I Am a Child of God

This is one of Merry Grace's favorite songs.  She sings all the time and is so cute doing it.  How can you not love this?

Yes, it is still Christmas...

I have decided I will post our Christmas memories here if it kills me.  Which it may. :)  Nevertheless, in the spirit of all the fun times we had, I'm surging forward, hoping I can preserve for history's sake, our 2008 Christmas experience.

Just to recap, we celebrated our own little Christmas morning, then went to Cory's family's house, and then late on Christmas Eve headed up to my family's house.  It's hard to capture all the things we did and all the memories we made in just a few paragraphs, but here are some highlights:

Over the past couple of years we've tried to incorporate a feeling of serving one another into our Christmas.  So each year we have the name of another family member to serve throughout the year.  So on Christmas Eve, even though it was late, we gathered together and recounted how we'd served each other.  It was a fun, bonding time as a family and made us appreciative of one another as we realized the sacrifices made in our behalf.  And there was a pretty good dose of laughter in there too, I believe.  Because that is just what we do. :)

On Christmas Morning, our little munchkins were up early and ready for presents.  Since they are the only little kids on my side of the family, it became their job to wake up my brothers who seem to have lost some of that Christmas morning magic.  I think they succeeded in helping them reclaim it. :)  About 15 years ago, my aunt,  uncle and cousins came out to spend Christmas with my Grandma and my family.  On Christmas morning, when my teenage cousin wouldn't get up for presents, my Grandma took matters into her own hands and walked into his room with a bell singing, "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" as loud as she could.  Needless to say, it woke him up and the same technique worked well with my brothers.  The kids took some of my Dad's bells (luckily he collects them, so they had many to choose from) and rang them and sang until my brothers were up.  Only they sang "Jingle Bells" since its a little more kid friendly.  So the tradition lives on...

Speaking of my Grandma, the bell-ringer herself, here she is holding Paige who she more frequently refers too as "little doll."  One of the best parts of Christmas is just being with family.  I love my Grandma to pieces and she loves me and my kids just as much.  Isn't she a dear?

And here is my Daddy's mom, loving on the babe as well.  She's the most talented seamstress--she made both my prom dresses, Ian's blessing suit and my wedding gown as well.  She also knitted all our Christmas stockings (which you can see a picture of in the collage below).  

One of my favorite things about the holidays were a few well-timed naps. :)  Here I was snuggled up with Elise's curious George stuffed animal.  Let me just tell you, I was OUT.  I'm just glad I wasn't drooling!

One of Ian and Elise's favorite things about the holidays was unrestricted computer time.  The sweet thing was, one would get on the desktop computer, the other on the laptop, and they would play the same game at the same time.  They really loved working together to win the games.  

Merry Grace spent quite a bit of time over the holidays blowing out candles.  She repeatedly told my mom that it was her birthday, at which time we would all stop what we were doing and sing "Happy Birthday to You" to her and then let her blow out the candle.  No wonder I've thought she acted 25--that's probably how many birthdays she celebrated! :)

Over the Christmas holidays, my brother proposed to his girlfriend and she said YES!  I'm so excited to finally have a brother join the married ranks and especially with this girl.  Can I just tell you that she is awesome?  She's beautiful, smart, accomplished, good and fun!  We truly couldn't imagine him with anyone better.  They are wonderful together and we can't wait for the wedding this summer!!!

The best part of the holidays--being together! 

It was a wonderful holiday.  We were blessed with health, happiness and the ability to not wring each others necks.  We survived it and we loved it!  What more can you ask?

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!

