MERRY CHRISTMAS CARD!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Thanks for reading our blog! We hope you enjoy our Digital Christmas Card.

Here's a sum-up of our year as well.

Pmc turned 23 this year and became a dad shortly thereafter. He has now finished all but his final semester of a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development & Family Studies. He is constantly busy with work, school, applications to Grad school, being a FANTASTIC dad, spoiling his wife, and a few projects here and there.

Atec finished a quarter-century of life VERY shortly after becoming a mother. She has a full violin/viola studio and keeps getting calls for more students! She spends her days "home-making" with joy, cuddling cpc, and finding a few moments here and there for reading, sleeping, and her own projects!

Cpc had three birthdays....birth (Jun. 20 at 8:50am, 8 lbs. 10 oz.), 3 months, and 6 months! He was born breathing, cooing, holding his head up, and screaming like a teradactyl. He can now sit up, stand up w/ support, dance, grab things, shuffle crawl, eat almost anything, and tell stories. He is a sweet, patient little gentleman who looks just like both his parents. He is like his dad in his love of power tools and flirtations with girls, and like his mom in his love of learning and anything edible.

I'm finally there!

Where am I, you may ask?  I am finally in... the Christmas spirit!  I don't exactly know why it took me so long this year, but I just didn't feel Christmassy until late last week.  Atec and I were talking about it today, and we think that maybe I've just been looking to so many other things coming up after Christmas this year that I haven't had time to just think Christmas thoughts.  Plus, we had waited to get a Christmas tree until last Friday so that atec could finish up this semester of violin lessons with enough space to teach.  Our living room is just too small to teach lessons AND have a Christmas tree.  This is another reminder to us to be grateful that the opportunity for a bigger apartment is ours in the coming weeks.  The big move will take place between the 6th and 10th of January... the sooner the better.  That's probably been the biggest distraction we've had which has detracted from Christmas this year.

Pause that thought for just a moment... cpc has decided he wants to blog.  

Here is his attempt:

 IT5GGBN VVVVVVVV

VVVVVD zsvr

(fascinating, isn't it... such insights into six-month-old life!)

OK, so the other things which have kept me from Christmassing on time this year... graduate school applications are due January 1st.  That's occupied a substantial portion of my mind for the last little while, and it continues to keep a fair amount of my attention.  Plus, work has been a little crazy lately with winter-weather deliveries.  I had to go up to Centerville last week during the big afternoon storm.  I wish sometimes that my boss would show some sensibility and cancel a delivery when the weather is awful.  But no, the customer must come first. I don't love some things about my job, but at least I have one and it's about as secure as any hourly-wage-type job can be in these economic times.  By the way, one thing I've decided I really don't like about the information age is its impact on consumer habits... I don't think things are really THAT bad for most people right now.  It's just that these days the stock prices are streaming online and along tickers in the most populous urban areas in the 

city - so people are constantly thinking negatively about it. Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it.  I'll just keep being smart with my money (which isn't much anyway.) 

Tonight cpc had his first experience with opening a present.  We were at the annual Christmas party with the families of my dad's cousins.  At the end of the party Santa always sneaks in and drops off a bag full of presents,  including one for cpc.  

It went as you'd probably predict... not much opening and plenty of eating.  

Cpc and atec have also taken the time to enjoy some chilly walks when the sun is shining.  

The great thing is that cpc is so easy-going that the cold weather doesn't seem to bother him... the only thing that changes on his smiling face is the color of his cheeks!  

Finally, just want to wish everyone who takes the time to read this simple blog a very Merry Christmas.  (Yes, that's right, I said CHRISTMAS, not 'Happy Holidays.'  It is, after all, a celebration of the birth of Christ first and foremost; or at least it's supposed to be...) May God bless every one of us with peace in our hearts during this special time of the year as we reflect upon the Savior of the world and his profoundly important role in our lives.  Remember why it is that Santa Claus brings gifts... because he believes in Jesus' example of giving to all and following the great commandments of loving God and Christ, and loving each other.  

The Reality of Motherhood

Ok. So I'm sure every new mom reaches some sort of breaking point. The one where you reach the end of your rope. I mean the first one. The one where you really think "I cannot do this," where you seriously consider taking your child to the hospital & dropping him off. Ok, maybe not every mom, or maybe not any other mom than me. I'm a bad mom.

Anyway, I honestly thought I would never have this breaking point. I've taken care of so many kids, including plenty of infants. Not only did I like doing it, I loved doing it. I've been excited to have a child of my own since the time I was old enough to carry a doll around. I really thought I would never think "I cannot do this." Well, I did. And now I'm very grateful that I reached that point. It's become my turning point.

It happened this weekend. We were house/teenager-sitting for a family that I've known for years. I babysat the teens when they were toddlers. I love those three kids, they are exceedingly special to me. However, cpc did not handle it well. He was up every 1-2 hours all three nights. I think it was the combination of being in an unfamiliar environment, and having my attention torn from him and our usual routine. I mean, I'm not really a schedule person, but we do have our own basic routine here at home.

