Christmas 2010

It was good.

It was crazy busy.

It was exhausting.

It was totally worth it.

I miss that Christmas magic feeling.

This year we waited until after New Years Day to take down all the Christmas stuff.

Jeff asked me to keep it up a little while longer. (I was shocked too)

I will post about our Christmas morning on our private family blog.

But it was fabulous.

I got a new camera so hopefully, i will post more pictures.

I have no new recipes to share, or else I would.

I seriously was excited to post on my blog.

I had to come out to my Aunt Kathie's house to use her way faster computer to changed the ringback tones on my phone, change my blog stuff from Christmas to just plain winter stuff.

But now I have lost all momentum.

(plus I hate her keyboard, too high and ...I guess it is just not mine.)

I guess I will go back home and be a mom.

I left the kids home so I can do this with out being interrupted every 5 I seconds.

Jeff went back to work today.

So weird he has been off on workmans comp for almost 4 weeks. and 2 before that.

He is almost himself again. it was a nice vacation and with thoughts of saving up for a house looking like a possibility, he will be working as much overtime as he possibly can.

We will miss him.

I will post my real thoughts later today, from my very slow 4 year old computer.

Christmas Memories

I thought I had a few minutes to sit here at my computer and blog for a minute, but I am feeling the guilt...Jeff is now cleaning my kitchen.
Which I would have done, and I know i should do, but how often to I blog. I will help him when I am done.
My kitchen is a mess, because I made home made rolls and cookies yesterday for a fun family activity and a Christmas memory for my family. One, I hope the boys will remember forever.
Last night we went to Santa Clara for "Night in Bethlehem" with some of the Scoville Clan.
It was wonderful.
(I tried to take pictures, but my camera is lame)
They had taken this church parking lot and turned it into Bethlehem.
With a census table when you first walk in, soldiers in full authentic uniform. (that was cool) They were in full character too. Shoving people out of the way and looking very grumpy.
They had a few Inn's for Mary and Joseph to travel to, by donkey. A real donkey.
They were turned away.
Just outside the City of Bethlehem they had Shepard's watching over real sheep.
They also had shops, hut like structure, like you have seen in any movie, selling things and letting the kids, my kids, make things at each shop. they had wool making, and coin making, and bead making, and all kinds of other shops, probably like 20 different places to do and look at things from the time of Christs birth.
It was sooo cool.
They also covered the entire ground with sand. It had been pressed down so much it was packed, but it looked so real.
Mary and Joesph moved from one Inn to the next and was given the "barn" as they called it.
They keep the doors closed for the first minute or so and opened the doors to see Mary and Joesph looking over a (real) baby. They talked for a minute and Mary sang a song. Then across the "town" the Angel appeared and shouted to the Shepard's that "Christ Child was born". They then ran across the "town" to the barn to see Baby Jesus. And then come the Kings, the 3 wise men....with their entourage...One came in on Camel, one came in on a bed being carried in by 4 strong men, and ..I cant remember how the last one came in....but they all had belly dancers and there was fire twirlers..
Which I think is my favorite part. I love how they really thought about it. the kings would not have traveled alone, they would have had their entourage to care of them, I am sure they did not cook their own meals. They were kings, right?
It ended very much like the story they have told for centuries. Then the program started over again. It took about 10 minutes to run the program, and then they started over. It was very well organized.
My mom went 2 years ago and it was different. The way they had told the story was different.
But, it was still great.
Now, the fact that there was a 15 minute long line just to get in, it was so crowded, that we could not take strollers, I still can't carry a kid around for long with my toe, my Mom had to carry Emma in fear of her being trampled by the "very in character" soldier.
I have to go back...
We, my family, traveled by caravan, accidentally meeting up with my sister Sarah and her husband on the road. Meeting my other sister, Aimee, there with family and her in-laws, we had a tail gate party with soups and homemade bread and corn bread.
Then we got in line. We decided that the older kids needs a buddy. They could not go off alone.
They did great, they stuck together, just not with us.
Which was really hard for me, but I need to let go. I need to let them go a little now, so I can really let go later. It is a work in progress.
We lost a few kids and towards the end, it got very confusing as to where to meet. I told my kids a different place, and each of my older kids were paired up with one of my sisters kids.
We found them all in the end. We had another tailgate party with cookies and water and packed up.
We had to stop for a "pee on the fence" break. (just to clarify, it was the boys who peed, and not me) We had to squeeze one of my kids back into our 7 passenger van, so we didn't have to drive all the way back to my parents house, just to get him.
I made a Christmas music CD for the van before we left, and I think we listened to it about 6 times.
My Christmas memories are different. We never did anything like that, but we did do other things.
Top 3 in my mind....
Seeing the Christmas lights at the Oakland temple in Oakland.
Doing a Progressive dinner with the Astle Clan.
Going to cut down our own Christmas tree at a Christmas tree farm in Slough house and that it took hours...for my mom to decide which one, us kids singing a Christmas song to my mom at the top of our lungs just to drive her crazy and coming home to have Hot chocolate and toast.
I just hope that I am creating wonderful Christmas memories for my boys and my sweet baby girl.
I challenge any and all who read my blog....if any...to share a favorite Christmas memory on your blog if you have one. If not, share it with your family.

