Thing 3 is SO excited for tomorrow to come. Anonymous Grandma gave her a giant package to open. She can think of nothing else. The package showed up here this past weekend, and about 20 times a day she comments on how "eh-sited" she is to open her giant present! She just can't wait!
The other kids are getting excited too. We found out (thing 3 spilled the beans) that while we were out on date this past weekend, they all started snooping and shaking the packages. Little sneaks! Shame shame shame! (I can't blame them. I am a huge snooper too!) We took them to go see the movie National Treasure - Book of Secrets this morning. Then out to lunch at Training Table (Go Cheese Fries & ultimate dipping sauce! yum!) We didn't tell them what we were doing... we led them to believe that they were going last minute shopping with us-- yes. That is mean. It did elicit A LOT of complaining... and I must admit that it was quite funny to see them whining and complaining that they had to go do something so boring as shopping. It was fun to watch their reaction when we pulled into the parking lot of the theater. Thing 2 started yelling "I knew it! I knew it!" Some man was walking by, and he started laughing when he heard how excited Thing 2 was! He has been begging to see this movie for weeks!
It was a FANTASTIC movie, and I wouldn't mind seeing it again! I will definitely be buying this one!
When we got home, the kids could hardly stand not being able to open presents.. we have a tradition of opening 1 present on Christmas Eve... and its always new pajamas. Well. They opened their new pajamas when we got home from the movies... promptly put them on to wait for Old St. Nick to arrive. Can you see how excited Thing 3 is? She was jumping all over the place, hardly able to contain herself!
Tomorrow is going to be Oh.So.Fun.
The kids have no idea what is coming there way... Jefe and I were able to score THE hot item this year...
Yes we did.
We got THAT item.
You know the one.
The one that has people lining up before stores open to see if they happened to get any shipped in that day. The one that is first come first buy, and they usually only get like 2-3 a week.
Yes. THAT one.
Jefe wrapped it up to be from me to him. The kids are dying for me to tell them what it is. I have been playing really dumb and referring to all the various gaming devices by the wrong names (much to Thing 2's horror and irritation) just to throw them off. I think its working quite nicely. Thing 2 just shakes his head, irritated that his mother is "so clueless".
Hee hee. Little does he know!

So. The deeds are done. The shopping complete. The waiting has started. I am excited for tomorrow. It makes me happy to see how excited my kids are.
I have been thinking a lot about "The Big Guy", St. Nick, Papa Noel, Santa Claus... I don't know if I can express what I have been thinking clearly, but I will give it a try. I find the whole idea magical. Really. To me, there is nothing more amazing than a child that believes in Santa. Really, truly, whole heartedly believes! When you see their eyes light up when they see Santa... it brings tears to my eyes. It is magic. It is what makes Christmas so much fun. This idea of Santa. I love it. For me, being Santa has been a phenomenal experience. It makes Christmas REAL for me. I really don't care about what I get... its so much more fun to give... and not only just give, but REALLY give. Giving to my kids. Its such a fantastic feeling. So, Santa is magic to me. I don't find it odd to lie to my kids about this. There have been several blogs arguing about this very thing. To have or not have Santa... My feeling is that once they have their own kids. They will get it, understand it, and embrace it. Hopefully, it will mean as much to them as it has to me to be their Santa Claus.
So. Tune it later to see if the whole thing met my expectations! I am sure it will supersede them.
Merry Christmas people. Merry Christmas!

"Any messages? Yeah, Santa called and told me I'd have to buy my own cheap perfume this year because you're skipping Christmas." - Christmas with the Kranks

Well people. It's the last Random 10 Friday before Christmas. Can you believe it? We got the last of the little stuff today. You know. The stocking stuffers, and the things that your kids magically decided to ask Santa for that you have never even heard of...
Like a snowball maker. A Snowball maker people. I mean, seriously. Do they even have those? I thought that was called your 2 hands... but Thing 3 is DYING for a snowball maker. When I asked her what she was going to do with a snowball maker. She looked at me, rolled her eyes, sighed rather loudly and said: "Throw snowballs at Thing 2. Duuuhhhhhh!"
Oh. Right. Makes perfect sense!
After calling a couple dozen places, and Jefe actually looking in several (read: over a dozen) places (including one that sells very nice looking glass bongs, and they wouldn't let Jefe look in their phone book, but he could use their computers to surf the internet?! ) he found a flippin' snowball maker.
FOR.REAL.
A snowball maker. They make them, and we have them in our hot, sweaty little hands!
Jefe is the damn pater familias!
Hallelujah!
Praise Allah!
Pass the eggnog!
We are done. Through. Complete. Finished. Fini.
Whew.
I can breathe. Sort of. Tonight is the marathon wrapping session, while we watch The Christmas Vacation (my very favorite movie, just because of THIS line in it... and I SO want to memorize it!) . Then tomorrow is the whole taking the children to the store to let them pick out presents for us parental units. I am excited about this Christmas. It has been fun planning the gifts, getting the gifts, putting the gifts under the tree... the kids will be soo excited when Jefe opens HIS Christmas present. Because, even though it was purchased for Jefe, it is really for them. Too fun!
So,Yes.
We are excited!

