Of craziness that is. At least around my neck of the woods. But it's all good , life would be boring without a little bit of insanity.
The boys are getting excited for Christmas, mostly Levi. Max doesn't really realize what's going on but he's excited because Levi is. He told me his list and everything on it involved a remote control. If you let him talk about Christmas, Santa or the countdown he gets really excited and his voice gets really high pitched. It's adorable.
On the subject of Christmas I'm trying to go simple (well, simple for me) and have been thinking more and more about the true meaning of Christmas and trying to figure out how to teach that to the boys. It's so hard sometimes with all the stuff going on, sparkly fun things, and other great holiday events. I'm just trying to find a balance. I guess I was just really put off with the over commercialization of Christmas when I started seeing holiday stuff in stores in Halloween. Really people?
Speaking of commercialization at Christmas....I am almost done with craft shows. This year has been interesting, some were very good and some were very bad. I think next year I'm going to be very selective and not do so many. Maybe just a couple. It's a lot of work to do them and a big sacrifice for the whole family. But I usually have fun and get to meet interesting people at them.
Yesterday we had our ward Christmas party, which was fun. I almost had a mental breakdown trying to figure out how to get my gingerbread birdhouse to stand up. I survived it and so did Jason. The result was great but involved many tears of frustration and a lot of hot glue.
Also at the party my mom, Levi and I sang. Mom was asked to play her guitar and do a song so she choose 'In the Bleak Midwinter', which we've done dozens of times. As she and I were practicing an hour or so before (yeah, that's how we do it round' here) in the last verse I saw Levi mouthing the words as we sang. So I asked him about it and he said it was a poem they were learning at preschool. It was adorable to hear him repeat it and he knew it all. So we roped him into singing the last verse with us. He was reluctant but obliged.
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepard, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what then can I give him, I will give my heart.
He's such a sweetheart and did a great job singing loudly, though he was a little on the squirmy side for a lot of it. But twas to be expected. As we sang together I realized why my mom was always roping us kids into singing with her growing up. Heck she even does it to me now. It's just an amazing feeling performing with your child and to see them do something well.
On a sad note a dear family friend, Tiffany's, husband passed away very suddenly this week. Brooke, her cousin, happened to be over at my house that morning she found out. We both just burst into tears, and I'm not the crying type. I can't even imagine what she is going through. Especially to be so young, and they're expecting their second daughter. I've been thinking about her all week and at the same time trying to appreciate the wonderful boys in my life. I don't know what I would do without them.
And here's the whole crew, Teacher Kim and Teacher Martha.
Top row Teacher Martha, Teacher Kim
I'm doing an office re-model for my side of the room because while the system I was using to run my shop was working a year or so ago it's just not cutting it for me and the amount I do now. I've been wanting to do this for almost a year now and it never seemed like a good time but now things have slowed down enough for me to get to it also I made a good amount from Christmas sales and can afford it. So tonight one of my tasks is to continue cleaning out my desk and craft area. It's a mess. Ok, more like a disaster.
This is the reason why I'm getting it all cleaned up. Jason's been working designing and now building my custom desk. What a fella.
Tonight I made chicken and dumplings with smoked chicken brought all the way from Moses Lake. The boys actually loved it. Max vacuumed not only his carrots and my carrots but another bowl full of it. Levi just wanted meat.
Then we made some rice krispies. Green ones.
The boys are enjoying a Friday night show, some episodes of "Wild Kratts" they got for Christmas. They sure love those guys. And now Levi knows more about many animals than I do!
The Baileys - I love Jen, she was in my ward in Bethany and we went to a number of playgroups together, do FHE group together and she is one of the reasons I'm really sad I'm not in that ward any more. I could talk to her forever.
The Carriers- Krissy was my visiting teaching companion for a bit in my other ward and I love talking with her. We did a number of craft shows last year and I got to know her really there. Her daughter is a hoot, Paige, and was in Levi's primary class.
The Hancocks - I've visit taught Tanya ever since we've lived in the house and now am in the primary presidency with her. She's pretty much amazing and I think of her every time I hear a Justin Bieber song.
The Keelers - I serve with Corrin (not pictured) in the primary presidency and could hang out with her all day long. She's fun, crafty and always has great ideas. Also her son is in Levi's class and they're getting to be pals.
The Sanders - My long lost friends who moved to Utah. I love Nicole, she was one of my best friends when she was living here. You know one of those people whose house you could stop off at and hang just because you were around and had some time. It was great. We have a lot in common and was sad when she moved. I got to photograph a 'birth experience' for her with Gavin and it was my first time seeing a live birth. Amazing!
The Youngs - They are a ton of fun. I love it because both our boys are pretty much the same age and have some similar personalities and I can totally relate to what life is with two young boys. Also it's always a good time when Danielle is a girls night. Yeah!
The Wilmarths - This is my Aunt Kathy's family. I'm so glad we found them. We didn't think we had any cousins but turns out we did! I also got to photograph Andrew and Lisa's wedding last year, it was a challenge but I learned a ton and am grateful I got the chance.
We let them sleep together that night because they just looked too cute. Not a great idea though because they ended up kicking each other and waking up pretty early.
One of the sad things though is I can't really kiss Levi very easily when I check in on him before I go to bed. Also since we have an awesome popcorn ceiling and dark carpets the floor is an even bigger mess than it was before. But overall operation bunk bed was a big success.
Yeah baby! 