Oh I forgot to mention, that was the last year and night the church in Santa Clara was doing the "Night in Bethlehem"....
Soooo glad I didn't miss it.

Shopping, and shopping and shopping

This is the time of year, my little ones do not have a regular schedule, they are missing their naps or having mini naps in the car, eating fries and nuggets for lunch because I am .....
SHOPPING!!!!!!
I am in now way saying I am not grateful for the money I do have and opportunity to be able to shop.
I am grateful.
But, this is the time of year I have to be sneaky, and savy and a budget-eer. (like a mouse-kteer, but taller and a penny pincher)
I have had the Santa talks, and the what do you want.
I have even had to explain that Santa, although magical and brilliant, he still has to be careful with his budget.
"if he spent a $300 for an xbox 360 elite on every little boy, he would run out of money and would have nothing for next year."
yes, I did.
I had to stress "only 4 things this year, and choose wisely"(3 from mom and dad and 1 from Santa)......
When they ask for something big on there list...."sorry, buddy, but I cant afford to get you and your brothers all a new DS, they are $145 a piece.
Yes, maybe I shouldn't say that to them.
and Yes, maybe I should just me more frugal and start saving money the January before Christmas, (a family of 8, never has that much to save) but I dont want them to think of Christmas as the time to get what ever you want.
Last year we did...
Something they want, something they need, something they wear something they read.
It was brilliant.
I didn't remember that until after I planned and made lists for Christmas.
But this year I have done pretty well. I have a few more things to get.
Today I am ordering some things online.
By a miracle, I got a little extra CASH and am going to have fun spending it.
It is very stressful to shop. You have to buy a certain item, with a certain budget and exactly the right time.
I hate it, but love it all at the same time.

As I get ready to go and shop, I have to keep in mind the families and other children of God who are less fortunate this year.
I am going to start a Helping the Homeless Service Project.
I am collecting back packs, and non perishable food items (like canned tuna and crackers, granola bars, bottled water, gum), and hygiene items. Just to leave in my car, to pass out instead of cash or change.
I want the boys to be able to be a part of it.
So much to do, and the days are running out...
Christmas is almost here.

Christmas Lights

If you knew how many times we have had lights on this tree you would laugh...
okay, here it goes...
TWICE
The first time the boys put them on. And yes, It was a great effort, you could see who did it at each height.
The second time, my husband tried and failed. We had both females ends to the lights at the top and bottom of the tree. (we are still not sure how that happened)
So as I sit here in my living room, smelling my pot roast in the crock pot, listening to the boys watch "the Santa Clause" and Emma selfishly guide Mikey through the house all the while bossing him around, (yes, i am in for a treat with her), I am avoiding the unavoidable.
Jeff refuses to put the lights on the tree...again.
I have never in all of our 16 Christmases together, ever put the lights on the tree.
Jeff is sooo good at it, and I HATE doing it.
This year I have to do it.
I have to put these lights on the tree.
UGH....
I have already decided the day after Christmas I am going to get up early and go and by a Pre-lit Christmas tree.
You bet your holly jolly, I will be there when the doors open.
I am not sure what we will do with all of our lights we already have....
Anyone wanna guess how long it will take me?
Anyone wanna guess how long it will take me to get motivated to actually put the lights ont he tree?
Do we really need lights on the tree?
yes, we do.
*deep deep sigh*
I don't wanna do it.
I have soooooo many other things to do. I have cleaned the kitchen and bathroom and I don't know where this weird smell is coming from.
My house stinks!
Yes, I live in a house with boys, but something smells and dang I will have to re-scrub everything.
Okay, still avoiding the tree....
Okay, off i go...
wish me luck.
Hopefully I wont fall off the ladder.

