Snow Day, Sick Day, Date Day and Orange Juice

Chapter 1--Snow Day!

I can't believe that it is the 26th already. What a weekend--I feel like it has been at least since a month since I last posted--not just a week!

To start things off, we had no school today!!! I don't know who was more excited at our house: the teacher or the students! (for those that don't know, my husband is a teacher). As soon as he got that welcomed phone call last night at 7:30 pm, he was excited, and willingly called the people on his phone tree. The children were thrilled too. Our 2nd grader asked if he could stay up and watch the Hallmark movie with us, since he didn't have to get up in the morning. He thought he was in heaven--a 4 day weekend for us (we are on the 4-day school week).

But the bad news--my sister that lives about 2 1/2 hours away had come for the weekend, and couldn't make it home on Sunday after church like she usually does. So she called a sub, e-mailed lesson plans and waited until Monday morning to leave. The roads weren't closed until last night, but the wind was terrible and coming straight from the north. When we first got to church at 10, the wind was howling, and 3 of the children fell down on the way into the church. The winds didn't let up one bit, and in fact increased. When we left church, it was hard to walk in it--the wind felt like it was biting us and the snow hurt as it hit us. I didn't want to leave the building--thankfully the image of our nice warm fireplace blazing at home encouraged me to get into the car and hurry home.

My sister didn't feel comfortable about leaving then, because of the strong winds (although the road didn't close until later that evening). But when she got up this morning, the road was still closed from the Montana state line to 15 miles south of us. So she was snowed in. Luckily they opened the road about 7:30 am. so she was able to leave shortly after that and made it home safely and in time to teach for the afternoon. We heard on the news that there were 37 accidents Sunday afternoon on the roads that she would have been driving. So we are thankful that we listened to the Spirit.

Today was too cold to go outside and play, so we all stayed inside. We worked on the laundry (finally got all the kids' clothes put away), dishes, cleaning rooms and playing. I had my piano students come early today; Bri had 2 friends come and they babysat the 3 youngest while I taught; Z & C played nicely with the girls or with each other; and Ethan had b-ball practice. Then we played games, put puzzles together with Emmalee, played the Wii, and watched a nature show about skunks.

Now I am waiting for baby boy to fall asleep for the night so I can snuggle into the nice warm blankets--it is already -6 (six below zero) and falling quickly. Although the wind has died down, there is still some wind so it feels colder!

Chapter 2: Sick Day

Friday, Jan. 23, 2009. It started out as a lot of normal Fridays begin--my alarm waking me up at 6:45 so I can get ready to leave for town by 8 am. I heated up a thermos of water (to make bottles in town if necessary), got baggies of cereal, packed the diaper bag, and filled water bottles for the children going with me. We had received about 1 inch of snow--just enough to be a bother, but not enough to shovel. Earlier in the week, the sun had melted some of the snow, so underneath this new snow was a nice layer of ice (Yuck!).

As we started into town, the roads were snow covered--they really hadn't plowed. But the farther south I drove, the worse the roads became and the slower I drove. I realized I should have left earlier, because we were going to be late to our first appointment--Callum's physical therapy. I had to teach my 12 year old how to text message him & let him know we would be 15 minutes late (I think it's great that she doesn't know how to text yet!). But once there, Callum had a melt down and didn't want to cooperate. He finally did what was asked of him, but by then we only had 30 minutes left.

My neck was killing me by now, but I thought it was because of the tension of driving on the horrible roads. The weather was foggy, but warm--about 34. So the roads were getting slushy, and there was about 6 inches of snow that hadn't been plowed. When we pulled out of the parking lot, I felt like throwing up, but I hadn't eaten a very good breakfast. So I tried to eat a little, but didn't have an appetite. I had no time to be sick, so I drank some water and drove to get Brienna's x-rays taken. She has scoliosis, and the back specialist comes from Boise every few months to see patients on this side of the state. After the x-rays, I hurried to the craft store to find the special paint for the pinewood derby cars (the race is Wednesday), and thanks to my speed, we had 1 minute to spare before occupational therapy for Callum.

He did great, but we didn't have much time so we grabbed a Little Caesar's pizza and ate that as we went to the scout office for awards and more pinewood derby things. I didn't feel good still, and by now I knew I was sick (because the pizza didn't even taste that good). We had about 40 minutes--not quite enough to get the grocery shopping done, so I headed to the DI to look for belts and pants for Brienna. She found 2 of each and I found a few things for Benjamin, and then we were off to the back specialist. We arrived right on time, and settled in for the wait. Ben was hungry, so I nursed him, and nursed him, and nursed him. He ate for 30 minutes and still no doctor. Another lady waiting with her daughter asked at the desk about the wait time. That's when we (all the people with big x-ray folders) found out the doctor's flight had been weather delayed, so he had arrived late and was running late. I felt so terrible, that I just wanted to lay down and take a nap, but compromised and rested my head against the wall.

We finally got in a little after 3 (1 hour after our appointment), for a 10 minute visit. The curve has not gotten worse yet, but she hasn't started to grow, so it's a wait and see game still. So 4 more months. In the meantime, she was prescribed a foot lift for her left shoe. By now, it is 3:20 and Callum has a doctor's appointment at 3:30. We quickly loaded up (do you realize how tiring it is to put an infant car seat in and out of a van so many times in a day!! thanks to Brienna for taking over for me) and pulled in at 3:33. I had Brienna start undressing Ben so we could change his diaper (he was very wet), but they called Callum back so we didn't even get his diaper changed until later. Callum was there for a check-up and for his poor eczema--it is terrible! We have tried so many creams and medicines (both prescription and over the counter) but nothing seems to work long-term. Dr. is trying another ointment, this time to only use with flare-ups (not to use continually) and a med. for itchiness. We will see if they help.

After finishing up at the Dr. office, I really just wanted to be home in bed, but had to go to the office to get a foot lift for Brienna, and run to Wal-Mart to pick up Callum's prescriptions. It was at about this time that my sister called to let me know she was at the turn off to either head to my house (and cut off 20+ miles), or come into town to met me. I begged her to come and help me get some of the shopping done (Aunt Pamela to the resuce!!). Rusty and I were planning on coming in to town for a date Saturday, but with the way I was feeling, I wasn't sure we would make it back in. So I knew I needed to get some of the groceries that we needed this week.

We got the big and important things off my list, and then headed to the check out lanes. Thankfully we got through quickly, but then we still had to stop for dinner. Plus I needed something to eat/drink for the trip home so I could stay awake. I got a shake (lasted me almost all the way home) & hamburger, and the kids got Subway. I usually love a sub sandwich, but it didn't sound appealing to me. We finally got on the road about 7 and home at 8.

Is that the end of the our Friday adventure? No--there is one more thing that happened before we got home--about half way home, an owl hit the passenger side of the front window and scared Brienna half to death! Thankfully, it didn't crack the windshield more than it already is-- just made her cry for a while.

I made it home, and begged everyone else to bring the groceries inside and put away the fridge stuff as I collapsed onto the couch. I was freezing in our toasty house (82 with a fire going), and had 2 blankets on me. I dozed on and off, heard Ethan get home from his Mackay b-ball game (he checks in with me), took some Tylenol, and finally felt alive when my fever broke about 6 am. I slept a couple more hours, took a shower and lived for another day.

I felt better, but not 100 well. My body didn't ache like Friday, and I was tired, but I decided I felt well enough to go into town on a date. We just went to dinner, and 2 stores for a short period of time. It was nice to get out with Rusty--we had only been out once since Benjamin was born, and this time we went without him. I was tired and almost feverish again by Saturday evening, but had a good night's sleep, and lived to see Sunday (although it might have been warmer if I had been sick and stayed inside out of that ferocious wind!).

All I can say now is that I am sure that Friday was at least a 48 hour day (because my body felt like it had been tortured for that long), and I love ORGANGE JUICE--my "medicine" that works for me when I don't feel good.

Until the next adventure--keep blogging!

Life is good, and the house is pretty darn clean

It has been a great day! I feel I am getting more and more organized. I made an "Ideal Week" schedule that will allow me to keep on top of the everyday tasks, and will still me allow me time with the children and "me" time.

