Note To Self

Dear Self,
I am writing to you this morning to express my concern about your attitude for the past few weeks. I am declaring it official on this grim December morning, that you, in fact, have become the Grinch. I am writing to tell you to KNOCK IT OFF.

Stop whining about all the stuff that still needs to be done. Stop whining about all the shopping, wrapping, baking, cleaning, and getting ready there still is to be done. Stop dwelling on all the things that are not going right in your life, and THINK ABOUT ALL THE ONES THAT ARE!! Remember that your kids will not remember this Christmas for all the junky toys and clothes that have been purchased for them. Remember that your family is HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND BLESSED. Try really hard to think about all of many, many blessings that you have and STOP THINKING about what you don't. Think about the fact that you have a roof over your head, food for your children and your husband has a job. There are many that don't even have these basic necessities in life, and you should be GRATEFUL.

I am tired of your bad attitude, and I'm sure that your husband and children are as well. Next time you feel the need to be BAH HUM BUG about Christmas, think about that moment last week when your 4 year old sang to the baby Jesus, or the moment that she reminded you that Santa was "awesome". Think about the fact that if you are doing what is right, you will be blessed in so many ways that you will be unable to count them all. Think about what Christmas is all about....not the material things, but the fact that we are celebrating the birth of our Savior. It truly has nothing to do with all the other "stuff". And, if it comes down to it, remember that it will all be over in just a couple of weeks and you can have your normal, crazy, un-Christmasy life right back.

Try, Try, Try to straighten up. We're all tired of it.

One last item of business before your crazy day ensues: Stop picking at that plate of fudge that is sitting on the counter! Gaining 10 lbs. between now and New Years will not help your attitude improve. I know this from experience.

Sincerely,
Erin

Makes a Mom Smile

I was busy with a project a few days ago and I happened to look up and listen to Natalie - she had all of her Fisher Price nativity set mixed in with my nice set and was singing a newly learned Primary song about the Baby Jesus. Made my day....

Thanks, Santa!

Santa came early for me this year. Well, actually, he's been here twice now. On Black Friday, a beautiful Nikon SLR camera was brought home for me. It was lovely to look at, it took lovely pictures, but the price was, well, not so lovely. Although it would have been nice to keep, it just had too many features - I need something I can throw in my purse and use in a split second notice. This camera was not for me. Large and bulky, extra lenses, too many pieces to lose, too many features that I would never learn how to use. And, did you know that with an SLR camera, you can't view the picture that you're taking unless you're looking through the viewfinder? I know, I'm totally spoiled by technology, but I like not having to use the viewfinder and being able to see my shot on the LCD screen. And, this particular camera had a feature that just seemed trivial, but insane to me: The lens cap had no way of attaching to the camera! I was supposed to keep track of this itty bitty piece and not lose it! So, after having it a few days, the guilt overcame me and we returned the camera.

Since then, Santa has delivered this beauty:
I'm pretty sure that Santa had to be talked into it a little, but since I'm the one that actually uses the camera, I won the battle. It's got a great zoom, a tilting LCD screen, and best of all, the lens cap attaches to the camera! As a bonus, we didn't have to sacrifice paying the mortgage next month to have it. Now, I feel like I can carry on with my Christmas festivites, camera in tow. Thanks, Santa... I owe you one (**wink, wink**).

The Big 3-7 Looks Good On You!!

Happy, Happy Birthday To Kim!!

We LOVE you, we APPRECIATE you, and we think you don't look (or act) a day over 16. Your gray hair looks distinguishing, and your wrinkles show your years of hard work for our family. As long as you keep those nose hairs under control and don't have any hair growing out of your ears (yet), you're still a YOUNG man in our book!!

(The cake was from 2 b-day's ago, but since we're still mourning the loss of our camera, and it is still appropriate for today's BYU/UTAH showdown, it'll have to do!)

