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: