Nothing Like A Good Sob

Though Michelle and I get together weekly for Creative Friday, we almost never go out any other time. It seems that only our birthdays warrant a day out with lunch and a movie or shopping, and this has left me asking "what's up with that?"

On Tuesday, while the kids and I were at Michelle's house visiting and exchanging Christmas presents (which will be another post), I happened to throw out the idea of Michelle and I going to a movie the next day. I don't know what made me think that was a possibility, but when I talked to her on the phone the next day she said she could go. What the?! I then had to scramble to make sure Randy would be home early from work so that I could go (funny no?).


So Michelle and I met at the theater and saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I didn't know anything about the movie except that it was almost 3 hours long, had Brad Pitt (oh la la) in it, and that he somehow aged backwards. So I was unprepared for the dramatic saga and tears that followed. We both loved it!


We were the last two people in the theater and both felt like we could just sit there and sob for awhile if the clean-up crew people hadn't come in and cleared us out. It was comical and endearing that we were both so emotional and have shared reasons for feeling that way. I don't know if our reactions are the norm or not, but it was good to see the movie with someone who feels the way I do. We both left feeling tender, drained and inspired I think.


While Michelle was in the bathroom I snuck a couple self-portraits with me and Brad (between the breaks of people walking by the big poster).


On a side note: The theater was absolutely freezing. Both Michelle and I are usually overly warm, so it was quite unexpected and amusing that we were both so cold. I say amusing because at one point during the show Michelle put up the hood of her hoodie. I'm surprised it didn't send me into a fit of giggles, but I was so wrapped up in the movie I kept myself together. Ah good times.

Happy Birthday Jenn!!!

**Have you seen this movie?
Does Brad Pitt make you feel
kind of funny inside?
What movies inspire you?**

SPT--Holiday Hope

Approaching a New Year can be an exciting, hopeful time or a cynical, depressing time. I choose exciting and hopeful with a touch of cynicism...is that so wrong?

**Are you hopeful about 2009?**

Happy Birthday
Faye, Melinda & Sarah!!!

P.S. Today is my 3rd Blogging Anniversary
and this was my 1, 272nd post!

Reading Bliss

One compensation for not being able to sleep well at night is being able to read (with my headlight technology of course). This only works out well if I'm loving what I'm reading, and luckily that has been the case lately.


I have been reading The Little Friend for awhile now (it's a big one, 624 pages) and finished it in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve. I love getting completely sucked into the lives of characters like the ones in this book, and was sad for it to end. (Thanks Tasha for giving me this book.)


I've also been loving these obligation-free mornings during Christmas break, and have been getting some good reading time in. I started reading The Star Garden right after I finished The Little Friend. This is our book club selection for January, but is also a great treat since it's part 3 a series of books that I have loved.

When I woke up at 3:37am last night for a bathroom break (why does that only happen sometimes?), I was a little bit giddy that I could read for awhile since I was awake. That doesn't happen very often, so I'm loving it right now.

**Have you been pleasuring reading?
What are you reading now?
Have you read either of these books?**

Sunday Thoughts

"As you walk your various paths, walk with faith. Speak affirmatively and cultivate an attitude of confidence. You have the capacity to do so. Your strength will give strength to others. Do not partake of the spirit so rife in our times. Rather, look for good and build upon it. There is so much of the strong and the decent and the beautiful to build upon. You are partakers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel means 'good news.' The message of the Lord is one of hope and salvation. The voice of the Lord is a voice of glad tidings. The work of the Lord is a work of glorious accomplishment."
--Gordon B. Hinckley

What Day Is It??

Is anyone else is feeling completely disoriented as to what day it is? I have to keep reminding myself and checking the calendar because I get little waves of panic like I'm supposed to be somewhere or like I'm forgetting something important. I guess that's what happens when our routine is blow to bits like it has been this week.


I'm back to not sleeping well (because I've stayed up too late), not eating well, and have gotten headaches on Christmas Eve and yesterday...not good. It's making me think about making some healthy New Year's Resolutions though, so that may end up being a positive thing.

On Christmas night Randy and I were watching TV and bummed out that we didn't have any good shows on our DVR, then we had this riveting conversation.

Me: "I think we're going to have to put in a DVD."
Randy: "I think I'm just going to go to bed."
Me: "It's 9:30!!?"
Randy: "I know!" (said with an giddy laugh)
Me: What the??


