Morning Meow Surprise

This morning I woke up to find both girls jumping in M's crib, and a green and orange tabby cat.

Me: What did you do?
K: I'm a kitty cat...with whiskers!
Me: Which markers did you use?
K: The ones in my pink pencil case.
Me: Ok... let me get the camera.
M: I want whiskers too!


I am thankful she used the crayola washable markets and not the permanent ones.

Drawing faces

Guess which one my 4 year old daughter drew....and which one I drew.

My hunny bunny

My lovely friend the Greek Goddess tagged me with the...HUBBY TAG...

What is your husband’s name? R

How long did you date? 14 months and engaged for 3.5 months (he proposed at the temple in Laie, Oahu)

How old is he? 34

Who eats sweets? He does... but I'm the chocolate addict

Who said I love you first? Him - it's one of my rules.

Who is taller? obviously me... hahaha j/k - Him of course

Who can sing better? We're pretty even here...meaning we can carry a tune but don't ask us to do solos

Who is smarter? He's got the logic, math, science covered. I've got the emotions, English, humanities... communications covered. So we balance. (I have a little more common sense though....hehe) We fit.

Who does the laundry? Me...but he puts away his clothes once they're folded. I also do not pick up socks... they have to go in the basket...so he's trained. He also irons himself. Awesome!

Who pays the bills? Me

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

Who mows the lawn? He does

Who cooks dinner? Me (I enjoy it) - but he makes a great Chicken Cordon Bleu from scratch...and the best Fajitas. Our dream is to take some culinary classes together when the kids are older.

Who drives? When we're in the car together he drives.

Who is the first to admit they are wrong? He is...and he's taught me to be better

Who kissed who first? We both did...he likes to say I did... but it takes two doesn't it? I love kissing...

Who asked who out first? He asked me out on a formal date after we had our first kiss...and had hung out in group activities.

Who wears the pants? We both do...in turns.

Friends who should do this: I tag Everyone on my side bar... --->

If you're doing it...leave a comment and I'll link-a-doo to yours.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Check it out:
Raising Beans
El Paso Represent Yo
Compulsive Writer
Sue-donym
Confessions of a Pottymouth Mom

Christmas Music

My friend Cabesh posted a least favorite Christmas song list. I'd never thought of "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus" that way before. And... I don't like any of those silly "Grandma got ran over" songs. So I agree with her...although I've never heard her #1 least fav song...

I can't think of any additional songs to list right now that I dislike (I know there are many but...they don't fit in my mental hard-drive right now)... although I tend not to like the pop-r&b remixes of Christmas classics. They all sound cheap and empty to me.


I love these (this is all I can remember right now...when I'm not so tired I'll remember more...maybe):

Karen Carpenter - Christmas Waltz - I love them singing "three-quarter time" - I love Karen's voice
Nat King Cole - Christmas Song - I love anything Nat King Cole sings... that voice is magic
Paul McCartney - Simply Having a Wonderful Time - this is just makes me want to jiggle... in a non-fat kind of a way
Dean Martin - Baby, It's Cold Outside - love Dean's voice
Amy Grant - Grown up Christmas List


Songs that my girls love right now:

Little Drummer Boy - they like to sing Pa rum pum pum pum (over and over and over and...)
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas - this is the first song in my head the moment I wake up, during the day and when I go to bed...
Holly Jolly Christmas - they make me play it during the day just so they can dance
Frosty the Snowman - because what kid doesn't like the idea of running around with three big balls of snow?

I'm hoping I can get a little group together to go caroling this Christmas. I haven't gone caroling in so long... I desperately miss it. Now that my girls are older... and learning the songs... I might get my grown-up Christmas wish.

An early gift for you... here are my little munchkins performing the Hippopotamus song...

(me bursting into SHOUTING) I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!
ps. It was very hard to hold the camera steady and not giggle.

A cosmic expression

So on the way to dinner for FHE tonight I saw the crescent moon distorted by clouds. It was like a soft-fuzzy focus. That started my husband talking about the smiley face that can be seen in Australia made by the moon, venus and jupiter. He joked that in San Francisco it was a frowny face.