$5 Richer

A few days ago, I had a houseful of neighborhood kids. Unusual, I know. At any rate, I was still stressed about losing my camera. I don't usually lose things....I can misplace them for a day or two, but they usually end up being somewhere totally out of the ordinary and usually within a day or two I find it again. Not the case with my stupid camera. 3 1/2 weeks, it's been missing and not a day has gone by that I don't look 15 new places for it. So, a few days ago, with all the neighborhood kids in the house, I announce that I'm paying a $5 reward to anyone that finds my camera. Big mistake. These kids were pretty hard up for $5 and started tearing apart my house looking for the camera. I even had one kid looking through my dresser drawers for it...I had to draw the line right there. I'd all but given up on finding the camera - even started looking for deals on Black Friday to ease my pain.

Today, Kim's sister April, her husband Mike and their two boys arrive at our house to celebrate the holiday. My sister (Brenna) and I were in the middle of making pies - a total disaster, but I'll save it for another blog post - and the whole time I was thinking: "This would make a great picture...us in our cute aprons, trying to be all Martha-ish, and really, really stinking at it." We gave up on the pies (Thank goodness for Marie Callendar's frozen pie crusts) and April and I head to the store for some last minute items. As we're driving there, we're talking about the lost camera and Mike pipes up in the back seat " You know you're gonna find that camera in some totally absurd place "

We get home and the first thing someone yells is "Isaiah found your camera!! You owe him $5!" Sure enough, the little stinker's been at my house for less than an hour and he's $5 richer. And, Mike was absolutely right - it was in a totally absurd place - outside in the backyard laying in the grass. Don't ask me how it got there. My guess would be that it had something to do with someone who's name begins with an "N" and ends in an "atalie"....sounds like something she may or may not do.

So, the search is over. We've recovered the body of Mr. Nikon Coolpix. And, yes, it was a recovery. He is dead. After a few rainstorms, a couple of sleet storms and too many rays of sunshine, he is no longer with us. Looks like Santa may have to be nice to me anyway....

Detective Isaiah Nielsen

**Give him a call! He only charges $5!!**

g

Say A Little Prayer For Me....

My camera is lost. I've been hunting for Mr. Nikon Coolpix for 3 weeks. I last saw him on Halloween night and he has been missing ever since. I have no money to pay a ransom or a reward, so all I have left is to pray for him to return to me, or that Santa will be extra nice and replace him for me. (** May I remind Santa that will need a replacement BEFORE Christmas morning....I've been extra good this year and have only threatened my husband and children's lives a handful of times. This is considerably less than last year.**)

Santa may think that I have intentionally "lost" Mr. Nikon Coolpix....why would he think this?? Maybe because everytime I've had to use this camera in the last few months he has to listen to this: "I hate this &*@^(#* camera..." Again, Santa, I've tried to cut back on the cussing. I've been trying to save it only for all the moronic Utah drivers out there....

So, until I miraculously find Mr. Nikon Coolpix, or Santa is kind enough to replace him, I will be posting no new pictures. You will have to settle for what is saved on the computer or just read about all my mis-adventures in motherhood and wifehood. Like I said, say a little prayer for me....

Did You Hear That??

Did you hear that?? Me, neither. Silence. Seriously, silence. For the first time in 12 years, in the middle of a school day, I am alone in the house. (Okay, Buddy the Wonder Dog was still here, and Kim was here for awhile, but you get the picture...) I had pictured myself soaking in the big jetted tub, bubbles everywhere. Maybe reading the paper, painting my toenails. It's what I should have been doing yesterday.

It was a big day for 2 of us, here in the Brooksby house. Nat went to her first day of pre-school and I had an entire 2 1/2 hours to myself!! But, instead of the bubble bath, I took a 5 minute shower and spent the rest of the time picking up after my slovenly children. Not at all what I pictured myself doing to celebrate, but it had to be done. I thought the day would never come - all the kids in school for a few hours in the day. What will I ever do with myself to pass the time?? Kim asked me if I wanted to get a job...I hope he was kidding....