New Year's Resolutions

1. I will still get upset with my kids. But I will try not to yell, degrade or embarrass them.

2. My weight will fluctuate. But I will not ignore those 5 extra pounds until them become 15.

3. I will still get annoyed with my husband. But I will not put him down verbally.

4. I will still slack off on my cleaning occasionally. But I will clean the refrigerator more frequently.

5. My home will still be neat and tidy. But I will not sacrifice quality time with my kids to feed my OCD-ness about picking up.

6. I will still be talkative. But I will focus on what people are saying and listen more.

7. People who make stupid comments about my family size or choices will still annoy me. But I will try to remember that it is coming from a place of ignorance, not insult.

8. Parents who let their children run the house will always frustrate me. But I will not make the mistake of saying, "That will NEVER happen in my house!"...I'll only think it.

9. I will continue to think that my children's education is very important. But I will not let their schooling become more important than the education of love they receive from mom and dad.

10. I will still be bossy and assertive. But I will remember that others have opinions and ideas worth hearing, and I will attempt to 'shut it' more often.

11. My hair will continue to be an untamed beast. But I will not wish for someone else's, as this is how my creator made me.

12. I will still feel under appreciated. But I will not use it as an excuse to become resentful or bitter.

13. My prayer life and bible reading will still ebb and flow. But I will remember to say thank you more often to my master.

14. I will still be asked to join and participate in many things. But I will not sacrifice my family for my own desires.

15. My friends still will not get consistent phone calls from me. But they will not doubt my care and loyalty.

16. I will still be tempted to participate in gossip. But I will not kill another with my words.

17. I still will not look forward to doing crafts. But I will attempt to engage my children in whichever way suits them.

18. Even though I will still have aches and pains. I will not make it others' business to hear all about them.

19. I will still be inconsiderate and selfish. But I will try to remember that my feelings are of no more value than anyone else's.

20. Even though I love to write. I will not let this become an obsession.

Last years resolutions....here's how I did.

1. I will stop yelling- Nope. I'll probably stop breathing first.

2. I will maintain healthy habits of eating and exercise- I eat fine. But exer-wha?

3. I will not pick my nose in public- SUCCESS!

4. I will not take my children and husband for granted- Not nearly good enough yet. Maybe small improvements...

5. I will not take our health for granted- Got this one.

6. I will not get pregnant- YEAH I DID IT!!! Okay, we did it. Or maybe we didn't do it...

7. I will make more of an effort to look nice- Well if this means spending more money on clothes...I succeeded!

8. I will throw out what we do not use- Getting this one down well now. Even though it annoys my husband.

9. I will pray and read scripture daily- Wish I could say YES. Not so.

10. I will not fart in church- SUCCESS! Very proud of this accomplishment.

11. I will cook at least three meals each week- Well, I have no way of really checking this one, but I did cook a LOT more this past year.

12. I will go on at least one weekend get-away with my husband- DID IT.


13. I will not talk negatively about others- People didn't stop being annoying!

14. I will get together with my girlfriends more than once this year- Well, we did ONCE...with a dinner out maybe once or twice more. Still not good enough.

15. I will learn to love Shadow- Um, yeah, we sent him to a funny farm shortly after New Year's last year:0) Sorry Shadow.

Christmas at Home

For the first time in a LONG time, if ever, we were home on Christmas Eve and Christmas day as just a family. No grandpa's or grandma's, no cousins or aunts and uncles...just us. I was greatly intimidated by what our day would become. I would have to provide the entertainment. I would have to find ways to occupy and engage my children on what usually is a day off for me, while I sit back and watch all of the relatives and festivities take the attention of my kids.

But I was wrong. I didn't have to do anything. The day is not about any of that. It was about being together as a family, singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus around the breakfast table, joining in with hundreds of other worshipers at Mass singing songs of joy in celebration of the birth of our Lord.

Even though as the day wore on, I longed for a bit of the jolly goodness felt when gathered with extended families, I realized that we could produce a great deal of jolly goodness within our own small family unit. We decided to take advantage of the GORGEOUS Christmas weather. The snow had started falling while we were at Mass at 9AM, and it stopped right after noon. The temperatures soared to a pleasant 30+ degrees and it was still and calm. Something we try not to take for granted in a windy state like this.

So we hit the slopes. Sledding that is. We bundled up, headed out and spent the afternoon trudging up and down hills, laughing, eating snow, falling on our cabooses and just loving each other.

Here it is in pictures.

Just a friendly greeting from four little goobers!

Coming up is always the hardest part!

I even took turns with the uphill trudge.

This masked bandit did time by the wall since he found

joy in knocking his siblings over a great deal of the time.

