Give Me Gingerbread, Or Give Me Death

Really I should be working on the Christmas feast right now, or working on the ghastly toilets (for the guest's sake!). But instead, we are taking pictures and blogging. I don't think that the excitement level in our home can get much higher today. How fun is Christmas with little children in the house? All I know is that I could burn in Hell for all the lies I've been spinning lately about flying reindeer, elves, and the like. Either way, whoa! I am excited.

Merry Christmas!

Very Merry Happy-Snappy Holly Jolly Bright

• 09:57 Already calendaring June and July. It is already mostly booked. What is happening to my life??? #

• 08:34 Excited today to hear news on the impending birth of my new niece today. Happy Birthday Little One!!! #
• 14:58 Yum. Gingerbread. #
• 18:04 Green eggs (no ham) for dinner. The idea was genius. #

• 09:41 Watching Aaron patiently allow the boys to "help" him in bleeding the brakes. Seriously impressed. I would have booted them all by now. #
• 09:42 There's nothing I love more than a refrigerator stocked with a beautiful array of fresh fruits and vegetables. Really, it is gorgeous!!! #

• 15:09 Feel absolutely paralyzed by so much to do. Just really want to eat chocolate instead. #

They Get So Big, So Fast

Baby boy, you are simply delicious right now. Please don't turn two anytime soon...

• 22:03 Staying up waaaaay too late. Go to bed! #
• 22:18 And eating too much... #

• 12:03 80 what? Where is cold, crisp November? We practically melted at the Veteran's Day parade today. #
• 12:05 And yet another sign that we are getting very, very old: Aaron and I both choked up at seeing the flag and veterans walking in the parade. #
• 12:06 What is next? Lawrence Welk? #

• 08:25 TGIF!!! Hooray! #
• 13:53 Going shopping!!! #

• 15:27 What a gorgeous day! Apparently putting those summer clothes into storage was a bit hasty. #

• 20:58 It must be late. I am toggling websites about cloth diapering and feeling very much convinced. Should I do it? #
• 20:59 p.s. thanks to all for the recommendation about don'tjudgemyhair.com. Laughing out loud right now. #

• 06:01 November already? #
• 06:02 The delight of daylight savings time is no longer when you have children. They now just wake at 5:30 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m. #

Seemed Appropriate

I was a witch, obviously.



Aaron was Elvis.


Due to the fact that we missed the picture opportunity this year with Aaron, I am showing, for your viewing pleasure tonight, a picture of Aaron getting ready for "trek" in 2008. In this picture you might notice him sporting a healthy beard--the singular object that brought all romantic notions to a screeching halt in our home that summer. Clearly, I would not have done well as one of Brigham's wives, but I digress. Enjoy!

Fast Sunday on Halloween?

They started out as pretty cute pirates but, to my chagrin, ended up stripping much of their costumes and walking around the ward's trunk or treat looking like the tattered little orphan boys who's mommy was too tired (or too broke) to dress them for Halloween. I hope this doesn't mean that I will be getting more* hand-me-downs doorbell ditched in the coming weeks.

Despite the wardrobe malfunctions, however, I think they had a marvelous time. And we almost got away without even picking up candy (the boys seemed happy enough just to hand it out and watch the endless parade.) But the inner-Mommy inside of me finally prevailed so we traipsed around to a few cars and drove home appropriately sticky and tired after the night's festivities.

Little do they know, that I have already corralled all their loot, sorted it, trashed some, and tucked the rest of it away until, in the coming months, we need a three-in-the-afternoon-pick-me-up. Either that, or a bribe.

*I seem to attract the charitable gaze of many a person who is looking to get rid of children's clothing. Seriously, people give me stuff, at least, every couple of months. I am not complaining, mind you. Really, it is very kind of them. All I am saying is that it is starting to give me a complex.

• 10:11 Caught ASH eating out of the garbage. #
• 10:14 Finally turned the heater on today. The smell makes me want to bake, make soup, and snuggle down with a book. #
• 10:32 In an attempt to be frugal, made my own cheese crackers yesterday. Took, maybe, 10 minutes to put together and the results were heavenly. #
• 20:17 Dear visiting teachers, home teachers, neighbors, and anonymous holiday zealots: I love you all, but please stop bringing by treats. Really. #

• 07:37 Fevers again today. Hate to admit it, but it is such a nice break to have a quiet, complacent, five-year-old. #

Food Storage for Lovers

My oldest baby is sick today with a fever. It made for a nice mellow day at home and I am finally taking a breath after another crazy few weeks. I even took a nap today. (The miracles will never cease!) I got a new calling this past week that sent me rummaging, in a brief emotional moment of stress, for chocolate throughout the house: Young Women's President. And I have been canning again (thanks to my great friend).

The bad news of the month is that I haven't really made a lot of progress in the weight loss department (currently at 168 lbs and holding), but the good news is that I haven't made any gains, either. And I am learning so much--about myself, about food, and about self-control in general.

I think why this month has been harder is because I am trying to tighten up the self-control muscles in multiple areas of my life. I am trying to learn to eat consistently, well (ie not wasting time eating gross food, emphasizing whole-grains, fruit, vegetables, etc), and with gratitude for it.

I am also trying to become stronger, physically. This involves breaking down years of mind barriers (I'm not that kind of person...) in addition to just plain getting up earlier than the children to exercise.

Then there is the budget. Without divulging too many boring details, we have enacted a tighter stance. And though there is money that could be spent, we are trying not to spend it.

Not to mention the fervent desires of my heart for meditation, scriptures and prayer. They go without saying and, always for me, take discipline and constant attention.

Mix it all together and I am running out of indulgences, frankly. I cannot (or will not) eat mounds of cookie dough. I am not wantonly purchasing to my heart's content, and I am trying to be frugal even in the necessities. The advent of motherhood has effectively relegated personal exercise and spiritual enlightenment to the early morning hours. And the list goes on and on.

Where can a girl catch a break?

Finally, though, in the interest of complete disclosure, I am not tearing it up in any of the above categories. Really, I am not. But there is so much satisfaction and power in the attempting--in the striving. And I can feel my heart changing.

• 20:45 Turbo scrabble, anyone? #
• 21:45 Ok, fine. I ate half of the pan of apple crisp today. There. I said it. (I really need some professional help, obviously.) #

• 19:34 Enjoyed myself at the Witches Tea Party, now I'm off to the Stake Dance. I can almost hear "Lady in Red" as we speak. Wish me luck! #