some things I don't want to forget...

There are so many things I haven't gotten around to blogging this season!

I don't want to forget them---

so I am documenting them real quick-like.

For instance- the gifts the girls & I made to give their friends this year.

Mini apple & cherry pies!

They turned out so cute-

and Trent's gifts

also cute & just his style

the guy--- he LOVES root beer!

Just a couple of days ago I stopped at Walmart to stock up on my new obsession..

Peppermint oreos... oh my goodness!

These are the Walmart brand- but they are just as good.

At .88 a bag- I bought 11 packages.
I'm not even embarrassed about it.
One package a month for the year- until they are back again.
These should be permanent!
I LOVe them & I don't even like regular oreos.

Brett & I spent the night in Provo this week.
Hailey was in charge- Brian was up in Cody (with Laura... ooh la, la) visiting his Grandparents. We went out to dinner, shopping & to see this!
I LOVED IT!!!
It was fantastic, worth the trip (in icy cold treacherous weather) & YES we are going back with the kids. Afterwards we went to Costco to look for some thing they were out of at our Costco (we are just romantic like that) and guess what- the Orem Costco has GELATO!?
WHAT IN THE WORLD? We are getting ripped off at our Costco.
Ripped off I tell you!
It was YUm- O
Not the world's best Gelato--- but still really good!
I am making a formal request to the Costco people immediately.

Last week Trent made Chloe this darling
"Christmas tree"
out of Lincoln logs & some other building toys.

and last but not least-
The Christmas cookies I pooped out on.
Chloe finished them on her own & they turned out so darling!

Aren't they cute!?

The cookie cutters are on clearance now at Williams Sonoma.

Unfortunately between the cookies, more cookies, gelato etc. I have had a permanent stomach ache & can't wait to get back to eating "real" food.

Still- it was great while it lasted!

Are you sick of heavy Holiday food?

do you Love Peppermint & Costco?

Do you go to Art Exhibits?

Christmas in pictures

this year, luckily...

we had some money set aside for Christmas before the whole job lay off.

Of course- we were not sure what was ahead of us,

so I was nervous about spending it all or even any of it.

Then- I got my little job.

That made all the difference in my attitude.

I knew the money from that would be enough to cover a chunk- or most of it.

Then of course- Brett was offered his present job & can I just say-

wow

we are truly blessed.

Not only did we have our money set aside-

plus my little income- but a job & future income!

NOw-- we didn't go all craZY & buy out the mall or anything-

I'm just saying- mentally it was a huge relief.

(the kids drew names & this is what trent got from hailey)

(brian had hailey & got her a techno jacket)

(trent had chloe & got her a soft blanket & socks)

The best part of my Christmas was...

I snuck into our Amazon account & ordered Brett a Kindle.

He has always wanted one, but wouldn't spend the money on himself.

It was so fun for me to have a BIG surprise for him.

Ah Christmas!

It's such a fun day.

We were thrilled to see video from Charlie's Christmas morning on Megan's blog.

Then of course we got to talk to jack.

It just doesn't get better than this.

just a wonderful Christmas!

It has been a wonderful Christmas here at the Messer home!

The highlight of course, has been talking to missionary Jack.

We got to talk to him in the afternoon Christmas day.

He sounded absolutely

WONDERFUL!

He was in a chapel, just next to the beach.

He said he could drop the phone & be in the ocean in less than a minute!

It's been 100 degrees there with 100% humidity.
eew- sticky
He was hoping we could tell him it was snowing here. It snowed a day late this year...

He's had visitors in his intestines... gross.
But they are gone now & he is doing better.
He is gaining the weight back he lost & feeling good.

He kills multiple ants & 3" cockroaches on a regular basis.
eww again
but loves it anyway.

He got his Christmas package which included:
new underwear!
socks
a new journal (he asked for one)
loads of treats & candy
hostess donuts
(they don't have donuts in Brazil)
and hostess apple pies
(apple pie is his favorite food & they don't have that either)

We miss you & love you Jack.
What a privilege to represent Christ on Christmas.
I hope your baptism goes well this weekend.
Keep defending America (he gets a lot of criticism & rude comments about politics)
and no... don't take your tag off & punch anybody.
We are so proud of you & the work you are doing-
Teaching people that there is a God.
He knows & loves us individually.
That Christ was born- lived & died for us.
That we can live again & be together as families forever.
I can't think of a better Christmas present than knowing my son is His servant.
I love you
Merry Christmas