I cleared off a desk so I can actually sit at it to pay bills, write letters, and scrapbook!! Yeah!! I usually only get scrapbooking done when we meet at the church or community center (about 1 time a month or every few months). I haven't been able to do any scrapbooking since a couple of months before Ben was born. So my plan is to get some done this week--at home!! I won't have to lug everything to the church, and I won't have to pack it up just when I am on a roll.

This schedule I wrote up is just a guideline--I am a changed person this year. If it doesn't get done, "Oh, Well!!" It is my new motto. But if I am able, I can do the tasks on the list so that they don't pile up on the weekends.

The house is actually still fairly clean--we can see the living room floor still--there is only a few wood chips on it from bringing in the wood for our fireplace. The children have been great at putting things away (or at least in their rooms where I don't have to see the stuff). And this is a rarity in our house--usually I vacuum and by the end of the day, the floor has disappeared under the toys, clothes, papers, shoes, blankets, car seats, bouncer, etc.

Today, Emmalee helped me clean the bathrooms--I have had the children clean them the past 2 months and this is only the 2nd time I have deep cleaned them since the baby was born. Although I appreciate the efforts of my children (well, mainly my oldest 2), the bathrooms really needed a cleaning! Emmalee washed the counters and sinks, along with the doors and cupboard doors. Then she went on to other parts of the house where there was dirt (isn't that about everywhere?).

Anyways, we had a great day. Because I had 3 piano students today, I was prepared and pulled out a pan of potato casserole (funeral potatoes) from the freezer and put a package of chicken breasts in the crock pot. So dinner cooked as I taught piano, and everyone enjoyed this meal (another rarity at our house). Well, almost everyone--Ethan was at basketball practice & I know he doesn't enjoy the casserole, so he ate other stuff after practice.

Life is good, and the house is pretty darn clean.

Dust bunnies

I moved our old computer out and put our lap top in it's place.

No one has moved the computer on the desk for at least 1 year (it is a monster of a monitor) and it was a wonderful place to pile and stack all the extra stuff. So there was a thick blanket of dust, lost paper clips, cds, papers, mystery items and more.

It sure was nice to get the computer moved, but it took me almost 2 hours to unhook all the wires, get things moved off the desks, and get the lap top hooked up correctly. Oh yeah, and dust and dust again. (that probably took me 1 hour!! lol)

I am hoping to have a place to scrapbook and make my cards with my stampin' up stuff. I was able to hook my old keyboard to my laptop, and we all like the keyboard better because of the angle of the keys and the level that it is at.

Tomorrow I will tackle the dust bunnies that are living in and on my piano. I haven't dusted it since last year!! Really, it was about 5 weeks ago, which is way too long for my poor piano. So I have the lemon oil out.

I did lay down on the floor with my growing baby and spent some tummy time with him. And my preschooler and I did puzzles and made rolls today. I am trying to be more aware and take the time to do things with all of the children--the dust bunnies can wait!!

I looked stress in the face--and laughed!

Well, I looked stress in the face, and won!!

Friday I went into town for Callum's therapy & Dr. appointment. We left at 8 am, Callum did great in therapy (although he still is too scared to climb to the top of the climbing wall--but who blames him? It is 3 stories high), and then I went to Target to get a few things from the ad. Emmalee and Benjamin were with me since Brienna and Zane both had sewing 4-H club, Ethan had student body meeting, and Rusty was helping his dad with an electrical job.

Anyhow, I buckled the children in, climbed behind the wheel of my trusty 18 year old mini-van, turned the key and.......NOTHING!! The key turned way too easily, so I immediately knew it was the ignition. Rusty had problems in his truck a few years ago with his ignition, so I knew it was that or the starter.

So what to do?? I am 1 hour away from home, don't have friend or anyone to call in the town, and so I wanted to cry. That was my first reaction--but then I thought: what will crying do? I knew the children would get upset if I was upset. So I stayed calm, unbuckled the children (so they could entertain each other) and tried to call home. Of course, the other children were all at their various happenings, and Rusty didn't have his cell phone with him. And neither did my father-in-law. So I had to make the decisions on my own. If they had been home, I would have waited in Target while they drove to town and they could tow me to the mechanic (who is our mechanic??).

Luckily, I have an old phone book under the seat, so I looked up the last place I remember going to for our tires--Wally's by K-Mart. It is only about 1 mile away from the store, so I was hoping the towing wouldn't be too much (the other side of town is 5-8 miles away). Unfortunately, Wally's does not have towing services, but they said they would call me a tow truck and it would be there in about 15-20 minutes (since I told him I had a newborn with me).

Now, it was a chilly day in town. It was overcast with low clouds that left a chill in the air, and the wind had picked up. The tow truck got there about 15 minutes--talk about quick service. Emmalee was nervous about getting squished in the van--thanks to watching "Cars". But I told her we would not be in the van when they pulled it to the "car fixers". The tow man (police man to Emmalee due to the flashing lights on his truck) didn't have room in his truck for 4 of us (he was told about the newborn, but not the other children). So he called for another vehicle which came within 5 minutes. It was starting to get chilly in the van, but Callum wasn't worried--"We have blankets, Mom!"

We got to the mechanics (after buckling 3 kids into a strangers car) and Emmalee was worried about her car seat left in the van!! The mechanics were sympathic, since I had the 3 young ones (although they behaved so well--I knew my prayers were being answered). And then they were even more sympathic when they found out I had 3 more at home (and thankful that I didn't have everyone in town with me!!) lol

Okay, this blog is now becomig a chapter book, but I am getting to the end soon.

By now, the kids were playing with the train table in the waiting room, drinking complimentary hot cocoa and eating candy from the machines. And little Ben kept snoozing away like the good baby he is. It had been 1 1/2 hours since we had left Target, and the mechanic told me the bad news: it was more than just the ignition and the problem was in the steering column too. And that would take about an hour to diagnos, plus then fixing it would be at least an hour (if they had the parts there) but they thought they would have to order the parts.

So I called home and finally got a hold of Ethan (my oldest). He hadn't heard from Dad, so I called my mother-in-law. She said she would come and get me. I had to call the Dr. office & cancel Callum's appointment (it was for his poor skin--ezcema). It was just after noon, and the kids wanted some lunch. So I thought I would have about 1 hour. So we walked over to K-mart (3 buildings away) and we about froze!! The wind was in our faces and it was cold. There is a little eatery there, so we ordered mini pizzas and bread sticks. We had just sat down when mother-in-law called back and said that brother-in-law was in town, and would pick me up in about 5 minutes, take me to his house about 20 minutes away and she would met us there and take us the rest of the way home.

The lady at K-Mart was quite nice (must had felt bad for me) and gave us a full order of bread sticks for the road and aluminum foil to wrap our food in so we could go. We squished into a little, tiny, small pick-up truck, stopped by the van so I could get a few things out of it, and then drove 20 miles to his house. Emmalee was really good with all the shifting going on by her legs, but the last 5 minutes were spent singing songs, counting, guessing and anything else I could do to distract her from bugging everyone else!

We were able to eat our pizza there, and then transfer ourselves into Tasha's van (cousin that lives in our town) and make it home in one piece. We did need to get back quickly, though, because her boys had a middle school basketball game at 4, and then at 6 & 7:30, Ethan had his games (he plays both JV & varsity).

I really didn't feel stressed. I love my new year's resolution of letting things fall where they will, and not stressing about things that are out of my control. The good news came when we were almost home--the van would be fixed by Monday morning, and the cost was half of what I expected it to be. I guess since I didn't call the tow truck myself, and went through the mechanic, I was given a huge discount. And it didn't take as long to diagnois as they expected. They did have to replace the locking cylindar thingy along with the ignition thingy (like I can remember any of the mechanics termonology) and we would be getting new ignition keys.

So this morning (well, it is now Tuesday technically, but Monday morning) I got the phone call shortly after 8 that they had just finished fixing it, they gave the the total amount that I owed, and I got a ride into town with my father-in-law & uncle (I just had baby and Emmalee today).

