Have You Decorated Yet? I Have!

So, I am just feeling the need to brag a little.  I think I am the first person to already have Christmas decorations up.....anyone else? Didn't think so. Well, to be honest, I don't have a tree yet.  I think we will wait until at least November to purchase the tree, but I thought if I keep up the decorations decorate for Christmas now, I will be ahead of the gang and not get heart palpitations the day after Thanksgiving when everyone declares on Facebook that they already have the house decorated, Christmas cards sent out, and presents bought and wrapped! So there.  I am ready and proud.  One more thing to check off my list (actually two if you count putting away the decorations-shhh).

What else is on my list you ask? Well, I am trying to go from room to room de-cluttering and re-organizing.  Now that I have said that on here, I am now accountable to you! So far, I have gone through a HUGE basket of papers in the kitchen, as well as the back-up basket because the first one was so full.  I now have only 5 papers in the basket and they are supposed to be there! For most people this might not take that much time, but I am one of those people that has a hard time getting rid of things...I think it might come in handy later. I am sure most of the stuff I will never use again, but lucky for me I did keep some of my favorite clothing items from Ella and Greta that Fia can now use even though I thought we were only going to adopt a boy.  I also saved some of my professional suits and now the jackets are in style again...OH OH, and probably my best save are my high school cowboy boots that made a certain cute lady pretty popular last year at the auction(and it wasn't me)! My suspenders haven't come back in style yet, but when they do, I am ready. 

Are you a saver or a pitcher? What do you still have that you are glad you didn't throw out? Or, what did you get rid of that you wish you wouldn't have?  And don't worry, I won't be on Hoarders anytime soon!\

Okay, I got distracted in this post.  I just wanted to let you know that if you come to my house and see Christmas decorations up, don't pity me.  Don't think, wow, she can't keep up with her house, she has alot of kids, or she needs help.  Don't judge me.  Just be impressed with me.  Be impressed that I am so ingenious and that I have already decorated for Christmas!

First Words to Chapter Books

My kindergartner has had a hard time memorizing her letters and beginning to read, but it is fun to see her finally get it and feel proud of herself. At the beginning of the year Fia only knew a few letters and would get SO frustrated if she couldn't remember them. Now, she remembers all the letters and is starting to sound them out. After sitting for over 30 minutes yesterday(tears and all), we finished her homework and I think she really understood what she was doing! It is a huge breakthrough! The smile at the end was priceless. After we finished with the homework, I had her go and show her dad how she was sounding out 8 of the basic first words in kindergarten. She came back and said, "I read them ALL to dad. Should I start reading chapter books now?" :) Gotta love her determination! Soon Fia. Very soon!

Post-Bedtime Snowextravaganza

Let me start out this post reminding you all that we live in the Pacific Northwest, so when snow comes, it is usually gone the next day, so you have got to take advantage of it if you want to play in it.

The other thing about living in the Pacific Northwest, is that you realize that many people freak out about snow here. Like *go stock up on groceries if 1 inch of snow is in the forecast* kind of freak out. Not everyone does that, my friends are tough! :) Well, to add to the everyday freak-outers, the news has been having a heyday with this storm prediction for the last couple of days. They said snow would come today around 4pm and then rain in the morning with 40degree temps. Well, 4pm came and went and no snow(even though many school districts had already cancelled all after school events)!

We ended up putting the kids to bed and then POW!, it was crazy snowing within the hour. So, after I was done cleaning up the kitchen and it looked like at least 2 inches outside, I said to Daron that we should wake the kids up and go for a walk and play in the snow. He agreed and we surprised the kids. All but Justus thought it was a great idea. Justus was confused and said he was tired. Ha! He just kept saying, "I don't get it... why?" I told him I thought it would be a fun memory and the snow might be gone by morning. He finally agreed! :)

The kids loved it! We spent about 30 minutes sledding on the hill(road-haha!) near us, then went back and made a gigantic snowman! The kids loved it and kept saying thank you. It was so cute! Hopefully we will still have snow in the morning, but if not, they got to enjoy this time together....and, they may have part of a snowman to show for it in the morning!

My Smorgasbord of Life at the Moment

Okay, I need to write a new post. I am just completely overwhelmed though, so I don't know where to begin. I don't want to complain either, because in the grand scheme of things, my family is healthy, we have a house, we have food, I have a loving husband, good friends, etc, etc...but I am just tired! I don't know if it's my age(I am almost 37 you know...), or having a large family(7 is large for me), post Christmas depression(I want a snow day!!!), or just all the stuff that is overflowing on my plate. And honestly, I don't really have anything big on my plate, just a smorgasbord of life. And sometimes, some of those meatballs on that smorgasbord plate are piled on more than I can handle. I guess that's how I feel right now. I like looking at my plate for the most part...I like the lingonberries and the meatballs, I like the korv and the lefse, but on my Swedish/Norwegian smorgasbord plate, there is a bit of pickled herring on it that I don't like, as well as some lutefisk. And they are really stinking it up! I need to get rid of the stuff I don't like, or at least figure out how to make it so I enjoy it better. I know life isn't all about being happy. Life is hard. We have to make choices. I just am tired of the lutefisk right now.

