Like Butter (said with the appropriate accent)

We are super excited b/c 11 of our friends, whom we met in the Dominican Republic, are coming today for New Years. So . . .

Papi had to work this morning with all of the final details for his upcoming ski trip with the youth.  And Mommy?  Well, I'm in the kitchen making food for our guests so that I won't spend the ENTIRE time in the kitchen, getting the girls lunch ready, and talking with some folks from church who stopped by.  Ok, I'm all for multi-tasking, but this was a bit too much I guess. I left 1/2 stick of butter within fingers reach on the counter. Bad, bad thing.

I didn't think anything of it - I leave things on the counter a lot - usually pushed back out of reach.  Not this time.

I should have realized something was up when Stella, on her own initiative, left the kitchen for the playroom.  Yes, it was very, VERY quiet for a while.  Then I saw it.

Chloe running towards me - big smile on her face - being chased by Stella.  What is that yellowish clump in her hair?  What's on her face?  What is that blob in Stella's hand?  Good Lord . . . butter.  Half melted, half gone butter.  I quickly clean off Chloe & Stella, and say a quick prayer as I head back to the playroom.

Stella decided to 'wax' the dollhouse floors, clean various pieces of furniture, play the little piano, and adorn a few more toys with BUTTER.  Wow is this stuff slimy.

Ok, gotta get back to preparing for our guests - but didn't want to forget to chronicle the butter incident.  I'm sure I'll find some more later.  Oh Darling, it's like butter.

Merry Christmas 2008

We had a great Christmas.  Grammy, Tio Frank, Tia Sarah, Frankie, Micah & Ruthie were here with us. We REALLY missed Tia Kelly.  It was nice to wake up with a house full of family.  We kept the door going into the living room closed so that we could all go in together - plus you kids wouldn't see the presents.  We got Chloe & Claire up, and Grammy wanted to say a prayer before we went in to open up presents.  It can be hard to keep focused on Jesus' birth being the real reason to celebrate with 8 kids 6 years old & under.  So Grammy told all you kids to sit down so that we could say a prayer.  Jillian, who LOVES to sing the blessing before dinner, decided she would take charge of this prayer.  Here was her prayer:

Thank You, Jesus

for our presents . . . AMEN.

At the amen all of you kids screamed, and ran out of the room, and into the living room at TOP speed. Grammy, Sarah, and I were momentarily stunned at the quick prayer - and even quicker feet carrying all of you kids out of the room - and then laughed hysterically.  Arturo was sitting on the couch & got a few shots of you running in!

We had also talked about having you open up the presents slowly, maybe even handing you the presents so that we could see your reactions & see what people gave you. None of that happened.  The next 20 minutes was a present ripping frenzy.  Awesome!







The girls LOVE puppets & Micah was putting on a quick show for Claire.

Stella woke up a bit later than everyone.  I know you may be wondering why I did not wake Stella up when everyone else got up.  Maybe Stella you have changed by the time you read this, but if not you COMPLETELY understand why I let you sleep until you were ready.  Mama knows.  You came out smiling!

This is Claire's new way of 'posing' for the camera.  Lovely.
Stella had a candy necklace in her stocking, and stopped everything for this pre-breakfast treat.

Grammy bought you girls a doll house.  Sarah & I spent a few hours the night before putting it together, and it was worth it. You girls LOVE it, and I know there will be LOTS of hours logged on that doll house.

Jillian, you were in baby heaven.  You spent lots of time with Ruthie, and she equally enjoyed the time.

The weather has been unseasonably warm here, and so it has been great to play outside.  It was perfect because Pap & Grandma Linda bought you girls some new swings for the play set & all of you guys had a great time breaking it in!  All of you girls & your cousins fully took advantage of being together, and with very little fighting.  Which is a Christmas blessing in itself.  

I have to admit that there is a part of me that wishes we would have focused more on Jesus' birth.  Been more 'spiritual'.   Should have volunteered somewhere.  Should have helped in a bigger way.  Should have read some more books about Christmas.  Should have . . . I don't know.  Girls, learn from me that it is NOT good to should on yourselves.  We had a wonderful Christmas.  I am SO grateful for our health, the unity of our family, the generosity of others, a warm house to celebrate Christmas in.  I know that Papi, Grammy, Tio Frank & Tia Sarah, Tia Kelly - we all feel that way.  We are so grateful to God for how He has blessed this family in all ways.  I think I've said it before, but cannot stress it enough.  We need to live Christmas throughout the year.  Celebrate what God has done for us by sending Jesus to be our Saviour.  Serve and think of others and their needs throughout the year.  Be grateful to God in all things - for He is good - all of the time - every day of the year.  Merry Christmas girls - every day!