6

So we are having another wee baby. (Okay mine come out a pretty good size and not so wee. Maybe this time I'll get a wee little one of 6 or 7 lbs. Emma was 7, 7 is good) :)

We are thrilled to be expecting baby #6! People think we are crazy, which is probably true but has nothing to do with having another baby. But we are excited either way. 

Baby is due to come January sometime. I'm planning on January 12th. No, it's not my due date, it's just the day I have picked. It's my nephew birthday, it's a Sunday (so Lars is sure to be around), and it's not too early but not late either. So yup, January 12th. 

Isn't that how it works? I decide what day and that's when it happens? Hmmm, no you say. Well we shall see. I'm hoping baby's plan and my plan go together. 

My 12 days of Christmas

Well I didn't post more while we were on vacation as my internet signal was sporadic, and I was busy having fun with my family!

We did and saw so much while in LA. It was fun and just nice to spend time together without worrying about other obligations, school, work, etc. I'll do another post, possibly, about the rest of our trip another day, maybe.

As you can imagine we didn't really do presents this year since we were taking a two week vacation but I wanted to do something special for Lars. I thought about the 12 days of Christmas but didn't want to spend a lot, as mentioned before, and I wasn't going to be in my own home for part of the 12 days. Lars loves music so finally I came up with 12 days of christmas in song. (Yeah I know it is a song but this is a little different.)

I came up with a theme for each day and then found songs to go with that theme. 1 song for day 1, 2 for day 2 and so on. Then each day I emailed that days theme and song to him. He LOVED it. It combined two of the things he loves the most, music and me not spending money on him (though admittedly I spent a few dollars on some new songs for this) It wasn't as easy as you might think though as Lars is extremely picky with music. He like classical, real jazz (I'm talking Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and the like) some oldies (50's and 60's) musicals and then some stuff from when we were kids, and a little, very tiny, bit of current stuff.

This is what I came up with in case anyone is curious:

12 reasons I love you so

Day 1- You work so hard for our family 
            Heigh-ho- Louis Armstrong
Day 2- You think I'm beautiful no matter what
            Just kiss me- Harry Connick Jr
            The way you look tonight- Frank Sinatra
Day 3- You're just so darn cute
             He's so fine- The Chiffons
             Da doo ron ron- The Crystals
             Tonight I met an angel- The Chiffons
Day 4- You like to be with me 
             Close to you- Harry Connick Jr
             Cuddle up a little closer-Hossier Hot Shots
             I wanna hold your hand-The Beatles
Day 5- You love me no matter what
             So in love- Ella Fitzgerald
             Somebody love me- Ella Fitzgerald
             Love somebody- Doris Day & Buddy Clark
             I'll string along with you- Doris Day & Buddy Clark
             Love me do- The Beatles
Day 6- You make me weak in the knees
             Natural woman- Aretha Franklin
             Bubbly- Colbie Caillat
             If I were a bell- Ella Fitzgerald
             Dizzy- Tommy Roe
             Then he kissed me-The Crystals
             Turn me on- Norah Jones
Day 7- We get each other in ways no one else ever could
             Better together- Jack Johnson
             I could write a book-Harry Connick Jr
             You were meant for me-The Capitolians
             Feels like home- Thantal Kreviazuk
             We belong together- Randy Newman
             Wink and a smile-Harry Connick Jr
             It had to be you- Harry Connick Jr
Day 8- I like you and you like me
            A bushel and a peck-Doris Day
            I get a kick out of you-Louis Armstrong
            People will say we're in love-Ella Fitzgerald
            Isn't this a lovely day- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
            Goin' to the dance with you- Kristen Chenoweth
            I'm happy just to dance with you- The Beatles
            Day is Done- John Prine
            We're going to be friends-Jack Johnson
Day 9- You always say nice things about me
             On the street where you live- Harry Connick Jr
             All shook up- Elvis Presley
             The boy from Ipanema-Ella Fitzgerald
             Fever-Ella Fitzgerald
             Sugar Sugar- The Archies
             Michelle- The Beatles
             Pretty Woman- Roy Orbison
             Jeepers Creepers- Louis Armstrong
             And I love her- The Beatles
Day 10- You are sweet to me
              Honeysuckle Rose- Ella Fitzgerald
              That's Amore- Dean Martin
              Pretty little Angel Eyes- Curtis Lee
              8 Days a week- The Beatles
              When you were sweet 16- Mills Brothers
              I feel Fine- The Beatles
              Love me Tender- Norah Jones
              Tenderly- Ella Fitzgerald
              Cheek to Cheek- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
              Sweet Pea- Amos Lee
Day 11- You try to give me the world
              If I had the world to give- Grateful Dead
              I can't give you anything but love- Louis Armstrong
              If I could give you more- Harry Connick Jr
              All you need is love- The Beatles
              The Five Pennies- Danny Kaye
              Who wants to be a millionaire- Frank Sinatra
              When you wish upon a star- Louis Armstrong
              Twelve days of Christmas- Vocal Majority
              Come fly with me- Frank Sinatra
Day 12- You give me a fine romance
               A fine romance- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
               I never knew- The Chiefs of Staff
               Our love is here to stay- Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
               Heart and Soul- Ella Fitzgerald
               Be my life's companion- Mills brothers
               I will- The Beatles
               I only have eyes for you- Harry Connick Jr
               Happy together- The Turtles
               Make someone happy- Jimmy Durante
               A kiss to build a dream on- Louis Armstrong
               Married Life-Micael Giacchino (from the movie up)

He said it was the best gift he'd ever had and he was going to be sad when it stopped so I've decided to continue with a song a day (and just one song, could you imagine multiplying it each day to match the day of the year-YIKES) Anyhow, hopefully he enjoys it. I had fun doing this, though it was hard to find songs he would like to match the theme of the day (And a couple of them are a stretch as far as him LOVING them goes but they are ones he would like okay at least)

So that was my cheap yet appreciated gift for my sweetie this year. Any other ideas for cheap/free gifts? Any ideas for different songs I could have used for any given day? Did you do anything fun or creative for Christmas this year?

Family vacation

For Christmas this year we decided to take a family vacation. We have annual passes to Disneyland this year so naturally we decided that is where our trip would be. At first it was just going to be a week at Disneyland but then a good friend that lives in Burbank called us and said they would be on Utah for the whole of Christmas break and would we want to use their house an watch their cat in Burbank since we were going to be in the vicinity anyhow. It was an answer to our prayers. It gave us the ability to take the whole two weeks and spend it as a family in Southern California. Our tickets aren't good for the week of Christmas since we didn't want to pay the extra for no blockout dates but that was okay with us as we had never done anything in SoCal but Disneyland.
So here we are enjoying comparatively warm weather and seeing many sights in LA and surrounding areas.

Day one-

We arrived in Burbank about 1 in the morning and promptly fell into bed as slept until 10 or so in the morning. Then we headed up to Solvang, taking time to drive through Santa Barbara on our way. Solvang is a little Danish town and seeing as Lars is Danish, and by natural design my kids are too :) So we decided to take the 2 hour trip up to see it. It was fun though we felt we didn't have enough time to do it justice. The drive up there was gorgeous though and worth every second of those two hours.

It's a lot of family togetherness so there is plenty of squabbles and complaining but there is also plenty of laughs, wonder, an memories being made.

I'll post more tomorrow!

Good in the world- 2

Seeing as it's Christmas time as well as because of the events of the last week I think we need, or at least I need, another Good in the world post. So despite the fact that bad things happen, and so often to such very good and innocent people, I think there is evidence of good as well. It doesn't take much. I think it's so easy to focus on the bad and to ask "Where is God when these bad things happen?" I know that God has given us each the ability to make our own choices and he will not interfere with this sacred gift. Sometimes he will whisper words of warning to us that may help to keep us out of harms way, but he won't always do that. We are here in the life, on this earth, to experience things, to experience life and as much as I want it to be all rainbows and butterflies it isn't, and can't be. That is what heaven is for, right? At any rate, God not only whispers words of warning to us in times of danger he will whisper words of encouragement, words of hope, and words of happiness. He often nudges us to help others with these words. And no, we don't usually hear these things with our ears, nor voices in our head, its just a thought or a feeling, "I should call so-and-so today." or "I wonder if ---- needs some dinner brought over or a treat" Why do we feel these things at times? Because we are here to spread all the good we can, so look around and watch for the good happening around you, and even better be a part of it. Look for the good you can do, "listen" for the thoughts you have to help others even if it is as simple as a phone call or text. Here are some of my observations of good lately.

