Family time

So I'm home from church feeling pretty cruddy today, healthwise.  Have been feeling progressively so all week with feverish chills and the morning sore throat, but then I know what's coming as Brandon is at the end of the same thing.

Despite this, it's been a good week.  I've just had a lot of moments.  Good moments with the kids.  Meaningful discussions.  Surprise service from different family members.  The things that make you smile inside.

Friday morning was Catherine's district spelling bee competition that she went to with 3 others from her school.  Because there were maybe 150 kids, 4th-8th grade, that progressed to this point, they had all of the kids do a 50 word written test first.  Only the 25-30 top scores participated in the oral portion.  I ran down after work to be there for the announcement of these top scorers.  Although she had worked hard studying, Catherine didn't make it, but we enjoyed having some one on one time afterwards.  Made better with french fries and a hot fudge sundae.

Friday evening Brandon and I went to the 60th birthday party of my choir buddy, Sarah Chatterly.  It was a done up affair at our neighborhood clubhouse with dinner.  It was very personalized with everyone getting to share memories and sweet talent displays by the grandkids.  The most touching part, though, was done by her husband Larry.  He wasn't able to attend as he had a detached retina and had doctor's orders to stay laying down.  His kids, however, had recorded him singing a song for his wife which they played for her over the sound system.  I don't know the name, but it's one all could sing along with...ends 'But I...can't...stop....falling in love with you'. Although the voice wasn't polished and there was some cracking on the high notes, I couldn't help but tear up.

Saturday we decided to do a family day.  The kids got off the hook for MOST of their Saturday chores (the bathrooms just have to be done...I can't let them go ;).  First we went to the Movie Tavern for lunch and a movie.  The Lego Movie started out slow, I thought, but built momentum and ended strong.  The kids were cracking up and now have a new stock of quotes to quote in the coming weeks (the last month has been dominated by the random phrase 'cause...I'm Batman' from Sean. Which I've enjoyed, but wouldn't mind a little variety).  Afterwards we went ice skating at our local, seasonal outdoor rink, 'The Pond'.  There were some sore ankles, but overall was a treat.  After a few times around holding the sides, the whole family finally got comfortable enough to skate on their own.  I even got to hear the phrase, 'Mom, how come you are so good?!'.  Ha ha.  They were actually being serious, but I think 'good' is very relative here.  The strangest thing to see as a parent were some teenage girls hitting on Sean as he skated.  Not ready for that yet.  

Of course, that evening, we had to get some Olympics in.  

All in all, I'm just glad to have time to hang, work, chat, discuss, grow, and laugh with my  family. That's the good stuff.

Christmas

Merry Christmas!

We sung, we laughed, we played, we baked, we acted, we gave, we received

(and these pictures are the only remaining proof of it all)

Ah, well.

Photo shoot after the nativity.  Catherine asked to be in charge this year instead of Milla, and Milla generously agreed. Here we have the Shepherd/Angel/Kings (Rin), Mary (Milla), Joseph (Thomas), Narrarator (Sean), and Sheep (Henry)

Brandon picking out his Nochebuena gift under our wild tree.  This year we found a tree farm that ended up being a guys property that happened to have a bunch of pines on it.  With a sign out front.  I've always liked forest trees, though, and everyone was a good sport in picking a tree out despite the fact that the tree choices were neither 'full' nor 'green' (according to Rin).   And after paying nearly $200 last year, I was happy with our 11 feet for $30.

Henry immediately knew what to do with his gift

And last but not least, the families reaction to receiving HeroQuest (that the Uffenorde's tracked down for us on Ebay...Thanks!)  FYI A childhood game of Brandon's that the kids LOVED, but 2 years ago was in such a state of destruction, Mama tossed it.  And has never lived it down.

Pavlovian

Pavlovian: the word that landed Catherine 2nd place at her school spelling bee this month.

This is the first time that I remember attending a school spelling bee and I was soo nervous.  With each child that got up to the microphone, I would think each letter in my head, willing them to be said.  All the kids were awesome, but still there were a few tears of nervousness and disappointment.

When it was down to five students, Catherine began the round with 'bodega', and missed one of the vowels so sat down with her class.  Then three of the next 4 kids proceeded to miss their words as well.  3+1 alternate would be able to progress to the district spelling bee in February.  So after congratulating the winner (the girl standing by Rin below), the other 4 got back up to compete for the other 3 spots.

The final 4 with Principal Wynn (and not sure who the lady is...)

The only other words that I remember her spelling were 'obsidian', 'chicle' and 'chimney'.  She was so cute because she would get up to the mike all composed, spell her word, sit back down, and then look at me with the biggest excited smile and double thumbs up.  As a parent it was so sweet to see a child feel success for something she studied really hard for.

I Believe

This morning we had our ward Christmas Party...always a lot of fun here in Colorado.  Some very creative people willing to plan, dress up and have fun with the theme.  This year was 'Polar Express'.  We followed railroad tracks on the way in where the kids got train tickets (and they took down our name so later they could call a few families at a time to see santa instead of waiting in an insanely long line. Nice).  After brunch the conductor...our snake man (his basement is full of them and they often make appearances on different occasions) Brother Struhs...led the program with different musical numbers interspersed with a reading of the Polar Express.  Beginning with little Heidi Struhs rendition of 'I want a Hippopotomus for Christmas', in the middle getting a whirlwind delivery of hot chocolate from the YM and YW during 'Hot, hot chocolate', and ending with an 'I Believe in Christ' number by our bishop. And, of course, Santa got his appearance at the end.

