My word

In the car the other day...
L: Mama?
M: Yes Lily?
L: Are we going on an adventure?
M: Yes. We are Lily.

So that is going to be my word for 2008. Adventure. Yes, it could have been change, or different, or challenge, but I am going to go with the optimistic viewpoint. Adventure. I wonder where our adventure is going to take us this year.

So to all of my readers, here's to your adventure in 2008. May it be a good one. Happy New Year. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE BEN!Perhaps we could get a new picture of you and Lily this year? If it helps I will change my word to theyearwewillgetapictureofunclebenandlily. Although perhaps that's a little long...

Smart Girl

Lily got a Sesame Street puzzle for Christmas. I think we have done it approximately 250 times already. Today during my shower she decided to try it by herself.
From the other room I hear where's Bert's arm?
Ok. I can just have bad hair today-I can't dry it right now. I think I have to sit and watch the progress. Not quite Lily...Now we're getting somewhere.Ah. Just right.It took forever to get this section. And oh so hard not to sweep in and help. But finally,There's the cloud Mama!I tried really hard to use the words "try again" instead of "it's upside down."But she got it.Yea Lily!!! Now let Mama take a million pictures of you smiling over the puzzle you did all by yourse..."Do again Mama! Do again!"Oh, ok Lily. Do it again. Smart girl.

On Christmas Day

Today was just a fun day. A tiring, back aching, long, busy day, but a wonderful and fun day. While I woke up at 6:30am, showered, made coffee, and generally puttered around, my darling family seemed to want to sleep in. But it was worth the wait, seeing you run in and see the tree with presents and Nonnie and Bapa waiting. After a yummy breakfast of French Breakfast Puffs *heaven* and fruit salad to counteract the French Breakfast Puffs, we got to the present opening. The long, long, long, present opening. I mean, when you have a perfectly good letter puzzle to play with, why would you want more presents. But we finally finished. In fact I think you opened your last present at about 7:00 tonight. You are a girl who likes to make the suspense last.

You certainly were in heaven with Mor Mor, Ed, Aunt Heather, Uncle Justin, Nonnie and Baba all in one room together. And just think, we will see Uncle Matt, Aunt Elizabeth, Maddie, Gracie, and Baby B in just a few days. We even got to spend some Skype time with Aunt Katherine and Uncle Ben showing off letters-yes from the letter puzzle. Again, why do you need more presents when you have a letter puzzle? But of course you realized that you HAD to sleep with your new monkey, you are absolutely mad about your new magnetic Elmo book and well, we didn't get to do it tonight, but your Mama can't wait to play Cariboo with you. Lily, I love your wonder, your excitement, and the itty bitty pieces of wrapping paper you tear off and hand to me, each time saying "thank you." Thank you sweet girl. Thank you sweet family. And Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

May you have the wonder and excitement of a child today.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Tonight was a busy night for you Lily. A busy night of traditions, music, food, and books. We went to our customary dinner at Pizza Hut. Because we always go to Pizza Hut on Christmas Eve. In fact I have only missed one time in my entire life (you were a sick little girl.) Then it was off to quickly open our customary presents. Some Christmas Pajamas and another edition of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Next it was off to church where everyone found out how much you like music. EVERYONE. After Joy to the World, during the silence after the song ended, we heard a very, very loud "YEA!!!!" Well, I'm glad you liked it. As we were leaving church you said, "Bye-bye Peoples!" You are just so original.
After church we came home and got in our jammies and Daddy read you 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Where last night was a very new tradition, tonight was a very old one. I love that your Daddy can now carry on this very special tradition of reading while Mama listens and takes pictures. You may not understand right now, but these memories and these pictures will be some of your most favorite memories you will ever have. I know they are some of my favorites.

I realized tonight that we never wrote your letter to Santa this year, so here it is...

