Mum, I can see!!!

Today Christian got his glasses. After months of squinting it was finally time to get his eyes tested. We not only found out that he is nearsighted, but also color blind! My father was color blind as are a couple of my nephews so I guess he got a little something from both families (Rex's family all need glasses - coke bottles at that!) Christian loves the fact that he can see. "Hey Mum, the mountains have bumps on them." I guess it was all just a blurr before. He's so excited with his new world. I'm so happy for him.

I'm also very relieved because on Sunday I convinced Christian that he needed a haircut. He'd been growing his hair long. He wanted to be a skater dude. I couldn't deal with it any more so after a little bribery out came the clippers. WELL, what a traumatic experience for both of us. It just kept getting shorter and shorter and, well, now I'm banned from going anywhere near his head! He was really upset about how short it was. I was upset because he said he was embarrassed and wouldn't go to church and school was out of the question. Moral of the story; just because you could shear sheep when you were five, doesn't mean you can do the same to your eight year-old. I love you Christian.

Where has the time gone?

I just looked at my blog for the first time in, well 5 months. A lot has happened since then. I actually have had more car trouble, this time 4 of the 5 engine mounts holding the car engine in place were broken and I drove all the way home from San Diego with the very real possibility of the engine dropping out. YIKES! Thanks to another trip to PK Auto we're all fixed now. I think the "P" in PK Auto now stands for Petersen, we've spent so much money there we're part owners.

As for San Diego, we went there for a loooong weekend and had a fabulous time. We took the children to see Shamu, and by children I certainly mean me too. I had the best time. That place is awesome. Shamu waved at me and, yes, I got wet. We also played at the beach, the Zoo, and the Wild Animal Park. Christian's skin cleared up and was the best it's ever looked, as was mine. I think the beach air is good for us, time to pack up and move.

I passed my two Spring classes. In fact, I am a 4.0 girl at this point. Not bad for an old lady. Yay for me.

An update on my mother (thanks to all those who have asked about her) she is well. She is something of a miracle as the latest CT scan shows no sign of the cancer that so nearly took her life in July of last year. She's out and about, and even planning a trip to Utah in a couple of months. I can't wait to see her. I believe in miracles.

Happy Summer everyone.

Car Trouble

This is definitely not the Christmas car surprise I was expecting. I was hoping for a big bow not a big deductible! Snow is beautiful but no fun to go sledding in when you're in a car. Cicilee and I enjoyed this adventure together. I didn't see my life flash before me, I saw hers. It was scary. However, all is well and this picture actually represents many blessings; no injuries (Cicilee and I are both fine), Rex was only concerned with our welfare not the cost of repair, no body damage (only a bent axle - I've done more damage backing out at Costco), no air bags were deployed (this one time Cicilee was sitting in the front seat and could have been badly hurt), the car didn't flip when we hit the curb, no one else was involved, people have been so generous (Troy and Jyl Pattee loaned me their minivan), I was not in control of this car when it went sledding but I am completely sure my angel was ... my Heavenly Father loves me. What a wonderful Christmas gift.

Christmas Decorating

Last night we got the tree out. Today we finished decorating it. Has it really been a year already?! It is the same ol tree we've had for a few years now. It's definitely nothing special but watching my children putting the various nick knacks on each branch is so much fun. I don't care that it's not perfect because it's perfectly fun just watching their excitement. Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is playing in the background. I'm thinking of all the Christmases I've had in various countries and homes. Bing was always playing, it was my father's favorite. Isn't it funny how we hang onto these traditions, find comfort in them even? And yet, my children were the one's to put this particular cd on. I guess Bing will play for many Christmases to come.

What an amazing year this has been. It has brought us some real doozies but always there is a safe harbor within the walls of my home. If there is one thing I have learned this year, it is this: just because it is right thing to do, it doesn't mean it is going to be the easiest thing to do. Change is good, unless it is happening to you. No, we have been blessed infinitely this year. Always as we "hindsight" events, there are the Savior's footprints in the picture. These footprints manifest themselves in the form of friends, family, a phone call at the right moment, the shoulder to cry on, the ever listening ear at the other end of the phone, the air miles to reunite you with your mother, the sincere expressions of concern, the "Hello", the hug, the laugh, the church calling, the A on the test, the priesthood blessing, ... the love of my Savior. I have not been forgotten this year.