on my mind

1. We get to call Missionary Jack on Christmas. It will be the first time I've spoken live to him since April. I'm tearing up already, just writing this.
2. Karen Carpenter will always remind me of him- (He loves her music.)
3. I can't even count how many times this Christmas season-- I have started FULL ON BAWLING LIKE AN IDIOT because one of her many beautiful Christmas songs were playing...
4. in the car, or in the store......
5. Oh my- how the shoppers must think- How sad, a crying lady at Christmas!
6. Or a disturbed person? (scary, Christmas, shopping, cry lady? Walk away quick!)
7. By the way- karen Carpenter Christmas songs are on - a lot.
8. Or his other favorite- Simply having a wonderful Christmas time by that- ol' Beattle guy. I can't remember his name right now?
9. Funny story- he & Brian were in the BYU Creamery (ice cream shop) last Christmas when the song came on & Jack said to Bri- I love this song. Then a squealing co-ed came around the corner with her roomies & screamed at the top of her lungs -
"I LOVE THIS SONG- AAAHHH!"
Jack & Bri looked at each other in fear, then the girl made eye contact with them- was super embarrassed & took off. hahahahaha- I love that story. We laugh & squeal "I love this song!" every time it comes on now. hahahahaha
10. I am surprised how much I like working.
11. I really do.
12. I like the adrenaline rush of speaking to customers- especially when they buy whole sets of cookware!!! wowowowow! it is awesome.
13. I like being told- "You're good at this and GReat Job today!"
14. I had almost forgotten how much I like words of affirmation. Not that I don't get that at home- but let's face it- stay at home moms-no one comes in after we clean something & says- "Hey, good job today! You are so good at this!"
15. I'm NOT complaining - I don't do it either... I'm just saying- it's life - you know?
16. I feel a lot better about Christmas- just in case you were worried?
17. Having all my packages sent off- that's the best.
18. Even though I am working a lot. I still feel like I am spending good time with my family, and I love that.
19. Except Brett- who is working like a CRazy mad man.
20 New Jobs- after being out of work for a couple of months- he is working hard.
I love him & appreciate him
In fact-

"Brett, thanks for doing such a GREat job for the family this past couple of weeks! You are really good at this. It's great having you on our team! You are such a value to our company/family. You are definitely a keeper!"

the only thing I really wanted to do this week

Was to make cookies with the kids.

Knowing I was working Sunday...

I made the sugar cookie dough Saturday night & stuck it in the fridge.

Unfortunately...

I pooped out after just getting started.
I was in bed by 8:15 & pretty sure it took a micro second to fall to sleep!

this working stuff + real life + Christmas=

A really tired mom.

Lucky we got a few done!

maybe after work today we'll make some more.

getting ready

I saw my work schedule for next week -

yesterday.

(OK I had the chance to check it much earlier, but kept forgetting.)

I am schedule to work

every

day

except Christmas & one other.

oh my

Luckily- I only work from 10-2.... still?

Five days -- the week of Christmas?

dang

(my last tag from Michelle. I save them for special gifts)

The whole idea of it put me into a gift wrapping, frenzy type mode last night!

I wrapped over a dozen gifts. I put all of them under the tree except for Trent's. We both agreed it would be better to put his under the tree on Christmas Eve. The anticipation is just too much for him.

I found this darling photo of charlie in my photos this morning.

I just HAD to share it.

oh I love that baby...

just love that baby...

just so much!!

*What are you doing NeXt week?

p.s. please do not come see me at work, thinking we can visit.

It is EXTREME crazy busy. I just don't want to seem rude.

JUst Come & shop!

a tribute to a burger, a fry & one nice guy

In & OUt BurGer

has been in our town for some time now...

Believe it or not-

I had only eaten there once- Hailey's birthday dinner-

that is until yesterday.

Brian & I went shopping for a Christmas present for his girl friend...

ooo la la

then stopped there for lunch.

Oh my delightful Goodness!

YUM-O
Brian introduced me to "animal style" fries & my life will never be the same. Thank you son for bringing so much meaning to my life.

Our self portrait with some dude in the middle??

Our self portrait with some dude in the middle & me hiding my hideous, healing fever blisters. gross. Brian was heading to work & I was heading out to finish up some last minute shopping.

Guess what?

I think I am pretty much done!?

I can't believe it?

Happiness a whole week early!

it was a two fever blister sunday

I haven't blogged in a whole week!
Where does the time go?
It's been a good but stressful week for me.
In my effort to be more honest..... here goes-
I don't like Christmas.
I try to like it- but I just don't.
I truly look forward to it being over every year.
I've been thinking a lot this week about, why I feel this way?
I guess thinking about it is part of my stress?
After much contemplation I don't think I can explain why- at least not in writing- without sounding stupid & frivolous ... but I'm going to try anyway.
Who knows- maybe putting it in writing will help, at least I hope it will?

So- I don't like Christmas because I am a gift person, and more of a perfectionist than I like to admit. I love giving gifts & I feel completely overwhelmed at the thought of so many gifts, and budgets etc. I feel overwhelmed that I will forget someone, that I won't, "get it right." Last night for family night I taught a lesson on the true meaning of Christmas.
It was about Heavenly Father's gift of His Son.
Of Christ's gift of His life, His example, His atonement. It all weighs so heavy on me. I want to teach my children- be the perfect gift giver- have a perfectly happy, holiday home.
I guess I just can't
do it all.
I hate it.
I hear people talk about how much they love the decorations etc.
It all looks like a mess around here. just messy & tacky.
I wanted to make quilts for several people in my family & didn't get them finished. I want to decorate cookies with the kids & invite other kids over to decorate cookies- but it's just a mess of boxes & wrapping paper & did I mention... it's a mess? Mess=stress.
I just can't keep up.
and I miss jack- and megan- and tony- and charlie
Then I had to work on Sunday.
Work on Sunday?
It really threw me off my already fragile mental state.
I now have two fever blisters.
But at least I'm blogging again, right?