The Holiday Update

Well, our holiday season was great! My brother and his family came up and stayed with me for a week.

Two toddlers + two young boys = chaos

But good chaos. I was surprised at how well the kids all got along. My aunt, uncle, grandparents and two cousins came up as well, although they stayed with Ginger. We had much laughter, lots of good food, lots of movies and tons of hugs. I miss my family something awful. It is always sad to see them leave.

Then just as they left, Bob's friend, Eric, rolled into town. He is a long, long, long time friend of both Bob and I and he has been here for a few days so far. He is a fellow engineer and is enjoying helping Bob with some of his little projects while he is visiting. He leaves town on Tuesday with Bob to head to San Diego (he drove and needs assistance) and Bob will fly back next Wednesday. That will be a long day.

New Year's Eve was promising to be a fun one and we were going to troll around downtown Bend with some of my work associates, but then Bob got the call he didn't want to get for a while. His father was in the process of passing away and he needed to be by his side. Bob, Debbie K and Patti all held vigil and held their father's hand and told him how much they loved him and appreciated him as a father until he passed away. His body was old and tired and his mind had fogged from Alzheimers, so this was very much a blessing since he can now be with his wife, Marian. Bob is silently grieving his loss. Losing a parent is always harder than you think it will be.

Then today, I was redeeming a gift certificate that Bob had given me a year ago for a facial while he watched the kids. On my way home he called to tell me that Alexis was trying some acrobatic trick on the new trampoline she shouldn't have been trying and she took a hard fall. The fall left her in tears for a long time and during the two hours at urgent care, she cried constantly. Her poor eyes are puffy and chapped from so many tears. It looks like she broke her arm, hopefully just a hairline fracture with some fluid that is probably causing all the pain. Her arm is all splinted up and they gave us some Tylenol with codeine to calm her if she needs it.

So far, the end of December was great but the beginning of 2009 leaves a little something to be desired. I am going to bed tonight with lots of good thoughts to throw out into the universe that tomorrow will be a better day and 2009 a good year.

As for all the hectic goings on of the holidays, I will post that with pictures when I get a minute to go through everything. There were some great moments that I must share with you all.

Shoveling Snow

The snow had been piling up and I really needed to attempt to get our walkway and driveway clear of snow before the next dump tomorrow. Bob is out of town, so this job falls to me.

I figured that this would be a fun way for the kids to play outside and me to get some snow shoveling done.

Logan wanted nothing to do with it. He still doesn't like the snow very much. I hope that I can get him to warm up to it as winter progresses. He eventually just went down for a nap so Alexis and I stayed outside.

Alexis LOVES the snow. I had bought her a red plastic shovel and she was hard at work shoveling snow for me. She was flinging it everywhere.

Then she told me that she wanted to make a snowman. I have to admit, being from San Diego has it's disadvantages sometimes. I've never made a snowman. I just started dumping snow from the driveway into a huge pile and Alexis would pat it down. I was attempting to make the bottom ball, but it looks more like a snow blob than anything else. Maybe a snow butte.

Eventually Alexis got cold so we went inside and she is now cuddled up under a blanket watching "Tinkerbell" for the umpteenth time while her boots dry in front of the fireplace.

What an excellent way to spend the day.

Meaningful Names

My sis-in-law, Mandee, posted a blog about a cute website that she found that has tons of baby names. It's called "What a Lovely Name" and it is a lot of fun. I especially like how they show names all decorated for use on scrapbooks or blogs. They offer all kinds of ways to change the backgrounds and colors too. Very cool.

I have no intention of having any more children, but I was interested to see what it said about our names meanings. I am a firm believer that you grow into your name.

Bob : Meaning "bright with fame". Shortening of the name Robert. Can also be given as an independent name.
Tags: American, friendly, intelligent, strong

Deborah: Deborah is a Biblical prophetess and judge who was instrumental in the victory over the Canaanites. She was also Rebekah's nurse. In Hebrew Deborah means "a bee." Nicknames for Deborah include Debbie and Deb.
Tags: athletic, funny, Hebrew, strong

Katya (I had to go with a combination since they did not have hers): Katyayani. This sis a name of the goddess Parvati.
Tags: beautiful, funny, Hindu, leader
Katherine. This name is derived from the Greek root "katharos," meaning "pure, unsullied." Tags: English, intelligent, strong, wise

Alexis: Originates from the Greek word Alexein, meaning: "to defend, to help." Tags: American, brave, fun, strong

Logan: Meaning "dweller at the little hollow". Taken from the Irish surname, a diminuitive form of the Gaelic word "lag," meaning "hollow".
Tags: American, calm, happy, independent

So according to our names, Bob will be famous. He already is in his business circle for being an extremely talented and hardworking engineer.