Bahh, merry humbug

So I am in the mood for Christmas and then..... I really am not.
It has been a crazy few weeks.
Jeff got back from his trip with his dad and he worked 3 days of overtime on his last week of vacation, yes, I guess I am a mean wife and I made my husband work over time to cover the furloughs and to have a little left over for Christmas. I will be danged if my kids have to suffer and not have a nice, decent Christmas, just because Daddy went to help Grandpa and stupid whats-his-face Arnold and the stupid furloughs.
I am evil, lets move on.
Well, on Jeff's last day of vacation he came down with a raging fever and chills and he slept most of the day, I myself was sick too, his leg on his right shin began looking red and splotchy and his leg swelled up and was very hot and tender to the touch He went to the doctors on Monday.
Cellulitis.
It seems while he was working over time (to pay our bills), Jeff was working in a very infected, germ infested part of his work, I should tell you that, there was was a few other employees that were hospitalized. We got lucky. I give credit to the blessing he had.
His dad and my dad came over and gave him a priesthood blessing.
In the end, with vacation and being sick, except for the 3 days he worked over time, he didn't work his normal shift the whole month of November. He was on 3 different kinds of antibiotics and watched a lot of TV.
On top of all of this, I was sick too, 3 of our kids got sick too. and My 2 oldest boys had to work most of their Thanksgiving break just helping out.
Bonus, I got to read 4 books and we saved $80 on gas.
Then just as Jeff is getting better, I fracture my toe.
I dropped a ceramic serving patter on my toe. I have never seen a toe so purple, front and back. (I have pictures, I will post it later)
I did host a Turkey dinner with the Bigney Family. Then I made my Oreo Cookie Pie and homemade rolls for my mom's house on Thursday.
(I will post recipes soon)
I got up EARLY on Turkey day to get some Christmas presents and stayed up until 4 am on Thursday night/Friday morning. and up again early Saturday morning.
Our craft fair didn't go as well as planned, but thanks to my sister Sarah and her co-workers we are selling some stuff.
I need to figure out how to sell the rest of these hair pretties. It would take too long to take pictures and upload them on to here, I don't have that kind of time.
I don't even know why or how I am here blogging.
I have a MOUNTAIN of laundry to fold and put away (that's what happens when you are sick), then I have to do the dishes, which I never really got a break on, and then there is the whole house. I was able to get the Christmas decorations up, but not.
I have to take all the stuff off the tree and rehang the lights.... the boys did it crazy and it is driving me crazy.
I have all the Christmas presents decided and on a list, but now getting it shopped and funded????????? lol
So I hope your Christmas season starts off better than mine....
I am tired, stressed, in pain and busy, but merry.

Thankful Thursday - Lots of Thankfulness

I logged on.
I scrolled down to see who has updated their blog and I read them. (sorry if I have not left a comment, my time online is few and precious)

but today I am grateful for a great many things....
(in randon order....)
1. I am grateful for Bloggers.
Yes, most of us complain and whine about the irritating things that happen from day to day. (mostly me)
Some of us use the blog world as a family or personal journal. (which I love)
Some of us, brag about our kids and how cute and smart and wonderful they are...(and you should!)
Some of us have profound things to share and help other readers not feel so alone in this crazy world.
Life is SOOOO very different from when I was a kid and I thought it was crazy then. I am so grateful for everyone of you bloggers out there.

2. I am thankful for music.
I am also thankful that I can put it on my blog.
I absolutely love music. I have said it before on a previous blog post how much I love music.
It makes me happy.
It just makes me happy. I love that it makes my kids happy. I am grateful that I can share my love of music with my kids.
I can not play, read or sing music, but I can listen to it. I love almost all music!!! (except Gangster rap)
It would take all of a post to describe my love for it, and I don't have time today.
It fills my heart and makes me smile.

3. I am grateful for family.
I love my family. They will always be the most important people in my life. I have THE best family.
No brothers or sisters will or ever could compare.
And don't get me started on my nieces and nephews!!!! (I am gonna cry.)
I have 17 nephews and 6 nieces!!!!!!!!!
I never ever thought I would be so in love with 20 boys all at the same time. (Jeff was counted in that number)
(don't bother arguing, cause you just wont win)
They too make me smile...and tear up a little.

