I couldn't resist (again)

My skills stink so bad, I just wanted to pull up the pics that are on our card so you can see them better (I'm just nice that way.) I posted some of the pics a week or so ago but I didn't include these pics on purpose... 'cuz I knew we were using them on our card.

We've gotten a ton of compliments on this family photo. And you know that Steve and I and the kids always stroll the neighborhood and smooch along the way. That's just who we are and how we roll. I do have to say, the fact that Shannon caught O looking up at us is PRICELESS! There is not a sucker big enough we could have bribed her with to get that shot. It must have been the Lord :)

Anyhow, that's it from here. I just put on Barbie and the Diamond Castle (at Turner's request shhh.. don't tell his daddy), a load of laundry is in the dryer and I've got some cleaning to do before our Christmas Eve open house tomorrow. Later....

Cookie lessons, I knew there had to be such a thing!

Because we already sent out 200 Christmas cards (not an exaggeration) I couldn't send it to everyone. If you got skipped this year, sorry. Consider yourself not skipped. However, my scanning abilities leave little be desired, right?

Last night Steve and I took the kids out on what I plan to make a Christmas tradition. I loaded up 5 plates of cookies, signed a few more cards and bundled up the kids for a walk around the neighborhood to deliver the treats. It was a cold night but we didn't go too far. And each kid got "paid" with a cookie to join us.

It was really fun to knock and see the surprised neighbors' faces. No, we did NOT sing, because then I'm sure the look of delightful surprise would have turned to horror. We're not exactly what you would call a musical family. Talk about surprised, you should have seen the lady who had the "incident" last month when she opened the door. I'm pretty sure everyone in the neighborhood is keeping their distance from her right now. She thanked us for our prayers following her house fire and the incident and even asked where we go to church and said she might like to join us some time.

A new young couple moved in across the street, so this was a good excuse to go meet them and welcome them to the neighborhood. It turns out the husband cut most of his finger off last week on a home project. Hopefully, Steve will be able to pop over again and see if he needs anything.

The guy who lives with us (we have a one bedroom rental unit in our house) was surprised and even embarrassed to see us at his door. "But I don't have anything for you guys." Well, Jim... that's not the point!

We got home and warmed up and Olivia said, "But nobody gave us anything, mom." YES!!! What a perfect teaching moment for my little three year old. "I know, Olivia. The thing about gifts is that you give them not to get something back. You give them to make the other person happy." She looked at me and then thoughtfully said, "Yeah. We've got enough stuff around here anyway." Ahhh.. I wonder where she's heard that one before?

All in all it was a sweet family memory that I hope to re-create many more times in the future. So, I guess all of the baking really did pay off. Not to mention, I'm glad to be getting all that temptation off my back porch (which has been my temporary freezer since there wasn't enough room in my real one.) Next time you're in the neighborhood, swing by and help yourself!

It never ends

This past weekend was a flurry of activity. Friday night, I can't even remember what happened Friday night! But Saturday we woke up to a bit of snow, worked out, and then I baked. And I baked and I baked and I baked. Because for some crazy reason I feel like it is such a great idea to give out baked goods to neighbors, childcare workers and aerobics teachers (oh the irony of that one.) And once upon a childless time it was a good idea. Now its just kinda stupid. And a real pain in the neck. Yet I still managed to crank out 6 different kinds.

We went to church Saturday night and then Steve and I got to business. I wanted to get all the wrapping out of the way. In theory (and in retrospect) a great idea. In the moment... pure back breaking (literally) hell! Luckily, Elf was on. Elf makes all things better. THREE hours later, we are nearly done. I still have Steve's gifts to wrap and there is a certain Disney make up table that has yet to be assembled. You just know that thing is gonna be a bear. Thankfully, not my job!

Sunday, I did just a *bit* more baking (its the last, I swear, unless of course, its not.) We were suppose to have our small group from church over for a ham dinner. I baked an 8 lb. ham and then found out that only 8 people (which included one vegan) were coming. Oops. If you're in the mood for a ham sandwich, come on over.

Today I had to run out during my Monday babysitting time to finish up some last minute Christmas errands. Now I SWEAR I'm done. I wanted to scratch my eyeballs out at Michael's. The line was ridiculous and the funny thing was that most people were checking out with Christmas decorations in their baskets. I found it odd... since all the clearance stuff will be next week and this is Christmas week. Are people just late? Or early? As for me, I needed a roll of art paper and some chalk for an easel that O is getting.

