A good day

And here they are!
Originally uploaded by mlm4.

Yesterday SB marched in the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl Parade. Much fun was had by all. We were in the very front row so we had a great view of the entire parade. SB had a lot of fun and WAS on TV. Karin text messaged me when she saw SB on TV, but I didn't get the message until after the parade. We had recorded it, of course, so watched when we came home and were able to see SB in three different shots! Very cool!!

Mark and I went on a date last night, a very long one, consisting of two movies and dinner. Which brings the total number of movies seen over break to 5!!! And we still have a week left. But, I'm pretty sure we won't see any more.

Today the tree and decorations are coming down and the house is getting cleaned up. Tonight and ALL DAY tomorrow are family play time. Games, outdoor play, etc. Just the six of us together. They way I love to end one year and start another. Happy New Year to all of you. Many blessings to you and yours.

Friendly!

My FIL talks to EVERYONE he meets, and i do mean everyone. And I'm not just talking a simple "Hi, how are you?" kind of thing. I'm telling you he can find out where someone is from, where they went to college, how many kids and grandkids they have faster than most people can learn someones name. This has some definite advantages. Like, these people he met a couple of years ago at the Fiesta Bowl parade. Who are from the same state he's originally from. Who live a block from the parade route. Who he ran in to last night while setting up chairs. Who offered ME a parking space in front of their house! The streets are blocked by the police, but each local is allowed to have two cars in front of their house for the parade and I get to park there! Which is amazing because I was terribly worried about parking since Mark and his dad left early to make sure we kept our seats and are parking elsewhere! But now I am armed with names, address, and phone number of these people so I can get right in to the neighborhood. All because my FIL never met a stranger!

Calgon...Take me AWAY!!!

The other 5 members of my family are in my living room right now playing tackle football. it is so LOUD!! But, I love it. I love that they are all playing together and enjoying one another.

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the Fiesta Bowl Parade and SB will be marching! Mark and his dad are going down tonight to set up chairs and then getting there early tomorrow so hopefully we'll have awesome seats. Very exciting.

The teenager asked me out on a date! We went to have lunch, just the two of us, at his request. Very nice.

We're still here, still holding on. One moment I'm doing okay and the next moment I'm a mess. The same with the teenager. it's unfortunate, in my opinion, that our society has become so rigid in judgement of people. There was a time, not so long ago, when children (and if you have any understanding of child development at all, you know that a 16 year old's brain is not fully formed and that they do not have constant ability to predict the outcome of their actions) were allowed to make mistakes and have them be learning lessons, life lessons. Now, it seems to me, the life lesson is: you screwed up, your life is over. I'm not saying that is the truth, just the perception when you don't allow children the ability to fail and then pick up the pieces. Absolutely children should be responsible for their actions, but they should also be given some sense of hope, a light at the end of the dark tunnel, if you will. I know it's early and there will be a light, but the light at times seems so far away.

Bowling

My camera battery was dead and my picture cards all full, so no pictures, but we had a really good time. We all 6 went bowling today. The Princess was so funny! She had a little ball, 6 pounds, and she would throw it granny style. Well. let me tell you that was the slowest going ball evah! It was like her ball was trying to politely squeeze its way through the pins without disrupting them. I won't mention how she beat me in the first game! SB was quite the bowler though, beating all of us in the second game! A much needed good time was had by all!

The Day After...

Yesterday was to be our annual shopping extravaganza, and did start out that way. we were able to get many more lights for next year (we will be needing Mike to come over and run at least one new circuit for us!lol!) got both of my nieces' birthday presents (their birthdays are coming up soon) and a birthday gift for one of my day care kiddos.

In the middle of the trip I got a startling text message from the teenager, who was at work and needed us desperately. The next three hours were some of the absolute worst of my life. I will not be going in to detail, or sharing what happened with you unless I already have, so please don't ask. But, in simple terms, the teenager made a bad choice, as teenagers do sometimes, and his place of employment made a very public display and example of him over a seemingly small mistake. Should he have known better? Absolutely and he does and did, but wasn't using his brain. Did his workplace over react? Undoubtedly, at least in my opinion, and the opinions of the few who know the story. We're huddling together as a family right now. Letting our child know that, while we don't approve of how he handled this situation, we still love him and are here to pick up the pieces. He must still take responsibility, but we will be his safe place at the end of the day. He will be looking for a new job this week.

