Reflections On the Past Year

Man, have I been out of it, or what!? My past week has been long and uneventful. I've mostly been playing with Cameron's new toys and just vegetating. It's been heavenly! The only thing is I've noticed my personal time is not mine anymore. I used to be able to go to the bathroom pretty much on my own any time I wanted, sure Cam would peek in on me to see where I was, but I was pretty much on my own. Not the case anymore! Now he MUST know where I am, what I'm doing at ALL times! Does this EVER go away?

This last year for me has brought many new things: Cam's entrance to Kindergarten, and the fright we've had with his NF1. Steve's fun with his play, and his worry at his grandparents' failing health. My insanity taking on more kids when I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it, and then my strength at standing up for me and my family. Lessons have been learned: Fight for what you know to be right, but don't be so stubborn that you don't listen to all solutions.

We got to take our first family vacation (with just the three of us) and had a ball.

This year I discovered the joy of blogging, and in the process have made many new friends whom I feel I could meet in real life and pick up conversations and just talk for hours on end. For those new friends, thank you for letting me into your lives, and for joining me on my ups and downs.

This year is nearly gone, and the next is just around the corner. I'm excited for the changes it too will bring, but fearful of the unknown.

Here's hoping this coming year will be another great adventure!

Christmas: Come and Gone

The wrappings are put in the trash, my house is plagued by mini-foam-darts, and there's candy and junk food galore: Christmas is over.

I get this sad feeling the day after Christmas, I can't quite explain it. The sparkling lights from the night before become duller....the days become grayer....and the excitement is gone. The only thing that keeps me from falling into a pit of darkness is knowing that New Year's is coming soon. And then we're into the winter blahs. (You know, that time between New Year's and Valentines'?) Anyway, things will get brighter again!

Our Christmas was fun! Steve's brother and his girlfriend came to visit us on Christmas Eve. We ate, chatted, and drove around town viewing the Christmas lights. That night Steve had to close the store down, and was gone for 3 hours! Santa was a little late getting to our house!

The next morning I woke up at a quarter to 8 hearing plastic banging against plastic: Cam was awake. We went down and played racing for a while, then opened up presents. Cam was overwhelmed with dart guns and cars, but soon got over that feeling and played to his heart's content. Soon my little sister called. She wanted us to come over to my mom's house soon so she could see us open presents before she had to go to her in-laws' house. We hurried through breakfast (the one day of the year I make a decent meal...other days it's just cold cereal) and showered, then hurried to my parent's house, fearful that she may be leaving there any second.

When we got there we found my entire family STILL in their jammies! I was a bit upset. I wanted to spend more time with just *my* family! But we hurried and opened presents there, where Cameron discovered his most favorite presents: an obnoxious guitar that is noisy, and a Nintendo DS. The kid was entertained for the remainder of the day! I got a sewing machine! (SO excited, now the trick is to figure out a spot to put it at home!) And Steve got a decent digital camera! We are definately SPOILED!

Then we spent the day visiting, giggling, and playing games. I am the ultimate winner of the game of Life...retiring with over 2 million dollars! *mwhahaha* And I can outwit a machine! If you have a 20 Q, it doesn't guess daffodil, ornament, or booger! >:)

Overall it was a wonderful day that I will treasure for years!

The final winner of my little Christmas carol game was Sketchy. She correctly guessed "Peace on Earth." Yeah, I don't know that I know of that song either, but that was the correct answer! I figured it was appropriate for Christmas anyway!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and hope you plan to have an enjoyable New Year too!

Reflecting on the True Meaning of Christmas

On this Christmas Eve, I want to wish EVERYONE a very Merry Christmas. I have been thinking more THIS year about what Christmas is really about. Today while singing in church things just touched me more, I felt more loved by God, and grateful for the knowledge I have of my Savior. The songs that have really been touching my heart have been the ones that invite the listeners to continue to seek Jesus in their everyday lives. I'll share a few words from those songs, since my poor language can't do those feelings I've been having justice.

**********

The Innkeeper (Let Him In) by Michael McLean (Forgotten Carols):

"Let Him in, let Him in

Let the joy and the hope begin,

Let Him in, let Him in

Let the peace on Earth begin.

And whether it be in your world today

or a crowded Bethlehem inn...

Find a way, make Him room,

Let Him in."

The Shepherd (You Were Not There in Bethlehem) by Michael McLean (Forgotten Carols):

"And do you think you'll join us, though you've not seen a thing.

You were not there in Bethlehem or heard the angels sing

but if you feel the Spirit in the air

then just like me you'll know:

That He was here, He was here.

The King of kings and Lord of lords was here

He was here, He was here

And He will come again, 'cause He was here....

The King of kings and Lord of lords was here."

I Cannot Find My Way/Three Kings by Michael McLean (Forgotten Carols):
"There were three kings who followed the Star of Bethlehem
They came from afar, to praise and honor him.
The light which beckoned them to seek
The Lord of men; it calls to you, it calls to me...
...We’re not alone, we have a star that shines today.
The love that He gave teaches how and shows the way.
The light is clear to see, if we have faith and believe:
Three Kings found the Lord, and so can we...
...And if you’ve lost your way, that light burns bright today
and it will shine eternally...
...Lord help us find a way, we need to find a way
We need to find a way back home.
Three kings found the Lord and so can we!"