When I checked the weather Monday morning, I saw that the forecast had changed to include a pretty good chance of snow the next day.  It has been several years since we had a really good snow--long enough that neither Paige nor Merry Grace had ever seen a good one and Ian was just a little boy and didn't really remember it either.  I hated to get my hopes up because snow in this area can be pretty finicky, but I was really, really wanting a good snow.  I kept waking up during the night and looking out my window to see if it had started snowing.  I was starting to get a little discouraged, but when I looked out around 3:30am, I could see the ground was already looking white.  By morning, you couldn't see the grass and by afternoon we had a good  6 or 7 inches.  As soon as we ate breakfast, we bundled up and went outside to play.  Cory worked from home, so he took a break from work to go outside with us.  It was so much fun.  The kids loved tasting the snow, walking around in it, tasting it again, running around in it and dodging snowballs from their mom and dad.  After we'd gotten good and cold and a little wet, we came back in for hot chocolate.  We spent the day playing games indoors, snacking on yummy homemade treats, going out for some snow time, and watching movies.  We had a great time and enjoyed every minute of our snow day--especially the NO SCHOOL part! :)  If only we could get it to snow again next week....

Here are three of my little snow bunnies.  It was hard to get the three of them to hold still long enough to get them all in the same picture. :)

After being pelted with a snowball or two, Merry Grace decided to try her hand at making them.  It was more like a snow "bunch" than an actual ball, but that didn't stop her from throwing them at anyone who got close enough.  She actually loved being hit with snowballs.  She would walk up to me and stretch out her arms and go, "You can't hit me!"  Of course, then she would just stand there and wait until I did and then just laugh and laugh.  She is a good sport. :)

Elise had laid down in the snow to make a snow angel when Ian saw an opportunity to get the upper hand in the snowball fight.  Which he did by hitting her right in the face, while she was laying on the ground.  Poor girl.  I can't blame her for not liking this too well.  He got me square in the face a little later and it was COLD!!!  Trust me, she got even, though. :)



Here's proof that Paige and I actually got out in the snow.  Usually I'm so busy taking pictures that I'm never in any of them.  Not that I really want my mug in a lot of pictures, but now there's evidence that I was out in the snow.  Paige was so bundled up the cold didn't even seem to bother her.  She just grinned and grinned.  It was cute to see her having a good time.  But that is just typical Paige.  She is such a cutie pie!


It was still snowing when we went out the first time, so Cory took Paige onto the porch.  Aren't they cute?

WE LOVE SNOW!!!!

Being a typical boy, part of Ian's fun in the snow was shaking all the snow off  the bushes.  Never mind how beautiful they looked, weighed down with the white stuff, he was shaking the branches for all he was worth.  Snow was flying everywhere!!!

My little boy--by the end of our outing, he looked more like a snowman than a little boy. :)  But he didn't seem to mind at all.  And a good cup of hot chocolate seemed to do the trick to warm him right up.

What a fun day we had!!!  I wish we had more of these days.  Hopefully we'll get another snow, before the season is over!!!

Just a few random thoughts

* Merry Grace is a little Mama.  Oh my goodness.  The other night, she cried because we wouldn't let her stay up to fold clothes.  Yes, she loves doing laundry.  

*This morning, she decided it was time to dress baby Paige.  She picked out an outfit for her, took off her old outfit, took off her diaper, at which point she peed "all over everything" as she said.  Of course Paige was on my bed and (of course) I had just washed and changed my sheets yesterday.  

*She really will make a great Mama one day.

*Ian and Elise were fighting yesterday afternoon over a blanket on the floor.  Elise wanted to use it as a stage for her to dance and sing on, Ian wanted to roll up in it like a burrito.  By the point I intervened, both kids had done enough that it was completely unclear who had caused the problem, who had it first and who had done the most aggravating of the other.  It was pretty much tit for tat.  So I took a page out of my sister-in-law, Amanda's book, and punished them both by giving them chores to do.  Ian had to unload the dishwasher, Elise had to straighten up the living room.  In the end, I think Ian got punished worse.  It took him much longer (although I did help him with a few things) and he hated it a lot worse.  But I did get some things cleaned up and they didn't fuss (at each other) while they did it.  

*This morning, Ian and Merry Grace got into it.  Merry Grace is a little mess, always claiming "I had it first" even though 9 times out of 10 she didn't.  I'm not even sure she knows what it means to say that.  She also loves to throw out an "I'm not your friend anymore" from time to time.  Anyway, since they were just being annoying to each other, I put them to work again: Ian had to clean up the toys in the bathroom floor and Merry Grace had to pick up her baby doll stuff she'd gotten out.  I'm liking this little routine.  Either I'm going to end up with a really clean house or kids who don't argue. :)

*What is it about a boy?  Is it just born in them to be fascinated by the computer and TV?  I think Ian asks me a hundred times a day if he can do one of those things, even though he hardly ever gets the privilege during the week.  And each time he asks me if he can, he seems stunned that the answer is still "No".  Poor kid.

