It’s been a while!  We’ve been busy, of course, but also sick.  It hit early enough that I was sure we’d be over it by Christmas.  But with our crazy schedules, Greg & I both got quite run down, and Christmas dinner got postponed.  We had a very nice, quiet Christmas Day with our children, and then Boxing Day we had our Christmas dinner with family. 

The gift-giving was much more manageable this year.  With a very limited budget for us, we were unable to buy what we normally would, but the kids were so happy!  They got to open their Christmas Eve pajamas and a new toothbrush, and oh my – who knew pajamas and a toothbrush could induce such excitement?!  Christmas Day was for stockings and the gifts from us.  Boxing Day were the gifts from their grandma and grandpa and an aunt and uncle.  Thursday a neighbor brought them something.  And yesterday we had a package in the mail.  They’ve had so much fun.  I’ve said before I’d like to do the twelve days of Christmas with them, and spread it out, and I think next year that will be the plan. 

Christmas Eve we had our traditional birthday party.  We usually do pasta, either spaghetti or lasagna.  This year was lasagna.  Complete with caesar salad and garlic toast.  We had a black forest cake, and stuck a big white candle in the centre.  We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.  Cole suggested we open the door and let Jesus blow it out.  Greg had barely stepped out onto the stoop, and puff!  Out it went!  The kids were so excited, and Brett said, Thanks for blowing out your candle, Jesus!  This was to me, the very best part of our days of celebrating.

For several years, we have had family and friends requesting a family photo.  The last professional photo we had taken was Easter ‘03.  I was newly-pregnant with Brett. 

Since then we have taken snapshots.  I have had two of the boys to a studio twice.  I really, REALLY don’t like studios.  Unless you go to a very expensive one, you have fifteen minutes to get everyone shot.  I mean with a camera.  Though when we’re twenty-five minutes into our fifteen minute time allotment, I usually feel like shooting someone.  Mostly myself.

I kid!

I did really well until our fourth child.  I had all of the boys into a studio at the one year mark, give or take a couple months.  I totally bombed with Eliana.  I tried.  Really I did.  But for various reasons, had to keep cancelling.  So the poor girl will go into her adulthood knowing that her mother missed the all-important one year photo shoot.  She did, however, take a trip a few months earlier with her parents, sans freres.  To the Caribbean, no less!  I figure it all balances out.

Last year, I plunked the kids in front of the tree, and had our neighbour assist me in snapping a few photos.  Then I played around with them on Print Shop.  It was fun, and they turned out great!

This year I took it a bit further.  Daddy & I joined in the fun as well.  I set up a couple spot-lights, pulled the shades to block the light, and hung some white sheets.  I was then reminded why I am thankful to have not wasted spent money on a studio sitting, complete with stress and excessive sweating (I have a knack for sweating profusely before pictures.  It’s a gift, people!).  There was enough stress and sweat going on at home in the warm, Christmasy comfort of our own living room. 

So for your visual, viewing and optical pleasure, I give you, Christmas ‘07.

*note* I haven’t had a chance to fix any red eyes yet, but if you squint and tilt your head….oh whatever.  It’s red-eye fever around these here parts.

See why we don’t do the studio?  Between Cole expressing holiday joy in a completely excessive manner, Luke going feral, Brett looking anywhere but at the camera, Eliana too embarrassed to show her face, and psychedelic shots of Damara, would YOU go for the studio experience?

But wait!  There’s more!  The BEST is yet to come! 

Brett turned four last Tuesday.  I have tried several times to give you a peek at the birthday boy, but my pictures haven’t been allowed.  I understand next to nothing about these things.  I’m going to try one more time.

Or not.  I think it might have something to do with the type of file it is. 

So, yeah, Brett turned four! 

I wanted to.  I really did.  I wanted to participate.  But I just don’t know if I can make it happen this year.  Click on my sidebar to go to BooMama’s Christmas Tour of Homes.

