Little Britches

I just finished this book called Little Britches (Ralph Moody), and I loved, loved, loved it! It was written by a man whose family settled the frontier during the early 1900's, but it is written from the perspective of the 8-year-old boy, Ralph. I just picked it up from my mom's house and it is a quick read, probably written for about a fifth or sixth grader. I love stories written from a young boy's perspective because even the difficult experiences are written in such a matter-of-fact manner (not sentimental) that it doesn't feel like you are being coersed into feeling a certain way about the incident at hand.

Anyway, the story focuses on Ralph's new experiences as a farmer--getting to know his Dad through hard work, learning to ride horses, getting into fights in the one-room schoolyard, dealing with natural disasters and animal disasters, and learning to become a man. As I read about this family's life, I can feel the joy of living simply, and of cherishing the things that matter most.

Ralph shares several Christmas memories, but has this to say of his experiences, "It seemed as though our best Christmases were the ones when we were the poorest." I can't help but wonder if living in relative ease makes it easy to forget that your biggest blessings and most important gifts-- your family and friends-- are ones that can't be purchased in a store . . . . so for all of you out there still reading this very sentimental post (unlike the book which is not cheesy at all)--I am so grateful for you all and the blessings you've been to me and my little family!

Good mom? Bad mom?

As I was walking the kids to school today, Eliza cried the ENTIRE time. Why? First she left her backpack at home and then forgot to bring shoes to change into at school (she hates wearing her snow boots around). Please keep in mind that she has inherited both of her parent's loud voices and to top things off--she still sounds a little like Minnie Mouse when she talks. Thus, the screaming is very piercing.

I was getting annoyed by the crying and all the other kids were bothered, too. I gave Eliza a warning that if she didn't stop crying, I would take one of her presents away from the tree. After two warnings, she didn't stop and I told her that I would be taking away a present. She could earn it back by helping me with neighbor gifts this afternoon. Still, the crying would not relent. . . . . .by the time we reached school, she had lost 3 gifts and was saying she wished that she didn't have to go to school, and she hated school, and she hated her snowboots-blah, blah, blah. The crying persisted after I left her in the coatroom and her teacher came to rescue her.

So now I am left wondering if I was a good mom or a bad mom to take away presents. It was only crying, after all. I suppose her punishment was built in to the source of her crying-an uncomfortable day in boots at school. I was punishing her for not being able to control her emotions--a problem I, too, struggle with.

Life was so easy when the kids were babies. I knew I was a good mom if they were fed, diapered, and clothed. Even as children reach toddlerhood, the basics of being a good mom are simple and revolved around taking care of life's basic necessities. Now, things are getting so complicated. When discipline is involved, I am not always sure if I came down to hard or too lightly. Giving in to a whine here or there has no immediate damage, but will ultimately teach the kids the wrong lesson about how to ask for things they want. . . . .Arggghhh, I don't even have teenagers yet!!

UPDATE: I picked Eliza up from school--smiling and cheerful. Apparently the morning incident had left her mind. I'm glad she hadn't been stewing about it like I had for 3 hours . . . . . she cheerfully helped my make 20 cheeseballs and very diligently helped shovel snow and now her presents are back under the tree. I think I was the one that needed to learn a lesson in patience here.

frustrating times

It is so frustrating that Santa will bring me some beautiful new snow boots (I've been such a good girl, and that is all I am asking for), and it is snowing so hard today I really wish I had them already. . . . . . I feel like they are teasing me from the bag under my bed or something strange like that!

Pet peeve or two

Don't you just hate it when the grocery store bagger ties up your plastic bags in a double knot so you have to tear open the bag and ruin it--never to be reused?

And speaking of that, don't you hate it when the person in front of you practically stops the car and begins his turn AND THEN turns on his blinker? (signal your intentions)

And finally, don't you hate it when the word verification rectangle on the comment box doesn't make any sort of word that can kindof make sense? For instance, if your letters are v-e-r-i-t-y you can say "verity," in your mind and it is easier to type, but if the letters say r-t-u-y-l-m, you say, "rituyalum" and inevitably spell the verification word wrong and then have to type another word (this time you hope for verity).

Are you with me?

The Twin Test

I guess since I've had twins people always ask me if I think I'll have twins again. They also tell me often that they are worried they might be having twins because they are 'bigger' with this pregnancy than the last one. I get asked what my symptoms were like with the twins i.e. sicker, bigger, etc.

Nope, I don't think I'll have twins again. I just think it was a remarkable fluke of nature, but one that won't be repeated. I never really thought I'd have twins before Davis and Liza, and just don't think about it much still.

As for if YOU are going to have twins (feeling bigger with pregnancy #2,3 or whatever) here's the test: Roll over on your stomach during week 10 of your pregnancy (bladder empty). If it feels like you have an orange lodged inside your abdomen (your uterus)- you ARE bigger (and I am talking an orange here, not a walnut or anything). If you don't really feel much (except gas or nausea) your 'feeling bigger' is probably due to stretched out ab muscles that aren't as tight as they were with your last pregnancy.

