Christmas Time Is Here!

1. Christmas time is here! And, we are SO excited. We're excited to be going to AZ for a month (although I am sure to make many enemies on the airplane since I will be traveling with three kids by myself). I got so stoked about Christmas that I started putting the kids in their Christmas motif before November was even over. Luke is in his Santa suit, Joshua is in his Christmas vest, and Mercedes is finally fitting into the beautiful dress Jessica bought her when she was one year old. By the way, she LOVES that dress and would wear it for dress-up if I let her. When I put it on her for the first time, she spun around and patted her chest and said, "I princess now--thanks Jess!" Of course I had to remind her who got it for her, but she came up with the thanking Jess all by herself. She's quite a polite little lady. She's good about telling me she loves me and Jon Mark. Joshua is also good about that.

2. The other day, Joshua, Mercedes, and I were on the top bunk having a lay-by when Mercedes began freaking out about her lost grape. It took forever for me to realize what she was saying. I lifted up the covers to look for it and instead we found the stem. Joshua exclaimed, "hey, mom, that's a clue! That means that the grape must be near-by!" He was right, we found it near-by.

3. Little Lukey Bear is such a good baby. I know I brag about that in every post I do on him. But, it continues to be true. He is a strong little guy too. He crawls now and he can push himself up to a pike position. He loves balls and enjoys chasing them around the floor. He loves to cuddle and is content to just sit on my lap forever. He LOVES oatmeal and peaches--all solids really. He LOVES his baths, he loves his brother. He loves his sister too, but he does get a concerned look on his face if she starts to be too motherly or gets too close.

4. Jon Mark is doing well in school. He has gotten some nice comments from his professors regarding him public speaking skills and debate skills. He balances all of his responsibilities well and we love him for it.

5. We're almost officially half way through with law school. We don't know where the future will take us, but we're hoping it brings us back closer to our families.

6. I have been sewing more (with a rather crappy machine, Mom, tell dad I am planning on stealing yours). My projects aren't always the greatest, but I am learning a lot through my mistakes. The hardest thing is that my machine jams or needs re-threading every four or five inches or less. So, sewing is a little more frustrating than it is enjoyable.

7. I almost sawed off the cord when I was working with my jigsaw the other day. I won't be making that mistake again. Luckily, I caught the almost tragedy and only nicked the cord. I have made some cute things out of wood though.

8. Winter is approaching. Blah.

9. I caught Joshua saying, "Happy Holidays" the other day. I corrected him and said that we say "Merry Christmas" and he told me his Uncle Kevin told him to say "Happy Holidays". Kevin is his default answer when I ask him where he learned something. I know Kevin didn't tell him that, I think he probably learned it at school or on Caillou. When we skyped with Kevin the other day, I heard Kevin say to him that we say "Merry Christmas".

10. Joshua and Mercedes (and the rest of us) are so excited to see you all!!!