christmas goodies.

I've tried my very best to keep things as normal and calm as possible through this move. The last one, yes 1 year and 2 months ago, was tough for Missy. This one.. much better. I managed to make my way through the boxes rather quickly, even put the Christmas tree up our first night here. (it took up less space standing than it did in the box, but that sounded impressive) So, I believe we are feeling settled and so ready for a much needed break from the everyday routine.

But, before we're off to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with family, there's joy to be spread! Miss L put her hand to sewing lots of buttons onto bobby pins, while I played on photoshop. Together we brought lots of smiles to some second graders this morning. It was wonderful watching her pass out her simple little handmade treasures. I was so impressed by these little girls, each one flaunting a new barrett in her hair. They were so appreciative and it seemed to make each one feel special.

For the teachers in our life.. something warm and sweet. Hot chocolate (I admit I could have been more creative) and homemade marshmallows, that just happen to be the first marshmallows that I actually like. We added a little coconut flavoring and coated some in coconut, others in powdered sugar to top hot chocolate. Gift giving = happiness.

wow, what just happened?

As if the holidays and wrapping up another semester are not busy enough, we decided to throw a move in the middle of it all. What were we thinking? We obviously sold our house, which I am so gracious for in this economy. We are back in the condo again, preparing to build another house. Back home.

It's nice to have the internet again, but I completely enjoyed not having it for 3 weeks. I am reconsidering how much I need the internet. There were a few moments of frustration.. I actually had to look up numbers in the phone book. Prehistoric huh.

L and I have been plenty busy getting gifts prepared for teachers and friends. I'll post about those soon, so cute and delicious!

what makes you happy?

The wait is over.. we finally let miss L get her ears pierced! She has been asking for a year or so, and we gave in. I knew she could take care of them herself, and she agreed to wear only non-dangley earrings. I felt okay about it until we watched a boy get both of his ears pierced before her. Something felt really wrong. What in the world was I doing paying someone to put holes in my daughter's ears? Needless to say, I went through with it and she is one happy girl! I'll admit it, I think they are really cute and girly.

Now, I know this shouldn't make her happy, but you know L. (her obsession with doctor stuff and all) She was invited to a roller skating birthday party and, well, need I say more? Instead of being at home and preparing my Thanksgiving feast, I was in the doctor's office getting her x-rays and bandaged. Before we found out it was in fact broken, she said she was hoping to get a cast. She won.

traditions.

This time of year is all about tradition for me. When I made the decision to move across the country without my family, tradition took on a whole new meaning. It is vital to me for L to carry on those rituals that are so ingrained into my soul. Like the sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, baked mac and cheese, orange slice cake, pumpkin cake roll, pecan pie, window clings, and Christmas music. (which is completely acceptable all year round) And FAMILY, oh family. There is nothing like it. The laughs + the memories. (even if Sarah is the only one that can remember some of them) I can't tell you how wonderful it is to sit around with my family and talk about our childhood. I can't believe how much I miss that. It's strange really, not having anyone to reminisce with about your childhood.

I completely look forward to our celebrations this year. I can't wait to go home. I can't wait to see Santa at Grandma W's. I love reading "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" to L time and time again. A few years ago, I could actually recite the entire book from memory we read it so many times!

So with a few window clings from Grandma C, and the chocolate dipping underway, we welcome the holidays and all of the goodness they bring!

medusa joins the halloween parade.

I love holidays! Today all of the children at school dress-up and have a costume parade through the halls. L looks forward to it every year. On the way to school she said, "I'm sure glad I had the swine flu last week and not today." Me too little girl, although I'm not sure I'm glad I had the swine flu...ever.

It was so fun to see the children file into the classroom one by one, checking out who was who and full of excitement. Ms. Checketts is so wonderful to let the children be wiggly and rambunctious and join right in the fun with them. (one little girl had to tell Ms. Checketts that her witch voice was scaring her and asked if she was going to use that voice all day. she agreed that is was probably a little frightening and would use her Ms. Checketts voice instead)

I will head back to school this afternoon to host the class Halloween party. What a fun day. Happy Halloween...

i can feel it in the air...

oh boy, tomorrow it begins.. two days of Halloween! L is so excited she can't stand herself. The costume is finally finished and ready to creep all of Ms. Checketts' second graders out of their gourd. Okay, not really. Missy wanted to be scary this year with her costume, so she chose to be Medusa. Mom wanted her to be something sweet, so she will be the kind and enchanting version of Medusa. (it'll be our little secret, as she feels she is quite frightening) I also decided that after sewing 6 Halloween costumes that she wore only once, this year I would make one that she will wear, even after the holiday has passed. (I'm so sneaky) I love Halloween. I love the thrill in the crisp air. This year we will visit cousins down south and trick-or-treat with them on Saturday.

On the menu.. soup and bread of course, to warm us before we head out into the dark and frightening cold of Halloween night. Can't wait.

pumpkin walk time!