I am a strong woman who can conquer injustice in the world. Man, how I wish I could. However, I am a major rule follower. My view on what is right and wrong is pretty clear cut. I am a hard worker and I would like to think I am strong.

Katya will continue to become a woman who is strong, wise, a leader, and funny. She already is all those things now. I hope they are qualities that she nurtures as she continues into adulthood.

Alexis will become a helper to the world, brave, fun and strong. All excellent traits to have.

Now for Logan. He is going to be my happy, mellow, independent little dude who likes hanging out in his house. Not too shabby. Happiness is a wonderful personality trait to have.

Art Show

Katya has been in art all semester and been having a good time with it.

There is an artistic gene that runs through Katya from both sides. Her Great-Great Grandfather on her father's side is Leon Trousset. Evidently he has some pieces in museums around the world. On my side, my Great Grandmother was an artist herself and my cousin, Becky, is an amazing artist as well. I fancied myself an artist until I just didn't have time for it anymore.

Katya refused to touch art supplies and resented art projects until Kindergarten. Then one day she surprised her teacher by asking to do some painting. It was a beautiful picture of a flower with a sun and rainbow. She has just been my little Van Gogh ever since. But usually she reserves her artistic talents for drawing what she hopes will be her future fashion line.

Last Thursday, her high school had a really cool art show with live music performed by some guitar students. It was a display of art projects that the kids have worked on all semester. Some of those students are just amazing. I love seeing what some kids have inside of themselves that they express through art.

Katya had four pieces of art on display and I loved all of them, since they were all so different. But I admit, her scratch art piece was the most striking of all. I can't wait to see what else she comes up with.

Don't See It

I love my hubby.

Even after two babies, weight that just won't leave, age creeping up on me... he still thinks I'm hot. Really hot. Even if he doesn't mean it, he says it - which counts for EVERYTHING in my book.

The latest compliment that I have gotten from him is that he seriously thinks that I look like TinkerBell. Whenever we watch the "TinkerBell" movie, he reminds me how much he thinks I look like her.

Totally not true, but I love him for thinking I look like a cute little fairy.

Decorating The Tree

Tonight I decided that I was tired of looking at our poor ornament-free Christmas tree. I had a rough day trying to juggle the kids and a whole lot of pressure to get stuff done at work. I am mentally tired and since it is "kid time" again, I figured I'd do something they would like.

I had already put on the lights (Katya revolted this year) and I figured that I would just put some of the big bulbs on it, wrap the tree skirt and put some of the wrapped gifts under it to make it a bit more festive.

Katya is in Aloha tonight for a basketball tournament (yes, Aloha, OR) so I can't put all the personal ornaments on it, just the base coat.

Well, I turned on the Christmas music to get in the mood and immediately I heard "No singing, Mommy!". I wanted to sing along to my favorite songs and instead of Alexis trying to join along, she just didn't want me singing at all. I sang louder and she yelled louder. What a puke. She was putting a wet blanket on my festive mood.

I ignored her and still sang (although quieter) while I decorated the tree. Then I figured that I would put the angel on the tree.

NO WAY

It made Alexis burst into tears to see the angel sitting on top of the tree. She even went so far as to cover her eyes because she couldn't bear to see her up there. ???? What was all that about?

I guess I get to go buy a star.

I have never had so much backseat commentary when decorating the tree before. Sheesh

When she is old enough, she is doing it all by herself. Lights and all.

Where is the Snow?

Where is the snow? It was, like, 60 degrees today!

I was wrapping lights on my tree today in short sleeves and with the doors open. What the heck?

Christmas is supposed to be cold. We are supposed to have snow covering the ground. People are supposed to be grumbling about having to shovel snow off of their driveways. Winter boots and jackets should be worn by all. Fires in fireplaces should be commonplace. Hot chocolate and tea should be a desired drink in the afternoon. Not iced tea because we're hot.

Mt. Bachelor doesn't have any snow to ski on.

What is going on!! My nephews are coming up here for a white Christmas, playing in the snow, tubing... I've got nothing to offer them! They will be so disappointed.

If you know of a good snow dance, please let me know, I'm up for trying anything at this point.