The Paradox of Christmas

Christmas to me was....

relaxing, yet stressful (no school or work, yet obligations persist, and "vacationing" with 4 kids should be called something other than vacationing)

exciting, yet depressing (something different, a break in the routine, fun to watch the kids, depressing to come home and unpack and think about the bills this month rang up)

restful, yet exhausting (didn't have to get up to take kids to school so I stayed up late, yet still they awoke as if they had someplace to go at 7)

warm, yet cold (cozy times by the fireplace spent with family drinking Starbucks, but freezing weather in Visalia)

Merry, yet grumpy (Yay, I got my husband a really cool sports coat from J.Crew, boo hoo, he doesn't like it, and I'm annoyed)

Entertaining, yet dull (Got to see 2 movies in the past 10 days, it's a miracle 7 lbs and Benj. Button which reminded me of Forest Gump, also got to drive in the van for 6 hours)

Anyway, I guess Christmas is just like life, up & down, happy moments and dissapointing ones, for now I'll focus on this happy thought; I'm wearing a new shirt, I've got leftover Christmas candy galore in my kitchen, the kids are playing with their new stuff, and most importantly God is good, whether in I'm in the midst of the mundane moments of mothering or experiencing one of those fleeting moments of utter joy when I catch a glimpse of one of the girls doing something I think is amazing (Morgan holding the remote to her ear and pretending it's a cell phone or Noelle singing one of her made up songs). Thankfully, God is constant, because as every mom knows, "moments" are not.

Fa La La La Lots of Activity

What? Are you actually stopping to take a minute to read my blog? I feel privileged! Shouldn't you be wrapping something about now? I, myself, am in a bit of a fog. A week ago we had a great Saturday night with the Stimers and our kids exchanged gifts, and I started to feel a little sickie-wickie, but I was in denial because seriously who has time to be sick? And we were having so much fun. So by Tuesday I was really feeling it, but I was trying to continue on in my daily craziness, you know, make bags of candy for Lorelei's class, pick up a few last minute gifts, etc. And then Dan surprised me.

Being the sweet, gracious woman that I am, I had said to him about a month ago, that I was probably going to be the only person left in Ventura county that hadn't gone to LA to see the show, Wicked, a musical that's been playing almost 2 years out here now, and that if I didn't get to see it before it leaves in January, I would probably become really bitter and never forgive him for not taking me. Needless to say, I still didn't actually expect to see it, but Dan had gotten us tickets for Wednesday night. I was thrilled and grateful (and admittedly undeserving). The only bummer was I was feeling super yucky. But luckily enough, I didn't cough or anything during the show and I loved it. So thanks Dan, for taking me, even though I'm not worthy. He's going to get so many jewels on his crown in heaven. Anyway, I took a pic of our PERFECT babysitters, Jessica & Bobbi Rose. They're the best, they even brought the girls gifts that night. I forgot my camera when we went to the show, so lame, I have only cell phone pix. Also here's a pic of all the gifts the girls "got us" in their various classes. Very sweet, but seriously am I supposed to hold on to all of that stuff? A person can be only so sentimental when they have a teeny tiny house with 6 people living in it.

One of Mom's Hobbies

When I say mom, I'm referring to my mom, the one that bore me (thanks mom).  Check out this email she sent my sister, and my sister forwarded to me:

I was thinking about the theology of this song, which is pretty good, but maybe a little too much about me, so I added some verses (the ones in italics)

Jesus loves me! This I know, 

for the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak, but he is strong.....

Jesus now is my delight

I was blind, but He gave sight

Glory be to His great name

May I only seek His fame

Father, son, and Holy Ghost

Called me and now keeps me close

Knew me long before my birth

Glorify your name on earth

Jesus saved me, yes it's true

Now His face fills all my view

When His word is my delight

My heart reaches heaven's heights

Chorus:

Yes, he is worthy, 

Yes, he is worthy, 

Yes, he is worthy

And He is all our praise!

Pretty good mom, pretty good...

More Christmas Hoopla!

Who's got school spirit? Lorelei does!! Here she is getting ready for "wacky Wednesday," she was so excited not to wear her uniform (who can blame the kid)? Anyway, that took me back to my glory days, I so had school spirit, and would dress up, and be cheesy, good times.

Meanwhile, birthday party for Kristin, or Mrs. Gilchrist, as I call her. I worked with her back in the day at Hillcrest and she still calls me Mrs. Leaman, and I still call her Mrs. G. She loves my potato cake, so I made her one, please take note of the fantastic decorations there, anyway, Happy Bday to you Mrs. G!

And then the programs, I had already blogged about Lorelei's school program Tues. night, but wait there's more. Friday morning, the kindergarten class re-enacts the Nativity scene during chapel, I couldn't miss that, hello, my daughter as an angel, video op! Then last night was the preschool program for the twins. They were cutie cute too.

