1. Ben started wrestling. I am amazed that he is so passionate about this sport! John wrestled through high school, and some in college, so I guess it's in his blood. He won both of his first two matches against older kids, and also beat the 8th grade captain of his own team. I can brag a bit, right? ;)
2. We've been camping out. The girls and I were so anxious to escape "the barn" that we started sleeping on the floor of our new house on Tuesday, before any furniture arrived! I tell you, what a great decision. Wednesday morning, John calls me to tell me that at 2:30 in the morning, a mouse got half-stuck on a glue trap, fell off the rafters IN OUR BEDROOM, and started scurrying around the floor, half on and half off the trap. John threw traps at him until one stuck, then disposed of it. I'm sorry, that is unacceptable. And if our landlord attempts to keep even one penny of our security deposit, I am going to SUE for pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
P.S. Wednesday night, the oven broke and began an incessant BEEPBEEPBEEP all night long. The place should just be condemned.
3. I'm still dreaming of a green Christmas.
4. We took a break from all the unpacking to play a little Candyland...
5. ...and burn, uh, I mean BAKE, a few Christmas cookies!
That's what I'm up to. What's happening at your house?
In our house, we are anxiously anticipating all our kids getting home. A son came in on Monday, another son will be in this afternoon, and my daughter and her husband will be in tomorrow. I am so thankful that they are all able to be home for Christmas.
In our house are two yellow lab girls who are trying their best to snatch any holiday goodies off the counter that Mommy forgets to put away. After losing whole batches of cookies, muffins, cornbread, chocolate cake, etc., Mommy is remembering more often to clear the counters!
In our house we will celebrate Jesus' birth; grieve over the loss of my dear mom and miss her in all we do; and play, laugh, talk, hug, and enjoy being together!
In our house we are thankful for the blessings of family and friends, a warm house, good jobs, cars to drive, and good food to eat.
In our house, I'm dreaming of a white Christmas--one that we won't get. We don't get much snow here, but I always wish for it at Christmas. The rest of the winter I can do without it, thank you! I'd like the stuff better if it wasn't so ... frozen!
I'm glad you've escaped the barn and its critter residents! May you have a very merry (and critter-free)Christmas. God's blessings on you and your family.
Posted by: KarenP | 12/23/2009 at 12:42 PM
Lain, these photos show us all that you are focusing your energy where it needs to be: on your family, the holiday, what you have in your life. Not the rotten house. :) I once had to break a lease and there was a clause in there that said I had the right to "Quiet Enjoyment" of my property (it's a common clause here in MI)....don't know if your lease or state is the same, but I think you certianly qualify to leave because you weren't getting any Quiet or any Enjoyment!!! :) Good Luck.
I'm hunkering down for the season and counting my blessings. :) It's the best way to be.
Posted by: coffeemamma | 12/23/2009 at 01:05 PM
Oh my! Best of luck with the move and with your new house. I am sending vibes!
Posted by: Leora | 12/23/2009 at 01:44 PM
Yes, moving quickly was a brilliant decision!
Enjoy your family this Christmas, in your new house! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Michelle Moore | 12/23/2009 at 04:50 PM
Looks like the move was a great decision! Your next book can be about your mouse adventures though. It should only take a year or 5 to seem funny instead of stressful. I'm sure your girls will have fond memories of your sleepover. Congrats to Ben on his wins and his talent. Hope you can enjoy the holidays with your sweet family!
Posted by: canadacole | 12/24/2009 at 01:17 PM
Oh my... it was really time that you got out of that house. I posted my pictures for last week yesterday. I've managed to get to Christmas on time even if I had to leave a couple of things on the sides to get there. Now I plan on relaxing a bit and get some scrapping done. :)
Posted by: Nathalie (famille1999) | 12/27/2009 at 12:14 AM
Oh your Candyland pieces are so much nicer than ours ... ours are just little token thingies, not cute little gingerbread men
Posted by: Gab | 01/03/2010 at 06:41 AM
That game is 10 years old! Im surprised we still have the pieces.
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Lain | 01/03/2010 at 09:18 AM