Dear Santa,
Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas. I have been a very good girl this year. I started eating my vegetables-my Mama and Daddy seem to really like that. I haven't been in the trouble chair for a really long time. I really like that. Last year you made my Mama and Daddy really happy by making me walk on Christmas day. It will be hard to top that, but my Mama wants me to ask if I could I learn my colors? I mean, I know what an octagon is and what forte and piano mean, but I don't know my colors. I should probably work on that. What I really want is an Elmo book. Actually lots of books. And some toys. But I already told you that when I sat on your lap. Ok well I have to go to bed and sing a bunch of songs for about an hour at the top of my lungs so I have to go. Merry Christmas Santa!
love,
Lily

On the 3rd day before Christmas

Tonight we started a new family tradition. Movie night.With all the changes 2008 will bring, I seem to be very protective of our family time-especially our "trio family" time. Tonight we watched The Muppet Christmas Carol. And Lily was SO excited to see Muppets. As soon as we told her what we were going to do she jumped. She clapped. She said "YEAAAAAAA! Watch Muppets!!!!" So we snuggled under a blanket and watched the whole thing by the light of the Christmas tree. I think I am going to like this new tradition.

On the 4th day before Christmas

Tonight we went with Nonnie and Bapa to Blossom for their second annual Holiday Light Festival. Two million lights and one very happy little girl. Lots of "Ooo! Pretty lights!" and that was just from Bapa. The best part for me? Singing Jingle Bells on the car ride over with my family.

On the 5th day before Christmas

I love mail. LOVE MAIL. And what better time to be a "mail box stalking, no one else better get there first or else" kind of person. For the past few years I have been taping all my Christmas cards up on the trim in my dining room with the inevitable hunt for what card fell every time I went into the kitchen. Not anymore. I now have a wonderful Christmas card Tree display which I got from Mor Mor last year. I love that I have all these reminders of family and friends greeting me every time I come into my dining room. And none of them are on the floor.

On the 6th day before Christmas

The train. We bought this train for Lily last year to go around the tree (ok perhaps we bought it for Daddy last year as Lily wasn't too interested in it.) This year? Oh my goodness do you LOVE this thing. It must be running constantly. You clap you hands when it starts. You cheer when it goes around the corner. You say WHEE! when it goes down the hill. And now, we have added to fun and got a train station where the train can go through or UNDER! "Through the tunnel Mama! Through the tunnel!!" We decided last year that this would be a Christmas only toy, put away at the end of January. I'm so glad we did because it makes these hours of playtime even more special and even more fun.

On the 7th day before Christmas

Oh. My. Goodness. I think tonight I have created a new Christmas morning tradition. I made the most incredible thing I think I ever have tasted. French Breakfast Puffs. Now let me just preface this by saying that I am NOT a cook. NOT a baker. If something can go wrong in the kitchen I have done it. So to prevent meltdowns I practice. Boy am I glad I did or I wouldn't know the joy of these (Nor would my choir at our annual Christmas Party.)I got the recipe at The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Boy does she ever. Her recipes are SO easy to follow (and quite humorous as well) that even I can't screw them up. So far I have made three things from her site-Butternut Squash Puree, Everything Cookies and now the French Breakfast Puffs. Can I just say that you ROLL THEM IN BUTTER AND CINNAMON SUGAR! Oh and lest I forget-my goof this time? I forgot to set the timer. *sigh* they still turned out great :)

Again, here's my journaling for my album...
I created a new family tradition tonight. From this year on we will ALWAYS have French Breakfast Puffs on Christmas morning.
French Breakfast Puffs
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening (Crisco)
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
2 sticks butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside. Pray. In a different bowl, cream together 1 cup sugar and shortening, then add eggs and mix. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden. In a bowl, melt 2 sticks butter. In a separate bowl combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Dip baked muffins in butter, coating thoroughly, then coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Eat. Faint.
(Recipe from The Pioneer Woman)

On 8th day before Christmas

Tonight we took a trip to Donzell's Garden Center which at Christmas time turns into an absolute Christmas wonderland. The display used to be complete with real live reindeer but sadly that tradition seems to have ended. Just as I had expected, Lily was in heaven looking at all the pretty lights, Christmas Trees, stars, ornaments, and displays. We heard lots of "Ooo! Look at THAT! Pretty lights!" Ok yes, we heard "Oooo! Look at THAT! A FAN!" at one time, but never the less, I do think she was impressed. I believe the words we heard here were "Look Mama! Look Daddy! A DEER!"

