After Santa, Before BlakeSunday, December 30, 2007
Checking in
Christmas was wonderful. We spent lots of time with family and realized yet again what a great family we have. It even snowed on Christmas Day which is unheard of around here. It didn't stick but it sure was pretty. I've got a bit of a tummy bug that I've been fighting with the last few days. The boys went to church without me as I can't get to far from the restroom (too much information; yeah, tell me about it..LOL) I hope all of you had a great holiday as well.
After Santa, Before Blake
After Santa, Before Blake
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Bells are ringing.....
Hear what they say to you.....Jesus is born...in Bethlehem...in Bethlehem.
Merry Christmas to all of my friends out here in bloggie land. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that happiness surrounds you. My love to all of you.
Merry Christmas to all of my friends out here in bloggie land. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that happiness surrounds you. My love to all of you.
My Mom
As I mentioned briefly in my last post, I lost my mom 2 years ago today. She had been sick for a really long time so in some ways it was a blessing. The most important thing I learned from my mom is that it takes much more than biology to be a mother. You see, the woman I grew up calling my mom was technically my step mom. I met her when I was 4 years old and I still have the memory as though it were yesterday (which is saying something for me because I have a horrible memory)
She never pushed me to call her mom. She just let it happen naturally. My birth mother was just that, a birth mother. She had some problems with addiction and all I remember of her is that she slept a lot. When Ms. Betty Sunday came around, I was a mess in need of a mother. She had two grown children but that didn't stop her from loving me.
In many ways, I think she saved me. She taught me about hard work and most of all laughter. We laughed so much. She loved my dad even though he was the hardest man alive to love. They were soul mates and I really feel they are back together again right now. She taught me how to stand up for myself and that I was the one that would choose how I would turn out. She was proud of me. I have so many fond memories of playing with her an my cousins on the farm I grew up on. We didn't have much money but when dad was away, we would play. We had food fights and water fights. She was the kind of mom that would spank you when you needed it but it was never unfair.
Later in life when I moved several states away from her she was never bitter. She was happy that I was happy and had made a life for myself. We kept in touch and I was able to say my goodbyes. The last time I saw her she was in the hospital and I had knew deep down that it would be the last time I would see her. We cuddled and I told her how much she had meant to me over the years. I told her that she taught me what it meant to be a mother. She didn't have to take in that ragamuffin 4 year old little girl and love her. She could have just been my step mom. But she wasn't. I was hers and she never said or acted in any other way.
I miss you mom, I miss your stories and your letters and your cards. I am thankful that I will see you again someday and that I am sure in the knowledge of this. I am glad you aren't in pain anymore and that you are with your love. Make him behave until I see you guys again. I am happy and I am strong and you had a big hand in that. I love you mom...forever.
She never pushed me to call her mom. She just let it happen naturally. My birth mother was just that, a birth mother. She had some problems with addiction and all I remember of her is that she slept a lot. When Ms. Betty Sunday came around, I was a mess in need of a mother. She had two grown children but that didn't stop her from loving me.
In many ways, I think she saved me. She taught me about hard work and most of all laughter. We laughed so much. She loved my dad even though he was the hardest man alive to love. They were soul mates and I really feel they are back together again right now. She taught me how to stand up for myself and that I was the one that would choose how I would turn out. She was proud of me. I have so many fond memories of playing with her an my cousins on the farm I grew up on. We didn't have much money but when dad was away, we would play. We had food fights and water fights. She was the kind of mom that would spank you when you needed it but it was never unfair.
Later in life when I moved several states away from her she was never bitter. She was happy that I was happy and had made a life for myself. We kept in touch and I was able to say my goodbyes. The last time I saw her she was in the hospital and I had knew deep down that it would be the last time I would see her. We cuddled and I told her how much she had meant to me over the years. I told her that she taught me what it meant to be a mother. She didn't have to take in that ragamuffin 4 year old little girl and love her. She could have just been my step mom. But she wasn't. I was hers and she never said or acted in any other way.
I miss you mom, I miss your stories and your letters and your cards. I am thankful that I will see you again someday and that I am sure in the knowledge of this. I am glad you aren't in pain anymore and that you are with your love. Make him behave until I see you guys again. I am happy and I am strong and you had a big hand in that. I love you mom...forever.
Holiday Hoopla
I'm not very good at doing these things but since I like Mo Mommy so much, I thought I would give it a try.
The Rules
1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas
2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word
3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.
4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.