Three hours later, just minutes from our home I look out the car window and see an upside-down frowny face. We were very excited, as we had talked about how unlikely it would be for us to see this cosmic expression. I tried to take a picture, but it wasn't bright enough and my camera is not that fancy. ; )

Nie Auction

Go check out these hand-crafted coasters available at my friend ~J's site.

CLICK HERE!!!

It's beginning to feel a lot like CHRISTMAS!

The tree is up... later today my hubby will put up the lights outside... and I am done with shopping for my little family. Everything is wrapped, under the tree...and I even filled the girls' stockings.

This year is going to be simple, stress-free and focused. Hip, hip, hooray.

Reflections of Christ

Yesterday after it had been raining our little family went to the Reflections of Christ exhibit. It was the perfect beginning to Thanksgiving. If it is coming to your town - I highly recommend taking your family to it.

We began with a short documentary about the inspiration for the photographs, and how they came about. It gave added depth to each photo we would view after.

The life of Jesus Christ is powerful. His humble beginnings, then rising to his divinity, and sacrificing himself for us, always brings me to tears.

I used to think, naively that when I had the chance to see him again I'd just want to run up to him and give him a huge hug. Several weeks ago my friend Candice spoke in sacrament meeting. She said that while we think of Christ as someone we can confide in, He is our Savior. He is glorious. So when we do get the chance to see Him again, we will probably not go in for a familiar hug, but fall at His feet, and worship Him.

So as I watched the video with my husband and my two darling daughters...I felt indebted to my God. As we were able to view the photos up close in the gallery area I couldn't help but feel the spirit of gratitude.

My favorite photo is the one of John the Baptist and Jesus embracing after John baptizes Jesus. The rapturous joy in both faces makes my heart leap. I also love the photo of the angels. That joy conveyed in their faces at the birth of the Son of God might have been ours as well... as my friend Carrie and I chatted afterward, that maybe we were one of those angels joyously welcoming our Savior, Lord and King. I loved watching in the video where they shoot the scene of Jesus walking on water. The shot of the feet anticipating the next step, the majesty of God, that all things bow to him...that imagery knocks me to my knees.

I also really liked that the photos of the baby Jesus focused on Joseph as the father. The photographer said he chose that focal point because so often Joseph is set in the background. In that time, in that societal structure, in pure natural man ego, Joseph overcame all of that. He overcame all that and also had to bear the weight of his calling as a husband and father. A father to the Son of God no less.

Then there are the crucifixion photos. That's when the tears flow for me. It's taken me my entire lifetime so far to know that God loves me just as I am... right now, in my current state. I am so grateful to know that I do have a loving Savior. That despite how people on earth treat me, that God loves me, knows who I really am, and will love me unconditionally...love me even though. I am so grateful that no matter what circumstance we grow up in we can look to God as our example, if a good one has not been given to us to follow. I am grateful for hope.

As we were walking around my four-year old, K, wanted to touch the pictures, she wants to hug everyone and everything she loves. There's this one large photo of Christ in white, bathed in white light. His back is too us, but his head is turned. You can see the hole in his right hand. I walked over to it and talked to my two-year old M.

Me: Who is that?
M: Jesus.
Me: Do you love Jesus?
M: Yes, I want Jesus to come with me.

Me: What about you K?
K: I want to be like Jesus.
Me: You do?
K: Yup, I want to be bigger than Jesus.

I am so grateful to my Savior. For His ability to love...real, not counterfeit. I am so grateful to my husband. He always offers patience and unconditional love as well. I am so blessed to be a mother to my beautiful, precocious daughters. I suppose I am their special test... sometimes I think they raise me better than anyone could.

I am grateful for this season, even in a time of economic belt-tightening...to reflect on Christ, to reflect on what is truly important, to find goodness and peace without increase.

What are you playing?

