the one about my gosh dang Christmas decorations

Well, it took an insane amount of time, but I finally finished decorating my house and cleaning up the mess. phhewwwww...

Maybe you don't understand. I am a FREAK about my decorations. My tree is a huge deal to me. It has to be PERFECT! It went up pretty fast, but the rest... I really struggled with. I love Christmas and all, but I am just not feeling it as much this year. Maybe because there is no snow and the weather has been decent. I don't know. Everything is beautiful now and I am so pleased. Now I can start reading my Christmas books then hopefully the holiday spirit will take over. I have 4 Christmas trees. One is Quayd's. I let him do his own because I am such a terrible mother, I won't let him help with mine. I told you, I am a freak! Here are a few pictures of my decor. The photos really don't do it justice, so pretend they are like 10 times prettier.

This is tree #1. the main one, in my living room.

Tree #2, Quayd's tree in his room.

Tree #3, also in my living room, but a smaller, more "outdoors-ey" version.


And finally, my 4th tree in my kitchen.
Definately a bad picture. But you get the point.

My dorky husband came home tonight as I was fixing dinner and he said, "So when do all of the people come?" I couldn't figure out what he was saying. He asked again, "When do all of the people get here?" I was puzzled. He finally, with a huge grin on his face, said, "You know, for the Festival of Trees!" Ha ha. He thinks he is so funny. After nine years he is still shocked every Christmas to see the insane amount of time and work I put into my decor. It is one of my "things." I can't help it. We usually do lots of lights outside too, but we are Bah-Humbug-ing them this year. I did a few but nothing like years past. It always turns into a huge fight between Brett and I, so I gave him the option to skip out. He agreed. We argue because I like them a certain way, and he likes them another, he usually falls off the roof, I laugh at him and we end up not speaking for a week. And yes, he has fallen off the roof more than once! If you know him, you know how accident prone he is. So was his dad and so are his brothers. I can't stop myself though. When he gets hurt, it is funny. Here is another story of him getting mad at me for laughing at his pain. You need to know that I am already giggling as I prepare to tell this story. He was taking the swamp cooler out of the window about 2 years ago. He was standing on a lawn chair that had a metal frame and canvas strips across it. It was a very nice and sturdy chair. So we thought. Suddenly, the canvas gave, and his feet broke through the chair. He was holding the swamp cooler and he just fell right through. He landed perfectly on his feet as if nothing had happened, but it was so funny. I know that when his feet hit the ground, it jarred his legs a little and I am sure it hurt, but it was HYSTERICAL! My brother happened to be watching too and we still laugh about it. I am laughing out loud now. Ok, time for another story about Brett. We have Sky Chairs. If you don't know what they are, here is a picture from their website. They are super cool. So a few years ago, Brett was sitting in his sky chair on the patio with our sweet 2 year old son in his lap. Suddenly the hook holding the chair broke and he fell right on his butt. He was totally relaxed and can you imagine how much it had to hurt? In those chairs you are kind of, almost reclined so he hit right on his tail bone. He didn't even know it had happened until he heard the sound and hit the ground. He describes the sound of it breaking as an ear piercing "PING!" I am terrible, but that is FUNNY! Quayd was fine. But there was a nice cushion between him and the ground! Poor Brett. I could go on and on, but I won't. I am still giggling picturing him standing there holding that swamp cooler in the middle of the broken chair. he he he he he

Tomorrow, I help in Quayd's class then I am going over to my grandma's to decorate her tree. Then on Thursday, I am decorating Kandice's mom's tree. Yippee! I am super excited. But I should probably get moving so I can get to bed and go to Curves early in the morning. I usually go after I take Quayd to school if I don't have anything going, but tomorrow I have a busy day. I love you all! thanks for sharing a laugh about my poor husband!

the one about my Thanksgiving weekend

We had such a great weekend. Quayd was off of school starting Wednesday, and Brett was off work since Thursday. We just had a nice, lazy weekend. Of course, we ate ourselves silly on Thanksgiving. It was wonderful, as always. We did something a little different this year. We usually go to my mom's for lunch and Aunt Debbies for dinner. But this year, Gleneita wanted to cook at her house, so we had to skip out on my mom's this year. We went to Gleneita's around 12:30 and ate around 1:30ish. I was in charge of rolls and orange rolls. I love making rolls! Really I do, and I am pretty good at it! My Grandparents came with us to Gleneita's, which was a wonderful treat. Also there, were Grandma and Grandpa Galley, Deanna, Alan, Bridgette, Cory, Emilee and boys, Talia, Michele and her kids, Randy, Marcie and kids and us. It was perfect. We stayed at Gleneita's playing games until it was time to go to Debbie's. I was in charge of rolls for that meal too. It was fun too. Lots of people, family, food and great fun!

Friday morning, I slept in until about 9:30. No early shopping for me this year! I did end up going to Wal-Mart around 10:30 am to see of the couple of things I wanted were still there, and they were. They were items that I wanted, but that weren't important enough to get up and go at 5:00 am. Just small, cheap items. Downtown, our city had "Holly Days." It was just fun activities going on around town to promote the small businesses. There was a parade of lights at dusk. We watched it, then went and had some dinner. Quayd wanted to ride the train at "Holly Days," then we went and watched the fireworks. It was so much fun. I just love doing stuff like that with my family. Brett and Quayd are my best friends and I love hanging with them.

Oh, speaking of friends, my long weekend started with a late craft night with Kandice on Wednesday. We were making some fun Christmas gifts! Can't tell you what, though! She came over around 7:00 pm and left around 3:00 am!!! Somewhere in the middle, we went to Wal-Mart and 7-11 for treats. We had a blast. She is so much fun!

Anyway, back on track here... Saturday was pretty uneventful. I ran a few errands but that was really it. I worked on my Christmas decorations. Oh, Quayd was invited to a Birthday party at the movie theater and it was at 10:00 am. He was able to bring his family, so Brett and I went. It was Bee Movie and it was cute. Quayd and I had already seen it and we still enjoyed it! Gibler was there with her girls and we sat by them. Quayd actually wanted to sit with the kids up front. So we didn't hear from him the entire time. We could see him, and he was so cute. He looked so big. Santa Clause was at a local bookstore from 11-1 and Quayd knew about it, so he insisted we go. As soon as we walked in, he was on the hunt for Santa. He found him and ran up and gave him a HUGE hug. He told him a few of the things he wanted and thanked him for the things he got last year. He is such a good boy. He also wanted to buy this "magic" key to hang outside on Christmas Eve so Santa can use the door instead of the chimney if he wants.

Today, Sunday, we went to Church and during sacrament meeting, Brett and I had a little "nose flicking" war and it ended in me having a runny nose and leaving sacrament early. I walked out in the hall and giggled as my nose stung, ran and twitched!! This continued all afternoon. I finished up my decorations in the afternoon and then Ga and I went to the Trees for Charity display. They auction will be tomorrow, but they have a viewing open to the public all weekend. There were some beautiful trees. It was so awesome. My sweet Grandma teared up reading the descriptions of about half of the trees. Some of the stories and causes are just amazing. There are so many generous people in our community and I hope those charities get all of the money they need! There is a family in our town who recently lost their dad to cancer. He left a wife and two small children. A few of the trees were going to support his family and they deserve it so much. I don't really know this family personally, but they have been in my thoughts and prayers so much lately.

We had a talk with Quayd tonight to remind him how important it is to do our chores and homework everynight because Santa is watching so close! We also asked him what he wanted for Christmas. He told us several things. He is insisting on a toy rabbit, some airplanes and pirate ships. He has also mentioned a dirt bike and a new X-Box. We need to keep weeding out the list because some of the other things are pretty random and we aren't sure if they even exist, like "a boy play house with real live people inside," and "a boat that is made out of wood that has paddles and you can sit in it and pretend you are on the lake." He also mentioned a HUGE box. Just a box. But we told him it might be difficult for Santa to fit that in his bag. Mom and Dad might have to do some research. (Anyone getting a new fridge anytime soon? CALL ME!) He is such an easy kid though, anything will make him happy. And we know Santa will be able to use some of his magic and find all of the PERFECT things!!