1. Last Christmas - Ashley Tisdale (go high school musical!)
2. Ay, Ay, Ay It's Christmas Time - Ricky Martin
3. Winter Wonderland - Eurythmics
4. Last Christmas - Wham!
5. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Whitney Houston
6. Carol of the Bells - Barenaked Ladies
7. Silent Night - Boyz II Men
8. Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer - Jewel
9. Don't Save It All For Christmas Day - Clay Aiken
10. Here We Come A-Wassailing - John Rutter

Bonus: Mele Kalikimaka - Bing Crosby

Our little Choir started again this morning. We will meet today, and tomorrow. Then the kids get to have the Christmas holiday off, then we meet everyday once we get back into school.
Why? Well, let me tell you.
Our beloved State Capitol has been under renovation for several years. It is set to be re-opened/dedicated at the beginning of January. Our little Choir has been asked to sing at an open house for it--- with a 25 minute program! Yikes! We will have a total of 8 practices before we sing in the that magnificent building. I am thrilled, to say the least. I mean, seriously. That is an amazing opportunity for these kids! They have been able to sing in places that most kids NEVER get to even see, let a lone sing in. The acoustics at this place are freaking amazing!
It will be something they will NEVER forget! How amazing is this little choir? First, they were able to sing on the local radio station. Then last year, they were able to sing at symphony hall, and now this? Sheesh. Amazing!
I am excited. It will be wonderful!

Some days are good parenting days, and some are bad.
Today started as a good parenting day. I let Thing 1 stay home from school (much to the horror of Thing 2& 3 who had to go to school) and she slept for most of the morning. I was able to clean Thing 3's bedroom, which for the last month or so has look like Hiroshima. Seriously. It was soo bad, that I just did not have the moral stamina to tackle it. But, today, being the Good parenting day I did. I cleaned out the closet, threw out all the clothes that were too small, or too worn, or just plain nasty. I threw out an entire garbage bag of toys that were broken, or old or just plain gross. She didn't even notice. It was cleansing. It felt great. I love to chuck stuff!
I was on a roll... it was barely the crack of dawn and LOOK what I had accomplished!!
I went and finished shopping for Thing 1. I got all sorts of boxes to put the stuff in and wrap. I went to lunch with my 2 friends (while Thing3 was at school) and laughed till I cried. (that is soo therapeutic! I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it is to just laugh. It cleanses the soul!)
I picked up Thing 3 from school, took her home so that Thing 1 could watch her while I finished up the last little bits of shopping.
Here is where it went from a good parenting day to bad.
Thing 1 and Thing 3 proceed to fight the entire time I was gone. I shouldn't have gone. But, I did. I was gone... a long time. And, they fought... for a long time.
I freaked out at them both on the phone... for a long time. And, I really think that my head started spinning and smoke was coming out my ears in the Kohl's parking lot.
Bad Mommy. Bad, bad Mommy.
I finally tossed my hands in the air and came home. Huffing and puffing.
And then the screaming began.
I hate fighting.
I hate screaming.
I hate contention.
And, there was a lot of it.
However, after everyone was able to settle down and re-locate our brains, we were able to move into a rather interesting discussion. I made the 2 girls hug each other and while holding each other they had to say what they liked about each other. I know. Odd. But, it seemed to soften everyone, and it worked its mojo.
We talked for a couple of hours and she vented her real issues. Her Dad came home and handled the situation like a pro... oh wait. He IS a pro in this arena. It was amazing.
So, just maybe, we were able to salvage this day from a good parenting day to a bad parenting day back to a good parenting day.
I sure hope so.

"With as much dignity as he could muster, the Old Man gathered up the sad remains of his shattered Major Award. Later that night, alone in the backyard, he buried it next to the garage. Now I could never be sure, but I thought that I heard the sound of "Taps" being played. Gently." - The Christmas Story

I LOVE this movie. I laugh at the same places every single time I watch it... which is every year. My kids groan outwardly when I suggest that we watch it... Thing 2 actually conjures up tears at the thoughts of having to sit through this movie with the family. Thing 1 sits and complains, sighs, and moans through the whole event. I don't understand why. It's hilarious! It's funny. Its a tradition. And they are going to enjoy it, come hell or high water!!
Dammit!
What are your family traditions that your kids freak out about??

On another note, only 11 days until Christmas is here.
ELEVEN DAYS PEOPLE!
~that is me freaking out~
Ok. I am fine. Not really. Yes I am .Sigh. Oh the insanity of it all!
Happy Friday folks!

1. Here Comes Santa Claus - The Ray Conniff Singers
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Billy Joel/Rosie O'Donnell
3. Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson
4. Angels We Have Heard on High - Pittsburgh Symphony Brass
5. You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Dr. Seuss
6. Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi
7. First Noel/When the Meadow was Bloomin' - Barry Manilow
8. Winter Wonderland - Tony Bennett
9. 2000 Miles - Pretenders
10. Carol of the Bells - Harry Simeone Chorale

Bonus: Here We Come a Caroling/We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Perry Como

Over the years, I have heard more Christmas music than I can even remember! However, I do believe that this here video/song is my absolute FAVORITE. It meshes all the songs together, and even includes the Dreidle Song from South Park!
Flippin' Brilliant!!

I couldn't decide on just 1... so there are a few.
I think this last one is probably my favorite!

When my older children were younger, they referred to Santa as The Ho Ho Man. Thing 1 loved him, and constantly wanted to sit on his lap and chat him up. Thing 2 on the other had wanted nothing to do with him, and to further keep The Ho Ho Man as far away from him as possible. I wasn't too sure how Thing 3 would respond. The last few years, she too has wanted ZERO to do with The Ho Ho Man. Today, as we were getting ready for our church breakfast Christmas party, she was strongly telling me that I HAD to go with her to talk to The Ho Ho Man, because she was feeling just a little shy...Thing 3 listening very carefully, hearing Santa's bells jingling in the hallway at church. She was getting SO excited! When he walked through that door, it was magic, I tell you, pure magic! I am such a sap, that I actually got all teary eyed! I know, that is SO nerdy. But really, to see Santa the way Thing 3 was seeing him was very magical for me, and made me quite teary! (yes. I was embarrassed, because everyone was looking at me all funny! but, who cares! I mean seriously! It was amazing to watch her, and how much she loves Santa, and completely BELIEVES!)
She wanted to pet his reindeer so bad, but alas, Santa left them in the pasture, and had someone give him a ride!

