Christmas Eve

Who else out there has the tradition of pajamas on Christmas Eve? How about taking pictures so one's child looks extremely tall?

We also played Texas Hold 'em. Then, some friendly Apples to Apples.

We also had ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, rolls, veggie tray, fresh pineapple, fudge, peanut brittle, and Tums...well, we should have had that available. There weren't many of us, but we had a great time!

Wondering

I love the song, Mary Did you Know, and one of these is my favorite artist(s) singing it. Who do you like? Who's my favorite?

2008 Lott Family Christmas Letter

We made it through another year and, like often is the case, it was filled with joy and happiness with a dappling of anxiety and sorrow. We just celebrated our 4th year in Meridian which is hard to believe. As our family gets a little older it seems you can find us nestled in the same room enjoying the nearness of one another, or, more and more, spreading in different directions to work, play or something in between. Here’s the lowdown:



Kurt: For the better part of the year, he was employed by MPC until being laid off in October. It was big news around these parts and MPC has filed bankruptcy since. So, once again, he is hunting employment. He still loves to delve into all things computer and keep up on technology trends.

Leslie: I graduated with a degree in elementary education this past spring and then grappled with the decision of applying to teach or continuing on in my education. After securing a graduate assistantship, I decided to work towards a Masters of Educational Technology. It’s been tough and I often think about the day I get to be a teacher.

Hunter: He is still working at the theater. In fact, he reached the year milestone last week. He is a junior this year and is a driving maniac. Due to problems with his car, he has had to start sharing mine which means using your hands and feet to drive. It took a little getting used to and a lot of late nights worrying for me (still ongoing), but he’s got it down..I hope. He’s tall and handsome and is an enjoyable young man to be around.

Cooper: He’s in 4th grade studying Idaho history & loving it. He moved schools mid-semester and has a male teacher for the first time who is wonderful. Cooper is still Mr. Imagination. He loves to love and can be incredibly goofy. He adores animals, but is only allowed to have the stuffed kind. He always talks about moving back to Great Falls so he can be by family. I love hanging out with Cooper and he is a great little helper to me.

This summer my beloved grandfather passed away. This is still difficult for me and we all truly miss him. Our grief is eased in knowing he is whole and we will see him again. My parents are sharing the great message of the gospel as they serve a mission in Colorado Springs, CO. At this time, we celebrate the birth of an infant who would come into the world to live an exemplary life and provide redemption for us all. The best way we can show our devotion and love for him is to serve each other and live our lives with integrity and compassion. Merry Christmas to you all! We certainly feel blessed for our association with each and every one of you.

How do you rate your cave?

How do you rate your cave? I don't mean your house, I mean your actual cave. OH, you don't have one? Well, I know of one for sale. Go here: http://montana.craigslist.org/reb/962890862.html

Ode to my Desk

Desk. Oh Desk. Where art thou my trusty companion?

I glimpse thee here and there, yet never fully exposed. (eww..that sounded a little naughty)

My daily log lies neatly upon thy blackened, dusty back.

Partially addressed Christmas cards are solemnly protected.

What is that I see? An application for future employment possibility?

Alas, my graduate plans are nestled beneath the fondest transcripts of my past.

And the fondest of my kin and non-kin alike trapped within the bindings of green.

Never hast thou gone unadorned by the fairest young lad of the castle.

Thou has kept my greatest secrets though cluttered they may be.

What would my days become without thee? Yet, I wouldst approve of tidying.

Choo Choo

Yesterday Hunter got tickets for Cooper & I to see Bolt (fabulous benefit of a son working at the theater). So, we went to the first matinee and it was a great movie. A definite compliment seeing as I don't really enjoy animated movies. Then we hopped over to WalMart and got all of our groceries & baking ingredients. When we walked outside we were suddenly transported to the center of a snowglobe. Beautiful, swirling white flakes glittered the ground but hadn't quite started compiling...perfect. We zoomed home to settle in for a winter weekend. Cooper decided to make the above train. I kneaded the frosting, set out the pieces, put the frosting in for the sleigh parts, put the frosting in for the reindeer. Kurt used the frosting to help decorate. Cooper put a little frosting here & a little frosting there. He put a little candy here and a little candy there and a lot of candy in his mouth and a bit of candy on the floor. Then, the masterpiece was complete.

