Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Well, it started snowing about 1 on Friday afternoon and has pretty much been snowing since (off and on). Our grand total for this round of storms is about 12-14 inches. Needless-to-say, we have spent much time outdoors enjoying the winter wonderland we call our yard. Its been several years that we have had "real" snow for us to enjoy (except when we were visiting new Hampshire last winter). So, the children are just soaking it all in. Like myself and Rich, our children love the snow but are not fans of the cold...or should I say the discomfort that comes with staying warm...
the winter coats that never quite feel "right,"
the hats that make your head sweaty,
the gloves that aren't long enough to keep the snow from sneaking down your sleeve,
the two layers of pants--under your snow pants-- that, believe it or not, give you a wedgie,
the socks that sink into your boots despite your best efforts to tuck them under the three layers of pants,
oh--and since I mentioned boots, or rather, the brick on each foot just to make the waste deep snow a little more difficult to trudge through,
the turtle neck that chafes your chin because its wet from the snow your brother threw at you, and the runny nose that you just can't seem to wipe dry with your snowy mittens,
so now that you're warm and dry, have as much fun as possible...if you can move!

I actually like that feeling of safety that being wrapped in so many layers provides. I have this sense of invisibility out in the snow when I throw my body around in ways I typically would not. I'm all wrapped in softness...the snow looks fluffy...I'M UNTOUCHABLE...until I sled down a hill, hit a bump, my aging body is tossed through the air, and I land--face first into the fluffy snow, and then I remember...I'm not invincible, and snow is cold.

So each time we attempt to leave the house, I listen to the whining about the jackets, the hats, the mittens, the general discomfort of sitting in a car seat with a winter jacket, and I remind my children...and myself...we live in Massachusetts...we will be wearing all of this until sometime in April...get used to it and embrace it!
Here we are embracing winter it in front of out snow forts. We really have had a great weekend.

All I want for Christmas...

Yep, you guessed it...
MY TWO FRONT TEETH!!!

Wish I had a digital camcorder...

Well its times like these that I wish I had a digital camcorder to post my children's antics and funny moments (I'm pretty sure it sounds funnier when Leah sings it). I've mentioned before how Leah makes up her own words for things and fills things in when she can't decipher what it is like here or here or here.

Leah's version of Jingle Bells
Jingle Bells, jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way,
You know how much fun it is to ride
In a hoatin' hoatin' sleigh! Hey!
(What was that?... a houtin' houtin'?)

If you have heard me sing and my inability to process and memorize lyrics (or anything else for that matter) you would understand how she has come to this version. We just fill in the words and ideas with our own.

99 things... I've done or not done

My dear friend, Brittney, posted this fun list on her blog. I hadn't seen this one and it provoked some thoughts about all the things I would like to do in my life and have done. Final result, I need to do more traveling, especially aboard.

The items I have done/experienced are in green...and my cynical comments or explanations are in red...


1. Started your own blog (it appears that way)
2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band. (no, and consider yourself lucky!)

4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world (several times, but not as an adult)

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo (does the shower and car count?)

11. Bungee jumped (I wanted to when I was less responsible for other beings)

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables (does AeroGarden count?)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked (with my dad when I was young...he ran out of gas...we were picked up by the police)

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon (does a half-marathon twice count?)

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (one of my favorite past times)

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person (my next road trip)

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language (I can barely speak English these days)

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving (see explanation at #11)

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check (since I don't balance my checkbook...what do you think)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (I was in 8th grade...and it was VERY crooked)

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades (we were almost there, Brittney)

75. Been fired from a job (kind of...but I fought it...and they changed their mind...still proud of that)

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (working on it!)

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car (hopefully never have to buy used again)

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible (working on it)

86. Visited the White House (and going again in the spring)

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (really???)

88. Had chickenpox (oddly enough, I'm actually immune to the disease)

89. Saved someone’s life (apparently my younger brother from drowning in a pond, however I don't really remember it, but if he's giving me credit...)

90. Sat on a jury (arson case)
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Alright...now that you know a bit more about me, I wanna know more about you! So, copy this and paste it on your blog, answer the questions, and then leave me a comment so I can read it!

Things I have learned...

Hello friends and loyal blog followers ( all three of you),
Its been a busy couple of weeks--as it probably has been with most everyone. I've been working at Target nights and weekends for the holiday season. I have learned a few things through this opportunity...
(1) I don't need to get out of the house as much as I thought I did
(2) Black Friday is not all its cracked up to be,
(3) a simple smile and greeting can have a huge impact on some one's attitude--no small feat in New England,
(4) parents let their children wander off in stores very often AND are then surprised when their child is lost,
(5) shoppers are surprised when one says "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" and we're in a sad state of affairs when its "uncomfortable" for someone to recognize the true meaning of this season,
(6) laundry piles up very quickly when you work days (homeschooling) and nights,
and...
(7)I'm very grateful for my education and the career opportunities I will have when I will go back into the workforce.

So I have been working more hours than I originally planned (25-30+ hours) and it has just thrown off our balance at home a bit. No big deal, and in this economy, I'm grateful I'm one of the few to find a part-time job.

Like the rest of you we're working on Christmas cards (I promise to get them out this year. I was thinking of sending last year's photo and letter as well since they were never mailed.) If you would like to send me a little guilt for not getting our cards out with our new address, just drop me an email. I won't post it on-line in case we have one of those crazy stalkers reading my very interesting and very exciting blog.

I'm also attempting to launch a web-based business. Rich is working on the website s-l-o-w-l-y! (good thing he never reads our family blog!) More details to come after the holidays. It may not make me much money, but its been good for my quickly-digressing intelligence.

We have a few stories and service projects to post about and I'll have them up soon. The children and I have been trying to consciously "SERVE" someone each day of Advent. So far, it hasn't been difficult to find someone in need. We've learned some sweet lessons from this project and one never knows where serving will take you.

First Snow Fall 2008

We got our first snow fall for the season today...its going to be a long winter. But as far as I'm concerned, if its going to be cold, we might as well have snow. We only got a few inches, but since we have a pretty large back yard, Benjamin and daddy were able to roll a pretty impressive snowman.
Unfortunately, Leah was sick with fever and cold, so she hung inside with some Christmas videos and snacks on the couch.