The Christmas Spirit

In direct contrast to last year, my home is actually decorated and quite festive this year. I have a Christmas tree complete with wrapped presents, a Christmas table cloth along with a holiday table center piece, and our stockings are hung by the chimney with care. We went with a real tree this year. It has been a test of my holiday dedication to keep it alive since we got it the weekend of Thanksgiving. But 0ur tree is still green and there are still needles clinging to the branches. My class room at school is even more decked out. Every square inch of wall space has been taken over with our holiday art projects. As head teacher, it was my responsibility to come up with a parent present that the kids could make and take home. The other teachers sent home one present and one card. We painted cards, made angels out of ribbons, recipe boxes and wreath ornaments with our pictures. Most of my coworkers have commented on my red and green themed outfits. For some reason, I am really getting into Christmas this year. Last year we did not even get a tree or hang our stockings. I think I am over compensating for being so far away from my family. I am trying to bring a little piece of home out to South Dakota. Next year, the Laniers, Thomas's, Burkes and Adams will have to go on a tropical vacay to Hawaii. That way we can all be together and we can all be warm. It's a win-win.

I'm back y'all. I know I went a few days without blogging..It was actually not my fault though. I tried to log in and it would not let me. The site said I had to enable cookies or something. I followed the instructions and it still would not let me sign in. I had almost written blogging out of my life. After three days I had almost given up. Josh tried once to log on and it put him right through. The story of my life.
Just kidding. I am glad to be back though. Although there is no physical communication happening, writing about my life makes me feel close to all of you out there reading this. And being close with you family is practically required this time of year. I was talking to my mom last night, and we discovered that this will be the first Christmas that she has been without one of her kids. It has been almost twenty five years and our family has been lucky enough to all get together every single Christmas. That's pretty amazing in this day and age. I am definitely feeling the tug of my heartstrings. I really truly wish that I would be home in Idaho this Christmas. Unfortunately, that will probably not happen. Fortunately, Josh and I are going to be surrounded by his family this year. We are really looking forward to that, as I am sure everyone knows. My family through marriage are great, and if I can't be with my blood family, there is no one else I would rather be with. ...I have to go now, but this essay has a part two, which I will give you tomorrow.

The days crawl and the weeks fly

I don't have anything too thought provoking for today's essay. Just another day here at Casa Lanier. Marley did not want to go to sleep last night and ended up mooching off her parent's good will by spending the night in our bed. When the alarm went off, I got up to do the usual getting ready for work routine. I got Marley 0ut of our bed to take her to her room to get dressed. As I put her on her changing table, I felt something warm and gross slide down my arm onto my hand. Marley had what we in the parenting world can only describe as a "blowout." This particular "blowout" rivaled any she ever had prior to this morning. Let me just tell you, this is not the best way to start your morning, even if it is Friday. My gagging was enough to pull Josh out of bed, probably along with half of our neighbors. I called my boss to see what she thought, and I was instructed to come to work anyway. I think she might have thought I was exaggerating. Well Mars proved her wrong pretty much as soon as we got there.
And so I have the day off today. Mars is not feeling well and has spent most of the day in bed. I hope she feels better soon, because being sick on the weekend is way lame. Everyone knows that if you are going to get sick, you should get sick on Monday.

Falls Park Light Festival

The other night, Josh Marley and I went downtown to Falls Park to check out their annual holiday season display. We really went to kill some time and to get some fresh air. We werent expecting anything out of the ordinary. When we got there, I think its fair to say that we were blown away. They had holiday music blasting as soon as we opened the car door. Literally every single tree in the park was dripping with lights. I did not realize how many trees were in that park untill they were set ablaze by the Parks and Rec department. When we got closer, we saw that the main part of the waterfall was glowing blue red and purple. Marley was in awe. She couldn't decide where to look first. And the music was right up her alley. Nothing like "Frosty the Snowman" to put your dancing shoes on for. We went up to the observation tower and the park looked simply beautiful. I wish we would have taken our families down there while they were in town. I think they would have enjoyed it. But instead they will have to live vicariously through this blog. (once again.)

Send Josh the Love!!