Life finally resumed outside of our home on Friday, just in time for the annual Pumpkin Walk! You know it's fall when you get to freeze your buns off walking from the elementary school to see the beautiful displays constructed from gourds and pumpkins. There is joy in my heart when I'm with 22 second graders, walking outside in the crisp air and watching the leaves fall from the trees.

Yesterday we celebrated my nephew's 12th birthday. (which Mr. W and I swear is his fourth birthday this year) I am so bad at knowing what to buy teenagers...money usually does the trick though. I found the instructions for this Book of Money online and quickly put it together before the party. It felt a little more thoughtful than giving a card with money stuck inside. At least I thought so, I don't know if a 12 year old really cares how the money arrives!

surviving...

So we're surviving. I think I'm over the hump, but my poor little girl was up at 1 a.m. with a fever of 104.3. I was up with her, watching every rise and fall of her chest until 4 a.m., when her temperature slowly came back down to 102. I savor the moments. I love being a mother. I love being the one to give her comfort. Mr. W has taken care of us so tenderly since Saturday, I was glad I felt good enough to be the one to give comfort last night. Seeing her lay on the couch with her bear bear and Max makes me miss my little girl. She may not fit in my arms like she used to, but there will always be a lap to help make those arms a comfortable and safe place to fall.

swine flu + quarantine

So here we are. I figured it was only a matter of time before I got the swine flu. (why can't they call it something cute like the unicorn flu or something like that? didn't bother me until I have to tell people that I have it) Due to my lack of a spleen it seemed I was just waiting my turn. Unfortunately, L has it too. So...we are quarantined for probably 5-7 days. Yuck. We'll make the best of it. She'll miss crazy hair day at school tomorrow. I promised her we'll have our own crazy hair day together. (all I have to do is roll out of bed and leave it be! doesn't sound too bad)
Why is it that ramen noodles sound so yummy when you are sick? Missy wanted some and it smells so good.

I pulled out some of my fabric stash looking for a project to occupy my hands and decided this is the perfect opportunity to work on L's halloween costume. My mom, bless her, helped me sew on all of the button eyes last week. Now the hat is complete...what to do for the dress? hmm.

travels...again

We just got back from a speedy southern Utah vacation with mom and dad! It's always fun when they come to visit, they get us to slow down and get out and about.

We had a great week with miss L being out of school! The air was crisp and the fall leaves accompanied by snow capped mountains were breathtaking. We visited the aquarium, the fabric store, (of course) and went to lunch together! It was so nice to have a break from the everyday routine. Only wish it could have lasted longer.

Guess where we went this weekend? It was incredible.

fingerless mittens!

they even keep your arms cozy while practicing the piano...

yippee for me!

L was home sick on Sunday, which means I was home too. I can't complain about the relaxing Sunday morning, preparing a delicious meal for Mr. W when he came home from church. It was nice. But then, what to do the rest of the day...I actually took a nap. Wow, I'm proud of myself.

Then I remembered how last year I wanted to make L some arm warmers, (aka fingerless mittens) but I didn't know how to knit in a round using all of those extremely intimidating needles. So, I pulled out the materials and tools I had previously purchased and set my mind to teaching myself. I had a little help from Martha Stewart...but I did it! I finished a pair yesterday, complete with stripes and a hole for the thumb. (I'll have to post that picture later) Ahh...it feels good.

Now we're off to parent teacher conference and spending the day with my girl!

movin' things around & holiday decorating

What is it about fall that makes me want to "spring clean?" I love to re-decorate and move things around. Perhaps it's because I know I'm stuck inside the entire winter...who knows. Whatever it is, it's happening. It can be a simple stack of magazines paired with a small pumpkin, move the side table to the other side of the couch, or new bubbly floral globes or festive bats hanging from the ceiling. No matter how simple, it makes me happy to look at something old in a new spot. It feels new...some how.

I tried my skills at mod podge for the first time. (never thought I'd see the day) I kind of like it. L does too. I don't know how far I'll go with the clear drying glue, but I like this project anyway.

guess what I did this morning...

If you know me very well, you know that this is my favorite time of year. (now through December) I feel like my spirit awakens and I feel joy in my soul!

Well, this morning I unexpectedly found myself Christmas Shopping! I always start stashing a little cash away around July or August, just in case I happen upon the perfect gift and just can't pass it up. It happened this morning... I can't say what it was or I could ruin a surprise for some special people, but it sure was fun!

Now I am savoring the scent of sugar cookies baking in my oven. We are typically healthy in our food choices, but the crisp breeze coming in the kitchen window and smell of fall made the choice irresistible. Besides, who doesn't love the memory of coming home from school and smelling the fresh baked cookie aroma lingering in the kitchen?

check it out!

How great are these? We were looking around a used book store on main Saturday afternoon, and came across 12 vintage friend magazines! Initially the covers caught my fancy, (the vintage art is to die for. They are going in frames in L's room...eventually) but I was so intrigued when I began to flip through the pages. They are filled with comics, crafts, recipes, and as tradition would have it, endless wisdom. We are using them for family home evening tonight!

They are everything I live for. The gospel, family, tradition, values, vintage art, wisdom, crafts, and food. What's not to love? Yippee!