On the 9th Day of Christmas...

Dec. 1st - birthday party for Doug Soleida: Kat's parents just moved to town about a month or so ago, and she had a little welcome bday party at Andria's fish & chips by the Harbor, we had a babysitter - good times.

Dec. 2nd - taught Tuesday classes.

Dec. 3rd - went Christmas shopping instead of wisely preparing for Thursday, then spent evening frantically getting ready for Thursday. Made sugar cookie dough.

Dec. 4th - taught classes, baked & decorated cookies and cake for birthday party for Jesus.

Dec. 5th - took Lor to school in shirt which was wrongside out, see last post, had bday party for Jesus at my house, 22 toddlers, 10 moms, actually was fun, went out Friday night to Chinese food with Morgan & Dan, had sitter for the other 3 girls.

Dec. 6th - went to Cortney's church's Women's Christmas Tea, Marlene Felix was the speaker, Cortney sang, and she was amazing (and she had on the sweetest pair of black boots) highlight: I was starstruck, saw U.S. Olympic medalist Allyson Felix at the tea (because she was the special speaker's daughter) *note too chicken & too lame to get autograph or picture because I felt like a dork just like when I was in the 6th grade at a Martika concert and she held her hand out to me and I was too embarrased to take it becuz I was trying to be cool. Apparently I am a slow learner, but at least Dan need not worry should I ever meet one of the multiple celebrities I have a crush on, I will likely run the other way. Oh, and Sat. night, went to refurbished Thousand Oaks mall, bought more Christmas stuff, started to feel tired, but the kids talked to Santa and got free reindeer ears, made it worth it (though Dan said Santa had the personality of a wall)

Dec. 7th - church, wrapped gifts, felt more tired, but got some grading done

Dec. 8th - went to Camarillo outlets, leisurely looked thru like 5 stores with kids (brainstorming what to get my picky siblings) loaded kids in van, realized had dropped keys somewhere, had to retrace steps, go back through each store to find them, felt tired, but still had time before I had to pick up Lor. went to get a frame at Aaron Brothers, went to get boxes at Target, went home, realized I had left picture I took to get a frame for at Aaron Brothers. Mon. night still had to go to Costco because apparently children need food at least 3 times a day to exist. Oh yeah, then I graded.

Dec. 9th - taught classes, came home, frosted cookies with Katfor tonight's bible study she hosted, could not attend because Lorelei had Christmas program tonight. Went to program, beamed shamelessly with husband videotaping beside me.

Current status: blogging, tired, but happy, no more work for me until January, as of tomorrow, I'm taking a break, and who knows? Maybe I'll just take a few moments to sit still and watch a Charlie Brown Christmas special with my kiddos. That sounds fun.

Australia

So I just went to drop Lorelei off at kindergarten, which is always a bit of a mad rush, because I have to unload the other 3 to sign her in.  So I see my friend Cortney Stimer (our kids are in the same class) and say hi, and she says to me, "Now I'm not sure if it's supposed to be the new style or what, but did you know your shirt is inside out?"

Hmm. I didn't actually, and in 2 hours, about 20 toddlers will be arriving at my house for a birthday party for Jesus. 

In the words of Alexander, I think I'm going to move to Australia.

Thankee, Thankee

So last week was a great break for me, I only had to teach on Tuesday, because obviously my Thursday classes coincided with Thanksgiving. This left us available to go to Visalia from Tues. night to Friday night, and come back in time to decorate the house for Christmas and go to church on Sunday. So here's some trip highlights, things I'm thankful for:

1. The kids were actually pretty well behaved. They've been kind of um, how shall I say? Terrible lately, a lot of whining and bickering, but I don't know if it was just being in a different environment (my parent's house), but they were actually better than usual, shwew.

2. They got to see both of their great grandmothers! My Grandma Elizabeth just turned 90, hello, and My Grandma Mita is 77, you know the same age as Regis.

3. They got to pick walnuts, persimmons, and tangerines in my Grandma's orchard, how organic are we?

4. Dan & I got to go to the movies with Bethie while my parents watched the kids. We saw Australia, loved it. The adorable little boy in the movie totally resembles Sandhya's equally adorable little boy, Braden, and Hugh Jackman was a major babe, now Dan keeps saying things like, my back muscles look just like that guy in the movies do, don't they? Umm, yeah, just like em.

5. It's not even 9am and all the beds in my house are made! That never happens, so I'm taking it as a sign, this is going to be a good day.