But I did have to spend all day in town trying to do the shopping I didn't get to on Friday. I got most of the things done (the necessities), and made it home in time to throw a lasagna into the oven, put some of the fridge food away (left the rest in the cooler in the van), and begin piano lessons (I had 3 students today).

I know we are blessed and that our prayers were answered. I am thankful that family is so willing to drop everything and drive 50 miles (one way) to help others in need. Life is good. And--I looked stress in the face--and laughed!!

Wow--It's the first full week of the new year! Did anyone make any resolutions? I mentally made a few, but haven't started in full force yet. (and one of them was to not procrastinate!)

The children (& Rusty) went back to school today--so it is relatively calm at my house. Calm and cold! We had a very cold weekend after a thaw on Friday. It was about 12 below zero over the weekend, and currently it is only 5 degrees! It is nice to have a warm wood stove to keep the baby warm (really I like having a toasty, warm house!)

I have lots I should be doing, but I am trying hard not to stress and let things happen when they do. We hope to take the tree down tonight for Family Home Evening, but if it doesn't happen--Oh Well!

Over the weekend, we were able to visit Rusty's grandmother (93). It is hard to visit her since we don't live in the same town and we usually have so much shopping and errands to run when we are there.

She is doing well (especially for her age) and we got some good pictures.

Well, I'm off to start the new year with a bit of cleaning!

Happy Cleaning!

I got this from "Mid-day in my PJ's" blog. Have fun!

RULES: There are 100 statements and you bold the ones you have done. (I found that if you change the color others can see it better) Grab it and play for yourself!!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept in an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (don't tell anyone!)
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (ok--only on the Wii)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day


That was fun! Hope the first day of your new year was a good one!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from Idaho!!!


Welcome 2009!

Building a snowman family

Yesterday, the children wanted to build more snowmen since they had so much fun Monday. So they bundled up and waddled outside to build their family of snowmen. Below is the results:

On Monday, the weather was warm and the snow was soft and perfect for packing. Tuesday, it was a cooler day (low 20’s) and the snow was quite dry. So here are more pictures showing the true results of their efforts:

I thought the snowman was cute--so is Emmalee! The kids had fun playing outside, but gave up quickly on the snowmen family. So instead of a family, we have a giant snow-Dad & a iddy-biddy snow-baby!

And we all had a good laugh last night when hubby came in from locking up the sheds & workshop. He said he almost asked who was in our backyard because he saw this tall figure out back! I wonder what the snowman (snow-daddy) would have answered back.

Anyways, needless to say, the girls did not get into town yesterday. We decided we would just wait until our scheduled trip on Friday, and make do with the food we have here. For those not familiar with our little Idaho town, we do have a nice convenient store, just off the interstate, that sells a few groceries (and has the staples--bread, milk, eggs). But they certainly are not bargain prices--so I buy as little as possible at the store. We did buy a couple gallons of milk and some bread yesterday here in our town, but the children made juice & crystal light so we will cut back on the milk intake.

Okay--enough about shopping. Hope you enjoyed the pictures of our snowman family.

Christmas snowmen, dinner & letter

Today was a wonderful day to play outside (for my children!). The sun broke out of the clouds and the thermometer broke the freezing mark! (we were close to 40!) The boys got soaked to the bone digging out a snow tunnel with their cousins and friend, and then took on the challenge of building a snowman taller then they are. When they had me go outside to see their creation, I was surprised at how big the snowman was. I couldn't believe my 2nd and 5th graders could build such a great snowman!

After that hard, heavy work-out outside (the snow had a ton of moisture in it because of the warm sun melting our 1 1/2 feet of snow), the boys moved inside and played a bit on the Wii. My 8-year old then decided to try his hand at the boxing game on the Wii--and broke the family record. He even changed into a t-shirt and shorts! He was so worn out he asked to take a nap at 5 pm.