Reaching the end of my rope actually came in three segments. The first was the one where I got mad at pmc, handed cpc over to him and called my sister BMEM for advice. The first thing she said to me was "I am glad to see that EVEN YOU reached this point, I never thought you would." Thanks BMEM! She totally calmed me down and helped me to see some things clearly & gave me some good advice. The second segment was at 3 am this morning, when I had been holding cpc for over an hour and he still was squirming and restless.....and he was NOT hungry. The third and final segment was an hour ago. I finally realized that I've been fighting a certain part of motherhood, the part where my life revolves around this little kid. NOT that I didn't know that's what motherhood is, I totally did. But for some reason, I was holding on to this little bit of pride that says "I will not let someone else control my life."

Maybe this came from the craziness that happened in the home I grew up in. There were a lot of "control issues," the biggest one for me being that my life was so out of control with my parent's fighting that I fought for control over every detail of my life that I could.

But I don't have to be in control anymore. Not only that, but just because I'm not in control doesn't mean that someone else is controlling me. Sometimes life is simply chaotic, and that's okay. So the reality of motherhood isn't that I'm a slave to my spouse and children. The reality of motherhood is that the little things that I give up to be there for my child are worth it because of the joys that come from doing so. Same thing for wife-hood & the things I give up to be there for my husband.

Anyway, we had a great week all-in-all. Cpc discovered power tools, and he is JUST like his dad.

Cpc took his first walk (of many to come) in the snow. We went out as soon as it stopped snowing, and he was literally in awe the whole time. I honestly don't know how he kept his eyes open because it was SO BRIGHT.

Cpc recently grew out of the bouncer seat. Not that he's too big for it, but that he sits up and tries to get out of it. He almost knocked it over while he was in it last week. For about a week I was having a hard time getting in a shower because he usually sits in his bouncer while I'm showering. Then I discovered that he totally digs the Johnny-Jump-Up, and can easily sit in it not only while I'm showering, but even while I'm getting dressed & doing my hair (he never lasted that long in the bouncy seat).

Cpc has finally mastered sitting, and is getting some pretty good grabbing skills.

Lmze & Cpc got some playtime this week. Because Lmze is just like her mother, cpc came out with a battle wound (note the mark under his left eye). Cpc forgave & lmze apologized with a hug!

We took a night out to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra at Temple Square Christmas Concert with Brian Stokes Mitchell & Edward Herrmann. I have to say, it was my absolute favorite so far. I highly recommend it, whether you watch it on TV or purchase the cd/dvd next year. Fantastic! It really helped us get into the Christmas spirit. It was nice to have the Naylor's watch cpc for us too!

Then, like I said, we house/teen-sat for the weekend. The family lives pretty close to where my dad & younger siblings live now, so when my little sister ACE called to ask how she should do her hair for the Winter Dance at the high school, I offered my services. I think I did a pretty good job for a rookie! I hope she had fun, haven't heard yet!

Cpc has really helped us get in the Christmas mood. First, he totally loves the advent calendar....don't watch this if you're going to tell us we're bad parents, we already know that.

Second, he has high aspirations, to be Santa Claus when he grows up.......just like his cousin EM (the movie of EM is from last Christmas).

Now, just two more days and I'll be done teaching lessons, and we can put up our Christmas tree and go Christmas shopping!

Livin' It Up

There comes that time when you are nearing the end of something, and the beginning of something else. That time where you are tired of the stage you're in, and ready for the next stage. It happens with all sorts of things. Elementary school is the first one I remember. Then there's Junior High, High School, College. There's living at home, the end of a semester, moving out of an apartment....you know, life's little stages?

Well, we are nearing the end of a few things all at once, and the beginning of new things.

The things that will be ending: Living in our first apartment, living in a 1-bedroom apartment, living in this ward, having a 3-6 month old, a LOOONNNGGG semester, applying to graduate schools, having a mostly immobile child, using borrowed bedroom furniture, keeping our stuff at the in-laws houses, etc.

The things that will begin: Living in our second apartment, living in a 2-bedroom w/ office apartment, living in the ward I grew up in, having a 6-12 month old, another potentially LOOOOONNNGGG semester, deciding on a graduate school, having a very mobile into-things child, purchasing our own bedroom furniture, keeping our stuff organized in a storage room in our apartment, determining how to pay for graduate school, determining how to pay for the cost of moving to graduate school and keeping ourselves there, etc.

There are some of these things I am excited to have over, and some I will be sad are over. There are some things I am looking forward to, and others I'm nervous about. However, I absolutely LOVE change. I used to love change in college, I really did. Then I went on a mission and had WAY TOO MANY companions and areas, and came home hating change. Then, pmc & I got married, and stayed settled in one little apartment for 2 years. We had some big changes in there of course, marriage & having a child being the biggest. But I have to say, all-in-all I'm so ready for these coming changes. I am thrilled that cpc is making so many big accomplishments. I'm excited to find out where pmc will get in, and making the decision of where we'll live for the following 2-3 years. I'm excited to have an apartment where we can keep all of our stuff with us. I'm excited to see what new jobs & challenges it will all bring.

