Merry Christmas

I cannot believe how close we are getting to Christmas. We just went to get a tree last night. We totally copped out this year, going to a tree lot with a bunch of cut trees already in stands. I wanted to do the flocking, but we couldn't rationalize the expense (plus we would have had to wait until the rain stopped in order for them to do it!!) So we have a tree sitting downstairs. No decorations. And it's spot in front of the window is not even cleared out yet. We do what we can.

I'm trying harder to appreciate the little things about the children and staying home with them. Hattie is such a big help, and we are really enjoying our farms on Facebook. I actually let her have an account so that she can have a "farm" and a "sea garden" of her own. It's fun to watch. Jason is so full of energy and always getting into something. Not sure if I can truly appreciate that yet, but I'm trying. He always wants to play video games or at least "kid games" on the computer. I'm hoping it will encourage him to learn to read quicker. Derek is finally (mostly) potty trained. (Hooray!) He even stays dry most nights. I've been very impressed. He talks a lot and I get a kick out of his mis-pronunciations. He usually says "p" for "f" and "l" for "r". So his froggie pillow becomes a ploggie pillow. I think it's hilarious. Finally, Breanna is such a joy. She's an extremely contented and happy baby. Although she is as headstrong as her siblings. If she wants something, she will let you know with her most authoritative voice. Who would have thought that an 18 month old could be sooo authoritative!!??

I will be writing and sending Christmas letters as soon as I find the stationary I bought last month. Hopefully I'll get them out by January! We shall see!

Slideshow

Holy Cow. I just spent well over an hour trying to get that stinking slideshow up and running. I THOUGHT I was computer savvy. Apparently I am not. Whew!

Blogging

I wish I was more consistent with my blogging. Maybe if I were as consistent at blogging as I am at checking my Facebook. That would be something...

Soo many things happen that I could be documenting. And now I sit here and cannot think of a single thing. Well, I guess that's not true. Here's what's new:

We are officially off track. Okay, I'm lying again. Jason has school today and Friday. Then we are official. Except it feels official already since I'm already over it. January 5th cannot come too fast. Partly it's tough just because the normal routine is all messed up.

Our oven does not work (no, I still haven't called the repair guy) and the water heater is broken. That means no baking. And we have to keep restarting the water heater to get the water to heat up. It's a pain. But I guess if it didn't work at all we might have gotten it replaced already. It's just been so busy.

Rick got into a (very small) car accident last week. It was enough to render his vehicle un-drivable and it was NOT his fault. We're still dealing with the aftermath, though, of getting the car fixed and hassling with insurance. Suck.

We're looking forward to Christmas. Even though we're already spending too much money, and there will be no baking :o( and it looks like we may be getting Rick a new car. Well, not NEW new. Just new. :-) Anyone have a VERY CHEAP pickup truck??

The babies are both sick. Mostly Breanna and she is miserable. She cried for like 5 hours straight this morning. Now she is not quite asleep for her nap yet. I should probably stop typing so that she can sleep in peace.

If anyone reading this wants to get together in the next couple of weeks, then let me know. We're free until January 5.