At first, she wanted to ask The Ho Ho Man for a real Barbie computer, but then right before it was her turn to sit on his lap, she grabbed my shirt and pulled me down so she could tell me that she had changed her mind. Oh. Ok. She REALLY wanted to ask him for a tea set.
A Tea Set? She has never, not once, asked for a tea set. NEVER.
But, she told Santa she wanted a Tea Set. He asked if could come over and have a tea party. She grinned and said:"Of course!"
Guess you know what we are scrambling to find now, huh?!

Thing 2 asked for an X box 360. I told him to ask for something else. Santa looked at me, and said, "Boy. I don't think I can get those anymore... is there something else I can get you?" Thing 2 sternly stated "Nope. I want an X box 360." Know what he is NOT getting?? Yup. You guessed it. AM I WORRIED?
uh. Of course!

Thing 1 with some of the older girls at church. I wanted a photo with her on Santa's lap, and was trying to convince them that they should each sit on his lap and tell Santa that what they wanted for Christmas was a balanced national budget, stiffer penalties for repeat offenders, a solution for Global Warming and World peace. That's not TOO much to ask for is it ? I mean really. But, instead, all those big girls wanted for Christmas was...
A Man.
As if.
Thing 1 said, "I was just going to tell him I wanted clothes... but they persuaded me to come sit with them and ask for a man."
So, I sent Thing 2 over there to get his photo taken with them... and Santa promptly said :"Well. Here you go. Here's your Man!"


Merry Christmas!
13 Shopping days left until Christmas... I didn't count Sundays. If you want to count them too, then there are 16 days left. Either way, it will be upon us quicker than we think. This year the time is just FLYING by, and I really don't think I like it all that much!!
How are you doing on your shopping? Are you almost done??

"Hey, if any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here, tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people, and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head. And, I want to look him strait in the eye and tell him: what a cheap, lying, no good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, bloodsucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-assed, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey bleep he is! Hallelujah! Holy bleep! Where's the Tylenol?" - National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

If you want to hear that little quote, click HERE, and laugh! I think that is probably my favorite line from that movie... swears and all!
That's what I'm going to be watching tonight to feel some Christmas Cheer... what are you going to be viewing??

1. Mama Will Provide - Once On This Island Original Broadway Cast
2. Winter - Tori Amos (yumm!!)
3. My Wish - Rascal Flatts
4. You Can Bring Me Flowers - Ray LaMontagne
5. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - MercyMe
6. Santa Baby - Madonna
7. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer - The Temptations
8. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus - The Christmas Jug Band
9. The Christmas Song - The Dave Matthews Band
10. Shadowboxer - Fiona Apple

Bonus: I'll Be Home For Christmas - Elvis Presley

O.K.
So, this isn't entirely a Wordless post. I took this photo back in May when I went to San Diego with my sisters. I am cold today, and want to be warm... I want to go back to San Diego! It is one of my most favorite places on earth!!

Thing 2 turned 9 today. NINE! Where did those 9 years go? It seems like just yesterday, he was born - NATURALLY, I might add - and suddenly he is turning 9. It just doesn't seem possible. Jefe and I were telling him that when he was first born, he could tell if I left the house without him. Jefe would be holding him, and Thing 2 would be happy and content... then I would walk out the front door, and he would immediately start screaming. It really stressed Jefe out. It was like that for a long time. Then, slowly, Thing 2 changed camps. It started when he was about 18 months old, and he would stand at the front door, about the time Jefe was supposed to come home from school, and he would bang on the front door until Jefe would walk through it.
Thing 2 laughed and laughed as we told him these stories. Then he looked at me and said... "Well. I liked you when I first born, but now I'm Dad's buddy."
OUCH!
But, really. He has always been his Daddy's boy. Thing 2 would tell me, when he was younger, that I was his best girl, but Daddy was his buddy. And, that is how it should be.
Thing 2 is a kind boy, whose greatest desire is for everyone to be happy. He is my peacemaker. He is thoughtful , and a good friend, loyal friend. Everyone tells me how much they love Thing 2, and how much they love having him play with their children. He is a calm boy. He is very obedient. He has a good heart, and wants to be good. His belief in God is strong, and he recognizes the feelings of the Holy Ghost. He really is amazing!
I wish I could have 10 Thing 2's... not that I don't love my girls, because I do. But, Thing 2 is so good, so easy, so obedient, that it would be wonderful to not have the drama... But. That would make life to easy, right?
I am so grateful that The Lord send him to us... he has been a great blessing in our lives. He is a good boy. No. Scratch that. He is a wonderfully, amazing boy. He is our boy. And I am forever grateful!
Happy Birthday Thing 2!
I love you!
ps. Doesn't he look handsome in his new glasses? He got almost all A's on his report card... he is starting to take after his older sister... he is SMART!

I came home from choir one morning, and saw the blinds on the office window sort of looking, well, a little townie.
O.K. A lot townie. I mean, Seriously. How on earth did THAT happen? I just couldn't understand it. A hole in the middle of the blinds? How?
I probably should have run out right then and there and got new blinds. But I didn't. And now, I never remember to pick them up.
I was continually stumped as to how that hole appeared in the blinds... until this past week, that is. I came home from shopping with Jefe last weekend, and saw this:

Now I understand.
There is a window seat in the office, and the dog likes to lay there and bask in the sun while watching the world pass by. Where that hole is - is the exact height that she is when she is sitting there watching and basking. I guess when I forget to open the blinds, like in the mornings before Choir, it just really stresses her out.
Enough to eat 3 of my blinds?
I guess so.
Dumb dog.

She is totally dumb. But, she is also so cute. I mean, how do you resist a dumb dog peering out the 2ND story window like THAT just so that she can try and figure out what the neighbors freaking dog is barking at (and has been barking at since 6:10am this morning... but that is another post for another time that will involve pellet guns and lots of yelping). She runs from each window back and forth... freaking out because she just doesn't see what it is that is causing this dog so much stress that it would be barking THIS FREAKING LONG!!!
I mean, seriously. She is dumb... she ate the blinds. But sometimes I forget just how brain dead she really is, because she is so dang cute!