Shine for me again, Star of Bethlehem by Dan Carter:

"Do not despair, your star is still there."

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The winner from yesterday was Carrie. It was Frosty the Snowman.
Here's the last song of my game. Good luck everyone, and Merry Christmas!

Tranquility upon the terrestrial sphere

Christmas is Coming...the Goose is Getting Fat...

Cleaning is NOT on my "fun" list. Since today is "the day before Sunday," I'm attempting to clean up my house.

Last night our family slept downstairs by the lit up Christmas tree (one of our traditions) and I'm STILL in my jammies from that! I don't want to get all cleaned up only to find that I'm sweaty and stinky after cleaning. So I'm waiting. Sleeping with the Christmas lights around me was SO magical. Even more magical without my glasses on. The lights were blurry, but pretty! Now I remember why we do it every year!

Now I'll get on with my post. Yesterday's winner was Lynanne. She was a quick one! :) The answer was I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. I found that this song was VERY appropriate for what we had yesterday...our first REAL snowfall! It was exciting and frustrating all at once. After shoveling our sidewalk the neighbor kid kicked snow ALL over my clean walk. Let's just leave it with I WAS MAD! After fuming over it for a while we left and came home to find our sidewalk cleaner than when I had originally cleaned it. Boy, was I humbled. Anyway, it was a snowy day and I am just excited for a WHITE Christmas! YAY!

Here's the next song, after this there's only ONE more...how sad! Oh, well...Good luck one and all!

Obese personification fabricated of compressed mounds of minute crystals

Just For Carrie...The Ice Cube

Well, I've been thinking about it, and I'm going to put up the story of the ice cube. (Mostly to stop Carrie from whining about it! And also to remind myself of it for YEARS before my brain forgets all of the details!)

While we were eating lunch in Logan last week, at a completely different table than the rest of the people we were with, my brother, Daren, and I got into a bit of an ice cube fight. He'd been teasing me mercilessly about drinking out of the pitcher, and I grabbed a few ice cubes and lobbed them at his head while he was attempting to nap at the table. Unfortunately for me, they bounced right off of his beautiful curls! (He's only recently let his curls grow out...) He looked at me with that look I've come to be afraid of. I knew retribution would come, but waiting is ALWAYS the problem!

After a few minutes an ice cube came and bounced off of my chest. He laughed, I laughed and we went on with the conversation. Hey, I thought to myself, that wasn't so bad.

After a few more seconds another one bounced closer to my cleavage. He laughed harder. He then told us that he was AIMING for my cleavage. Hmmm...WHY!?
Well, I figured that the ice storm was over, I'd only thrown 2 pieces of ice, so he was done, right? Uh...wrong!

The final ice cube came flying through the air. (Now imagine all of this in SLOW MOTION) The ice landed right in my cleavage falling to the bottom of my bra...making it's way around my boob to the underside. Slowly melting underneath my boob...making a lovely puddle for me to deal with later. I made a squealing noise, and just sat there while the COLD ice melted under my boob. I was FREAKIN' cold! My brother's laughter was uncontrollable at this time, but it got worse once we left the building and went outside. My chants that I were cold put him over the top. My mom, after witnessing the whole thing, said, "Why didn't you just reach down and pull the ice out?"

UH...did you really want me shoving my hand DOWN my shirt to fish out a little ice cube?! That would have REALLY drawn attention to us...no, I'll just deal with it!

And there you go, the story of the ice cube.

Yesterday it took me FOREVER to post...I was so annoyed! But all is good, I have a winner in Carrie who correctly identified God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. And the fact that she was first is not such a BIG deal...she commented at midnight! Go to bed girlie!

Here's the next song:

Natal celebration devoid of color, rather albino, as a hallucinatory phenomenon for me

Good luck!

Busy Me!

So I'm a little busy today. I apologize for not being a good blog-reader, but I'm living my real life! YAY! I got a surprise call from my friend from Boston. She's in town and wants to see us tonight. I'm hurrying to do this so I can be free to have fun with her. I'm so excited!
The winner, yet again, is Rachelle. I told you she was a smart lady! The answer was I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. She was so excited to get the answer that she didn't even notice my "living room tour!" *hee hee* That's okay, we all know where her priorities are!
Here's the next song, good luck one and all!
May the Deity bestow an absence of fatigue to mild male humans

Update:

My evening with my friend was fabulous! We caught up on what's been going on in each other's lives. I got to see her adorable baby girl, and I had an over-all enjoyable night! I NEED to do this again soon!

Tour Of My Living Room

I finally got the call that our pictures are ready to be picked up. Even though they weren't ALL done, we still hurried for the half hour drive to the portrait studio to pick up what was there. They turned out pretty nice. I think with the price we paid for them they should be printed on gold, but you get what you can! Since they're professional and I can't really scan them, I've decided to take you on a "tour" of my living room, since it's SO gorgeous and all! ;)

This is my lovely VCR/DVD player, oh, and look, there's my new pictures on top. My, now isn't that convenient?

