What I'll miss....

Today while taking the Christmas tree down...Bradley whimpered,

"Mama....when you take the "dwithmath twee" down it makes me feel sad!"

It was sad for me too.....realizing how fast the season had flown by.... thinking back on all of the fun, little things that we were able to experience together. It's this time of year that I get most excited about....yet it seems to go faster than any other time of the year. It just isn't fair.

Following are a few snippets of things that I LOVED about this season.....

The excitement that was constantly in the air.
There was even more giggling, wrestling, dancing and singing to the music, and pent up energy.

I will miss Christmas programs, bake sales, picking out the "perfect" performance outfit for Karah, helping dress the kids for their big night...Seeing her first big girl debut.....holding her own hand when it was time to be on her own.I will miss dinner's out - when I had been too busy shopping to worry about cooking.

I will miss having Grandma A in town for the holidays....teaching Karah how to make her famous stuffed french toast!

I will miss mall nights with the kids....and shopping for our Angel Tree children.

I will miss cold nights out with Tommy T - when I didn't have the time or energy to fix my hair or put makeup on - because I had been running crazy.....only to have him tell me I'm beautiful.
I love that Tommy T.

I will miss blaring Christmas music on the back deck - and having neighborhood kids dance with each other...only to stop when they think they have spotted a sleigh in the sky.

I will miss seeing the initial awe in their eyes as they saw my new hot chocolate maker in action. It kicks....by the way. On sale now at Williams Sonoma!!! Hurry! Run!

I will miss shopping amid the lights with Christmas music playing at the mall.

I will miss decorating for the holidays....and decorating....and decorating.

I will miss Christmas Eve manicotti.....new jammies....and recounting the story of Christ's birth...as the kids hang the nativity ornaments on the tree.

I will miss watching the kids put out food for the reindeer.....and cookies and milk for Santa.
I will SO miss singing bare butt Christmas Carols around the piano.

And I will miss Christmas morning - being awakened by excited children, just as the sun is rising.....seeing the magic in their faces.....the belief in their eyes....and finding out that Santa really DID listen.And the Elf....Frosty. HOW I will miss him!!! He came the day after Thanksgiving. Santa sent him. He came to our house to keep an eye on the kids and report their good/naughty deeds each night. After the kids would go to bed - he would magically return to the north pole to report - always returning by sunrise. He would pick a new spot each time he came back and the kids would have to find him. They never touched him because they knew that he would lose his magical powers if it happened. Santa came and picked him up on his sleigh on Christmas Eve. He won't be back until next year. We will miss him so much - and the impeccable behavior his presence caused :)And needless to say, I will miss holiday cooking and baking! Do you see that Chocolate Mousse cake on my chin and the Christmas morning "pecan french toast" on my chubby cheeks???

Back to the gym we go!!!!
Like I said.....I will SO miss Christmas!

Draw Nearer

Little Bear Cubs,
I usually try to write to you about something uplifting and encouraging....but tonight....a letter of chastisement is in line. The subject: Technology.

You were both very good this year and Santa granted each of your requests for a Nintendo DS Santa was brave sending gaming equipment into a home that has been so "anti-gaming-for the kids". Santa envisioned you playing this for a limited amount of time each day - and taking them on road trips.....rendering the car silent for hours on end.

It seems that there have been a few unanticipated side effects of this gift he chose to give. Tonight as we gathered around the dinner table, I had to REMOVE them from the death grip of your little hands so you could fold your arms and say prayers. When Daddy returned from the gym tonight, you didn't run to greet him like you always do. It was the first time - ever - that you haven't run to him. He was so sad. When it was time to go visit grandma - you didn't want to go because you would have to leave your games behind. When it was time to go to bed - you didn't WANT to go - because you would have to wait nine hours to hold it again.

Santa must have been a little confused. Maybe he thought that you would be able to balance things a little better....that you would exercise moderation and prudence.....he must have forgotten that you are 4 and 6. Santa ALSO forgot to include the disclaimer in his package:

"ATTENTION....all children/adults who use this hand held gaming system to the neglect of family relationships will be punished by having said equipment smashed in 100 pieces....located in the driveway under a minivan tire."