On 9th day before Christmas

The peeping tom photo. I recently read on someone's blog that you should have a picture of your tree from outside your house (can't remember where I read this thanks to preggo brain.) I love our tree-love it, however somehow in the purchasing of it LAST year and the putting it up this year, the directions have disappeared. Let me tell you how much fun it was to put together. Oh well. I think what I will remember most about this picture is the thought of what my neighbors were thinking of the crazy woman taking photos of her living room window. Oh and the footprints I left in the snow that lead up to my window-now that's not at all creepy. ;)

But when I really think about it, I think about the joy that surrounds this tree this year. Playing with the train set, ringing Grandma Watson's bell ornament, hanging my hand stitched ornaments from Grandma Rinehart, and looking at the pretty lights reflect in Lily's eyes. Yes, I love my tree.

On 10th day before Christmas

Today I went to a very fun cookie party...in a blizzard. I know, I know, why in the world would I go out in a blizzard for some cookies, but I had eight dozen cookies that needed to be shared with others. It was so worth it. Lily got to play with Maya, Riley, and some other great "big kids" and I got to sit around, laugh, talk, and frost cookies with some wonderful women. I really, really needed that. And now I have a whole heck of a lot of cookies to eat, wait, I mean share with others. ;)

On 11th day before Christmas

So this is not actually my photo for the day, but a sneak peek of my very first digitally designed Christmas Cards-actually my second ever dabble into digi. Since I didn't want to completely give them away, instead this is my cute place mat that I got in the Target Dollar Spot. Ok, so they were $2.50, but cute enough to be totally worth it ;) got a runner for the table too.

Now I promise that I will eventually share my Christmas Card with all of you later, but for now you will just have to use your imagination for journaling purposes.

The three of us. This will be the last Christmas of just the three of us. We are growing. Things will be changing quite a bit for you next year and I find myself really cherishing every single second with you. And let me tell you, you make it easy. You are SO funny. You have SO much to say. You are just such a good little girl. This morning you joined me up front for service while I was singing with the band. At first you danced, but then you wanted up. Ok, little heavy with one arm to hold you and a mic, but ok. At one point during a very quiet, slow, and serious song you whispered to me "say applesauce?" Why? Because that was one of your first words and we practiced saying it in your own little toy mic. So of course that is what a mic is for. I don't know how I got through the rest of that song without laughing hysterically. It is times like that that I cherish. You, me and funny, weird inside jokes.

On the 12th day before Christmas

Santa Clause. Today we got dressed up in Mor Mor's dress from when she was two-years-old, some tights and your sparkly sparkly shiny shoes. You just looked beautiful. You were truly excited to see Santa this year, as we heard MANY times. "Excited to see Santa! Excited to see Santa!!" We practiced saying what you wanted for Christmas-apparently books. Lots of books. As we stood in line you peeked through the people to catch a glimpse of the man in the big red suit, with a great big smile on your face. You heard the bells they shook to get the other kids to look at the camera. You immediately started singing "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!" over and over. Daddy picked you up so you could see a little better. And ohmygoodness, Santa waved at you! Again, huge smile on your face.

Then your turn came. You started walking up, very tiny steps at first uh-oh but then the arms went up. You sat in his lap. I heard him say
"What do you want for Christmas?"
"Some books." Clear as a bell.
"Some books? We will see what we can do about that."