Here's the crack in my wall, oh, and look, there are a few more pictures that are new! One of our whole family and one of the two who made it all possible! (Oh, and the window looking picture is one that I made at Enrichment. It says, "Family, a journey to forever.")

And this is my shelf that is on top of my entertainment center. Oh, and a single picture of both my husband and I. How did those get there!?

Rachelle won for today, even though she was unsure. The correct answer was We Wish You a Merry Christmas. She's another one of those smart teacher-ladies. :)Here's the next song, good luck!
Parent was observed osculating a red-coated unshaven teamster

Spreading Christmas Joy

I had a wonderful experience last night. Every Monday we have Family Home Evening with my parents, and their ward choir had planned to go carolling last night. We bundled up in warm clothes (I wore a fuzzy hat my mom had made earlier this fall...I looked hilarious!) and we set out for a night of fun. We piled onto a flat-bed trailer covered in straw-bales and colored Christmas lights, learned to turn pages with gloved fingers, and set off.

Our first destination was a care center for older people. I had visited this place many times as a teen and always wanted to hurry from there as soon as I could. Last night with the cold air freezing our noses and cheeks I was anxious for a respite from the night air. When we went inside those doors the warm air was heavenly, although the smell was otherwise. We found out that there were two hallways that we could go singing in, and set off. The first song we sang was Silent Night. It was so beautiful hearing that song sung in a quiet part of the building on a crisp winter night. As we walked down the hall and peeked into the rooms we saw few faces, but the ones we DID see were smiling and full of Christmas cheer. One sweet old lady waved at everyone who passed her door.

In the next hallway the smell was worse, but we sang anyway. This hallway was home to the Alzheimer patients. One man came out of his room and watched us sing. His face was that of a little child. It was such a sweet spirit that surrounded him, and I was humbled to be bringing him such joy! As we left I had a happy feeling, I didn't think it could get any better.

The next place we ventured was some senior apartments that has many widows and widowers. We rang doorbells and spread out singing our songs along the way. The faces there were just as precious and filled with as much joy as the previous place. One sweet woman stood outside her door in the cold clapping her hands to the song.

After that we just drove through my parents' neighborhood singing and laughing. It was so much fun, and just brought that Christmas feeling even closer to my heart.

My dear friend Carrie has won my game AGAIN! Like I said, she's SUPERWOMAN! The answer was Oh Little Town of Bethlehem (again!) When we played this game at the party we wondered if they put the same carols in more than once, and they had, so this was the LAST double of the game, if anyone is even keeping track!

Here's the song of the day, I'm so tired of typing up the rules, I'm just not going to! (Call it lazy if you must, because it is!)

Song:

Our fervent hope is that you thoroughly enjoy your yuletide season

Good luck!

Why?!

Why?! I just want to know. Does anyone have a decent answer for me?

There was ONE small story I forgot to add to my graduation drama, "the ice cube." If I get enough courage, I'll tell it, otherwise, you'll ALL be in the dark on that one! (Well, except for Daren, who was there, and was the perpetrator!)

With Christmas coming I've been trying to enjoy things and stay unfrazzled, but I've been worrying quite a bit. I can't help myself, I'm a worrier. My husband will often tell me not to worry so much about things, but I just can't stop! With Christmas, my main concern was for Cameron. I had mentioned that my RS president had called to see if the ward could help us, and we accepted, but I had begun to stress when she asked if there was another present they could exchange for what he had asked Santa for. I panicked! I had pretty much promised the boy that he would get what he wanted, and then I heard that we might not be able to get the promised toy. STRESS!

Anyway, after church yesterday my RS president pulled me aside and told me that everything I had requested was ready for my son...including the EXACT toy he had asked for. I could not hold the tears back. RELIEF! I thanked her over and over and tried to compose myself enough to go back to choir practice, but the whole time I was smiling.

Anyway, let's get back to the game. The winner was Carrie (aka CareBearMommy)! I'm really impressed! She's such a superwoman! (Can you see the emblazoned SW on her chest?!) Not only did she get the answers FIRST, but she's juggling 3 kids, one, less than a week old! How DOES she do it all?! Anyway, the answers WERE Grandma got ran over by a reindeer, We three kings (again!), and Silver Bells. She's so SNART! *snickering*

Since I'm getting to the bottom of my list I'm not going to be posting 3 songs a day. This way we'll also cut back on the whole "multiple" winner thing! I've counted, and I've got one carol a day until Christmas. I'm so good! *patting self on the back*

The rules, if you don't know, are you have to be the first to correctly identify the mixed up Christmas song title. Then you get a spiffy award, blah, blah, blah! Good luck!

Song:

Oh small Israel urban center

And as a quick PS, other than the few snags I've run into, I'm quite enjoying beta. :)

Graduation for Jeremy and Embarrassments for Me

Why did I do this to myself?? I'm now a beta-zoid! Blogger has been hounding me each time I publish a post that they have my "NEW" version ALL set up...so I jump into it...BLINDLY! What a headache! I'm hoping that now that it's over I won't have any more issues!

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We did a round trip drive from my house to Logan and back under 12 hours! I'm just glad I didn't have to do the driving! That would have been ANNOYING! :)

Graduation was BORING, but isn't that what graduation is for?

