It's December 1st already. It seems that I just barely got used to writing 2008 instead of 2007, and now it's almost time to start 2009. The older I get, the faster time goes by. When I was younger it seemed that Christmas would never come, and now that I'm an adult it seems to sneak up on me. So much to do!
All of the family who came in for Thanksgiving are gone now. It was so wonderful to see my sister and her husband and their foster daughter. She is so adorable! It was fun having two 2 1/2 year olds in my parents' house -- they got along really well (at least when I was around). It was also wonderful to see my grandfather and his wife. It saddens me that his health has declined, but he is still so sharp mentally. He really is one of the smartest people I know. It's always neat when family comes to visit and I'm sad when they leave.
I am hoping to be able to focus more on the meaning of Christmas this year and less on the commercial, materialistic side of the holiday. I need to spend more time thinking about why we celebrate the special holiday and about the miraculous blessing of the Savior's birth.
It's time to rearrange furniture in the living room and set up the Christmas tree...hang the stockings and lights...deck the halls...all of that. It's now "legal" (in my book) to listen to Christmas music and read Christmas-y story books (I have several and I love them). I am looking forward to sitting in the living room in the glow of the tree lights and just looking at it. It's so peaceful to do that -- one of my favorite things about Christmas is just sitting in the glow of the tree lights at night when it's quiet.
We are working on a Christmas cantata at church (I play the piano for the church choir). It is "First Christmas in Bethlehem/First Christmas in Zarahemla." One of my favorite parts of the Christmas story is the Wise Men...thinking about how they watched and waited and watched and waited for the sign of the Savior's birth, and then followed it. Action -- they took action. They didn't just see the star and say, "Gosh, there's the sign. Isn't that nice?" They did something -- they followed the star and went to find the Savior. I was thinking about that last night and today -- I am fortunate to have a strong testimony of the gospel and faith in the Savior...I have "seen the star", metaphorically speaking. But am I following it every day? Am I taking those actions I need to take in order to "find" the Savior? To become more Christ-like, a little more every day? Sadly, the answer is no. I need to work on that.
Another part of the Christmas story that I love is the angels who appeared to the shepherds...the singing. I like to think that I was there -- who knows, maybe they needed a pianist, because I certainly don't think my voice is fit for a heavenly choir! LOL But I like to think that I was there -- that I sang with joy at the Savior's birth.
Music is such an integral part of Christmas to me. So on this first day of December, my first gratitude of the Christmas season is music. I feel the Spirit more strongly through music, and find it easier to express my feelings through music than other ways. Feeling angry? Play something dark and stormy. Happy? Something light that moves quickly. Sad? Moonlight Sonata. Excited? Definitely fast and bouncy. I can't help but move and dance when I hear music. Music conveys thoughts, feelings, and emotions that I can't always easily put into words.
And so, to close this entry, I close with the words of those heavenly angels on that night so long ago -- which I am sure they were singing with all their might:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Monday, December 1, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
When it Rains...
Why yes, it has been raining here today!
This morning, my grandmother took all of the "grown up girls" and my two daughters and we went to the nail salon for pedicures. It was so much fun, and so relaxing! We had a good time. We won't talk about the fact that I really, really, really don't like the way my toes are painted (why did I let her talk me into a french manicure on my toes? I never like the way it looks) or the fact that she cut my toenails on my big toes too short and now they hurt. *Sigh* If I had known we were going to get pedicures this weekend, I wouldn't have cut my toenails a few days ago. LOL Doesn't it always go that way?
Then we went to lunch at Olive Garden. I love Olive Garden! Unfortunately, just after the salad and breadsticks arrived, Adorable (my sister's foster daughter) decided to throw up...all over poor A (the biggest germophobe you'll ever meet) and in my handbag (how do you clean a Coach fabric handbag???)...poor Adorable...and poor A and B, both of whom immediately freaked out and started crying and carrying on. Granted, it was all over A's clothing. Kohl's to the rescue! There is a Kohl's right there by Olive Garden so I ran her over there quickly to buy a pair of jeans and a shirt...and we found out that she can now wear Levi's in a size 0! Yea -- we might be almost done buying size 00 from a catalog!! Adorable is fine and I am sure A and B will recover from the trauma at some point in time. Although I'm pretty sure A may never have children of her own...ROTFLOL! As for my handbag, it will be no worse for the wear, I'm sure.
After that I went to the church to practice the music for our upcoming Christmas cantata at church. We're doing a cantata that I have loved for years and I am really, really excited about it. Just playing the music makes me happy and helps me feel the Christmas spirit. I enjoyed that.