My Grandpa. This guy is a constant giver and helper to those around him and I have been lucky enough to be the recipient of his help more times than I can count, both as a child and as an adult. He has a quick and cheerful smile, he would give you the shirt off his back (and I don't doubt that he may have actually done that at some point in his life) He loves kids and always manages to make everyone around him feel young again, because he has such a jolly, youthful spirit about him. He has canned peaches with me, helped us remodel our home, given kids rides to and from places, and gone on trips and activities with us. We love to have him around and are so blessed that he has been able to do so much with us.

Sunsets. I know, it isn't much. The wonderful thing about sunsets is that it is easily accessible. It is there no matter where you live or what may be going on around you. It is a beauty that is shared with all the world. There is something so serene about sunsets. It just makes you stop, if for just a moment, and soak in the beauty, I think that is so good for the soul. Visual beauty does that. To me sunsets are a good in this world.

People helping other people. I don't have a picture of those that helped but good friends of ours that are always there when we need help took at day to help us when this big pine tree blew over in a windstorm. They have been there countless times before when we have needed help. People that are willing to set aside their own needs and to-do lists to help are such a good in this world.
Here is an article of a kid that does this on a regular basis. We could all learn a little from him.

Then there is someone out there who is doing the 12 days of Christmas for our sweet friends. It is such a blessing for them as they have 5 cute girls and work hard just to make ends meet. They also do much to spread happiness to others around them so I'm so happy to see them being recipients of that kind of goodness too. 

Babies. As always babies are just such a breath of fresh air. Their innocence reminds us to be better, their helplessness teaches us to be less selfish, their smiles and milestones remind us to take joy in the simple things of life. 

Family 

Snuggles (and naps!) 

               Friendships 

 

 

       A sense of humor and Silliness

Random and small sightings of beauty

It doesn't have to be a big thing, a grand act, or cost anything. There is good in the world, just look for it and you will find something. 

Please Christmas don't be late

Christmas, Christmas time is here!!!!! Can you believe it is in just one week?! Obviously I can't. We get to leave for California in just a few days and can't wait to spend Christmas in California and to, of course, GO TO DISNEYLAND! This trip, however, we are spending the first week checking out the other local tourist sites, which I'm not sure actually exist, I mean is there really anything but Disneyland in California, I don't think so, I'm pretty sure it's a myth, like Bigfoot. BUT if it does exist, life beyond Disneyland, not Bigfoot, then we will have some good times indeed. We tried to convince grandpa to come with us but he has chosen to help hold the fort down at home, which I'm sure the cat appreciates.

Really though, how can it be a week till Christmas? Just a couple weeks from 2013. I'm not going to wax poetic or get all sappy but seriously, where has time gone and how do I rewind just a bit to enjoy some of those moments I rushed through? Okay that's it that's my "time is going to fast" bit for this post, I know it is a common theme for me, I guess I'm getting old(er) or something. Actually I just realized that I need to get Oscar a drivers handbook so he can get his permit and get his 40 hours of driving time in. Wow, things have changed since I got my license, or did I just have a different experience than many people. I got my permit the day I was allowed, I drove as much as possible, then the day I turned 16 I went and took my driving test and that was it, I was a licensed driver. (And yes the thought of my kids doing it that way freaks me out like not many thoughts can! Really that was it?! What were people thinking?)

We are all excited that Santa gets to visit us in California instead of Utah this Christmas though Lilli is a little sad we won't have snow. She was actually shocked to learn it doesn't snow in Disneyland…EVER!
"What?? Not even on Christmas Eve or Christmas day? How is that possible?" She incredulously asked not wanting to believe this could be true. Alas it is, and probably the very reason so many people flock to southern California.  So she has declared we must go build a sandman on Christmas since we can't build a snowman, I'll let you all know how it goes. :)

Okay now I have some recommendations;
1) Check out my food blog because I actually post to that fairly regularly so if you are looking for some good recipes that's a good stop because that is one of my loves, cooking.
AND
2) I have a few books that I've read lately that I love.