Today, he started eating it. Good thing I got a picture.

ps. He wrote "I love Mom" in the snow. Santa loves that boy this year.

No Problem

I was talking about Christmas cards the other day with Calie & she told me she wanted to do a Christmas card with the boys but she was running out of time. Friday she came over to practice a Christmas song & brought the boys with her. Brilliant idea: I'll just quickly take a picture of them in front of the tree. No problem. Won't take but a sec. I can't believe I've forgotten already.

I told them to look serious, trying to get them not to be crazy, instead: Drugged

This is them "smiling".

I finally told them to just make a funny face.

Individual shot: Poking model #1

Individual shot: Facial tick.

I give up.

Remember?

The question is, will this guy remember? He has a spelling test tomorrow. He lost his spelling list. His class does spelling uniquely so I can't borrow one. Each child has their own list of 10 words.

So, I told that guy to just write down as many words as he could remember. This is what he came up with, letter by letter:

#1: analyze

#2: muscle

#3: anti-biologyst

#4: omnovore

#5: herbovore

#6: multiplacation

Interesting. The first 2 are definitely on his test. The middle 3 are definitely not. The last one might be. I made him write the last one 3 times. What else can a mother do? But I do wonder what he has been reading. And...is anti-biologist a word? I think not.

Receivers

I'm a receiver. I don't like it most of the time. There are some debts with which I'm grateful for and realize I can never repay. My debt to my Heavenly Father for all the earthly joy and spiritual understanding he gives me. My debt to Jesus Christ for living in a way as to always be both my savior and my mediator. My debt to my parents who have spent & still spend countless time, money, and other resources on me and I'm sure I caused them more than their fair share of worry and trepidation. Well, the list is long.

For some reason, I've had to live with the challenge of unemployment numerous times. This has also put me in the receiver position in an uncomfortable way. It is VERY hard for me to take things from people. Luckily, the people who really know me are very aware of this and give in a subdued way. Don't get me wrong, I'm still so grateful, but it's just a little embarrassing. I guess it's that dumb pride thing.

This past weekend I was the ultimate receiver. It seems I'm incredibly loved. Here are just a few things I received over the weekend:



The gift of service from my husband. You are going to be so jealous. He got the expensive parts for our dishwasher, then, saved us at least $100 by downloading diagrams, pulling the dishwasher apart, and fixing it himself. How manly is that?



The gift of entertainment: When Kurt's job lost him, I put our beloved NetFlix on hold. Oh how we have missed it. Those little red envelopes showing up in the mail offset the junk mail and bills. Well, my incredibly kind grandmother bought us 2 months of NetFlix just because. It was an unexpected pleasure.



The gift of memories: We received our Christmas package from my parents. Along with the wrapped gifts were goodies, stickers, a DVD, and THE ORNAMENT. When the boys & I went to Colorado Springs last spring break, my parent's took us to the Michael Garman Studio. We had a fabulous time. At one point Cooper & I were looking at one area of the miniature building when an older gentleman began to explain how special effects were used in some areas of the building. It was very interesting and then he left. A little while later we were watching a video and the artist, Michael Garman, appeared on the screen. Lo and behold it was the same man we were speaking to earlier. We were so excited. He came out and my Dad introduced himself and we all got autographs. Cooper has talked about him off & on since. When Coop saw the ornament, he quickly went upstairs and got his autographed Garman catalog to browse through it once more and locate our precious ornament.

We also received a special gift from Kurt's parents which will help us a great deal. So, I guess I will always be a receiver. I know it's a blessing and it definitely keeps me humble, but, at some point, I want to be a giver because I know how much joy givers have brought to my life.