Maybe Santa gave you this gift to teach your mom and dad how to set boundaries for this type of thing....so we could teach you how to LOVE something without letting it CONTROL you. Maybe he has given us the chance to teach you about balance and moderation.....teaching you how to have technology without leaving your walkie talkies, bikes, and bug catchers behind....

I don't want to go postal and destroy your DS's.
Sooooo....here is a new word for you......
"limitations". You will become well acquainted in the morning. You may resent me for it......but I will make sure you never miss running to your Daddy again. Not for a game.....not for TV.....not for any of these things that are of limited worth.

It's a hard thing being a parent....introducing "fun" things out of love - at the risk of them creeping in on the relationships that hinge on that love. Our family comes first....we have to keep it that way.

Mario, Luigi, the Sims and Nintendogs can wait their turn. Family First.
I love you so.

Hope you understand.....
The Mama Bear

Taunting the police.

I had the BEST date night with Karah tonight. The best. We went to dinner at the gas station.....not what you're thinking (hot dogs and pre-fabbed bologna sandwiches). This was a "market" that happens to sell gas outside. Sells high end groceries, has a grill, salad bar, GELLATO!!!!

We headed to the mall for some last minute Christmas shopping - and while wandering through the Men's Department - she hit her sugar high from her Apple Turnover. She started chasing after me and poking me in the butt (hole vicinity) yelling "Stingray!"

I eventually warded her off.....amidst the dirty looks from the unamused. I decided to take out a second mortgage and pay Dillards to wrap everything we bought. While waiting at the gift wrap counter, I noticed that one of the gift wrappers was wearing a gun, badge and a walkie talkie.

I said, "Wow. This is the first time my gift wrapper has been armed." We started talking and somehow he posed the question to me and his fellow gift wrappers, "Is it better to have money or love?"

He said it was better to have money because it makes you happy with everything. If you have love - you are only happy with ONE thing.

I interrupted, one of my talents, and said ,"It is better to have love - because it makes you feel happy about everything else...."

He said, "No, No.....no love.....just the money!"

I then remarked...."Sounds like the Po-Po's a little bitter."
His gift wrapping posse died laughing with approving nods - like they were all well aware of his "issues".

He later asked Karah what she wanted from Santa to which she replied, "I dont know." He said "How is that possible that a 6 year old doesn't remember what they want?" I was quick to asnwer, "Because she has love. The rest doesn't matter."

He walked us to our car - since we were weighed down with packages - and it was pitch black outside. Tom says that he was just wanting to get our tag number so he could stalk us tonight.

We then went to walmart for the after hours freak show. Walmart never lets me down. If I worked for walmart advertising, I would call for an ad overhaul. Instead of having the Caucasian, Asian, African Amercian, Indian (both with a dot AND a feather), handicapped, and Latino children.....all on the front cover of the circular.......I would propose that they put the CUSTOMERS on.

It would be complete with the geriatric- clipping someones heels with their cart.......the teenager in a lime green Santa suit, the guy with the creepy eyes who tells you he likes your hair, the angry person on the scooter - whose battery died on aisle 8.......the push up bra chick.....who ironically only chooses item on the BOTTOM shelf......the stock boy - who is really a 50 year old man - who asks you twelve times if you are finding everything alright....in their manliest voice.....the put-out.....who constantly huff and puff as they roll down the aisles......and don't forget ME!.....the irresponsible parent who drags their elementary school aged child to the store in the middle of the night....

I saw Matt and Stacie at Walmart tonight - and while we were talking, I heard the NASTIEST hack sneeze- that reverberated through the entire store. Karah said "WHAT WAS THAT???" to which I responded...."THAT was a NASTY MAN hack sneezing!" Stacie started shaking her head "No" and looking behind me. Who was there? A tiny little old woman. The hacker.

Of course she also checked out behind us in line.

