3-1/2 going on 13

Colby has recently learned how to roll his eyes. Not in a 'look at me make a funny face' way, but in a 'disrespectful gesture to your parents' way.

Today Colby rolled is eyes at me on two separate occasions. The first was at church right before I dropped him off at nursery. I told him excitedly, "Colby, this is your last day of nursery! You get to go to primary next week!" His glance at me was quickly followed by a dramatic roll of the eyes as if to say, "Big deal, mom. Primary is for babies."

And tonight, I agreed to let Colby watch a movie with me contingent upon him going to bed as soon as it was over. When the movie ended, he was giving me a hard time about going to bed. I threatened him by saying, "Colby, if you don't go to bed by the count of three, I won't let you watch movies with me anymore." (Of course this was one of those threats that I REALLY hoped he believed and acted upon since I wasn't sure I could follow through on it. I love it when he watches movies with me- it's one of the only times I can get him to cuddle with me!) Anyways, as I was counting really slowly, he started up the stairs, but not first without another dramatic eye roll as if to say sarcastically, "Oh no, mom, you're scaring me. Like I even enjoy watching movies with you anyway." This time Cameron witnessed it. We both turned and looked at each other in amazement and I said, "Oh my gosh, that was Colby as a teenager, right there."

Seriously, what's next? Colby telling me, "Mom, could you please drop me a off a block away from playgroup so my friends don't see you?"

The bad thing is, while it's completely disrespectful, seeing a three-year-old roll his eyes is, uh, dang funny. So funny that I can't help myself from laughing. You know, the laugh where you're trying to conceal it behind your hand or a napkin or something and fail miserably. Of course he will inevitably continue this habit until I can compose myself enough to reprimand him.

Ugh! What to do? He doesn't even have older siblings in which to learn these things! I think we're in trouble...

Turkey Anyone?

Bet you wish you were at our Christmas Eve dinner...

Actually, this is a picture of my dad and brother's first attempt at deep frying a turkey at my other brother's (whose birthday is Christmas Eve) request. As everyone was gathered (all 30 of my family members) around the table before our feast began, the turkey was tastefully unveiled for everyone to see and then photographed as if Britney Spears was posing next to it.

As reported by my mother and sister-in-law, the second attempt failed as they realized a frozen turkey cannot be deep fried. After 2 failed attempts, my dad and brother ultimately ended up in a fit of laughter on the kitchen floor after the second turkey was dumped into a plastic bag only to come out the other end, sliding across the floor. The 3rd and final attempt was successful and, I have to say, it was one of the best turkeys I've ever had. The rest of the food was delicious, as usual, and we had a very nice evening.

My mom told me the next morning that she couldn't sleep that night because she began laughing so hard she was shaking. If you know my mom, this doesn't happen very often. What a funny day. Definitely a Christmas to remember.

My favorite Christmas Memory

It's funny how it’s hard to remember the gifts you got for Christmas, even though there were several times you were so excited and swore you’d never forget. I honestly can’t remember what I got last year.

When I think of Christmas memories, a few funny ones come to mind right away. There was the one Christmas where I gave my dad a little bear with a T-shirt that said, “Get well soon.” I remember everyone snickering when he opened it and I didn’t understand why (I’m sure I was way to old to not understand). It wasn’t until a few years later that I found that little bear in the bottom of a box in our front coat closet that I finally figured it out. Weird that the bear was at the bottom of a box…

And then the year I had the grand idea of making everyone in my family a Kleenex doll, using only Kleenex and rubber bands (how resourceful!) I created and completed a very unique doll for each of my siblings, even though we drew names and were required to only buy for one. I was very excited about this and couldn’t wait for all the attention that would come from my hard and thoughtful labor. (Hey, there were 6 kids; I had to fight for attention somehow!). Well, I stuck each of the handmade dolls under the tree, hiding them clear towards the trunk so no one would see them. Christmas morning came and nobody seemed to notice the dolls. I don’t remember if I tried to present them to everyone or if I took it personally that no one noticed the wadded up Kleenex under the tree. I know this memory sounds sad, but it makes me laugh every time I think about it.

Then there’s the time when dad (or was it mom? - I’m pretty sure it’s still up for debate) threw out every one of our Christmas presents with the trash. The funny thing is, I do not remember having a Christmas with nearly nothing, and so it obviously didn’t affect me too much.