We arrived at the stadium and tramped up and down stairs to find a seat, finally finding one that was directly in front of 2 adorable, wiggly little girls. I was kicked in the back of my head more times than I wish to count! Not only that, but as the program went on, one even sat on me. Yes, she sat on my back, even resting her head against my head a few times (I was hoping she didn't have head lice!) Anyway, since they were wiggling, I was wiggling too! After their daddy's part in the graduation was done the little girl who had been sitting on me announced to her mommy, "I peed!" Uh, SHE WAS JUST SITTING ON ME!! I was completely grossed out, but managed to get a happy smile once they packed up and left. (This picture shows the face I made when telling the wonderful story of "The Little Girl Who Peed!")

My sister was beaming with pride when her husband walked and got his diploma (well, just the empty case...) and we were all glad to have it over with. We were told that there were over 1500 graduates, but it only took them 2 hours for the entire ceremony, reading everyone's name! I was impressed...if not bored out of my skull!
We then took pictures and were off to Angie's to eat lunch. My sister had called earlier this week to make reservations, but they were swamped when we got there. So we had a group of 16 people spread over two tables in different parts of the room. My sister and brother were thoroughly upset, but it was all good.

I was so thirsty when I sat down at the table that I grabbed the nearest thing with water and took a long sip, not noticing that I was drinking out of the water pitcher. I would have gotten away with doing that if my younger brother hadn't noticed and asked if I had just drunk out of it. I sheepishly confirmed the truth, and he laughed SO hard....I was humiliated. For the rest of the meal he'd offer me my "cup," remarking how HUGE the cup was. I tried to laugh it off, but was really not feeling pleased with myself.

Anyway, it was a day full of laughs and boredom, but I'm home and surviving!

GUILT!

I'm feeling awful right now! My house is a disgusting mess, and here I am, goofing off on the computer! My husband is a saint for putting up with my crap! (Love ya, honey!)

I think today is the day that motivation MUST set in. I MUST vacuum today...I MUST do the dishes today...I MUST clean up Cam's books....I MUST clean up old piles of mail....I MUST pay bills...I MUST make my bed with CLEAN blankets....I MUST do laundry!

Will this list help me? Who knows!

I should get as much done today as I can though...my family is taking a short day-trip to Logan, Utah tomorrow. We'll be leaving bright and squirrelly in the morning, so I'm sure I'll be exhausted when I get home!

Now about the winners from yesterday's game, we have 2...again, the hazard I get for putting up multiple songs! (Aw, you can probably tell, I really don't care HOW many people "win" my game...I just love the fun!)

Lynanne (a NEW friend) and Cat are the winners for correctly guessing We Three Kings, O Come All Ye Faithful, and Jingle Bell Rock. Silly, I know, but seriously, would you deny me my hilarity of the day?

For the rules (again and again and again...) You have the privilege of figuring out these mixed up titles of Christmas carols, and if you are the FIRST to correctly guess the songs I'll post your name and link in my next post...well, maybe not until Monday, but you get FREE advertising! :) Good luck, one and ALL!

Song #1:

Vehicular homicide was committed on Dad's mom by a precipitous darling

Song #2:

We are Kong, Lear, and Nat Cole

Song #3:

Cup-shaped instruments fashioned of a whitish metallic element

And I apologize to the winners for NOT having my little award posted, but Blogger is NOT being very nice today! I just need to figure out a way to outwit it! (Like I did with those of you who have switched to beta...mwhahahahaa!)

Feeling Sorry For Myself....For a Few Minutes Anyway...

Living life has gotten the better of me. I've been doing all sorts of things lately. Helping Cam out in school, making Christmas treats, feeling sorry for myself....you know, the usual stuff.

Okay, so I shouldn't be doing ALL of those things, but I think I'm getting better. I was feeling bad today after watching several shows where the ladies are pregnant with their second babies, but their older children are only 2 or 3. I just want to scream out that it ISN'T FAIR! But then I calm myself down and think, when I DO have more children I'll treasure them so much more than I would have if I had them years ago. Trying to have a baby is ROUGH work...especially when it doesn't go the way you hope!

Anyway, enough of wallowing in self-pity...back to my fun Christmas game! (I need to get more Christmassy anyway!) We have THREE winners. I guess that's the hazard I get running three different songs! :) Our winners are Rachelle who correctly guessed the THIRD song as Let it Snow, Cat for getting the FIRST song which was Jingle Bells, and Anne/Kq for getting the SECOND song which is As Shepherds Watched their Flocks By Night.

Now back to the game, if you want to win try to correctly guess the mixed up Christmas carol titles first. Then I'll put your name and linky on my next post. Good luck!

Song #1:

Monarchial triad

Song #2:

Have hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief

Song #3:

Boulder of the tinkling metal spheres

I'm Feeling MUCH Better, Thanks!

After my ranting this afternoon I've mellowed and feel MUCH better. I went to my mom's house where I could rant some more, and my mom put it all into perspective: "He's acting like he's 14, and you've got a bad attitude!" Can anything else be said!?

I am a little miffed with Blogger right now, I've tried and tried to comment on some of my blog-reads, but for anyone who's switched over to beta, I can't! I've tried and tried, but in the end I've given up.

