Today while the boys were at school, Emma went to a friends house for a few hours and I was home with Kate. While she napped I tried to throw in a couple loads of laundry, make the beds and write a shopping list, all the while going over the many other things I needed to be doing and get done before Christmas. She woke up and I fed her on the couch in the front room. When she was done she fell into a deep slumber and just nestled right into my chest as I held her. For a minute I thought of laying her down, but then I decided to enjoy the moment instead. It was snowing heavily outside and the house was completely silent (which rarely happens). My eyes filled with tears as I snuggled with my sweet, precious baby, grateful to be in my warm, happy, quiet home and just sit in peace for a few moments. I thought of nothing else for those moments except for me and Kate. It might sound silly, but it was the best part of my day. Sometimes a little peace is priceless. Soon after, the house filled with sounds of the other kids and friends and TV and the piano. The counter filled with papers from school, presents from friends, goodies and pictures. The floor filled with snow pants, hats, coats, boots and gloves. The evening filled with whining, begging for sleep overs, finding something to eat and many attempts to fall asleep. And now it is late and I am tired, the house is mostly in disarray and Kate is crying upstairs. Thank heaven for that precious moment of peace!
Having a new baby and trying to do all the Christmas "stuff" is proving to be a little more stressful than normal. This makes me laugh and is such a true to life illustration of the effort us, as mothers, put into making Christmas happen.
I am a huge lover of Christmas music and can't wait each year to pull out all my Christmas piano music and play my favorites over and over again. However, I was disappointed in all the radio stations beginning their constant Christmas music the first of November. C'mon people! And it seems this year more than others (or maybe I just notice it more) that there is a whole lot of ugly Christmas music out there. Honestly, I heard "Hark! The Heral Angels Sing" today, sung by Niel Diamond, a pipe organ, and what sounded like our ward choir. I really detested it. So here are some that I really just cannot stand to listen to:
Neil Diamond- Specifically for the terrible song I heard today.
Amy Grant- I like her songs but hate her voice.
Gloria Estefan- Her Christmas songs just don't do it for me.
Most other singers that have made a Christmas CD because its the thing to do and they want to make money, but they really are nothing original, meaningful, or special. Its just noise.
On the other hand, there is plenty of Christmas music that makes me so happy to hear and really brings out the Christmas Spirit in me.
The Carpenters- You just can't go wrong with the Carpenters.
Bing Crosby- How can you not love him? Which reminds me, I need to watch "White Christmas" ASAP. It's one of my all time favorite shows.
Frank Sinatra- It's Frank!
Harry Connick Jr.- Love him!
Manheim Steamroller- It reminds me of when I was 12 and first heard them and loved it.
Voice Male- of course!
Any songs from Christmas Classic movies, like The Grinch, Rudolf and Frosty- all OK by me!
I'd love to know what songs and/or singers ya'll really love or really hate!
So Richard was gone this weekend, but the kids and I still had a good time. Well, as good a time as we could have cleaning the house and trying keep busy enough to stay happy and not fight amongst ourselves. We made our favorite Christmas chocolate pretzels, watched the movie "Elf" (I forgot how funny that movie is)made countless picture, sticker, pipe cleaner and play-dough creations. We went to the Hague family Christmas party on Saturday night (of course I forgot my camera). Sunday night we had a progressive dinner, which has become a fun tradition. We celebrated my dads birthday (which is today) and got to see everyones fun Christmas decorations! We started at our house with appetizers consisting of bacon wrapped water chestnuts, Li'l Smokies in BBQ sauce, Denae's yummy dip with sourdough bread, grapes and chocolate pretzels. I love appetizers. Then on to Dave and Michelles for lasagna and salad. We finished off the night at my Mom and Dads for hot fudge pudding cake and vanilla ice cream. Lots of yummy food- I really like that tradition! I have just a few things to say about my darling kids.
LANDON- He is such a big helper! It is sooo nice to have a kid who just does everything he should. I rarely have to ask him to do his jobs and he quickly does anything I ask of him. In the car he always helps the other kids buckle in and puts Kates binky in her mouth. I really appreciate him- he's such a good boy!
DANIEL- (more Danielisms) So he peed his pants at a birthday party the other day and thought it was hilarious. He said he was just sooo excited about the pinata he couldn't stand it and he just peed. He wasn't at all embarrassed. He just thought it was funny. He also has decided to use the word "ain't" in his vocabulary, specifically because we told him it's not really a word. Only he uses it in place of "don't" instead of "isn't". So when asked a question, he'll respond, "I ain't know!" And, my personal favorite, he made a turkey for Thanksgiving at school and drew a mullet for his hair and wrote the turkeys name across the front: Chuck Norris (all because of you, Mike Bearden). He provides us with many laughs.
EMMA- She is my buddy. She and I paint eachothers nails when we don't have anything else to do. When Kate is awake Emma loves to hold her, rock her, burp her and lately wants to hold her standing up. She thinks she's so grown up. She loves preschool and sings and dances around the house all day. She is a joy.
KATELYN- I just can't kiss that little girl enough! She has started to smile at us and there is just nothing else like the sweet smile of a baby! She is doing well except for a fussy getting to bed routine every night that seems to be getting later and later. She is growing and getting nice and round! I do love squishy babies. She is a sweet, precious girl and she is smothered in love!
Okay Jill, after seeing your awesome family dance number we just had to do one of our own! Thanks for the fun idea!
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/gSblmGwhYBq2OJNKE9F2
