Our Christmas decor has been assembled--sort of. The tree us up, the stalkings are out, and the husband's set of antlers took their rightful atop the entertainment center...adorned with a few pine trimmings, of course. It feels festive. But we still need to dig out my beloved nativity sets. I do love this time of year. And, there is something about knowing that it will be our last Christmas in this apartment--it's motivating me to put up a few more lights and dress up a few more holiday corners. This apartment has been good to us.
Jdog's eyes beamed brighter than the moon when we woke up to them. I love getting the chance to relive the excitement of the season through my children. Atrain loves to take part in all of the decorating. In fact, telling him he could trim the tree was the only thing that would distract him from mourning over the husband leaving for another interview. He sure loves his daddy.
I hope I can make this season special for my boys. I hope I can help them understand the real meaning of Christmas. We have been reading the "symbols" booklet my sister Katydid put together for us last year. Atrain was so proud to tell the stories behind the Christmas objects during family home evening. There aren't many stellar family home evenings in our home, but I find that the most spiritual ones happen when Atrain is teaching. I love hearing his thoughts. Even if he was still asking "what is a symbol" by the time we were finished.
Tomorrow is December 1st. I'm looking forward to the elf visiting our home. I can't wait to wrap a "new" Christmas book every night. It will be good to finally use our awesome Christmas story advent calendar I bought at the DI years ago. Best of all, it will be good to be together, and make a lot of new memories with our little and big family. I have such good people in my life. I'm grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings us together, helps us love each other more, and motivates us to work for the good. It will be a good month.
ONCE upon a time, in a land not so far away, there was a queen. She lived a lovely life in her cottage sized castle with her husband and their three sons: Atrain the brave-heart; Jdog the jolly; and Doodle, the daring baby. The queen had a good heart, and she loved her boys with every piece of it. Every day in Frandsenland she works and plays and does her very best NOT to be evil. Sometimes she succeeds. This is her diary.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tell Me
Today we were sitting in the car when I heard this conversation between Atrain and Jdog:
Jdog: "Digadiga digasts dada"
Atrain: "Diga diga, hahaha, Jdog you're so funny."
Jdog: "Diga (giggle) ga ga!"
Atrain: "Ga ga! What is ga ga?!"
Jdog: "Gaga gaga"
Atrain: "Ga ga!!! Jdog, what is gaga??? Tell me! Please, what is gaga?"
Jdog: (giggle), "diga diga ga ga."
I laughed out loud and responded, "yes, gaga. gagagagaga Jdog. Tell us, what is gaga?"
Jdog: "Digadiga digasts dada"
Atrain: "Diga diga, hahaha, Jdog you're so funny."
Jdog: "Diga (giggle) ga ga!"
Atrain: "Ga ga! What is ga ga?!"
Jdog: "Gaga gaga"
Atrain: "Ga ga!!! Jdog, what is gaga??? Tell me! Please, what is gaga?"
Jdog: (giggle), "diga diga ga ga."
I laughed out loud and responded, "yes, gaga. gagagagaga Jdog. Tell us, what is gaga?"
Monday, November 28, 2011
Missionary Monday
Hello sweet brother,
I hope that you are doing well. I'm sitting in my home, just thinking about you, so grateful that you have a companion that you can get along with. The husband said that (in a non emotional way, of course) his best companions taught him a lot about what he wanted in a married relationship. Does that make sense? It may sound weird, but it is a great way to learn about relationships--how to respond to conflicts, what personality traits you mesh well with, what about that person challenges you to become better, etc. I always knew the husband was the one because he always made me want to be a better person, who balanced me out. And, I love him more than life.
We sure missed you during the Thanksgiving weekend. But, I am so grateful for a brother who has sacrificed to serve God. What a great example you are. We all talked about you. It was a sweet day. Dad did all of the heavy cooking, and the turkey was delicious (as are all his meats), but we joked about how his companion from New Zealand asked him "Are you going to kill me on Mac N Cheese again," when they were called to be together for the second time. I sure love our parents. We are so lucky. So blessed.
The husband and I have had an extremely busy month. He has been interviewing all over the country for radiation oncology residency positions. We are very fortunate to have a lot of interviews. He has worked hard, and we have been blessed. We could be living anywhere from North Carolina, Utah, Alabama, Texas, Minnesota, California, Oklahoma, Ohio, Washington state, New York, etc. The list goes on and on. But, I am most excited about our North Carolina, MN and Utah options. He and I went to his interview in Santa Barbra together. That's where we honeymooned. That program is a transitional year, and we would only be there for a year, but how fun would that be? So fun...if we can avoid going broke in the process, of course. In March is the "match day" where we open up the envelope that tells us where we will spend the next five years. It's kind of like a mission call, I guess, except it's not for the church and the prophet doesn't pair us up with our destination. A computer does. But, I know the Lord's hand is in all things, and we are praying that it will be the right place for our family...wherever it is!
Anyway, my dear, I sure hope you're doing well. I am so proud of you and grateful for you. What can I do for you? How can I help you? Missionary work is exciting, and so fun. I hope you are enjoying this amazing stage in your life. I sure love you!
Love,
MJ
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Contageous
This morning I greeted piles of suitcases that exploded all over my floor. I dropped them there last night after making multiple trips to and from the parking lot to unload. I felt so exhausted by the time I finished that I cried as I heaved the last set of heavy bags down my hall.
It wasn't because the stupid bags were heavy. I'm relatively tough. But, sometimes I don't want to be. Like when the husband has a week at home, but wakes up shaking and sweating with strep throat. My mood seems to have caught a bad virus, too.
And, Jdog is suffering from some sort of body rash that makes his cheeks feel like sand paper. Also, today was Atrain's first day quarantined with the hand, foot, mouth virus. In spite of it all, it was a relatively restful sick day. The loads of laundry even felt a bit easier to carry with Atrain's helpful folding company.