Ahhhhh...now, I feel better! I think just getting it out there, even if it is in a bit of a riddle format with my smorgasbord analogy helps. Sorry for the downer, but it is real life.

God Jul och Gott Nytt Ar(Merry Christmas & Happy New Year in Swedish)

Merry Christmas to all our blogging friends! May you have peace, love, laugher and God's spirit throughout the holiday and into the new year!

Love,

Kristin

Happy 5th Birthday Kwame!

Our little prince, Nana Kwame, turned 5 today! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. They have been home with us for almost two years now and we met him when he was two! I love this little guy. He has the best joy and excitement that oozes out of him. For breakfast in bed he wanted eggs and bacon and that is what he got!

Happy birthday Kwame. We love you SO much!

Mom (and Dad)

A Fun Surprise for Me

Yesterday, my friend Kristina was visiting from MN and she said she had a surprise for me. She is the VP of Hot Mama, and a buyer for 17 of their stores. Whenever she or Megan (the founder of the stores), come to visit, I am always excited to see what is new in fashion by what they are wearing.

sidenote: When I saw Megan this summer, she was wearing a very cool 'sweatshirt' that I envied. It is made by the company Prairie Underground, and after hearing what it retails for, I realized I was out of my league-ha! It was beautiful, organic cotton, made in the USA(what I didn't remember was that it was made in Seattle), and had very unique style.

So, when Kristina and I went into the city for the surprise, I thought it was maybe regarding a vendor of hers, but I couldn't think of who had factories in Seattle, except possibly Eddie Bauer(which is not Hot Mama's style and they probably aren't really local anymore). When we pulled up to the warehouse and I saw 'Prairie Underground' on the door, I was jumping up and down on the inside(because I had to act cool on the outside-ha!) It was so much fun for me to go in there and meet the two founders of the company, see their sketches, the fabrics, the patterns, hear their stories, and see how this all worked-in Seattle, mind you! It is truly made in the USA. I loved it! Then, the owner said to me, that my hoodie was the one over there that she had just steamed!! What??!! MINE??!! I was so touched. Of course it wasn't totally from the company, they sold it wholesale and this was a gift from my dear friends, Megan and Kristina (for the rest of my life I think!), and I LOVE it! I have never seen an operation like that before and as one that enjoys fashion and clothing, it was right up my alley. I even got a sneak peek at the spring line-wow! Thanks Ladies-it was so wonderful!!

ps. you can check out some of Prairie Underground's stuff above by clicking the link and if you want some Prairie Underground for yourself, I have it under good authority that Hot Mama carries it!

Brothers

I love watching the two boys interact. Justus is 11 now and Kwame is 4, but they still have a great brotherly bond, despite their age difference.

Today, as Justus was running out to go to a soccer carpool, Kwame said, "Wait, I need to give him a hug first." Justus waited for Kwame, gave him a hug, then Kwame said, "Now run, run, run (to the car), ...good job, that's my boy!"

Kwame cracks me up!

Happy Birthday Daron!

I wanted to write a blog post on Daron, but he wants me to spend time with him, so I guess his birthday present is to NOT write a post on him....as long as tomorrow he isn't mad I didn't give him much of an online birthday post.

Notice he only had one candle left signifying one girlfriend!

t.

Happy 10th Birthday Greta!

Today is Greta's birthday, so we continued on with our tradition of breakfast in bed. She chose to have Hills and Humps and the rest of us were happy she chose that too! :) We were also excited because the 'trick' candle finally worked! I bought them for Ella, but they tricked me and didn't work. Greta had fun with it-she has a great sense of humor, and that is one of the many things we love about her!

I had fun today because I found a couple pictures from Greta's 4th birthday. It is neat to remember back and also see how much she has grown up now! We are so lucky to have her in our lives. I love you Greta!

When Greta was born ten years ago, we lived in Chicago and were waiting (not so patiently) for her to come into this world. She was a week late and after being put on bed rest for many weeks because Justus was so early, I was VERY eager to meet her. The moment she was born, we were in love and she has kept us on our toes ever since!

One thing I admire about Greta, is that she has always been full of life and ready to try anything...it might have something to do with traveling to NH at less than a month for Daron to candidate for a new job and then moving there when she was 2months old. Thanks for being flexible, Greta! :) She has also been so creative and full of joy! Many kids love dolls and such, but one thing that Greta has loved since she was little, was paper! Today, she was thrilled to get a very special birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa J. -a Cuttlebug. It is a paper embosser, so she is busy making lots of cards! Keep an eye out for her creations....

We love you Greta! I hope you have a fantastic double digit year!