Class Party

So Friday was Calvin's class Christmas party. All the kids were to bring a $5 or under gift for a gift exchange. We played games, listened to Christams music, etc. A few of us Mom's brought cupcakes, cookies, hot cocoa, you name it. When it came to the gift giving I found my son so kind and sweet. Of course, none of the gifts were $5 or less. They were all $10 or more. Including ours. When it was time for Calvin to get his gift he got a pack of 64 crayons, a coloring book and a book on Santa with someone elses name in it. Now the kids could have exchanged gifts with the others, which most did. Calvin chose not to. He loved his gift. He has colored almost every page and he was thrilled that when you get a package of 64 crayons it comes with a sharpener on the back. Remember those? He absolutly loved this gift. He has read the book and now has a keen sense of Santa and the North Pole. That was really neat to see.

The Valley

This is truly the reason why I love this Valley. We are lucky to live in such beauty. Do you agree?

"That" Christmas Letter...

So, do you ever get "that" Christmas letter? You know the one. The one that is 5 pages long, the smallest font, etc.? From far, far away, long distance cousins from your Father-In-Laws side of the family? Yep, we do. They are always the one we get first. I couldn't even start it this year. It's to over whelming. To much information on people I met once--before my kid was born!! It's actually exhausting to even think about this from year to year. I appreciate the thought and all, but, wow!! This year it was down to one very full page, font size 2, I think.... I still can't even start it!!

Easy As Pie

So, I made my first pumpkin pie last night. It was soooooo good! However, why is it I never knew how easy they are to make?! Okay, so I did use frozen pie shells--but they were Marie Calendar. The thing is, we went to the Roaster for Thanksgiving this year and I had no pumpkin pie to graize on for a couple of days. So I bought a pie and my kid ate like 3/4's of it. I never really got any. So I made my own! Took like 10 minutes to put together!! Easy!! Hmmm, another new favorite of mine!! Just what this body needs!

Coffee Talk

So today my Pastor and I had coffee. I had just got done reading "The Shack" and really wanted to discuss it with him. He is sooooo great. I, as usual, learned something, had tears coming down my face and had a great cup of coffee. You know, my life seems great, and it is; I just need to ENJOY what God has given me. My Pastor has a great way of putting all that into perspective. I'm learning...... Thank God for being patient with me.

This is a picture of Calvin and his Nana. She is teaching him how to make her famous Swedish Pancake recipe. It's fun because she lets him do it all. By himself. The stuff we Mom's have a hard time taking time out to do. She's a great Nana!! My kid loves her!!

Vicks Vapor Rub

So there is this thing going around the internet that says if you have a cough and you put Vicks on the bottom of your feet it will take away the cough within 5 minutes. My Mother-in-law had tried this on Cal a couple of weeks ago. We really didn't know if it worked, but we tried it. So, yesterday a great friend from church had forwared on to me that same e-mail again and Calvin still has that cough so I thought okay, I'm going to do this and really watch and listen. Yeah, it does not work. The only thing it did was burn the heck out of Calvins feet!! Sorry, buddy!

I love food...

So, it was another great night with my girlies! Fridays have come to be great days, every other weekend. I'm so glad I have such different, meaningful friends. The food sure was good last night--again!! Why is it we can't do a party with out food? The guys had a great time as well. Nothing wrong with poker, a couple beers and a little man talk, right?! In the man garage!! I have fantastic BFF's!!

Arrrr...

So a couple of days ago, again we were driving home from school Calvin says to me, "How does electricity go out"? I thought of lots of things in my head--a car could have run into a light pole, the P.U.D. could be working on something, weather, etc. He says, "Hello, are you listening to me"? I said, "Well, yeah, I'm just trying to think of the right answer". He said, "Don't worry Mom, I will just ask Dad. Where did you get your education at anyway"? Go Dawgs this glorious Apple Cup!!

Ed?

So today on our way home from school Calvin randomly said, "Mom, when I have a kid I'm going to name him Ed". For one, we've never had any conversations about him and kids; needless to say it caught me off guard. I said, "Ed? Why Ed"? He said, "It's short". Thats it.....

Cancer, ick...