There was a lot of ice under the snow, so getting traction was NOT easy!

"Al- mo-st there...."

The only one with the easy ride was Big D.

Our Family Christmases

We headed north to be with our families on Friday. We had a full, enjoyable weekend with our loved ones and friends. The first stop was the Comes Family Farm. Where we are never short on food, thanks to a well stocked mother-in-law, or entertainment. We ate and talked. We ate and laughed. We ate and played games. We ate a little bit! It was a great visit, as always.

After that visit, we headed into the Polish territory of Clark. We spent an afternoon and evening laughing, eating, opening gifts, and surrounding ourselves with the people who have no choice but to accept us. It was a glorious weekend.

Enjoy the shows family! The rest of you just have to grin and bear the plethora of photos.

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Merry Christmas From the Nut House

We will be celebrating the birth of our King with our families.

May the peace of Jesus rest in your homes today and always.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas,

from Chad, Heidi,

Nicky-Noodle, O-Loula Bell,

Fruit-Kate, & Big Daddy O!

I remember one Christmas...

....from long ago. A Christmas memory that although faded by numerous other competing images, is not yet altogether forgotten.

Maybe my parents knew that it would stay buried deep in our hearts and memories. Maybe they were just making a statement in any form and from the platform they had, against commercializing the birth of Christ. Maybe money was tight and it was done more out of necessity than principal. I guess those are questions I do not necessarily know the answer to. But whatever the driving reason was, it left an impression.

I can not say exactly how old I was, probably about eight or so...right mom? Old enough to understand the concept of giving and receiving and money. But I was an exceptionally bright child, so I very well could have been three. Ha! I remember the lesson if not the details.

The lesson was this: Our money can go much further and supply a much greater need or want when spent wisely and timely. Spending our money prior to Christmas simply because the world demands that we do so to be in tune with the culture, can be a costly endevour. A little patience can produce much.

So the details get a bit foggy on me. But the gist of what we did this particular Christmas went something as follows. We wrote down our Christmas wishes. The things we were most longing for and hoping for. We went out shopping prior to Christmas just to browse and get a feel for what we could get with the money that we had. We then shared our lists with one another and if I am not mistaking, I believe that we drew names. We then wrote down on pieces of paper what we would buy for one another AFTER Christmas, and wrapped them to place under the tree.

I do not remember the particular feelings that I had that Christmas morning. I honestly do not remember that day at all. I am certain that my parents did all that they could to make it special in ways that did not center on material obsessions. I am certain that we spent the day laughing, sharing, and dreaming of the shopping we would be doing the next day. I guarantee that it was not a bad day...because I tend to only remember really traumatic experiences in detail, and the fact that I am not recalling it, means that it was a peaceable and enjoyable experience.

I remember walking the mall with all the other 'returners' on the day after Christmas. We had something in common in that we all were crazy enough to leave the warmth of our homes and family to come out to the stores. But we were markedly different than the other people flocking to the stores. We were joyful. Enthusiastic. Anticipatory. We were not there to return a sweater that we hated, or exchange a doll for the one we really wanted. We were there to get exactly what we said we would at half the price.

Like I said, I do not remember in vivid color the minor details of that day. My brother, on the other hand, probably knows exactly what color shoes he had on. I do not think that remembering the details was the point. I think that my parents saw an opportunity to be counter-cultural. They saw an opportunity to teach restraint, patience, self-control, and thankfulness. They saw an opportunity to stand out so that they could teach something more than greed and gluttony to their kids. They took an opportunity to live it...not just speak it.

I have not yet tried this with my own kids. And maybe I never will. But the lesson I gained from it can not be learned just in the retelling of it to my own kids. So, it's highly possible that some year you will see four exuberant children strolling through the mall with the grin of anticipation on their faces while you stand behind a whining child who received one too many toys just the day before.

Choose Ye This Day...

Are you already tired of Christmas? Have you allowed the world's perspective to hone in on your own delight in the holiday? Have you put aside spiritual renewal in an effort to cross one more item off of your Christmas "must do" list? Will you be ripping your decorations down and tossing your tree to the curb on December 26th, all because you've had enough? Have you lived out any of the words that your Christmas cards and letters held? Have you been rude, short, or impatient with those that you love in the name of Christmas preparation? Have you gone and visited the lonely, the poor, or the hungry?

These are the questions that were presented...in perhaps a slightly more eloquent form, in our homily, or sermon, this weekend. And as much as I wanted to deny or assent to all that sounded like the 'correct' answer, I could not. My temper has flared because of the 'work' I felt needed to be done. My prayers have become shorter and more flurried as I struggle to finish the list of 'must do's'.

