And the countdown to Christmas begins...

Which means I am making lists, lists and more lists.

What cookies am I making with who and splitting up ingredients. What am I making for Christmas Eve? What am I making for Christmas Day? Who's getting what gifts?

Thankfully most of the shopping is done. All that is left is my brother-in-law and my Dad and a few gifts for the kids (OK, actually I still need to get Baby Girl's "big" gift and a few small ones, but it's still mostly done!). I ordered Little Man's "big" gift today along with a small gift for Baby Girl. We got a $10 off a $10 purchase @ Kohl's this weekend, so I plan to get a small gift Friday night during the Night Owl specials.

Our Christmas tree is up, very early for us. We had a yummy dinner Saturday night and put it up. The kids did a great job decorating. It's now just been an issue to remind them to leave the ornaments alone! Oscar has resumed living under the tree.

Next up will be making chocolate candies for my Mother-in-law and her BFF for their gifts.

Much to do in the next 24 days!

Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Much to do to prepare. The kids are off of school this week. I had Parent/Teacher conferences on Monday. Overall, they are both doing extremely well. Baby Girl is still pokey and always last in line, to recess, lunch, etc. Ultimately, we think it's a control issue with her. She will deal with you and your demands when she is good and ready *sigh*

So, she must be broken to realize she needs to do what she's told, when she's told. We've always expected that of her, but have been a bit lax as of late and now it's coming back to bite us in the ass.

Otherwise, she is very ready to start reading and at or above where she should be on everything. Which is great since she is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, in the class.

Little Man is doing spectacular as well. His teacher had the same observations as me. We noticed such a difference in the first 2 weeks. She indicated he thought it was playtime when school first started and after about 2 weeks he got it that it was time to learn, not play. They do, of course, play, but it's learning and playing. We need to keep working on counting with him, but he's exactly where he should be, again, being one of the youngest in the class (I actually do think he is the youngest...damn me and my late spring/early summer due dates!)

I did the Thanksgiving shopping Monday before conferences and made the green bean casserole yesterday along with the stuffing/dressing. Today I will make the sweet potatoes, glazed carrots and pumpkin pie.

I'm working quite a bit again, averaging 20.5 hours a week the next few weeks. Good to have the hours, but makes for a very tired girl!

November

There are moments when life is pretty shitty. Take this past week. Money is tight (isn't it always???). But when you just get back from Disney World, it tends to be really tight. Which is cool, I mean we had the trip of a lifetime.

But the exhaust decided to literally fall off the car. To the tune of $425 we really didn't have to spare, but there wasn't much choice as we kinda need the car.

Next I decided it was time to be sick. And by sick, I mean holy-crap-my-brain-is-about-to-explode-congestion sick. My first sinus infection in quite some time. And they decided I probably have the flu, quite possibly the swine flu, so I got treated for that too. To the tune of another $90 for 3 prescriptions (because America's health care situation is just fine!!!!!! We don't have to rob Peter to pay Paul!)

But now I sit here on the couch, finally listening to Christmas music (because although Gumby has a post-Thanksgiving rule, if the radio stations switch before that, I am exempt as long as I'm listening to the radio. Heh. I love my clauses.)

And the children are playing in the sandbox and the dog is sitting 10 feet away on high-alert for a rogue squirrel trying to attack them (it could happen!).

And although I feel pretty horrific, it's a moment of sheer perfection. Satisfaction in life and reflection of blessings.

2009 has left a lot to be desired for our family. A lot of loss and mourning.

But we are still standing at the end (albeit, short 1 Reed and a set of breasts).

I still struggle over the loss of Patrick as we come to the 9th month since his death. But in this moment, I can mourn him and be content with where we are all at once.