Quick question

For Christmas my dad gave us each a DVD with pictures on it converted from the old slides they took. We had fun laughing at the pictures we haven't seen in years. Todd, my brother was laughing at Noah the other day because he was scrapbooking. Yet after a second look at the old pictures I believe I saw Todd receive a doll as a gift. Not to mention the nose picking picture. I guess I don't have too much to worry about, right Toad?

New Songs

I have discovered over the last couple of years that I now have favorite Christmas songs. Two years ago Noah was asking to hear the dog song, I thought the barking dogs. "No mom, you know Feliz navi dog. We still sing it that way and I can't help but get a smile everytime I hear it, even if he isn't with me. Another new favorite is The Little Drummer Boy. Elli discovered that she could sing along with the "rum, pa, pa, rum". Soon the whole family was singing riding down the road. I thank God for the gift of these beautiful children and the moments I get to share with them. God has really shown me this year to stop and enjoy this year and he has given me much relief that only he can give because I am terrible at trying to "destress" myself. I am so grateful for everything he has done for me and the very reason behind Christmas. Sending his child to save me from myself.

Sugar and spice

and everything nice? That's what little girls are supposed to be made of. That is not always true for mine. I was so excited when I found out I was having a girl. Pink, bows, dolls and of course the fun we would have shopping someday while Rob and Noah were off hunting. But this little girl of mine is already showing interest in deer. Deer??? She gets all excited to see a deer on t.v. or in one of Rob's magazines. You can't tear her away from a wildlife scene from a store like Gander mountain. Then to top it off she kept bringing this shirt to Rob until he put it on. Maybe all hope is not lost, she does like jewelry and playing with her hair. Plus, I've got a few years to get the shopping bug in her system. I can always teach her a few cheers, right Fig?

Been Busy

All right, I do need new material. Nobody should have to look at Raging Cow that long. I have been very busy the last two weeks. Shopping and decorating and planning for Christmas, if I was as high tech as Chelle you can bet I would have Christmas music playing for your pleasure. This afternoon Noah and I were singing along with Jingle Bells while Elli did her little dance move, yet again another cute picture missed, but my new camera is on the way. I also missed a picture of her eating cookie dough out of the bowl. Oops left it too close to the edge of the counter. Unlike Fig and Kraig -e-boy Elli knows a good cookie when she tastes it. Anyway hopefully this little rambling will keep you happy until I have time to blog on a real subject. Someday I would really like to share about what's going with our church.

Happy Birthday Ron

I just wanted to wish my brother a happy birthday and say a few nice things about him (really). One thing about my brother is that he can always make me laugh, even when I decide that I am not going to laugh at something stupid he says. Growing up I always wanted my brothers acceptance, so I loved it when he started letting me ride out to the cottage. The radio would be blasting with Billy Idol or the Beach Boys but I wouldn't say a word about the loudness for fear of not being allowed to ride with him again. I also remember the time he brought me to his ex-girlfriends house without informing them I was his sister. I was thrilled that they thought I looked old enough to be his girlfriend. For most of my life I have thought pretty highly of my brother ( ok, not the early years growing up) and I have seen him turn into a great husband and wonderful dad. We don't often get too mushy in my family but I am going to break tradition and tell him that I love him and that I am proud to have him as my brother.

Camera

Ok out there I need some help. I need to get a new digital camera, mine broke and they wanted $169 deposit to fix it of which it might cost more or that might cost less. I don't think so. Let me know if you know of any good digital cameras with 5 or 6 megapixels and preferably underd $200. I looked on the internet but there are so many cameras and reviews it's hard to know what to go with. So I am using my blog readers so that you can help me pick out the right camera and then in turn can view some great pictures. I already missed one of Elli sitting in my underwear drawer.

Jingle Bells

I love Christmas time. I will even admit to watching a Christmas movie and playing Christmas music already. Noah has been singing Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer around the house because they are singing it for the school Christmas program and I have been singing right along. ( Noah sounds great, me not so good) I am excited about making Christmas lists and yes shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I am a Christmas freak. Anyone else out there?

Happy Birthday Mom!

I liked what Chelle did with telling about what her parents meant to her, so I am going to do the same. In honor of my mom's 60th birthday ( November 3) I would like to start with her. I have a lot of great memories with my mom. - Shopping, paying for cookies and leaving them at the counter - Watching for Rob's Bronco to drive by the house all the while crying over the latest fight (remember that night mom?) - Moving to Denver and the many heart wrenching phones calls - Bra shopping ( I won't go in to details) ended up fun - Being able to call mom and tell about the new thing one of my kids and her being as excited as I am These are just a few of the memories to share. What I have truly felt my whole life from my mom is her love and acceptance of me. When things have gotten really tough in my life I know that I can go home and my mom will wrap her arms around me and cry with me and her tears say more than any words. I also see the love she has for my children and that means the world to me. I hope you know how much you mean to me and that I love you very much. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Happy birthday Mom.

