Oh the Bliss!

We celebrated Jesus, the Savior, being born on the 25th. We celebrated Ben's 5th birthday on the 26th. We celebrated Ben not screaming or hiding under the table while everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him, a feat five years in the making, at his party on the 27th. We celebrated the life of our dearly loved Howie as Jesus called him home on the 29th. What a week

We had a great time celebrating Christmas with Mark's family on Sunday. It was such a treat having his sister here with two (out of four) kids, we definitely missed Todd, Michael and Daniel though. I love Mark's family! I love that they feel like family. I love that they treat me like they've known me their whole lives; his mom might say that she has because she's been praying for me since Mark's birth. I am incredibly thankful for such a great extended (in-law) family! Great - Great Aunt Didi, fighting over the new toy with Ben. She's awesome! Addison and Elizabeth could pass for twins, or at least sisters. Adorable Matthew!! This is my new favorite picture of Howie. He looks so regal in it, I love it. Didi is the winner of the Best Gift Ever award so far this year. The winning gift? A pink "Hewwo Kitty Wallet" that Addison is attached at the hip to. It always surprises me which gift really captivates them.

We've ridden the "Polar Express" Eaten some cookies Made some crafts And hung some ornaments And so much more!!

High's: ~ Seeing Elizabeth and Matthew, and of course Amy, this evening! Such a treat to have them out for a visit. ~ The kids great attitudes on our drive to Encino (to see the afore mentioned, as well as sweet cousins and their family). ~ Mark coming home from work to see us for a bit. ~ 11 more days until Mark's new schedule starts!! ~ Christmas cards. :-) ~ Ben having the evening to play with William, those two are so fun together. ~ Getting the knot out of my favorite necklace so I can wear it again. I've been trying to get this knot out for months! ~ Hearing the story of Jesus and his name being proclaimed and praised in songs all over the radio and in all kinds of stores... it only happens once a year, and I love it! Low's: ~ Being so weepy over the lamest things, or no things at all. This pregnancy has rocked my hormone levels - sorry family! ~ Leaving my developed pictures and a packet of stamps in the cart at Costco, and having them "not be able to help...

Addison has been perfecting her "talk to the hand" pose for quite some time now. The girl was just not cut out to take a good picture. I am praying that my memory of her adorable dimples and toothy grin holds steadfast as I am sure that is all I will have as evidence that she really did smile during her third* year of life. * (She will be turning three in February, so she's been alive almost three years, this being her third year of life. I'm explaining this only because it's a difficult number problem for me - and probably - me alone.)

Let it be known that on this day, December 10, 2009, Ben saw this car and (quoting here) said, "Mom, I LOVE this car. I have to have one just like it someday. I need to get a job so I can get some money so I can buy one just like it when I'm bigger. OR, wait I know, I can save all my Poopie-Doopie money (money he receives in a monthly card from Gma) and maybe I'll have enough money to buy one when I'm bigger. Take my picture Mom." I have never seen him react to a car like he did today. The owner was right there and spent quite a few minutes indulging Ben by showing him around the car and listening to him go on and on about it. "Wow, this is really cool" "I bet it's really fun to drive. Is it really fun to drive?" "It fits nicely in this parking space." "Red is my favorite color. Is red your favorite color?" "So, you really like this car don't you?" (I think the man started thinking Ben was going to ask for ...

well, for me anyway. :-) Yesterday I was able to spend some quality time observing two of my children. The first was baby #4, affectionately referred to as "Cuatro", during a 30 minute ultrasound I had. I love such opportunities to see this tiny one all stuffed inside my belly. I was told to have the ultrasound because last week at my appointment my belly was "measuring small"; 1.5 weeks behind what it should've been measuring. My doctor is pretty conservative so she wanted to make sure the baby was growing fine and fluids were good and all that. And I said, "I'll take it!" Any chance to see the little one, bring it! Ultrasounds are so fascinating! Especially when the technician acts like what she's seeing is the most beautiful thing on the earth. Really, with every view of the baby she'd sigh things like, "Oh look at that heart! See the four chambers? How can anyone not just be amazed when looking at such a beautiful creation?",...

Howie, Mark's grandpa, used to sing this song to Mark all the time when he was little and Mark has since taught the song to Ben and Addison. I know Pearl Harbor was Navy, and this song is about the Marines, but our hearts are in the right place. We are grateful for all of our armed forces!

I love this clip of Ben because it really does make me think of my Grandpa Smith. Because he lived far away, and then past away when I was still young, I have olny a few vivid memories of him. Some of the clearest are of him playing his harmonica. I would love it if Ben really did grow up and played just like him.

I love gifts. I love giving them when I've found just that right little something that I know a certain person will love. I don't like gifts at all when I feel like I had to make a purchase that didn't mean anything to me. Anyone can buy themselves a bottle of lotion. But if I find a bottle of lotion that is the exact sent of a memory we shared then heck yah I'll buy that lotion. Or if I know it's your very favorite but you never buy it for yourself because your bottle of Jergens is just fine, then I will be so excited for you to open that gift. One year my mom gave me a huge Costco size bottle of Neutrogena Rainbath Shower Gel... to you that may seem really silly. Soap? Really? But I LOVE the stuff. Love it. However it must be liquid gold or something because they charge waaaaay more than I'm willing to pay for shower gel. I cherished every drop of that stuff. That's a good example of how a seemingly ordinary present can really be something wonderful to th...

I want to blog, I do. I even have one half written, but it's not ready to post yet. So I'm sorry, you faithful blog checkers. I know that frustrating feeing you must get (big assumption here) when you check my blog and see the same title for 8 days in a row. And while other people are posting pictures and sweet stories of their Thanksgiving celebrations, I'm sitting here posting nothing except excuses. But my best work is always done Wednesdays-Saturdays, so I'm sure there's got to be a winner coming soon. And if not, well then, I don't know, read a book. Here's a picture just to show how much I care...