*Our washer gave out.  It had been on the fritz for a while so this wasn't a huge shock.  We got one off of Craigslist from a guy who gets used ones and repairs them.  He even guarantees his parts and labor for 30 days.  Thank goodness, because the one we got only worked for one load and then was done for.  But he was super nice and came and checked it out and then brought us another one the next day.  And I like this one a lot better.  So, I guess I should be glad both washers broke. :)

*My blow-dryer broke the other morning.  It just wouldn't turn on.  I had known it was going to give out at some point, and I should have already bought a replacement to have on hand.  I will certainly do that next time.  I think I need to put one in my years supply.  Either that or a pack of bandanas.  After yesterday's incident, I realized I really, really, really need a blow dryer.  Every day.  

*We turned our thermostat down one degree.  You wouldn't think that would make such a huge difference in temperature, but it does.  Last night I had on long sleeves, long pants, thick socks, and gloves.   I know I'm cold natured, but that just seemed extreme.

*Paige laughed for the first time yesterday.  She's almost giggled a hundred times and she smiles non-stop, but we just couldn't get her to laugh.  But yesterday Ian was blowing on her cheek and she just let out the most adorable giggle.  It was so cute.  Now we just can wait for her to do it again.

Just a few random happenings until I get around to finishing up my Christmas catch-up. :)  

Christmas in the Country

On the 23rd of December we loaded up the car and headed to Cory's parents to spend the night and the next day and from there head up to my parents house for Christmas.  

Since Cory is one of seven kids, its a rare treat when we get one on one time with his folks.  But this was one of those times.  We spent the evening snacking, snuggling, visiting, and being a little silly.

That night, Ian gave his new Superman pajamas a test run.  They seem to be working for him. :)

The kids love, love, love Grandma.  She gets them pretty much whatever they want and lets them do whatever they want.  She and Pa have lots of fun snacks to eat and fun movies to watch and lots of attention to give.  The kids love it.

Grandma loves her Christmas decorations and has bunches in her yard and throughout the house.  On Christmas Eve it was pretty warm outside and Elise and Merry Grace had a jam session with the singing Santa Claus on the front porch.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, before all the fun started, Cory helped his Dad put up a new flagpole.  It was an almost Spring-like day and the kids were big helpers to Cory and got into a little fun with the water hose.  I love these pictures of the kids running around, having fun, loving on Pa and being crazy.  I decided to exclude the one of Ian peeing.  Boys will just be boys.  They are just dang cute kids. :)  After the outside work was done, everyone showed up to party.  We ate a big meal with more food than we needed (including a near-scorched chocolate chip pie, because it wouldn't be Christmas without something being "golden brown". Ha!) and then commenced to the living room to open presents.

Merry Grace and her favorite Aunt Amanda, waiting to open presents with the cousins!!!

This picture perfectly encapsulates what Christmas with the Barnetts is all about.  Elise is sitting here thinking she is the center of the universe (just as each little one there does) while all this wonderful craziness is going on around her.  The presents have been passed out, so now the waiting begins!  Each child can hardly wait his or her turn to rip into the gifts!!!

Two of my favorite people in the whole world!!!

Part of being around so many cousins means sharing.  These two love each other endlessly, but when it comes to sharing the rocking horse, things get a little hairy!!!

And can I just say, TOTAL CUTENESS!!!  Baby Paige was as good as gold throughout the whole holiday.  She was loved and snuggled by everyone and just enjoyed every minute of it.  I seriously just want to eat her up, she is so sweet!!!

We had a wonderful time with all of Cory's side of the family.  When we'd eaten and partied as much as humanly possible, we loaded everyone back in the car and headed back up  the road to spend a few days with my side of the family.  What a wild ride it was, but so wonderful!