Shake it

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thanks Calie!

Dishpan Hands

This is what happens:



When my husband does this:

I miss my dishwasher already.

Rockin' Around

Brie came over last week & helped me set up the Christmas tree..before Thanksgiving *gasp*. After she left, we went gangbusters and got the place looking quite festive. Cooper decided to take some pictures which I know you want to see. I love the one with fire coming out of my head, but really...great pics Coop! Plus, he took the one in our title on the blog.

Finally Twilight

Are you allowed to use flash photography in the theater? I was just wondering. No reason in particular.

Calie & I went to Twilight yesterday and we went into this movie the best way possible...absolutely, unequivocally, NO expectations. Pure entertainment. That is what we were seeking and that is what we found. Was it full of high class cinematography? Nope. Did Carlisle look like he was made from play dough? Yep. Did they serve this movie with cheese? Sure, but who doesn't like a little cheese now & then. I laughed out loud and I'm pretty sure Calie & looked at each other about 50 times with a half eye roll and a giggle or two, but we had a blast.

Some tips for New Moon:

• You don't have to overtly squint your eyes to convey hatred
• With make-up, less is better most of the time
• If you flutter your eyes too often you are going to run into something
• Football huddles don't make for convincing protection scenes

Honestly, I hope there is a New Moon movie.

ps. The next Harry Potter trailer was in the previews and I can't wait to see it. But I'll have to since it's coming out until July!

Black Friday, Teen style

Another first. In the dark of night which turned to dawn, Hunter became a black friday shopper. Being the vigilant mother I am, I'm not completely aware of his arrival time, but when I got up for breakfast there was a gift on the counter for Kurt, Cooper & I. I think I love my teen mascarading as a BF shopper. I went downstairs to get some laundry and low & behold, there he was...sound asleep in his ninja shopping gear. Shoes still on. Knees bent. And 2 flashes didn't even bring a flinch.

Thanksgiving...Need I Say More

Hunter Bunter Bear

17 years ago, after struggling with an odd pain, my doctor sent me for an ultrasound. It was November 25, 1991, and I was due with a baby boy just a few weeks later on December 13th. After the ultrasound, I was wheeled to the elevator where my doctor said, "How would you like to have your baby today?". Seems I had a rather large cyst that was causing chaos. So, up to labor & delivery I went. I was put on pitocin and immediately fell asleep for 2 hours. When I awoke, I could hear screaming in the room next to me...I started to panic. A nurse came in to check my progress (always a lovely little event)and I asked her how far along my neighbor was. She was at a 4. I asked the nurse where I was at & she said I was at a 6. I'm so glad I have somewhat easy labors.

For both my boys, I was unable to get an epidural so when I pushed, I pushed like a crazy woman. 15 minutes of pushing for both boys. At 12:15 am on November 26, I was blessed with a little 6lb 13oz baby boy who had a gush of black fuzzy hair. When Kurt first saw him he said, "Ewww, he looks gross", but I thought he was beautiful & still do.

Once Hunter was 6 weeks old, he was golden. He slept through the night and has the sweetest disposition. He was a community baby; I passed him around to everyone and they just adored him.

Things changed at 18 months and the temper tantrums flew. It was a nightmare. He would tell me he hated me, throw things at the door, throw himself on the floor and there were many days when Kurt would get home from work that I would need a breather & would leave for an hour or so.

It was about the time Hunter went to school that the temper tantrums began to dissipate. He loved school and made lots of friends. He's my little athlete who has a tender side as well.

This morning I snuck up to his room to tape the doorway so he could bust through it like a superstar. I don't know how he does it, but he managed to do so with his eyes closed. He used to be a morning person. I love my little Hunter and hope he has a wonderful birthday. I've got his pumpkin pie made and we'll be ready to celebrate in a few short hours. Happy Birthday Hunter!