I put new stuff over in my sidebar... check it out and see what you think. I found all sorts of awesome Christmas music... more than just the traditional ones.
Give it a listen, and see what you think! There is really good stuff over there!

It's day #30 in my month long of gratitude and, I actually did it. I will let you in on a little dirty secret though... Sometimes I did several gratitude posts in one day. GASP! I know. I'm a big fat cheater... but sometimes I just plum forgot. The great thing about this whole blogging deal is that I can go back and post day and time specific. It's pretty slick! Which, according to Jefe is like my dream come true. When I used a day planner (back in the days when I actually had a life and it needed planning) I would go back through the week and write down stuff I did. Why would I post plan? I dunno. Because I could, I guess. Anyway. This whole blogging thing gives me the freedom to do just that... post plan. Or blog. It's pretty sweet!
Anyway...
Gratitude #30 is that I can clean/de-junk Thing 1's room while she is at school. She has been constantly complaining that she has "absolutely nothing to wear, and we are the ONLY parents alive that won't run right out and buy her a whole new wardrobe because she can't find anything to wear."
Can you believe our gall? I mean seriously. We lay awake at night plotting ways to make her life miserable. When I told her she should actually clean her room, and she WOULD have a brand new wardrobe... she actually started crying telling me: "You just don't understand. I don't go Jr. High School, I go to Jr. Hell School."
Uhhh.
Ok?!?
You should still clean your room.
So. While she was at the Jr. Hell school today, I thought I would be nice and do it for her. (wrong move) I pulled out all the clothes that were from like 5th grade. Folded all the clothes that I knew still fit, and organized her drawers. I found all sorts of pants and shirts. But, apparently that was the wrong thing. She had hidden them because they were "unfit for human sight".
Uhhh.
Ok?!
Are you for real? I mean. YOU picked those out, not your nerdy mother.
Anyway. I did TRY and do something nice for Thing 1. I de-junked/cleaned her room. I got an entire black garbage bag full of crap thrown out. Seriously. Isn't that gross? Or is it just me? And, she does have clothes. Lots. But, apparently we are still trying to ruin her life.
~sigh~
I do believe in nice teenagers. I do believe in nice teenagers. I do believe in nice teenagers.
I do. I do. I do.
I am grateful, on this last night of gratitude, for those hefty duty garbage bags, and the whimsical idea that nice teenagers that appreciate all that their parents do for them still exist... somewhere. Even if it is Mars.

"Blast this Christmas music! It's joyful and triumphant." - Jim Carey - How the Grinch Stole Christmas

What Christmas music are you listening to? Post it in the comment section!

1. Hey Santa! - Chris Isaak
2. What Christmas Means To Me - Paul Young
3. Christmas Time At Home - Rhonda Vincent
4. It's Not Supposed To Go Like That - Rascal Flatts
5. You Are The New Day - The Kings Singers
6. Santa's Stomp - Smoky Mountain Christmas
7. Sweetest Thing - U2
8. The Christmas Song - Josh Groban
9. First Snow - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
10. Christmas Time Is Here - Boston Pops

Bonus: Home For Christmas - 'NSYNC

I help direct the Elementary school choir. This is my second year and I really do love it! The kids are a blast! We meet every Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30am. Yes. You read right. I get myself and all the Things up, fed and ready to drive the 10 minutes to school to be there by 7:30. Its usually not so bad. When it's warm. Now that it is getting cold, I am getting a little cranky about it. But, once I get there, I love it! Really. It has been such a sanity savior to me. I know that sounds weird, but this little choir means something to me. I love these kids, and they have really helped me!
Today I am grateful, however, that I only have 2 more early mornings before we take a break. As much as I like directing the choir... it will be nice to not HAVE to be up and showered by 6:30am. Our Christmas Concert will be next week on the 4th and the 6th. We recorded the kids singing our favorite songs, and sent it in to the local radio station who plays choirs sometimes. Last year they picked us and played us on the radio. The principal played it over the loud speaker at the school. Those kids thought they had died and gone to heaven!
If they pick us again, I'll let you know. Maybe they will even have a link on their website so you can hear them!

I just finished 19 minutes by Jodi Picoult. It was an amazing read... a hard read. A hard read not in the sense of a literary hard read... but a hard read as in emotionally.
I kept seeing my children in this book... a little weird I know. But, I think that every single one of us, when we are honest, can recall a time in our life when we were a victim of bullying. It happens. All the time. How, as a parent, do you protect your kids from being the victim of bullying? That, my friends, is the million dollar question.
Last year, Thing 2 was constantly getting bullied by a neighbor. We tried to help him learn skills to walk away, let it roll of his back, turn the other cheek. It just didn't stop. Finally, Thing 2 had it. Big Bully told him if he didn't do what he wanted, then BB would punch Thing 2 in the face. Thing 2 thought about it for 2.5 seconds, and then punched BB in the face. Then he tackled him and they got into a huge fight on the sidewalk. A rolling, punching, scratching brawl. I have to admit that I was a little proud of him. Seriously. THAT takes guts. THAT is so unlike Thing 2. He is a peacemaker. When I found out about it (several days after the fact) the Mother of BB was insistent that I punish Thing 2. I told her that A) if she had told me the day it had happened it would be much easier to visit the issue with Thing 2 and find out what had really happened. B) The fact that it did happen is SO out of character for Thing 2, I had to wonder what provoked him. She got extremely defensive and said her son was violently attacked.
Yeah right.
Violently.
HA.
After careful investigation, and talking with kids that were there, fragments of the truth came out. When we talked with Thing 2 about it, his response was: "He told me if I didn't do what he wanted me to do, then he would punch me in the face. And, he would Mom! So, I punched him first."
Now. Here is why this story is relevant. I am by no means an advocate of violence. However, there have been zero incidents since that infamous day of Thing 2 beating the crap out of Big Bully. He stood up for himself. And, they knew that he would not take it any more. THAT speaks volumes I think. You can only turn the other cheek so many times before you snap... I would rather it be in the form of a fist fight than a Columbine Snap.
Anyway.
19 minutes. It's a good read. Go HERE to see a trailer for the book. Then, go HERE to hear a podcast regarding The Story Behind 19 minutes (click on #2)
Wow.

