Imagine this

A husband back to work after a wonderful holiday filled with peace, love, joy, eating, screaming, fighting(the 20lb. cat and the 10lb. poodle over a 4oz can of cat food) and did I mention eating?

Five wonderful children quietly playing with goodies from Santa(lets be honest all games came with headphones) and a peaceful mommy with a stack of new books.

Oh the thought of a long uninterrupted bubble bath in that huge wonderful bath tub.

Grab a book, the new Japanese Cherry Blossom bubble bath, a icy cold Dr.Pepper and of course the last piece of melt in your mouth fudge and I quietly sneak out of the room.

The sound of running water quickly alerts the ever vigilant toddler that momma is doing something that he is missing out on. A half full bath and chugging sounds send alarm bells ringing in mommas head that something is wrong, did pipes freeze, is the pump out, Oh H*ll

let it not be so, we are out of water.

So back into my super cool striped p.j.s add a hoody and my ultra chic black rubber pig farmer boots, and I was ready(did I forget to mention the truck froze in 4x4 low) grab my bright yellow hammer and slide under that Super Duty Power Stroke for a simple repair of banging on the transfer case to release the four wheel drive. Meanwhile I am such a hottie I have melted the snow and ice under me and have now encased myself in two feet of snow.

So I click my heels and chant theres no place like Hell, theres no place like Hell, and realize that I was softly beating on the transmission, oh well. A quick phone call later Mike says no damage don't worry he will fix all when he gets home.

So I'm off to see the neighbor the wonderful neighbor on Is-abella to beg water and show them my favorite webkinz game. oops.

Oh yeah Mikey is home the truck is fixed he hauls two loads of water fixes the toilet in the kid's bathroom(the cause of the fast drain) and I barbecued perfect chicken.

Today Mike took four kids to work with him and I, well I am off to the grocery store.

Oh how I long for that bath tub.

Seeing Santa

Dear Santa,
we have been very good kids this year. We have played nicely with each other not made a very big mess and have eaten all of our vegetables.

This year we are asking for electric scooters, the entire Star Wars movie collection, the rest of the "ology" books, a few new wii games, and lots and lots of snow,

the girls want learning laptops, new baby dolls and fairy books, and some new art supplies,

Dawson wants trucks, trucks and more trucks, a baby doll of his own and a nap in his own bed.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Our Manger is empty

For ten years I have been a mother.

And for eight of them we have decorated for Christmas.

And for eight of those eight years we have set out two nativity scenes;

One a full display of beautiful porcelain; Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, wise men, shepherds and flocks, and a heavenly host.

The other a wooden manger about eight inches long, lined with "raffia straw" in which a small babe lays wrapped in a simple burlap blanket.

Every year we hold our breath as the pieces are unwrapped from their protective layers and little hands shake with excitement as they softly set the Holy Family in place, but then comes the best part the excited squeals of "Baby Jeje".

It does not seem to matter that "last years baby" has no memory of this tradition, they always have the same awed and excited look as all the rest.

Throughout the rest of the evening of decorating, baking and candy making, little feet slowly wander as if by magic over just to check on "our baby". Straw is fluffed, a blanket smoothed and more than one sticky spot is found on a soft forehead as loving kisses are softly placed upon.

And last night just as in years past "our baby" went missing. He was there when prayers were said, he was there when all were tucked in, he was there when I went to bed(yes I check on him also) but when I went wandering just to check on little slumbering babes he was gone.

Now I will be honest I don't look to hard because I know he is safe and by morning he is always lovingly replaced. Besides I know as in years past he is snuggled close to other soft warm bodies, protected by them, as he so lovingly protects those precious spirits.

So my friends and family it is with love that I tell you; May you all know the peace and love of the season and may your mangers be empty.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

Just a quick letter to remind you that I have been a good girl this year. Okay, okay tried to be a good girl this year. I have kept my house mostly clean but with five little kids that is a great undertaking. I have attended church and payed my tithing regularly, alright most of the time. I have not chewed anyone out in the parking lot of Safeway or at the bus stop this year, I have also not made anyone cry just because I could. My bed has been made at least one day a week, and the dishes have been washed everyday. The laundry has been folded, not always put away, but always folded. The pets have been fed and petted, the children hugged, kissed, fed and lavished with attention. And my husband has been told just how much he is appreciated.

So Dear Santa in light of my efforts I have made a small list of things that I would like to receive this Christmas and in the upcoming year.

1. I want a new baby, yes I realize that I have received five already but I want another one. I also realize nothing will replace the one so recently lost, but please please please I want another one. Don't worry to much about the cost cause after five we pretty much have everything. And after all love is priceless.(I am pretty sure Saige and Nate would like one to.)

2. Just in case you really can't deliver on number one, then I would like my body back. You see I seem to have lost the one I used to have, and the one I found to replace it, is a little worn, bruised, battered, stretched and to be honest a little sore. While I would not trade the memories of the battles it has fought so far I would like a repair kit for it.

3. I would like to find a buyer for our house, yes I kinda understand the state of the economy, and realize that maybe the reason it has not sold is because we are needed here but really I don't want to be here any longer.

4. I am going to need a new friend, not to replace one, just maybe one that will not be 600 miles away. She needs to have at least a few kids and pets would be a plus. Like just going for a coke, making fun of husbands and understand Tuesday dump days, Wednesday water days and a lot of blond moments.

5. I would like the peace of mind that we as parents are doing the best that we can in raising our children, a little more patience, and a lot more time with them, as they are growing so fast.

6. I would like for them to know of our love for them always. For them to always sleep peacefully with the knowledge that they are safe and for them to know that we as parents will always strive to keep them safe.

So Santa I know that this is a really big list and I truly wish with all my heart for it all, but as a big girl I understand that I can't have it all and that's okay because you see I do understand the true meaning of Christmas.

I BELEIVE