Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas.  My parents and all of my siblings came to visit, except for my brother who just left to serve a mission in Alaska.

In the days leading up to their visit, my kids and I were wiped out by the flu.  Included in our sickness adventures was an otherwise happy-looking James projectile vomiting all over himself and the floor when I was running a mandatory errand at Menards (Ashley and William were in tow.  They took the craziness well.).  Surprisingly, it was my first experience with public vomiting.  On the upside, it was also the first time I did not have to clean up the mess.

I had one day after we were all feeling better to sanitize the house in time for my family to arrive.  After their harrowing drive through three snowy states, we embraced them and that was the beginning of our apparent leftover germ-sharing.  One by one over the next few days, every single one of them was wiped out, too.

Only a few of us were in the mood to eat our traditional Christmas Eve feast, so we pared it down as much as we could.  We still had too much food.

However, we did still have a Christmas Eve devotional and we opened new pajamas and books.

One of my kids smiled consistently through all photos.  Guess who?

Yep.  The Baby.  

William and Everett love their Batman pajamas.  Everett announced that they were the "Batman Brothers" and William really took to that term.  Now he frequently asks to wear his Batman Brothers pajamas.  Ashley, of course, loved her nightgown, which came with a miniature version for a doll.  Given Ashley's distaste for dolls, it went right onto her cat and they both looked quite pleased. 

My Mom also bought my sisters and me matching pj's.  It was fun.  We haven't dressed alike in years!

Even though my sisters were sick (and still look pretty good in this picture), they were still fun aunts and the kids have really missed them.  So do I.  It is great to visit with sisters!

Christmas morning was relaxing and wonderful.  I believe the kids woke up around 6, which is not too much earlier than normal.  We put most of the gifts out after they were in bed (I love to display the wrapped presents but that is not a possibility right now with my baby and toddler!), and we barely had room between the couch and the piano.  Our family members were all incredibly generous.  All of the Grandparents spoiled my kids and bought them exactly what they love, and some of the Aunts joined in on the fun, too.  No present was a failure.  We've had a lot of fun playing new games, reading new books, wearing new clothes, and playing with new toys.

Even though I felt bad that my kids were being spoiled while other children may not be receiving anything this year, I was grateful they have so many people in their lives who continually bless them with love and fun.  Because of all of you, my kids will not grow up starved for either of those things.

In November, the kids, Joel, and I, wrote down some things Heavenly Father has blessed us with.  We wrapped those papers in a little box and opened it during our Christmas Day dinner.  It was nice to reflect on the blessings and gifts we've already received from a loving Father in Heaven--the blessings that come daily, no matter the holiday or occasion.

Bon Anniversaire, extraordinary gagfest

Joel and I celebrated our seventh anniversary on Sunday, December 30th.

Our celebration was fancy, as it always is this time of year in our post-Christmas stupor and general exhaustion.  Instead of an intricate meal or a paid night out, we relaxed and filled up on many extra kisses, I Love You's, our usual bouts of laughter, and mystified "has it really only been seven years???" wonderings.  Our shameless flirting, while already a daily occurrence, punctuated an already serene day.

We conflict on where to put clutter (Joel says kitchen counters; I say the side pockets of car doors and anywhere we can stuff in a closet), and are not deeply interested in many of the same things.  We are more different than we are the same, and I am glad.  Those differences are what have sharpened me, improved me, made me worthier of spending forever by his side.

Each year on our Anniversary, the thought flutters around in my mind that our love can't possibly swell beyond what we are already enjoying.  And each succeeding year, I am proven wrong.

We're settling into each other with the comfort and familiarity of a well-cherished book. 

"I love you, really a lot," I effused quietly the other night as Joel and I were going to sleep. 

"I know that, you know," he smiled and held me tighter.  

"Really, you do?"  

"Really."

I knew he knew it.  But I said it for me, anyway.  Like opening a box and fingering a secret, glowing, treasure, I discover a new part of my soul each time I use those words with meaning.