Karah and I laughed and laughed tonight. I had more fun with her that I could have had with anyone else.....minus Stingray, of course.

Is it better to give or receive???

It is not often that in one day - you get to experience being on both the delivering and receiving end of an awkward moment.

Today, as homeroom mom for Karah's class, I put on their holiday party. We had broken into groups and had different "centers" - scarf making, snow-lympics, and caroling.

We took the kids through the halls of the school and caroled other class parties and the principals office. The kids LOVED it. I, however, felt extremely awkward standing there singing - with little kids and adults staring back at me. Do I look away? Do I stare at their noses and pretend I have eye contact? Do I hide behind the door and ditch the kids? "Why is caroling so awkward?", I wondered inwardly?

Well.....the pondering didn't end there. A few minutes ago there was a knock at the door. Huge group of kids standing outside. They requested everyone come to the front door. Mark and Maren were visiting ( dropping off their delicious bread and one other item I wont name because nobody else got it but me and I don't want to hurt any one's feelings.....) - and Maren got to join in the caroling show.

I was expecting some low budget version of "Jingle Bells" - and it soon became evident that these weren't your average carolers. They were from the High School's "best choir", whatever that is called. Not only were they singing....they were lunging with every Ding Dong, shoulders pulsating, bodies swaying......Accentuating the ding dongs with their body movements.......wow.

"Hark Silver Bells, Sweet silver Bells......
DING DONG DING DONG!"

Wow. They sounded incredible.....but wow. awkward. The SAME questions entered my mind. "Do I look away? Do I keep eye contact?" "Are my eyes twitching?" "Why are they not blinking when they sing?" "Can I run and get my camera or would that be rude?" "They still haven't blinked!" "I want to look away! I CAN'T LOOK AWAY!!!!!!!"

I opted to stick the song out - choosing to use the "look at their noses" trick. When they left, I grabbed my camera, barefooted and ran through the yards, freezing cold, to capture their faces singing, so you could all FULLY IDENTIFY with what I was feeling. (and yes, I know my feet are nasty and I need a pedicure......(Santa???).

I scored! Got their pictures....got to endure another song (because they knew I was chasing them to hear another song)....except this time I was the ONLY one in their audience. Ultimate awkward. This time I opted to keep the camera against my face.

The best bonus? Dog crap on my feet from running through the yards. HAD to be from Gunther.

Anyone else find this experience beautifully awkward? Not the poo - the eye contact thing......
(p.s. I mean NO disrespect...they really were AWESOME singers)

Not in my job description....

You may have seen the emails that circulate which list the many jobs of a mother.

"I'm a cook, chauffeur, nurse, librarian....you get the picture.

Have you ever noticed that "underwear sniffer" is never listed?

I was cleaning Bradley's room with him today - rummaging through the pile of clothes

(some of which were dumped out of a fresh laundry basket - and others were dirty clothes discarded in the same area).

I found myself doing something I have done on countless occasions....sniffing to determine whether clean or dirty.

Had a light bulb moment......I am college educated....and even if I was a Junior High dropout - I don't think mothers should have to do this! Not in the job description.

I will WASH poo out of underwear....but I will NOT smell poo in underwear!

IT ENDS TODAY! NO MORE! I'M BETTER THAN THIS!

Tom asks "Why don't you just throw it ALL back in the dirty clothes?"

He obviously doesn't get it. There is something inherently WRONG about excessive laundry.

If I am, errrr.... WAS, willing to sniff dirty underwear just to avoid extra laundry - does that not paint a CLEAR picture of how badly I don't want to re-wash something??????

So - back to the light bulb. Why not have Bradley sniff his own underwear?

A few times of this and he might start putting his dirty clothes in his hamper!!!

He found a few "cleans"....

And some so fresh he wanted them on his head.

Sadly - he found even more dirties....(the hulks are always dirty...in fact - I think The Hulk wears dirty underwear, himself.)

He even went on to check a pair of Karah's that he found in his room.

I have to admit the thought DID enter my mind to have him check a few of Tommy T's while he was at it...but lucky for him Courtney told me that would qualify as abuse.