I'm ready to get back to normal blogging life. *breathe in....breathe out*

As a quick update, Steve's grandpa is recovering from surgery. From what we've heard he's going to be just fine. I can't tell you how relieved I am! I love that man and hope to speak with him again before he dies!

And I will be going to Logan on Saturday. My brother-in-law will be graduating, and we're ALL very excited and proud of him. He's one of those musical guys, and hopes to teach choir. He's been student teaching in Brigham City and seems to love it. I hope he and my sister find a place where they'll be happy! (Probably NOT Idaho, but where ever they go I hope they're happy!) I just told my mom that if I'm this grouchy on Saturday, I won't be going with them. She was happy to hear that! :)

And now we'll return to our regularly scheduled program!
Suzanne is kicking everyone's butt! She's gotten so many of the songs correct that I'm slightly tempted to rename the game "The beat Suzanne, if you can, game!" But I won't! The answers WERE Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, I Saw 3 Ships, and Hark, the Herald Angels Sing. She's a tough one to beat!

The rules to my game: you have to figure out the mixed up titles to these Christmas carols and be the first (yes, before Suzanne!) to correctly guess them and I'll post your name and link and put up my award with your name on it! Good luck!

Song #1:

A joyful song relative to hollow metallic vessels which vibrate and bring forth a ringing sound when struck

Song #2:

As the guardians of little wooly animals protected their charges in the shadows of the the earth

Song #3:

Frozen precipitation commence

So Mad Right Now! I MUST VENT!

Have you seen that episode of Everybody Loves Raymond that's all about PMS? I'm LIVING that episode right now! I'm just glad my husband doesn't have a tape recorder to record the things I'm saying!
OOOH! He just makes me SO mad sometimes! I just got back from taking Cam to therapy and doing some errands. I was telling him what was going on when he starts in lecturing me about things I'm going to HAVE to do next week. (Just so you know, I'm on jury duty next week, and I have to call into the office at least ONCE a week while I'm on....) So he's telling me all of this stuff that he says I HAVE to do...like calling in EVERY DAY, and I tell him, "No, I just have to follow their instructions." Now granted, when I said this to him, I didn't really SAY it to him...I pretty much growled and yelled at the same time. Then he goes into a whole lecture about how grouchy I am.
THIS IS NOT HELPING MY SITUATION! Telling me I'm grouchy when I'm grouchy is a one-way ticket to GROUCH-VILLE! UGH! Learn from past mistakes, dude!
Then when I sit down on the couch and I grab the remote and change the channel to something I'd rather watch. He then demands to know what I think I'm doing. I tell him I'm changing the channel. To which he again LECTURES me on how he was there first. Uh....How many times do you do this to me?? Try everyday! I say this to him...yes, I'm still pissed off, and he then mutters UNDER his breath, "PMS!"
With those three letters I'm off. I chuck the remote at the dork, and fume up the stairs to cool off. Is it working? Not quite!
On top of my "grouchiness" we've got a few other things going on. Steve's grandpa is in the hospital in Spokane, undergoing some pretty intense things. He's got some blood clots moving to his brain and they're attempting to destroy the clots with laser surgery. (Don't ask me all of the details, all I hear is what Steve's family tells HIM.) They're calling and texting everyone to let them know what's going on. I'm stressing about that, and getting PMS isn't really helping me cope! UGH!
My parents took in another exchange student last week with the idea that they'd be able to keep him for the rest of the school year, but due to some international rules, they can't. And I really bonded with this guy! I don't want to see him go, but he's going.
We have very little food in the house and I'm STARVING, but even if we DID have food, I couldn't eat much of it anyway because my jaw is KILLING me!
Then I'm STILL recovering from my teeth being pulled yesterday. It still hurts like it did before they were pulled, but now I have tender gums where they yanked the teeth out of my head. I had to wake up and take some pain killers early this morning, then try to sleep. Let me tell you, it was NOT a fun morning!
I'm so sorry for this post, but I had to get it all out of my system. I'm not really feeling up to doing the game today, so I'll do it another time. I just had to vent and try to get my feelings OFF my chest and see things in a different way.
The ONE ray of happiness in all of this crud going on is that my friend Carrie had her baby today. She called me and we talked for a while. I'm just glad she and her family are doing fine.

Drool, Suck, Spit....

I'm recovering right now from having a couple of teeth extracted. So I can now sing that song, "All I want for Christmas is my two (back) teeth!" I've actually been DYING from the pain caused by these teeth for over a year now. I have been waking up in the middle of the night to pop a few pills to ease my pain. There have been a few times where I've just broken down in TEARS with the overwhelming pain. I even tried to pull them myself one day last month with no luck. Hopefully with the removal of these pesky teeth I'll be a happier me! For now I'm a bit numb and swollen. So cute, I assure you! :) Now for the winners of my little contest...mattsmom and her husband, ESD. This is another couple that I know in REAL life, so it's kinda cool that they won. If only I could share her blog...It's so much fun, and SHE'S the whole reason I have THIS blog! But they were correct, the answers were: Up on the Rooftop, Away in a Manger, and Go Tell it on the Mountain. When we played this game at my parents' Christmas party my Grandma Sue had to help me with "Go Tell it on the Mountain," because I had NO idea!