Please pray for our family. The next few weeks and/or months will be trying, to say the least.

Highlights of a Lovely Day...

1. My kids woke on their own this year (except the teenager!) I often have to wake them up on Christmas morning! But they were awake by 6:30 so we could read The Christmas Story before getting up to see what Santa brought!


2. Having my mom and my brother here when the kids got up (and for 7 hours afterward!). Every year they get here before the kids wake up so they can share the joy! It's a really fun and special tradition for us. I don't spend a lot of time with my brother, but we are very close and I'm glad my kids have him.


3. Mark made me cry, as he does every year. I collect Disney Snow globes and he gave me the most beautiful one I've ever seen. I didn't even know it existed! I can't find it online, so I'll post a picture later.


4. Utter chaos and joy involved with 4 kiddos getting most of their wishes fulfilled!


5. Having Christmas Dinner at my in-laws. It's been a while since we've done that, as my mother-in-law has some pretty severe health issues.


6. Reconnecting with my nephew. We had a fall out a few months ago, but finally, last night, things were back on track.


7. Hearing the shrieking laughter and play of cousins.


8. The picture above. My FIL bought the sign for my MIL in New Hampshire and gave it to her for Christmas and it was my idea to take this picture last night. If you can't see it, it says "All Because Two People Fell in Love."
9. Watching my nieces open their gifts, which they loved!
10. Watching everyone open gifts that we gave them and they all seemed to love. I love to give and I love when the gifts are hits!lol!
11. I got a bike!! I felt like I was 5 years old!
12. Watching my FIL spend a enormous amount of time listening to his youngest grandson read.
13. Watching my nephew and the teenager laugh and hang out together.
14. Playing Guitar Hero II with the teenager. I'm not very good, but ti was fun anyway!

The only sour note of the day was the melting down of my two youngest that started happening around 8:00. When you're up since 6:30 on such a high energy day, the meltdowns happen early!

12 Days of Christmas by My Kiddos!

The three youngest wrote and performed a song for me when I got home from the worst choir rehearsal on Thursday night. If this doesn't lift your spirits, you are a GRINCH!!

On the first day of Christmas , Jesus gave to me...a family in a warm house.

On the second day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me...two girls-a-dancing and a family in a warm house.

On the third day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me...3 movies playing, two girls-a-dancing, and a family in a warm house.

On the fourth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me ...4 kids-a-laughing...and a family in a warm house.

On the fifth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me 5 thousand lights(that really is how many we have!)...and a family in a warm house.

On the sixth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me...6 people hugging...and a family in a warm house.

On the seventh day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me...7 CD's playing...and a family in a warm house.

On the eighth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me...8 Christmas brownies...and a family in a warm house.

On the ninth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me 9 Snow Queen Rehearsals...and a family in a warm house.

On the 10th day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me...10 dirty fingernails(FE is infamous for this!lol!) and a family in a warm house.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me, 11 Christmas stories...and a family in a warm house.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me 12 cookies baking...and a family in a warm house.

Now I Can Breathe

ahhh...the kiddos are all done with school until January 8th. Parties are over, music concert finished. All four kids were at school this morning, so Mark and I had a mini date. Yummy banana pancakes at the Wildflower Bread Company (if you haven't tried them, you MUST!!!) and a trip to the grocery store. Then we went to SB and FE's parties at school. We each went to one class and traded halfway through the time. We picked the Princess up from her Grandpa's(who had picked her up from school) where she was having the time of her life, and went to lunch. Now we're going to make cookies and hang out!

All my shopping is done, I'm baking for fun and not for gifts, so no stress there, and my family is home! This is the way to ENJOY the Christmas season!!

I'm guessing I won't be back to blogging before Christmas, and possibly not until the kiddos go back to school. So, Merry Christmas to all and a Blessed New Year!

all worn out...

Busy day. I finished the very last of my shopping, attended The Princess' Christmas party, shoveled out the girls' room, (Mark did most of the work, but I worked for a couple of hours as well), got very angry about something stupid our school music teacher did, drove for hours, took the girls to dance and stayed to watch SB's Christmas dances, and just sat down for the first time today.
Tomorrow's no better with SB getting her bottom braces and the kids' Christmas Concert tomorrow night.