Sometimes, no, usually ALL THE TIME I need motivation to get my house cleaned. It's not that I don't like a clean house, because really I do. It's just that I have 3 fierce tornadoes that stop over here every night. And seriously, when they all come home from school, that is exactly what it looks like. An F-5 has just ripped through.
Today, I had 2 different sets of visitors set to come to our house. The first set was to come in the morning, and the last set not until almost bedtime. Great motivation to get/keep the house clean.
I really do love a clean house, and I really like having people come over because it totally motivates me to get my butt in gear and clean. And organize. And put crap away.
So, That's what I'm grateful for today! Visitors who motivate me to clean.
Cause seriously, you can't have the entire neighborhood talking about what piggies you are now can you?

My cousin's husband works with Jefe and I have known her husband since high school. They just hit their 1 year mark of being out of law school. Oh. I remember. Boy. Do I remember. I have to say that I hope I NEVER forget. The whole law school experience is what has made me who I am today. Without a doubt. It is a life changing event... If you do it on your own without parents footing the bill!
She was a grade younger than me in school, but we were always pals. The nice thing was that we all had our own friends, but if we needed each other, we were there for each other. It was a nice way to go through school. It has been wonderful to reconnect with her. Even nicer to have someone who completely gets what it means to have a husband with the demanding career that they both have. I am not complaining AT ALL. I am so proud of Jefe and the things he has accomplished. He amazes me, constantly. I just like having someone to talk to about "the firm" and all that - that means. And, not only that, but its nice to be able to talk with someone who has known me for my entire life... there is no pretending involved. We can just be ourselves...There is such freedom in being able to say what we really think without worrying about it then being repeated to 900+ people in the neighborhood. Seriously. The old saying: "Blood runs thicker than water" really is true. I know she has my back... and I've got hers. That's what it means to be family... and its even nicer when you are also friends.
Anyway.
I am thankful today that I have been able to reconnect with my cousin!

My house is decorated.
I know.
Shock.
There are still a few boxes of things that I can't find... but Jefe and the kids did the tree, and I got the nativities out and all the other paraphernalia and have attempted to get the house decorated. I think it looks good. It feels good, and I know that the kids (more specifically Thing 3) are ecstatic that I have finally gotten my act together enough to get this task done.
Here is something that I have realized. I hate to decorate. That's why my house is so plain.
I wish that I could just click on my mouse, and drop and drag where I want all my decorations to be. And then, when its time to put them all away, all I had to do was hit ctrl/alt/delete and everything would be back just the way its supposed to. I hate decorating and I really hate having to put it all away. If someone would invent something like that... I would SO buy it!
Anyway.
I am thankful that my house is decorated for Christmas...
Christmas is in the air and its getting exciting around here!

On a Monday!
Seeing how it was Black Friday this past weekend, and I was attempting with Jefe to do some shopping (which only lasted about 2 hours and then we went home)... I neglected Random 10 Friday.
So, here it is, in all its Random Glory and Festive Christmas Spirit!

1. Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo 12/24 - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
2. Peace - Norah Jones
3. Winter Wonderland - Pat Green
4. Christmastime - Smashing Pumpkins
5. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - John Cougar Mellencamp
6. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Michael Buble (oh. his voice is like butter! yum!)
7. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - MercyMe
8. I Saw Three Ships - Sting
9. Christmas Song (Live) - Dave Matthews Band
10.Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Jackson 5

Bonus: The Chanukah Song - Adam Sandler

I had to teach today at church. I teach the 12 & 13 year old girls (its called Young Women's and this particular age group is referred to as the Beehives... don't ask me why, cause I don't know), and it seems that I always get more out of the lessons than the girls do. I mean, I am sure that the girls get stuff out of the lessons (at least I hope so), but it just seems that the lessons I have to teach are just what Heavenly Father needs ME to hear at that particular time. The lesson this week was on Optimism... when I told Thing 1 what our lesson was on, she said "Well mom. This is just for you, cause you have been a major grump lately!"
Jeeze.
Thanks.
But, she was right. I have been. This lesson was interesting because it just sort of came together for me... I was going to share all the tacky stories in the lesson, but then I got to wondering some things. First, I did a thesaurus check just to see how many synonyms there are for the words Cheerful and happy. Over 40. Then I started looking up scriptures with the word references of cheerful and happy and the various synonyms... it was so interesting to me. Cheerful/cheerfulness had 24, happy/happiness had 48, Attitude had 5, glad/gladness 161, Joy 235, Delight 74, Pleasure 81, Enjoyment 22, Good Cheer 13, Content 85, Peace 366, Hope/Hopefulness 140, Rejoice/rejoicing 283, Comfort 131, and Encourage/ment 9.
(Are you even still reading this?)
Add all those reference numbers up and it comes to 1,685 references to being happy/cheerful or something similar. That really made me think. I know that I didn't even make a dent in all the synonyms there are for those words, and yet with just what I found there were 1,685 references to being optimistic. It must be important to The Lord for us to be happy and to CHOOSE to be happy for him to reference it that many times. Now, that was just the verses in the scriptures that reference that... not the actual amount of times the words were used...
(are you still with me?)
It was profound for me to realize that PEACE had been referenced in 366 verses in the scriptures. I told the girls that if they chose to be happy their end result would be PEACE. You can't feel peace when you are grumpy and sad. You can only feel PEACE when you choose to be happy. I really had to think on that for a while. I realized that God already knows how I/we will behave or act when things are going well for us. But, what he wants to understand or know is how we will act or behave when things aren't going just the way WE want them to. How will we choose to feel/act? That is the REAL test! I realized that I probably wasn't passing the test very well, because I have been such a grump... but its like I told the girls. It's all up to us how we choose to behave, or see our lives. We can sit around asking ourselves "Why me?" or we can ask ourselves "Why not me?" and then further "What can I learn from this to make me better?" I challenged the girls to change their attitudes and start asking themselves the 2nd questions.
Choose to be happy, cause it was important enough to The Lord for him to reference it 1,685 times in the scriptures.
So, today I am thankful for these little moments that God gives me to show me how I can be better.

