Family & Fireworks

I haven't hung out with my cousin Mendi in years. YEARS! We were close as kids and extremely close as young adults. We were like Thelma & Louise(Ok, without the guns and thievery)....taking Chico by storm. She was in my wedding. I love her to pieces. She understood me during my years of rebellion and confusion. What people don't realize, because they tend to judge from the surface, is that I am a person who NEEDS a person to understand me and love me for me. Someone that sees my weaknesses and my strengths and loves me because of them. She was that person. She didn't personally believe some of the things that I did, but she always encouraged me to be whatever made me happy...One day I figured it out on my own. I decided to be committed to my faith.

And here I am now, living it the best that I can. I moved on and she supported me in that. None of my other friends did. It says alot about her. (BTW, I really did mean for this to be a post about all the fun we had on the 4th. I guess I've been needing to get this out.)

I saw Mendi at my Grandpa's funeral. We talked about plans for the 4th of July. I admit, I was hesitant to commit for various reasons. But, any prior commitments or apprehensions were second to the overwhelming excitement I felt to reconnect with my dear cousin.

So, we packed up the trailer. Loaded the kids, the 2 dogs(we got Ramsey the night before we left), the toad's and their tank, the tree frogs and their tank, a bunch of crickets and fruit flies and headed up to my old stomping ground....the beautiful Lake Almanor. My body hasn't seen so much sun in 12 years. I love being tan again. I forgot how amazing it feels. We swam in the lake. We laid on the beach. We ate way too much junk food. We watched the fireworks off the peninsula. It was amazing.





The kids had so much fun playing with their 2nd cousins that they hardly knew. They connected like they had grown up together. It warmed my heart to see this. It reminded me of my younger years when I played the same way with my cousins. We shared our holidays. We were ALL together. Time, distance, and maybe a few other differences eroded this. It's always left me a little disheartened. This weekend meant so much to me. And it was SO SO SO fun!! I think our new tradition will be to spend the 4th up at Lake Almanor....but, next year I will make sure my air mattress doesn't have a hole.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2009 found us once again cemetery hopping.
This tradition was new for me when I married into the Anderson family but has become one of my most treasured ones. I have always had somewhat of an obsession with death, as my loyal readers know. For me there is something so amazing about taking time to honor loved ones past. Partly, I know it's because I fear I will die and be forgotten. It's also because I feel so drawn to my ancestors. I believe that the lives they lived have influenced how I was raised and who I am. When I am down, I often talk to my deceased grandparents. I believe they are busy doing other things now, but I also believe they are aware of me and surround me when I need them to. This year was bittersweet at the cemetery. I had just lost my grandfather. My mother and uncles were in Utah putting him to rest. I was sad that I couldn't be there. I also lamented about my Grandma Boone. I missed putting flowers on her grave last year. I missed her birthday this year. And now, I've missed her death date, June 1, as well. I will go there soon to do that.

As we cleaned the headstones and decorated the graves with flowers, my children listened to stories from Bruce and their Grandma Anderson about the loved ones we were honoring. My mother in law shared a story about her son, lost at 3 years old. About 2 weeks before his passing he said to her that he was going to go be with Heavenly Father. She said to him, "Wow! You must be a really good boy to get to go and be with him." His reply was,"Oh, mommy, I have been." She said he was so excited. Two weeks later he developed a brain bleed and died. I cried as she told my children that story. The thought of losing a child kills me. But, as I heard this part of the story for the first time I couldn't help but be grateful that my kids could hear this from their grandmother. Bruce also shared memories of his grandparents with our kids. We had a great time together. I'm so thankful for the cherished traditions that are not only fun for my family but unify us and are shaping who we are and what we value.