the one about getting into Christmas

I just read Kandice's blog entry for today and it totally inspired me to get in the Christmas spirit. Well, I kind of was already into it, but she inspired me more. After helping in Quayd's class today I took him on a date. (He loves it when I call it a date! I guess because then he knows it is just special mom and Quayd time.) But I let him choose where we would go for lunch which was, of course, Chineese Buffet. Then we went to the local LDS Bookstore and found a new Christmas CD. It is Lauri Carrigan, Christmas Wish. We also got Josh Groban, Noel the other night. That was Brett's pick. It is very good, by the way. In primary, our WONDERFUL chorister (Holly) has been teaching us The Nativity Song and I LOVE it. I have never really heard it because I didn't go to church much as a child. It is so pretty and I have the Children's Primary Songbook on CD so we have had it running on repeat non stop. I am listening to it now. "This is the season, Beloved of the year, sing a rhyme, Christmas time soon will be here.." I was also in the mood for a good read, but nothing too long and complicated, so I got these two short Christmas books. "A Return to Christmas" by Chris Heimerdinger and "A Christmas Melody" by Anita Stansfield. I am glad to pass them along as I finish them, so let me know if you want to read them. Infact, a better idea! All of my friends who like to read should all find a good Christmas story and we could pass them around this season. What do you think??? I know Kandice, Janice, and Holly will be in.... Tari? Alison? Anyone else? One of mine is like 147 pages and the other is around 220. Perfect for a lazy day.

I can't believe it, Thanksgiving is still 2 days away and I am going to put up my Christmas tree either today or tomorrow and I have Christmas music going. Oh well, I love it. I always get into it early. It's really the only thing early about me. I am late for nearly EVERYTHING!

Well, this is kind of a short post, but I am going to go clean my house and get it ready to spread some Christmas cheer. I love you all. Have a great Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the one about being thankful

Can I just say......? I love Thanksgiving. I really do. I love the feeling of it all. The family, the love, the food (of course), the cooking, the smells, and I even kinda like the football. Don't tell Brett though. He gets too excited when I say positive things about football. I don't want to give him any ideas. Anyway, fall is my favorite season too. I just really love this time of year. Even though we are entering the ugly part of fall, I still love it.

I have so much to be thankful for, too. I am really extra blessed and I am sorry for all of you because I know I have it better than all of you. Sorry. It's true. I have the very best child in the entire world. It doesn't get any better than him. I have the best husband. I have the best friends. I have the best grandparents ever. My mom is the best. My mother-in-law and the rest of my in-laws are the VERY best! I love my big brother and all of my brother and sister in-laws and my sweet nephews. I have the cutest car. I have the greatest cat. And even though it is still new and not really super permanant, I love my new job as a substitute teacher. I subbed again today, first graders. LOVE IT! They were super great. I also feel like I have the best calling in the whole world. Some my disagree, but I am the Sunbeams teacher (3-4 year olds) and I just love it. I am also the enrichment leader, and I am starting to love that. Sorta.

I am not super thankful for this though.... one cute little girl in my class totally puked all over the playground. Raunchy. I ate school lunch with my class today and I saw everything I ate on the black asphault. I nearly lost my own. But I had to be super tough and tone down the gag reflexes. I got her to the bathroom, cleaned up a little bit and another teacher came to my rescue to take her to the office. I had to get back to the playground because I was on recess duty. Then I had to sit there and look t it because the custodian was busy. Ohhh, it gets worse... there was this other super cute girl in my class who was jumprope-ing right in the middle of the puke. the jump rope was spreading it all over. All of the kids were crazy facinated with the vomit. I have never seen anything like it. Seriously, it took all I had not to lose my own lunch. Just thinking about it is getting me a little sick.

So, my mother-in-law called last night to see if we would all like to go to dinner and a movie. Of course I jumped on the opportunity! We went to wingers and I had a burger. It was so good. then we went to Fred Clause. It was sorta corny, but cute. I really quite like "corny." Gleneita does too, so we often like to hit the retarded movies. It takes every ounce of begging I have to get Brett to a movie, so I thought that if I threw in the "your mom is loanly" card, he might budge. He did. And he was a good sport. I think he hated it actually, but he didn't complain. Quayd LOVED it and Gleneita and I thought it was good. we went to BEE Movie a few weeks ago, and Quayd got invited to a Birthday party this weekend where we will watch it again. Sounds good to me! He is my movie buddy. Well, no, Janice and Kandice are my REAL movie buddies. We go see all of the chick flicks. But Quayd is pretty good company too and he likes it when we can say we are going on a "date."