But dinner was in the oven. We had our "Christmas dinner" today (ham, potatoes, rolls, veggies) because we decided years ago that Christmas was supposed to be a day to enjoy, not slave over the oven and work, work, work! Plus, most years we are getting ready to travel to WY to visit my family. This is the first year in 17 years that we did not travel to WY during the Christmas break (due to our little newborn son). It's hard enough to travel in the bitter cold & snow over the 2 mountain passes w/o a little one! We miss our family, but we know it was best to stay home!

Okay--back to dinner. I made a triple batch of potato casserole (otherwise known as funeral potatoes). I like to cook once, and eat 2-3 times. I usually make at least a double batch of most meals (lasagna, enchiladas, pot pies, etc.) Anyways, we had a wonderful, yummy dinner and then watched an episode of "Waltons"--a family present from Santa. Hubby and me like to watch the older TV shows where we can all enjoy the family values (without having to worry about inappropriate content). Now the children are all nestled snug in their beds.

The other accomplishment that occurred today--I mailed out our newsletter with our family picture to the 50 family & friends on our Christmas mailing list! I had decided (with my husband's encouragement) not to stress about getting the letter out before Christmas, and worked on it when I could. We finished it last week, but didn't get the address labels printed until today.

I have to say that this has been the least stressful Christmas since our first few years (before we had to worry about children, traveling with them, etc.). I have even been enjoying listening to Christmas music today and humming "It's the most wonderful time of the year."

If the weather cooperates, we will be having a girls (plus baby boy) day in town (remember, it is 45 miles away), if the weather holds. It is supposed to be cooler tomorrow (20's) but it's not supposed to snow. We plan on shopping (the clearance items), looking for shoes, and taking in a movie--if we can find one that will entertain both my 12 & 3 year old (they are the only girls).

Plus, it would be nice to have some milk, bread, cheese, and potatoes before my scheduled trip into town on Friday. Our poor potatoes froze about 2 weeks ago, and we salvaged as many as we could, but I used the last of them today. With a teen-aged boy, and 4 growing (active) children, the milk & food goes quicker than I would like. Plus, I only have room in my fridge for so much (although I can fit 8 gallons of milk, 6 bricks of cheese, & 6 dozen eggs in the fridge along with the other little things.)

A little of this, a little of that

What a week!! It is early Sunday morning (really late Saturday night for me--hoping to get to bed soon) and I am grateful for so many things.

I can't believe my baby boy is 7 weeks old already--in a way it feels like we have had him forever (because we have), but time is going by way too fast for me!!

We have received a ton of snow and the forecast is for more snow this coming week. We received 16 inches on Christmas Day, then had a break on Friday. But Saturday it snowed a couple inches more. The snow earlier was great packing snow, where today's snow was light and fluffy.

I did some cleaning today--the first time I really did a lot since having my baby and surgery. Weird--it felt good, but also was tiring. I enjoyed my break from big household duties (vacuuming, sweeping, cleaning toilets, etc.) but our floor needed a good vacuuming--the children can only get it so clean!

I love our family traditions at Christmas-time: no big meal to cook on Christmas day (omelets made by hubby), making gingerbread & sugar cookies, watching "The Nativity" (3 min.) before opening the presents, playing games and doing puzzles while the children are on break.

Talking about breaks--we have the best schedule for school!! Our small district went to a 4-day school week this year (which we all love) and we have 2 full weeks off for Christmas, a full week for Spring Break, and we had a great break for Thanksgiving.

Way off the topic, but I am glad that I decided to get organized for Christmas in September and October since the baby came the first part of November. Every year I tell myself that I will have everything wrapped and sorted so that on Christmas Eve I am not wrapping and getting things ready last minute. I can say that I was ready Tuesday (2 days before Christmas) and I hope that I will be able to be ready even earlier next year. I would have been done a bit sooner, but I needed go on one more shopping trip w/hubby and a storm came over the weekend so we postponed our trip to Monday. We have to travel 45 miles to shop, doctors, etc.

Well blog followers--I guess I had better say goodnight. My precious baby is now sleeping so I need to take advantage of every second of rest I can get. But I do need to let Aunt P. know that he is smiling and gooing at us a lot now. Hurry back for a visit!

Good night, sweet dreams.