fine to go out by the evening.

Well, everyone have a good weekend, and I will see you again on Monday. Merry Chrismas!!!

Quote for today: “The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children.”
Elain Heffner, O Magazine, May 2003

Day 11 and the tree's still not done...

Today’s picture is J and his Daddy. He fell asleep in Daddy’s arms while being burped. These two men are such buddies, it’s unreal. What joy they both add to my life!

Well, I’m determined to have the tree done before it’s time to take it down! But it’s been “up” for 11 days now, and all it has is lights and about 6 ornaments. It looks pretty sad. Last night I didn’t even touch it yet again. R was gone overnight on the road, so I stayed at my mom’s house when I went to pick up J, helping her learn about internet and email and getting things set up for her on her computer. Well, you know how easily time gets away from you on these blasted things! So it was after 11:00 by the time I got home. I wasn’t about to work on a Christmas tree that late. As it was it was after midnight by the time I got to bed. But we had fun spending time together, so it was worth it. But here it is 1/3 of the way into the season, and I still don’t have my stuff together, so to speak. So here is my resolution: I WILL finish my tree before it’s time to take it down. Preferably by Saturday afternoon.

J was all confused last night. He had he supper and his last bottle of the day and fell fast asleep at grandma’s house. I put him in his crib. Later I was agonizing over whether or not to try to wake him up to go home, but he took care of it for me. He woke up after sleeping about an hour. I guess he figured grandma’s house is only for naps. LOL We went on home and I put him to bed. He jabbered for a little while, and then he fell asleep. He slept the rest of the night and woke up about 6:30 this morning. What a perfect little boy!

Today his great grandma is over to visit him. They always have the best time together. It is unclear who wears who out the most. Usually my mom tries to send supper home with grams so that she doesn’t have to cook for gramps, because she’s always exhausted after a day of baby play. Imagine how she’ll feel when he’s two!

Yesterday I really wanted to make a special post in honor of J’s 7 month birthday. Yep. That’s right. The little man is 7 months old already. I was incredibly busy, though and didn’t get it done. So happy birthday baby J! Mommy loves you more than her heart can hold. (that’s why it spills out her eyes sometimes.)

Welcome Home Brother J!

It’s official. My big brother is back home. He had been away for 2 ½ years. He looks almost the same as I remember, just gained a bit more scalp! LOL He traveled over 1700 miles straight through, with nothing but a few rest area power naps along the way. I am so thankful to God that all our prayers were answered. He made it here with no bad weather, no car trouble, no problems of any kind. God is good, I keep on saying it!

The photos are: top left, Brother J, me and baby J, sister. top right, baby J with cousins A, W, and A. bottom left, Cousin W helping J go back to sleep. bottom right, Cousin S hypnotizing baby J. (read more below)

Sunday was a very fun day. J and I spent over 7 hours at my dad’s house with our extended family. Grandpa M (my step-mom’s dad) had just gotten out of the hospital a few days before, and we were afraid he wouldn’t be able to come at all. But come he did, and looked great! We were all surprised that he stayed so long. That day was the longest he’d been away from home in about two years. In all we had 16 people there. Brother J gave us all new pictures of his daughter L in Connecticut. She is 10 years old now, and looks so grown up!

Cousin S discovered she had an incredible hypnotic power over J. He was sitting in his walker and she began stroking his head softly, and down over his forhead and nose. The kid looked like he was in a trance everytime she touched him! We were all rolling in laughter. It was one of the funniest things I ever saw. His eyelids would droop and his head would sag. As soon as she lifted her hand off him, it was like he startled awake. I got a few pictures of it; I posted one for you. We told her she was like Crocodile Dundee when he made that water buffalo go to sleep. LOL

The only other news from the weekend was that J tried bananas on Saturday. He wasn’t all that impressed. I think he liked the taste, but they were a little lumpy and it confused him. We’ll keep trying. I still did not get my tree finished. I bought ornament hooks on Saturday, does that count as progress? I found the spray snow R wanted. He used some cool stensils my sister gave me last year to put a pretty nativity scene on the window with it. He told me his mom always used that stuff on the windows when he was a kid. I never knew that before. 8 years of marriage and we’re still learning about each other. I always thought that stuff was cool, but my parents never used it. I guess J will have his Daddy’s tradition.