This year I have been touched by cancer in 2 different ways. Not myself, but great freinds. It's just so sad how cancer works. In one case, someone who was so young--too young--died within 3 months. My other friend has been living with cancer for 2 years. For 2 years it has been a roller coaster ride. For everyone. You just wonder why sometimes. God is so great and I always keep that in perspective. I've never been one to say why would God do this. I've always thought when any kind of tragedy strikes it is your true test with God. He is there with you. He wants you to need him. He is there for you--ALWAYS!! Just never ask why. It's blind faith, right?!

Liar!

Isn't it funny how kids learn? We had a minor issue with a neighbor kid. (The kid is a terror!) Anyway, Calvin was telling us what the kid does and we told him that you know, friends are a choice and just like everything you have to make good choices. If you don't want to play with him just tell him that and tell him why. Simply come in the house and let us know. He proceeds to tell Chris and I, "He broke one of the 10 Commandments; He lied"! Cracked us up. That's my kid for you!

So, It's My Birthday Today!

I'm 37 years old today. 37, can you believe it? I don't feel 37. However, 37 is a weird number. 40 is right around the corner. Thats weird too. This year is different though. As most of you know I was just in California with my Best Friend Kristie. Her husband Joe has been battling cancer for 2 years. We are all the same age. So this year I am actually embracing my birthday. I'm excited that I am 37 and healthy! I learned from Kristie how important health is. 37 is actually a number that will make me happy for a year! Yeah!! Bring on 40!!

My 2 Guys!

I LOVE this picture. To me, it says a thousand words! Sweet is one of them.

Funny

This picture totally cracks me up. Chris and I were driving home and Calvin had fallen a sleep. He looked so sweet. Chris was like, "You've got to get a picture of that". I totally agreed and got the camera out. I turned around with the camera ready and at the exact same time, Calvin woke up and I actually scared him--This is that picture. Hilarious!!

Kids...

So today I picked my son up from school. I do everyday. This is nothing new. I said, "How was your day?". "Great". "Guess what? Tomorrow is my birthday". "Yeah?" So, in my head I'm thinking, okay, weird day. Calvin then said, "What is dance"? I said, "Dance? Like you are dancing"? He says, "Oh, Mom, are you being stupid"? I'm now irritated. I said, "Excuse me"? He said, "My teacher knows what dance is". I said, "What did you hear today about this"? He says, "My teacher says that dance is a sport and I wanted to know what dance is". I'm like, okay, now I hear the whole story and understand. He proceeds to appologize for his rudeness. KIDS........ARRRRRRR!

I LOVE This

Somebody sent this to me via e-mail. I don't know who the author is but, enjoy.

"Life is to short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. And believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."

Lovely, isn't it?!

Technology

So yesterday I wanted to get rid of Calvin's old desk and put him at a bigger one. One that will fit him. I could not move the computer. Just the thought of cord's, wire's, putting something where it shouldn't go, etc. literally freaked me out. I actually stopped and stared at it for a couple of minutes multiple times through out the day. So, when I picked Calvin up from school yesterday I had said to him, "Hey, when we get home can you help me move your computer to the big desk?" He was like, "Yeah, sure, Mom." I had stopped at the store before picking him up and when we got home he darted in, I stayed behind to grab the stuff. By the time I got back to "Calvin's Office" he had everything moved!! I mean we are talking 4 minutes!! He got it up in running in less than 10!! He so has his Dad's brain when it comes to that kind of stuff. Thank Goodness.

Why?!

Do you wonder why people are so crazy about this election? I have found that so many of my friends are literally angry over the outcome. Why can't we move on. We have a new President. Barrack Obama. There is no changing this. We voted and our vote counted. If you voted for McCain great, however, like he said, it's time for a different change. No reason to get nasty. No reason to bring in the whole God card. Can't you see that didn't work in these last 8 years? For some of us that claim to be Democrats, like myself, and happened to choose to vote the other way in the last election really got trumped. Seriously, after these last 8 years, is this the world we want our children to love? Don't you think change is what we need? Let's embrace this change and see how it goes. Let's earn trust. What do have to lose.....?

Today Is A Day To Remember...CHANGE IS HAPPENING!

It is such a different day today. Obama has been elected President of The United States of My America. It's a significant day, isn't it? I find it so funny how some people who voted the other way seem to be offened by this. Change is good. God has helped me make this great decision a long time ago.