It was a really fun time.  Nice all of the kids got to participate in one way or another.  Everyone is making friends and beginning to feel comfortable here.  Good to feel like we are at home.

The girls and I made this table decor (along with a blue version) to use for centerpiece decorations at the party.  I enjoyed just sitting down for a few minutes and 'hanging' with Milla and Rin.

I blame my camera phone, but this was the best shot I got of Sean in his cap doling out cocoa.  Perhaps you can imagine them whizzing by with great speed as they do their work.  Not unlike Santa, I suppose.

Milla adding marshmallows to the cups

Catherine took part in a chime choir (chime hidden by the girl in front of her) that welcomed us to the 'North Pole'

Look! One of my children NOT crying on Santa's lap! 

My beautiful Rin waiting to put in her wish for a Guinea Pig to Santa.  She has been good this year...

And lastly, is it just me or does the missionary dress code seem to be getting a little lax?

"Hey you! Hug!"

Or perhaps he is saying, "Save me from that monster dog that keeps trying to eat my nose!"

Actually this reminded me of a visit I recently had to see a friend who had just had a baby.  We chatted for a little while and then I got up to leave.  I was not 4 feet out the door when I hear a little (but BIG) voice say, 'Hey, you!'.  I turn to see my friend's little 3 year old looking at me, his arms outstretched and his deep brown, sweet Laotian eyes demanding. 'KISS', he says.  'KISS'.  So I go to him and he lands a big smacker right on my lips.  Hee hee.  What a cutie.

Ahhh.  Well we did get a good storm through last week.  Not our first storm of the season, but it certainly brought the cold.  Brandon's 20 min commute turned into an hour long one that day.  But the rest of us enjoyed it.

 Here are a few shots of the kids at play:

Henry would run out to be with the kids, then would get snowballed a few times and beg to go back inside.  Two minutes later he'd be whining to go out again.  Too bad his lack of opposable thumbs makes it hard to get revenge...

Little self-portrait with a new friend

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

One of my favorite holidays.  I love just being with my family and cooking and eating.  All good.

I am grateful for my husband who puts in all he has to our marriage.

  I am grateful for my kids who have such loving hearts.

I am grateful to God for His peace and love and patience and constant reaffirmation that He is there and that there is purpose to our time here on earth.

I am grateful when I feel love and understanding dissolve feelings of judgment and fear.

I am grateful for hope.

We made and ate dinner today with just the 6 six of us.  I could tell I was getting a little overstimulated at times as I was trying to prep the turkey and such and was being called on every 30 seconds by another child needing help interpreting instructions for what they were working on.  But I found my quiet place ;) ....in my head... and enjoyed the time with the kids.  With only one disaster (Sean lost hold of the key lime pie he was holding...darn bendy disposable pie tins... and it hit the floor with a satisfying thud and spewed it's contents across half of the kitchen), we declared the feast a success. 

Dressed for the occasion with my girls

The beginning of feasting...Rin was giving me a contorted stink face until I finally told her she looked constipated.  That brought out the smile. :)

 Perhaps those of you who are more observant than most, noticed that, although the plates are clean, it looks as if there are already some of the yams and stuffed mushrooms missing.  And you might have thought that odd.  Well done!  Although we ate alone, we did pack up some of our dinner to take to a friend.  Our La Grande YW president, Sandy Nelson, is down here in Aurora with her parents and most of her siblings.  Her father had a live liver transplant at the U of Colorado hospital a week or two ago, the liver being donated by her brother-in-law.  They have rented an apartment for a couple of months, as dad has to stick around until the doctors feel confident that he is accepting the liver.  As of today, both patients are 'home'(at the apartment) and looking good, but not getting around much.  It was fun to chat with Sandy's mom who, as coincidence would have it, home teaches (with her husband of course) Brandon's Aunt Irene and Uncle Jim back in Boise.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Something burning?

My kids, especially Sean, love to tease me about burning dinner.  Not that I do it THAT much, but apparently enough.  I just am so easily distracted.  Oh look! Squirrel! (family joke)

Anyhow.

Last week Brandon and I arrived home to the smell of burning.  Something.  We rounded the corner to the living room to see Catherine laying on our new(ish) couch pillow propped up against the gas fireplace, reading.  Oblivious to the fact that the pillow was charring beneath...

The pillow insert.  The outside is a thicker fabric and must be partially synthetic as it more matted and melted.  Actually didn't look too bad.  But seeing the inside was a little scary.

Yes, we have previously instructed our children NOT to put the pillows on the (dog hair covered) ground and yes, we have instructed our kids to lay outside the tile area when enjoying the fireplace.  Sometimes the best lessons are learned when your hair is on fire. Or nearly.  Good opportunity to more effectively teach the children that fire behind glass is still fire.  And still hot.