I'm grateful today that we were able to go see the lights on Temple Square tonight (along with every other person in the entire state) and get ourselves in a festive mood.
Every year when we go, I forget just how beautiful it is, and am always surprised by the beauty of the Reflecting pool.
You can see the temple and the lights reflecting off the water and there are tons of little candles floating in the pool... its stunning.
So, tonight, I am grateful that I could take the Things to see this beautiful sight!
I think, actually, that they were more excited to go up to Jefe's office and drink hot chocolate than they were at seeing the lights. It was quite the sight from up in his office, looking down on the lights. What a fun tradition!

For sure I have now heard everything. Really. This one takes the cake... Hands down. It wins... in all categories!
Click HERE to read it. If you have a sensitive stomach, or an easy gag reflex, then maybe you should pass on this one! (You have been warned! Don't get mad if you get grossed out!)
My parents told me about this... at Thanksgiving dinner. They kindly waited until we were through eating; which was good, 'cause I would've definitely lost my appetite!
Ick. Ick. Double triple Ick!

Today is Islandmom's birthday. I'm grateful that she is my sister. She may be younger, by birth, but in reality she is much wiser than I could ever hope to be.
So, Happy Birthday Islandmom! I am so glad you were born, and further that you are not only my sister, but also my wise, wise friend.

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." —Buddha

Happy Thanksgiving people! Enjoy your time with Aunt Petunia, Uncle Festus and Cousin Leroy! It's the one time of year that it is perfectly acceptable to stuff yourselves into oblivion, take a nap and then start all over again! I know I will... I've been doing a little jumping exercises to get "mah belly ready!"
Just a tip that my sis, ima10cow, gave me... if you push down hard on your stomach, then jump up and down, it forces the food to get all compacted and you can eat more! (i know. gross. she said she learned that from some Polynesian girls once... i wonder if it works?!)
Anyway.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Don't forget to remember the many reasons we all have to be thankful...

I am thankful for 2 things today.
First, that I got to go out to eat with my sister and my Mom to one of my favorite restaurants... The Rio Grande Cafe. It's is awesome Mexican food, and I have never had anything there that I haven't liked!

Second, I am SO thankful that we have been saving all year long for Christmas! So now that the season is upon us, there isn't all the stress and sense of doom. Doom, because we are trying to figure out how to squeeze blood from an orange...
I can't tell you what a sense of relief it is to have that money saved! Seriously. It was a dedicated savings account that earned 4% and each paycheck we set it up so that the bank would just automatically withdraw the set amount into the dedicated savings account!!
I LOVE THAT!!
I got to withdraw that money today... And Oh! What a GLORIOUS feeling.

Tonight, I am grateful that I can now feel my little baby kicking inside of me. Every time I feel her kicking away I find myself touching my stomach and thinking to myself "Well hello there little one!" It's amazing! This life growing inside of me. So, tonight I am thankful that I can feel her kicking and moving around inside me.

"...that's fine - just be aware that I may die. Really. Because every person who reads without commenting kills off another little piece of my SOUL. I just wanted you to know. So you can, you know, have a clear conscience at my funeral. Which might be soon. No pressure though." - navel gazing at its finest

I borrowed this from a blog that I like to read on a regular basis. When I read this, I was all AMEN SISTAH! AMEN!
So. Really people. Do you want my death on your head???
Just kidding. Not really. OK. I am. not really. Just kidding.

This same blog author also did a post recently about being a little over the top about checking her comments. I sat and laughed as I read that post because that is SO me. I will write something that I find humorous, and then proceed to call Jefe and ask him to read the blog. Then my sisters, and casually ask if they have checked my blog lately. That's code for "please look and tell me just how totally funny you think I am!
Seriously.
I am MAJOR O.C.D. about checking my stats... how many people have looked at my blog today? (not very many since I don't have it linked to my name, or have my blogger profile up... But, you never know. A miracle may happen and people may become clairvoyant and just KNOW that I have a blog and what it's address is...)
The thing is... I am also a total and complete freak about who I let look at my blog. I have photos up of my cute Things, and I totally do not want some weird freak in like Germany or Singapore looking at my cute Things! So, even though I KNOW there are only like 5 of you that look at my blog, I am still a total freaker about checking my my stats and my comments, (which are always a big fat ZERO) just to see if anyone has become clairvoyant, you know??
Not that I am complaining or anything (OK I am) This blog is my version of therapy. It's cheaper, and more convenient... and I don't have to lie on that stupid couch or look at dumb ink blots!

WTH???
Check out THIS link. You have got to be freaking kidding me!!
I now think that I have seriously heard EVERYTHING.
Everything. There is nothing left to shock me.
Well. O.K.
Probably there is, but lets not try people. Ok?

You know its going to be a long day when by 7:00 am you are super grumpy and are just plain SICK OF YOURSELF!
It's those freaking cats, I'm telling you! This is why cats suck!

