A couple of weeks ago I did "Testy Tuesday" but today I want to share with you a list of all the things I totally did didn't do these past two weeks! Enjoy, and then join in with some of your own.


I did not go Christmas shopping last week and buy myself a few things too.

I did not have a meltdown about Travis' messy bedroom the other morning.

I do not have a stash of Almond Roca, because I really want to lose weight.

I did not buy more fabric the other day, because I know I already have too much fabric, and I have self control.

I did not spend time blogging when I should have been working on our Christmas letter.

I did not let my son go to the dentist and then to school in the dirtiest pants ever. (it's not my fault!)

I did not quit in the middle of my workout last week. I love to exercise!

I did not feed my family yucky leftovers and then feed myself cereal a few nights ago.

I did not skip church because there was a little snow on the ground. I love to drive on ice.

Counting Down the Days Until Christmas

I didn't realize I had so many ways to count down the days until Christmas until I decided to photograph them. I started doing advent stuff for me, but now it is totally for the kids. They love it, me not so much anymore. Who needs to be reminded in five different ways that they are running out of time?

I know there are less than 19 more days now, but I am just getting around to posting now. I collect Santas so he was a perfect addition. Plus I think I bought him from a kid selling wrapping paper and stuff for their school. Usually the chalk is missing or broken though.

This is Travis' favorite. He is obsessed with Playmobil. I use to be very possive and controlling of this one, but over the years the boxes have ripped or disapeared, the toys have broken. I don't care anymore, let them play with it.

I bought this beauty at Costco.




Who doesn't love chocolate? Enough said, the boys take turns eating them.

I picked this idea up on my mission to Germany. Elder Uchtdorf talked about the Advent wreath last Sunday during the First Presidency's Christmas message. It isn't exactly like the real ones in Germany, but I made it with what I could find years ago. It is my favorite way to count down to Christmas. We light a candle every Sunday for four Sundays before Christmas on Christmas Day we light all four.

How do you count down the days?

He's a Believer

Travis and Santa have had a 10-year-long-complicated relationship. His feelings about Santa have evolved from complete indifference to fear and loathing to adoration to questioning his existence. This may be his last year as a believer, but then again.......

I have put together a collection of Travis' Santa pictures for your viewing pleasure.

1999, 1 Month Old

Just happy to be held.

2000, 1 Year Old
He hates him, he really hates him!



2001, 2 Years Old

Even sitting on Daddy's lap Travis is still freaked out by Santa.

2002, 3 Years Old

At least he isn't screaming, but he doesn't look very happy.

2003, 4 Years Old
Hallelujah! He loves Santa!

2004, 5 Years Old

Travis now understands what he needs to do to get Playmobil for Christmas.


2005, 6 Years OldCheck out the little book in his hand. He brought a Playmobil catalogue to show Santa what he exactly wants.

2006, 7 Years Old

He was on Santa's lap a long time listing what he wanted that year.

2007, 8 Years Old

Notice the big catalogue! Last year he wanted a very expensive gift from Santa. I told him Santa doesn't give gifts that big and if he really wanted it, he would have to pay for half of it and Santa would pay the rest. I told him what his share would cost, thinking he would never have that kind of money. He went upstairs and a few minutes later he came down with the money in cash and gift cards. He had a bunch of birthday money and I hadn't taken him to the store in a long time. I couldn't believe it, I had been foiled!

We haven't done our yearly Santa photo yet this Christmas. Travis has had several questions and observations this year that have been funny.

Travis-"We should have elected Santa for president this year!"
___________________________________________________________________

Me- "We are cutting back on how many presents we are doing this year."

Travis-"What about Santa?"

Me-"Santa is going through a recession also, you will still get something from him, just not as big."

Travis-"Doesn't he have a credit card?"

Me- Explaining what credit cards are and how they should be used wisely, blah, blah, blah. I don't think he understood.

Hope you enjoyed Travis' travel back in time. They grow so fast!

Happy St. Nicholas Day

One of our favorite family traditions is St. Nicholas Day. My husband grew up in a predominantly German community and always received a small gift on St. Nicks Day. I served my mission in Germany and loved the tradition. We started doing St. Nicolas Day when Nathan was very young.

On St Nick's Eve the boys put their boot/shoes outside their bedroom door. They put carrots inside their shoes for St. Nick's horse. In the morning they find a small gift in their shoe and poop (whoppers) all over the floor. This morning at 6:00 I was awakened to the sound of packages being opened. I opened my bedroom door and saw this



I asked Travis and Marcus if they loved their new toys, they said yes, I took the above picture and went back to bed. Nathan is too mature and teenagery to wake up that early, but he enjoyed his new book when he finally woke up.