Although Advent is a much more joyous time than Lent, because we are awaiting the birth of our Saviour and not the death, it really is not all that different. Both are times of waiting. Times of preparation in our hearts. Times of clearing out the debris and filth that we've allowed to cloud our thinking and hearts to better love and welcome our King.

What defines your holidays? Christ or popular culture? Because we can only serve one master. And only One can lead us to eternal life.

Sometimes One is Enough.

Sometimes after I have been inside these four walls for a while, I allow myself to become forlorn about what it is that I am missing by not being part of the bigger world for at least a few hours of each day. I visit with the working species and hear them talk of office Christmas exchanges, lunches with colleagues, and short business trips leading them out of town.

I know deep in my heart that none of it has strong enough appeal to actually persuade me to quit the job I currently have, however sometimes I do long for the adult connection and friendship that is missed while I interact with adolescents.

But then God blesses me. He opens my eyes not only to the incomparable love and adoration given to me through my daily activities with my children, but He also touches me through a kind and loving friend, who thinks she is just here to help me paint some walls.

We did paint walls. And we talked. Not about anything that will change the world or make a difference in the political climate of our country, but we talked. Two adults, who occasionally had to stop to interact and co-mingle with the ankle-biters, but were able to laugh, share, and remember why it isn't the quantity of time spent out of the house, or quantity of adult interaction, or quantity of friends...but the quality.

No, I do not have a how bushel of friends that I would comfortably welcome into my home while wearing sweats, no make-up, sporting crazy-ponied hair, with my house torn upside down for a painting project. And I don't have many friends that would consider such a day as an opportunity to further strengthen a bond...but sometimes ONE is enough.

Thanks friend. And yes, this project is finally DONE.

Those Freakin' Wise Men!

Katharine was playing with the Little People Nativity (she hasn't quit since we got it) the other morning as the bigger kids were getting ready for school.

One of the Wise Men had fallen off of the table and I said to her, "Kate, pick up that Wise Man and put him back with the others, please." She obeyed and as she was sitting him back up with the other figurines she said with much exasperation, "He's not a Wise Man mom, I told you that before! He's a FREAKING!"

Because I was currently occupied with putting Olivia's snow pants on, I turned slowly waiting to hear the rest of her sentence...before I admonished her for using such inappropriate language.

But as I waited those few seconds, I realized that FREAKING was the end of her sentence. "What did you say Kate? He's a freakin' what?" She exclaimed, "A Free-King"

OH! A 'three king'! Got it.

What we've been up to

Make a scrapbook!

And the winner is:

The winner of Heidi Jo's Holiday Home Tour Extravaganza (see how I got that in there one more time?):

Kim from- Kiddos & K9s

Thank you to all who participated. I enjoyed being able to take virtual tours as you shared some of your most prized and unique Christmas decorations with us all. Merry Christmas!

Holiday Tour of Homes

This is it! The kickoff of the Holiday Home Tour Extravaganza. I really just love using that word. Extravaganza. So fun.

Here's how it will work. To be entered in the random drawing for the DVD and book you must do one of the following:

~If you have a blog, leave a comment directing us to your blog where you have posted your own home tour, with no more than 10 pictures and no less than five. The tour can be as creative or simple as you wish. You will not be winning based on the tour...simply random.

~If you do not have a blog, leave a comment AND send me an email to h comes at juno dot com (the email linked on my profile page), with ONE photograph attached of the holiday decoration of your choice.

The winner will be drawn on Wednesday the 12th at 7PM, so you must have posted, commented and/or emailed me before that time to be entered.

I will kick it off with a tour of my own home and few select holiday decorations. Enjoy and thanks for participating.

The Comes Family Home Tour:

This Ginger Bread Man collection sits in my kitchen.

These are just a sampling of my many snow men and women.

These, along with several others, sit atop my television armoire.

My upstairs Christmas Tree, not the favorite of my children, is decorated simply

with just green and gold ornaments and a few of my favorite snowmen.

My "Heidi Jo" ornament. Yes from 1982. I have had it since I was Olivia's age.

Just fun with lights on the kids' favorite, 'more beautiful' tree.

There can not be Christmas without a Poinsettia.

What I really want is one of those gorgeous blue dyed ones...with the glitter.

Next year maybe.

And finally, our Blessed Mother, Mary and baby Jesus.

They are not just a Christmas/Advent decoration in our home though.

They have their place here year-round.

Thanks for joining me on my Holiday Home Tour. Please take the time to share your favorite Christmas decorations with us. Remember to follow the directions so that you can be eligible to win the prize.

