No Room to Sleep!

The girls decided to sleep with their stuffed animals the other night. I mean all of their stuffed animals! There were, perhaps, a few forgotten in a closet, but most of them made it into the heap. For several days, the girls slept with barely enough room to move. Funny thing is, I remember doing the exact same thing when I was little. We lived on my grandma and grandpa's farm until I was in the 3rd grade. Yup, I used to be a farm girl. Anywho, I remember the heat going out in our house one winter. I was so worried that all my stuffed animals would get cold that I piled them all into bed with me.

I guess when the weather is cold, it's nice to have someone or something to snuggle with!

The Polar Express

Tis the season for extra practices, Christmas shows and programs. Friday, Taya had an extra dance practice to get ready for her winter dance show. Following practice, we went to Beauty and the Beast Jr. at the Sauk Rapids Community Center. It was a really good play. The girls got autographs from all of the actors and actresses after the performance and got their picture taken with Belle!! They were so excited! Saturday morning was practice for the girls' Sunday School Christmas program. Taya is one of the narrators and Chloe is singing Christmas songs with her Sunday School class. Then, on Sunday, the girls had their winter dance show "The Polar Express" at the Sauk Rapids High school. Taya and Chloe danced to the routines they have been practicing all fall and they both danced in the finale. It was so much fun to see them in their costumes. They worked so hard and did such a great job! I played Christmas songs on the piano (well, actually the keyboard) prior to all three dance shows. It was fun because I love to play and don't get a chance to very often. We even found time amidst all the chaos to put up and decorate the Christmas tree. We took Christmas pictures for our Chirstmas cards on Monday and I finished my annual Chirstmas letter. Why is there always so much to do? I can't believe that Christmas is in less than two weeks!!!!

Kids say the darndest things!

On our way over to Tracy's earlier in the week, we drove by a house with a huge inflatable snow globe with 3 snowmen inside. Now, no offense to anyone that loves inflatable snow globes, but I prefer my decorating to be a little more reserved. Anyways, the girls have always wanted to festoon the yard with moving santas, giant inflatable snow globes, and plastic reindeer and I have always said, in a nice way, that we're not going to put those items up in the yard to decorate for Christmas.

Chloe sees this awesome snow globe and oohs and aahs! Then, quietly, I hear her talking to Taya in the back seat of the van. "I'm not saying that mom isn't a good mom because mom is a good mom, but I wish she would let us put up cool decorations for Christmas!"

Corey and I laughed for 20 minutes...You can't win them all I guess.

I am Thankful for...

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! We went to Corey's grandma's and had a feast. Nanny Pearl is 88 years old and still manages to put on a spread that puts most peope to shame! We had turkey, ham, homemade meatballs, homemade stuffing & mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, rolls, banana cream pie, pumpkin pie, lemon meringue pie, lefse, cranberry relish, the list goes on and on.....The girls, as usual, had a blast playing with their cousins and I got to snuggle with my 3-month old nephew!

It has been a beautiful November!!! Can you believe that it hasn't snowed once this whole month? As we head toward Christmas and the stress of that holiday, I just wanted to take a minute to reflect on what I'm thankful for...

I am thankful I have a wonderful husband that I've been married to for 13 years and love more today than when we first met! (And, I just have to throw this in here, I am thankful for Edward Cullen and the Twilight books and movies! I am thankful that my husband is understanding and doesn't mind if I think a young, sparkly vampire is incredibly good looking)...Love ya babe!
I am thankful I have two beautiful, healthy, smart girls that are full of life....
I am thankful for my family who always supports me in everything I do and will do anything to help me out.... (I couldn't do it without you guys!)
I am thankful I have such awesome, funny, caring friends... you guys make me laugh and make me feel loved...
I am thankful that I have a job that I love and get to take care of precious little babies who are sick and help them get home to their families. What could be better?....
I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to go back to school. Even though I complain about the workload, I realize not everyone is able to pursue their dreams...
I am thankful that I get to help my friend Tracy bring home her sweet little girl from Russia that she is going to adopt. We worked on setting up an on-line auction last night to raise money to bring her Russian princess home. It is so much work and I admire her so much. I don't think I could do it. Her little Russian princess will be going to such a good home and have such a wonderful life. I am thankful I will get to be a part of that... To check out her on-line auction go to lovingonlera.blogspot.com
I am thankful that we went on such a wonderful vacation in March to San Diego. Sitting next to Taya on a small boat out in the Pacific Ocean trying to touch the dolphins that were swimming beside our boat is something I will never forget...
I am thankful I got to be with my mom when she died and that I held her hand during her last moments on earth and was able to tell her that I loved her...

Now, on to the wonder and magic of Christmas!!!