1) I tend to get stressed during the Christmas holiday.
2) I always worry that I will forget to give something to someone.
3) I feel bad if someone gets me something and I didn't get them anything.
4) Seeing Christmas through my sons eyes has made Christmas so much sweeter for me
5) I used to get so many more Christmas cards than I do now. I think it's a dying art and it makes me sad
6) I still send out as many cards as I always have because I have hope
7)Joining the church gave me a whole new outlook on Christmas
8) I'm trying to make sure that my son knows the meaning of Christmas and understands that it's not all about the presents.
9)I really miss the singing Christmas Cards that my mom used to send me
10) I'm thankful to have my hubbys family that have adopted me as one of theirs over the years. We live close to them and get to spend a lot of time with them over the holidays.
11) 2 years ago today my mother passed away which forever changed Christmas for me.
12) As a child we always got to open one present on Christmas Eve and it was always a new pair of jammies.
I know these are lame but at least I did it right?? So now, I am going to tag Yvette (because she's sweet and I know she'll do it :o) No pressure right..LOL
The Rules
1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas
2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word
3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.
4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.
1) I tend to get stressed during the Christmas holiday.
2) I always worry that I will forget to give something to someone.
3) I feel bad if someone gets me something and I didn't get them anything.
4) Seeing Christmas through my sons eyes has made Christmas so much sweeter for me
5) I used to get so many more Christmas cards than I do now. I think it's a dying art and it makes me sad
6) I still send out as many cards as I always have because I have hope
7)Joining the church gave me a whole new outlook on Christmas
8) I'm trying to make sure that my son knows the meaning of Christmas and understands that it's not all about the presents.
9)I really miss the singing Christmas Cards that my mom used to send me
10) I'm thankful to have my hubbys family that have adopted me as one of theirs over the years. We live close to them and get to spend a lot of time with them over the holidays.
11) 2 years ago today my mother passed away which forever changed Christmas for me.
12) As a child we always got to open one present on Christmas Eve and it was always a new pair of jammies.
I know these are lame but at least I did it right?? So now, I am going to tag Yvette (because she's sweet and I know she'll do it :o) No pressure right..LOL
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
One more get up and then.....
6 glorious days off work. I'm so excited. I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed (like who hasn't right) with trying to get everything done for Christmas, create lasting memories, start traditions that will become beloved, feel the true spirit of the season, work, church, being a mommy, etc etc. Is it just me or does it sometimes just seem like it all might consume you if you just stand still for a minute?
Some people seem to make it look easy. Just read some of the wonderful blogs right over there>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to the right of this post. I was telling my husband the other day that I feel like a messy, unorganized closet. On the outside, everything looks good. All neat and tidy. But if you open the door, a pile of clothes and couple of pairs of shoes might hit you in the head. If you came to my house, you would probably say, "Gee, she keeps a pretty clean, lived in yes, but clean" but if you were to open the cupboard in the kitchen, the closets, or the garage you might run out screaming. In many areas of my life, I am very organized but these tasks have gotten away from me. So, I have decided that next year I am going to make a list of all the projects I want to get done. I will then make a goal of getting at least one done per month. Even if it's as small as organizing under the sink. I'm hoping that by writing it down, I can get it out of my head and on the way to being complete.
I just realized that I'm babbling on and on. It must be time for sleep. If you made it this far, congrats and goodnight.
Some people seem to make it look easy. Just read some of the wonderful blogs right over there>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to the right of this post. I was telling my husband the other day that I feel like a messy, unorganized closet. On the outside, everything looks good. All neat and tidy. But if you open the door, a pile of clothes and couple of pairs of shoes might hit you in the head. If you came to my house, you would probably say, "Gee, she keeps a pretty clean, lived in yes, but clean" but if you were to open the cupboard in the kitchen, the closets, or the garage you might run out screaming. In many areas of my life, I am very organized but these tasks have gotten away from me. So, I have decided that next year I am going to make a list of all the projects I want to get done. I will then make a goal of getting at least one done per month. Even if it's as small as organizing under the sink. I'm hoping that by writing it down, I can get it out of my head and on the way to being complete.
I just realized that I'm babbling on and on. It must be time for sleep. If you made it this far, congrats and goodnight.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Great read
So, now that I can see and I have all this time to myself on the train everyday, I have discovered again that I LOVE to read. Aside from a few books, magazines and scriptures snuck in here and there since I've been a mom, I haven't done much reading. But that has changed. I just finished a great book. It's one of those that I picked up and had a hard time putting down until it's done. So I thought I would tell you about it so you might enjoy it too. So, without further ado.....I give you The Memory Keepers Daughter. It's a great book about the effects that a single lie can have for years to come. I highly recommend it and if you have read it, let me know what you thought and if not I hope you will tell me when/if you do.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
I can see clearly now.....
