Sunday, December 30, 2012

Almost a New Year.

1. So it’s almost the new year, and I can’t believe that this means we’ve lived in Switzerland for THREE years.  I think I was somewhat aware of the first two years going by, but this third year, maybe since I hadn’t planned on it?, kind of breezed past all sneaky-like.  For heaven’s sake, we were talking today about how Talmage will start Kindergarten in the Fall.  KINDERGARTEN!  He was a BABY when we got here! 

2. Today in primary I gave sharing time and we talked about Saul/Paul making a commitment to serve the Lord when he was converted, and then talked about the commitments, aka resolutions, we could make this coming year.  So the kids wrote down resolutions, and then we had a family council and talked about our family resolutions.  Brett and I also decided to try out giving allowances—I don’t know what got into us, but hopefully it will teach our kids good things.  So tonight I printed out all sorts of lists and charts.  You want to hear what kinds?  I’ll tell you:

BOM Scripture Reading Charts for Hazel and Jethro, Chore charts for all the kids for their daily chores (for which they’ll earn their allowances), better charts to replace the ones we have for whose turn it is to be on dishes and unloading the dishwasher (which they’ll be expected to do just because they’re in our family, not for any monetary earnings), spelling list for Hazel (whose spelling is funny and cute but should probably be improved), new copy of the Family Rules (same rules as always, just needs to go up on the wall again), and finally, an Articles of Faith checklist for Jethro and Hazel (and Ethne, since there were 3 to the page).

IMGP0522

How long and how well will we keep up with these things?  We shall see. 

IMGP0524

3.  I thought maybe if I worked on Brett long enough for the name that I want for our baby, he might give in.  No.  So once again I am anguished by the searching for a name.  Even the missionaries, in their nice little Christmas card they gave us, said, “May the Lord lead and guide you in 2013, and even help you find a name for your new baby!”  ha ha ha.  I thought that was so funny and nice of them.  I was discussing it with them one time and they always ask if I’ve come up with anything and give me ideas.

IMGP0527

4.  Brett and I found a house that we really really really liked and really wanted to move into.  It was split-level with high ceilings so it felt really spacious, had built-in bookshelves and a fireplace, and a nice kitchen, and closets (!) in two rooms, and a garden place, and was at the very end of a road on the very end of a little town and had pretty fields all around it.  I was sure that was the place we were meant to be.  And then the lady wrote us a nice letter telling us we had too many kids.  SOOO discouraging!!

IMGP0531 IMGP0532

5.  We went sledding yesterday and had a grand time, but when we got home I was hobbling around like a decrepit old lady –and I really had NOT done much besides a bit of walking in snow.  But it was mainly my pelvic joints, not really my muscles, so I guess I can legitimately blame it on pregnancy.  The pictures turned out beautiful and I can’t wait to show them.   :)

IMGP0536 IMGP0538 IMGP0540 IMGP0544 IMGP0546 IMGP0548IMGP0551 IMGP0554 IMGP0561 IMGP0562

And that’s all I’ve got.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Stephanstag (aka Boxing Day, aka The Day After Christmas)

Ice skating!

IMGP0842 IMGP0843 IMGP0847 IMGP0849 IMGP0851IMGP0857 IMGP0858 IMGP0859  IMGP0865 IMGP0867 IMGP0868 IMGP0869 IMGP0872 IMGP0879 IMGP0884 IMGP0885 IMGP0888 IMGP0889 IMGP0890 IMGP0893 IMGP0895 IMGP0896 IMGP0901 IMGP0906 IMGP0907 IMGP0909 IMGP0912 IMGP0913 IMGP0915 IMGP0917   IMGP0922 IMGP0925 IMGP0927  IMGP0934 IMGP0937 IMGP0928

It was wonderful!  Talmage had skates that had two blades instead of one, so it wasn’t hard to balance.  Plus the push-thingees were super fun for everyone.  I didn’t skate, which was fine because I got to take pictures and keep Orrin with me most of the time, but I just loved watching everyone and Brett was so good-looking and I was so happy that he is such a good dad and I just fell more in love with him and the kids were so happy and it was fun.

Best quote of the day— Ethne:  “Don’t go over there Dad (where the sun was hitting and there was a watery sheen on top of the ice), because I can’t swim.” 

Ha ha!

The kids just looked at these pictures and said, “It looks so easy when you look at the pictures.”  :)

And here’s a little video of Brett and I iceskating:

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Related Posts with Thumbnails