When Jimmy and I started dating, he was only 18! A few months later he turned 19, and we were spending more time together, enough to have the occasional disagreement. When we did, I would call my mom and tell her all about it. Her response was frequently


"What do you expect, HE'S ONLY 19!"

We continued to date, and disagree occasionally, and my mom always said the same thing, even when Jimmy was 21, 27 or 34. Sometimes that woman is hilarious.

Well, today Jimmy turns 35!!!

He and Emmalena left early this morning to go skiing. The other girls and I are going to make a big Mexican dinner, at Jimmy's request.

Yo-Yos Spanish Rice
Cheese and green chile tamales (say it like this - tamalesss)
Green Chile Casserole
Quesadillas (for the kids)

We are also going to make Jimmy a carrot cake. He wanted an ice cream cake, but I wanted to surprise him. And, what I want is more important, right? Jimmy LOVES carrot cake. It is something I do not understand. Cake with a vegetable in it, and NO chocolate does not sound like dessert to me. I have never made a carrot cake before, so we will see how it goes.

In the midst of our cooking and decorating, we will be cleaning up today. Jimmy's sister and her family are arriving tonight for a visit. The girls are soooo excited to see their cousin, our little Daphne-doodle!

Sounds like a great birthday to me!

Happy

Birthday,

Jimmy!!!!

That's what I'm talkin' about!

A woman who fixes toilets? Now that's what I call sexy!!

More merrymaking...

Checking out her magic kit.

Approved destruction!

Making Merry

Notes and treats for Santa and the reindeer.

Happy day to you

Here is our picture for our Christmas card - too bad I never got them made!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Mrs. Brown

Happy

Birthday

Mrs.

Brown!

You are loved!!!!

A Little Light

In the middle of my funk, my See's candy arrived!!!! I feel a little better now!

Musings

Where have you been, you ask. In a whirlwind. I have tried to keep Christmas simple this year, but it seems that is impossible with children. The lights, the tree, the decorations, the shopping, stashing and wrapping (which still isn't done!) the school pageants and Christmas parties - it's a lot to do in a short amount of time. I have also tried to keep Christmas peaceful this year - isn't that the true reason for the holiday anyway? All this other stuff - such as a blow up Spongebob for the lawn - just doesn't make me feel peaceful. It makes me feel like I am just keeping up with everyone else, just going through the motions. I want the girls to have good memories of Christmas, not ones where we are running around like maniacs or filling our time with materialistic activities.

In the middle of the whirlwind, Ali and I went to Boston for four days. You see, we all know that there are people out there struggling, suffering and having their hearts broken. It is easy to put our blinders on, appreciate our good lives, and forget how painful life can be. But when all that hurt finds someone you know, you can't hide from it, and you can't make it go away. Last week my friend lost her son. He was only six, and had been sick since he was four months old. And, he was something else, something amazing. You would have to have known him to understand. He was probably the funniest kid I have ever met. He deemed a woman's cleavage "boob crack." Who comes up with that kind of stuff? Connor did, all the time. Ali and I flew to Boston for his memorial service and to see my friend. I needed to see her in person, to hug her and watch her as she moved through the motions of saying goodbye to her son. I can't be with her as she walks this horrible road, but it was nice to meet all the people around her who can. It comforted me. It was easy to be strong while I was with her. I didn't want her to see me upset. But now that I am home, I don't know where I am. Not in the whirlwind and not in Boston, just in a funk. So forgive me if I haven't called you or returned your calls. I am just in a quiet place right now.

Christmas comes tomorrow. Today I will make homemade sticky buns for our Christmas breakfast. It is a tradition! We will make some cookies for Santa (or not, I know he likes Oreos) and Jimmy will take the girls out so I can get the presents wrapped. All the other stuff doesn't matter. The best gift I can give my girls is the feeling of being loved, and a sense of peace. And it is what I would give to you, too.

Out of the mouths of babes

The girls have been saying some pretty funny things lately, and I thought I should record them for posterity.

On Saturday, I took Emmalena to have her bangs trimmed. She is performing with the school choir Thursday night, and I thought it would be more enjoyable watching her if I could actually see her eyes. She prefers her bangs longer than I like. Yes, we are already having THOSE kind of issues! Emmalena was not thrilled about having her hair cut, but she maintained herself while we were in the salon. Once we got into the car, it was a different story. She LOST it! She continued to "lose it" for another hour once we got home. I sent her to her room, and ignored her. But, I could hear her repeating over and over

"I look like a retarded clown!"

Where did she come up with that????

After my wonderful morning with Emmalena, I took Skinny Little Isabella to have some pants taken in. Life is very hard when your waist belongs to a four year old, and your legs belong to a seven year old! Anyway, after we had finished up at the shop I said to her "Come on chickie-poo, we have one more stop to make." She looked at me and said

"Why did you call me Chicken Poop?"

Last night Jimmy and I were talking in bed before we fell asleep, and Ali, who likes to party until about 11pm, was between us. I noticed she was getting sleepy and suggested to Jimmy that he turn of his light. As he leaned over and reached for the light Ali said, in her sweet, sleepy voice

"Mommy, my daddy have a big, fat head."

I laughed hysterically, but Jimmy didn't think it was that funny!

Strange

Wednesday night I had a dream that the Obamas moved in across the street from us. They were over at my house, the girls were all playing with each other and Barrack was talking to me in the kitchen as I was doing dishes.

I have no idea why I dreamed about this. Its not as if we sit around talking about the Obamas. I haven't read the paper in days or watched a lot of news this week. When I woke up I laughed to myself at having dreamed such a strange dream.


Well, out of the blue on Thursday afternoon, Jimmy got a phone call from someone at the Academy asking him if he would like to participate in Obama's inauguration ceremony. We don't have all the details yet, Jimmy may just be marching in the parade, but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. (Which he reminded me of when I pointed out that he would be gone over my birthday.) He had to go into work early this morning to fill out a bunch of paperwork, turn in his passport and have his fingerprints scanned.


I'll keep you posted on the details!

YUM!!

Most mornings, I can only get out of bed because I know that my Keurig coffee machine is downstairs waiting for me, and I can have hot coffee in 15 seconds. One cup is enough, and then around noon, I make another to fend off an afternoon slump. Coffee gets me through my day, much like everyone else. This morning I had to run errands for Jimmy. His squadron Christmas party is tonight, and he waited until the LAST POSSIBLE moment to ask me to pick up some things. Given that it was 10 degrees out, snowing and Ali is not feeling well, I was less than thrilled to be heading out. But, being the supportive spouse, I headed to Target after I took the girls to school. The saints rewarded me because Starbucks has a new drink!




Espresso Truffle
We’ve combined Starbucks espresso with our premium European-style cocoa blend used in our Signature Hot Chocolate and steamed milk, and topped it with whipped cream and a touch of chocolate powder. This sophisticated beverage delivers rich chocolate flavor with a velvety mouthfeel balanced with a smooth coffee flavor.

The next time you pass a Starbucks, get one!!!