Today I am grateful for the internet. I know that is such a silly thing to be grateful for, but seriously, I am. I mean, how in the Sam Hill did we ever survive life without it? Seriously, HOW?
IF there was no Internet, then there would be no email, there would be no Google (gasp!) and no allrecipes.com. The ONLY way to cook! I made potato soup from there tonight that had like 400+ reviews and 4+ stars... and family went GA-GA! It was soo freaking easy and made a ton and was oh. so. good.
So, yeah. The internet. I'm really thankful for it! How 'bout you?

I hate cats.
Really. I hate them. Despise them. I think they are Gross with a capital G.
I really really REALLY hate cats.
And, thats all I have to say about that!

Today, I am grateful that I get to have 2 turkey dinners. 1 cooked by me, and the other cooked by my MIL. I heart turkey, and turkey dinners! They are soo yummy. My mouth starts watering around Halloween for turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes and everything else that goes along with it! Oh sweet joy! Oh rapture!
I am grateful that I get to have 2 Thanksgiving dinners.

I'm grateful tonight that I can go to bed and have a fresh start tomorrow.
I have been a grump today...
I am sorry. I don't know why everything has been bugging me today. Sheesh. Even I bug myself.
So, tonight, I am thankful that I can now go to bed and have a fresh start tomorrow!

This is what I'm making today. Its $99 bucks online, but I found a metal tree at Target for $12 and then I will just run to good ole' Hobby Lobby and buy some tags. I'm going to put it on my kitchen table and at dinner, each night, have everyone write stuff they are thankful for, then on Turkey day, we can read them aloud. Too bad I didn't find this idea earlier, so we could have lots of stuff to read! But, as I was reading about the tree pictured above, they said that they keep theirs up year round... and periodically pull them off to read then start over. I think that's what I am going to do. It's a good idea for me AND the kids to remember our blessings so that we don't get that pity party going on, or the poor picked on me syndrome.
What do you think??

"I live in my own world, and every one knows me there." - a bumper sticker I saw this morning

AMEN!!!
And, should we say further, you don't have a passport to enter? Naw... I won't be that mean! ;P
It's random 10 Friday again. The last Friday before the rush of holiday shopping is upon us. Next Friday will be BLACK FRIDAY!! Scary! So, enjoy this last Random 10 Friday that has no Christmas music in it... the last Random 10 before all the madness begins!


1. Rip Off - Ryan Adams
2. Mr. Curiosity - Jason Mraz
3. I'm Gonna Find You Another - John Mayer
4. Everything's Not Lost (Live) - Coldplay
5. So Damn Lucky (Live) - Dave Matthews
6. 19 Somthin' - Mark Wills
7. Dancin' - Chris Isaak
8. This Time - Starsailor
9. It's Not Over - Daughtry
10. This Is A Call - Foo Fighters

Bonus: Angel of Harlem - U2

Thing 2 got his Wolf badge tonight. He was soo excited. He passed every single Achievement off. Even the ones that weren't required. Then, he only had 3 Electives that he did not do. THREE. I was impressed with his excitement towards the program... but then one of the scout masters pointed out that one of the badges that he earned is REALLY hard to earn, and that specific badge requires a lot of work. Huh. I didn't know that. I guess never having any brothers, and not really knowing anything about scouting made us naive. I really didn't understand the whole program. So, we just plugged away on it. I thought he had to pass EVERYTHING off in his book. Apparently that is not the case... He has earned a total of 1 gold arrow and 7 silver arrows. When they announced that everyone in the audience sortof gasped and I heard many "Wow's." Is that not normal? He just did what he thought was expected of him. I think that I won't correct him... then he will be more extraordinary than he already is!!

So, tonight I am thankful for Thing 2 and his love of the scouting program.

He has finished the Bear stuff twice already. Jefe is the Bear leader; has been for 2 years and has let Thing 2 attend with him... So, if he wanted to, he could move up to the next level... if they didn't have that dumb age rule. I hope this continues on into the Boy Scout program... it will help to keep him out of trouble, and keep him focused on what's important!

I haven't posted the sex of our baby because I was trying to figure out how to get the ultra sound scanned to the computer. I don't have a scanner, and I don't know anyone that does. I had thought that would be a pretty cool way to announce it all... a scanned photo of the ultra sound, and you could guess in the comments. But, alas that is not going to happen.
NOW.
Let me preface this little announcement with a few facts. I was very happy. I hadn't even realized how upset and nervous I was until the ultra sound was over.
See.
Thing 3 was my stress baby. I was on bed rest with her from 20 weeks on. They didn't think she had kidney's and usually if they do, there is a huge possibility of renal issues. AND, if there are renal issues, then heart issues go right along with that. They did all sorts of echo-cardiograms on her... I had an ultra sound twice a week for 5 months. Can you say expensive? (to the tune of $70k expensive)
Anyway... as the tech was doing the ultra sound for this baby, I had a very long checklist of things I wanted to know. Did the baby have a3 vessel umbilical cord or 2? (Thing 3 had 2 and you want the umbilical cord to have 3) Could they DEFINITELY see the kidneys? Did the heart look good? Could you see all the chambers? Clef palate?
See??
A laundry list of things I needed to know. When they would say: "Yup. Everything looks fine" I would start to get more and more teary eyed. The baby was healthy. They baby was going to be fine. No problems. No bed rest! As they were doing the ultra sound, I could see the baby moving all around. Opening its mouth, practicing sucking, putting its thumb in its mouth. Kicking, waving its arms around... it was amazing.
NOW.
I am very happy, cause the baby is healthy. Thing 3 was VERY disappointed... she wanted a puppy. Didn't I have 2 babies in there Mom? One of them could be a puppy, right? She even tried to convince me that we could trade the baby for one of the neighbors puppies. She said: "I know that neighbors will trade us a puppy for the baby." Uhh. Yeah. Not going to happen.
Thing 1 and Thing 2 were not so happy... They wanted a boy. I told Jefe that I guess I really screwed up for everyone, and maybe we needed to go get a boy puppy so that everyone would be happy. Sheesh.
Yup.
We're having another girl.
Now the real battle begins.... finding a name that everyone and their dog hasn't used! AND a name that Jefe and I can agree on. The ones I have suggested, the Things have all made barfing sounds too.
Got any suggestions? I don't want it to be popular... and not too weird either. Leave me a comment with some suggestions.... PLEASE!!!