I am just feeling really grateful today. My heart is super full and I just really love my life. I wish I could tell everyone on a personal level just how I feel about them and how much they have enriched my life, but I am not that good with words. I feel like I add too many "likes," "maybe this sounds dumb's" and "I'm sorry's" in my conversations. Anyway, to all of my friends, family and readers, I love you! Thank you for making my life so easy and special. I am the luck, luckiest girl.... in the world!!!!

the one about my first 2 sub jobs

I don't really have much time to write today, but I wanted to share my latest news on the job front. I had my first 2 substitute teaching jobs! And I feel really good about them both. I hope I didn't totally suck. The kids seemed to like me ok and we completed all of the things the teachers asked me to. So we will see. I guess if those teachers call me again, I must have done ok, right? Yesterday I worked with 4th graders and today I taught 1st graders. I have another job Monday with a first grade class at another school.

Yippee!!!!

the one about enrichment

There is this cute thing going around my neighborhood. It's the fun knock and run thing that you do at Halloween, but it is actually a Thanksgiving theme. There is a nice letter about how we serve one another and how we are thankful for friends and family. Then you hang a sign on your door that says, "Someone is thankful for me." After you have been hit, you have to hit 5 more families. Who ever came up with this idea (wink wink, Tari) is pure genious. We all love to get a special treat at the holidays, but this one is the best yet. Not only do you get a treat, you actually know that someone thought of you and is thankful for you.

Let me tell you how we got hit. We were watching T.V. in the living room Tuesday evening and get a knock knock at the door. Brett answered it and it was a cute little boy from Quayd's primary class. He gave Brett the papers and a tin of cookies. We were so excited! Now you are supposed to make copies of the letter and sign, then hang the sign on your door. Well I didn't hang it right away because I knew I would go make copies first thing in the morning. Well it was not 10 minutes later and "Knock Knock Knock!" We got hit again!! So we got double the treats and we were super excited and felt super loved. Last night I had enrichment meeting, so we didn't deliver our treats, but we will tonight. So, thank you to those people who stopped by with a treat. We are thankful for you too!!!

Let me just tell you about enrichment. I am the enrichment leader in my ward and I am always looking for something new and interesting to try. My dear, sweet, beautiful, talented friend Kandice came to my ward to do a presentation on organizing your life. It was WONDERFUL!!! She did this presentation for her ward and got a great response, so I made her come and do it for mine. She did an amazing job. I was so proud of her. I actually learned a few things about her that I didn't know and I definately learned some things I can do to better organize myself. I know I said it last night, but Thank you Kandice. It really meant a lot to me that you would step out of your comfort zone and do that for me. You are a great friend! You are so knowledgeable and everybody was talking last night after you left about how wonderful it was. For a refreshment, I made this YUMMY pumpkin cake that had a layer of cream cheese in the middle and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. We also served hot apple cider. It was heavenly. Kandice provided me with the recipe, and I am so grateful! It was a hit. I had some left over and took a piece to my grandparents last night, and they gobbled it right up.

I am thankful for Kandice, and enrichment, and my family, and my friends, and my callings, and the treats that came to my door!!!

the one about my turkey sound

I can make an amazing turkey gobble sound. It's true. It is quite amazing, actually. Medically I must have some extra cartlidge in my throat or something because a sound that divine should not come from a human. If you see me around, ask me about it and maybe, if you play your cards right, I might do it for you. But it will require you to share a strange talent with me. Infact, blog about it. I love to share my gifts with the world, but please know that I will not do it in most public places because it is a little intense and tends to frighten small children.

The reason I bring this up is because I had to utilize this gift while helping in Quayd's class today. I actually had to bribe the kids in my "centers" group to finish a project. There was a picture of a leaf, corn, rake, pumpkin, and other fall items. They had to write the word exactly how it was shown by the picture. They were getting bored, so I told them if they got to the turkey page, I would do my turkey sound. Well, it worked. And after recess, I totally did it and they were facinated. And I am sure Mrs. R was impressed. NOT! (I bet I don't get a substitute job from her anytime soon!)

I also had to break out the gobble at Bingo the other night. They had a raffle for turkeys. When Brett and I won one, I was inspired to gobble. It just came over me and I couldn't stop it.

Thank you for sticking through this terrible blog so you could learn another bizarre fact about me. I love this time of year, not only because it gives me lots of opportunities to show of this skill, but also because it remends me to be thankful for all of the real gifts I posess. Please share with me your strange talents. Let us all be grateful for ALL of our blessings.