Though these memories are fun to recall, there is one that surpasses them all. One year my parents presented us with an idea, well before the Christmas holiday. The idea was to give our entire Christmas away to a family who really needed it. I think we had given up portions of our Christmas in the past, but never our entire Christmas, to my knowledge. I know this is not completely unfamiliar to most people and that there are millions of small, yet life changing acts like this that are carried out each and every Christmas. But to me, an identity-seeking, awkward 14 year-old, it was. I remember my mom and dad sitting us all together in our family room in front of the fireplace. They presented the idea to us, I’m sure with the hopes that we’d all jump up in unison and exclaim, “Absolutely! What a brilliant idea!,” but realistically knowing it would be met with some resistance, especially by a self-absorbed teenager. And yes, resistance was given. I’m pretty sure I didn’t even attempt to keep this disapproval to myself. The reason for my disapproval is not something I’m proud to acknowledge. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to help out a family who was less fortunate than mine, or that I only wanted to receive instead of give. The reason I wasn’t thrilled about this idea was simply because I was afraid of what my friends would think. And I had good friends! Can you believe it? At this time I lived in Farmington where most people lived quite comfortably and Christmas gifts were plenty. Each Christmas, my wise parents opted not to spoil us. Our gifts were generally modest even though there were times when my parents could have chosen to be more extravagant. Being a teenager who was desperate to fit in, I was afraid of having to tell my friends that I wouldn’t be getting anything for Christmas. Everyone knows that kids and teenagers, immediately following Christmas day, always ask the question, “What did you get?” and then compare. This was a difficult thing for me since I felt like I wouldn’t be accepted if I didn’t get as much for Christmas as my friends did. This couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Even so, that is how it was perceived to me. So this particular year would be especially difficult. …To think my friends would not respect or even admire my parent’s unselfish desire or my own willingness to participate! It’s amazing how twisted your perception of things are during your teenage years!

Each of my siblings participated in shopping for the needful children of the family we had chosen to help. I do not know if I did this with a giving or resentful attitude and whether or not my heart was softened as Christmas drew near. I do know that I wasn’t looking forward to Christmas day as I had in years past.

Traditionally, we had a beautiful Christmas Eve dinner to celebrate both Christmas and my brother’s birthday, and this year was no exception. But that night I couldn’t help but think, ‘what will we do all day on Christmas if we don’t open presents?’

Christmas morning we woke up (at probably a decent hour for once) and my dad brought us all downstairs. This is where my favorite Christmas memory takes place. Instead of beautiful, shiny presents under the tree, the usual crowded space was empty. Instead of taking turns ripping apart wrapping paper, bows and tape, my dad read us the Christmas story. Then, as a family, we discussed how we felt about giving our Christmas presents away. We talked about how different we felt that day as opposed to every other Christmas morning. The feeling of peace and overwhelming sense of gratitude was indescribable. Never had the Christmas story been so meaningful. It is easy to forget the presents you received, but I will never forget the feeling I had that Christmas morning as we reflected on our Savior, what He did for us, and how much we were blessed with. And instead of the usual busy day filled with excitement about new gifts, our Christmas day was filled with peace and thought about what is really important. This is a day I will forever cherish. I will always look to my mom and dad as such great examples of service and sacrifice and for teaching their children what is truly important in this life, even if it meant disappointingly watching a 14 year old struggle with something they knew would be of exceeding value in the future. I can’t wait to do this with my children and to pass on such a worthwhile tradition.

This memory of mine is of particular importance to me this Christmas season and has occupied my thoughts frequently since my family has decided once more to give our Christmas away, again suggested by my parents. This time, it was a much more popular idea and embraced by all with excitement and anticipation.

Thank you mom and dad for teaching me that Christmas isn’t about receiving gifts, even if I didn’t get it until I was all grown up.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

I've been tagged

The RULES:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

...This assignment was kind of tough for me since I feel like I've already spilled my guts on this blog. There is nothing left of me to reveal! Anyway, here's a few tidbits since I secretly enjoy talking about myself.

1. There are few things I look forward to more than clean sheets day. There's nothing better than laying down on a newly laundered pillow case and taking in the clean, fresh, downy sent.

2.My biggest pet peeve is when toilet paper doesn't nicely spin around the roll and you have to rip it off square by square. Grrrrr

3. My brother once vacuumed up my hair...while it was still attached to my scalp.

4. Unlike my tagger Heather, I can't wait to get a minivan. I thought I was a minivan hater until I rented one for a week. Loved it and I'm not afraid to admit it. That's right, I'm all about convenience and comfort, no matter the look.

5. I like giving talks in church. I hate preparing them, but don't mind giving them. However, ask me to have a spontaneous conversational exchange with another person while people are watching and I might throw up.

6. I have a small obsession with Ty Detmer. Not that I would ever name my child after him or anything...

Alrighty then- my victims are...Susan (that's right Susan, now you have to update your blog!), Stef (I know you hate these things but if you don't, you'll be cursed with 3 bad dates in the next month), Rachels- as in Ratchford and Milne, Jen (my sister in-law), Molly and Cami. (I know I cheated but if I had to do this then so does everyone else). Now let's all be good sports about it.