Jdog spent the day practicing his 180 turn arounds, and he is getting really good. That little boy does the funniest things. Today he went fishing in the toilet for the plastic utinsile he had been carrying. Too bad someone forgot to flush. Thank heavens he was only fishing for a knife. I immediately knew something was wrong when I heard the husband burst into laughter halfway down the hall. Guess who also got to go fishing in the toilet? Silly J. At least he only had to have two baths today.
I missed being at church today. I missed taking the sacrament. I missed that dedicated time to draw nearer to God. I will have to try extra hard this week. I know I will need a lot of extra help.
It wasn't because the stupid bags were heavy. I'm relatively tough. But, sometimes I don't want to be. Like when the husband has a week at home, but wakes up shaking and sweating with strep throat. My mood seems to have caught a bad virus, too.
And, Jdog is suffering from some sort of body rash that makes his cheeks feel like sand paper. Also, today was Atrain's first day quarantined with the hand, foot, mouth virus. In spite of it all, it was a relatively restful sick day. The loads of laundry even felt a bit easier to carry with Atrain's helpful folding company.
Jdog spent the day practicing his 180 turn arounds, and he is getting really good. That little boy does the funniest things. Today he went fishing in the toilet for the plastic utinsile he had been carrying. Too bad someone forgot to flush. Thank heavens he was only fishing for a knife. I immediately knew something was wrong when I heard the husband burst into laughter halfway down the hall. Guess who also got to go fishing in the toilet? Silly J. At least he only had to have two baths today.
I missed being at church today. I missed taking the sacrament. I missed that dedicated time to draw nearer to God. I will have to try extra hard this week. I know I will need a lot of extra help.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Black Friday
Hit the stores alone at 10:00pm.
Laughed as I parked blocks away from WalMart.
Cried as I stood in line for fourty five minutes to purchase my $4.00 pajamas for the boys.
But the hullaballoo would not be for naught. I had to make something of the madness. Plus some guy gave me a five hour energy shot for free. I had never had one before...and since my mother in law said she consumed one once, I figured it was ok. And, what better occasion? I only had a swig, and I was feeling lucky.
Shopko opened at 12:00.
I didn't even know why I was there. But I had a good feeling...like something extraordinary would happen.
And it did. A Razor sparks scooter for $20.00, normally $60.00.
I snagged the last two, even though I only needed one.
Then I saw a guy talking on the phone to his wife, looking for a scooter. I gave my other one to him. Funny how I felt like I was being charitable.
I snatched up a few other unnecessary deals as I darted to the line. My WalMart test run taught me well.
I ditched the undesirable deals on the way to check out. I didn't even feel guilty. I knew someone else would snag them.
I considered driving an extra 40 minutes to hit Toys R Us.
But then my want for a warm bed and the husband to snuggle with kicked in.
And I headed home, glorying in my finds, thrilled that my Christmas shopping was nearly over, and excited to join the foray again next year.
I heart you black friday.
Laughed as I parked blocks away from WalMart.
Cried as I stood in line for fourty five minutes to purchase my $4.00 pajamas for the boys.
But the hullaballoo would not be for naught. I had to make something of the madness. Plus some guy gave me a five hour energy shot for free. I had never had one before...and since my mother in law said she consumed one once, I figured it was ok. And, what better occasion? I only had a swig, and I was feeling lucky.
Shopko opened at 12:00.
I didn't even know why I was there. But I had a good feeling...like something extraordinary would happen.
And it did. A Razor sparks scooter for $20.00, normally $60.00.
I snagged the last two, even though I only needed one.
Then I saw a guy talking on the phone to his wife, looking for a scooter. I gave my other one to him. Funny how I felt like I was being charitable.
I snatched up a few other unnecessary deals as I darted to the line. My WalMart test run taught me well.
I ditched the undesirable deals on the way to check out. I didn't even feel guilty. I knew someone else would snag them.
I considered driving an extra 40 minutes to hit Toys R Us.
But then my want for a warm bed and the husband to snuggle with kicked in.
And I headed home, glorying in my finds, thrilled that my Christmas shopping was nearly over, and excited to join the foray again next year.
I heart you black friday.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thankful
Happy Thanksgiving Day, everyone. Today was so full of goodness: good food, good company, good kisses, good feelings, etc. I have a good life. God is good. And though I am and life is far from perfect, I have so much to be thankful for.
- For the husband: his steadiness, his happy outlook, his unbending belief in me, his awesome dance moves, and that I still know how much he is madly in love with me. Thank you for being the best thing in my life. I love you.
- For Atrain: his sweet heart, his determined spirit, and his unconditional love.
- For Jdog: his inner comedian, his curious nature, and the cuddly way he gives me love.
- For my parents: that I always have known how much they love one another, never once questioned how much they love me, and continue to learn from how much you love the Lord.
- For the parents I got when I married the husband: their constant example of charity, wisdom and undeviating faith.
- For my sisters--outlaws and in laws: they laugh with me, they cry with me, they are my best friends, they are my inspiration.
- For my brothers--outlaws and in: they challenge me, they make me laugh (at myself a lot) and they laugh with me, they motivate me.
- For my cousins: your ideas blow my mind, your stories help my heart open wide, and our memories remind me how good and simple life really is.
- For my aunts and uncles: you still give me encouragement, love and approval. Thank you for showing me every year what is most important in life.
- For my friends: never has a girl grown up with better companions, more loyal support, more accepting friends. You always (even still) listen without judgement. Thank you.
- For my coworkers: you inspire me, help me to think, and accept me. I am so grateful to know you and benefit from your friendship.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
The Birthday Boy
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