My kids have been scripting their Christmas list in their minds since last MARCH. I've known that they would change their minds a million times, so I've found it quite irritable each time they have updated their requests throughout the summer and into the fall. Well, it seems that the temperature drop of 10 degrees has driven home the point that Santa's sleigh needs to be loaded with the appropriate gifts - and SOON. So they pulled out the paper and pencils after dinner tonight (FOUR days before Thanksgiving) to write a letter to Santa.
So the letters are sealed and waiting to be delivered to the special mailbox at the mall. They have one of those - right? The special box that takes letters directly to the North Pole? James was wondering how mailed letters get to the North Pole. That's when we got to talk about how letters get to China or any other far away place in this big world of ours.
Nice Sabbath Day activity I know. Oh well, maybe now we can work on GRATITUDE while we celebrate Thanksgiving.
I enjoy going to the movies, but I don't think there are that many movies that are worth $20 in ticket prices & $20 in babysitting. I did however find this movie to be quite enjoyable. I laughed and cried (although I cry a lot - see THIS post).
I just barely started watching "The Office" and it's reruns since many of my friends find it hysterical - I'm slowly warming up to the humor. If you didn't already know, Steve Carroll is in both. He's a kind of crazy, over-the-top, obnoxious boss on The Office. I think he is funny, but he really showed a warmer side in this movie. I'm a sucker for the romantic comedy (not the ones where they meet, sleep together, break up, and then start to really fall in love), but the ones like this - where you believe they actual could have developed a REAL relationship. It was heartwarming and all the family scenes reminded me of my many childhood experiences hanging out with all my cousins at Grandma's house. It is deserving of it's PG-13 rating. Hollywood just can't make a movie without some inneundo. But in my opinion it was mild compared to most PG-13 movies.
Jacob completed another successful season of AYSO soccer. He went out with a bang to the head and a drippy bloody nose. The week before he scored his first goal playing forward. He has informed me that he is the best kicker on the team, so you'll have to take his word for it. He thought he could charm his way out of practices since his Dad was the coach, but by the end of the season he put more heart into his game. His cheeks get rosier after a good soccer game.
I get a lot of flack from my boys that Jessica ALWAYS gets to do something special and they have to work all day at school. Life isn't fair!!! I must say that I agree. It isn't fair that they didn't get to come on the mother/daughter date to the puppet show at our community theatre. What's even MORE unlucky (for the brothers) is that a conference was letting out just as the show did and the coordinator was giving away these HUGE balloon centerpieces.
Special thanks to my friend Sara for taking this mother/daughter photo. There are so few of me with my kids. I think it is something special.
I just got back from the 3rd Grade field trip with James. Riding in a stuffy bus of noisy students was a blast. Then we watched the LIVE stage show of School House Rock. I don't remember this as a kid. We heard off-tune jingles sung about EVERY part of speech. If you need to know what a pronoun, adverb, predicate, or interjection are, I'm sure there is a song rattling around in my brain that could help you out. We were also reminded how large our universe is, how to multiply by 3s, 5s, or 8s, and how a bill becomes a law. Great idea in theory. A bit exhausting as a 75 minute program.
Do my kids look like martians? Nice green cast to their skin. I even sharpened the scan to help fix the fuzziness of the photos. These are actually the re-takes. Jacob's hair was sticking up like a rooster on picture day and James was wearing his big BYU logo t-shirt (which was cropped off in the middle). Anyway, these are better.
My grandfather doesn't talk much about the war. But his respect for our country, to God, and to freedom is evident in the way he lives his life. He is a wonderful example to me and I'm grateful for his love, his leadership, and his life. He is the only one that ever called me Jenny or JennyJo and got away with it. I love you Grandpa!
I've shed a lot tears lately for a variety of reasons (and sometimes without even knowing a reason).
Here are some of the reasons why:
BECAUSE this song and the story behind Paul Potts is SO beautiful. I don't follow American Idol or the British version. I first found the YouTube link on a friend of a friend's blog a couple weeks ago. I was SO touched and was in instant tears. GORGEOUS song! Amazing voice! Then again today when Oprah aired and played this clip. You HAVE TO take a moment to listen.
BECAUSE the Sylvan Learning Center commercials have such sappy music.
BECAUSE my friend has been dealt another dose of impossible & baffling news. How can life be so unfair? I don't know what to do or say. I just cry when I'm alone and hope the answer comes to me.
BECAUSE I'm so frustrated with parenting. Where is Super Nanny when you need her? I keep losing my cool. Who's the grown up around here anyway???
BECAUSE I decided to make homemade refried beans. Mincing that onion put my eyes in fits. Tears streamed and my eyes turned scarlet red.
BECAUSE someone in my family just miscarried & my heart hurts. It's one of the worst experiences for a mother to endure. I'm so sorry. I pray for you and yours every night.
BECAUSE I've grown apart from a good friend. I'm missing her. How did we let life get in the way? I liked it how it was.
BECAUSE the Spirit whispers to my heart. Three cheers for me. I finally finished watching all four sessions of General Conference. It only took me an extra month. We also had an inspiring Ward Conference this month. And this past weekend I attended a multi-stake women's conference where I heard the music of Katherine Nelson. She spoke about the rain and storms in our lives that make way for growth and help us appreciate the sunshine. Sister Julie B. Beck (General Relief Society President) also spoke. Her personal and candid nature put me at ease. She reminded me of the joy I desire to feel as I raise my family. I was inspired to set goals for my family and for myself. I felt empowered as I remembered my gifts and blessings. A day like that makes me miss being back at BYU and attending all those religion classes or sitting in a Zone Conference and being taught by President and his wife. Perhaps I need to try harder to return to Women's Conference or Education Week. I really enjoy learning.
BECAUSE my sister called and we are BOTH expecting BOYS!! I'm so excited! We've had babies around the same time before, but when I've had a boy she's had a girl. I look forward to sharing this experience with her.
BECAUSE I watch too many romantic comedies. I'm a sucker for the enchanting music and the happy endings. Did you know that I also cry when somebody wins on a game show? How ridiculous is that???
BECAUSE some days the constant pinching shooting down my right leg or the sharp pains in my round ligament muscles are just too much to take. Sometimes crying is the only outlet to the chronic pain. The two days following nursery my back aches despite the evening stretch routine and the hot pads. And, YES, I do have a fabulous maternity belt. I need a great massage. (For the record, my James & Jessica have been very sweet about rubbing my feet. Jessica has surprisingly strong hands & James works for gems, so it works well for me).
BECAUSE I can't sleep, but I'm SO exhausted. I'm a basket case in the wee hours when I should be a heroine in a delightful dream.
BECAUSE I was watching home movies of when my boys were babies. I love them SO much. I can't believe how grown up they are. They certainly were BUSY and sweet.
BECAUSE I feel so grateful for the friends and family I have. I'm overwhelmed with joy. I know I have been blessed (even though I acknowledge that I forget quite regularly).
My talented photographer friend has entered this photo in a photo contest in an attempt to win an ipod for her daughter. I think that she should win, so I'm inviting all my friends to take a second to VOTE.
Here are the contest rules:
All you have to do to win is submit an image of you longing for an iPod while someone else in the frame is enjoying their iPod.