Karate

This was the conversation I heard the other day when Noah was playing with the neighbor Ryan. I was in my bedroom at the time. Ryan : "Let's play karate." Noah:" OK." Ryan: "Kick me in the stomach as hard as you can." Voice in my head: Noah wouldn't do that. . . . yeah he would Me, aloud : "Noah, don't.... Ryan interuppting: "OHHHHHHHHHH," followed by crying Noah footsteps running towards the bedroom, followed by his crying. Noah: "I didn't mean to hurt him." I have to tell you I had a hard time not laughing, well I did later that night telling Rob the story. I didn't punish Noah as he felt pretty bad and learned a lesson, and in all fairness he was only doing what Ryan said. Ahh, the logic of five year old boys.

The Great Chapstick Debate

I use to be a faithful chapstick or lip balm wearer. I would never miss a night. A few weeks ago I lost my chapstick and went without and have ever since. I am surprised to say I don't notice a difference in my lips. I have heard it rumored that your lips become "addicted" to the balm and that is how the companies suck you in and make their money. I have also heard that if you don't ever use balm you will never need to use balm. I don't agree with that as I have had chapped lips healed by chapstick. I want to hear what you think. I have heard this discussions come up amongst some of my readers. To moisturize or not?

Two Goals!!

This fall we entered the busy world of sports. Practice on Mondays, games on Saturdays. At first Rob and I wondered if all we were doing was making our lives busier. As the season got started we all learned a lot about soccer and how competitive sports are. The blue team was rumored to have recruited kids (Come on, they're 5) and they were an aggressive bunch of little kids. I wasn't so sure I would enjoy watching soccer after the years of being dragged to all my brothers activities, but I was wrong. It is really exciting to see your child learn and improve on something new. What a difference a season makes, Noah became quite a little soccer player. He finished the last game with two scored goals. It was better than the Tigers going to the world series. Can't wait for spring. This week I also learned that it is better to give than to receive, especially if it is from Professional Pharmacy.

Now that's a good looking bunch

Here are some new family pictures that were taken. Thanks to Melinda who did a great job taking them. Sorry there are no man nipples to be found.

Guilty Pleasures

Ok, things have been a little slow in the blog world, so let's talk reality TV. My favorite one is Dancing with the Stars. I think they should maybe change the title to Dancing with the former or unknown Stars because half of them I don't know and the other half you don't see too much anymore. I do have my favorite picks this season. I am liking Mario (from Saved by the bell) and Emmit Smith. I also liked Vivica A. Fox but she unfairly got voted off last night. Rob likes Sara Evans, and although she can sing she really isn't much of a dancer. I'm sorry Rob but either Sara has got to go. Jerry Springer must also be voted off. Let me here from you. What do you think of our dancing stars? What is your guilty pleasure?

Change

Over the weekend Noah's best buddy Jack moved out of our neighborhood. Noah is a little sad, but I am devastated. I like Jack, he's a sweet little boy with nice manners. The two were inseparable all summer and up until this weekend the first words out of Noah's mouth after school were "Is Jack out?" Now don't get me wrong there are other little boys in our neighborhood for Noah to play with. But I am not quite as comfortable with Noah playing over at their houses. Jack's parents, Steve and April had the same beliefs as Rob and I and disciplined similarly. I never worried when he was at their house and I think they felt the same. This is definitely the kind of change I hate.

What makes you smile?

When Noah was little he discovered M&M's. He still loves them till this day. Elli has recently discovered chocolate chip cookies and can't get enough. See the joy and laughter they bring her? Or maybe it's just a certain package of chocolate chip cookies? You tell me.

I swear I'll never say that

Noah seems to ask me on a daily basis where his shoes are. As if I should magically know where they are. But yet again he asked. All of a sudden words I swore I would never say came flying out of my mouth, "The last time I wore them I put them away." I can't count the number of times I heard my dad say that as I was looking for an item of clothing. How I hated it. I swore that I would never repeat that to my kids. It didn't help Noah to find the shoes but it did make me realize why my dad got so frustrated. Another favorite of mine is "For crying outloud!" As a kid that never made sense, who would cry silently? What phrases have you repeated?

It's a first

It's a first, the Wondergem family has two vehicles that are from the current decade. This is Rob's new ride. He went from a 1988 truck to a 2000 truck. Rob struck a deal, once again playing the preacher card. All right Rob, I showed off your new truck. Next time write on your own blog.

Blog World

I have now entered the blog world. I have toyed for some time with the idea of having my own blog. So here it is. I chose a name for my blog that ironically at times I have hated being labeled as. When meeting new people the question eventually comes up "What does your husband do for a living?" I will admit at times I cringe to hear that question. Nobody acts differently around you if your husband is a dentist or an accoutant but tell them you are married to a pastor and suddenly they watch every word they say or start apologizing for anything they may have said before. I do have to admit there are some advantages to being a pastors wife, perks you might say. Discounted vacation homes, many baked goods at Christmas, and the biggest blessing the love and support of your congregation, family and friends who stand behind you with prayers and support. Not everyone can say that about their job. Overall I wanted to show how normal (or not normal) I am being a preachers wife. So I am going to embrace the title and show people we are all just human and need the grace of God. Preachers wife or not.