A Mothers Work is Never Done

Hmmm... Just when I got done folding the last load of laundry I notice the kids baskets half full already. This week I got out of my regular routine of doing all the major housework on Monday, due to the ever dreaded un-avoidable car registration process. Sure, its no big deal if you can renew online, but, I moved to another state and its a whole different ball game. I bundle up the kiddies and trudge through the snow. We get into the registration building, but What?? I need an e-check paper? Funny that wasn't listed on the "what to bring to the registration office" website. Where is the E-check station anyway? Of course only a mother knows that its not a simple matter to add an extra errand into the schedule, I have hungry children now that its close tolunch time, and without a nap shortly thereafter we are risking melt-down mode. I thought I still had some teddy grahams in my purse-- but I thought wrong! The little tykes are getting heavy now, and without lunch myself I can barely carry the little guy out to the car in exhaustion. Oh-no, the big black race car was on his carseat that I was trying to strap him into, once that is removed, there's the struggle to buckle him up, and I resort to bribes. At least that package of dum-dums is still in the console between the seats! Usually I enjoy an errand where I've accomplished something, but it's quite the opposite when I make a trip out and find out I have to do it all over again, another day. By the time I get home there's more pressing things like lunch, naps, cleaning the kitchen and giving my almost 5 year old some quality time, and she waits patiently while I toss 1 load in the wash... and this was how I ended up with an entire week of laundry. Thank goodness the car was finally registered on Thursday, and next Monday we'll be back on schedule.

Snow Day

How about this snow? It's been dumping on us here lately. However, I must say I'm enjoying it more this year than in years past. (Maybe that's just because it's only starting and I'm not tired of it yet.) Part of it may be due to living in a new place and seeing how beautiful everything looks covered in a blanket of white. I'm especially enjoying the view of the woods in our backyard. Usually I don't find the colors gray and white all that appealing. But some days its the sky is lavender and the branches are sparkeling on the trees.


The main reason I dislike snow is generally all the shoveling and poor road conditions. I've been lucky, so far I've only had to go out once and shovel, M is good to take care of it. And the other morning when I did go out, it was almost relaxing. That was even the morning the sun was shining but the high temperature was in the teens! Sure, I couldn't feel my nose except for the snot dripping from it, and Leah was bundled up from head to toe and dishing up some snow with her garden shovel and bucket. I really enjoy watching her plop down in the snow to make snow angels-- a major contrast to my dislike of snow anywhere that isn't covered by my snow pants and other cold weather items.

I admit I have spent a few minutes thinking about spring, but that's just because I'm excited to get planting in my new, weed free beds. And I am unable to map out the current plants for planning since they are buried under atleast 18" of the white stuff. In the meantime, the kids make everything more fun, and I'm sure I'll have plenty of snow to enjoy, and shovel, this winter.

Kirtland

Over New Years my parents came out to visit us and we took a trip to Kirtland. It was really cool. First we went to the Kirtland Temple and took the tour, and then we went down to Historic Kirtland, which the Church owns, and a senior missionary couple took us into the Whitney Home and their store. It was a great experience. Although I went to seminary, I have to admit I did a lot of snoozing too! So there were a lot of events that I didn't know that occured there. One part that stood out was being on the main floor in the Whitney Store where Emma Smith had her kitchen. She was probably busy caring for her children while Joseph was upstairs teaching at the School of the Prophets. Going to see the church history site was well worth the short drive out there. Any friends who want to go out to Kirtland-- please come and see us:-)

The best part about Christmas is little kids. L was very excited about Santa and couldn't hardly wait to get downstairs to see what he brought. D on the other hand being only 2 was a little grumpy at first about why he couldn't go downstairs just yet. Anyhoo, Christmas only comes once a year, and it was fantastic.

"I Don't Want A Lot For Christmas..."

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Bags so they'll fit in a small pkg to ship, wrapping paper at home so the kids can't peek.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, flocked and pre-lit 9 footer.
3. When do you put up the tree? This year once we got our boxes unpacked it was Dec 6th! Too late. Next year the day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? My parents are coming for New Years, so a day or two after that.
5. Do you like Egg Nog? NO! Every time and variety I'm co-erced to take a sip of is NASTY!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? One year I got an Armitron robot, with a remote control arm, spent lots of time trying to get it to pick up things. Thought it was going to clean my room for me.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents and hubby, but I think I did pretty good this year. Thoughtful gifts are the best.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids. I think they just enjoy opening gifts and want more to open.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, 4. One our grandma made, one of those olive wood ones, one more lifelike one, and one from Panama carved out of stone that's on the mantel.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Some years christmas cards, but I'm a slacker this year, can I use the excuse that I moved??
11. Lights on Yourself or Prelit? Lights on the big tree, none on little tree.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? We ALWAYS watch "Its a Wonderful Life." 13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Before Thanksgiving when the aisles are fully stocked and there's no crazy christmas shoppers out yet. And I'm forced to be done by Dec 16 so I can ship things. I just have a stocking stuffer or two left to get. Go me!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Heavens no!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas breakfast: ham, hash browns, blueberry muffins, eggs, and grape juice. And all the kitchen has to be cleaned up before we can open gifts.
16. Lights on the tree? The big tree yes, the little tree, no.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I really love Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas is You."
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year we actually get to stay home and enjoy Christmas with our little family. I'm excited to get to make our own traditions.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen...Rudolph!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Since my christmas decor is on a budget we have an old Angel I got along time ago, but our tree is so tall it wouldn't fit and one night during dinner she did a nose dive to the floor, and won't be going back up.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? That it went by too fast this year!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Green and Gold, however, I also am stuck with a lot of red ornaments when that was my favorite. I'm slowly acquiring more ornaments, but probably at the "after christmas clearance sale" for next year.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Breakfast is the main thing, but we might do a turkey this year.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Mostly gift cards to home decor stores like World Market so I can decorate! There's also a great lamp at Pier One, a membership to Smilebox (scrapbooking online) and another bird feeder (in case hubby reads this:-)) But whatever I get, I'll be happy just to be with my loved ones!

Now your turn to all who want to do this!

Which house did they pick??

After just a few weeks I have finally got the house somewhat in order to share a few photos of our new place. If you guessed house #1, you were correct! We are really enjoying it here, and with our furniture finally out of storage it is starting to feel like home. Our ward is great and we love the area. Our backyard backs up to the woods and we're enjoying the animals that live there. We've set out a bird feeder for the blue-jays and red cardinals. The kids rooms need paint and I'm excited to get on that. We still have pictures to hang and curtains to put up. I'll try to post more pics later as I get other rooms decorated. The photos I have taken will be reserved for my "before" makeover photos later.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! We finally got all un-packed and moved in- Thanks to Matt's parents for coming up and doing all the work. The house is finally feeling like Home Sweet Home. The weather outside is frightful, yeah, it's snowing. And there's more where that came from. Although the fireplace inside is delightful. We wish you and yours the happiest of Christmases, and a Happy New Year.