In December I am Going To...

1. Use the Advent calendar that Shell made us last year, including frequent experiences.
2. Listen to Christmas music everyday.
3. Sing in Sacrament meeting.
4. Sing in our ward Christmas party.
5. Host a cookie exchange.
6. Go caroling.
7. Watch Christmas movies.
8. Use a paper chain.
9. Make many many gifts.
10. Send Christmas cards.
11. Drive around to look at lights.
12. Go to Bella's school Christmas program.
13. Make Christmas crafts with Bella.
14. Go to Linda's Christmas party.
15. Make a gingerbread house.
16. Go to my parent's house for Christmas.
17. Make the most of every day to share the magic and meaning of this holiday with my kids.

1. I'm thankful for M&Ms and popcorn. Best snack ever, and I don't usually even care about the salty/sweet combo. Skip the salt and go straight for the sugar. But not this time.
2. I'm thankful that Fiona did not cry when I put her down for her nap and only cried for a minute at bedtime. This.is.HUGE. People. Not a first, but a first in many months. Fingers crossed.
3. I'm thankful for a fun day at Molly's house with the kids. We took a walk, perused the local pet store and Trader Joe's. The kids pined at The Ultimate Pet Mart and Molly and I pined at Trader Joe's. Then it was back to Molly's for play, good conversation, a few confessions, and a great lunch. A good, good day.

1.Thankful that I went to Bella's book fair at preschool today. I love those things! I lived for those in elementary school- I remember taking home the little newsletter/catalog of books they give you and poring over it, circling all the selections I wanted. LOVE it! I went in with the notion that I would buy one, maybe two of the reasonably priced paperbacks for Christmas. $41 later, including one for Fiona, 3 for Bella, and one from her teacher's wish list, I left. (Luckily Timm got paid last night.) Even though it was for Christmas I felt a little bit crazy spending that much on something that was not food, gas or utilities. Enter...
2. Thankful that when I got home from the book fair I got yesterday's mail and there was a $45 check in there from my dad with a note that read: 'hope this helps a little...'. It sure did, dad- thanks!
3. Thankful that today Fiona started saying 'uh-oh!'. We were shopping and were it not for her pointing and continual cries of 'Uh-Oh!' I would not have noticed that we had dropped our last remaining binkie. That would have been big trouble for me later. I went back an aisle or two and found it. Way to go Fi! Pure cute.

Edited to add: Also, thankful for Part 2 of the Project Runway finale on tonight! And sad too.

1. Thankful that it's 'cold' enough for me to wear socks today and close the windows.
2. Thankful for a 'Sugared Spruce' candle that helps to make for a merry and festive environment.
3. Thankful that Bella has swim lessons for the first time in many weeks due to my previous car-lessness.

1. Thankful that I got the girls and I home with enough gas. We only had about $10 in the bank until Timm got paid but I was pretty sure I was running on fumes. After praying to deliver me home safely and quickly I was prompted not to be an idiot and get a tiny bit of gas to ensure I got home instead of praying for a miracle of the gas that lasted for 8 days, er miles...I got a whopping $5 worth, and I when I started the car it was still on 'E', the gas light on, and it told me I had 0 miles left to go on the tank. So, I guess it was really empty. Also at the time, Fiona had been screaming in the car for 30 minutes and I was loathe to make any stops, prolonging the agony, but then I imagined what it would be like if we actually broke down with her. That scared me straight.
2.Thankful for a new pumpkin pasta sauce I made last night. Super fast and easy, pretty cheap, and Bella said it tasted amazing. Timm won't eat it (the pumpkin, you know...) but you can't please everyone.
3. Thankful for Fiona's emerging vocabulary, even when it's only 'mama'. Especially when it's 'mama'.

1. Thankful for the FHE materials that Nana has been sending us each week. We've been having consistent Family Home Evening for the first time...ever!
2. Thankful for books. I'm always reading at least one book with several in the wings. Right now I am reading one, have 2 waiting next to my bed, 4 requested from the library, and another 5 craft books from the library in my living room. I love, love, love reading. I daresay it is my favorite thing to do.
3. Thankful for Fiona's age and stage. At 14 months she is pretty much 100% cute. Anything not cute can be dismissed because of her age and innocence and thus, is still a little bit cute. Except the screaming/shrieking- that is never cute.

1. I am thankful for so very many people who love me when I do not feel worthy of their love. Thankful that they accept me as a person-in-training fumbling along through life, taking each day at a time.
2. Thankful for a high of 77 degrees.
3. Thankful for Christmas music, already, setting the scene.