• The Girl of the Limberlost- by Gene Stratton Porter
• Freckles- by Gene Stratton Porter
• The hiding place- by Corrie Ten Boom, Elizabeth Sherrill, John Sherrill
• NurtureShock- by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman (Non-fiction)
• Quiet: The power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking- by Susan Cain (Non-fiction)
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerers stone (For the 50th or so time)
• Little women (For the 1000th or so time)

That's about it for now. We are all merry and bright here, other than the occasional cold or stomach bug that seem to be a part of winter. I'll write up a new years post with a more detailed update on our crew after my vacation! Merry Christmas all!

Fall

I love fall! It is truly the best season. The weather cools down, nights are crisp, you can don all those sweaters that have been waiting in the closet. I love the decor, the leaves changing, the mountains ablaze with color, but mostly I love the smells. I can smell the "campfire" smell as people begin to use their fireplaces. There is cinnamon everywhere. And i begin to bake fall treats. Gingersnaps, pumpkin bread, pies, hot chocolate. In Denmark there is a word that doesn't really translate, it describes almost a feeling and it is hard to describe but it is how fall makes me feel. Hygge. It is coziness, and home, and feeling secure and happy. Everyone has their own way to describe it, but to me it is fall. It is how I feel when I'm home with my family drinking hot chocolate, watching Charlie Brown's halloween special. It is making christmas treats with my kids, and writing christmas lists. It isn't just fall but when I think of fall I think of hygge.

October 1st is a great day because it is when I feel like fall really begins, we can get out our decorations, start thinking about the holidays, and plan our christmas. I force myself not to break out my christmas music yet, I let the anticipation build a little longer so I can truly savor my favorite music. November 1st is when I pull it out, too soon for many but just right for me.

So this is a short and sweet post but I am a happy girl, and though I say I wish fall would last all year I know I wouldn't love it quite as much if it did, it wouldn't be the same, there would be nothing to look forward to. It is, however, far too short. (But like most short things the happiness it brings makes up for the lack of size or amount of time, just look at me) :D

There is good in the world

There are days where you feel like this world is rotten. Days where you see all the horrible news, mean comments, smog and filth, and all the other negative that is out there. You think that all hope is lost.

Then you snap out of it, this funk that enveloped you. You take a breath, look around, and start to see the good. Sometimes it is just little things, and then you start to see more and more. You take another deep breath, this time a little slower, and let it out with a satisfied "Ahhhhh" There is good in the world.


Like this

This little guy was born today. He was born to a wonderful family, one of my favorites. He is perfect, and adorable, and sweet. I'm so happy for him, to be born into a great family, I'm so happy for his family, to have been blessed with a sweet adorable boy, I'm happy for me, that I got to hold him and soak up his sweet presence. 

Like my darling friend who works hard to bring some happiness to some kids that are facing challenges I don't even want to imagine. She is amazing and selfless. She brings and is good in this world. Check it out here and here.

2 friends came to the hospital today when I had to take my Grandpa, to give him a blessing. (A special prayer) It was so kind and lifted his spirits so much. I had to hold back tears knowing that people love Grandpa so much that they will leave their families for a few minutes, at 11:30 at night no less, to help him out. I love having these good people in our lives and count them as family. 

I'm looking forward to this event, the theme of which just happens to be "Seek the Good". Perfect. I can't wait for TOFW to be able to sit and soak up all the uplifting words, music, and gentle spirits of those that present and attend. Happily I'm on the team this year to help spread the word. Get ahold of me if you do want more info. It really is a great event that will lift your spirits for a long time after. My daughter gets to attend the girls version, TOFG, while I'm at the event for women. I'm so grateful for all the hard work that goes into putting on this amazing event. It is put on by a good company, and pulled together by amazing women. I can't wait to hear about more good in the world at this event. 

Like my kids. They are the best good in this world to me. They bring me joy daily, though we have our not so good moments too, they are amazing kids and each bring something precious to my life. 

Like my husband. He works incredibly hard for our family, both at work and at home. He tells me numerous times a day that he loves me and that he thinks I'm wonderful. We have had, and will have, our ups and downs but we laugh together, he holds me when I cry, and we think the same stupid things are funny. That's love.

So I'm snapping out of my funk and choosing to see the good in this world. I am making a goal to find one good thing everyday for a month to remind myself of the good that is out there.  I'm seeking the good and I plan to find it.

What have you seen that is good lately?