Right now, DH and A are at a car dealership talking about pricing for a new car. Nothing is decided yet, although we definitely need a new (or newer) car and now is a good time to pursue that. I have discovered that my car insurance company has a car buying service with pre-negotiated prices, so no haggling is required. Gotta love that! Now to decide what kind of car...we're looking at a Honda and a Toyota. We looked into used cars but with the sales and incentives right now, a 3-4 year old car with under 50,000 miles is only about $2000 less than the same car, but new. And the new cars have, in general, better financing. The question is this: will the dealership be willing to come down on the price of the Honda? If not, then I think we'll go with the Toyota. Honestly, I will be perfectly happy with either of them. So DH is off dealing with them...I'll step in with my "contracting officer" skills if needed (since that's what I do for a living for the Government). But I'd really rather not have to deal with all of it. I'm happy to let DH do it. We'll see how it all turns out.
Yesterday we bought a new Christmas tree and I'm looking forward to setting it up and decorating the house. It will be interesting to see how Sadie, our puppy, reacts to the tree. Abby, our other dog, never bothers the tree or the gifts. I have a feeling that Sadie will be a bit of a challenge.
Christmas really is just around the corner!
This morning, my grandmother took all of the "grown up girls" and my two daughters and we went to the nail salon for pedicures. It was so much fun, and so relaxing! We had a good time. We won't talk about the fact that I really, really, really don't like the way my toes are painted (why did I let her talk me into a french manicure on my toes? I never like the way it looks) or the fact that she cut my toenails on my big toes too short and now they hurt. *Sigh* If I had known we were going to get pedicures this weekend, I wouldn't have cut my toenails a few days ago. LOL Doesn't it always go that way?
Then we went to lunch at Olive Garden. I love Olive Garden! Unfortunately, just after the salad and breadsticks arrived, Adorable (my sister's foster daughter) decided to throw up...all over poor A (the biggest germophobe you'll ever meet) and in my handbag (how do you clean a Coach fabric handbag???)...poor Adorable...and poor A and B, both of whom immediately freaked out and started crying and carrying on. Granted, it was all over A's clothing. Kohl's to the rescue! There is a Kohl's right there by Olive Garden so I ran her over there quickly to buy a pair of jeans and a shirt...and we found out that she can now wear Levi's in a size 0! Yea -- we might be almost done buying size 00 from a catalog!! Adorable is fine and I am sure A and B will recover from the trauma at some point in time. Although I'm pretty sure A may never have children of her own...ROTFLOL! As for my handbag, it will be no worse for the wear, I'm sure.
After that I went to the church to practice the music for our upcoming Christmas cantata at church. We're doing a cantata that I have loved for years and I am really, really excited about it. Just playing the music makes me happy and helps me feel the Christmas spirit. I enjoyed that.
Right now, DH and A are at a car dealership talking about pricing for a new car. Nothing is decided yet, although we definitely need a new (or newer) car and now is a good time to pursue that. I have discovered that my car insurance company has a car buying service with pre-negotiated prices, so no haggling is required. Gotta love that! Now to decide what kind of car...we're looking at a Honda and a Toyota. We looked into used cars but with the sales and incentives right now, a 3-4 year old car with under 50,000 miles is only about $2000 less than the same car, but new. And the new cars have, in general, better financing. The question is this: will the dealership be willing to come down on the price of the Honda? If not, then I think we'll go with the Toyota. Honestly, I will be perfectly happy with either of them. So DH is off dealing with them...I'll step in with my "contracting officer" skills if needed (since that's what I do for a living for the Government). But I'd really rather not have to deal with all of it. I'm happy to let DH do it. We'll see how it all turns out.
Yesterday we bought a new Christmas tree and I'm looking forward to setting it up and decorating the house. It will be interesting to see how Sadie, our puppy, reacts to the tree. Abby, our other dog, never bothers the tree or the gifts. I have a feeling that Sadie will be a bit of a challenge.
Christmas really is just around the corner!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Blessings
Thanskgiving has passed...It was a wonderful day. We were able to spend the day with my parents, grandparents, and two sisters and their families, and then my parents' neighbors came over for dinner. It was a full house -- lots of people, laughter, love...it was fun. And, of course, the food was fabulous. Our contribution to the meal was homemade dinner rolls, frozen cranberry salad (yummy!) and desserts (pumpkin pie, cherry pie, apple pie - all from the store, and a homemade pumpkin cheesecake). As always, there was way too much food. That's o.k. because I love Thanksgiving leftovers the day after Thanksgiving!
I have thought much about my blessings in the last few days...the times when I find myself feeling sorry for what I don't have, I am trying to remind myself to be grateful for what I do have -- a husband who doesn't mind cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms and does it willingly and without being asked...two daughters who are (usually) sweet, kind, helpful, and fun to be with...a loving, close knit family...a great job that I enjoy...a church calling that I have grown to love (wasn't so sure about it at first)...the joy of the gospel...a warm home (well, when the thermostat isn't set at "arctic chill", LOL)...friends...
And now it's on to Christmas. My Mom, sister M, and I braved the Black Friday crowds this morning at 5 a.m. Mom and M found everything they were looking for. I did not. Darn! We were only gone for 2 hours -- that's a Black Friday record for me. Everyone said the sales were going to be fabulous this year, but I just didn't find the items I wanted on sale, or else they weren't in stock. I did get DH a fabulous combined Christmas/anniversary gift so I'm excited about that. A and I went out a little while ago and bought a new Christmas tree, so it will be fun to get that set up and decorated. Later today the girls and I will go to the mall and browse and shop. They're fun to spend time with and they are both old enough now to truly understand and appreciate this special holiday. I'm looking forward to it.
I have much to be thankful for.
I have thought much about my blessings in the last few days...the times when I find myself feeling sorry for what I don't have, I am trying to remind myself to be grateful for what I do have -- a husband who doesn't mind cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms and does it willingly and without being asked...two daughters who are (usually) sweet, kind, helpful, and fun to be with...a loving, close knit family...a great job that I enjoy...a church calling that I have grown to love (wasn't so sure about it at first)...the joy of the gospel...a warm home (well, when the thermostat isn't set at "arctic chill", LOL)...friends...
And now it's on to Christmas. My Mom, sister M, and I braved the Black Friday crowds this morning at 5 a.m. Mom and M found everything they were looking for. I did not. Darn! We were only gone for 2 hours -- that's a Black Friday record for me. Everyone said the sales were going to be fabulous this year, but I just didn't find the items I wanted on sale, or else they weren't in stock. I did get DH a fabulous combined Christmas/anniversary gift so I'm excited about that. A and I went out a little while ago and bought a new Christmas tree, so it will be fun to get that set up and decorated. Later today the girls and I will go to the mall and browse and shop. They're fun to spend time with and they are both old enough now to truly understand and appreciate this special holiday. I'm looking forward to it.
I have much to be thankful for.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thanksgiving Week
Wow, Thanksgiving week is here! It seems like it was just Halloween...now Thanksgiving...and Christmas is just around the corner. (Or in front of the corner, if you look around at all of the decorations already up...Christmas music already playing 24/7 on the radio...and the fact that B had her Christmas piano recital last Saturday!)
This should be a wonderful, fun week. My Dad's parents are here and my sister M, her husband, and little Adorable (their foster daughter) arrive tomorrow. Please keep Adorable in your prayers as she has a stomach virus today and we really want her to feel better to fly down here tomorrow! And on that note, keep me in your prayers, too -- I haven't been feeling well at all today. Not an auspicious start to the week.
And of course, what Thanksgiving week would be complete without Black Friday? My favorite shopping day of the year! I know, some people think I'm crazy. But I love it.
Gratitudes for today:
-I taught all of the young women at church yesterday and it went really well.
-The fine for the speeding ticket isn't as bad as I expected.
-My job interview last week went really well (just waiting on the outcome).
-We get to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by family and way more food than we could ever eat.
-DH cleaned the kitchen (well, most of it) and the girls' bathroom. Yea!
This should be a wonderful, fun week. My Dad's parents are here and my sister M, her husband, and little Adorable (their foster daughter) arrive tomorrow. Please keep Adorable in your prayers as she has a stomach virus today and we really want her to feel better to fly down here tomorrow! And on that note, keep me in your prayers, too -- I haven't been feeling well at all today. Not an auspicious start to the week.
And of course, what Thanksgiving week would be complete without Black Friday? My favorite shopping day of the year! I know, some people think I'm crazy. But I love it.
Gratitudes for today:
-I taught all of the young women at church yesterday and it went really well.
-The fine for the speeding ticket isn't as bad as I expected.
-My job interview last week went really well (just waiting on the outcome).
-We get to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by family and way more food than we could ever eat.
-DH cleaned the kitchen (well, most of it) and the girls' bathroom. Yea!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
More Gratitudes...
Today I am grateful for:
*GPS navigation systems (I have a terrible sense of direction and would have been hopelessly lost on the way home from an out-of-town youth dance last night)
*The young women I work with at church are sweet, wonderful girls (who looked beautiful last night and demonstrated very good etiquette even though the food was gross)
*Sleep (more, please)
*Friends at church who willingly come spend hours helping giggly teenage girls get ready for a formal dance (we couldn't have done it without you!)
*Coca-Cola Classic (my "poison" of choice)
*Ibuprofen (why yes, I do have a headache right now)
*A husband who didn't kill me when I told him about the speeding ticket I got last night (of course, I told him at 1 a.m. so he might not have been fully conscious or coherent...)
*GPS navigation systems (I have a terrible sense of direction and would have been hopelessly lost on the way home from an out-of-town youth dance last night)
*The young women I work with at church are sweet, wonderful girls (who looked beautiful last night and demonstrated very good etiquette even though the food was gross)
*Sleep (more, please)
*Friends at church who willingly come spend hours helping giggly teenage girls get ready for a formal dance (we couldn't have done it without you!)
*Coca-Cola Classic (my "poison" of choice)
*Ibuprofen (why yes, I do have a headache right now)
*A husband who didn't kill me when I told him about the speeding ticket I got last night (of course, I told him at 1 a.m. so he might not have been fully conscious or coherent...)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Gratitudes....
We all know gratitude is not something that should be reserved for one day each year (Thanksgiving). Or even one month each year (November). But somehow I seem to find myself more aware this time of year of my blessings and things I often take for granted.
Particularly in light of my recent bout of "baby blues" (still not over that but making progress, thanks for asking...and if you happen to come across a mother who wants to give us a baby, we certainly wouldn't say no!)...I know that one of the best ways, at least for me, to get over a case of "the blues" is to focus on others instead of myself and to remember all of the many things for which I am grateful.
So today, I am grateful for:
*A husband who kills spiders
*A daughter who enjoys cooking (more than I do)
*A daughter who likes to have "I love you more" contests with me (I always win -- it's pretty hard to one-up "I gave birth to you so I love you more!" LOL)
*Cars that run and are paid off (especially since we know we'll have to replace at least one of them in the next few months...ugh)
*Three wonderful sisters, a great brother, and two fabulous parents
*Three great brothers-in-law, three handsome and sweet nephews, two adorable and sweet nieces, and one adorable and sweet niece-to-be (we're hoping and praying)
*Incredible friends who put up with me
Particularly in light of my recent bout of "baby blues" (still not over that but making progress, thanks for asking...and if you happen to come across a mother who wants to give us a baby, we certainly wouldn't say no!)...I know that one of the best ways, at least for me, to get over a case of "the blues" is to focus on others instead of myself and to remember all of the many things for which I am grateful.
So today, I am grateful for:
*A husband who kills spiders
*A daughter who enjoys cooking (more than I do)
*A daughter who likes to have "I love you more" contests with me (I always win -- it's pretty hard to one-up "I gave birth to you so I love you more!" LOL)
*Cars that run and are paid off (especially since we know we'll have to replace at least one of them in the next few months...ugh)
*Three wonderful sisters, a great brother, and two fabulous parents
*Three great brothers-in-law, three handsome and sweet nephews, two adorable and sweet nieces, and one adorable and sweet niece-to-be (we're hoping and praying)
*Incredible friends who put up with me
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A Sports Family
After giving birth to two girls, I never expected to be a "sports mom." Sure, I married a man who, at the time, was a PE teacher and who now coaches two high school sports and who was voted "Mr. Athlete" at his high school and played college basketball...and I figured I could be a "coach's wife" (turns out I'm not a very good one)...but never thought I would be a "sports mom."
Guess what? I'm a sports mom. I can't call myself a "soccer mom" because one of the girls plays soccer and the other plays softball.
My girls did dance and gymnastics when they were younger, and just in the last year or two both have had to give up dance and gymnastics in favor of their chosen sports. Truth be told, I really miss the beautiful recital costumes and always looked forward to the recitals. I love so dance so much that I am taking classes as an adult.
So a dance mom? I could do that. I figured I would be doing that until both girls were a lot older.
Instead, I'm learning about stealing bases, base runners, change-ups, the "third strike rule" if the catcher doesn't catch the ball, off sides, goal kicks, corner kicks, and strikers/sweepers/keepers.
We spend a lot of time running to and from practice and games. We are just finishing B's soccer season next weekend, and A's travel softball season is just starting. DH is in the beginning of high school basketball season. We find ourselves splitting time between the girls' sporting events (I've got B's soccer this weekend, he has A's softball tournament).
And you know what?
I love it. I was never an athlete myself. Never will be. But my girls are. I love it.
Guess what? I'm a sports mom. I can't call myself a "soccer mom" because one of the girls plays soccer and the other plays softball.
My girls did dance and gymnastics when they were younger, and just in the last year or two both have had to give up dance and gymnastics in favor of their chosen sports. Truth be told, I really miss the beautiful recital costumes and always looked forward to the recitals. I love so dance so much that I am taking classes as an adult.
So a dance mom? I could do that. I figured I would be doing that until both girls were a lot older.
Instead, I'm learning about stealing bases, base runners, change-ups, the "third strike rule" if the catcher doesn't catch the ball, off sides, goal kicks, corner kicks, and strikers/sweepers/keepers.
We spend a lot of time running to and from practice and games. We are just finishing B's soccer season next weekend, and A's travel softball season is just starting. DH is in the beginning of high school basketball season. We find ourselves splitting time between the girls' sporting events (I've got B's soccer this weekend, he has A's softball tournament).
And you know what?
I love it. I was never an athlete myself. Never will be. But my girls are. I love it.
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