So here's the deal with the music teacher. The venue for our Christmas program got changed in October and is smaller than the one we've used the past few years. The one where we've had standing room only. In a 1700 seat auditorium. The new facility seats only 1300. In October she sent out a form asking how many people we were planning on having. We indicated the 12 we usually have, not including the kids. We hear nothing back. Last week she sent out another form asking. I turned it in. it also had a spot asking for volunteers for some stuff and we had signed up, so she sent it back with a big thank you on it and what time we needed to get there. Not a word about the number of people we had indicated were coming. TODAY, the day before the concert, she sends home a letter to the entire school telling people that they are only allowed to have 5 seats per family. 5!!! Now, we don't have to include our performing kids, but we still needed 12 seats. Not going to happen. We get 5. Which means I had to tell some family members, sorry I know we already invited you, but you can't come. Unfortunately, we are very visible at the school,most everyone, particularly staff, knows who we are as Mark is the Board President. so, we cannot be seen breaking the rules. But I am livid and you can bet there will be a letter to the music teacher on Thursday after the concert. She's known about the seating issue for 2 MONTHS and to just send out something today? The day before the concert??? That stinks!!!

Our Shining Star!

With our superstar!
Originally uploaded by mlm4.

Well, we made it through the weekend. SB was stunning and we are so proud! My niece was a leaf in the show as well and some of SB's friends were in the show, so we had people to watch even when she wasn't on stage.

Today I have two rehearsals for Christmas stuff, a cheer meeting about the parade, plus shopping for three school parties, the first of which is tomorrow! AND??I haven't watched Survivor yet. Don't tell me anything!! And I have a boatload of presents to wrap! And Mark is going to his Christmas party for work tonight so I'm on my own. (Yes, I was invited, along with the children, but it's a school night and I've been away from three of my children for most of the weekend. Mark's the boss, he has to go and be schmoozy, so we'd be on our own for most of the time anyway and I much prefer being at home!)
So, busy day of a busy week, but I feel so Christmasy, so it's a good busy!

Glowing

That's how SB looked on stage yesterday. She had the biggest smile, and smiled the entire time she was on stage.Her group danced beautifully as well. I can't even begin to put into words how amazing it was to watch her yesterday. And to sit and hold her daddy's hand as we both marveled over this being that we created. This beautiful, amazingly talented, and precious girl. We were holding hands so tight when she was on stage it's a miracle that we still had circulation. And I cried...and cried...and cried... I probably cried for 10 minutes after she was off stage at the wonder of this girl. My brother came to see the show yesterday (well, the part that SB was in, then he left!lol!) and he laughed at me for crying, but as we were walking out at intermission, even he was commenting on how radiant and beautiful she was and how well she danced. I am proud, yes, as always, but more than that, I am humbled and awed that God chose US to raise this beautiful, amazing, special girl. And so very thankful to be her mommy.

The Princess

The Princess
Originally uploaded by mlm4.

Here she is at her Christmas Program last night. She was adorable, as usual! She had quite the adoring audience as not only were her siblings and parents there as well as her Nonnie, but Karin and LG came as well and dragged Mike along too. It was a lovely evening and my heart was full.

I'm exhausted already!

This is our busy busy weekend. Tonight is SB's final rehearsal for The Snow Queen and also in The Princess' preschool Christmas program. Luckily they are at two different times, but I do have to pick SB and FE up early from school and get SB all the way downtown before 4 PM and then turn around and get back, get daycare kids taken care of and get the Princess to her school by 6:15. It's really nice that SB's daddy works in the building where she's dancing so he will stay at rehearsal with her and then meet us at The Princess' school. After the program we're haivng dinner with my mom which will be lovely!
Tomorrow starts our marathon of Snow Queen shows. We have to pick up SB's two best friends and get SB downtown by 12:30. Then we'll see the show, take all three girls to dinner, take the friends home and head back to the theater for the evening show. Sunday is two more performances, but much closer together so no leaving in between. SB really loves performing in this show so it's fun to watch her, but 4 shows in a weekend is tiring!

