Ping Pong Anyone?

I have procrastinitis. It's a disease that seems to hit periodically, especially after Christmas, and leaves me with the ability to do nothing productive. Right now I should be unclogging a toilet, reading to the kids, and delivering a baby gift to the neighbor who now has a toddler. But no, here I sit blogging. The real task looming is finding homes for all the Christmas gifts. Everything is located in it's proper room by now, they just don't have a spot to call their own. They are shoved on shelves or laying on the floor waiting for homes. I do this every year, vow to do better next year, and then seem to get hit with a case of But-my-kids -want- it- so-I-get-it-for-them syndrome. Hayden suggested a ping-pong table this year. We measured the three possible locations it could be placed before purchasing it and realized it wouldn't really fit anywhere properly. Then Kmart ran their Black Friday ad and I was a goner.

So I've tried to overcome my illness with a 17 step program. Each room of the house (17 of them) was assigned a day they were going to dealt with. After 2 1/2 weeks the problem would be solved and I could get on with important things like.....scrapbooking (which is 8 years behind) and reading a book to the kids (I've had sitting on the counter since the beginning of last summer). But alas, the day comes and the day goes, and the room is not taken care of.

I used to make a list and didn't go to bed until it was done. Until one day I crossed something off the list and wrote it on the next day. When the world didn't end I realized I was on to something. So, I keep crossing off the rooms and adding them to the next day. Today I'm supposed to clean every possible spot in the house except the silverware drawer. That's tomorrows job.

How do I get over this disease? How do mom's get through the additional work of Christmas and still be productive in the New Year? I'm going to ponder this while I begin house plans for adding on a ping-pong room.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

The old Christmas song gained new meaning this year when Todd headed to China the week of Christmas, hoping to make it home in time for Christmas Eve dinner. He only had one delay and was here by 8 pm. We would have liked him here sooner, but were grateful to be together as a family. We were all here, in a warm home, filled with food and presents, in a free country.

We were all anticipating Sadie's reaction to Christmas, and she loved it, starting with her first present. We enjoy finger foods picnic style on Christmas eve and then let the children open their presents from Grandparents. Sadie's first present was from her Grandma and Grandpa Snyder, and it was a Cinderella barbie & horse she'd been eyeing at the store. She tore back the paper and exclaimed "For me?". In her eyes Christmas could have been complete with that one gift. As parents we are constantly trying to teach our children, but at that moment I was grateful for the lesson she taught me.

We enjoyed an early Christmas party at Grandma and Grandpa Reeder's--Sadie's largest family gathering yet. Then we had G & G Reeder and Aunt Joyce at our house on Christmas Eve to decorate gingerbread houses, eat and open a few gifts....including new pj's of course. G & G Snyder came up on Christmas Day.

The older boys were in our room at 5:58, claiming their alarm clocks already said 6:00. We'd warned Sadie we'd be up early. Even Carson was pulled from his warm covers. We (alright, I) worried Todd's jetlag would get him up earlier than usual. He's usually worse than the kids, but they are better competition as they get older. Sadie was a little disappointed when her first gift wasn't "Hammah Montamma" like she'd requested, but I also don't think she knew there were more gifts coming. Austin was dreaming of Legos, Hayden's wish was a video camera, Sara had been hoping for a Nintendo DS, Sadie requested Hannah Montana, and Carson had his heart set on a Hungry, Hungry Hippo game. Santa did not disappoint, in fact he brought it all. That guy must think these Snyder kids are as great as their parents do!

Since Christmas someone in the family, if not all, have been sick with colds and coughs. We've been lazy, played games, watched movies, slept, and enjoyed all the new toys and gadgets. We've yet to go sledding....we've yet to see any of the good movies in theaters...we've yet to build a snowman....but January needs something to make it seem more exciting!

(The grandkids/great grandkids ages 12 and under at the Reeders.)

(The annual picnic that must include Grandma's Red Slush)

(The traditional pj present from mom & dad)

(The first presents of Christmas morning...do you open the first one you find, or hunt for the biggest/littlest one you hope is "the"one? Sadie is yawning herself awake!)

(Oh to be 3 again on Christmas morning and get a huge dragon castle....doesn't get much better than that!)

(Santa does bring presents to cute boys that are too shy to talk to him!)

(Austin's dream morning: getting, then putting together a lego set with over 1000 pieces. Best 2 hours on Christmas Day)

Here's to a fun-filled, healthy and happy 2010!

Party On

We've been celebrating at our house! With Hayden's birthday there was the mad rush to finish up the requirements for his Bear award and Arrow of Light. He was looking forward to getting his award along with the actual arrow they present the boys with in our pack.
At our house birthdays sometimes turn into weekend events. Hayden had his friend party (pizza and a movie at home) on Friday night, a good snowy actual birthday on Saturday where he attended the Aggie game with his dad, and a family treat night on Sunday. We prepped him on getting older and receiving "quality" gifts over "quantity" gifts...and then gave him an ipod nano....which I'm surprised he hasn't wore out already. It has a video recorder in it and the casting, directing and editing has been in full session the entire week. We should have been recording his basketball game this weekend. Inspite of a loss, I've never seen a team of more scrappy eleven year old play a game of ball. They gave it their best effort and hopefully left that court feeling like winners. Hayden was dribbling through guys much taller than him and making shots that left me shaking my head in disbelief. Both teams were exhausted in the end and it's a disappointment when your team's shots are the ones not going in. Hayden did have a career best of 8 hard earned points.