I'm sad however, that because of these changes coming up, I am having a hard time focusing on Christmas. It seems like I stayed focused on the now until Thanksgiving was over. Then, suddenly I'm expecting the year to be over, and to jump into the changes. But if I can just focus on Christmas for 2 1/2 weeks, the changes will be right in front of me and I won't have to play the waiting game right? Oh, I hope so! So, let's live up these 2 1/2 weeks!

As for news this week:

Pmc took the GRE this week and did very well! WAY TO GO! He has decided to apply to Syracuse University, UC Davis, Oregon State University, & Utah State University.

My little sister CSE played a recital this week. My sister CDEE and I both attended the recital with our little ones, and were very amazed at how attentive they were through an entire Quartet (which = 4 movements = about 20 minutes). CSE was thrilled to congratulate both of them afterwards on their musical interest!

We also had our annual "Olympus Married Friends" Christmas White Elephant party. It was quite a party, especially now that we're not the only ones with a baby. We missed the Matheson's, and forgot to take pictures. The best was the re-gifting of a few wedding presents from the Johnson's wedding. We happily did not end up with the porcelain doves, not that they weren't beautiful......just not our style! We took a sweet pirate ship from the DI, and tried really hard to get it back, but to no avail!

Other than that, cpc is totally diggin' food. He will eat absolutely anything I feed him. Unfortunately, that also means that pmc thinks that he can give him absolutely anything....this poor kid is going to be pretty spoiled!

Christmas Time Is Here

I cannot believe it's already Wednesday. We had all weekend to get a post up, and yet we still didn't have time. Then Monday came.....sometimes I can't believe how busy Mondays can be, even as a stay-at-home mom. Then Tuesdays are spent trying to recover from Monday..... getting all the little things done that kind of needed to be done on Monday, but were last on the list and therefore didn't get done. So now it's Wednesday, now I can do the things that are on my to-do list that I actually want to do, like updating the blog.

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving week! It actually started off with introducing cpc to "Baby Siging Time." I studied American Sign Language in college, and really want to develop that second language with my kids. I am totally a fan of "Signing Time" for kids too, I've seen it help prevent many a tantrum! I'm a little worried about how interested cpc is in the television though, isn't it adorable how focused he is on the tv?

Then, there was plenty of baking, which both cpc & I enjoyed, and on Thanksgiving day while baking the actual pies, pmc seemed to enjoy the baking as well. On Thanksgiving day pmc played basketball with his brothers and then we watched the Macy's Parade, as it is our tradition. I never watched it growing up, and I have to say, it's rather fun!

We enjoyed dinner at my dad's house that evening, where lmze & cpc both enjoyed their first experience with squash/pumpkin. Both of them LOVED it. Cpc got to be a turkey for thanksgiving, and though we tried, we did not eat that cute little turkey!

The next morning we cruised up to the cabin. Mmm, it's so nice to get away from the bustle of the city, ESPECIALLY on "black friday." I don't think I could ever live in a city like New York City, I need an escape to the mountains less than 10-minutes away!

After a full day at the cabin, we came half-way back down to my cousin's new home in Timberline, for a family dinner with my sweet Grandma. This new place is quite amazing, but one of the coolest things about it is the dinner table:

That is ONE table, seated with 18 people at the time. It could easily fit more too, but they have 18 chairs around it that are just as stately as the table, and comfortable too! They purchased it in Bali.....and had it & all the chairs shipped here. Wow is all I can say. I think it actually has 20 chairs that fit around it, so that they can fit themselves & all 9 of their children with spouses! It's also cool because they are tall people, and it's a tall table. I think it's about 5 inches taller than the average dining table.

The most fantastic thing about that dinner though wasn't the table. It was the fun times with family, especially my Grandma. She is 86 years old, and she's been without her husband since she was 38 years old with 5 little kids. In the few years since I came home from my mission, her memory is declining a lot, and she gets pretty frustrated about it. I lived with her my freshman year of college, and she is just extra special to me. She said some pretty sweet things when we went around the table saying "new" things we're grateful for. I'm grateful for her example in my life! I'm also super grateful for the legacy of my Grandpa that she has always shared with us. And last but not least, I'm grateful that I can TOTALLY tell that I'm her grand-daughter. I LOVE children, and it's pretty hard to find someone who does so more than I do. But my Grandma TOTALLY takes the cake in that area. Everything I ever learned about kids, I learned from her! I am so thankful for her example when it comes to children.

We also have a picture of the dinner at my mom's house:

And a little video of cpc, who has learned to wave. He's also got the "shuffle crawl" down...which means he's already into things....

And a family picture to start off the CHRISTMAS season! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I love Christmas Time too...almost more than Christmas Day.