Who's the Boss?

I had to remind Madison who the boss was because apparently, she has forgotten after five months. I gave her a six pack of whoopin'

Then she reminded Jensen who her boss was. Notice Jensen already has an ice pack.

O Christmas Tree Part Deux

Lew did this...

...and this
...and this ...and this I even told him I wanted a square wreath that I saw on a Lowe's magazine and he made this...( the red bow is Jensen's idea. It's not part of the wreath)
He refused to decorate the tree. Madison and I devised a plot. We would make the tree really ugly. He would get frustrated and take over then we wouldn't have to do it. We carried through with our plan but Lew wouldn't give in. He even had to go outside to avoid looking at the decorating carnage. Our sinister plot had failed. Our tree is still ugly. Oh well, everything else looks nice and festive.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

We waited for Madison to get home to carry out our tradition of cutting down a Christmas Tree. We loaded up and went to Santa's Tree Farm. We have been doing this for at least 12 years, if not longer. We usually make a day of it, but since we waited so long we had other errands to complete so it was a quick trip. The kids take this tradition very serious, as you can see by their expressions. We loaded up on the hay ride around the farm and got dropped off in our usual location. We decided we wanted a wee 'ittle tree this year. We are always suckers for the Charlie Brown trees. Madison and Parker worked as a team to cut it down. Jensen caught it.
Parker and Jensen carried it up to be measured, tagged and bagged.
Lew tried to kill Madison.
Then Madison tried to kill Lew.

Best Christmas Present Ever

Whether it was by trickery, coercion or divine intervention, all of my duckies were with me at sacrament meeting today. It didn't really sink in that it was going to happen until I saw it happen. Sometime between the opening prayer and the opening song, my face started leaking. I was so overwhelmed with joy. I felt like this is what it must be like when we are reunited as a forever family. I also felt like this is what it is all about. I have suffered more than my share of adversity this year. If I knew it was going to culminate with such joy and hope and peace, I would faced the adveristy more cheerfully.

After church, it was Christmas at my mother's house. She made stockings for everyone this year. They are super cute.

I know this looks like my skirt but it is a blanket. I know I am fat, but not that fat.

After a short nap, or quiet time for some of us, we went to the Ingalls' for dessert. Not that we needed more dessert, but we just wanted to enjoy their company before the holidays really set in.

Mike taught us how to make Christmas mice and then Roxanne taught us how to play "nertz." (sp?)

We ate some of the mice, watched the Christmas devotional, played nertz (Roxanne won) and overstayed our welcome.

Christmas just can't get better than this.

Madison's Home

Danette showed me this cool website where we could track Madison's flight. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/SWA2655 After watching it all day, when she had an hour left of her flight, Lew, Jensen, Melena and I hopped in Franklin and shot down to the airport. I was a nervous wreck until she texted and said they had landed. (I love cell phones!) It was so good to have her home. It seems like she was never gone.

Guess Where I'm Going Today?

Give up?

TO PICK UP MADISON AT THE AIRPORT!

WooHoo!

I'm nervous for her because she has never flown by herself. Please pray for her and me.

I wonder if I will recognize her? hmmm!

21!

This is my late birthday blog dedicated to my eldest. That's right Madison turned 21 on December 2nd. I don't know why I took so long to write this. Maybe because when your oldest turns 21 you are now officially old. Maybe because she is 2,000 miles away and we didn't really get to celebrate Madisonpalooza. Maybe it's just I took crazy pills and I'm just now gettin' rountuit. Regardless, I had to get it done because she comes home in 5 DAYS! I can't wait!

I wanted to share a few reasons why I celebrate Madison's birth. I'll do it in the style initiated by Mary Gronlund.

makes Me laugh, always

moved Away and followed her dreams

oldest Daughter and a great example

She & I have our own language

Mad Skillz as "stylist to the stars"

she ain't no Ordinary girl

Has the Niftiest decorating skillz

I miss your funny self, LaFonda.

Hurry home, Love Mom