Isn't it December yet?

I usually LOVE November.  
and this year, I liked it.
alot.  
But, for some reason I'm ready for December.

It might be the Christmas tree that's been decorated now for a week. Thanks to family coming in for the Thanksgiving weekend, we got to have Christmas early.

17 people in one house for 4 days.
Every one with a bed.
So thankful for that!

Chad's family kept giving me looks like they were trying to figure out if I was ok or not.  Apparently most people wouldn't like 17 people in their house for 4 days.  And then 5 of them stayed for a week.  
I was fine.
I'm a cleaning freak when it's my house. 
I don't want people to think it's messy or dirty.
So, I pick up all the time while people are still here.
Maybe that threw them off.

At any rate, Thanksgiving was awesome.
And now I'm ready for December.

At school we're learning about being "rich" in character and what that means.  I've given my students' parents two assignments/homework now (well, they won't actually know this until tomorrow), and am hoping I still get help for the Christmas party!  We'll see how annoyed they are with me.  But, I want to teach the kids about being thoughtful and kind.  I want to teach them about doing random acts of kindness- not for the attention of it, but just to do it out of the kindness of your heart.  (anyone thinking of how the Grinch's heart grew 3 times it's size at this point?)  

You know, I say I'm ready for Christmas.... 
but more than that, I'm ready for snow. 
It's supposed to be 70 degrees by Sunday.
Kansas, sometimes you annoy me.          

Jada Bear

She's a teacher almost everyday after school.
She's a joker at the supper table.
She's a wonderful mommy to her babies.

She's Jada Bear.
Who turned 7 years old last Saturday.

 
What?!?!
How did that happen so fast!

Jada wanted to take her friends swimming, and the way we do that in November is a local hotel pool that has a great party room where we take over and decorate.

The invitations were... interesting.  I let Jada and Addie write them out.  I've learned that if I let them do that again, I will need to check all of them before they seal the envelope.  One mom called me asking if they missed the party- their invitation said, "3-7:00 p.m."  when it was really supposed to be from 7-8:30 p.m.  It all worked out fine.  Her friend came back to the party at 7:00.  

Just a little embarrassing.

Happy Birthday, Jada Bear!  
 

       

Home Sweet Home

When you think of "HOME" what do you think of?

Your childhood?
Your children now?

I've been thinking a lot lately about how much I miss my childhood home.  Just the things we had, and did.  The way my mom decorated for Christmas.  The "homey" feeling when I go to my mom's house.  

I know 35 years old isn't that old in the scheme of life.  But, lately I'm not having "homey" feelings about getting older.  

Getting older= wrinkles- which I am starting to see.  Ok, maybe not terribly noticeable wrinkles.  But, they are starting.  And the lose skin on my face?  Yep, that's happening.  

I get it.  I'm probably exaggerating, but it's hard getting older when "things" start changing. 

Jada turns 7 years old in two days.  

Seven.

These are birthday treats for her class.  

 I will celebrate her birthday.
Reluctantly.  
Because I want her to be that little girl still who carries around purses and wears only dresses.

Recently I told a friend that I cry on my children's birthdays.  They grow up too fast.  And now it seems like I feel the same way about myself.  

I love my own home.
I love my family.
But, I wish I could go back in time for a day.  
Back to Buhler where I grew up.  And spend a day watching myself as a 7 year old.  I think I would see a lot of similarities with myself back then and Jada now. 

I don't want to grow up.  
I want to look like I'm 30 forever.