Lucky Me

Another St. Patty's Day gone. Monday I made the cake for our Irish tradition of eating the green cake w/ the phrase, "Lucky Us, We Have Each Other" written in frosting. Unfortunately, those awful little leprechauns got into it while I was sleeping. Hmmm, was it the dog, Bruce, or maybe the leprechauns really do exist? Spencer constructed the trap for the critters. They got away again. I think it might have been the sugar from the cake that spun them into overdrive and helped with the getaway! The cake destruction was a real bummer. I don't like to bake as it is. I'm certainly not going to bake the same cake twice. Plus, I had piano lessons at the house yesterday. No time for that amidst all the cleaning and stuff. Taylor & I ran to trusty Bel Air. They always have there bakery loaded with the holiday essentials. Nope. Not this time. I had to settle for cupcakes w/ white frosting & green sprinkles. Slightly festive in my opinion. But, it saved me from baking the second cake...and that is great! I roasted a corned beef brisket. Served it up with some cabbage, carrots & potatoes. It was good! I was looking forward to eating our Irish meal together once Bruce was back with the kids from baseball practice & my lessons were done. Nope. Bruce snuck in the kitchen, carved up my brisket & had the kids eat it in the car. So, I ate my celebratory feast alone. The cupcakes were a hit with the kids. I tried with all my might to get a great picture of us for my St. Patrick's Day album (& of course my blog). The picture wouldn't turn out with the timer on. Bruce was getting grouchier by the second waiting for me to figure it out. So, to save us all from certain mayhem, I let Bruce stretch is arm out for the good ole' do it yourself pose. I really want these things to go smooth so my family can have a wonderful memory of the holidays. How quickly I forget that when I married Bruce, I chose the life of luxury- Griswold style!! After the picture fiasco, we had a few minutes of pleasant conversation while we went around the table to tell why we are lucky to have our family. Here were the responses:

Cameron-(kept smiling and giggling) then said , "like Daddy to tickle me."
Taylor- "I like tickles too"
Spencer- "We have lots of toys." (He doesn't have that many....And usually complains about it!)
Mom- I always have someone to cuddle with.
Dad- Because there is so much love. ( I know he means this but I sure felt the sarcasm.)

Sometimes I wonder is I am the only wife & mother that has no control of her family. There is a constant whirlwind of chaos & mess. It's difficult while in the middle of the insanity to keep your sense of gratitude. Sometimes I have to force myself to pull back and quiet my mind so that I can feel the magnitude of all I'm blessed with. I am blessed to have this family. My kids are amazing little people. I love them more than I could ever describe. I'm even grateful for my simple husband. He is a wonderful person. My family is my life. And it is a life I am SO lucky to have.

Santa Made it After All!

For the past 10 years we've maintained a strict Christmas schedule. Christmas Eve is with Bruce's family. As soon as we're done, we load up our stuff, dogs and now Kids, too and drive in the nasty fog to Red Bluff. We get there around 1am. Wake up around 6am to check stockings with the little kids. And just when we're ready to crawl back in bed for a few more hours, the whole family is up and ready to go. I've been adamant about doing this for a few reasons. Well, 2 really. 1- Bruce has a hard time getting up in the morning for anything other than work or hunting. 2- I have brothers and sisters that are so much younger than me and I want them to have memories of me being a part of their Christmas morning. I'm afraid they won't think of me as there sister if we don't have shared memories like that. So, we continue to do this...All my friends tell me I'm crazy for doing it this way. I've never cared. Until this year. It might have been that Magnum has become horribly nuts without Buddy and I don't want to deal with him at my parents. It could be because I really want a chance of losing the Christmas morning bags under the eyes...A little of both I guess. I decided that this year we would sleep in our own beds, have Santa come to our house and then go to Red Bluff. It figures that once I decide to change this of my own free will I am forced into it due to car trouble. Whatever way it happened is fine. I loved having my first Christmas morning alone with Bruce and our kids. I'm so happy to have my own family to share these traditions with. Bruce borrowed his mom's car so that we could go to Red Bluff Christmas Day and be with my family. That was so wonderful of her. As it turned out, we were able to have a great Christmas after all!
P.S. I did get a really great hot chocolate maker with lots of yummy gourmet chocolate. THAT was fabulous!

Christmas Happenings

So what if I'm behind in my posting....I've got stuff going on. I do have alot I want to post...not much time to do it in. So, this may come in increments...I'll start with the Eve of Christmas Eve. Bruce & I have a tradition that we go look at Christmas lights the night before Christmas Eve. Growing up this was something I loved doing with my dad & my siblings. We can't do it on the actual Christmas Eve now because that is the Anderson Family Christmas. The same way, Christmas Day is to my family(the Boone's). Hence, we do it on the Eve of Christmas Eve. We all are geared up in our PJ's...we pack a thermos of hot chocolate. We load the CD changer with Christmas tunes and we're off for one of the greatest nights of the year.