You were so cute up there. Showing him the ceiling that looks like sky, giving him a hug, and posing like a beautiful little princess in the gorgeous dress that is fifty years old. Your Daddy's words when we saw the picture? "That picture doesn't even show half of the cuteness that happened up there." So this is why I am more excited about Christmas than I have been, well, since I was a child. Because I get to relive everything through your eyes. Sitting on Santa's lap, seeing pretty lights, playing with the train around the Christmas tree, singing Christmas songs, and of course seeing your face for the first time when you see the Christmas tree all lit up after Santa has come on Christmas morning. So excited! So very excited!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Twelve days before Christmas photo-a-day starts Friday. Who wants to play with me? Here's what I did with last year's photos.
2. We had another showing on the house yesterday, this time with only four hours notice and smack dab in the middle of naptime. So much for following my two only requests.
3. I digitally designed my Christmas cards this year and I am SO excited about them. It is only the second time I have ever done something digitally :) Lets hope them come quickly so I can send them out.
4. Lily has had some problems understanding the correct usage of the concept "scary." Yesterday she said that spiders were scary. And bugs. Not that I want her to be scared of spiders and bugs, but it is definitely better than being scared of John Lithgow's version of "Animal Crackers in my Soup."
5. Going through some old pictures and found this one.Photo by Rachel Marquette.
6. Have you seen this?SO have to make this. For directions go here.
7. Lily has named all of her bears "Belly." I think just to make her Nonnie mad. Nonnie does NOT like the word belly. So apparently that means I must use the word belly as many times as I can in this post. Belly. ;)
8. Can't get enough of Project Runway? Go here.
9. I love Chick-fil-A. LOVE it. I also love the fact that they are not open on Sunday. The fact that they care more about their workers or their philosophy than being open until 3am every day. BUT. If I am really craving lemonade on a Sunday it is a problem. Not anymore. I have a GALLON of their lemonade in my fridge. All is right with the world.
10. Guess what is available now on Amazon. And here. And here. Now go get it :)

I wonder what I would do...

I wonder what I would do if I didn't "do" music. If I wasn't in choirs and bands throughout my whole life. If I didn't have the ability to sing. If I didn't spend the hours and hours in rehearsal, or practicing myself, or teaching voice lessons. What would I do?

Today was one of those days that I was so very happy to do what I do. I took my choir from church to a nursing home to carol where two members of our congregation are currently residing. Both are those kind of people who always have a smile on their face.

One of them is currently in hospice. She has a tumor on her brain. I find myself having a hard time believing that this funny, happy, active woman, is now suddenly dealing with this illness. The only thing that was ever wrong with her is that she is a Steelers fan ;) I am so very glad that we got to sing for everyone, but I am really glad that we got to sing for her. The smile on her face made my day. I am so very glad I do what I do.

Ziiiiiip! Zip goes the Zippers

Yup. Those are some of the words to my college fight song. We not only have a weird fight song, we have about the strangest mascot. Zippy the KANGAROO. What the heck. A kangaroo????? I never understood that one. Right now there is a mascot contest to prove who really is the um, COOLEST mascot. Please. Vote. Vote for Zippy. Vote for the Zips. Vote for the KANGAROO!

Happy Birthday Beej :)

Last year you said that you weren't going to get all that super excited kid feeling about your special day now that you are in your 30's and an adult, and you really didn't. To the guy who usually spends the week before your birthday saying "it's my birfday" with a huge grin on your face, I never heard it once this year. Makes me kind of sad.

But although you didn't really celebrate your day, Lily took care of it for you, announcing to the world (or well, all of Target,) singing "Happy Birthday" to Daddy about 100 times at the top of her lungs. Normally I would stop this loud behavior, but not today. It was just too cute.

So even though you didn't really celebrate in Beej style, you got your cinnamon rolls for breakfast, your special dinner and your German Chocolate cake. And you got to read your beautiful daughter a bedtime story, while wearing your brand new grown up non-Count Von Count head slippers, so I hope that your day was still a good one.

Happy Birthday dear Bj
Happy Birthday to you.