So, in other news, I have a secret little obsession. I like to enter sweepstakes. I had never won anything until about 18 months ago when I won the Grand Prize of a Martha Stewart birthday party along with a whole bunch of gift cards, etc. After that win I had a might long dry spell, but over the summer I won a couple of little gift cards and a candy bar, stuff like that. The on election day I got an email that I had won some merchandise from a Broadway show. Last week I got an email that I had won some Polly Pocket items, and yesterday I got an email that I had won the Grand Prize in another sweepstakes. I can't tell you what I've won yet because I need to send my paperwork back first, but it's worth over $1000 and it's really cool! Every time I win I feel the need to enter more and more! You would think I would be happy with the winning, and I am, but there's a lot of cool stuff being given away out there!

Anyway, hope you all enjoy your weekend! I know we will!

Almost Done!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just have a few more little things to get. a gift card for a teacher, a small gift for my MIL that she just told me she wanted (after I already had some other stuff for her!), stuff for stockings, and a couple more things for my hubby. I can do most of that with the Princess, but not the stocking shopping since Santa fills the stockings at our house.

Speaking of Santa, we're dealing with an issue that is trying my patience this year. FE has a good friend, his best friend actually, who doesn't believe in Santa. They just don't do Santa at all at their house. That's fine, I respect that. what I take issue with is this kid continually telling my child that Santa isn't real. There are plenty of people who choose to do thing differently than we do and I am teaching my children to respect that by not questioning the beliefs of others. I say to my children, that that is what so and so believes and we believe differently, but we don't need to tell them what they believe is wrong, its just different than what we do. So I take issue with people who don't allow my children their beliefs. In our house, Santa brings several of the gifts and also fills the stockings. And I want to keep it that way as long as I can. SB just this Christmas has stopped believing in Santa. So, if you don't believe? Or don't "do" Santa? At least have the courtesy to teach your children to be respectful of those who do! Just my opinion!

Our House is attracting attention!

Last night when Mark got home from work there was a group of teenagers on the sidewalk in front of our house. They were giggling and generally being teenagerish (My new word!), but when Mark got out of the car they very politely came over and spoke with him. They wanted to take pictures of our Christmas lights for their high school photography class! Way cool!

In other news, I am not nearly done with my Christmas shopping and I'm about out of time! This weekend is completely shot and next week there is too much going on. so, I'm trying to get some things done during the time when the Princess is at school today and I don't know when I'll fit the rest of it in. I don't know what happened. I felt like I had plenty of time, but I forgot how tied up the schedule gets during this last couple of weeks. We have two Christmas programs, several Christmas parties, Snow Queen, two birthday parties, etc., etc., Wish me luck!

Oh Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas Tree
Originally uploaded by mlm4.

Our tree is finished! I love it. We did decide that next year we're going to need two trees. We have too many ornaments. So, we'll be shopping for a smaller artificial tree after Christmas to put in our family room next year and then we'll use our real tree in the living room. Two Christmas trees! I love it!!!

Friends

A few of my friends that I met online in 1998, when we were pregnant with out 8 year olds, have started blogs of their own! They are listed in my sidebar, go take a peek and say hi!

Superstar!!!

SB's cheer team took 1st place in their division today at the Fiesta Bowl Cheer Competition! What does that mean??? They'll be marching in the Fiesta Bowl Parade on national television!! Make sure to watch on December 30th! We've got one excited girl on our hands!

Sad

This incident involved a father of two children at my children's school. He was one of the men shot. He was putting up garage cabinets for his neighbor when an argument started. He was shot in the face and has severe brain damage and is not expected to survive. There is no medical insurance. The mom just lost her job a few weeks ago. I do not know these children or their parents, but this strikes too close to home. I know that our school is working on setting up an account to help with medical expenses and also may be collecting donations of gifts for the girls for Christmas. If you are interested in donating, let me know via email (fourkiddos4me@cox.net) and I will get the information to you. Hold your husband and children a little closer to you today. I know I will be...

How Rude!