The rules to my funny little game are: you have to figure out the mixed up titles to Christmas songs and if you're the first correct guesser I'll post your name and a link (if you want...mattsmom is one I KNOW doesn't like me to linky up hers, hence, why she's NOT linked up) to your blog. Good luck!
Song #1:
That exiguous hamlet south of the holy city
Song #2:
Behold! I envisioned a trio of nautical vessels
Song #3:
Listen, the winged heavenly messengers are proclaiming tunefully

A Meme? We Got No Time for a MEME!

"Early Reading" Meme. Suzanne tagged me a few days ago, but with the whole computer drama, I got a bit side-tracked! Sorry! So, here it is...a few days later! :)

1. How old were you when you learned to read and who taught you?

I know this is going to sound like bragging, but I was a very early, very quick reader. I could read small books before I was in Kindergarten. I think that’s why when I work with Cameron on his reading it’s so hard for me. I could read and write when I was 3. My mom would give me paper and I’d demand to know how to spell things. I had some issues with my first grade teacher, so when they TAUGHT us to read in school, I was one of those kids who had to be pulled out of class to read in the halls...cuz I didn’t do the reading at home! I think the helpers loved reading with me, because I was so good! (See, I told you it would sound like I was bragging, but I’m not, I’m just brilliant!) >:)

2. What books do you remember owning as a child?

We had lots of books. We had many Dr. Seuss books and I remember reading over and over some P.D. Eastman books. I loved it when my mom would read us "All Because a Little Bug Went Ker-Choo" and I loved "The Digginist Dog." I also remember having a few Berenstein Bear books....like the one where they go to the museum and the dinosaur bone is missing...I can’t remember the name of it right now, but I loved that one too!

3. What is the first book you remember buying with your own money?
Something from the book order, but do you think I could remember it?? I know it was a Berenstein Bears book, but I couldn’t tell you whether it was the messy room one, or the junk food one.

4. Were you a re-reader as a child? If so, what did you read the most often?
I was NOT a re-reader as a child. I was a re-listener, but once I could read, and HAD to read, I’d only do it if I had to! When I had a choice of books to LISTEN to I’d usually pick "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?"

5. What is the first adult book that captured your interest and how old were you when you read it?
That would be "Where the Red Fern Grows." I had to read it for a book report in 4th or 5th grade (so I would have been about 10 or 11), but I can’t really remember. I just remember thinking, "Gee, if all books ended like this one, I will NEVER read again!"

6. Are there any children's books you passed by as a child and learned to love as an adult?
The whole Arthur series. I didn’t read them when I was younger, but my son and I both love to read them over and over! Such good lessons found there!

Now it’s your turn. What books did you love as a child? I won’t necessarily tag anyone for this, but if you want to do it...feel free, then let me know!

Beep, Beep, Beep!

Computer update!
My brother dismantled my computer and took it to my mom's house where he did something with the video card (which we hadn't used until recently) and poof! It worked JUST like it had before! Miracle of miracles! I really wasn't looking forward to reinstalling EVERYTHING, and now we won't! He said the video card was one that had given him problems before, so he's sending it back to the people he bought it from. Maybe they'll fix it THIS time, but then again, maybe not. Either way, I'm glad to have my computer back to normal! (Well, once we finish downloading some extra stuff, it will be back to normal!)
The winner today is my good friend (IN REAL LIFE) Kim! Or as we like to call her, Kimby!
She guessed the songs were The 12 days of Christmas, Do you Hear what I hear?, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. But she's one of those smart teacher-ladies...so it's RIGHT up her alley! She's so SMART!
I've decided not to play my game on the weekends, but I'll do it today (cuz it's Friday!)
The rules are: I'm going to post mixed up titles to Christmas Carols and you, my dear readers, get to guess the songs. The first one to guess gets their name put up with a link to their blog...well, only if they want! And then they get the pride of knowing mixed up songs!
Okay, enough of my rambling words...
Song #1: Stepping on the pad cover
Song #2: Far back in the hay bin
Song #3: Leave and do an elevated broadcast
Good luck!

Crash! Boom! Bang!

My computer has bit the dust, aka: CRASHED! I'm so sad! And I didn't even realize all of the stuff we had stored there until we can't have it anymore!

The computer WAS fixed on Wednesday, but last night Steve just TOUCHED the thing and it messed up! Poor guy now has a complex! Anyway, my brother came over (again) and tried to restore it and it never came back! And after I had spent HOURS reorganizing all of my music! I'm so sad....did I mention that?!

So he told us that on his day off he'd come over and reinstall Windows and all of the other things we had. Until then I'm using someone else's computer! WAAAAAH!

Well, we had SEVERAL correct guesses on the funny little game I've been playing, but I'm only going to put up ONE winner this time! (Sorry, Carrie!)

The winner was Suzanne! She's been getting on the winners' list for this game since the first day! WAY TO GO! (I would put up my funny little award here, but I'm on a computer that doesn't understand what I'm trying to do!)

The songs from yesterday were: All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth, It Came upon a Midnight Clear, and Joy to the World.