We've accomplished a lot in our lifetimes and the last seven years together:  schooling, jobs, moves, children.  But I think my greatest accomplishment will forever be getting Joel Johnson to marry me for eternity.

Ashley Dear

Ashley is a lot of fun.  While many girls love baby dolls, Ashley can't stand them. She can barely even tolerate looking at a baby doll.  In fact, she balked in a major way when I made a comment to her last week about how maybe someday she will have her own babies.

 

"Blech!" Ashley shuddered with distaste, "I don't want to ever have any babies!"

I laughed at her insistence.  Later she changed her mind and decided that if she "has a baby just like James and names him James, that would be all right."

 

 

 But Ashley loooooooooves stuffed animals.  She has quite a collection.  Sometimes I wonder where they all came from, because we do not make buying them a habit.  However, since they are about the only toys she ever plays with, I don't mind too much.  Her preferred animals are cats, horses, and unicorns. 

 

 



 (Ashley set up the animals and posed just so I could photograph it all)

Ashley's preschool class just did a gift exchange. Ashley helped me pick out a delicate little plastic tea set, which we wrapped in silver paper with an enormous purple butterfly adorning the front. Unfortunately, she was sick on the day of the class party, but her teacher sent along the present one of the girls bought for her.

 

The box was very large, and Ashley was excited to open it at home. As soon as she tore the wrapping paper away, her face fell. It was a baby doll and stroller. "Oh, I just really don't like baby dolls," she said sadly. All of that anticipation for a gift she truly could never imagine using.

 

But it did cause us to have a good lesson on finding something nice to say about a gift someone gives you, and I felt grateful that she hadn't opened this in front of the person who sent it to her.

Ashley also looooooves picnics and tea parties.  She often sets up a picnic for the two of us to share.  One day I just finished a large salad for lunch when Ashley announced that she had a surprise for me.  When I opened my eyes in the living room, I saw a spread of sandwiches and fruit that Ashley worked diligently to prepare.  I didn't have the heart to tell her that I was full, so I had a second lunch that day.  We did not make it through all three oranges she peeled and the four apples she washed, but we tried!

We are working on developing good social skills.  Ashley prefers relaxing at home without too much pressure from social interactions, so school is somewhat of a challenge for her.  Sometimes church is as well.  This past Sunday, Ashley found me immediately after she was done in primary and begged to go home.  Just then, a friend of hers from her class found Ashley and started to talk to her.  It was too much for Ashley to bear, so she plugged her ears, closed her eyes, and turned away.  I had to pull her hands off and compel her as kindly as I could to give the friend a very reluctant greeting.  Fortunately Ashley's friend and her mom were understanding and there were no hurt feelings.

Again, we had cause to have a good lesson about social interactions when we were home and relaxed.  Ashley is not at all mean-spirited; she is actually quite sensitive and empathetic.  But since sometimes she feels an overwhelming need to shut out stressful situations, we are working on positive reactions so people don't misunderstand her intentions.  Ashley and I agreed on a goal for next week.

I really love my Ashley.  I love that she is a little quirky and beats some of the typical girly stereotypes.  I love that she is passionate about horses and cats and drawing, and that she loves wearing dresses and tights, and that she also loves fighting and racing and building and spiderman and riding her bike like the wind, and making "no boys allowed" signs to post all over the house.

James is One

James had his first birthday on December 3rd.  We are so glad he is a member of our family!  He gives us all a reason to laugh each day, and his place as baby gives William a reason to always insist on being a big boy.

 

James gets along well with everyone.  He sparkles with a special smile whenever he sees his siblings.

 

 

 

I recently flew with James to Utah for the weekend to see my brother off on a Mission to Alaska and Canada.  Even though it was late at night when we were reunited with Joel and the kids at the airport, the moment I began strapping James into his car seat and he laid eyes on his buddy William, he let out a loud giggle.  It was the first time in days I heard him laugh.  I think he missed his brothers and sister.