Next stop, Target. Promise me that if you find out I've been to Target any more before Christmas day, you will reach through the blogosphere and slap me silly!! Honestly, my car is on autopilot to the big red bulls eye at this point.

Then I was off to Wallgreens (I felt like I should be wearing a scarlet letter as I cheated on my beloved CVS) for some cheap chocolates and some picture re-prints. I'm worn out! Tonight after dinner, there is a family drive planned. We are going to cruise some neighborhoods to look at lights. One of my favorite nights of the year. The boys are super into ooooing and ahhhhing over lights right now too. Which could prove to be really cute or really annoying... we'll see.

Despite the whiny attitude of this here post, I really am enjoying the holiday season. Just don't make me shop or bake anymore, k? Thanks.

Just paint a big L on my forehead

Santa came early to my house this year... in the form of Stanley Steamer (or his ugly step brother whom, by the way, was tons cheaper.) Am I really that old (or big of a dork) that seriously, all I wanted for Christmas was to have my upholstery professionally cleaned? I laugh in the face of fancy jewelry or expensive electronics! Just give me a poop and barf free couch any day! So, Merry Christmas to me, and a Happy New Year to all who come to my house and sit on my sofa and chair.

As for other news around here, Olivia was invited to her first school friend party. I was a bit taken aback and have to say, am glad that we have plans to go out of town, otherwise I would have been in quite a pickel.

O has a "best friend" at school. And seriously, the semester without Rain might have been a disaster. But she and Rain have become fast friends. I was in the pick up line at school Wednesday behind Rain's mom. Rain came out of the school and she and her mom had a short conversation that I didn't pay any attention to, until I heard Rain say, Olivia Koproski. My ears perked up and then her mom said, "Well, we'll have to wait for her mom." Ummm... I'm standing right behind you, plus, we've been picking up our kids for 4 months together, how do you NOT know I belong to Olivia? whatever.

So I spoke up, "That's me." Rain's mom ran to her car and grabbed an invitation to a party. I got all excited because my daughter had been one of the chosen ones. I assumed it was Rain's birthday party. I got to the car and read over the invitation. Not a birthday party, a New Year's Eve party.

My 3 year old daughter had been invited to a party from 7pm until midnight (or I could pick her up the next morning if I wanted to, stated the invitation.) All from a mom who doesn't even know what I look like! WHAT THE FLIPPITY FLAP?

I don't even get invited to New Year's Eve parties. My girl goes to bed at 7:30; 8:00 if we're feelin' crazy! NO WAY is she staying up to watch the ball drop. She doesn't even have the courage to sleep in her own room if the fan isn't on, her 12 animals aren't with her and I don't run through my list of 17 good nights and I love yous. Could this mom be serious???

And so it begins... a future of mommy cop and no's that will break my kids' hearts. Feel free to leave me a comment and tell me I'm a lamo mom (and not just because I don't get invited to parties any more) and tell me how you would handle such a situation.

artistic license

Hey, you never know, there *might* have been a vulture near the stable. All those mice and all.

And I know the Bible mentions wise men, but there may have been a construction worker or two who dropped by on their way home from the census. Just because it was omitted, doesn't mean it didn't happen, right?

All I know is, I walked into the living room the other day and found this sweet nativity scene lovingly arranged by a creative 3 year old.

I do love her attention to detail, with Mary gazing at the baby Jesus. It was nice of Noah to show up as well. After all, the Creator DID save him from that flood.

Brings new meaning to, "Mary, did you know?" don'tcha think!

A funny thing happened on the way home from school today

Today I experienced Christmas. Don't hear me bragging about myself, because believe you me, I'm caught up in the commerical trappings just as much as the next American. It just so happened that this morning I must have had a moment of clarity in all of the Christmas crazy, because I got out of my holiday frenzy enough to help out a neighbor.

I know I've mentioned that Olivia's school experience is not exactly the same as most of our friends'. She attends a school where we are probably one of the more financially privileged. The other week the school sent home a flyer about Toys for Tots. I got excited because I love buying toys for others (especially since we are up to our eye balls in stuff around here) and when I read it more closely, I realized that it was explaining how we could be a recipient from Toys for Tots. Oh my, what a reality check. Some of O's classmates surely qualify.