If by some chance I am able to snap a few pictures of my seriously paired down Christmas decor, I’ll take part.  But I’ll be late. 

Enjoy!

Jeans.  Remember this post? Well, I found jeans I like. Not love. But like. But how I would love to have a pair of jeans that fit, and that I just, well, LOVE. Maybe something like True Jeans is the answer. And what if you could win a pair? 5 Minutes for Mom has another giveaway going on. I love the Stuffin for the Muffin jeans!

For the most part, technology and I are civil acquaintances.  There has been more than one screaming monologue involving me and electronics or computers.  I actually would have made a pretty good 19th centurian, when it comes to most things of modern convenience. (Though I must say, my affection for my laptop does indeed continue to grow. Sweet Toshiba, please don’t act foolishly, so as to damage our vulnerable relationship. I really am quite attached to you.) I do not even begin to understand things like mp3 players, and ipods, and land’s sake, blackberries. However, 5 Minutes for Mom is doing a pretty neat giveaway. As much as I grit my teeth so as not to swear when my technology and I are having a bad day, I wouldn’t say no to this. Although, in thinking better of it, I might just stare at it, and maintain my distance. So why don’t you enter? Give this wonderful item a chance to escape from the fate of a love-hate relationship.

If you really like it, and don’t manage to win one, you can also purchase one at Best Buy.

How does time get away so easily?  It’s been a week since I last posted.  Seems impossible.

I have been busy, though.  Still no decorations up to speak of.  I’m trying to motivate myself to do it, but I am really struggling.  I want the house to be festive for our day together with family.  But it’s a big thing right now.   

I’m dealing with post-partum depression.  I don’t remember if I’ve mentioned that before, and I don’t have time to scan through.  The dr. also suspects I have SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder.  These things make it hard to want to do much – I’d rather just settle down for a long winter’s nap, thank you very much.  I was doing better through the summer and early fall.  I am on medication, but have just changed to a different one.  I changed because of side effects, but I know someone who said she’s on the same one, and it gave her lots of energy.  Like enough that she had to take it in the morning, or she wouldn’t sleep at night.  I could use that.

 So, if you think of me during our extra long winter this year, say a prayer for me.  Life isn’t bleak, but I’m not facing it with huge amounts of enthusiasm at this point.  It was hard for me to admit I needed help, but I’m glad I did.  Three weeks post-partum, and I was NOT coping like I had after other babies.  I had great medical staff who talked to me, and helped me swallow my pride, and realize it’s an illness that I can’t control, and it’s not my fault. 

And if you’re ever in the area, come see me!  I need the interaction. 

She likes this theme better.  So I changed my theme. 

Mom’s Apple Pie. That’s what I’m hoping for. Go to Heather’s site to enter.

 This is my first WFMW!  I enjoy reading them every week and decided to join in.  I don’t have time to read the 100+ posts, so I may be repeating something.  Sorry if I am.

 The following is something I made on Monday.  My kids really liked it, and hubby complimented me several times, saying how it hit the spot.

 I throw a few potatoes in the microwave to bake.  While they are baking, I start heating veggies (I usually do frozen veggies which are just as nutricious as fresh - but we had canned fiddleheads) and browning ground beef.  After it’s cooked well, I add some flour, water, and beef flavoring (you could probably do beef broth if you keep it on hand rather than water and powdered flavoring).  By the time the potatoes are done, the meat and gravy is done as well.  I think it took me about 20 minutes.  My kids like the meat on the side, but dh and I put it right on the potatoes.  Quick, yummy AND good for you. 

 Another one the whole family enjoys is muffins and smoothies.  Good way to get fibre and the benefits of fruit.  I don’t have a recipe for the smoothies, I just throw in what I have.  I throw any over-ripe bananas I have in the freezer for things like smoothies and muffins, and use those as well as things like applesauce, yogurt, berries….whatever’s on hand.  If you want a shot of protein, boiled eggs!  Quick and nutricious.