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have serious issues with The Dentist. The Dentist is right up there with Darth Vader. I'm serious. I have major fears of The Dentist. My heart pounds and I feel like I can't breathe when I think about getting various "procedures" done. It's bizarre, but its real. A. very. real. fear.
This morning, before normal people are functioning, I had to take Thing 3 to get her cavity filled. She was going to get "sedated", which freaks Jefe out more than me. I can't get him to understand that its not really full on anesthesia, but a shot of versed .
That is the only thing that Thing 3 remembers from the procedure this morning... the shot she got in her arm. Within less than 5 minutes, she was relaxed and they did the procedure. In 35 minutes the entire thing was done. It was amazingly quick. I wish they would've had that kind of stuff for when I was a kid. I wouldn't be such a freak when it comes to the dentist... So much better than the being held down (which I remember happening to me) by a nurse while the doctor worked on your teeth. See why I have issues?
Anyway...
I was frantic and very nervous. Thing 3 was brave... very very brave. She happily opened her mouth and showed them her "yucky" tooth. I was amazed at how quick the whole thing went. We were home by 9:30 and were watching Shrek 3... all day long.
While she was in recovery, she kept trying to talk. She would tell me "this is fun" and I found myself actually being worried. Oh no! Does this mean that she has a predisposition for drug use? She likes the feelings of the narcotics... yikes. But then she started talking a little better and was really trying to tell me she felt funny, and I looked funny. See, I had 3 eyes to her. She kept looking at me and saying "I want my Mama!" I finally scooped her up and said "Baby! I'm right here. She looked at me, scrutinizing my face and said "Mama? You have 3 eyes! You look funny." Whew. She didn't think the narcotics were fun... she thought I looked funny. I felt a little better. I told her she must have special powers to be able to see my invisible Mommy eye. Only special people can see the Mommy eye! (do you think that will make her need therapy when she gets older? Her mommies third eye? I hope not.)
Anyway... today I am grateful for our modern medicine that made my babies little tooth dealie much easier to handle. I have serious issues with the Dentist, and REALLY do not want to pass that down to my children. I want them to have their own fears... not fears that I have placed on them because I am a freaker! Know what I mean?

Thing 2 went to his first day of Wrestling camp tonight. He had been dreading it until he told one of his friends he was going, and they thought it was cool... so then he started changing his tune. He thought it was cool until one of the kids threw him over his back and Thing 2 landed on his shoulder. Ouch! That hurt!! Then he DID NOT think it was cool anymore. Change is such a hard thing. Trying new things is difficult. He is definitely my child. I was never good at trying new stuff or change. He wanted to quit. I would've wanted to quit too... But, I firmly told him No. He had to finish the remaining week. He was loving it until he got his butt kicked. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Tonight I am thankful for being able to try new stuff.

Today I am very simple. I am grateful for my eyes. I had to drive Thing 1 to school this morning and saw a beautiful sight on my way there. There was fog this morning and it had settled on the pond near the junior high. Oh how I wished that I had my camera with me, but alas, I am not that prepared. I hurried home, got my camera and hurried back up to the pond. The fog was gone, but this is what I was able to see.



How beautiful is that? So, today I am thankful for my eyes. And well, my ears too. The birds were singing like crazy there at the pond... so yeah. It was a great morning.

My sister, Ima10cow, hooked me up with this website called allrecipes.com
It is freaking amazing and further, I am addicted. Seriously addicted. If you type in the ingredients that you have, it will search their vast data base and give you all sorts of recipes that have those ingredients. I have followed ima10cow's advice and only pick things that have 4 stars or better with AT LEAST 200+ reviews. I read the reviews (not all of them) and then go to town.
Today was an allrecipes.com day. Oh. How thankful I am!
I made this cheesey ham & hashbrown casserole and my family went nuts-o!

Seriously! Its a great brunch casserole, and is a nice change from our usual standard. It was fabulous, and my kids gave it rave reviews. Thing 3 kept saying, "Ummm! this is so yummy!"
Then I made this awesome slowcooker pot roast, and let it cook all day long.

The house smelled soo yummy! The thing that is awesome about this recipe is that when the meat is finally done, you have gravy. I did have to thicken it just a little bit, but that's ok. I did NOT cook any vegetables with the meat, as I usually don't like how done the vegetables get. I waited until the meat was done, and I was thickening the gravy to cook the potatoes. The kids loved the gravy and potatoes. When it was finally time to eat, everyone was salivating! Again, Thing 3 stuffed her face and did not say a word. She ate everything that was on her plate, and then said "Wow Mom. That was really really good. Can I have some more?"
Jefe kept moaning while he was eating... I guess he was loving it too. (he always makes fun of me when I do that!)
Everyone had seconds, and some even had thirds. It was so fun to watch everyone go to town on the dinner. All in all I would say that today was a success in the food category!
This website is fabulous. You should totally give it a looksie. I love that I can save the recipes that I like, and then just click on my recipe box and wah-la there are the successful ones! I am thinking I am going to try some of the recipes and tips & tricks for Thanksgiving this year! I mean seriously, if they 4+ stars, and have a plethora of reviews, how could I possibly go wrong?

Anyway, today I am thankful for allrecipes.com, because this website seriously makes me look like a fantastic cook!!

ps. I just talked to ima10cow... she just posted a post about allrecipes.com on her blog too. How funny! I guess great minds think alike!