That left me with the house to myself though and it ended up being quite nice. I popped some popcorn, hunkered down under my quilt and watched "It's A Wonderful Life" ala Denise. Can you believe that was only my 2nd time seeing that movie? It's true. I don't know how I didn't grow up watching that at Christmas time, but I didn't. I loved it!


We didn't have plans yesterday other than to dig out from Christmas and restore some order to the house (this was my agenda, no one else's), but I hadn't factored in the possibility of me not being able to sleep Christmas night and staying up til 5:30! I watched TV, I read, I showered at 4:00am but no luck, so I wasn't feeling very great yesterday.

Jared and the kids came over to hang out during the day while Robyn, Lori and my mom went shopping (that is NOT my idea of a good time). Having three more kids in the house meant I wasn't even going to try to clean things up, so I kind of wandered around wishing we had a bigger house. I think now that the kids are all getting bigger their volume and the space they take up have increased and we could really benefit from having a basement with a family room for them to frolic in.


I sent Randy and Jared out to the movies for awhile, they were here for an hour or so before Robyn and Lori came back. We had Cafe Rio take out for dinner then we played Apples to Apples.


We also tried out my two new SingStar games that I got for Christmas (Legends and Country) so that was fun. Olivia and Ashley both wiped out on Robyn.


I thought it was hilarious that Ashley could sleep through being moved around and having her boots put on, but she did.

This morning I had a phone appointment with Betsy that ended up going long (I love it when that happens) so I laughed my guts out for 2.5 hours while talking to her. That's a great way to start the day.

After that I suggested we got to lunch and a movie because I hadn't been out of the house since Christmas Eve and was feeling a little stir crazy.


We ended up going to Pizza Factory for lunch, and then to see "Bolt." We all loved lunch and the movie.

{I have no idea why Whitney is smiling so weird.}

So now it's Saturday night (right?) and I'm back to trying to figuring out what comes next...okay, tomorrow is church--do I have any responsibilities I need to be prepared for?...no--what are we going to have for dinner tomorrow? Hopefully it will start to feel like a Saturday night soon or I may be in trouble.

Happy Birthday Heather!!!

**Are your struggling with what day it is?
Have you been out or are you stir crazy?
How many times have you seen
"It's a Wonderful Life"?
Have you seen Bolt?**

Christmas in Details

The kids woke us up at 5:58am! They usually sleep in until 7:30 on Christmas morning so I had high hopes, especially considering I didn't get to sleep until after 3:30am when I finally took a Relpax for the headache that went rogue and turned migraine on me. (#$@!)


We had the kids climb into bed with us, hoping for a possible family snooze (freakishly, Randy was snoring again within the minute) but 17 minutes later Landon said, "Can we get up now?" Poor kids, that time must have seemed like an eternity to them.


Santa doesn't wrap the presents he leaves for the kids when he comes to our house, he sets them up next to their filled stocking so that they walk into the room and see their pile of goodies right away.


Whitney was beyond thrilled that she got a Pogo stick, a jewelry box, some pipe cleaners, Popsicles sticks, stickers and glow sticks.


Landon stood and stared in disbelief at the Nintendo DS Lite, a case for it, a game and a pair of warrior arm guards he received.


Whitney wrapped this gift we gave Randy and even made this cute tag. (The gift was a stylin tie.) We also gave him an Alton Brown cookbook, a meat thermometer, a meat tenderizer, an electric knife, and the dvd of Mr. Mom. He never really cares about gifts so I was excited when I came up with the idea for this cooking stuff. He always makes our Sunday dinner recently made his own marinade for our steaks, so he was pleased with these gifts. Woohoo!


The kids' excitement was so endearing. It's enjoyable to be able to provide that for them, but I still miss being a kid on Christmas.


Randy's parents took the kids shopping for their gifts back in November when they were here for Whitney's baptism, so the kids knew what they were getting from them but still ended up being really excited when they opened their gifts. Whitney chose this crazy jungle toy and hasn't stopped playing with it except to sleep.


Landon has a huge inventory of action figures, but still loves to get new ones and was particularly happy with this new Wolverine guy I picked out for him.


Randy surprised me (for real this time) by ordering this armoire for me! It will be stained black and then delivered some time in January (woohoo, woohoo, woohoo), so I'll finally be able to stop whining about wanting one and we can finally retire our 15 year old entertainment center!

Landon cracked us up with his giddiness.