Am I alone in this? Have any of YOU been guilty of sniffing to save yourself extra laundry? If you are out there.....FREE YOURSELVES!!!! MAKE YOUR KIDS (HUSBAND) DO IT!

Draw Nearer

Little Bear Cubs,

The other night I got to hear a missionary speak - who had just returned from Africa. He showed pictures of the homes that people lived in. They were tiny little shacks...much smaller than our living room.

He then showed pictures of the people that lived in them....

They were all smiling....and happy....and perfectly content with what they had.....grateful, even. How vast of a difference.....from those who have nothing and are happy......to those of us who have "everything" but still find room for "want".

During this time of year, as we are preparing for the celebration of the birth of our Lord.....I think it is ever important to make gratitude the central theme. Gratitude needs to push out the greed and selfishness that often takes center stage. It seems we celebrate Thanksgiving - give our quick thanks - and then rush right into making our lists of what we "want".

What if we were to carry over the season of gratitude - into the celebration of the birth of Christ. Is there a season to feel more grateful? The season in which we celebrate the fact that Heavenly Father gave us the perfect gift? A sinless son. A perfect sacrifice for our imperfectness. A way back to Him?

You each know that I LOVE to give you gifts. I love the excitement - the decorations - the smells of baked goodies filling our home - the music - the anticipation. I DO love this all.

What I am trying to say - is it is MY Christmas wish this year that we recognize that all of these things are BLESSINGS....not an entitlement.

Someone once said, "Wanting less is a greater blessing than having more."

I pray that each of you can find contentment in life....that want will never be at your door....that whatever state you are in - you will be able to find peace and joy there. That you won't be one of those who is constantly searching for "bigger, better, faster".

.....That you will have a well within.....overflowing with a confidence in knowing WHO you are....and WHAT is important in life.....with the ability to let the rest go.

If I could wrap this up - and put it under the tree, I would. But for now.......I will just have to plant it in your hearts and pray that with time....and nurturing...and lots of love.....these feelings will become your own someday....these simple truths rooted in your hearts.

I love you more than the sights and sounds of Christmas (and that's a lot)

The Mama Bear

Dogumentary

I recently had the honor of attending my first dog show, which Courtney was participating in. No, she isn't a dog - she is what the "industry" refer to as....a handler. She "handles" the dogs. Before I forget to mention - she and her dog "Georgie" won 3rd place ...

and her friend Diane took 2nd place...- even though Courtney tried to sabotage her with sudden movements and a hidden dog whistle....."Zelda" the pup was victorious.

They are both female black poodles....which technically makes them both eligible to be called a "black bitch". (though I quickly found that this isn't socially acceptable to yell out "GO BLACK BITCH!" at a dog show...these people have NO sense of humor)

For instance....THIS man covered his mouth and gasped when I told him I bought MY Yorkie from a geriatric in a trailer park.....and that I shave my dog's hair.

Following is a "dogumentary".

A collection of the pups I discovered. Some were more friendly than others....

as demonstrated by this french kiss. The most dangerous part of my day was when I told the owner of this pup - that it looked like the dog on "Annie". She almost took the clippers to my jugular.

There were "upper class" dogs.... And there were lower class dogs....(the ones who ate poo)

And the dogs from the hood......

But the fancy ones weren't too stuck up to show their junk. There were upper class handlers.... And lower class handlers (the ones who threatened to slit their dogs throats if they didn't win) This particular man booed his own handicapped wife and she limped around the ring with her service dog. He is what the industry refers to as an "A-hole"). There were dogs with sad eyes...... And dogs with no eyes.There were dogs with two ponytails....

And there were dogs with two heads. There were even dogs who looked JUST like their owners (see legs)

But at the end of the day.....after they receive the ribbons and plaques....they were no different than the pups you and I have at home.....

They are all a bunch of crotch sniffahs!

P.S. - If you are at a dog show - ALWAYS assume the dessert is for the dogs. Apparently some people didn't....