We almost blew it though. Last night after Bert scattered the poop all over the hall and stairs he threw the whopper bag in the garbage! Marcus and Travis found it in the garbage and Travis had many questions for me.

Travis- "Why was there a whopper bag in the garbage?"

Me- "What are you talking about?"

Travis- "Are you St. Nicholas?"

Me- "Of course not! Why would you ask me that?"

Travis- "We found a whopper bag in the garbage."

Me- "So? Your dad likes whoppers. Do you believe in St. Nick?"

Travis- "Yes."

Me- "Good, as long as you believe, St. Nick will come."

Travis- "Oh I believe, but why was there a whopper bag in the garbage?"

Me- "Your dad really likes whoppers!"

Now in reality, we never have whoppers in the house except during this time of the year. During our conversation I couldn't stop smiling, I was a terrible liar! I think he bought it though. Travis, bless his heart, is 9 and is still a believer. I will be writing about him and his relationship with Santa in the near future.

Hanging By a Moment

I saw this someone's blog a couple of weeks ago and had to do it. It just looked way too fun to miss out on. Come play along...

1. Put your music listening device on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it makes you look.

4. Title this post what the answer to your last question is.

5. Good luck and have fun!





IF SOMEONE SAYS 'IS THIS OKAY' YOU SAY?



Throwing it All Away (Genesis)



HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF



Waiting on the World to change



WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?



Stop and Stare



HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?



You Light Up My Life



WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?



Big Machine (The Williams Brothers)



WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?



No Contest (Chess Soundtrack)



WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?



Angel (Jon Secada)



WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?



One Love (Hootie and the Blowfish)



WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?



You Bring on the Sun (London Beat)



WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?



I'm Free (Jon Secada)



WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?



Dancing Queen (ABBA) It really did!



WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?



Lay All Your Love on Me (ABBA)



WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?



Home (Daughtry)



WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?



Love is Spoken Here (Janice Kapp Perry)



WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?



With or Without You (U2)



WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?



I'll Fly For You (Spandau Ballet)



WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?



Say (John Mayer)



WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME THIS POST?



Hanging By a Moment (Lifehouse)

See! Wasn't that fun? I know, I listen to some weird music, but I'm still sort of cool, I think.

Why I Will Probably Never Get a Mother's Ring

When I first saw a mother's birthstone ring, which has all the birthstones of her children, I though it was a lovely idea. But then something went wrong, my three boys were born in months with ugly birthstones! How unfair is that? This is what my ring would look like.



Nathan was born in August. Its birthstone is the peridot. Now green is my favorite color, but not lime green.

Travis and Marcus were both born in November. Its birthstone is the yellow topaz. The colors of the two different stones go well together, but I like to wear cool colors. The asymmetrical look of two identical stones next to each other also bugs me.

Oh, if only I had stayed pregnant with Nathan for 3 more days, and if only Travis had not been 6 weeks early, and if only Marcus had not been 4 weeks early. My ring could have look like this.




A sapphire and two blue topazes look lovely together. I still got the asymmetrical thing going on, but I could have lived with that.

Does anyone else have this terrible problem? Here I go again being vain and shallow, I know.

Confessions of a Den Mother

My friends, I have wanted to share my feelings about Cub Scouts ever since I started my blog a whole month ago. I have been a den mother for almost four years. The reason I am a scout leader is I sort of accidently volunteered to do webelos way back then. As a mother of three sons and no daughters I felt it was my destiny. I really enjoy my calling, except all that outdoorsy, camping stuff, but I delegate that to my husband whenever possible. I love the boys I work with and we have a great time, but there is one thing I really dislike. It's been a killjoy in the delight of scouting. OK, I'm really bearing my soul here, are you ready for my truth?

IT'S

JUST

NOT

CUTE!

I know I've gained some weight since I have become a mother and I know that the camera adds like 50 pounds, but really, I never look cute in my scout shirt! I have yet to see a decent picture of me in my shirt. Is it the color? I usually avoid wearing brown by my face, maybe that's it.

Here are few more examples

Look how big my behind looks in this shirt! I know you are probably thinking it's the mom jeans, but I feel the shirt isn't doing me any favors either.



Here is my shirt tucked in, not good at all!



What am I to do? Am I being too shallow and vain? (don't answer that) I'm not going to ask to be released as a den mother over something as silly as my Scout shirt. Some solutions I've thought of to my dilemma is to make sure I wear lipstick every time I put my shirt on and never have another picture taken! I guess I could also lose some weight and buy a designer neckerchief like Annie.

Thank you for letting me vent. I feel much better now.