I have really let this blog fall behind–which is kind of funny–because when I started blogging-it was my only purpose to let everyone know how our lives were going here in the midwest–but then I discovered my job–and my other blog gets all my attention! So I will try to fill in the month on this blog!!

On December 7th, Blake’s birthday, I was invited to go downtown to participate in something called a “Postie Patrol”. It was put on by my work and sponsored by HP. I did a virtual scavenger hunt and took pictures worth 1 point, 2 points, 3 points or 4 points. The 4 point picture was of a bare foot smothered in cream cheese to make a bagel sandwich! That one didn’t get taken! But with a variety of 1’s, 2’s, and 3’s-I had to come up with 20 points. Then there were video’s that I had to take. Again, points. I got a lawyer to sing me a Christmas carol and do the “running man” with me. Mind you–I don’t know how to do the running man–but it looks great on film! After the video portion, I had to buy things–pizza, a wrapped gift, something with the Bears logo on it. All in all I ran the streets of Chicago for an hour. After I was done, I won the camera that I had been using to take the pictures, as well as the printing port, paper and memory card–and a WHOPPING $1000 cash! What a great day!

Other than this–we have been getting ready for Christmas. From Santa, the boys are getting a basketball hoop, Blake is getting a scooter and Barrett is getting a puppy that sings all of his favorite nursery rhymes. From us, the boys are getting jerseys and globetrotter tickets. Blake is getting girly stuff, and Barrett is getting an aqua doodle and a Bob the Builder remote control car. I think they’ve been spoiled this year–and I was trying to do so much less! The biggest portion of our Christmas will be them passing out the gifts that they got each member of the family, and getting to see their excitement as they open their gift from them. You know–trying to teach the “Joy of Giving”!

Michael’s 2nd restaurant opened it’s doors to the public on Monday the 18th. It was a slow and disappointing day in his mind. I asked if there were any signs out letting the public know it was open–the answer–No. I knew once people heard about it being opened–they would get CRUSHED! That happened on Tuesday and hasn’t stopped yet. Last night (Friday) they actually ran out of all of the food they had for Friday and Saturday. So this morning he went over to their food distributor early and picked up food for today.

That is about it! Just looking forward to Christmas, and 2 weeks off of school! Sleep–I need SLEEP!!

I’m not sure the newspaper counts as “being published”–but hey, I’m on the front page!! I promised to post the winning Essay here, but I lied! I’m just going to post the link, and for those of you curious enough–you can go check it out!! The Christmas I Remember Best!!

I won $50 for it to go along with the Postie Patrol cash–yep, I’m a very blessed woman this Christmas!!

Two days before the end of last quarter we were heading to school when we found my neighbor completely out of gas, and running late for work. My boys had had 100% perfect attendance up to that point–and the award was all they talked about! 2 days left of no tardies or absenses–and the goal would be reached!! As the kids piled in the car to head to school (on time) I ran around the back of the house to the garage and got my neighbor the gas that we had left for our lawn mower. I put it in her van, and then waited to get it started. By the time this was done–my boys were late–the award was gone!

They were devestated! I took a moment to teach them a really important life lesson. That about giving of themselves whenever possible. Helping others in need comes before our own reward. At ages 6 and 9 I’m not sure it sunk in!

Well, today the lesson comes full circle! My neighbor needs to get her car in for repairs today in a city 15 miles from here. And she has no one to bring her home. Here I sit, trying to capture the FINAL puzzle piece for Rockstartup–$1000 just out of reach! But there is someone in need–and that needs to come first! To you all of you puzzle watchers out there–Good Luck! It was fun!! But it’s Christmas, and someone needs help!

Feet are finally elevated and resting soundly on my desk! Keyboard is sitting quietly in my lap! Eyes are drooping!!