Backtracking

One of the highlights of the holiday season is always Cory's office Christmas party.  Since its pretty much all family working together, we have a blast when we get together.  It's a rare treat for us to all be able to go out together, minus the kids.  Of course, too many more kids and Cory's parents (our wonderful baby-sitters) may veto the whole shebang.  Can you really beat a great meal, good friends, a few nice gifts and time together?

Something New

We've experienced a lot of things with our four kids, but this is something new...


Baby Paige sucks her thumb!!!!

The other three kids were hooked on passies from day 1. Elise had hers for quite a while, Ian kicked the habit at 1 year, and Merry Grace just recently traded in the passy for pierced ears. Paige would never take one, though. Cory & I didn't know that such a thing could happen. I mean, no passy? Really? Little did we know..

For a while she's kind of been gnawing on her hands, which I assumed was "pre-teething". That eventually evolved into full-fledged thumb-sucking and it is so adorable. :) One day I will probably kick myself for thinking so, but I love it. She so cute in her half-sleep, looking around for her thumb, finding it, and settling right in to sleep. Did I mention it was cute? Of course, everything this baby does is cute. At least we think so!!!

Why I love being a Mom

Yesterday, I helped Ian type this post on his blog:

I Love Mommy

I just love Mommy because I just love her so much.  I like Baby Paige because she is a good sister.  And I like her because she is so cute and I just love her because I hug her and she's just cute.  I would just like to love her all the time.  I love Elise and I love Merry Grace.  I like to play Tetris.  Because I like everything about my sisters.  I just love them all.  That is all I want to post.  The end.

And then Elise made this sweet comment to what he wrote:

I know you love your mommy. you love her so much. i love her a lot too. she is so nice just like you. you say the sweetest things ever. love,
Your sister Elise

I don't think there is one thing I could add to make that any better.  It is absolutely perfect!

Homemade Bread and Other Stuff

I still need to post a few things about Christmas and New Years, just for posterity's sake, if nothing else.  In the meantime, here are a couple of things I thought I'd write about.

Sunday mornings are just something else.  Some Sundays I feel like everyone is ill--the kids are grumpy that they have to get dressed, they're mad about the clothes they have to wear, their shoes are wrong, someone looked and someone else wrong, I'm grumpy that the kids are grumpy, I snap at the kids for being ill and then am frustrated with myself for being ill and the list goes on.  It's like Sunday morning comes along and we forget the whole reason we're going to church, which is to worship the Savior.  Other Sundays are just chaotic.  This morning, Merry Grace picked out her dress quickly (which in an of itself is a small miracle), but then put it on without an undershirt.  And she put it on backwards.  So we had to fix that problem.  About the same time, Elise realized she'd put her dress on backwards then decided she wanted to wear her black boots and had to change dresses altogether.  Ian wasn't happy with the Sunday shirt we picked out, but suffered through the indignity of it.  In the end we all made it to church, albeit late and a little thrown together.  But we made it, nonetheless.  I always feel like we've accomplished a major feat when we survive the chaos of a Sunday morning and make it to church.  

We've done lots of traveling over the holidays and had lots of company, as well.  Before my parents left last night my dad helped me make some bread.  For those of you who know my dad, you know he is pretty much the undisputed champion of sourdough bread.  It is simply like eating manna from heaven, its that good.  So with my new stand mixer (thank you, Santa), we mixed up a batch of sourdough bread.  After letting it rise overnight, making it into loaves this morning and letting it rise again, I baked it this afternoon.  It looked really nice and there is nothing in the world like hot bread out of the oven.  Ian, Merry Grace and Charles Allen (my nephew who came home from church with us) were asking for a slice, but I couldn't get up right that second.  It had been less than five minutes when Ian came over and said, "Merry Grace and Charles Allen ate a bunch of your bread and messed it all up."  I went in the kitchen to find one loaf of my beautiful, warm bread completely mangled up by the hungry kids.  I could have been frustrated, but I decided to look on the bright side and take it as a compliment.  I guess it means the bread was good. :)

Hopefully, I'll get around to recording some stuff about the holidays soon--we sure had a great one.  Until then, "Happy New Year!"