So for the second time in as many years, we have just sent off the paper work for Josh to get his license. He is petitioning some board in IL so that some people who have never met him can judge his ability to be a worthy citizen. The last time we went through this, they denied him. We had our hopes high and were pretty bummed when he got turned down. This time we are trying not to get so excited, but it's hard. Josh has not had a license since I have known him. Being the only driver is really annoying sometimes. For both of us. Josh has acquired nerves of steel since we have been married. One of the rules in our car is that the passenger is not allowed to flinch at the driver's actions. So if I hit a curb, or run a red light at a major intersection like I did last week, Josh just sits there (sweating) quietly. Another rule in our car is that the driver of the car gets to pick the volume at which the music is played, along with ultimate decision of the music. Since I suffer from a severe, yet undiagnosed case of acute hearing, I prefer to have the music at a nice unobtrusive back ground level. Josh on the other hand likes to rock out loud and proud while in the car. So, let us all think positive thoughts for the next few weeks because I think Josh finally deserves to listen to his music loud. It has only been six years after all.

Joshy and Heidi

So out of nowhere, little Marley has taken to calling her parents by their first names. We will be sound asleep in the middle of the night to be woken up by, "Joshy! Heidi! Me need baby!" This is Marley code for "Mom and Dad wake up. I have thrown my pacifier on the floor and I am timing you on how long it takes you to retrieve it. If you dont do it fast, I will certainly work myself up into a full blown tantrum. " So yes, I am now being summoned at 4:30 in the morning to attend to an out of control 18monther. I already pay Marley more attention than I should in the night. Josh gets annoyed with me, saying we should just let her cry. The doctor even agrees with her. Easy for them to say. Josh sleeps right through her crying. For me, it's just easier to get up, because I cant sleep while she is freaking out in the next room. Especially now that she talks to me like an adult (or practically an adult). Next thing I know, she will be having me drop her off at daycare a block away. This little girl in 1 1/2 going on 25, and there is nothing I can do about it.

Marley in unusual places

Lately I have noticed more and more that Marley loves to cram herself into tiny enclosed spaces that are off the beaten path. Though it seems odd for her to do this, some small part of me cannot help but to admire her. I look at this trend as a way to see the world from all angles. She does not want to be told about something, she wants to experience it. Marley is an adventurer to the core. She loves whatever little adrenaline rushes she can find. Whether its her dad dropping her from five feet up onto her bed, or its taking a running leap off the ottoman, she loves to push the limits. As a parent, I should be terrified of this. And I mostly am. I am sure that we have a wild ride coming up once she hits adolence. But there is that small part of me that cannot help to admire her.

ps- i have a great picture set that i have been frantically searching for but cannot find. these pictures would help prove my point immensley, but they are no where to be found so you will just have to mentally picture marley in unusual places.

Grandma Bev

Much to our pleasure, my grandma Bev came to visit us in South Dakota last week. I am really proud of her for coming, because she was truly nervous to fly by herself. With everything she has been through in the last six months, I am proud of her for going anywhere. Her husband of 54 years passed away in October and that would shake anyone's world up. But Grandma is trying to pick herself up and get on with her life. That doesnt make her love my Grandpa any less, she just knows what she has to do.

My grandma has always been an inspiration in my life. She has always had so many interests and hobbies. She knows at least a little about everything. She rises before dawn and fills her time with meaningful and worthwhile activities. She graduated college well past forty, continued to mountain climb through her fifties and rode miles on horseback all through her sixties. My grandma is the person who showed me that a girl can do anything she puts her mind to. She also taught me to explore my interests. I believe I gained my love of reading from her also. As I grow older, I find myself having more and more in common with her. Actually I am trying to steer my life so that it can be more like hers. I feel like if I accomplish one half of what she has, I can die happy. I love this pic that we got while she was here. I am so happy that Marley is getting the chance to get to know her. Marley doesnt realize how lucky she is with all the cool amazing people that make up her family.

So a toast to Grandma Bev. She may be feeling her age right now. She may be slightly (or wholly) cantankerous. But we love her anyways. And we always will.

Good people, Good memories

So Thanksgiving is now winding down and I am left to reflect on the past few days. We have had quite a full house this last week. Marley had five grandparents here fighting over her attention. In Marley's perfect world, last week would never have ended. Everything she did was met with claps and cheers. Marley rides her rocking horse, YAY! Marley eats a grape, YAY! Marley has a messy diaper, YAY! Good thing the grandparents left gradually so Marley did not go into full on shock. Even with a gradual grandparental weening, Monday morning at school was an eye opening for her. As soon as we walked into the building today, Marley took one look around and threw herself on the ground in a full on tantrum. Lucky for her, she had not been to school for over a week so the teachers there were happy to see her and lavished her with extra attention.

But all in all, we had a great week with everyone. I just wish that everyone could have stayed longer. At least everyone made it home safely.

Over the next week, I will expand on this year's thanksgiving celebration. But since I am getting back into the groove of my blog, I will leave it short and sweet for today.