Princess Party Invitation

We were invited to a Princess Birthday Party. Although I had a Chinese "Prince" outfit for him, Z decided he didn't dress up enough with other people so he didn't want to - which was fine - there were 2 other little boys there who didn't dress up either, although they might have, had Z, sorry for the negative influence. Now, the girls --- were all about it!!! (: We all had a really, really good time!

Heritage Night

Here's my Dad as a toddler with his Dad and Grandfather - probably in 1939.

Our church planned a family night where we were invited to come and eat a potluck dinner and then look at tables people had set up with things that showed their heritage. There was a wide variety of things on display. I chose to bring things my grandfather had made. I remember visiting his house in Minnesota when I was little - and in the back - he had a room FULL of wooden things he had created. All of over the walls!!! My Dad brought things he has now including a framed newspaper article from 1979 where my Grandpa was featured in his little town, because obviously he had spent many hours on this hobby! Here are my kids with the Mona Lisa my G-pa created on a line print printer. It's all letters, numbers, and symbols! I'm sure this took TONS of time to plan it and get the lines to be different shades at the right places (depended on how many times you printed that line) - I'm sure with technology today a program could create this quickly - but this piece of work has always impressed me!

Confession

Hello, my name is A and I'm a read-a-holic. (: I've been like a junkie this past week and a half. Craving a few minutes to read where ever I could find it. Often it was hovering over the kitchen counter or standing by our breadfast bar - while my kids played around me --- I'd stop for the occasional child crisis or giving directions but I immediately went back to reading as soon as I could - I couldn't get enough - I craved it - and I let other things not seem important enough to pull me away from this book. I felt I had to get done with the book to free me from this cycle - but then I wondered if I would not replace it with a different book. ??? Why couldn't I wait till after bed time to lay on the couch or in bed and leisurly enjoy reading -- where I could focus and not be distracted every few minutes while reading??? Like normal people??? Why did I have to take whatever quick fix I could to satisfy my cravings. ?????????????
Will admitting to my weakness help me own up to my other responsibilities? All this time reading wouldn't be so bad IF I enjoyed myself the entire time while reading!!! But I feel so guilty while I'm in this whirlwind, I wonder if it's worth it! I'm in a constant struggle with my desire and mind. . . . This can't be healthy! I know now my decision in high school to stop reading for pleasure was the right one for those years of schooling and college --- I was like this in middle school - always had a book in my hand, my mother had to tell me I wasn't allowed to read at the dinner table anymore because I was always so engrossed in a book! Why can't I find a nice middle ground. I suppose people with other addictions fight this battle too - "normal" people can do things in moderation and be able to stop --- but that's HARD to do sometimes!!! I've been living that this past week! I think it's better to abstain then!!! I'm not saying reading is bad - it's just that it's made me NOT do some things I need to and that's the bad part. So I must repent, ask for help, and focus on not being so absorbed --- I will try. (:

Fun in the Snow!

It snowed a little overnight, not tons, but enough that my kids wanted to go play in it!!! So during nap time for Ak - I let B and Z get all dressed up and go out there and they had a great time! They were entertained in our yard for a short time with a couple bowls and cups and our outside toys --- but then they asked for the sled and they ventured to our neighbors driveway that slopes down and there they stayed for a long time!!! We had to insist when it was time to come inside!!! And their fingers were still warm - amazing!

Pretend it's October!

For those that know and love me, know that I have a hard time not dwelling on things. So humor me here and look at these pics of Ak in B's old Halloween clothes! Back in October, I looked and looked and couldn't find them and I was sad. But I left for CO and dealt with it. Then last week, I was in my girls closet and in a box labeled FALL 18 Months were some Halloween clothes!?!? I saw that box every day - but thought I was putting clothes in there that Ak was growing out of??? I moaned or something and my kids were like, "What's wrong?" So I explained and Ak actually looked like she wanted to help me feel better - so she agreed to try on all the clothes for me so I could take her picture with a non-Halloween background. But it did make me feel a little better - so now I can compare her pics with B's! Go ahead and laugh at me - I can take it.

A Sunbeam

Z got to move out of the Nursery and into Primary! He loved his nursery teacher though - he said she was "the best teacher ever!" But now he's officially a Sunbeam! He was excited, but when he got there he didn't want to sit with his class. He opted to drag a chair next to his sister in the 2nd row (she was VERY excited to be moving back a row). He came home saying he had a good time, but "I was shy". He also got asked to give a talk NEXT WEEK!!! ??? We'll see how Mr. Shy does. (: I heard him telling a visitor today about his experience. He said that he won't be shy once he's been going for awhile. (: Even though he's not smiling in this picture - I thought he looked older today. (:

D's Christmas Break from School

D worked hard over Winter Break here at our house. We have been wanting to finish off 1/2 of the basement since Thanksgiving. It didn't get all done (school starts tomorrow) but he's made impressive progress! Stairs, Family Room & Bathroom were the focus.

I didn't take a picture of the old, cracked, plaster & paint drips filled stairs with up to an inch gaps on the sides. I didn't realize this would happen so fast. So sorry I don't have that documented - but I did catch a glimpse of us having no stairs!

Then with the brand new wall to wall fitting new steps!!! They came down and went up all in one day!!! Till about 3 AM! Our kids slept through hammering, sawing and music!

This is without the small quarter-round trim pieces. But you can see the nice trim on the side.

Staining the new steps and trim! Doesn't it look fun!

Almost Done! Then just a few more coats!
I'll post the other rooms later. (:

Happy New Year!

Hope you had a great holiday season!!! Here's a few pictures I meant to post earlier.