Our Christmas

This year is going to be a very small Christmas in some ways, and very large in others.

We don't have a lot of money, hardly any in fact. So we spent very little in way of gifts, but still did our best to make sure we and the rest of our family and friends will enjoy the holidays. We thought a lot about what gifts we were going to give people and got things that we knew they would like, instead of buying something expensive that we thought they might. We didn't go overboard.

We also couldn't spend a lot in the way of decorations. Our windows are decorated with paper snowflakes I cut out. We had a little village we started last year and set up a little table with that. (This being the last year we can for a while as by next year Piper will be able to reach it.) We got a tree from Fred Meyer for 20 bucks. It's not uber fabulous, but it's a tree and brings the Christmas feeling into our home. We got a few ornaments for very little to augment my small collection and for under 50 dollars we have a fully decorated tree(including the cost of the tree). And my biggest woe, we don't have a fireplace in this house. Or, at least, we didn't. Not wanting to try to have the Christmas spirit without a fireplace, which I find essential, I built us one. There is now a lovely paper fire crackling in a paper fireplace. It cost less than a dollar, but it still warms my spirit.

We may be having a small Christmas, but our love, imagination, and hearts grow large enough to make it feel not very small at all.

There have been many times during this season that I have seen people spend huge quantities of money on gifts and decorations and parties. And I've seen them and the end of the season, never any happier. And I feel richer than any of them because not only do I have a loving family and wonderful friends, but I have the truth about the gospel in my life and the knowledge that no matter how bad things can get here, at the end of our season on earth, our joy will be unparralleled, and our gifts ever increasing.

So if anybody else ot there is feeling the strain of the season, just keep a smile on your face and remember what the season is really about. Money isn't important, love is.

Merry Christmas

Snow

I've seen snow before. We go up to the cabin at least once a year to see it and play in it. I've gone out in the cold and the slush. I've built snowmen and forts and had snowball fights. I've gone sledding and skiing and trudged through it.

So why oh why do people act like it's something I have never experienced that I should be happy about?

I don't like the cold. I love heat. I love laying out in 100 degree weather and feeling my skin heat up. I love t-shirts and shorts and sandals. I love summer dresses and open toed heels. I love ice cream and rootbeer floats. I love swimming. I love having ripe fruit and veggies. I like heat.

But I chose to move to a place right before 20 degree weather sets in. So the car doors freeze shut. The roads are covered in ice. I can't stop shivering in our house that my husband insists is tropical in its clime. I wear turtlenecks and I'm still freezing.

I hate this.

A Bigger update

So here's the news. *Deep breath*

Piper's not crawling yet, but she sits up all one her own and she's strong enough to stand, she would just rather dive to anything that looks tasty, and everything looks tasty to her. She eats everything in sight, and even if she decides she doesn't like the taste of something she will continually put it into her mouth and make faces until you take it away from her. She loves bouncing, and though we have a ball we bounce her to sleep on, and a bouncer that she can bounce herself in, her favorite thing is to sit on your knee and bounce like she's riding a horsey. She still hates the car, which wasn't so fun on the drive to and from california, but thankfully sleeps wonderfully in then, so long as it's night. She hates plane rides more and does not sleep at all on those. The only good thing about those is that she doesn't scream during the flights, though she will shriek excitedly whenever she sees someone new.

I'm settling in well and amusing myself with cleaning and knitting and writing. I also might have made a friend, but I'm not sure yet because I haven't really spent too much time here, and the christmas season makes it difficult to make friends with people when they're busy with family and shopping and whatnot. But I'm hoping. Keep your fingers crossed and maybe in a few weeks I'll be writing how awesome my new friend is.

Logan is doing well, though business is dragging, and so he has started working for a realty company hauling trash, which may or may not offer a sort of stable future. There are some venues he's pursuing (a job for a month in california, and a hauling job with his uncle a few months out), but thus far we're living on savings and the goodwill of our families. Pray for us, if you have a spare secnd or two in your prayers, because we're nearing a point of desperation and could use all the help we can get.

Thanksgiving was fabulous, we went down and spent it with my folks and even thought the girls weren't there a good time was had by all. We'll be going down the day after Christmas too, and though the drive is daunting and dreadful, we are looking forward to it. Well, I am at least. I think Logan is too.

Anywhoodles, if there's anything else that you all would like to know about our stupendous lives, let me know!! I'll try to be better about posting. :)

She loves herself some santa!!! Look she's just finishing him off!! :)

Silly little update, don't you know words are for reading?

One word Answers

1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket
2. Your significant other? Stubbly
3. Your hair? Short
4. Your mother? Fabulous
5. Your father? Amazing
6. Your favorite thing? Piper
7. Your dream last night? Unremarkable
8. Your favorite drink? Water!
9. Your dream/goal? Happiness
10. The room you’re in? Office
11. Your hobby? Knitting
12. Your fear? Poverty
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Home
14. What you’re not? Warm
15. Muffins? Lemon
16. One of your wish list items? Books!!!
17. Where you grew up? Gilroy
18. The last thing you did? Typed
9. What are you wearing? Earrings
20. Favorite gadget? cell
21. Your pets? kitties
22. Your computer? Dell
23. Your mood? Sleepy
24. Missing someone? Tamara
25. Your car? Chevy
26. Something you’re not wearing? Makeup
27. Favorite store? Borders
28. Like someone? NEVER!!!
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When is the last time you laughed? 12:02:2008:13:35:23
31. Last time you cried? 11:28:2008:18:57:11

Silly-ness. But I can be silly. That's just the sort of girl I am. :)

Lots has been happening. Too cold and tired to tell you about it. Tomorrow will bear another post from me, so until then just know that nothing is ever easy.

Farewell, oh readers of mine.