Saturday, December 31, 2011

Farewell 2011

Taking a look back at 2011....

This time last year, I was getting ready for a New Year's Party.. This year I am doing the same

This time last year, Chris was getting ready to take his final seminary class... This year he is writing curriculum

This time last year, Chris was an associate student minister. This year he is the Youth Pastor

This time last year, the children were running and playing.. This year, they are doing the same, only taller

This time last year, I was wondering what adventures the new year would bring.. This year, I am doing the same

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Waking up during Christmas Break

Waking up around the house of W'ham has a definite routine, but Christmas Break always changes things up.  It currently goes something like this:

5:00 - trip to the RR to pee and back to bed
7:30 - The Hubby's alarm goes off and he hits snooze
7:40 - The Hubby gets up and so do I.
7:42 - I get downstairs and find The Youngling watching Power Rangers. I start the coffee for me and try to wipe the sleepy from my eyes.

At this point Time does that wiggly dreamlike thing  for an unknown time while I check email, facebook, blogger, twitter, and pinterest and make some breakfast and drink more coffee

8:37 - the coffee kicks in and I wake up realizing the husband has left for work and the Oldest Child has joined the blanket pile on the couch.
9:00 - I realize I need to get started on the day soon or it will all be gone.
9:15 - I realize I need toget started on the day soon or it will all be gone.
9:30 - I unplug myself from the computer and get dressed to start the day.

I really like this. It's not efficient or effective for much of anything, but for once I don't feel pressure to be-do-see-make anything. My blood pressure thanks the makers of Christmas Break!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Sung to the 12 Days of Christmas

On the day of our "Winter Party" my students gave to me...
1 Santa cookie jar
1 vanilla candle
3 holiday bookmarks
2 retail gift cards

2 bright pink fluffy socks

3 special coffee cups


3 CVS personal hygene items

5 Glit-ter-y FLOWERS!

4 office products

3 sacks of candy

2 awesome snow globes

and

a Tootsie Roll in an Altoids mint tin!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

What, wait! December already?

    I've had my head down pushing through the days, determined to find something to love about each of my students. My children continue to make me laugh and grow in appreciation for them each and every day. I even got to go on a real date with my husband last night. We mall crawled and just talked and chatted uninterrupted for almost 3 hours. It was not nearly enough time.
     And it was then that I noticed the fancy trappings of the holidays which have engulfed every place I travel. Last night I walked the whole mall and several other stores and bought not one thing. I passed millions of dollars worth of merchandise and did not pull out my money once. The few things that caught my eye were out of my price range and the rest, blah.
     Don't worry, I'm not in a "Bah Humbug" mood. I just don't feel the need to buy junk disguised as gifts. I'm excited about putting up the Christmas tree today for the earliest time in YEARS. Almost a full 3 weeks before Christmas is a huge accomplishment. I just can't believe the year is winding up and it will be 2012 in a few short weeks. I am awed by how quickly time moves as I get older.