Today was “A DAY”!! It all hit me around noon about the myriad of things I have to do and make, and take, and wrap, and give, and get, and …!!! All by Monday! On top of it–tonight was scouts! A third try for my Jake to get his Wolf, his arrow points, everything!!! And worst of all–the church is 45 minutes from my house!! So we drive all the way over–My baby dressed and ready for the color guard…Whoops!!! Den mother in a car accident-recuperating at home–NO SCOUTS TONIGHT!!! I wonder if he’ll ever get his Wolf Rank!!

So we drove the 45 minutes home!!! And here I sit!!! But it feels good! Tomorrow I will be running around like a crazy lady again–but right now!!! I’m Golden!!

Feet are finally elevated and resting soundly on my desk! Keyboard is sitting quietly in my lap! Eyes are drooping!!

Today was “A DAY”!! It all hit me around noon about the myriad of things I have to do and make, and take, and wrap, and give, and get, and …!!! All by Monday! On top of it–tonight was scouts! A third try for my Jake to get his Wolf, his arrow points, everything!!! And worst of all–the church is 45 minutes from my house!! So we drive all the way over–My baby dressed and ready for the color guard…Whoops!!! Den mother in a car accident-recuperating at home–NO SCOUTS TONIGHT!!! I wonder if he’ll ever get his Wolf Rank!!

So we drove the 45 minutes home!!! And here I sit!!! But it feels good! Tomorrow I will be running around like a crazy lady again–but right now!!! I’m Golden!!

Do you remember several posts ago there is a picture of Barrett with his face and hair covered in green paint from Jake painting his Christmas tree? We went to the mall Saturday to take the pictures of the boys Christmas Trees.

<--Jakes Tree! Tons of schools send trees in from all of their students--so the first hurdle is to find our school--John Mills! Finally found them right in front of Target. Now, once you find the school, the next hurdle is to wade through the crowd around you looking upward through hundreds of trees from every child at the school. All this while piloting 3 kids and a stroller and trying not to run over anyone, or get run over in the process!

I finally found Graysons tree and took several photo’s for him, and even one with him under it! Now I just had to search for Jake’s. OH MY GOSH!!! It took forever. I was ready to give up, when D’OH!!!! It’s hung right next to Graysons. In fact in the picture (just of Grayson’s tree) you can see Jake’s tree is right in front of it–but I totally missed it! What a dork!!
<--Grayson's tree is the red striped one-Jake's is right in front of it!
Both Boys Trees!!

Wow, I didn’t even know this was going around! Jules got me this morning and now I have to think of 5 things about me that nobody knows. Bummer–that’s hard!!

1-I’m a Mommas Girl! I talk to her everyday-for hours–and even if my husband is on caller id- I don’t click over!

2- I’m 35 years old and have never had a drink of alcohol, smoked a cigarette, or done an illegal drug of any kind. Yep–pretty naive little lady!!

3- I lived in Japan for nearly 2 years. Learned to speak, read, and write fluently–not so good anymore. I would like to learn Polish, and Hebrew. I’m not Jewish-but the language, when spoken, sounds so cool.

4- I have a CRAZY sense of humor. Not everyone gets my humor, and at times I may offend–but crazy as I am–Ted takes the cake!! I can’t wait until the postie patrol video comes out–he was hysterical!!

5- My biggest dream would be to figure out all things “website” related and have my own. This blog is as technical as I get–and even it has someone else’s template. So all of you out there with your own templates, and domains—I’m amazed–and JEALOUS!!

Wow, how pathetic does all of that sound!! After living 9 years for my kids–all things “Me” seem to have sunk to the bottom of the brain!

Ok–5 people!! Jules stole Techie??? Oh, you DAWG!! I’m going to choose some of my Illinois peeps, and a few I’ve gotten to know by reading their blogs–Lets see: Lisa, Tami, Carolyn, Hippie Spelunker and Karen S. I apologize if you’ve been tagged before–but you guys with more than one blog–I can’t keep you straight!! Hippie Spelunker–you were “chosen” because I love your name!