Then there have been class parties at school, a trip to see Santa, and a dinner out with friends to the new Texas Roadhouse in town. Sadie loved sitting on Santa's lap and requesting a "Hamma Montama". Carson wanted more than anything to tell Santa how much he'd love a Hungry, Hungry Hippo game, but being a Snyder boy means shyness hits at the most inconvient times. Even with the friendliest Santa in town, he couldn't muster the courage to look at the old guy, let alone tell him his Christmas wishes. Mom and siblings passed along request for him and he got close enough for a quick picture.

The week ended with a family party at Grandma and Grandpa Reeders. This was probably the biggest family gathering Sadie's attended and it didn't disappoint. Yummy food, Aunts, cousins, babies and presents were all there to enjoy. Even with a few family members not there, the house seemed to be bursting with people and fun.

So even with all this excitment, the presents wrapped, the goodies delivered, the cards mailed I headed to church today without much Christmas spirit. Among all the parties we've had sick kids, a dryer die (always at the best times) and today Todd left for China. If all goes as intended the kids will soon be well, the new washer and dryer will be delivered in a week, and Todd will be home in time for dinner on Christmas Eve. As the songs were sung I found the source of Christmas spirit I seemed to be missing....the real source of it all.

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is giv'n!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heav'n.

No ear may hear his coming;

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in.

I hope the next few days can be spent sharing with my children what really matters about this holiday. As we keep our fingers crossed that Todd makes it home in time for Christmas it makes us realize we are blessed to have a family and a knowledge of Jesus Christ. We must find the gifts in his presence, not in the presents.

Merry Christmas!

one...

two...
three...

four....

five....

six....

seven....

eight....

nine....

ten...

guess who's ELEVEN?!!

Happy Birthday to a great kid!

Legos and Lights

The above picture is of a lego. Probably the smallest lego that is made by the company. At our house it's the most expensive one we've got though. We paid $40 for this lego. Why you ask? Because that was the copay required by the insta-care office that removed it from Carson's nose! While we'd prefer an entire set for that price, we'd like to think we've also purchased a bit of knowledge for Carson of NOT STICKING THINGS UP YOUR NOSE.

The week did have a bright side as well. We headed to SLC to visit our social worker for the 6 month visit (it's a bit early), seeing the capitol building (checking off a merit badge requirement for Austin) and seeing the lights at temple square. It was cold but beautiful.

Sadie was able to have a friend from school come over for a play date this week. It was a big first for her. I have to admit to being a bit nervous, but it went as smoothly as one of the other kids having someone over. I also talked with her ESL teacher for a minute and she shared a cute experience. Last week they were learning names for family members--mother, father, sister, brother. She said Sadie was very enthusiastic to share with everyone that "she has a Heavenly Father!" At home we use the term "dad" and at church she hears "father". I had to smile at her innocence and was happy to know she is learning in all areas of her life. As I sit and do homework with her I am amazed. She is smart. She is brave. She is silly. She is happy. She is willing. I wonder how many children could thrive when faced with such a new lifestyle, yet she continues to progress and do it with a smile.

On Wednesday I wore my USU shirt, since Todd and I were going to the basketball game that night against BYU. Sadie saw my shirt and asked "you go Aggie Bull?" She is more settled with my leaving now. And yes, we did go see the Aggies. And yes, they did beat BYU. And yes, Todd watched the game twice more this week. And yes, it was loud and lots of fun!

Traditions

As the holidays continue it has been fun sharing them with Sadie for the first time, and watching Carson experience them with the joy of a three year old, and continuing traditions with the older kids that they remember and look forward to. Thanksgiving just wouldn't be complete at the Snyder home without our annual Thankful Turkey. The first family night in November is for creating our turkey, cutting out hands for each person to add as feathers and getting our minds focused on the endless blessings in our lives. It's a parents secret joy to hear what their children are grateful for, especially as they grow and mature. Their answers turn from toys to brothers and sisters and from candy to a home or Jesus Christ. Of course we all still include lifes little luxuries because they do make life enjoyable. As a mom, I hope to raise children who recognize blessings in their lives whether they are great or small, and to realize they come on a daily basis. No matter how bleak the day may seem there is always, always something to be grateful for.

With seven Snyders our turkey grew quite quickly. I love the different sizes of hands each year.

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year. Todd's parents, sister and her family completed our guest list. It was simple, relaxing and very yummy! I think we all reached embarrassing limits in our food consumption. The rest of the long weekend consisted of more of the same...relaxing and eating leftovers. We did do a tiny bit of shopping, attended the Aggie game, and put up Christmas decorations between rounds of eating!

The tree decorating happened in record time. I love listening to the kids excitment over each ornament. We try to add an ornament for each person each year, sometimes store-bought, sometimes home-made. Sadie was a little sad when none of the ornaments had her name or picture. We will try to change that soon and get her an ornament on the tree this week. The kids had to sleep next to the tree in their sleeping bags. Oh the magic of a few lights and a little sparkle! The wish lists have been made (some with downloaded pictures and websites that offer free shipping included :)) , the stockings are hung, and the Snyder's are counting the days until Christmas!

Thankful For

This year Thanksgiving is on the 26th,

so in honor of the day here are 26 blessing I'm thankful for....

Christ

Family

Freedom

Home

Mountains

Music

Laughter

Employment

Friends

Cinnamon Rolls

Microwaves

Photographs

Books

Running Shoes

Asthma Medication

Restaurants

Sleep

Teachers

Cars

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Washing Machines

Back Rubs

Letters

Prayer

Frosting

Seasons

Happy Thanksgiving!