It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Or at least the busiest time of year! Welcome welcome Christmas season. Time for shopping, time for presents, time for overspending! I've decided I really like Halloween best. It's the most amount of fun for the least amount of work.

You should see Adam's Christmas list. It's ridiculous! Actually, if you do want to see it, go to amazon.com. I think it's under my name. Heavens it's long! There's no way on earth he's going to get everything on it. I've already purchased most of Frankie's stuff, which is why her name doesn't really show up that much.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving at our the home of our newest friends, the Nash family. Sally and Michael are the parents of Cohen (5, in Adam's class) and Maili (2). We met them because Sally is one of the volunteer moms, and I am the classroom mom. They were so generous to invite us and we had a wonderful dinner. Adam and Cohen played really well together and we look forward to future play dates. They have a swing in their playroom that is suspended from the ceiling. We all thought that was pretty cool -- so cool, in fact, that we might put one in our play room.

We celebrate the magic and wonder that comes with rejoicing in the miracle of our Savior's birth, and we wish you a peaceful and joyous season. When you feel frustrated, try to recall that tiny newborn baby, and the real reason we gather by the tree each year. Wishing you a very sacred holiday season.

There's a first time for everything...

I just came into my office to check my email and found that my son has been doing some emailing of his own. He's never sent an email before, but he figured out how to open up a new email and started to compose a letter to his teacher, Mrs. Gaisford. Here's what I found:

hi misis gasfrod i lauv you be caus you are so nis to me and i waus sick soon my mom is ona mack me a c

He was sick last week (croup, ear infection), but he's getting better. While I don't know what I'm supposedly making for him soon, I'm really impressed by his self-expression skills. We knew he was learning how to read, but we didn't know he was learning how to write stories as well. We're pretty blown away by his email and touched by his sweetness. Every once in awhile, the universe gives you a treat and tells you that something you're doing is right.

Ch ch ch ch changes...

Sorry it's been so long between updates. Things have been kind of hectic.

So the biggest news on this end is that I am at long last once again a full-time stay at home mom! Hooray!!! The only dream I've consistently had since childhood was to be home with my children. Although it was financially helpful to work for the last couple of years, it has also been extremely painful for me. I'm very very very (did I mention very) happy to be home again with Adam.

Frankie is doing really well. We had a great visit with her a few weeks ago and can't wait until the next one. She's really growing up. We took her for a haircut while we were there, and she got some layers added to her hair. She also asked if she could start wearing makeup. These little tidbits might seem insignificant, but actually they're quite important. Frankie (hooray hooray) is finally starting to take an interest in her personal appearance and her grooming. This is a giant step forward for her because it means she is accepting the fact that it's okay to grow up and it's okay to care. She still has a long road ahead, but she is moving in the right direction. We are hoping that she'll be ready to come home in August.

Adam's wonderful. He's always a joy and a delight. He's still obsessed with all things Mario. He loves kindergarten and is reading really well now. He was a ghost for Halloween and was so excited.

The other big change in our household is the addition of two new family members. Meet Chester and Molly. Chester is a 3 year old Lhasa Apso mix, and Molly a very camera shy one year old terrier mix. We got both of them through rescue societies. They're very sweet and well behaved. Adam loves having dogs. The dogs love the cats (play? play?) but the feeling is not mutual. For now we keep them separated lest the cats have a heart attack from being chased by the dogs.

That's all the news that's fit to print. We hope everyone is doing well as we head in to the hectic holiday season. We wish you a very happy turkey day. Feel free to e-mail or call anytime!