Christmas Eve Surprise

Celebrating Christmas Eve is a tradition for my family. With so much of my family out of state we had my parents and sister over for our traditional dinner, reading of the Christmas story and the The Night Before Christmas, and a movie. We had a great time although it was sad that our numbers were so small. Early on Christmas Eve I told Gage that Tim and I had a surprise to tell him. He was excited and when the time came to tell him that I'm having another baby he started to cry and said, "I thought I got to open one of my presents!" I've been faithfully keeping my secret since the first part of October and it's been killing me. Gage has pressured me since the summer that he wanted another sibling. Even going so far as "helping"me name her. I say her because Gage wants a sister. He recently told me I should ask God for another baby. With all this I thought he would be so excited but I guess a new baby pales in comparison to opening a gift on Christmas Eve. I had made the boys shirts (Thanks to Mandy...your the best!) to wear for the party so my family could read them and hopefully figure out that I was with child. Luke's shirt said, "Big Brother in Training" and Gage's said, "Big Brother Trainer." My sister got it first and to be honest my dad was a bit slow on the uptake. Once everyone understood the shirts though my sister thought that the last time she saw me I looked bloated so she had been suspecting. I really thought everyone could tell because my stomach has already popped out but I guess not because Tim's family was just as surprised when we told them. Anyway, I'm about 15 weeks along. The doctor says the heart beat is fast so that could mean a girl!!!! I'm trying not to get my hopes up but I admit that anything pink or girly in the store draws my immediate attention. Tim is hoping for a boy...mostly because he fears the shopping that will ensue if it is a girl. I'm so happy to have this secret off my chest so I can stop sucking in my ever expanding waistline. Here's to letting it hang out!

Christmas Thoughts

Last year I vowed that I would try and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. I made an action plan and so far I think it has been going really well. I got all...okay most...of my shopping done before the first week in December and that has helped immensely. I took a year off from neighbor gifts. For some reason these really stress me out and I just didn't do them this year. Thank you to all our sweet friends and neighbors who remembered us....your gifts were appreciated and loved. I feel bad they weren't reciprocated, I should have put a sign on my door that said, "Skip this slacker house!" I didn't even do Christmas Cards. I decided to make with my own two hands some of my Christmas gifts (more on that later) and they were fun to make and more fun to give than a store bought one. I've tried to sing, from my heart, Christmas songs in the car and at home and we've subjected our boys to every church video on Christmas. All of this has helped me enjoy the season so much more. I feel more relaxed and more at peace.

On Sunday the boys behaved themselves so well that I thought I was on the wrong bench and I was able to enjoy the Christmas program during Sacrament meeting. It made me want to share my joy at the birth of our Savior. If you haven't watched Mr. Kruger's Christmas this year you really need to because despite it being really cheesy and uncomfortable watching a grown man have full blown day dreams it really is quite a touching story. I always cry through the part when Mr. Kruger imagines he is in the manger with the baby Jesus and he says, "You're my best friend." It's so sincere and mirrors my own feelings about the Savior. I'll end my post with the lyrics from one of my favorite hymns--I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth goodwill to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, goodwill to men."

What Came Home From School Today

Gage has really been loving preschool this year. His teacher is wonderful this year. She is firm but so sweet to the kids and Gage has learned so many new things this year and is just excited to learn. The class is a lot smaller than last year and he has a few friends from his soccer team that he likes to play with. One thing that I like is that they do a lot of crafts and he has such pride in them. Today he came home with a mini Christmas tree that they have been making the decorations for all month. Seeing all the kids trot out with their trees was so cute and all the kids gathered together and yelled, "Thanks Miss Shan!" Luke told me all the way home, "Make make....Gage!" Good attempt at a full sentence Lukey.

Double Trouble

I used to imagine the day when the boys would play together and think how wonderful it would be to have them entertaining each other and how much fun they would have as best friends. Yeah, I'm a complete idiot. The boys do indeed play together and they do indeed entertain each other but peaceful bliss it is not! I don't know if it is because they are boys or what...actually I think it must be that because my friends with two girls close in age don't seem to have this problem...but when they play all it really is, is double the trouble. Anything naughty that one does the other finds totally hilarious which makes the first one do it more. Case in point today. I could hear laughing and scuffling in the kitchen and came in to find that they had found a way to detach the filter from the vacuum and all the contents were on my floor. Oh this was funny and according to Gage all Luke's fault and just so you know Gage was laughing at something else, and not the exhibition of dust and hair on the floor. If Gage even has a slight smile on his face while saying a prayer Luke will take this as the funniest thing he has ever heard and belly laugh which means that Gage belly laughs and the prayer really never gets said. I hope the Lord accepts prayers given in between fits of giggles. Luke stole a Christmas decoration and started running away with it, Gage being the first child ran after him exclaiming, "Luke your not supposed to touch that!" At which time Luke lobbed it behind his shoulder at Gage and it broke on the hard wood floor. Gage brought it to me in pieces hardly concealing a smile. Poor Santa is missing half his skull. I told my Mom today that I thought the kids were the Devil's seed and as Grandmas are wont to do I was soundly reprimanded. Truth be told I'm laughing really hard inside but if I don't keep it together their bright ideas will just get worse. I guess I'll just be glad that they like to play together even if it means my house and nerves may not survive.

Deal or No Deal

The drug dealers are back. This must be their winter spot. I may need to put up my counter again. Mr. BMW had a twofer yesterday right in front of our house while we were waiting to pull into our driveway. It was like a frickin drive-thru. How convenient for him to have two appointments at once. Who said that drug dealers couldn't be efficient? Maybe the Big 3 could take notes from Mr. BMW and then Mr. BMW might become Mr. Ford/Chrysler/GM. Problem solved.

Thank the Soilders

My friend Jackie sent me this link, http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html to Let's Say Thanks. Let's Say Thanks is a free service provided by Xerox, for you, to send a postcard to a member of the military. There are several postcards to choose from and you can choose from a list of messages or make one of your own. I can't tell you how proud I am of the men and women who choose to serve our country and my heart breaks thinking of them being away from their families during the holidays. If you've got the time or desire I think it is a worthy cause to let them know they are appreciated.