 

James is loved on by the kids all day long.  Sometimes he tires of it and would prefer to just be loved on by me.  Several times a day when he gets too wound up and starts to get upset, I take him to a quiet space and just snuggle with him.  He still melts into me the way he did when he was a newborn, and he still sucks his thumb contentedly.  After a few minutes of this, he is recharged and ready to face the chaos.  (So am I.)

 

And there is chaos quite often.  James has developed a taste for roughhousing with Joel and the kids.  His small size does not deter him.  But he will always stop to laugh at a rendition of This Little Piggy, or to "converse" with me when I mimic his sounds.



 

 

 

James embraces a major attachment to his moose pillow pet.  We bought this for him last year for Christmas merely as a formality; the other kids were getting one from Santa Claus and we thought they might notice if he was left out.  They didn't.  It took James a few months to notice the moose at all, but once he did, it was love. 

 

He sleeps with the moose every day.  James lays on it and twiddles the antlers with the spare fingers on his thumb-sucking hand.  When he wakes up, I hear him babbling and laughing to the moose.  He loves to pick it up and throw it, then collapse into it, and then throw it again.

 

 

 If it were up to James, he'd take this moose with him everywhere.  And he would bring it everywhere.  Two weeks ago, he taught himself how to scale the ladder up to Ashley's bunk.  He was so proud of himself I thought his little grin would pop right off his face.  Now when I catch him partway up, he hurries to complete his ascent while bursting out with loud, gleeful laughter.  I think it is time I retire the ladder during the day, although he is surprisingly steady on the climb down. 

 

James has begun to try to put his own shoes on, talk on the phone, and reorganize all my cupboards.  He took a few steps a week before his birthday but has since decided walking is overrated and hasn't been willing to try again.  However, he pushes anything he can across the living room and keeps up well with the kids by racing along on all fours.

James has developed an endearing way of kissing: he licks!  The little monkey sticks his tongue out and licks me on the face.  I will be sad when he stops doing this but my face will be free of slobber.

James loves all food, except for green beans and certain kinds of crackers.  He loves to sort through the dinner on his tray, eating what he prefers and throwing the rest on the floor.  When he is finished drinking his cups end up on the floor, too.  If you give him round crackers or saltines, he stacks them up neatly and eats them like a sandwich.

I am trying to teach him baby signs like I did with my other kids, but he whines each time I do because it means his food service is being delayed.

He laughs more easily for the kids than he does for any adult.  Ashley, Everett, and William love this and milk it whenever they possibly can.



We had a few rough weeks while James was working on growing some molars, but we have our happy guy back now.  He's still got some fire in him, though!  He is guaranteed to throw a very loud fit if:

• He has to wait more than 1.5 seconds for his milk to be warmed up
• He wants to be held and no one is picking him up (you can be crouching right next to him with your arms outstretched, but he will still collapse dramatically on the floor, yell and cry, and wait for you to finish the gesture)
• He wants to be held by Mommy and is not getting her
• He gets put to bed without his Moose
• You try to give him a bath

And, he is still my second-biggest Mama's baby.  No one could possibly top Everett in that regard, but sometimes James comes pretty darn close.  Fortunately I have learned to enjoy it.  There is a special feeling associated with a snuggle meant for only Mommy.

I was dreading James's first birthday for a long time, and I had to finally force myself to resign to it.  Where did my cuddly little newborn go?  I am not ready for my sweet little infant to change into a toddler!  James is a lot of fun and I'm grateful we have him, but sometimes I sure wish time would slow down so I could enjoy this forever. 

Baby Quilt

A few months ago, when the leaves were still on the trees and my blood sugar level was at a pre-holiday low, I decided to make a baby quilt.  No, it wasn't for one of my rascals (sorry kids; guess you got gipped again!).  It was for a friend of mine who just had her third baby in less than three years. 

 

She is a saint.  An absolute saint.  And I, being a good friend, instead of giving her a night off or a third arm or a clean house, gave her a regular old blanket.

 

What's more; this particular blanket was the second quilt I've made in my entire life.  Welcome, mistakes!

 

But, from a distance it did turn out kind of cute.