4. My boys!!!!!
I know I shoulda put them first, but I am going in order of what I am remembering. I had a list in my head, and I was gonna put them first priority next Thursday, that and the fact they they were driving me crazy when I first started this blog post.
Each one of my boys is awesome.
Each one completely adorable.
Each one just as frustrating as the next.
And each one hold a piece of my heart.
They are messy and stinky and wonderful
They have really begun growing up to these wonderful young men. And I am not just saying that. If I had a million dollars for every teacher that has said...and I quote..."If only I had a room full of Nathan's in my class room", ..."Caleb's..." or "...Sam's... or ".....Matthew's"...and that would really mean I was 3 million rich as of today. Jeff went to 3 parent teacher conferences today and each teach said they same thing.
Nathan and Matthew have taken Mikey and are pushing him around the house in a little basket that usually holds Emma's precious play dishes. Jeff was on the phone and I sit here..(i did make Mikey and Emma lunch)...which is actually the reason I am adding the boys today...they stepped up and helped. and they never once complained.
Okay, maybe once or twice....
I am not sure what I would do if I didn't have the boys in my life.
4. facebook
I know, I know.... facebook.
But I am.
The friends I always wondered about and didn't know (or have the guts) to contact them and find out how they are... but they are on facebook.
I love the friends I have in Susanville. My second favorite place...(okay more like 3rd...Disneyland is 2nd)...in California. I love staying in contact with them though facebook. ( i wish they would stop bragging about the snow)
I am grateful my friends on facebook.
They have helped me and my self-esteem.

5. (and last one today)
The Awesome-ness that is Aunt Kathie
I have been hanging out with her alot in the last few months.
We like to do the same things, we like the same things and I am sorry, but we have so much fun.
I love hanging out with her. She is one of my top ten favorite people. She is #6 on my speed dial.
She never makes me feel bad about myself. She never makes fun of me when I am not so smart.
She is just awesome.
I am so glad I moved out here and that I am only 10 minutes away from her house.
(I am quite sure I drive her bonkers)
I am grateful she tolerates hanging out with me. :)

Thankful Thursday - My Hunny

Jeff is the best guy.
My Hunny spent his vacation in North Carolina with his Dad, helping to fix their house.
We didn't go any place fancy or fun for his vacation.
I have my craft fair tomorrow (at Rosemont High school, stop by if you are in town) and Jeff has spent the rest of his vacation working overtime so we will have money for Christmas and helping me with the kids so I can finish up what I need to do for this craft fair.
Yes, I do have the best guy.
I am grateful for Jeff and the simple fact that I was lucky enough to be picked to be his wife.
I am grateful for everything he does for my family.
I am grateful for everything he does for his family.
I am grateful for the sacrifice me makes every time he walks through the doors at work. His life is on the line everyday.
I am grateful for the 6 beautiful children he has given me and that he is such a great dad.
I could go on and on....
I do have the best guy.

Thankful Thursday - Matthew and Mother-in-Law

A new post I decided to start.
It is all thanks to this wonderful month of Thanksgiving.
But I also wanted to do it to help remind myself of the things I am truly grateful for.

I am grateful I have my son Matthew.
He is 14 almost 15 years old. (man, I feel old)
He is such a great kid.
He has ADD and something else, we are going to have him tested, if only to get a name for his unique yet frustrating thing he has.
He is so fabulous with little kids.
I can trust him to give Emma and Michael a bath. He doesn't complain and he loves it. I think he has more fun than they do.
He loves black...mostly clothes and not for any dark reason, just a phase.
Somedays, he makes me feel like a great mom.
I am grateful for the things he has taught me and for everything he is.

My Mother-in-law has been over twice this week.
I LIKE HER ALOT!!!!!
Which if you knew me 16 years ago, you would not believe me.
I do. She is wonderful.
Jeff left town Halloween night to join his Father in North Carolina, to help fix up the house they own out there. They have been renting it out for years....20+ years.
It has gotten so bad from the last renters they have to fix it up and sell it. (the previous renter was deployed and his wife did not take care of the place)
My mother-inlaw has been here FOLDING MY LAUNDRY.
Yes. She washed,dried and then folded it.
You should see the beautiful stacks of laundry sitting on my couch.
I dont even want to move it. It willnever be the same. It will never be as nice.
She has done my least favorite chore.Several times!!!!!
She graciously came over just to help me out.
Thanks Mom, I love you.
She knew I would be overwhelmed with out Jeff here. And she was right.
I am so grateful for her and my father-in-law. With out them, I would not have the husband I have, and the life and family that I do have.
Now, go back to your blog and post what you are grateful for.

