VISIT WITH SANTA

So this year we opted out of sending our Christmas cards. I know, I know… bah humbug. No, actually it had nothing to do with being a Scrooge, but there were a few reasons I didn’t do it this year. I guess laziness can be a factor, along with the fact that I didn’t have a good family picture that’s recent to add into it. I didn’t feel like paying for stamps. Or repeating myself in a newsletter that I’ve already written out on the blog. I could come up with a hundred other excuses, but I think these are good enough for now. If you complain to me, you might get a slew of other excuses. I have tons up my sleeve.

On to happier thoughts… Christian is off of work for 2 weeks. Which is a GREAT thing and a NOT SO GREAT thing at times. We tend to be at each other’s throats at times. And if you couldn’t guess, I’m not exactly a timid wife, and he’s not the most soft spoken of husbands. So sometimes it’s all out war, and other times we’re cracking up laughing. Today we decided to venture out with the kids to the land of chaos and craziness…. THE MALL!!! (Hide your wife! Hide your children! Hide your husbands! (That’s a hilarious news reference, incase you’re not sure where that came from)). So off to the mall we went to see Santa. Background… Christian does NOT like the mall. He’s not a huge fan of people to begin with, so a mall is like a root canal for him. He did brave it and let the kids even play at the Play Area afterwards for a few minutes before his sensitive personality couldn’t take it anymore.  Oh, and did I mention that I didn’t feel like paying $20 for a 5x7 of a picture that my camera can take just as well. It was actually Santa’s idea to pass it off to another mom to take the picture for us. I don’t think his “elves” were very thrilled. I’m sure they’ll survive.

*The kids waiting patiently to tell Santa what they want for Christmas*
*Kalea thinks it’s funny to ruin my pictures when I tell her to smile. There will be CONSEQUENCES!*    
He L*O*V*E*D it… can you tell?
 
*Santa’s idea for the whole family to take a picture. Mia was really shy and we had to drag her sit down and Landen wasn’t very thrilled with being up close and personal with Santa… even with Mommy right there with him. Eventually it’ll get better… right?*
P*L*A*Y*T*I*M*E!!!  

*The train that went around the mall. Landen loved watching it and kept saying “woo woo”*

PLAYING CATCH UP

I’ve neglected my blog… once again. Things are busy as usual so here’s a brief catch up…

1. Kalea participated in her 1st grade spelling bee. She had already won her Class spelling be (which we were SO proud of.) So it was on to compete against 5 other 1st graders. Christian and I were both able to attend while my mom watched the 2 little ones. Kalea did great! She finished fourth. The spelling bee lasted FOREVER. The kids got through all of the 1st grade spelling words and made their way into the 2nd grade words. Then into 3rd grade spelling words. Kalea’s final word was “firm”. She sat there for awhile and kind of glared at the coordinator. You could almost read her mind… “This wasn’t on my spelling list I studied.” She spelled it MOSTLY right. F-E-R-M. Makes sense, really. She got out and you could tell she was very disappointed. When it was all said and done, Christian and I made it very apparent how PROUD we were of her. She looked us and said, “They tricked me.” So hard for a 6 year old to grasp when things get a little hard or “tricky”. But once she learned that the winner of the 1st graders had to compete in a School wide spelling bee… she was happy she didn’t win.

2. Christian’s classes are O-V-E-R!!! I’m so excited for this. Well.. just in time, I guess. Christian was just called into the Elders Quorum Presidency as 2nd Counselor. He was a little surprised by this calling. He is gone a little and is serving more. But it’s such a great opportunity for him too. My only questions have been “What time are you going to be home” and “What time should I have dinner ready.”

3. Mia got an opportunity to bring in snack for her class which also means she got to bring home “Brownie”. He’s a cute little stuffed bear where the parents get to photo and document what their adventures were that week. Mia loved having him at home and slept with him every night. Here are a few pictures of their week together.

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

4. My biggest accomplishment has been finishing all 27 hats (3 weren’t for nieces & nephews) within a months time. It was a little exhausting but well worth the effort. The hats all turned out just like I wanted and I even have them tagged and named for each niece and nephew. Now I’m on to making myself a hat and scarf to match. Hopefully I will still be blessed enough to have mine turn out as well as the others.

5.Christian has been SHOP HAPPY. I’m talking CRAZY amounts… but of course NOTHING full price and everything on sale. He has done almost 100% of the shopping this year. Many wives would be grateful for this, which I am, don’t get me wrong. But I know it’s partly because he knows he can find better deals then me. I feel a little out of the loop, but the things he’s picked the kids are going to LOVE. So I’m excited for them. I just hope we didn’t break the bank.

6. I got all the Christmas presents wrapped.

7. Lastly, we still haven’t heard from UNC Medical school yet about an interview. Last year it was after the new year also. So that is all still up in the air. The main thing right now for us is deciding whether or not we’re going to sell our house in the spring. We have QUICKLY outgrown the house we have. When we first moved in, it was perfect for our small family, now we seem a little squished. So it all depends if we’re going to Chapel Hill or staying in this area. Lots to think and pray about.

Life has been busy, but such a huge blessing. Our lives would be so lonely and empty without our children. They really bring a lot of laughter, smiles, fights, and sometimes craziness… but we count each one of these things as a blessing.