As of Late

We've been eating tons upon tons of oranges.  We brought home about 8 grocery bags full of them from Fresno.  There is an orchard that is really an electric plant that uses the trees to mask all of the equipment.  My mother-in-law asked the boss if we could pick oranges there and he said sure.  We go every year.  You know I can't pass up free!

Lila's been loving gymnastics, she says, and I quote "It's My Life!!!!!!!!!!"  She practices all the time and moved up a level after only 2 weeks.  After 2 months she just has to master the beam to move up once again.

I left Fresno frustrated, having no closure with the 2,000 piece puzzle.  I bought one at a used bookstore (after spending a few hours on it I realized how stupid it is to save money on a puzzle, if there were pieces missing I would have had double frustration) and worked all Sunday afternoon on it.  Mission Accomplished, 300 piece is definitely more my speed.  And thank goodness there were no missing pieces.

Spent about 4 hours at the Dr's.  Remicade is like Christmas times a million to me.

Did some shopping at Toys'R'Us and found the unicorn of Barbies.   Seriously, I thought they didn't sell this in the States anymore.  Emry wanted to give a pregnant Barbie to her friend last month for her birthday because when they play Barbies at her house they have to stuff clothes in the Barbie to make her look pregnant.

After looking everywhere I realized Barbie brand doesn't make them anymore, so if you want it be prepared to spend upwards of $400 on ebay.  Emry bought some Asian brand knockoff Barbie on Ebay for $15.

I am not sure why Barbie stopped making them.  I really hope it's not because they thought it was a bad example for girls, if anything it's great.  Most little girls are nurturing by nature and I think this encourages a love for motherhood.  And if toymakers or parents are really worried, then why is there a whole aisle of Bratz dolls??????????????????????

After having only 1 car for over a year Glenn finally got a truck.  It may have taken almost 40 years, but he finally got his dream car.

Of course!  Decorating with Christmas music playing in the background.  I LOVE this time of year!!!!!!!!!

Watching season 3 of 'Little House on the Prairie'.  We can't get enough of this show.  Season 3 is the season Nelly gets pushed down the hill in her wheel chair by Laura and lands in the pond.  My kids LOVED that part.  And then Mrs. Olsen faints!  Oh this show is so awesome.

R.I.P. to my trustee friend who has been with me for 16 years.  As soon as we got married I dropped $2,300 on this top of the line stairmaster.  I've loved the convenience of it, but it's done.  The T.V. was Glenn's since before we got married, we just upgraded, big time.  Honestly my kids are in heaven.  They still don't get to watch regular television (although we now have cable because in Glenn's words "I am watching the Super Bowl at MY house this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!") but we seriously feel like we're at the movies when we rent a video on the weekends.

After cleaning our front lawn the kids decided to go ask neighbors if they could clean their yards for a donation.  Funny how when they got paid suddenly they were working at lightening speed.

Christmas shopping has been a big priority.  I don't like crowds and I really love to just enjoy the season with friends, family, baking, & just taking it all in.  I am almost done, but it's a lot of work!  I had one thing in mind for Ethan and I woke up early Saturday and I had a good feeling.  I went garage sale-ing and found at the first house exactly what I wanted to get him for $5, Score!!!!!

Glenn already gave me my gift.  Another Stairmaster!  He found a practically new one on Craigslist for $200.  Tis' the season for good deals for sure.

I realize there are many exclamation points in this post.  That's how I feel right now, just living at warp speed trying to get everything done in the next 3 weeks to just enjoy the holidays and my sister's family who are coming down, so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Also, just the day to day of life is busy, but good, no complaints here.  Laundry, homework, dinner, Brutus, church calling, friends, etc., etc.  Life is full and I love it all.