Merry Christmas Eve Eve

The girls went to our friends Rob and Tara's house last weekend for a babysitting party while Tim and I hosted my work's Christmas party. Tara posted pictures on her blog. They were so sweet to come and pick up the kids and just take the van. It was so wierd after they left to be home... without the kids... unfortunately, my co-workers did show up and we ended up having a good time. I am glad we could share our kids for a night. So, did you ever wonder if a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound? We discovered when the house is empty (of children) it echoes their voices, but literally it echoes our voices. So as to the tree theory, still up in the air, but I prefer to have the kiddos makin' noises. I love being a mommy.

'Twas...

I just love this poem, as much as the memoriesand feelings of childhood I have when I read it.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Twas the Night before Christmas Poem
By Clement Moore

Ticking down to Christmas

I love Christmas, when I'm on schedule. I wasn't so much earlier this week, then I got thrown a curve ball by getting sick with icky throat (lost my voice). I think my schedule for my Christmas preparation has been more realistic this year than ever before, maybe it's the realization of what is really important, what really isn't and where to spend my time accordingly. I am a type of person that has to self actualize. I think that means that when I want to do something, I have to piece it out to the point that it is baby steps to get to the end result, then getting there in my mind so I can actually validate whether my plan is worth carrying out. I don't know if that makes sense, but to those of you with more kids than adults in your house, and capital A type personalities, it probably does.
I was fortunate early on this season to have a clarity moment. I guess to avoid the specifics, I was in a situation where I witnessed some friends of mine have... grumpy (the best word I can think of) attitudes about the whole family aspect of Christmas. I decided I didn't want to waste my energy being that way, and I didn't know I needed to make that choice (self-actualization again) and it has been so great. I filled my Christmas "to-do" list with activities with my kiddos and my hubby and it has been great. We went to a Christmas boutique and it was so fun to be with my girls looking at all the little homemade trinkets and crafts I remember wanting to buy or make when I was a kid. We got the Christmas tree up together, I was able to get my Christmas cards out (haven't done that since 2004) and due to budget cuts in the...well budget, worked right through the shopping/gift making list. I had a patient today at work tell me she is totally ready for Christmas, and has been for a week. I was amazed, and also a little disappointed in her attitude. She said all her decor is up, presents wrapped, nothing left to do at all. I thought to myself, Heck, if I were on that schedule (mind you her 2 children are adults and have teenage kids themselves) I would spend my time with friends, baking, serving others, making up things to do to help others, baking, and eating my baked goods. I wasn't feeling jealous of her "readiness" for Christmas, but sort of bothered by her "I've done what I need to now I'll sit on my laurels" attitude. I am having such a great December, and now we start the "12 days of Christmas" tomorrow, and Emma is so excited for activities. She definitely keeps us on our toes to stay ahead of her. That is enough for my cyberwandering, I must sleep now, tomorrow is our 7th annual Candy making day with my in-laws and It is always super sweet.

Best Christmas Ever! -Emma

So Emma has said on multiple occasions, "Mom, this is gonna be the BEST Christmas EVER!!" I love her enthusiasm, and her sweet spirit. I remember growing up and being so excited for Christmas that I'm sure my sisters wanted to throw me in a snow drift, and maybe they did. I do remember one Christmas my Dad wasn't excited to put up twinkle lights on all of the forest of trees on our huge yard, and I wasn't going to let the season go by without lights, so after what seemed like hours untangling about a hundred strings of lights and changing bulbs to get full circuits, I braved the cold (in Rexburg that's brave) and used the "aim 'n' throw" method to strng up the lights on all the trees in our front yard. It probably looked like a 10 year old did it, because I coudn't have been older than that, but I did it, and it was important to me. So, now Emma asked and asked "Can we put up the tree?" for 3 days before we finally had some time to do it, I plugged in the pre-lit tree and of course, half of the light strings are burned out or shorted. To appease her, we let her and Audrey put all the shatterproof ornaments on all by themselves. They were so proud!!
Here they are with the ornaments all on the tree and the lights off.And the lights on, or most of them.And then two days later after 100 feet more of lights and a few hours of re-stringing and re-distributing the ornaments on the tree. I love Christmas!