I'm counting on YOU!

Are you ready? Have you put together your home tour? The kickoff of the Holiday Home Tour Extravaganza is Monday! What are you waiting for people?

These are the directions that you will need to follow starting Monday. You will have from Monday through Wednesday to post your tour, or email me a photo, to be entered in the drawing. Don't post your tour early. Don't post it late. Do it during the Holiday Home Tour Extravaganza and be sure to comment on my post Monday - Wednesday to be qualified.

Here's how it will work. To be entered in the random drawing for the DVD and book you must do one of the following:

~If you have a blog, leave a comment directing us to your blog where you have posted your own home tour, with no more than 10 pictures and no less than five. The tour can be as creative or simple as you wish. You will not be winning based on the tour...simply random.

~If you do not have a blog, leave a comment AND send me an email to the address listed in my blogger profile, with ONE photograph attached of the holiday decoration of your choice.

The winner will be drawn on Wednesday the 12th at 7PM, so you must have posted, commented and/or emailed me before that time to be entered.

Tooth Fairy Trauma

With two kids in the tooth-loosing-stage right now we are dropping teeth around here faster than the Tooth Fairy can keep up.

I have heard enough, "Mom look how loose my tooth is...it's hanging by one root," to last me a life time. And I still have two children to go through this. Good grief.

Olivia lost her first tooth just a little over a week ago. I guess 'loosing it' is not exactly the correct terminology. She is a unique duck. Unlike Nicholas, who guards his teeth from every smooth-talking, tooth-wiggler around, she was all for having it pulled, by any means necessary. She just wanted it out and wanted to collect the dough from the Fairy. She even let dad tie a piece of floss from her tooth to the bathroom door...and then slam it. But the tooth didn't budge. The floss just slipped off and left tooth in mouth and both of them disappointed. I on the other hand, upon realizing what they were doing...made it clear that there will be no tooth-tying, door-slamming antics to remove teeth in this house. Let it be.

That night, after I had said good night and sent her off for bedtime prayers with daddy, she returned moments later saying that dad had sent her up for me to 'wiggle' her tooth and see how loose it was. She was insistent that her tongue was becoming raw from pushing on it.

Then I did it. I became the woman I swore that I would not become. My mother. Well, I only swore I wouldn't do this...like my mom.

I told her to open her mouth and let me feel it. And all while lying in the comfort of my bed and with an unsuspecting child's tooth in my grasp...I yanked it out. She let out a little yelp, which quickly turned to shrieks of joy upon seeing the tiny culprit that had been causing her such grief, in my hand.

I'd do it again too.

Not so Wordy Wednesday

Someone else thinks my flannel sheets are fabulous as well.

The Joys of the First Snow

The 9th Month

Advent, as defined by www.thefreedictionary.com.

ad·vent (dvnt)
n.
1. The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important: the advent of the computer.

2. Advent
a. The liturgical period preceding Christmas, beginning in Western churches on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and in Eastern churches in mid-November, and observed by many Christians as a season of prayer, fasting, and penitence.
b. Christianity The coming of Jesus at the Incarnation.
c. Christianity See Second Coming.

Did you read the first definition..."the coming or arrival, especially of something EXTREMELY important". THE COMPUTER? Are you kidding me?

I love Advent. I love anticipation. I am not good at it...but I love it.

In some miraculous way it allows me to empathize with Mary in a way that is unique and special to mothers. And for my husband, he is able to walk the path with St. Joseph sharing a bond that only expectant fathers have known.

Advent allows me to relive the last months of my own pregnancies with my kids. Minus the swelling, aching, and poor bladder control. I am able to spend the time of Advent preparing myself for the birth of a child much like I did with each of my own.

Is our home ready for this baby? Have we removed excess rubbage in order to welcome him properly? Will I have the room in my heart for him? Am I ready to sacrifice and be inconvenienced for him? Is my heart ready for the love that he will bring?

Do you remember those final days before your own children were born? I'm not talking about the frustration with the prior nine months of pregnancy, or the endless questioning of when the baby would be born. I mean those quiet moments. Those beautiful moments. When it was just you and your womb. Or you, your wife and your unborn infant...lying in bed and feeling your heart swell with anticipation and your stomach flutter with doubt.

Advent is that time for each of us. Parents or not. Pregnancies or not. It is a time, just before the birth of the King, for us to prepare ourselves for His coming. Are we ready? Is our home in order? Is this a place that will welcome this child or turn him out? Is our heart the Inn where Jesus will be born, or will it be too full, requiring us to send Him away to another?

Waiting is good. Anticipation is good. Preparation is good. Advent is good.