Snowed In

We spent the last few days enjoying the snow in the mountains with my dad and my sister's family. We had a very activity-packed time... all of it including lots of snow!

Romance

To worry or not to worry?

My daughter, at the mature age of three, is obsessed with romantic movies.

You know, the kind no real man will admit to watching. The sappy, throw your cares to wind, walk off into the sunset, tear-jerking love stories.

She loves them...can't get enough. She drinks them in and I catch her smiling adoringly at the screen.

Every night, Elle pleads with me,

"Mommy, please put on the one with the lady whose husband dies and she cries. Please." (PS. I love You)

"I wanna watch 27 dresses with your boyfriend in it." (I tell her that James Marsden is my boyfriend and I'm going to marry him)

"Please, Mom, I have to watch Notebook now. It's my favorite."

Elle would choose to watch these over any cartoon on tv: over Dora, over Diego, and over the oh, so cute Barnyard.

Why?

Because she is a female. She is cursed at birth. Even at the age of three, she is entranced by a handsome, polite man that says all the right things and sweeps a beautiful, sweet young lady off of her feet. But, hey, aren't we all?

Yes, because we are all CURSED.

Why do I worry?

My little girl is...innocent...hopeful...trusting. She might believe that all of these love stories are the way love happens, the way it will happen for her.

I guess all I can do is hope that she is one of the lucky ones, because I don't ever want to have to see that precious heart of hers get broken.

So, here is my prayer for my little girl...

Dear God,
Please protect my baby's heart. Please allow her to have trust and the ability to truly love, the strength to survive the heartache that will surely come, and the desire to keep trying and searching for that one lasting love.
Amen

Christmas With The Stevensons

Making Gingerbread cookies for Santa

Going to The Cooks for Christmas Eve dinner & homemade gift exchange

Sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn

The kids finally got into bed at 10:30, a far cry from our regular 7:30 bedtime. They were actually begging to go to sleep, but I (of course) had to get our family photos taken first.


The kids were up bright and early at 6:00am. They read the letter Santa left for them and then attacked the gifts. The hits...a kitchen for Elle, BMX bike for Max (according to his dad, he will be doing this competitively now), and Bakugans for Cal. Everyone got Pixos (ugh!) and I was a lucky girl receiving my favorite Jean Paul Gaultier perfume from my Dad, a Coach wallet from Shawn (yes, we get each other gifts...), and a beautiful stamped necklace from Bri & Casey (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5007507).


By noon, Elle had collapsed on the couch and the boys were lost in their own play, ipods on ears and all. Max spent much of the afternoon playing his new guitar. I promised him guitar lessons (he wants to be the 4th Jonas bro.). Calvin zipped past me a few times, alternating between Batman and Spiderman disguises. There are still Legos scattered across the floor and fallen Pixos (did I already say "ugh!"?) here and there. And, I am still in my pajamas and slippers. Christmas bliss.

Last Christmas was the first without my mom and just felt a little off. This year was still hard without her. There will always be that void. But, something was better. I felt a comfort and happiness that seemed to be missing last Christmas. I am so lucky to have my wonderful family, a supportive and good friend in my ex-husband, amazingly happy kids, and great friends (old and new).


Life is good.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas

*Photos and card by Ashley Whiting Photography

Ready for Christmas!

Finally!

My kids have been with their dad for the last several days, which gave me the chance to finally complete their stockings.

Before they left, I let them design them and told them they'd be ready on Christmas Eve. I thought I may not make it, but after a few late nights, they're ready!

This is one project in which I overwhelmingly underestimated the difficulty! They better hang onto these for years to come!!

This is how much Mommy loves you three!!

Christmas Pictures

...just a few shots.

*photos by ashley whiting photography

M.I.B.

Yes, ladies. I am talking about the Men In Brown.

Those strapping men in little shorts and matching socks, so important, so vital ,always on the run to their next urgent stop.

You might think I just have a thing for men in uniform. But, actually I think I have a thing for a man in uniform that delivers packages to me.

Today, as I was loading my kids into the car, the brown truck screeched to a halt in front of my house.

Not one, but two M.I.B.s stepped out. (Seriously, is there some kind of pre-interview screening process these guys go through because they look like they've been plucked right out of Men's Health with their white smiles and healthy tans.)

As the tall one handed me a large box, I was momentarily distracted by the cartoon-like sparkle in his eye and the breathy, soothing quality of his voice. I fumbled over my "Thank you" and smiled...and smiled...and smiled as he turned. I stood there, while my kids waited in the car, lost in my own happiness, thinking..."How wonderful are these men, so cheerful, so accommodating, and always with gifts in hand." Ah, the perfect man.

I love my UPS.

Thank you for all you do for the single mom in the suburbs.

Dance Recital

Last night, Elle had her very first dance recital.

This one is not shy.

She shook it like she had been shakin' it for years!

I never wanted to become one of those moms who lives at the dance studio, but if her enthusiasm for this dance thing doesn't diminish, a Dance Mom I may be.

Santa in the Desert

We got up early this morning and headed out to the lake. We joined the Skidmores to have breakfast and see Santa in the desert. The boys found a huge dirt pile to climb, while Elle and I ate pancakes all morning! When Santa arrived, each of the kids took a turn sitting on his lap. Elle and Cal asked for a dog for Christmas... short memories since our dog arrived only a few weeks ago.?! Max is at that conflicting age. He is straddling that fence between too old, too cool to care about Santa and young enough to still believe. So, he got a little embarrassed sitting on his lap, but couldn't resist. Great way to spend a December morning in Arizona!

Cookie Exchange

My sister hosted a cookie exchange party at her house tonight. I went with my friend Kim and I brought my Christmas logs and coconut joys. I strategically positioned myself in front of my sister's homemade treats and ate way too many macadamia nut macaroons (Bri made good use of the nuts she brought back from Hawaii)...almost to the point of nausea. A party like this is so risky for me. I have absolutely no self-restraint when it comes to matters of chocolate or really anything of the candy/cookie nature. Bri kindly had some coke on hand for me, also. Between the many coca colas that I knocked back and the rapid firing of the macaroons to my mouth, let's just say I went home with a serious sugar high. Like I said, attending a party such as this can be a delicate situation for me!

My Christmas logs always seem to be quite a hit, so I've decided to include the recipe. They are so easy and I promise you...you will be loved!

Christmas Logs

1 box powdered sugar

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

2 cubes butter (melted)

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

*Mix and shape into logs and dip into chocolate mixture!

1 small package chocolate chips

1/2 stick paraffin wax

*Melt in saucepan

Kim, your cookies were awesome! Good idea!

I Should be Sainted...

I am tired.


I spent this weekend at my sister's house watching her 4 kiddos while she and her husband relaxed on the beaches of Hawaii.


It was 3 straight days of fun, and have I mentioned that I am tired?


This was "HipHop Night" at Club Skidmore. We even had a dance off.


Who's the best aunt in town?


Now, Bri, when I find myself one fine man (I'm thinking shaggy haired, tall, thin, guitar playing, with a New Zealand accent) to whisk me off to Hawaii on a romantic getaway, you can return the favor.



Sounds good to me!