I gave in and went to the eye doctor. It has been about 7 years and my eyes were starting to really bother me. It wasn't so much that I couldn't see things but that my eyes were tired and watery all the time. It turns out that I am farsighted. I can see things just fine far away but the closer they get the harder my eyes have to work to keep them in focus. So yesterday I picked up my very first pair of glasses. They are to wear while reading or on the computer but he said (as he winked) that if I accidentally left them on all the time that it would be okay. But he would vouch for me if anyone asked about "needing" them all the time. I'm just stunned with how much of a difference they make already. So, without further ado...drum roll please......here I am ...with new and improved eyes. It's my best schoolteacher look...what do you think..be kind (no really, lie if you have to)
Monday, December 10, 2007
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Tis the season to be busy..LOL Well, another busy weekend but we got quite a bit done and had some fun in the process.
Blake made his requests to the big man in red.
Blake made his requests to the big man in red.
The Tree is up and ready to go. It actually went up without much drama. We went with a real one again this year. I don't know if we'll ever follow through with our threat to get a fake one.
The cards are going out in the mail today and I am going to start wrapping the presents tonight. I can't believe it's only 15 days until Christmas. This time of year goes by so fast. I'm trying hard not to get stressed and try to enjoy it all. We're trying to focus on what the season is really all about.
How's everyone else doing? Do you feel like it's hard to keep up with all that needs to get done and still keep the spirit of Christmas? What do you do to keep the focus on Christ and not Santa? Can you tell I need ideas? :o)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
My boys
They both got a haircut tonight and had a little fun with the colored gels.
Blake had red, blue and gold in his hair. Did you know that it takes at least 3 washings to get all the goo out? No? Me either but we did have fun watching the colored water run down the drain :o)
Are they tough or what?
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
More Christmas fun
This is a fun little MeMe that I have seen on a few blogs but I snagged this one from Melissa. It looked like fun so I decided to play along.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, I only use gift bags for Birthdays
2. Real tree or artificial? Since we moved to Oregon 13 years ago, we have had a real tree. I have threatened many times to get a fake one because of the mess etc but I never follow through.
3. When do you put up the tree? First or second weekend in December.
4. When do you take the tree down? First thing January 1st....ish :o)
5. Which do you prefer: eggnog, spiced cider, or hot cocoa? Hot cocoa for sure
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Easy bake oven (which is odd since I really don't like to cook)
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
8. Hardest person to buy for? Hubs parents
9. Easiest person to buy for? My son, he likes everything except what he calls "girl toys".
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? I can't think of anything
11. Mail or email Christmas card? Mail, it's a dying tradition but I still love it.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Depends on how organized I am that year but I usually kick it off when we go to the beach in late October.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Don't think so
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chocolate covered cherries
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? The more color and blinking going on, the better.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home is where the heart is plus all of our family is around here
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Yep - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (even though I don't get the extra D in there) and Rudolph
20. Do you have an Angel on top or a star? A pretty white angel
I'm not going to tag anyone but feel free to play along if you want to.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, I only use gift bags for Birthdays
2. Real tree or artificial? Since we moved to Oregon 13 years ago, we have had a real tree. I have threatened many times to get a fake one because of the mess etc but I never follow through.
3. When do you put up the tree? First or second weekend in December.
4. When do you take the tree down? First thing January 1st....ish :o)
5. Which do you prefer: eggnog, spiced cider, or hot cocoa? Hot cocoa for sure
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Easy bake oven (which is odd since I really don't like to cook)
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
8. Hardest person to buy for? Hubs parents
9. Easiest person to buy for? My son, he likes everything except what he calls "girl toys".
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? I can't think of anything
11. Mail or email Christmas card? Mail, it's a dying tradition but I still love it.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Depends on how organized I am that year but I usually kick it off when we go to the beach in late October.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Don't think so
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chocolate covered cherries
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? The more color and blinking going on, the better.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home is where the heart is plus all of our family is around here
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Yep - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (even though I don't get the extra D in there) and Rudolph
20. Do you have an Angel on top or a star? A pretty white angel
I'm not going to tag anyone but feel free to play along if you want to.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
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