The rules again are: I'm going to put up mixed up titles to Christmas songs and you get to guess it. If you are the FIRST to correctly guess the songs I'll put your name up with a link to your blog. (Not a huge award, but when I get the computer fixed...I'm all over putting up that funny little award I created!)

Good luck!

Song #1:

288 Yuletide hours

Song #2:
Do you perceive the same longitudinal pressure which simulates my auditory sense organs?

Song #3:
The red-suited pa is due in this burg

And one more thing: a quick shout-out to the ESD! Long time no think about him! *hee hee*

Frustration with the Big Kids and the Little Ones

I wanted to shoot my husband, but I didn't! Yesterday he pretty much had complete control over our computer. (I know, I should SHARE!) Anyway, he took a digital picture of our Christmas tree and tried to set it as our wallpaper for our computer, but he had the resolution TOO high, and messed it all up! All of a sudden we had a message telling us that our computer (or whatever) was out of range. So I called my little brother, who originally put our computer together for us, and I whined to him. He came right over (even though it was 10:30 at night) and fixed my problem! I guess I shouldn't be so frustrated over the whole situation, but I am. Because my little brother came over, he reconfigured everything, and now my screen is totally WEIRD! Ugh! I'm such a "everything-has-to-be-the-same-girl!" :PThis is our cute, little Christmas tree....we're someday hoping to get a bigger, better one....that's PRE-LIT!

Then today I did the whole mama/teacher thing at Cam's school. Usually they do centers, but since last week was so short, they finished up their centers yesterday, and began some testing today. Mrs. K asked me if I could help with testing, and I figured I could. It was NOT as easy as I had thought! We were testing two kids at once, with multiple people giving tests at the same time. The kids were EASILY distracted, and tried to copy off of their neighbor's paper. Even if they had the right answer and noticed that the person next to them had put something else, they'd change their answer! I just wanted to scream out, "NO! You had it right! Don't change it!" but then I remember that I was pretty much the same way when I was that age. I remember being in a spelling bee in the first grade. I was supposed to spell "front" and I spelled it correctly, but when the teacher asked me to respell it, I thought I had messed up and spelled it a DIFFERENT way. Another kid in the class pointed out that I had spelled it right the first time, but since I had changed my mind, I was wrong. From that time on, I decided that I would stick with my FIRST instinct, even if it was wrong, because it COULD be correct. Anyway, back to today...the kids in Cameron's class kept looking to me for confirmation of their answers, but all I could really do was ask them if they thought it was right. It was SO hard, especially with my whole OCD going on, but I did it! I'm so proud of me! *patting self on the back*

And now for the results of my game from yesterday! Yay to Carrie and Suzanne for guessing the songs. Neither one knew BOTH, but they each knew ONE! (You guys are SO funny!) The answers to #4 and #5 were Silent Night and Noel. Both cheesy, but I found both very funny!

The rules to my funny game: you have to figure out the mixed up titles to these Christmas songs and I'll put up a link to your blog and make my fancy, dancy award say YOUR name! (I know you're ALL DYING for that!)
Song #6: Present me naughty but dual incisors for this festive Yuletide

Song #7: The smog-less bewitching hour arrived

Song #8: Exuberation to this orb

Good luck!

Revealing Answers

Well, it seems as if SOMEONE finally figured out the hints! :) Cat got it! She's such a good kitty! *petting Cat* The first song was the Nutcracker Suite! They were REALLY mean with that one, but as you can tell from the other two songs I put up, they're not all that mean!
And the answers for the second and third songs WERE the Little Drummer Boy and Deck the Halls. Good for those of you who guessed it! (Please excuse my sad attempt at making an award for those winners!)

Anyway, now for the next songs. (I'll try and do a few a day...at least until I run out of songs!)

Song #4: Sir Lancelot with Laryngitis

Song #5: ABCDEFGHIJKMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Those should be easy enough! Good luck ALL!

God Loves ME! (Oh, and Other Happenings...)

My attempt at playing games isn't going so well. Again the rules are: I will post the words to a mixed up Christmas carol, and you get to figure out the songs. Since no one has gotten the first song of my game I'll add another and maybe we'll get someone who's smart enough to figure out the answer! (I had to have a hint, then Steve figured it out...so I'm not smart!) But like I said, that one was HARD!

Song:

The apartment of 2 psychiatrists (Hint: There really aren't any WORDS to this particular song!)

Song #2:

The lad is a diminutive percussionist

And as an ADDED bonus Song #3:

Decorate the entry-ways

Good luck!

The bug that has been zooming around has finally landed here! I threw up my guts over and over yesterday. I felt bad about not going to church, but I really didn't think they'd appreciate me puking all over those sweet little kids! So I called in sick, and pretty much slept and tried to get better. Thankfully I'm doing fabulous today!

I'm SO grateful for prayer right now! I can't even begin to tell you, but I'll try!

Lately we've really been struggling just to get by. And with Christmas rapidly approaching I've really gone into stress mode. We just have a few presents we wanted to get for Cameron, but with each pay day gone by it seems less and less likely that we'll be able to pull it off. I've thought about putting off some of our bills, hoping the mean collectors will have a heart, just once, but then I worry that we'll never catch up! Anyway, I've been worrying and praying all weekend long that we'll somehow find a way to make Christmas nice for Cam without stretching ourselves to the limit. Then today I got a call. It was my Relief Society President. She said that she's had me on her mind all weekend long, and wondered if we needed any help with Christmas.

