The Humblest of Places

For three years now, it has been a tradition for me and Sam to watch the Nativity Movie on Christmas Eve before we go to bed. Besides the wise men coming to the stable immediately after the birth, I think this is a very realistic story, and very likely the story of Mary and Joseph the months proceeding Jesus' birth. We love it.

As we watched the movie last night, I was touched when one of the wise men said while looking at the babe in Mary's arms, "The King of Kings, born in the humblest of places."

It's a special reminder to me that our Saviour was born not just for me and for you, but for all mankind--from the meekest shepherd to the wisest and richest scholar.

Our Savior truly was born, lived and died for us. And He continues to live in all Glory. What a beautiful Christmas message to all of us.

Enjoy your Christmas Day!

Who Figures This Stuff Out, Anyway?

Every time I make any kind candy, I wonder who figured out the recipe. Was it by accident?

Or do they think, "hmm... I wonder what I'll get when I mix water, corn syrup and sugar and boil and boil and boil until there is a two inch thread, and then add peanuts until golden brown?"

 "Oh, and then it looks like some soda, salt, vanilla and a little bit of butter would make it just right."

"Perfect. I just knew it would turn out like this."

Really, who invents this kind of stuff? And how does it become so traditional this time of year?

But if it was an accident, how long did it take to re-remember what they did?

This is the BEST peanut brittle I have ever made or eaten. Hope you are enjoying some yummy Christmas treats, too!

Kissing Cousins

Winston & Morgan are about 5 weeks apart (Morgan is older). Look how cute they are.

And Just Like That, He's Weaned

Winston surpassed 19 months of age this past week. He just gets cuter and cuter as his personality is becoming more prevalent.

About a week or two before Thanksgiving, Winston had a few very rough nights in a row. I was working one evening and Sam put Winston to bed before I got home. I thought to myself, "if he sleeps through tonight without waking, I am going to stop nursing." And he did. That morning, Sam said to me, "I think you should be done nursing." Funny we thought the same thing.

And so, just like that we were done.

The following week Winston started a fever and had his 18-month checkup with the doc, who found an ear infection. Winston was miserable all through the week of Thanksgiving. I remembered previous times he was sick I nursed him through it, and wished I hadn't stopped the week before. Once during that week, he was absolutely inconsolable so I gave in and nursed him. He went right in as if had never stopped, but he couldn't quite figure it out. It was as if he forgot how. He finally just pushed me away, while I chuckled. We were both ready to be done.

He hasn't really seemed to notice the difference. In fact, since he got over his little ear infection, he has slept better than ever. Since stopping, he has turned to me a few times while getting pj's on and patted my chest like he used to at bedtime just before nursing, but a distraction with a book quickly satisfied him.

I never thought I would nurse as long as I did. Before Winston was born, I thought nursing was kind of disgusting, but I knew it was the best I could give him. Nursing wasn't the easiest thing to figure out when Winston was first born. We used a silicone nipple shield for months before he finally decided he would nurse without it. But other than that, it has been a great experience. I have fond memories of his little nursing antics, from rolling his eyes in the back of his head, to playing with my hair, jewelry and clothing, to patting my skin as if it were soft fur.

I have nursed Winston virtually everywhere, from my desk at work, to the kitchen table while eating, to airplanes and conferences, to various stores and restaurants, to the tops of mountains and while hiking down a mountain, and even during a performance appraisal at work (which I still think is totally amazing my supervisor is that supportive!). It's been a great experience and I'm glad we did it. I'm also glad to be done.

One of my friends, Amanda, shared this blog with me. It's a photography blog of nursing mothers, if you're into that kind of thing. Some of the photos and stories are simply beautiful, amazing, and empowering (and some are much more liberal with nursing than I'd ever be, but all power to them!).

Deck the Walls

So, we've lived in our home for how long? And we just barely got some more stuff on the walls? Sometimes things move a little slowly around here.

Half of these frames I purchased more than a year ago and just about a week ago I put in photos. I got more frames from a Target Black Friday sale. There is a combination of our engagement photos all the way up to the most current family photos. My how time flies. 

Many ideas for this area above our kitchen table have come in and out of my head. Then I was sold on using these from Ikea, particularly for Christmas cards, but I planned on leaving the cable up all year and rotate stuff.  

But, when we couldn't find them in Ikea (a dude in the store told me they discontinued them...but apparently they are still available), so I improvised with some ribbon and clothes pins and I love it. In the next few months I will need to find some other cute things to hang up. I'm sure Esty will have lots and lots of unique, maybe even hand-made artsy ideas for me.

We also got new windows last week (early Christmas present for us...who knew we'd be so excited to get windows for Christmas?). I'll post a couple before/after photos soon, because they are awesome.

Back to the Recent Past

Yesterday and today I drove to and from my current home to my previous home, about a 2 hour drive each way (3 hours today, due to inclement weather). If my situation were different, I would have stayed the evening last night and taken some more time to visit some of my friends whom I miss greatly. But, that will have to come another time.

The reason for my traveling back and forth was to sit on the interviewing committee to fill the position that I vacated about 1 1/2 years ago. It's been a long time in coming (for many reasons), but it's finally here. And there were good candidates.

I was very much looking forward to taking part in hiring for my old job, but I wasn't expecting some of the emotions that came with it. Now, don't over-read that. I didn't become emotional (I'm really not an emotional kind of person). But there were definitely some feelings of nostalgia, like visiting a childhood home, or family you haven't seen in a while. Kind of like coming home.

Actually, the best way to describe it is this: remember the first time you visited your parents' home after you moved out and lived on your own for a while? The first time you stayed in your old bedroom after being away to college or being married? Kind of reminiscent, kind of faded memories, but also very vivid memories, and no regret for moving on? This visit to Duchesne was kind of that way. It was my first "real" job, my first shot at life after college, our first big move together as a married couple (even though we weren't really together for a lot of that time...), where we brought home our first baby.

While there, I almost reached for my keys a few times to open the office door. I found myself looking around the multipurpose room wondering what else I needed to set up (though it wasn't my responsibility). The office staff said they still refer to my old office as "Melanie's office," and the state staff still sends materials there in my name (even though they sent the same things in my name to my current office...).

I ran into some good friends whom I miss, and realized as I saw them how much I really miss them. And many I hoped I would be able to visit, but the tight schedule (and daunting weather) didn't allow time.

I still feel bad about leaving Duchesne. I loved my job, the people I worked with, and the community and our friends there. I was just getting things started when we moved, and I could feel a sort of sigh of disappointment as we left, and it weighed on me in ways I can't really describe.

I feel much better now after this visit. There are some good candidates for the position and because of that I finally feel some closure I didn't realize I needed.

'Tis the Season at our Home

After the Big Feast and Black Friday shopping, we messed our house with all the boxes of decor.

Sam attempted to hurt himself when the ladder slid out from under him while hanging Christmas lights. Scared the beegeebees out of me (and him), but he's fine (phew!), and the lights are up. So far, we're the only ones in our neighborhood with lights up and on outside. Where's the Christmas love?

Winston loves it all. The books. The music. The ornaments (maybe a little too much). The dancing snowman. The popcorn tin full of Christmas toys, stuffed Santas, and bells.

Our Christmas cactus is right on time with its blooms. The poinsettias are the perfect touch. And today the advent calendars begin.

I always love this time of year, but this year in our own home with a cute little tot, it's even better.