Storms

We have had one storm after another rolling in here. Lots of snow, lots of wind. These old houses are pretty drafty and our two heaters are propane, therefore the wind is always blowing the heater out in our bedroom.

This happened again last night while Logan and I were hanging out in there playing and reading. I could not get the darn thing lit back up, so Logan and I donned our beanies and scarves. He thought it was great and would "show off" his new play look.

As adults we forget how something so small and simple can be an opportunity for some of the goofiest and best times.

Silver Spoon

Some people are fortunate (or unfortunate - depending on how you look at it) enough to be born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Money is never an issue for them because they always and will always have it.

My husband and I both come from a long line of middle class hard working families. And him and I are no exception.

Last night on our way home from celebrating an early Birthday for Logan, we stopped at a relatively new restaurant near us. We had heard that they sell mini Kobe steaks so figured we test it out. We were sat next to the fire, a candle burned on our table, and the white linens were exceptionally crisp.

We asked about the Kobe steaks and were informed that those were on the fall menu; the winter menu is different. I took a glance through the menu; duck, elk, pheasant, tuna, hmmm....Oh steak! I'll get that. With...house salad - mixed greens with fig and walnut dressing. Okay, I can handle that.

Our waitress appeared with our dinners not long after ordering. I looked down at my plate, a nice display; steak looked good, the vegetable looked like a cross between broccoli and asparagus should I even dare to try and eat it? Broccoli doesn't settle well with me...better to be safe than sorry. Good thing I ordered a salad. My husband asked me what the white stuff on his plate was. I told him to eat it and find out. After taking a bite he thought it was pretty good and asked the waitress to remind him what it was - risotto with goat cheese.

He figured Logan would probably like it so gave Logan a bite. As we watched Logan he looked at us questionably, tasting the risotto then abruptly grabbed his neck hacking and sputtering, flung his head back and threw it on top of his arms on the table. We couldn't help but let out loud, bellowing laughter.

I guess Logan is more of poor man's beans and rice kind of guy!

Energy

I don't know what has come over me! Okay, I do I just don't want to admit to it. But I just can not seem to find the energy to do much during the day. Oh, the energy hits me at night right around bed time but during the day I struggle to get anything done.

Our Christmas tree is still standing in the living room, two ornaments and the lights hang from it. Though I force myself to wash dishes everyday whether I feel like it or not, the sink is still full. And don't even get me started about my little nap times I have been sneaking in the office.

Luckily, I have a husband who just shrugs it off. As long as his ramen bowl, a pot, and a fork are clean he doesn't complain.

I made a list of everything I want to accomplish before the summers end. January had two items. Well, January is almost over and I have completed nothing on the list. I have decided not to stress about any of this. What gets done will get done, and what doesn't, well it doesn't. In the end what really matters is that my family is healthy and happy.

2010

Another year is here! I hope that you all welcomed it with open arms and much joy!

My husband and I were discussing how another decade has already come and gone. This was followed by what we have accomplished over the past ten years. Immediately I responded with not a whole lot, but upon further reflection: we both graduated college, got a good job, moved to a new state, had a son, and are pregnant with another child. We probably could have done more, but what we have done is not too shabby. A lot of life changes.

I, like every year, have been contemplating on what exactly I would like to accomplish over the next 365 days. It seems to always be the same ole' things - reach my goal weight, finally take that vacation to the Caribbean, pay off debt, etc., etc.

Last night I found myself reciting these past resolutions until I finally stopped. Why keep setting such high (and the same) goals every year that I initially always fail at and inevitably will again? For example: reach my goal weight - hmmmm, pregnant until August, leaves me four months to get to where I want to be. Scratch that one off! Vacation to the Caribbean - won't be wearing a swimsuit carrying all that baby weight...scratch!

Pay off debt I decided to keep however, instead of pay off, I decided to change it to pay down. I am hoping to be more gung ho with this one since I will have our car paid off as well as Logan's surgeon this month.

To some, one major goal like that is enough. I, on the other hand need at least three so as to balance out failed ones with accomplished ones. If I gave myself just one resolution and didn't succeed at it, I will beat myself up. If I give myself around three and keep one but fail at two, it's not so bad.

So, as I sit here and think on a few more goals to reach, I wish you all a healthy, happy, 2010. Cheers!

Sleeping Beauty

Some way or another we have fallen into a different sleeping pattern. Logan has not been napping much during the day lately; which is not fun for me considering I use his nap times as the time to get everything done in the office.

Yesterday was another no nap day. We ran around the house playing, built a village out of blocks around his train track he got for Christmas, watched a movie, and just had fun. I thought all of this play time, followed by a hot bath would knock the kid out...nope.

Usually without a nap more temper tantrums flare up, but this was not the case. He was pretty good all day. Finally after dinner, with red cheeks and rubbing his big brown eyes, my little guy could not fight it any longer. Around seven-thirty he was out. It is well past eight in the morning now and I can just hear him stirring.

I think my sleeping beauty needs to get back on mom's schedule.

Is There a Santa Claus?

I have been laughed at in my adult years for still believing in the magic of Santa Claus.

In today's society there is too little of the "pixie dust" in the eyes and hearts of our young. Children at school who no longer believe bring down those who still do. I remember how angry my older brother got when a kid at school told my nephew that Santa Claus was not real.

I read an article the other day from a mom who's son came home and asked her if Santa was real. The little boy's father had told him that Santa was a lie parents tell their kids. Wow! Dad of the year there.

Even some of the media is in on it; I've heard them voice that "scientist so and so proved that there is no possible way Santa can deliver his gifts to all the children of the world in one night, even with the time difference." Um...it's MAGIC. Why voice over the radio, t.v., etc. something like that for the children with still a spark of innocent in their eyes to hear?

I pray that my little Logan will always keep the spirit, wonderment, and magic of this wonderful time of year and of Old St. Nick.

So I leave you, dear readers, with a few quotes from the ever so popular news article: "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" I urge you to click on the link www.newseum.org/yesvirginia and read the full story written in 1897 by Francis Pharcellus Church. It is truly heartwarming.

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist..."
"No Santa Clause! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."

Oh Christmas Tree

We finally went up into the mountains to cut down our Christmas tree. I am one of those people that get their trees the weekend before Christmas and then leave it up well after the new year; it's just another family event I look forward too during this time of year.

Logan was pretty excited, he kept pointing at the trees and telling us...something (I couldn't understand him.) He was in the tree and kept trying to help dad saw it down.

Once the tree made it home and the hot chocolate was warm in our hands, I strung all the lights on, and began carefully unwrapping ornaments that have been with me since I was a little girl.

Logan was so enthralled with the whole process that he tried to take some ornaments off the tree and ended up pulling the whole tree down. I had just finished filling the stand with water which now was all over the carpet. As soon as the tree was back up and the water soaked out of the carpet, the decorating began again.

We spent the rest of the day watching movies and hanging out. As soon as nightfall hit, we drove into Madrid (an old mining town about 20 minutes away from us) which is always covered in colorful lights this time of year. Of course, Logan not having taken a nap throughout the whole day fell asleep before we even got off the ranch. So when we got into Madrid, we took him out of the car, the cold frosty air nipping at our noses and our cheeks; walked a little ways looking at the lights until the little munchkin woke up.

Back in the car we drove through the town, Logan smiling and pointing at all the lights saying, "Ah" and "Look at that!"

When we reached home yet again, our little Christmas tree was glowing. Logan took my hand, got his dad, and brought us to the tree. We all sat beside it (even our dog Biscuit) and enjoyed the last hours of our Sunday.