Where else can you go to a tree farm 5 minutes from your house, hand pick an 8ft tree, cut it, shake it and bale it, all for $35??? It is a tad bigger than we thought it would be in the corner (apparently we overestimated how big our living room is) - but it is welcoming, it smells great, and for some reason it makes the feeling in our home just a bit different-calmer somehow...or maybe it just calms ME. Whatever it is, I LOVE having a real tree up for Christmas.
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| From Things I love |
When I was 16, Mom and I were shopping and she came across a Nativity that she fell in love with. It was beautiful. It was also expensive. Since I knew Mom would never spend the money on herself, I decided that I would buy it and see if each of my siblings would chip in to help pay for it. Some did, some didn't and I haven't really thought about it until this year.
You see, Mom decided that she is going to get rid of most of the Nativities she has collected over the years. She also decided that since I paid for it, this particular Nativity would be mine. I was able to pick it up over Thanksgiving and am now able to display it in our home. Unfortunately, the only safe place to put it isn't big enough for all the pieces. But isn't it just beautiful? You can see it immediately when you walk in the front door and it reminds me daily of what Christmas is actually all about.
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| From Things I love |
Another thing I was able to pick up while visiting Mom was Logan's stocking. I'm not talking about a store bought manufactured sock. No, no...I'm talking about a beautiful cross-stitched creation made especially for Logan by his Grandma. The family stockings started with MY extremely talented Grandmother, who made these for her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren until she wasn't able to make them any longer. And when that happened, her children and grandchildren continued the tradition. So my kids get the same privilege that I had, of having a special stocking made just for them. It is quite a big deal to me and something that I love - having a complete family of home-made stockings on my mantle.
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| From Things I love |
I think Logan is under the impression that the grass is ALWAYS greener. I'm not joking when I say that at least half of Logan's day consists of him trying to escape in some way or another. Where does he want to go? I have no idea. But already at the young age of two he just KNOWS there is something better out there...wherever "there" is. This is Logan's latest attempt at freedom:
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| From Things I love |
Maybe it is because I had prepared myself for the worst, but this potty training thing has been WAY easier than I thought it would be. Korben currently wears underwear all day and a pull-up at night with minimal accidents! Once he passed the first hurdle of actually sitting on the potty, he has been stellar. He still has a hard time telling us when he needs to go, so we have to do the asking, but it is rare that we have to push him to do it...we ask, and he runs to the potty. I have not had to change a diaper on him since we were in Utah over Thanksgiving. HALLELUJAH!! Using a potty chart worked really well for him. He got a set of WALL*E books when he completed it and is now just content to keep adding stickers each time he goes. He has transitioned so nicely and given me so much hope this past month that I have been on cloud nine.
*My Technologically Brilliant Husband
Yesterday, Mike surprised me with a little something to make my days easier. Not only is the man a genius, but he the sweetest guy I have ever met. Seriously ladies, I'm pretty sure I scored the best husband out there.
First you need to know that Korben's bus comes between 11:20 and 11:35 each day. So we are talking about a 15 minute time window in which I stress everyday that I'm going to miss the bus. In the past, I have not heard the bus simply because I was doing dishes, or because we were playing music, or we were upstairs, brushing teeth, you name it. So lately, I have been sitting in an absolutely silent house, not leaving the front entry just to make sure we don't miss the bus.
Which brings me back to the man of the hour. Mike knew the whole bus situation was stressing me out, so what did he do? He set up a webcam that looks out our front window, that is connected to our front computer, that then communicates with the computer behind our tv, which in turn puts on the tv a full size view of the road in front of my house. Whew! So now, I can be as loud as I want, I can vacuum, I can do dishes, I can play music...really I can do anything I want and just occasionally glance up to see if the bus is outside or not. No more running to the door every time I hear an engine, no more sitting, twiddling my thumbs while I think of all the things I could be doing but am not doing...no more stress.
See, I told you...best husband in the world. 
| From Things I love |
9 comments:
Wow, those stockings are amazing!
I love your stockings! And your tree. I'm very jealous. Growing up I always had a real one, but our first year we didn't have the money to buy all the stuff that goes on a tree, so my grandparents gave us their fake one. It doesn't smell pretty.
You are so lucky Mike was able to do that for you!
Very nice! I love the stockings, and I love the fact that Korben is doing so well at potty training! And to top it all off with Mike and his webcam... that is just awesome!
Love the webcam! Something that I love? The sunshine coming through your windows in nearly every picture:)
your home looks beautiful and festive for Christmas. i love the nativity too! the picture of Logan escaping is hilarious! and yay for Korben with potty training that is always such a huge accomplishment, for both the kids and parents. the web cam is also such a brilliant idea, glad is lessens your stress. hope things are going well for you guys! Merry Christmas!
Your tree is beautiful. A real tree! That makes me think of Christmas at home. Pulling out our fake, dust covered tree and a pine candle just doesn't quite bring the same memory.
Yay Korben!!
Logan is quite determined. Where does a 2 year old imagine running off to?
Mike is awesome! That is a great idea. I'd like a webcam installed in the family room downstairs. Then maybe I could catch Hyrum BEFORE he makes his daily disaster down there.
Nathan got his stocking from Mom today and he is sleeping with it. Isn't it fun to have a fireplace to hang them on?
My brother is awesome! And your tree is beautiful! And the boys are, as usual, delightful little scamps.
I am so jealous over your tree. I fondly remember your Grandpa Hawkins going out on the mountain and getting us a live tree every year. I miss the pine smell that you cannot get any other way.
That is awesome! I love your list of things you love. Mike is stellar! I wanna get the pattern for some of those stockings so I can make some for my family, and I LOVE the updates on Logan's escape techniques and Korben's potty progress. Sounds like life is good! :) Lets hope it stays that way! Can't wait to see you!
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