We got several new games (Othello, Pictureka, Yatzee, The Family Fued and Apples to Apples) along with many plastic animals, some bionicles, a box of white cheddar Cheeze Its and so on.

I got this pretty apron from my Pink Christmas person (Kristen M. from Florida). It's mighty cute.


Amie totally surprised me with this great gift. She framed a photo of this darling post office from Boulder, Utah. I guess she's been planning this for awhile and took multiple shots of the post office. I totally love it and love that I can see her reflection in the door of the post office, and love it that she knew I'd love something like this. I was quite touched by the creativity and thoughtfulness of this gift, thanks Amie!!

We had a really nice, low-key, snowed in Christmas at home. We all stayed in our pajamas, watched movies, napped and enjoyed ourselves.

**How was your Christmas?
What did you get?
What time did you get up?**

Snowed In Christmas

This is the first time I can remember waking up to a lot of snow on Christmas morning, and is definitely the first time we've ever stayed home in our Jammie's all day because of it. I say "woohoo" to both!

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Eve Festivities

We gathered at my parents' house at 1:00 on Christmas Eve for a great lunch, gifts, and games.


Andrew was uncharacteristically social which meant he sought out people to hug (rather than us coming to him), said, "Hi Randy" in a clearly understandable voice, and posed willingly for pictures...what is up with the universe?


The dining room was decked out with my mom's china (a rare treat), some sparkling cider (which is festive even though I don't like it), red and green napkins, and a great meal (not pictured).


The kids ate in the kitchen and were unanimous in their choice of a roll as their main course. It was Austin's birthday, but the poor guy wasn't feeling well so he didn't eat with the kids.


After a long lunch and lengthy clean-up (we had to hand wash the china) we went downstairs to open gifts.


The kids were super excited, but Andrew was the most excited of them all.


My parents gave Randy and I a panini maker-grill type thing that can be a griddle and a waffle maker as well. Panini deliciousness here we come!


They also gave us new silverware. My mom was shocked when I told her this is what I wanted, but it was high time we got some decent stuff. It is taking some getting used to though because we're so used to using cheap, weightless crap-utensils.


Lori gave me a gift certificate for a pedicure, woohoo!


Robyn gave us all a scrapbook she made and personalized for each of us. The idea is to use it for our annual Christmas card photos. I'm just wishing I had our previous years' cards in a handy location, but I'm going to have to round them up.


The kids all got pajamas and slippers from my parents, a book and gum from Lori, and a gift from one of their cousins (we drew names).

Landon's gift from Lori.

Whitney's gift from Lori...she loves it!

I gave Lori 2 dvds, Dodgeball and Legally Blonde, and a bag of candy.


Since we had such a big group playing games we had two different games going at the same time. Half of us played speed scrabble while the other half played Boggle.

Even my dad played!

I had run into Walgreen's on the 23rd to find a random as-seen-on-tv toy for Whitney (they didn't have it) but did stumble on The Office board game. It was pretty fun for those of us who love the show.


Whitney, Bella and Tess all got these darling Jammie's from my parents (though I didn't get a picture of the 3 of them together).

It was a good day, though I had a headache by the end of it (I blame the acoustics and surges of emotion that come from spending time with family), but everyone was happy.

SPT--Holiday Peace

I didn't do this SPT yesterday because I was feeling so inexplicably grumpy and that just didn't jive with the topic of peace. Well today I'm not feeling much better and I'm pretty bugged about it. I have no reason for feeling irritable, yet I seem to be snippy with the kids (particularly Whitney and her many messes) and am not feeling excited and joyful about our Christmas festivities (which start today at my parents' house).


So I had to turn where I always turn when I need real peace and not something masquerading as peace. I closed my bedroom door, knelt down beside my bed and prayed. I'm sure just the act of praying is restorative, but something about turning over my irrational feelings and asking to be filled with love is instantly beneficial and makes me want to try harder. I feel more at peace and ready to enjoy the blessing of Christmas.

**Do you ever pray for peace?
Are you full of holiday cheer or
are you inexplicably irritable?**

Out of Our Hands

136 cards, stirrings of carpal tunnel syndrome,
envelope tongue and some relief...Sweet Fancy Moses we're done!!

Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

**Are you an early, middle or
late in the month card sender?**

P.S. I am inexplicably grumpy today and have successfully undone any fun-mom feelings I sparked yesterday. $#@!