P.S. Now, you others out there who Heather tagged have to do this too. I'll be waiting...

Santa, lights and a sing-a-long

Our Christmas is just about complete.

Today, we took the kids with their cousin Mia and friend Isabel to see Santa at the Mall. Ahhh, now I can check the last "to do" off my Christmas list.

Colby was very brave this year and I think I heard a muted "vacuum" come out of his mouth as I was irrespectfully taking a picture with my own camera.

Of course Kara was way more interested in the sucker they gave her before she made it to Santa's lap.

******************************

Last night we went to Temple Square to check out the lights and join the Delta Center Sing-a-Long. Believe it or not, the Sing-a-Long was Cameron's idea. He invited his family to make it an official Christmas event. As much as it's a pain to bundle up the kids for the outside weather, they're just so dang cute when they are.

After 7 years...

I think I'm finally starting to rub off on Cameron. That could either be a good thing or a bad thing- who knows.

Colby's has told us multiple times that he's told Santa he'd like a vacuum for Christmas. I promise I didn't whisper that one in his ear. So today, Cameron (I mean Santa) bought him a vacuum. A real vacuum. Sweet! (It's a mini one and really looks like a play one). Colby will be so excited and when he plays with it, he'll actually be helping me out with the house! I didn't even think to get Colby a real vacuum. Nice work, Cam.

A humidifier and a vacuum. Are we totally selfish parents? They are getting a few more things, but I'm excited that it's not just junk.

Christmas Begins

We got a bit of a late start on Christmas this year and I'm not entirely sure why. Frankly, I have no excuses this year as opposed to years past. I am not working. I do not have a stressful church calling. I don't have an infant to care for. Cameron has not been gone for weeks on end. (Okay, he's never been gone for weeks on end, that's just a small exaggeration). I think it all comes down to laziness I suppose. Anyhow, we finally managed to get a tree up last Monday (a week ago). And since doing so, I have been much more motivated to do Christmasy things, thus giving me the official Christmas spirit. Christmas music is now playing regularly in my car and on my iPod.

Last night for family home evening we put together a gingerbread house with the kids. As you might imagine, most of the candy ended up in Kara's mouth instead of on the house. It was good times for all.

Form meets function for Christmas

So, I came up with the perfect gift for Kara this year. You see, I bought this humidifier a few weeks ago that has a little aquarium at the front of it. I actually bought it for myself, not because I love aquariums, but because I had a terrible cold and this particular brand was recommended to me and it was the only one of this brand that Walmart was selling. Since I brought it home, it is Kara's new favorite thing. She LOVES to go in my room, climb up on my bed and watch the "shishies." Well, Kara also has a humidifier in her room since she has a cold all winter long and I am finding that this new aquarium I'm using is much more effective. So I thought- this is the perfect Christmas gift! I can buy her this aquarium humidifier and we both win! There's no doubt she'll be the happiest 1 1/2 year old ever and I get to buy her something that is totally functional. Well, Cameron wasn't too hot on this idea. "Kara's getting a humidifier for Christmas." he said. "Awesome." I can't help it. I so enjoy being practical. Cameron thinks the gift is lame. But I'm going to have to go with genius again on this one. What do you think?

And for anyone who may agree with me on this one, it is called the Ultrasonic Aquarium Humidifier and sells at Walmart for $35.

Here it is

The biggest snowman on the block.

Um, was it really windy last night???





And here's Colby to give you a little better perspective





I can't stop giggling as I post these pictures. I seriously don't know how it is still standing up.

More fun in the snow

Later this afternoon, Cameron took both kids outside to play in the snow. I had to leave to run errands and when I came back, there was the biggest snowman I've ever seen on our front lawn. I think Cameron was trying to outdo the 9 year old boys across the street.

Bring on the snow!

It's our first snowy day of 2007! Despite the cold, I really do love the snow. It's gorgeous outside and I love being inside all snug in my heated house. Also, like a lot of things, snow is also much funner when you have kids. They'll brave any conditions just to go build a snowman or go sledding.

This morning after we woke up to a snow blanketed yard, it wasn't long before Colby was ready for all his snow gear. He was on his own this time since Cameron worked until 3 am and was still sleeping, Kara was taking a nap and I have a really bad cold.

I was impressed with how long he stayed out there by himself, shoveling snow off the table, taste-testing the snow in several different places and just running around. After he had had enough, it was time for hot chocolate with "smawshmellows."

Hopefully more pictures to come when Kara gets to join in the fun.