Is it really almost Christmas??

So my mom sent me a text the other day and asked when I was going to blog again. She said it was "old". Well, it's true. My blogging has gone to pot lately, and my response to her was that I will blog again when it becomes important... meaning more important than something else I am already doing in the daytime because it would have to take the place of something else. Perhaps I would feel more motivated if I thought people were actually reading it, but since I think my mom might be the only one who reads it and I talk to her on a weekly basis, it isn't quite enough incentive. I keep telling myself it will be easier if I have an iPhone and can post whenever with photos on my phone rather than downloading them from my camera every time, but who am I kidding? Anyhow, I was feeling guilty, so here I am.

This might just be post of things on my mind, so forgive me if I bore you.

First, if you don't have Spotify, get it. It will change your life. It's like Pandora but a thousand times better. You have access to practically every song known to man at your fingertips for free... at least for the first 6 months and then it's only like $5 a month. Do it, you won't be sorry. And when you do, if you need some quiet and lovely Christmas music, look up Favourite Carols from King's College Choir. I especially love "In the Bleak Midwinter." It's beautiful. And while you are at it, put She&Him "Baby It's Cold Outside" and anything from Sufjan Stevens. 

Second, I took the boys to Santa at Macy's a couple of weeks ago. We went early to avoid the lines, which proved to be a wise decision. I didn't make a big deal about it because I knew neither of them would sit on Santa's lap. I only wanted to avoid major meltdowns, which I did, so I consider the trip a success. I didn't think the Santa that impressive anyway. He didn't even have a real beard. So Cameron and I took them to see Santa at ABC Carpet and Home because we have been hearing that he is the best Santa around... probably the real one. We were not disappointed. Real beard, vintage suit and boots, kindly face, real fancy candy cane lollipops. Awesome. Still no real luck with the boys on the lap, but whatever. I liked him. ABC is amazing and beautiful. We looked around for a bit after our Santa visit, but I quickly realized once I saw that the pillows were $950 that I not only did not belong in that store but having 2 young boys roaming around was a very bad and potentially expensive idea. So we left and went to Barnes and Noble instead. Glad we saw ABC Santa. Highlight.

Our Christmas party this year was a success once again, and I do love the way it helps me set the tone for Christmas in our house... a season of giving and thinking of others. We delivered 12 very full boxes of food to 6 deserving families with the help of all our good friends and neighbors. This has been one of my favorite traditions. This year John went with Cameron to help deliver, and I hope it's something that he grows increasingly more excited about. We also attended our Stake Christmas Concert, which was amazing as always. I spent a good portion in the doorway as I let Grant run around in the foyer. It was past his bedtime and there was no chance he was going to sit for an hour and a half. But every time a performance finished he rushed in to start clapping. Cutest thing ever. And I just finished baking some treats to hand out to our friends and neighbors. John assisted in decorating the sugar cookies, and I hope that becomes a tradition too. Other than that, John has been watching Disney's Prep and Landing once or twice a day and gets excited anytime he hears Frosty the Snowman or Grinch music. He has also been introduced and is familiar with Charlie Brown Christmas tunes and all. It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas. 

Cameron got called to be the First Councilor in the bishopric of our ward, which means I see him a lot less on Sundays and he's out visiting and on the phone a lot. I remember a time when I used to really enjoy and look forward to Sundays, but sadly that time seems far gone. It's hard managing two active children for over an hour during sacrament meeting who just want to sit with their dad and can't because he's on the stand. I get to hear about 15% of the meeting while the other 85% I am trying to keep the boys quiet and entertained. John basically refuses to go to nursery and Grant isn't old enough to be there yet, so it makes the next 2 hours a complete wash as well. Luckily, Cameron often takes John with him, so I just have to chase Grant around. Sometimes I wonder why I am even there, but I know the answer to that. It wouldn't be so bad if Cameron didn't leave 3 hours before church starts and often isn't home for dinner. Call me crazy, but for a day that is set aside for worship and families, this seems like an awfully crummy arrangement. I am sure it will get easier or at least I will just get used to it, but sometimes it really stinks. But I love my husband and his willingness to give it his all... in everything he does. Really not looking forward to getting 3 kids ready for church by 9 am and dealing with that alone during sacrament. Nightmare. Yes, that's what I said. Three. 

So if you actually read all of this, then you just got a little surprise gift. Merry Christmas.