 

Front side.  I wanted to do a zig-zag quilt but I realized during the planning stages that it was waaaaaay over my head.  So stripes it had to be.  My trick is to buy a package of little flannel receiving blankets (which can sometimes be found on clearance, even) and supplement with plain colors.  That way, the patterns are guaranteed to work together for inexperienced sewers like me!

 

I copied a cement truck from one of the patterned pieces and appliqued it on the back.  Not sure if what I did was technically appliqueing (that word does not look right but the spell check assures me that it is), because I have no idea what the proper way to applique is.  However, it stayed on there well enough and I'm hoping it lasted through the first wash.

 

I thought I would record this for posterity, so when they wonder why I don't sew quilts, I can point them to this entry and tell them they simply missed the boat.

Never Loses Entertainment Value

Occasionally Joel will give the favorite stuffed animals a crazy ride.  The kids never tire of this game. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Always fascinated.

 

 

 

 

 And entertained.

 

 

 

 

 With fits of giggles.

 

 

 

 

 And then they all beg to do it again.

Thanksgiving

It's about time I write about our Thanksgiving, seeing as Christmas is only ten days away!  If I don't do it now, I never will.

 

We had a very nice, very relaxing holiday together.  We actually did have the opportunity to celebrate with some local friends, but in the end, we decided to have a quiet weekend to ourselves.  It's a good thing we did, because I'm not sure our friends could have fit another family, especially us with our crazy kids, in their house!  

 

We started a new tradition this year.  I knew the kids would want to be snacking all morning, and I also knew this would drive me crazy.  I thought a veggie tray would be a good solution.  Thanks to pinterest, I found an idea for a fun one and we went to town on it.  Delicious!

 



 

It's a turkey.  Can you tell?  I will have to refine my design over the years, but the turkey will definitely stay.

 

I don't think the veggies lasted too long, with all my little nibblers floating around. except for the broccoli.  For some reason the it was the most bitter broccoli I have ever had.  Thanks a lot, Walmart.

 

 

 

We had to take a picture to commemorate the meal.  Since it was Joel and me with regular appetites, and three small children with, well, small appetites, I had to forgo some of the regular dishes.  No sweet potatoes, no green bean casserole (although I can't say I've ever had it), no greens aside from our festive veggie tray.  Our must-haves were what I made, and they were:  ROLLS, turkey, gravy (from the drippings, of course), mashed potatoes, stuffing, cran-raspberry jello with mandarin oranges, and cranberry sauce with orange zest.

 

We still had enough food to last us for a few days.  After we polished off the turkey, I made a ham and we continued eating leftovers until we were sick of them.

 

 The best part of the meal by far was the PIE! I love to have good pie on Thanksgiving. Growing up this way for 19 years precludes me from changing my preference any time soon! And, I have to say, narrowing it down to three was tough. Apple, Raspberry, Peppermint Icebox, Lemon Meringue, Banana Cream, Pumpkin, Cheesecake, Coconut. . .well, there is no way we would have been able to eat that much.

 

 

(I didn't arrange these very artfully because it wasn't a planned photo, but you get the gist of it.)

 

Joel helped me make pies.  Yep, he had a hand in the pie crust and basically completed the entire pumpkin pie on his own.  And it was the best pumpkin pie I have had in a very long time, if not ever.  The others are raspberry cream (half the pie had bananas instead of berries) and coconut cream.  The coconut cream was a bit of a disappointment, although I've had great luck with that recipe in the past.  Nothing tasted awful, so we will count that as a success!

 

 

 

 I can always tell when the pies are good, because they disappear gradually in the fridge when I'm not looking.  It looks like a little mouse has been nibbling at it.  No, it is never the kids.  Joel takes a fork to it now and then and we are left with the raggedy edges.  I'm glad he enjoyed them.

 

 

James was especially thrilled with the unusual deluge of delicious foods and the abundance of people home to share with him.

I think we all had a great holiday.  Even though we really missed out on a lot of fun with our families in Utah, I'm glad we like each other enough to enjoy a long weekend all together.