It's been ages since I bought a new game... so I'm curious...what games do you like to play with a group of folks?

I have the standards:

Catch-Phrase
Taboo
Cranium
Mexican Train
Spoons

Baby It's Cold Outside

We love Elf...and this is one of many favorite scenes. My girls are watching this right now as I finish up the laundry.

No dirty chimney flues

The girls love this song...ever since our radio stations started playing Christmas music last week... and they heard this once... we've been singing it ever since.

Enjoy!

Twilight Friday

My friend Carrie had told me about this fantastic chocolate boutique, Ginger Elizabeth, in midtown Sac. So we decided we'd make the drive just to get some hot chocolate and treats before the movie. I am glad I went. Carrie is one of my friends who appreciates gourmet food. She's a premiere cook in my book.

If you go - try the Oaxacan Spicy Hot Chocolate... it's not spicy - but the flavors play a little music on your tongue. They also make marshmallows from scratch for the hot chocolate... holy heaven!

Carrie highly recommended the Parisian Macarons...please tell me they have these in the next life. I also purchased a box of 12 chocolates to share with my hubby... I love that there are chocolates with lychee in them... I love lychee. I love savoring good quality chocolates.



Below you'll see some of their exquisite cakes. The Café Cremeux is supposed to be one of the best... but since they have it all the time...I took home the Fall Dessert below, right. It has pumpkin mousse, bittersweet chocolate cream, salty caramel sauce, and a chocolate graham cracker crust. Vampires have their blood lust... I have gourmet food-chocolate lust.



Then we were off to the movie...I had my hubby meet me at the theater so he wouldn't have to wait...

Sally must've said something funny... that's why I'm laughing like a hyena.

My lovely friend Sally and her hubby Chuck. Sally is someone who is a kindred spirit. She is one of the people in my life that I am forever grateful for. Plus, she is sassy ...I love that we can talk about anything, and everything. The two of them love to ride motorcycles. They do awesome trips all the time and ... she made him take her to Forks, Washington... that's what it says on her sweatshirt. They are awesome people. I keep asking activities people in our ward to make him Santa... but nobody listens to me...shocker. ;-)

Julie, Carrie, Jaime, Teri and Kathy

These are a few of the ladies from the book group I'm in. They are awesome. I love women like them. Wise, smart, funny, sassy and real. I relate to women like them who know what's important and don't fuss with the silly, shallow world. Centered women inspire me.

I went into the movie with very low expectations. I was one of those Harry Potter readers who didn't like the movies. I was pleasantly surprised... there were a lot of funny things I laughed at... some meant to be funny, others, accidentally funny.

My favorite scene was Edward's reaction to Bella on her first day in Biology. I didn't like the way they did Edward showing Bella why vampires can't go out in the sun. It was nothing like I had hoped... given that scene was what spawned the series. The actress that played Bella was overacting in parts.. but Bella was always sort of whiny and moody...

I was very surprised by the actor playing Edward. I'm curious how they're going to bulk up the little guy playing Jacob. They're going to need quite a makeover. Poor Jasper didn't get any explanation as to why he always looks constipated. I love the characer and the gal that plays Alice.

The gal that played Esme didn't do as awful I anticipated. I couldn't stand her character on Grey's Anatomy.

That's all that I can think of right now... my memory is short. What did you think/remember?

Yes, I was the one "shushing" the crazy teens/moms who coudn't resist to act like twitterpated crazies.

ps. I'm so excited for Coraline the movie.

Friday Fun

Want to know what your blog personality is?

Click Here.

Let me know what yours is in the comment section.

Mine is:

ESFP - The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

An American Burger

Last night my hunny and I finally watched Iron Man. That scene where all he wants is an American Burger... made us pause the movie around 9:30pm and... my hunny went out and grabbed some burgers, fries and a shake for us. Aren't I lucky?

I love that he so readily, willingly did that - and that we both get cravings for food.

And... for those of you that can access it. My oldest had a Thanksgiving show this week...it's up on the family blog.

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Time is running out!

Last chance!