Tasty Tuesday - Mini Cinnamon Ginger Sandwich Cookies

Just in time for the Holidays.
I got this from a magazine called LDS Living. (I forget what issue.)
But they are soooo good.

Cinnamon Ginger Cookies
1 cup
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp light corn syrup
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 cup quick oats
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 ground cloves

Cream butter and sugar.
Add corn syrup and eggs.
Mix well.
Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and mix well.
Roll into teaspoon size balls.
Bake at 350 for 6 minutes or edges are brown.
Remove cookies from oven and use glass dipped in sugar and flatten cookies.
(spray bottom of glass with cooking spray and then dip in bowl of sugar.)
Let cookies cool one minute and then remove to a cooling rack.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/4 cup butter
8oz cream cheese
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Mix well and layer one cookie with desired frosting, top off with another cookie. They freeze well too! Enjoy. Trust me the smell in your kitchen alone when baking them is worth it.

Long Time Gone

It has been a long time since I have posted.
Sorry, it has been a crazy few weeks.
I am still doing a craft fair with my awesome Aunt Kathie.
Ribbons and hair clips.
Very excited. I hope we sell them all.
I had my birthday.
Which was more than fabulous!
It started on Tuesday, Jeff let me go out with my Aunt Kathie and we had lunch and shopped.
And then Wednesday on my birthday, I got to sleep in. I got breakfast in bed. All my favorites too. I got to hang out with Jeff. (I insisted on doing the dishes, I can't believe I actually like to do the dishes now)
My mother-in-law came over to hang out. (My father-in-law is North Carolina fixing up a house they rent out).
She brought THE MOST FABULOUS CARMEL I have ever eaten.
What a treat!
Then my sister Carrie comes over to highlight my hair. (so bummed, we didn't have time for the Pink I wanted.
My mom came and picked me up for shopping and lunch.
Back home and Jeff dinner ready....pizza, my favorite, and then off to the movies with my mom and some gal pals.
Halloween Carnival at the church on Friday was the best I have ever been too.
LOVED IT! Kids had fun.
The day getting ready for it was CRAZY!
Saturday night was a trunk or treat at my mom's church building and it almost made me insane. I lost half of my kids in the first 15 minutes. I hate doing that stuff with out Jeff.
Be grateful your husbands have a 9 to 5 job ladies, mine works 2 to 10pm. (except for my fellow Correctional Officer Wives, I know you totally get it)
We went to my Mom's for a fun open house.
My mom decorates beyond normal. It is awesome. (see previous October Posts for pictures)
Sunday we had a blast. I woke up with a breast engorged...I know TMI, but I think it is infected....Then flu like symptoms. I feel fine today.
It was awful trying to get Jeff ready to go, feeling worst than sick, and getting ready for Halloween.
We carved our pumpkins and we decorated the front of the house with spider webs and bat lights. A light up skeleton too. The boys had fun with Jeff. I was mostly on the couch feeling awful.
As soon as we got home Saturday night I took the kids candy away. I went through it all and picked the stuff I know they won't eat and will be tried and thrown on the floor.
I set it aside for our Trick or Treaters.
I made 66 bags, each bag had a penny candy (tootsie roll-like) and a small candy bar or bubbles and a spider ring.
Then I opened a box of Halloween shaped pretzels (40 individual packs... 2 left and 2 eaten) plus some of our candy...we had about 110 trick or treaters.
I didn't take the boys because it was Sunday. I don't let them swim or play with friends on Sunday, so they knew trick or treating was not happening.
They didn't even complain.
They had so much fun passing out the candy.
I say, every 6 years or so, isn't gonna kill them to miss out on trick or treating.
It was a good day until Jeff had to leave. His mom took him to the airport where he will be gone in North Carolina helping his dad with the house.
I had to call for help. feeling as sick as I was, the boys being bad, my sister Carrie came to the rescue and helped get them to bed.
I feel much better today, except for the boob pain.
I let Matthew stay home in case I felt terrible. I guess he didn't need too.
I need to get back to work making those flower clips.
We will be at Rosemont High school for a craft fair on November 13th. Come and see our stuff...and buy some too. It is for a good cause..... the Bigney family Christmas Fund. lol