Yesterday I had to run to Best Buy to pick up a Christmas gift for my hubby. The new Pirates movie came out on DVD and Best Buy was offering an extra free DVD with it, so I wanted to get there before they were gone. The store was extraordinarily busy for 10 Am on a Tuesday, I'm sure because of the new release. The line probably had 50 or 60 people in it when I got in line. A very pregnant woman and several of her relatives, including her husband, and two young children (3 and 4 or so) were with them as well. From the momnet they got in line, the woman started griping. How come there aren't more registers open, this is stupid, this is riduculous, on and on and on. While Best Buy may have been unprepared, it was a weekday morning. Many of their workers are teenagers, so how are they supposed to staff an extra busy weekday morning? PLUS, the line moved very quickly. I think I was out of there in 30 minutes total and that included looking at stuff. While they were standing in line, the husband was talking about how many of the moives and freebies he was getting so he could sell them on EBay and how many of the TMX Elmo's he had bought at Target that day to sell and how many PS3's he had bought to sell. Someone in their party made a comment about people who really wanted those items having to pay a lot of money for them since people like him were buying them all up and the woman said "Who cares. if they wanted them badly enough, they should have waited in line like we did. Now we'll make money off of their stupidtiy". Wow! A few minutes later her girls were running screaming through the store, climbing on displays and shelving. She said "Oh, well, let them do it. Iit serves Best Buy right for making us wait in such a long line." The final thing was that they had a stack of DVD's that they dropped. They picked them up and set them on a shelf and sent a member of their party to grab more becuase "now those are all gong to be scratched". I'm just appaled at the behavior of these people. Really. Where are common courtesy and manners? If you go out shopping in December, expect lines. Even if there are lines, being grumpy about it does not make them move any faster. Allowing your children to be destructive does not make the store open another register and all that allowing your child to break things and putting back all those DVD's you dropped does is make prices higher for everyone. Oh, but that's okay becuase you'll have plenty of money since you'll be selling all the hot toys you managed to buy to people who really want them for their kids at a really high price. Merry Christmas!

Poem

The teenager wrote this poem as a writing assignment in his English class. It's about my Grandma, his Great-Grandma, who died in August of 2002. We spent every Christmas Eve at her house until the year she died.

I Remember

I remember dark roads illuminated by an occasional streetlight. The journey that took so long. The smell of old people flooding the chapel. An abundance of clip on earrings and penny loafers.

I remember driving back to her house to meet Santa. Chocolate and toys in mounds overwhelming her living room. Family, Laughter, Joy, a concoction with a soothing side effect.

I remember chatter. Playing with cousins. Getting tired, wanting to go home, but not wanting to leave. Falling asleep draming of what the robust old man would leave me under the giant tree.

But most of all I remember her scent. The scent of the humble little old lady who always was smiling. I remember the pleasure it brought her to be around family. I remember the most caring woman to walk the earth.

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

Clyde Campbell

What a Compliment...

Today was our monthly religious education program, Generations of Faith. We study different topics each month, within a yearly theme. This year's theme is Sacraments, and the monthly theme was The Sacrament of Marriage.
I truly believe that I have a great marriage. Mark and I do and have worked very hard to get our marriage to the place where it is today and I am proud of our hard work. But I had never really given much though to the fact that we might be an example to others, or mentors of a fashion. Today, during group discussion, someone in the large group mentioned the examples of strong marriages we have in our Parish. They mentioned a much older couple, who has been married a very long time, and then said that we had great examples in our choir as well. Like Mike and Karin, and Mark and Marlene.
Wow, just wow. I don't know this person, but obviously they've noticed us, and our commitment to one another. I am touched and amazed.

And so it begins...

The craziness of the holiday season is upon us already! This weekend has been busy with Generations and LG's birthday party. Plus (one of the best perks of my hubby's job and connections!) tomorrow afternoon we are going to see High School Musical:The Concert! We had thought about getting tickets to take SB, but they were really expensive so we decided not to. Yesterday, Mark got an email from someone he knows at the arena offering us FREE tickets. So, we're taking the three youngest kiddos and my mom. The kids are soooo excited! It is one of their favorite movies. I kind of like it too!

SB is getting ready for the Fiesta Bowl Cheer Competition next weekend. Her group came in 2nd place last year, but this year might not be as promising. Our school has not only a no pass/no play policy, but a policy whereby if you have anything below a 74% you cannot compete. Given that many schools, even those who say they have no pass/no play, usually don't enforce those policies, we are generally at a disadvantage in every sporting event. And we've got some girls who will not be going with us next weekend. So, while it will be a fun day, I'm not holding my breath for any major awards for our school this time.

Hope you all are happy and warm and healthy and enjoying this holiday season!

Happy Birthday!!!!

To my favorite 2 year old! We love you LG!