Memorial Day - let's remember

We owe our lives and freedom to so many. I am grateful.

Valentine's Day

I returned from a wonderful vacation yesterday. It was wonderful because I got to spend it with my family in a warm fun place.

Today was one of reading lots of emails, being told all the million changes that happened while I was on vacation, reorganizing messes, and waking up from a nap that turned into a 14 hour nights sleep (in my clothes).

Today I got to celebrate Valentine's in a wonderful way. I got to meet Loraine, Flo, & Elaine. I got to hold their hands, help them with frosting, and hear about husbands. I got to look into their eyes and see the longing for health and love. I got to give love to those who have no one left. It hurt to see their loneliness. But warmed my heart to know that for one hour, I was able to help them remember what it feels like to be loved.

I hope you were able to help someone feel loved today too.

Visiting Santa

Things were going ok...

Until someone decided to look to see who was holding him...

And then we had tears. :(

The past three years of Santas have been disappointing. They don't talk to the kids or even ask them what they want. So annoying.

But Sammy knew what he was supposed to do so he told Santa, "I want snowboard stuff & hockey stuff." He was so nervous while in line - it was cute.

Next year, I'm going Santa scouting.

Look who is growing up

This little sweetie turned 1 just before Thanksgiving. He can say Baba (Sammy), Mamma (all the women in the family), Ba (ball), Wow, and Mimi (me?). He loves walking around and will not let you hold on to him so he doesn't crack his head open. He also loves whatever his older brother is currently playing with. We love him so much.

Phew. Now for a birthday hiatus.

Our family just finished 6 birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years in the last month and a half. We have another one in February then a new baby in March for my sister.

Christmas

Worn out from all the Christmas fun? Me too. We had great Christmas here and I hope you did too.

Happy Thanksgiving

I am grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, my family, my healthy life, a warm house to live in, safe food to eat, a good job, and love.

3

This little boy turned 3 today.

3.

3!

He's 3. I can't believe it.

Sometimes you'd think he was 15 the way he talks about the speed of sound, orbits, Harrier Jump Jets, or the way he pretends to chew gum when he's up to bat, puts his finger outside his glove, and taps the base before getting ready for the pitch (in the living room).

He loves Family Home Evening, singing primary songs and conducting the music. He always wants to be a part of the conversation, make people happy, and squeeze his baby brother. He has all his books memorized, so there is no cheating on adding your own words to sentences.

He asked for shrimp scampi for his birthday dinner and had to be persuaded to open his presents before endlessly playing with each one.

He is loving. And he is loved.

He's our Sammy.

Happy 4th

Downtown Milwaukee fireworks 2010.

Memorial Day - let's remember

It was a sweaty, hot August DC morning before work. I hustled over to Arlington National Cemetery to partake of its reverence. I'm walking along when I see a car parked along one of the paths (rare - cars not allowed much). A very old man used his cane to get out of the car. I started to walk slower, hoping to be a part of whatever was next. He shuffled over to one of the hundreds of thousands of tombstones and planted some flowers, followed by some water. I didn't want to seem like a gawker or stalker, so I took photos at a distance. It was such a tender, sweet memorial. Seeing him stand all alone among the white markers of those who've past, honoring someone special to him made all my superficial concerns of my sweatiness subside. He was just standing there, leaning against his cane, remembering those who had served for our country, all alone. See him hidden among all those tombstones? It was a reverential moment that I didn't want to forget.

Mothers

"God could not be everywhere, and so He gave us mothers." a writer quoted by our beloved Prophet Thomas S. Monson.

Mothers sacrifice so much. Love them back.

I love my mother. So much.

'Twas a good Christmas

My 3 (count 'em, 3!) days off in a row were bliss. Christmas was a delight this year with yummy food and family. I hope yours was wonderful too.

Merry Christmas

Swedish celebration and a birthday

"It's somebody's birthday!" as Sammy says. This time it was mine. We had a Swedish celebration and since my bday was soon, we celebrated that too. It was a tasty meal of Swedish meatballs (not the real horse kind), lingonberry sauce, cheese fondue, creamed spinach, boiled potatoes, pickled beats, pickled herring, and a normal cake :)

After being filled with yummy food, I got to snuggie babycakes #2.

Santa & nephews

Sammy was scared and would hug our legs while in line. But he got over it and liked to just smile and stare at Santa. And give him hugs. We got done and he asked to see Santa again. So I got in line with him.

Baby Jonathan has chubbed up and is doing what he does best. Sleep.

Holiday movies

I love Christmas movies.

These are my current favorites:

-Muppet Christmas Carol

I wrote a twelve page research paper on different film theories using this movie. Yep.

-It's a Wonderful Life

Didn't get why this movie was so popular and what the big huzzah was about. Then I grew up.

-The Shop Around the Corner

This was remade in the 90's with a little movie called "You've Got Mail."

-Elf

Hasn't gotten old yet.

-How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I really like Jim Carey. Went to this movie for my sweet 16th birthday bash. 'Twas awesome.

-White Christmas

Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen? Dancing, singing, "sisters" and "snow?" Yes please.

-Holiday Inn

Just watched this. Fred Astaire is a dreamy dancer. This is the precursor to "White Christmas" by Irving Berlin and has the song in it.

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Be grateful

May your day be filled with yumminess.

And may you feel like this after all is said and done.

Happy Thanksgiving.

'Tis the season

My bro-in-law's birthday (at the end of October) kicked of the Season of Celebration in this family. It is a two month period of time where we celebrate J's, T's, T's, W's, L's, & Mom's birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, St. Nick's, Christmas, and New Year's.

So we are adding to the season by throwing another birthday in there. Starting tomorrow.

Here we go!