Can you imagine my TEARS?! I told her how we've been really struggling and how I was worried about getting things for Cameron. We talked for a half hour and at the end of that time my worries were eliminated! GONE! I can tell you now, that God does look out for us. Even when it seems small and insignificant to our eyes, He loves us and will help us when we ask for it!

Busy Times and Christmas Game

So much going on! Thursday was Cam's parent/teacher conference. UGH! He's doing okay, but he needs mucho help! So his teacher sent him home with a fun set of video tapes to help him out!

Friday we spent going to the dentist, Temple, and to a nativity display! It was busy, but fun! The whole nativity thing was awesome! In this church they had over 700 nativities set up! It was SO COOL! Then when we were done wandering around we stopped in the chapel where there was a group of kids playing Christmas songs on violins! Needless to say the whole day was emotional and I ended it bawling my eyes out! (Happy tears though!)

Today was my lazy day! I tried to get some of my favorite Christmas music on CDs for listening in the car, but ended up listening to the Forgotten Carols over and over and over...Bawling the whole time, of course! It brought back memories of the first time I saw the performance...when I was IN the production! Michael McLean told the choir (ME!) that this performance was for us, not the people watching it, but for US! I loved every minute, and even caused a stir when I laughed REALLY hard at his Aladdin part! The first time I performed in it, my Grandma H was really sick with cancer, and she and my grandpa were about to be sealed in the Temple. At the end of the show, Michael sang "Hold On" and I knew everything would work out for the best, no matter WHAT the outcome!

Then tonight we crashed my parent's ward Christmas party. It was so much fun! And thanks to the people on their activity committee, I've got a game I want to play until Christmas.

The rules are, I'll put up the mixed up name of a Christmas carol and we'll see who can guess it first! Ready?

Here's the first song:

The apartment of 2 psychiatrists

Hmmm...I'm being mean, this was the HARDEST song on the list, but it was number one, so it goes first! Good luck!

Insomniac

I used to have this ALL of the time growing up, now it seems I've come back to it! I did manage to fall asleep earlier tonight, but it was in front of the television downstairs, and apparently my snoring is loud and distracting. I wish I could just tell my brain, "HEY! It's bedtime...SLEEP!" But it just doesn't always work like that! I think I'll attempt to cuddle with my sleeping honey!

I NEED SLEEP!

Oh, What Do You Do at Christmastime?

Saw this meme at Nikko's Place and had to play along...

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Stephens' Mint Truffle Hot Chocolate! (TO DIE FOR!)
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? One big one is unwrapped, but the little ones are wrapped and shoved in the stocking
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored! (Our first year of marriage I tried doing ALL blue lights, but it looked really depressing...so we're all color now!)
4. Do you hang mistletoe? no
5. When do you put your decorations up? Thanksgiving night!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? HAM! (I love ham at all times, but it's especially yummy on Christmas!)
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going to my great-grandparents' houses on Christmas Eve! At one we'd mingle (if we could move) and eat and laugh, at the other one Santa's elves would always bring a bag o' goodies!
8. How and When did you learn the truth about Santa? I was always a doubter! I had a feeling about him when I was 4! YES! But I got over that one when he visited my house while I was still awake! How nice of him to drop in! Anyway, I asked my mom when I was 11 or 12, and her response to me was, "What do you think?" Then I knew! (But I totally believe in Santa! Don't you believe in yourself or your husband!?)
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, it's pajamas. Same box and everything every year!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? It's got a little bit of EVERYTHING on it! We buy one set of ornaments every year, and then we just mix them all together.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Between the days of Thanksgiving and Christmas I LOVE it, any other time it's a nuisance!
12. Can you ice skate? Uh...I tried once, but hurt my feet really bad! I grip with my toes when I feel like I'm falling, so you can tell what happened to my toes...Never went back, so NO!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Uh, I remember a few. My biggest laugh of a present happened when "Santa" bought me tires for my car. I ended up buying one of those big Cookie monster toys so I had a present next to my stocking. I put that out and my little brother kept asking my mom and dad where they got it. And they could honestly tell him, they DIDN'T get it! *hee hee*
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family and friends. Renewing my love of the Savior and just thinking more about Him!
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I love my grandma F's homemade fruit cake! Mmmmmm! Or Divinity...either way, pass me some!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Visiting my grandparents on Christmas Eve. I LOVE seeing all of my cousins and just talking and laughing about anything and everything! And I love driving around to see the Christmas lights on Christmas Eve! So pretty!
17. What tops your tree? A gold and glass star. We're still looking for a prettier one!
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? GIVING!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Actually I have TONS! I love all of the old ones that they play on Polar Express, and I love, love, LOVE the Forgotten Carols! Actually, I just love ANY Christmas music! The 12 pains of Christmas ALWAYS makes me giggle, but so does the Muppet's 12 days! Ya know, just put me down for ALL!

I'm just excited that the season is here, and I'm free to be my obnoxious Christmassy self! If you want to do this, let me know, I'll come and read it! :)