6. OH, and really amazing, one of my uncles announced at the Thanksgiving dinner that he has become a Christian. He's been diagnosed with cancer, and he said it made him realize the one true important thing. What a reminder for all of us not to give up praying for our unsaved relatives. So here's some pix:

I Smell Turkey

Okay, first of all up above, that's Beau, his dad Uncle Tim (Dan's oldest brother) and Dan of course at Beau's last football game. He played for Azusa and is getting married in January, we can't wait! Meanwhile, there's a quick shot of Ruby Stimer and the twins playing from Wednesday, and most importantly, some of the cookies I slaved over for Lorelei's "Thanksgiving Feast" in kindergarten. So I thought I was really clever, choosing this recipe because you can get the pre-made pilsbury sugar cookies and just decorate, how hard could that be? turns out, it was harder than it looked. I thought a lot of them sort of resembled orange frogs more than turkeys. Oh well, I tried. And there's an assortment of the fall crafts my kids did. My friend gave me the idea of taking pictures of the kids' crafts and keeping the pix rather than storing piles of artwork for years. I was very on board with that since I figure this is just the beginning for me, I still have 3 more kids to do the kindergarten thing yet. I also loved the little toilet paper roll corn someone in her class passed out, they filled the roll with candy, wrapped it with shredded yellow tissue paper to look like corn then twisted on green tissue paper to look like husks - adorable!

Trying to Get a Christmas Card Photo

Okay, so I need to be quick because I so should be grading essays right now, but I just had to comment on our Saturday adventure attempting to get a family photo for our Christmas cards this year. Most of you have kids and know how difficult it is to get all of them looking at the camera. My girls were NOT cooperative this weekend. One would look and smile, and then another would look away, and then another would do one of those weird, forced, fake smiles. What was funny was Dan & I thought to ourselves, "well at least the the ones just of us will turn out good because we can look at the camera." So we're looking at the pix afterwards and we look at each other with these sort of mutually pained expressions, and Dan says I guess we're not as good looking as we thought we were." Yeah, time to hit the gym and start researching age-reversing creams....

By the way, thank you to our amazing neighbors and photographers, Kat & Chet Hervey. Check out their website herveyphoto.com You guys are the bestest neighbors ever, we love you, and you can come watch our TV whenever you want to. Thanks for being patient with our stinkers on a very windy day.

Oh & one more thing, I started researching Christmas card companies. Last year our cards were amazing, done by kitenotes.com (Sandhya's sister's company). She also has done my baby announcements, etc, and I LOVE her stuff, however, this year we're simplifying things ($$$) and went with peartreegreetings.com. But if you want a fancy cool card I'd go with kitenotes.com or vistaprint or papergoods.
Above are some of the shots we're not using since we're going with a group shot vs. several individuals. And yeah, those are tutus they're wearing, that's why I have four daughters okay, I like pink.

So I Watch Too Much TV

Shows I currently am obsessed with:

1. House: Yes, I've been a follower from the very 1st episode. This is my most fave show ever, besides The Gilmore Girls season 2 which remains first in my heart forever. House is a tough one to catch up on because it's in at least its 4th season, but lemme tell you reasons you should watch. The writing is amazing, and so witty. Hugh Laurie who plays Dr. House is such a miserable, complex character that I can't help but root for him. I want him to fall in love with his boss, Cutti and be happy, but then the show would be worthless and over (Think back to when Angela & Tony finally hooked up in Who's the Boss, it was lame after that). Another thing I love in the show is the "bromance" or friendship btwn House & Wilson (played by Robert Sean Leonard whom we all fell in love with the first time we watched Dead Poets Society when we were 13 ('89 baby, '89).

2. Life: Strangely, the lead in this show reminds me of House, but better looking - bonus! He's the guy from Band of Brothers. This show is just rilly, rilly, rilly good, and it makes laugh, and there's an ongoing mystery to solve in addition to the weekly mysteries. It's only just in the middle of season 2, and all of the episodes are on line via NBC, so when you have to take a sick day some day, watch it already. You'll love it.

3. Life on Mars: Okay, so I'm not obsessed with this one yet, but I'm interested enough to TiVo it and watch it with Dan each week. The guy's kinda cute and there's a lot of weird stuff going on that's kind of interesting, and Lisa Bonet was in the season premiere, come on, you know you still love her from her Denise Huxtable, I wear big sweaters days.

Shows I can miss, but when I catch them I like them.

1. Biggest Loser: Don't judge me, it's inspiring, and it makes me cry, and contemplate exercise. Bethie's in love with Bob the trainer. Then there's Jillian. She kind of scares me, but I like her.

2. Oprah: What? You think I don't know how annoying it is when she gets all preachy and self-righteous and starts telling you you need more "me-time" in your life (which is so not biblical people, think about it)? Look I know where she stands & that half the stuff that comes out of her mouth is mumbo jumbo, but seriously, there's nothing more fun than a make-over, there's nothing cuter than Nate Berkus, and everyone loves a good Gail story.

