Shhh...

Her Christmas present: cut with a saw, sanded, primed and three coats of paint later. I was beginning to wonder if we could pull this one off!

Merry Christmas!

It is a silent night tonight.
It is barely snowing here.
Downstairs John is singing softly, "I Saw Three Ships".
I can't help smiling as I think of the blessings the Lord has given to each one of us.

May we all find peace, joy and goodwill through Him.

Note: All these pieces of art are by one of my favorite Christian artists, Liz Lemmon Swindle. I had the privilege to get to know her daughter while living in Michigan and I can definitely say that they are an inspiring family. You can buy them at fine art galleries like Twiggs and Moore or here online.

"This Quote Probably Shouldn't Amuse Me..."

Said my sister this morning. My husband said after hearing this quote, "Whomever said this truly understood women."

Here is the Quote of the day:
Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater.
If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.
If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.
If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.
If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.
She multiplies and enlarges whatever is given to her.
So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of #$*%.

Santa's Little Helper

I was surprised at how helpful Livy was at putting up the Christmas decorations! It still was a lot of work doing it with a toddler, but it was also fun to see how excited she was! There was a lot of "Wassdat?" and explaining. Granted the bottom third of the tree is in constant flux with her redecorating, but nothing is breakable so it makes it easy. We have yet to nail the tree to the floor like my parents had to with me. The "ights" on the tree and outside get an appreciative "Whoa." when they come on.
Another favorite of hers is the nativities (Little People one and the Fontanini). She loves rearranging them and is particularly worried about where the baby Jesus (or Jesuses as the case may be) will be placed. Sometimes I will find both babies together in one of the managers. She absolutely had to take the Fontanini baby with her to Nana's house. I personally don't find that creche baby artistically beautiful, but who am I to argue with her love of baby Jesus? There has been a lot more things underfoot with Christmas out, but it feels so much more holly jolly!

Taggin' Along

1. Started your own blog (duh!)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii (someday)
5. Watched a meteor shower (love it!)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (but I couldn't afford much anyway...)
7. Been to Disneyland (love it!)
8. Held a praying mantis (they are so cool!)
9. Climbed a mountain
10.Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped. (never, ever)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked (no way)
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill (before my "real" job)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb (My lambs names were: Salt and Pepper)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (it is on the "To Do" list)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (wish)
29. Seen a total eclipse (overrated)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (NOT overrated)
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (this one is a half-sie one: Sometimes I am SO content no matter what financial status I am. And others, I think "It would sure be great if...")
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (not on real rocks)
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (she was probably too doped up to care about the McBurger)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (Is this my best side?)
48.Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain (mmmm...excuse me while I remember...)
53. Played in the mud (I can't believe my mom let the whole neighborhood have a mud fight in our backyard.)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (can't beat that white trash fun!)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (the Red Cross loves me. They call me a "Zero Hero")
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt - currently trying to....
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (not the best boyfriend...nevermind, Mom...)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible - the Song of Solomon is ridiculous
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous - saw a lot of people in L.A., but never "met" them
92. Joined a book club (love book clubs)
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (awesomest thing ever)
95. Seen the Alamo in person (cooler than you would think)
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (I didn't swim in it, but I sure did smell it...yuck!)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone (finally)
99. Been stung by a bee (too many times, and once in Sacrament...)
100. Read an entire book in one day (too many times too :)

Taggin' it along to: the two "Kris.."es: Krissmas and Kristie