I remember very vividly rolling onto my stomach at 10 weeks with the twins and feeling the 'orange belly,' but with Roger and this new baby (even though I was/am practically ready to convert to maternity wear) I can't feel my uterus expanding yet. With a single baby your uterus doesn't grow as fast. Since the twins were my first pregnancy, I didn't know that I was actually so big--it was all new to me at that time!

Good luck with my Twin Test. Let me know if it was a good predictor for you. . . . . . .

Christmas Traditions

For all of the tags I have failed to respond to, I respond to THIS one, and invite anyone else to tag themselves for Christmas Traditions as well.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love bags with colorful tissue paper, but am resigned to paper for now so the kids won’t peek.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial—my hubby isn’t home enough to depend on for help

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years

5. Do you like eggnog? Yep, but in very small quantities

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I just remember I loved clothes-- I guess I do remember a homemade Barbie house my mom made when I was young as well.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom ( I actually love shopping for my Dad)

8. Easiest person to buy for? The kids, they tell me exactly what they want.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I got one from my Grandma for my wedding (married on December 21) so it is really special.

10. Mail or email Christmas Cards? Snail mail for sure--one of the few things technology can't better is the old-fashioned Christmas card.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Strange sweaters from my mom (sorry mom)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It’s a Wonderful Life (my Dad watches it every Christmas, and when I was younger I didn’t understand why—now I totally relate to it)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually in October

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, but I’ve D.I.’d them before

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Reese’s peanut butter cups

16. Lights on tree? Yes, white ones.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Angels We Have Heard on High

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? After a now infamous blow-up (by me, in which I woke up the entire house--what can I say? I have a temper) on Christmas morning at my parent's house (early, early A.M. with a toddler who wouldn’t sleep well in the same room as me, well wouldn't sleep all night, to be frank), I would have to say I enjoy the comfort of my own bed, though we have hit St. George before without serious incident (not that D’s schedule ever accommodates that anymore).

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? OF COURSE!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Morning, one on Christmas Eve

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Some of the sappy Christmas songs on the radio

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? Every year I slowly add to my red, green and gold tree—it’s starting to look pretty fancy (dare I say I have a REALLY hard time putting those homemade ornaments from the kids on my tree)

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Spiral-sliced Ham

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? laser hair removal (hint, hint to the person who never reads this blog) and a new wallet

26. Favorite Christmas memory? Cousin gift exchange where we all wrote poems to go with our presents—very cute and fun—and then running around the house with cousins all night after that. I also LOVE singing with my Dad, Mom, and siblings (my brother has a voice like an angel—and I’m not kidding!)

27. Favorite Christmas cookie? sugar

28. Are you going to make any gifts this year? Just my Christmas Card--if I ever get it done. . . .

29. Newest Christmas tradition for your family? Caroling at the Hospital on Christmas Eve

Breakfast with Santa

What could be more fun? Dad was even there!

what I'm listening to. . . .

Spirit of the Season, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Sissel(I love, love Sissel's voice and I love track 2, Wexford Carol)

A Tenor's Christmas

(What can I say? I know it is very classical (aka nerdy), but I am a sucker for an awesome tenor!)

signs of the time

Wow, I totally must be pregnant. I can not even drive 10 blocks without crying--you see, my radio dial is tuned into 'The Breeze', Utah's Christmas Music Headquarters, of course. I swear I tear up at every single song. . . .sad, but true.

I'm hooked. . . .

(and how couldn't you be with a look like that?)

I've been remarkably absent from the couch in front of my T.V. for a few months now (you know, lying in bed, feelin' kinda crappy instead--sob, sob), BUT I've discovered this show and we are totally addicted to it now. It's called The Mentalist and is on at 8:00 PM, Tuesday on CBS here.

Basically, the main character-- Patrick Jane-- was happily living his life as a prominent and outspoken psychic. Then his wife and daughter were murdered by a serial killer who was trying to make a point. You see, Jane had been bragging about his work as a psychic specialist for CBI (California Bureau of Investigation--does this really exist?). The killer left him a note that asked him if he really was a psychic, why didn't he see his family's fate?

Well, this tragedy totally turned Jane into a crime fighting machine. He has dropped his celebrity psychic status and now works full time for CBI solving cases. He admits now that he was never psychic, rather a very observant person and an extremely good actor. He uses these skills to solve cases in an unorthodox, unexpected, and entertaining manner.

I like the show because Jane is such a smooth talker, but is the biggest sissy ever. He has been 'saved' on multiple occasions by his fellow agents. He comes up with the craziest ways to bate people and catch the culprits of the crime. I am also hooked because I like the side characters-- the other agents. There is some unspoken romantic tension between Jane and his boss lady (can't remember her name). There are a couple of other agents that have a thing for each other and Jane teases them. I like the banter between everyone.

Can you tell I like this show? Try it, I think you'll like it, too.