CHRISTMAS MAYHEM AT OUR HOUSE

I love Christmas, but this year was a bit different for us. My mother left for a full-time mission on Monday December 28th. So Christmas was sort of taking a back seat while we got her ready. Unfortunately--she had no gifts to open, because they had all been given to her earlier so we weren't trying to figure out how things worked in 3 days.
I did have one present for here, however in all of the confusion it has taken up residency in a spot other than where I thought I put it! I have no idea where it is--I even cleaned in the general area two days before and then on Christmas Eve--but to no avail---I just can't find it and just don't remember where it is!

Back to Christmas--it was a day filled with visitors, new friends, and toys coming out every crack in the woodwork and wrapping paper filled almost every garbage can in the house. Our recycling can is pack to the hilt--with no budging and still have quite a bit of stuff to stuff in there. We are going to have to double dip on the garbage tomorrow---as soon as they empty them, pack them up an take them across the street for another round. Even all of neighbors bins were full and they have no children!

On Sunday, Mom gave her farewell talk on Service. She did a great job and was completely overwhelmed by the fact that the back doors to the chapel had to be opened for more guests! She was totally honored.

It was nice to see--even if only for a few minutes--cousins that we haven't seen since the last wedding, I think it was Jenny's, but not sure. Cousin's children we have never met or seen or only saw when they were babies and then they were off to their various homes and families--after all it was the Christmas holiday and they had other places to be.

I promise when she comes home, we will have an open house and it will be in the summer and can be outside and we can talk for hours!!!

I hope everyone's Christmas was wonderful and that you and your families have a Prosperous and Happy New Year!

Computer not working

I am sorry I haven't posted pictures. My computer and I are having a breakdown. It will not bring up any of my pictures. So I am only posting information mostly---because I am a terrible journal keeper and this is a good way for me to remember.

So until I can get the computer fixed--no picture--drats. For some reason though they will post to facebook, so check them out there if you are interested!

ONE YEAR AGO! !

A year ago on December 19th, Andrew Russell Rodriguez made his way into this world. he was 6 weeks early and he wasn't going to wait a moment longer.
Kassie had been in the hospital for pre-term labor on four different occasions. This girl has her babies early and there is no getting around it. The only one that complied with regular term limits was Austin and she didn't have other children running around, so she was on complete bed rest. Ashlynne made her way into this wonderful world at 29 weeks.
But our little Handu made his way in, kicking and screaming, with no problems associated with preterm babies. He was 6 lbs and 6 oz., with a full head of hair, a strong grip on the fingers, and ready to go home the following day.
This year has been pretty eventful with him though; Two and a half weeks after his birth, he ended up in the hospital with seizures, of which he has outgrown thankfully. He was also hospitalized for RSV with a collapsed lung and pneumonia a few months later. But through it all he has not slowed down on the eating and drinking and growing.
He is 12 months old and is in 18 month clothes. He is the joy of our lives (as well as the other two). He brother loves to wrassle with him and play with him and his sister loves to give him kisses.
This child loves his Nana and would love nothing better than to be held all day long. He loves to be read to and he adores music.
For his birthday party Sunday night, the family gave him an Elmo plane and he was thrilled. How many one year olds do you know that have their own airplane?
We have enjoyed having him in our family and wouldn't trade him for anything in this world.
Happy Birthday Handu, we love you to pieces.

INSPIRATIONAL AND FESTIVE WEEKEND

This weekend was filled with a little of everything. From going to my one and only holiday concert of the season to listening to one of my favorite Apostles at Stake Conference.
Friday night mom and I headed to the Salt Lake Men's Choir for a night filled with music and fun at the First Baptist Church across from East High School If you wonder what the Salt Lake Men's Choir is, it is a choir made up of primarily gay men--however any men are invited to be a part of it. I have friends that I went to High School with that invited me to it and I have to say that it was one of the best concerts I have ever been to. They were incredible
Saturday morning took us to our ward Christmas party with homemade soup, breadsticks,
rolls, cakes, fruit and Santa. The kids loved it. They aren't afraid this year and wasted no time in getting up to his lap. I looked up and actually saw Ashlynne on his lap before I could take out the camera--so I only got one of her. Austin acted as though he was carrying on a conversation with a long lost friend. And for the decorations: Oh I couln't believe it--they were cylinder cardstock, glues together, with small plastic cups set inside and battery operated tea lights set in the cups, with very simple decorations glues to the outsie. Juniper branches down the table with burlap underneath. Simple. Simple. Simple.
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Saturday evening was our Stake Conference Adult Meeting and we were saturated with the spirit of Elder Vaughn Keach (our Regional Authority for the 14 stakes in our area) as well as one of my all time favorite apostles, Elder Robert G. Hales.
This man has a presence about him like no other, the trials he has been through, the people he has rubbed shoulders with, the stories he tells and he sense of humor is very dry and funny. This man has lived on the brink of death and still comes back with the humor to allow others to identify with him. He would begin to end his talk when he would say " I think this merits a story". I did that about four times.
Today's talk from Elder Hales was of a more spiritual nature, but more to the point and direct on what we need to do to get back to the basic gospel principles.

Today brought a good snowfall and with snow and children come snowballs, snowmen and wet, wild kiddos. It was good for them to have Janessa here to play with them and get wild with--which is usually the case whether it's in or outdoors.

IT'S UP!

Woo Hoo, the tree is up!!! This is a first for me because it was so late this year. Generally it is up on Thanksgiving weekend or at the latest the first weekend in December.

We kept it simple though because of the near one year old who is beginning a few steps and that I quite possibly won't have any help getting it down because Mom will be gone.

Merry Christmas !

BAHHH-HUMBUG

At this time of year, though it is supposed to be a time of "Good Cheer," "Holly in My Heart" and all of that stuff, I have a tendency to turn into a bit of a Grinchy Ebeneezer Scrooge! There I have said it. Yep this is me--especially when it comes to decorating the Christmas Tree. Keith has decided this year, since mom will be gone next year, that he wants a real tree. Fine with me, I love the smell, but I don't enjoy, in the least, putting on the lights and I get really angry and testy when it comes to doing this. "Now why not have Keith put them on you may ask,"? When it comes right down to it. The tree will go bare before he gets the lights on any tree and Andrew will have graduated from college with a PHd before he gets those lights on (Andrew turns one the 19th of December).

Now as you know, I love my husband, however, but when it comes to the not so important things, such as the lights on a tree or new kitchen chairs (which by the way I get to go out and purchase because he didn't keep up his end of the bargain--truly he never does), and also some very important stuff as well, he is a procrastinator, with a capital "PROCRASTINATE" and these letters bolded and capitalized with a size 200 font--it wouldn't begin to make you aware of how much he procrastinates and it would make it that much more frustrating and I don't see it ever getting any better or anything ever finished.
So thus, we have an artificial tree with the lights already strung on, so that Gaylene, a.k.a. Ebeneezer Grinch, doesn't have to worry about getting herself in a huff, getting angry and hating everything about Christmas because someone nominated me years ago to do the lights.
I truly hope that others are not as grinchy as I am and that everyone has a WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON