Christmas 2008

Maybe it's because it is June that I'm not that excited to post about our Christmas six months ago. However, it was a fantastic Christmas and I'll happily put up pics. It does make me excited for Christmas again, though. I'm putting the tree up earlier every year cause I can't help myself. So the day after Halloween it is out of the garage. Hurray! Here's some pics!

They both got Leapsters, which were cool for quite awhile, but those games are so expensive and I'm cheap (sometimes, this is one of those times).

The kids both got bikes, which have been a blast. I can't believe how big Emma is. Hers has 20" tires. And Jackson zooms so great on his. I've been wanting Jack to get him without training wheels this sumer because he can totally do it. That kid is so coordinated.

The big gift was our dog. Like I said, his name is Jed. Jack won't claim tha he named him because he doesn't like the name, but he did say it and the dog answered to it so it stuck. I'm not a dog person, but I have to admit he is a really good dog. He hasn't had all that many accidents in the house, but I just want to beat him when he does. I can say he's slowly growing on me. He's so good with the kids...let's them carry him all over the place even though he totally doesn't like it, he rarely barks, which I understand is not normal for a chihuahua, I never need a leash (although I carry one just in case) because he always walks right by my side and stays when I tell him and comes running when I call for him. Maybe this is all normal dog stuff, but I'd never know. All in all, I'm pretty okay with him.

I've really been feeling such a push lately (as in the past 6 years, but maybe more recently the last few months) to work on being a MUCH better mommy. There have been those nights when I have gone to bed wondering if my kids could forgive me for the way I talked to them (or yelled, I guess). But because they are wonderful, they always do forgive and come jump into my bed every morning to cuddle up with me with these fantastic smiles and energy to start the day.

This post is specifically for my little Emma. She is the most fantastic example of a person I have ever known. Each day I am so impressed with the person she is becoming. Two specific examples:

1. a couple of weeks ago I was getting really frustrated with the lack of cleanliness that my children were exhibiting in their room. after much encouraging which turned into threatening and frustration, I yelled at them both that they were locked in until it was spotless. After a few minutes to calm down I peeked my head in to find Emma missing. Jackson said she was in the bathroom (they have one off their room) so I opened the door only to run into my little girl kneeling on a rug saying a prayer. She came bounding out with this new attitude ready to halp out and be an encouraging example to her little brother. I was humbled.

2. A similar situation, but yesterday. Emma and Jackson have never seen any Star Wars and the GREATLY desired to. Emma takes great pride in being the only one willing to play with the boys at school of course playing the part of Princess Leia. And Jackson is often seen carrying his sword around the house completely in character singing his own theme music to Darth Vader. So we made a to do list and then they could watch the movie. Their list included their room, the playroom, getting dressed and ready for the day, and Emma had to practice her violin. Pretty hefty list, considering what both rooms looked like. After getting frustrated and running to her room, I peeked in on Emma to see if she was still mad and saw that all of her stuff was kicked up and Jackson's was almost clean too.

"Em's you didn't have to clean Jackson's stuff, too"

"I know, Mom, I just wanted to help my little brother."

She makes me feel happy.

I LIVE!!!

I've been chastised by friends and strangers alike for not blogging in forever. (I know you're there Diantha!) Yes we are alive (I like to imagine I'm saying that in an Eddie Murphy dragon from Mulan-type voice). We have been so busy the past little while. A few days ago I actually wrote down all of the stuff I had to blog about from the last 4-6 months just to get it in here and blog later one by one...but I lost the list. I'm still going to name what I can remember and go through one by one over the next week or so (although I make no guarantees).



Just list with more to come:



-Christmas (we got a dog) Chihuahua named Jed

-trip to Idaho/Wyoming

-Emma's first ski trip

-camping beautiful, relaxing, fun. Emma broke her arm

-car wrecked and we got double what we were going to sell it for

-Stayed at cabin in Sequoia National Forest with some friends

-Jackson turned three

-MIL, FIL, SIL, and nephew came to visit

-my dad brought two nephews down to visit for a week

-Mom came down to visit for a week

-Went to Six Flags and took Emaa on X2. It made me cry because I was so worried about her. Long story.

-Jack lost keys

-I lost other keys. These two will go together, I'm sure

-Swim season started

-We're going to a Dodger's game tonight (I'm sure I'll want to post that one)

-Heading to Idaho and will go to my 11 yr reunion (kind of dropped the ball on the 10 yr). Taking the kids and bringing my niece back to stay for a week

-probably ought to update on my kids cause they're so dang cute, they ought to be remembered.

That's a decent list for now. I'll have to see what I can do.
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Twinkle Graduation

It has been a little over a year since Emma started violin. The first level is the Twinkle level and there are almost 70 skills she had to learn to do in order to pass and play her first song. We are so excited for her and proud of her. She did a fantastic job and loves to perform. Now we get to learn one to two songs a month. It will be very exciting to hear some new stuff!

twinkle graduation

Things I Don't Want to Forget

I know I haven't posted forever, and it's lame this will be so short. I want to remember some of the sweet personalities running around my house right now.

1. Every morning when Jackson first sees Sadi, he gets this huge smile and says "Sadi Lou Lee" It is is own personal nickname for her. I will have to record it because his voice is so sweet. He then proceeds to climb into her crib with her and hug and kiss until she REALLY wants her mom.

2. Emma's personal favorite right now has everything to do with eating in bed. If she wakes up before me of Jack, she gets out two trays and pours cold cereal and milk into a bowl and gets drinks and fruit or a piece of bread, in that order. The cereal is always SO soggy when we wake up to eat, but how can you turn down that sweet little face? She is so kind and thoughtful and the best little girl. Every once in while she will ask me if I'll make breakfast in bed for her and it makes her month! As soon as I say yes, she climbs back in to bed and sits patiently until her food arrives (and I don't mess around...pancakes, bacon, eggs. So she's there a while.

3. If every baby in this world were as good as Sadi, I'm convinced that every woman would have 15 kids. She is so easy and sweet. Tonight one of my young women asked me what Sadi was like when she threw a fit, and I have no idea. She never has...she's just awesome. On January 23rd she got her first bottom tooth and 7 days later got the second bottom. Then March 18th got one of her top and then four days later popped through an incisor. She's going to have a crooked smile for a while. It will be funny to see her sweet smile. Sadi loves being in her walker and following me around the house all day long. She literally is at my feet wherever I go and just yells for me when she gets stuck in a hallway or can't turn around. She adores being o eof the big kids and being in the middle of reading books or playing a game or sitting on the grass outside while we play kickball.

I have felt so grateful lately for the strength of the love and bond that I feel for each of my kids. I've had a rough month or two with patience and enjoying the everyday drama that my kids present to me. Things are getting better and I'm enjoying my change of attitude. I've got dang awesome kids, that's all.

This makes me giggle. Hope you enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM