2008…It’s Been Nice Knowin’ Ya…

I won’t say that 2008 has been easy for us, but it sure has been fun!  Our life has been completely turned upside down this year, and frankly, I’ve never been happier.  Here’s a rundown:

I vowed to never spend another winter in Michigan.

I got an awesome job in sunny Southern California.

Brian was out of town for work the entire month of March, while I (with the help of family and friends) packed up the house.

We drove across the country to our new home.

The Girl switched schools.

The Boy got potty trained.

The Girl lost her first tooth.

The Boy found his incredible sense of humor.

We have seen Hollywood and the Pacific Ocean.

We found out we really like hiking.

The Girl hurt her elbow.

The Boy swallowed a quarter.

Brian found stable work.

We lost our Maggie Mae.

We gained Bacon.

The Girl started 1st grade and has more playdate invites than we can deal with.

The Boy made friends in dance class, and also has some playdate invites.

We found out what 110 degree heat actually feels like (and we love it!).

We experienced our first earthquake, fire season, and Black Widow.

We got rid of cable tv, and don’t really miss it.

We have a mouse living on our patio, thanks in part to “Reindeer Food” that we had to sprinkle out there.

We (well, I) fell in love with In and Out burgers and El Pollo Loco tacos…oh, and Sharky’s shrimp tacos…heaven…..

We had our first snow-free Christmas.

And now, we will celebrate our first New Year in our new home.  We wish you all the very best in 2009!

(ps, if you read this through a reader, you should really go look at the new blog theme!)

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Too Funny Not To Share

If you need some holiday cheer, or just a really good laugh, Please check out this website:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28224373/displaymode/1107/s/2/framenumber/1/

Poor kids!

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What A Week!

Whew! I have had a heck of a week around here! Here’s the skinny:

The Girl lost her tooth, and lucky for everyone, no one had to pull it! She wanted it out so bad, and she asked me to try and pull it. I did try, but it would not come out. So, she sadly went to bed. I hadn’t even sat down after tucking her in when I here, “Mom! It came out!” Of course, the Toothfairy came and The Girl is “Two Bucks” richer.

I had a rough week at work. I discovered that people in LA will not, under any circumstances be on time for anything. I, for one, HATE to be late, and am often 10 to 15 minutes early for everything. The people that I work with apparently are not as concerned with timeliness as I am, and that made me late for stuff. One person didn’t even show up! It was irritating, to say the least.

I took yesterday and today off of work to bake cookies, make truffles and fudge, and get the house ready for my mom, who is flying in from Michigan today. Unfortunately, both kids ended up sick (terrible colds), so my house looks like a tornado hit it. A tornado made from tissues, toys, and pillows.

I got an email from my brother yesterday. I haven’t seen him in 6 years or so. He was in a bad motorcycle accident a few years ago, and since that time, has kind of straightened himself up. Anyway, I never hear from him, and I get all news about him from my mom or sister. So, when I get this email from him, I was shocked. Then I read it, and he said that he’s going to be starting school next month! He’s going to school for radiology! I’m so excited for him, and I really hope that it works out for him.

So, overall, it hasn’t been a bad week, just a busy one. I really should be cleaning my house right now, but I really don’t want to.

Oh…only 8 more shopping days till Christmas, and I’m not done. I thought I was close, but now I’m even doubting that…..sigh.

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Fun Christmas Stuff…And One Not-So-Christmas Thing

Being that I spend a lot of time reading blogs, I’ve come across a few articles about Christmas lately that I have enjoyed for various reasons.  Here’s a very short list:

At Remodeling This Life, she has a recipe for hot chocolate cake. It looks completely delicious!

At Elizabeth Esther, she talks about Advent Prayers. While I haven’t implemented this idea yet, I think I will next year. For now, we are just reading lots of story books about Jesus birth. It’s easiest for the kids to understand it like this for now.

Smart Ass Mom linked to Elf Yourself, which results in tons of holiday fun!

Get Rich Slowly has a great article about homemade gift ideas. Too late for me this year, but I’ve saved it in my favorites for next year!

And at Whiskey In My Sippy Cup, she has a post that is not Christmas related, but that made me laugh hysterically! I can so see my kids doing this.

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Where Does He Get This Stuff?

The other day, The Boy was drawing on a sticky note that he had stuck to the desk drawer. He’s only 3, so it was basically a series of scribbles. I asked him what it said, and, without any hesitation, he pointed to the “words” and matter-of-factly said, “It says, ‘No Ducks.'”

“No Ducks?”

“Right. Because, Mom, there are no ducks allowed to use the computer.”

He has a very valid point, don’t you think?

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Aren’t Holidays Supposed To Be Relaxing?

Have you ever been at work, with only the very mundane busywork to get done, only to be distracted by thoughts of everything you need to get done at home? I have this thought pretty often (probably because I really hate mundane busywork), but especially so during the holidays.

I thought this year would be different. We aren’t going anywhere for Christmas or New Years, so I figured we would have time to just chill. And I don’t have to buy as many gifts because (a) we won’t be seeing as many people, and (b) we agreed last year that we would not buy clothes for the kids for Christmas until they started asking for clothes for Christmas, so that cut our shopping for them almost in half. So, why do I still have so much to do???

I’m sure part of the reason I’m feeling this way is because Brian started working a second job this week. I’m so thankful that he has this job, and so is he. It’s just that we never see each other now, so it’s almost like we are both acting like single parents right now. It’s kinda weird. Anyway, I’m sure that’s part of my issue.

That being said, I also actually have a lot to do. Here’s the list:

-Finish addressing Christmas cards, once I get the rest of the addresses that I need.
-Mail Christmas cards
-Shop for ingredients for cookies, candy, and fudge
-Make cookies, candy, and fudge
-Package cookies, candy, and fudge
-Distribute cookies, candy, and fudge
-Clean the house for Mom’s visit
-Pick mom up at the airport
-Get out the Christmas dishes that Brian hates but I love
-Wash those dishes (they can’t go in the dishwasher)
-Put away the dishes
-Finish shopping (I’m almost done, but the rest can’t be done until right before Christmas).
-Wrap everything
-Oh, I still have to get the Santa wrapping paper for The Girl (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, Santa wraps all of The Girl’s gifts in one paper, and all of The Boy’s gifts in another paper. That way he doesn’t have to worry about gift tags. You know that’s an awesome idea, right?)
-I’m guessing there will be some sort of last minute holiday thing at the school that I’m going to have to deal with.
-Shopping for Christmas dinner
-Make Christmas dinner
-Plan something for New Years Eve.

Now, I realize that many of things (like the plates, for example) I brought on myself. But, they are traditions, and I don’t want to give up any traditions, especially if I’m not participating in all of them (like the white elephant exchange our family does).

All of this to say that I want our holidays to be relaxing, but alas, I’m afraid it will be just as hectic as ever….maybe even more so, if you count that airport run….

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Getting ready for Presedent!

That is the title of the story that The Girl started yesterday.  Here is the rest of it, and I have not edited it in any way (Remember, she’s only 6!):

Goerge Bush was before Brock-O-Boma.

Brock-O-Boma is Browned sKin.  A very good color for Presedent.

Long ago Brown Peaple where not alowd to vote or be Presedent Because white peaple used to Be dum and we didin’t know What was Different on the inside and outside.

I know that she did not word things quite right, but I get her point.  I am so proud that she would, on her own, decide that brown is a very good color for President.  In fact, I am also proud that, when I told her that “Brock-O-Bama” had won, and that it was a big deal because he was the first president ever who wasn’t white, she didn’t get it.  She didn’t understand why there had never before been a president who wasn’t white.  Why wouldn’t there be “brown skinned” presidents?  And Korean presidents for that matter (most of her friends here are Korean).  Made no sense to her.  And, while I understand the history, it makes no sense to me either.  I can’t wait to see what the future brings.  Maybe The Girl will be “Presedent” some day!

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