Free shipping ends tonight at midnight!

30% off towels!

Must have boots of the season!

Bogo ends Tuesday!

Delete, Delete, Delete.

Do you get emails like this? It drives me nuts. I know I should go and unsubscribe - but I wonder, what if... what if there's some crazy good deal?

Truth is though - I rarely ever shop. Don't get me wrong - I love retail therapy as much as the next gal, but I don't feel the compulsion anymore. I've never understood how you could go to Target every day to purchase things. I'm just tired of things...things that clutter, gather dust and take up space and energy.

My money ends up going to food. That I can get with. I believe in feeding our bodies and souls. All that extra stuff is just window dressing...and it fades... all of it.

This year I'm a little grateful for the economic woes. Don't get me wrong...it hurts...but it's only when we hurt that we reflect and focus. It's time that we trim the fat. We spend far too much time accumulating things. Those American automakers begging for a handout... I say, it's time to close shop... I don't care how long you've been in business. There are other automakers out there... doing a good job...and not failing. Maybe... just maybe you need to swallow the pride and arrogance to reevaluate the lack of quality...the entire business model, and change.

Failing businesses are just one way the natural market takes care of success and mistakes. Do we really need a Circuit City a few miles from a Best Buy, Costco and Sam's Club? Do we need a Starbucks across the parking lot from a grocery store, which already has a Starbucks inside? Waste...

Truthfully, I remember running around a mall with bags galore... but that was when I was young and naive. Also... that shopping never did fulfill whatever it was I was trying to fill. I'm grateful for a chance to grow older and wiser. Maybe we could get gifts people need... not want. And if they don't need anything... find a way to show appreciation.

Another thing I recently learned... too many of us walk around with a mantra of "I should do..." I've learned saying that...and doing whatever you think "you should" will not make you happy. Maybe the activity is a good thing... but why bother doing it if your heart isn't in it? Happiness comes from placing our hearts in whatever it is we're doing, willingly. That's not to say there aren't things we ought to do... but there are a lot of outside commitments, and people we give of our precious time and energy that just don't make us happy.

This season I'm raising a glass to gratitude, saving, and losing the fat.

Grateful for those who are Grateful

So one of my friends in my neighborhood is preggers for the third time. I was able to help out in a teeny tiny way by picking up her daughter from school today.

As I drove away from her home... I realized how grateful I am for people like her. Folks who are sincerely grateful to you for doing something so little.

This is such a contrast from a year... year and a half ago... I'm losing track of time. When there was someone I was helping out with who wasn't ever grateful.

I've decided that I'm glad I cut out the fat in my life. I'm focusing on people who enrich me as much as I enrich them... even if it is in my teeny, tiny ways.

So... thank you, for being thankful.

Public Service Announcement

Saw this on Glittersmama's blog:

Blog Safety

Because I don't want to be a Dateline Special

The Secular Church

I'm not in denial

Sure I have a cotton-head, sandpaper throat and my nose isn't totally clear. My eyes are actually sore...but that's only when they're open. And, yes I'd like to keel over into sleep at a moment's notice... but I'm not sick.

These are the reasons why I'm definitely not sick:

My husband isn't feeling well.
My oldest is still coughing, has a runny/stuffy nose...and threw up 3 days ago.
My youngest just threw up and has a runny nose, with occasional coughing. (Thrown up hot dog makes me not want one for a very, very long time)
I have dinner to finish, laundry to do and I need to get this house in order...again.
I also have a calling to complete...I get to do the newsletter and that means I get to beg, nag people to get me content about them.
Moms aren't allowed sick days....didn't you know?

So I am definitely, one-hundred percent fine. Totally well... I just need some more tea and honey...

Anyone else not in denial?

At least you aren't drinking urine at work...

Saw this today - astronauts get to drink purified urine...and you thought your job was bad.

Maybe I'm the only one...but Kanye West makes me laugh.

In Mexico City Viagra is the key to quality of life and happiness.

Superheroes get ready... a flying car.