* Please note: I did not feel the need to bring up Regis and Kelly because I think we all should know by now that the first 15 minutes of the show (AKA host chat) are a daily ritual in my life that I LOVE. Kelly Ripa's adorable, love her self-deprecating humor, and Regis is 77 YEARS OLD, and still funny and relevant and occasionally sincere. I'll never forget the time he cried when his cat, Ashley died. It moved me.

So fellow bloggers, what are you all watching?

A Master's Moment

So this past weekend, Dan & I drove to Santa Clarita for the memorial service of our friend Ashley's daughter, Reese.  The service was at a church right next to the college (TMC).   We attended there almost 11 years ago now!  The event was bittersweet.  It was difficult of course to hear about the loss of a loved one, difficult to see grief in it's most tangible form, but it was also so encouraging.  As I sat through the service, I glanced around at so many familiar faces, faces I hadn't seen in a long time, and I felt so completely comforted by those faces.  I can only explain this because of the common and intensely unifying bond in Christ we share. 

I understand that just because I attended a Christian college, that not all of the people I went to school with were believers, but I do believe that many of them were sincere in their faith.  I look back and I realize what a profound influence the college had on my life.  The minute I walked onto that campus I remember being struck by the difference in the people there.  So many of them that God specifically brought into my life were so grounded in their faith at such an early age.

I am grateful for the college, for the friends that I made there, because I know that when trials and tragedies strike many of them will not waver in their faith, rather they will cling to Christ and His word in their time of need.  I saw evidence of that this weekend in the lives of the Kostjuks and in so many of the other families there.  For that I am truly thankful and truly blessed.

If you have a moment...

I had just posted my Harvest pics and recent post, and started scrolling through, checking through my other blogger friends blogs. If you have a moment, read the Kostjuck blog. They lost their little one this week. Ashley was on my wing and college, and I've been so amazed by her family's testimony in their time of suffering. Their faith has been a truly beautiful example to me and I'm so grateful to them for that. Their posts have never been discouraging or depressing, but always full of joy and hope. That is only because of Christ. What a reminder!

Bring on the Harvest Festivities!

First of all I wanted to mention that I've noticed other mom-bloggers write down the little funny things their kids say, and I always forget to do that even in their baby books and stuff. But yesterday, I was changing Morgan's diaper, and Noelle randomly says, "When I grow up, I'm going to have 3 kids and a bald baby named Goliath."
My response, "Oh really, is the baby going to be cute?"
"yeah, and bald." Okay, so we've established the bald thing. (Interestingly enough, Noelle was my only bald baby). Anyway, I thought it was cute. I'm looking forward to a grandbaby named Goliath. Maybe she'll name his sisters Delilah and Jezebel.

So meanwhile, been insanely busy and crazy around here. My classes are turning out to require more time & effort than I had anticipated (live & learn). So first of all props to my hero hubby who has been doing a lot with the kids lately to help me. Secondly, shout out to Bethie who watched them for us the other day so we could go out. She's the bestest. (She also glittered up the sugar pumpkins in the pic. above Martha Stewart style, cute huh, those are real pumpkins) We saw Body of Lies that night, and it was really good (sensitive to cussing and torture scenes, don't go, I just closed my eyes). As far as festivities go here's the lowdown:
1. Preschool Silly hat parade (their alternative to Halloween)
2. Carving pumpkins with Denny and his kiddos.
3. Pumpkin cookie decorating play date with the church at Beth Catalde's house
4. For the 3rd year in a row, for Halloween (Reformation Day I mean), my cousin Eliza and her husband & kids came over for dinner and we went around trick or treating and got the kids all sugared up. It was pretty fun. We were supposed to go and be the face painters today at our church Harvest festival, but looks like we're rained out this year!

Oh Ye of Little Faith...

Ta Daaa - the porch is complete! Dan worked so hard on it, and was finally able to finish the glaze stuff this week. I love it and am so happy! He's taking this upcoming weekend off to go to a men's retreat, and then when he returns we can start the next project - painting the house, new outdoor lights, landscaping.... oh wait, maybe I should just stop and enjoy that this step is complete. I don't want to scare him off!
Oh and by the way, the porch would not be finished were it not for our friend Peter, who fortunately for us, happens to be a mason. He came and worked 2 whole Saturdays on it when Dan was ready to throw in the towel, so props to Peter, our great friend, without whom we wouldn't have a porch, nor would Lorelei know the truth about chem trails.

The Obligatory Pumpkin Patch Pix

So basically I feel guilty because I couldn't chaperone on the kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin patch, and I can't chaperone for the preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch, so we made our own family outing of it, and went today. It was pretty dang hot, but a nice late afternoon out...