Eric the Great

So, there really is no particular reason for this post just that I wanted put out there to the universe that I have a great husband. He's not perfect but he's perfect for me. Here are some reasons I think he is nifty:
--He always seems to know when I need to be cheered up and he cheers me up.
--He always tells me the truth. Even when he "accidentally" orders something online.
--He is a great Dad. I mean who else would let their kid paint their back with acrylic paint?
--He worries about me when I'm late.
--He tells me I'm "hot."
--He doesn't care that I don't wear makeup.
--He puts up with my late-night cop-show obsession.
--He loves Christmas and picking out gifts.
--He's my best friend!!!!!
Cheesy, I know. But, I love him:)

Christmas

My long silence from the blog world has come to an end. I'm to tired to concoct complete sentences so I think I will make a list of observations concerning the Christmas season.
-Children have little sense of time. Unless Christmas is today or tomorrow they are unhappy.
-Children ages 4-6 can only look at Christmas Trees (even nicely decorated ones being sold for charity) for so long. Like may 30 minutes. That's really all they can handle.
-There is way too much sugar involved in this season.
-Kids have an amazing ability to give and are genuinely charitable when given the opportunity.
-It's actually a good thing if you husband orders his own Christmas present. It's easier that way.
-I really have no idea what I want for Christmas. A maid, a nanny, world peace I just can't decide.
-Christmas is magical.
-Real trees are better if you can.
-There is nothing funner to me than singing my child to sleep with Christmas songs. Until he doesn't fall asleep, then it's not so fun.
-I will forget to get a gift for someone and they will get me the best gift ever. This causes me stress.
-People who know that I eat GF and Sugar-Free will have a memory-lapse and bring me candy, chocolate, cookies etc. And they mean well....
-I love Christmas I really do. I love the magic, the suspense, the meaning of the season.

The long run.....

So for the first time in a long time (think months or years) I ran 6 miles today. 2 of them were intervals (fast sprints followed by walking). I had forgotten how much I love running. Diana and I ran up the canyon and it was cold but it a beautiful crisp early winter day. Then I went running tonight with Eric. I was a bit sore but the endorphins were amazing. I felt invigorated. I started to think about how muscles only grow when you stretch them (ouch). Later tonight I read a blog of close friend going through a very trying time. I was struck by the similarities in life. Only when we stretch spiritually and emotionally do we truly grow. Just like running, it's painful. Some of the most painful times my life have led to the greatest periods of growth and the struggles I face on an on-going basis slowly add strength and faith to my life.

Amaze

Amaze: To fill with wonder. To show or cause astonishment.

Things that amaze me....
~Modern technology
~Cedar's vocabulary
~Eric's ability to plan and execute activities, lesson plans, workshops etc.
~Babies
~The number of times in a day parents (!) call their kids' cell phones while the children are in class!
~Running Water
~A child learning to read
~You can be married to someone for nearly 9 years and still learn new things about them everyday.
~Faith
~People who believe e-mail forwards.
~The human body
~Animals
~The human capacity to love
~The internet
~GPS
~Texting. Really it just frightens me. I'm incapable.
~The creativity of young minds

My so-called life

So, it has been a crazy couple of days and I wanted to just write a list of things I've learned in the last couple of weeks. Free-style so to speak......
-Children can and will change their minds constantly--this only gets worse after puberty.
-I have the cutest nephews and nieces in the world. No really, I do.
-Even big kids needs parents.
-It is possible to survive a 9-10 hour car ride with a bored 6-year-old. Possible....but not pleasant.
-Even if your parents don't live in the house you grew up in (or even lived in ever), visiting them is still like coming home.
-Women (I can say this as I'm one of them) who only have one child can become extremely neurotic about that one child. True story.
-Never underestimate the number of songs a group of 12 year old girls can sing from memory. And never, encourage them to sing them. Ever...
-You can never be too careful when watching your kids or any kids for that matter.
-Family are the best friends of all (cheesy I know)
-Little girls and little boys are not the same--they're just not.
-Never disconnect the wireless in a home. Never, never, never.
-There are several (at least 2) fast food establishments that find it acceptable to put processed cheese on tacos. I'm not kidding. And yes, it's nasty. very, very nasty. TVP might also be an ingredient. Such a disgrace to the taco!
-It's very exciting to watch your child learn to read and write. Very tender.
-There are some people in the world for whom rules and regulations are unchangeable, final and omniscient. I don't like these people and generally they cannot or will not deal with me.
-Most things are nowhere near as big a deal as I think they are at the time. They just aren't.
-Life is good.

Lucille Bal, Raggedy Ann and Me

Yes, it's red. It was masterfully hennaed (new word) but Bobb, Annette and Shelbi and I love it!

Recently got a full set of teeth.....

So, after several hours of agony (somehow I missed the fact that getting a bridge involves having two perfectly good teeth whittled down to nubby stubs-ouch!) I got my temporary bridge soon to be followed by a beautiful (read: expensive) porcelain bridge. It is so weird to not have my retainer anymore and not have a big whole in my smile! Woo-hoo. It's great!