fhe

I got a fun idea off the television while running on the treadmill this morning. Thought I would try it out for family home evening. You start with a plastic tablecloth with plates and utensils drawn on with permanent marker.

You explain to the kids that this is it...this is what they get to use to eat their dinner. They giggle for a bit over this. Then you serve up the food and let them have it.

They thought it was pretty fun. Easy clean up too!

a date

I went on a date the other night.

There was hand holding,

door opening,

smiling,

air hockey,

ice cream cone licking,

and oh, so much love.

I think all the other girls at the fun park were a bit jealous. And who wouldn't be, when this guy was my date...

Maybe a little more explanation is needed. I insisted on holding hands, though Lincoln was eager to accommodate. Lincoln tried to open the door for me, but unfortunately the fun park door is just a bit too heavy. There was lots of smiling and lots of love, though. It ended with him exclaiming, "Our date was soooo much fun, mom, especially for me."

missing you

We are really missing these 2 lovely ladies around here. Beautiful aren't they? It's a quiet house without their little family with us.

Christmas Recap

Annual gingerbread houses at the Smart cabin.

Christmas eve pinata.

Christmas morning.

Christmas breakfast at our house.

Dear Family

Dear Family,

First of all, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all you have done for me and your unwaivering love and support. So many times people have said, "Aren't you glad you have such a great family." Yes! I am. I think almost everyday, what would I do if I didn't have these crazy, wonderful people in my life, especially right now.

What I really want to say, though, is I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being grumpy, ornery, and an all around sour puss at times. I promise I realize it and I promise I'm trying not to be. Thank you for bearing with me and just know I don't mean to be unkind. I love you all and I'm really trying to show it, though sometimes I don't. I'm a work in progress.

Love,

Me

appreciation

Ever feel unappreciated for the cooking, cleaning, dressing, feeding, bathing, etc. that you do for your kids? I have the perfect solution to help you feel appreciated and you can borrow him anytime: Logan.

I was just finishing sweeping and mopping our wood floors the other day which cover the majority of our upstairs, you know, the real kind of sweeping and mopping where you move furniture around. Hard work. Up comes Logan from downstairs where he had been playing. He stops. Eyes widen. He exclaims enthusiastically and amazed:

"Wow, mom, good job cleaning! Good job! Mom! Really good job cleaning."

Over and over he exclaims as he circles around the room staring at the shining floors.

I felt so appreciated...that is until I began to think, hmmmm, has it really been that long for these floors.

christmas eve eve

Hello Christmas eve eve, nice to meet you. We had a fantastic time with you today while we...

went on a walk with grandpa,

hung out with cousins,

kissed babies,

read books,

ate pizza,

and most of all, became more and more excited for CHRISTMAS!!!!