California

We made it. We are here in sunny California with Jason for the next 2 weeks. He doesn't have internet connection so I won't be updating until the New Year. Then I'll overload you with stuff. I already have stories to tell. We just took our family photo this morning so Christmas letters should be in the mail within the next couple of days.

Christmas Baking

With the kids off from school due to a snow (ice) day, we decided to dawn on the aprons and roll up our sleeves and make cinnamon rolls for our friends and neighbors for Christmas. My mom started this tradition when we were kids and I've tried to continue it with my own over the years (except when I had a new baby)

The kids were a great help. . .

Kate and Ryan helped make the dough.

Jenna hung out at the counter with me double dipping her fingers in the sugar (are you surprised?) while Eric's contribution was emptying all the cabinets.

And Kelsey finished it off with cute little homemade tags. Making cinnamon rolls is easy but extremely Messy as you can see. We're covered in flour

and my kitchen is in Bad shape

but You All are Worth It!
For those who live too far away. . . these are for you.

Your very own Virtual Cinnamon Roll. You'll just have to take my word that they were Yummy!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas at Union Station

Yesterday I took the kids into St. Louis for a Christmas event the local USO holds for military families. There is breakfast and activities and even presents. We didn't visit with Santa this time. I didn't want to press my luck with Jenna and Eric. Adding to the excitement of the day we ended up with a flat tire. While a local policeman ignored our plight two Good Samaritans took pity on a woman with a van full of 5 kids and changed my tire for me on this cold and blustery day. While we were dealing with our flat in St. Louis, Jason flew into Scott AFB to pick up patients at the base and so we missed seeing him. But it's okay, we'll see him in 4 days. Hey, reindeers got to eat too.Who needs to see Santa when you have Ronald McDonald?When I got a flat I didn't know what to do. I don't have AAA. Would any of my friends come and save me? Luckily, two strangers took pity on me.Trying to keep warm.

Santa's Lap

When military members deploy, the Family Support Center on base steps in to help those of us left behind. We've been the recipients of fun activities they've planned for families and are grateful for their kindness in remembering us. Last Saturday we went to Breakfast with Santa. Donuts, Chocolate milk and sausage were my kids choices of a perfect breakfast. Then we visited Santa. Jenna was getting no where near that man in a beard. Although she's been talking about him and knows who he is she was less than thrilled with the idea of sitting on his lap (even if it means he'll give her a present) Eric had the same reaction. Kelsey wouldn't sit on his lap either because that would be too EMBARASSING! That left Ryan and Kate the only ones happy enough to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas even though they're in on the Santa secret. I wanted to get a picture of our family with Santa and the only way I was able to convince everyone to do it was to have everyone seated on the floor. Later Jenna reminds me, "I don't want to sit on Santa's lap. I only want the present." I'm guessing that's in case we run into him again.

The Cure

When I was 8 my leg fell asleep while watching a movie at school. I tried to walk on it but felt nothing. I was in charge of turning on the lights after the movie (which was a big deal) and had to ask my friend to do it instead. When it was time to go home my teacher pushed me down to the office in a chair because I couldn't walk. My parents took me home and tried to convince me to walk but I was afraid. I remember my mom made tacos for dinner that night and I forgot which leg wasn't working. I picked the wrong one to step on and spilled taco meat all over the floor. The next morning my parents were concerned so we headed to the doctor. After sitting in the waiting room for awhile my dad asked me to go get something. I stood right up and walked. I'd forgotten about my leg and was "cured." My dad immediately went up to the receptionist and cancelled our appointment.

The past 2 days Kate has been ill with what I assumed was a stomach virus. But yesterday afternoon she complained of a sore throat (no cold) and after googling strep throat found her symptoms. The base was closed so we headed to an Urgi-Care. I knew I made the right decision in going when Kate fell asleep during one of the hours we were waiting. When she finally woke up plus a few minutes more (did they not want to interrupt her nap?) they finally they called us in to take a strep culture after which they gave Kate a Popsicle (she's terrible abut keeping herself hydrated) and sent us back out to the waiting room to wait an hour more. By the time we got to see the Dr. Kate was looking and feeling 100% better and I was left wondering what we were doing there.

Waiting rooms-the cure to any illness. And now I have the proof or you can just ask my dad.

Speaking of waiting rooms. My worst experience was when I was taken back to see the Dr., left in a room with 3 kids and no watch (or clock) or books or any means of entertainment and forgotten about for over an hour! I finally got the nerve to peek my head outside the door to ask what was taking so long. It's a good thing I did because they didn't even realize I was in there. In fact the Dr. had already left.

I guess I can chalk it up as time well spent with my kids???

Man on a Mission

Eric has found a new game to play with me. It's not one I'm particularly interested in playing. Out of all my kids Eric has learned to navigate the stairs the fastest. Just recently he's found a new set of stairs to play on. He doesn't seem to understand how dangerous it is. Of course that's only because he hasn't fallen off it. . .yet. I've tried to block off the bottom step but he always manages to find a way up. As he climbs he usually has a big grin on his face either because he thinks it's fun or because he knows he's getting away with something.

Think You Can Find A Cuter Elf?

Kate was a Holly Elf for the 4th grade school play. She's spent the past month memorizing her lines and getting her costume all together. I'm glad we could find some use for that prickly Holly tree we have in our front yard.

Jenna decided she needed to try it on the costume too. Don't you just love the thigh high socks?

Voices

I'm hearing things. This morning I'm sitting at the computer trying to do some online shopping before the kids get up for school when suddenly I hear a faint voice talking. I lean in close to my computer's speakers. There is no window up on the computer so there shouldn't be any noise. I hear a voice mention the word Jesus. I turn up the speakers and there is no change in volume. The voice is very quiet. I strain to hear him. Is this a message for me? Do I need to BE STILL so I can hear? After awhile I realize it's not coming from the speakers and I move onto my cell phone sitting not far from the speakers. I put it up to my ear and again hear a voice. This can't be my imagination, could it? I turn off my cell phone to see. Yes, the noise is still there. But where is it coming from? I go upstairs to wake the kids for school. I stand at the top of the stairs and again-more talking. Barely audible. Why can't I hear it? It's then that I look down and see a cord hanging around my neck.

It seems I forgot to TURN OFF my Ipod when I left the gym this morning. Okay, so I'm not hearing things. . .or am I? Wait, I hear something. . . the voice is back. . it's whispering, "You're loony!"

And if you're wondering how Jesus fits into all of this. . .my ipod was on shuffle so at that moment it must have switched to a General Conference talk.