There is a sweet little girl, Li'Asya, in O's class. She and her mom walk to and from school each day. Her mom and I usually arrive to pick up the girls at the same time each day. I've had a chance to small talk with her mom, Lee, for the past few months. I know that she just moved here from Cincinnati over the summer. She has custody of her nephew. And I'm not sure if there is a dad in the picture. I have enjoyed getting to know her.

Today it was 17 degrees out when I arrived to pick O up from school. Lee and Li'Asya were about to walk home and so I offered them a ride. They said sure and I drove them home. It was just a few blocks but I whine and complain when I have to walk to my garage when its 17 degrees just so that I can get in my luxury vehicle with a bun warming feature in my leather bucket seat. (Gag!) I dropped them off at a pretty shabby yet sweetly decorated home for the holiday. As they got out, Olivia screamed wildly out the window, "BYE, LI'ASYA!!!!!" My heart smiles that Olivia and Li'asya are friends. She mentions her nearly every day.

I thought of Jesus today. NOT because of my measly action of driving 3 blocks out of the way. But because I realized, once again, how the real meaning of Christmas is that a GOD of infinite power and love, humbled himself to a lowly state of becoming a human. But not even just a human, a human of poor and humble circumstance. He didn't live in a palace fit for royalty (which he certainly would have qualified for!) He didn't even live in a nice suburban home with a finished basement and a large yard. He probably lived in a shabby house, sweetly decorated for a holiday. He probably lived on a side of town that I would not in my normal life visit. He rode on a donkey, and NOT the XLE model, either. And my Jesus chose that situation.

I'm thankful that God gave me Lee and Li'asya today. I don't know why they walk to school every day. I don't know if they have a car and just choose to walk. To make assumptions would be judgemental and elitist of me. Instead, I'll just keep offering them rides and try to get to know them and love them. Because they are my neighbor. And THAT is the true meaning of Christmas.

Disturbia

Oh my word, I took a bloggy break and didn't mean to! Tis the season to be lazy, I guess. Sorry about that, I'm going to try harder this week. I was up to my eyeballs with all things Christmasy but it looks like things are slowing down a bit this week, which hopefully will afford me more time to devote to this here blog.

While I was in my car last night (alone... my personal Christmas miracle!) I saw a sight I've never seen in my whole long 37 years. I jumped on the highway last night in the midst of rush hour traffic to hit Sam's club for a couple hundred diapers, tons of chicken pot pies and a rotisserie chicken (don't laugh, its delicious!). As I was cruising along at nearly 65 mph I looked to my left and I kid you not, I saw a lady PAINTING HER NAILS ON HER STEERING WHEEL, while driving- in rush hour traffic.

I nearly had a heart attack. What the? I slowed down and thought I might try and get her attention and shake my finger at her and mouth, "are you crazy? shame on you!" I live with the king of "teaching people lessons" and am always scolding him because you never know whose high, drunk or packing heat (do people still say that?)

Instead, instincts kicked in and I decided to step on the gas and get the heck out of the way. Boy am I glad I did, I looked in my rear view mirror and about 10 seconds after I got plenty ahead of her she wove into my lane and back out. Now, I've never been one for multi-tasking. Its just not who I am, but I deeply admire those who can/do. This, however, is not admirable. Its just STUPID. C'mon lady, like a second coat couldn't wait 'til you got home?!

Then, not 1/2 mile down the road something else odd happened. A large Canadian goose had been splattered all over the side of the road. Whatever. The sadness of the actual death was not what was so weird to me, but rather, how did it get hit? Then about 5 seconds later, another bird was dead on the side of the road. Within 30 seconds more there were TWO more birds dead on the side of the road. 4 birds in a mile. Weird. I live in Ohio and its not surprising to see a deer here or a stiff raccoon there. Even an opossum or a skunk are fair game. But a bird? and FOUR OF THEM? Weird!

Anyhow, you can imagine I was all too happy to get with in the safe walls of Sam's club and snuggle up with a sample of bean soup and a bite of chimichanga! That's its own brand of disturbia, but it's my kind.