Advent Calendar

If you're interested in the sock calendar, here are the activities I have in mine:

1st-Decorate the house
2nd-Get the tree
3rd-Decorate the tree
4th-Make paper chains for the kids room
5th-Ward Christmas Party
6th-Make Gingerbread Houses
7th-Go to the Messiah performance
8th-Caroling Rehearsal
9th- Watch Christmas movies
10th-Make Christmas Gifts
11th-Christmas Storybook Night
12th-Polar Express Night
13th-Apple Hill
14th-Make Christmas Goodies
15th-Deliver Goodies to Friends/Neighbors
16th-Write letters to Santa
17th-Have a family over for dinner & Christmas movie
18th-Family sing-a-long night
19th-Dinner Party
20th-Last minute shopping day
21st-Caroling at Senior home
22nd-Read Story of Jesus' birth & make Reindeer Food
23rd-Annual drive to look at Christmas lights in our PJ's w/ thermos of Hot Chocolate & Christmas carols blasting
24th-Go to Grandma Anderson's for dinner & gift exchange
25th-Christmas Day w/ Grandpa & Grandma Boone

Some of my friends included doing the 12 Days of Christmas, Making Wrapping Paper, Christmas Cards, etc. You can make mail Christmas cards a task for the day. Keep it simple...The point is to alleviate the stress of the season so that our homes can be filled with peace to focus on the real reason we celebrate: the birth of our Savior.

Welcome, December!

We're home from RB. I really had a great time. The day after Thanksgiving, I went shopping w/ my mom, my sister, & my sister Sarah & my sister, Stevie(yes, she's named after Stevie Nicks & it's a good story for later.)We are not the early riser type so we didn't get out until 10 or so. It's Red Bluff, so we started at the major shopping spot in town, Wal-Mart. I got some $4 pajamas for the kids. Whoopee!! We headed up to the Anderson outlets. Gymboree got me. Those kid stores really know how to trap me without much effort. Then we went to Maurice's. I swear, my narcissism was at a peak in the dressing room. I'm seriously angered that I didn't think to take pictures because I had such a fabulous time there. I do feel bad for my sisters and mom that sat so solemnly while I paraded myself around the dressing room like I thought I was a rock star. My mom, she's the greatest, got me an early present and those of you that saw me at church know how smashing it was. (Again, I didn't take a picture...but I will of that dress because it's fabulous.) Here's a picture of us in the car...Sarah didn't make it in.
Saturday night, my mom & dad took Bruce & I to dinner. We had ribs,(again so fitting for Red Bluff)really great ribs I might add. No kids. Then we went to the Christmas parade downtown. Now this is no Macy's Day parade...this is in true RB fashion, Mexican's in low riders and a whole lot of tractors and cowboys in big trucks. I really love hanging out with my mom & pops.

But now we are home, so,it's time to get busy...laundry, laundry and more laundry. A little bit of dusting and....Yeah! It's Christmas time. I will be spending the rest of today decorating. My Christmas carols are already playing. I went to Starbucks this morning to get my grande hot chocolate w/ whip. Today is the day to go (RED) at Starbucks. I've actually been going there alot lately. I got a $40 giftcard from the soccer coaches for being the team mom. Another disorder I may have...A $40 giftcard in hand and I suddenly feel like a pimp at Starbucks! Spencer got up early to cut out snowflakes for each of his classmates. He's very thoughtful that way. My first thing to go up in my home was my advent calendar, of sorts. It's actually socks strung using a long piece of ribbon and clothespins. Each sock if filled with a treat and a "to-do today item". For instance, today the treat was 3 hershey's kisses and a paper that says decorate the house. So, not only do my children get the normal tasty surprise to help countdown the day until Christmas, I get to maintain my sanity by having all the Christmas stuff scheduled. Only 1 thing a day, that's easy! One day will be making Gingerbread houses. Another will be making reindeer food. The next might be Christmas movie night. It's all very exciting....This whole wonderful thing was a live, laugh, love project. My friend, Ashley, started this tradition in our club and I love her for it!
I'm proofing this post before publishing and I can't help but get a kick out of myself. I'm a bonafied nut job...(No offense to anyone mentally or emotionally challenged in any way...I refer only to myself as a nut job.)