Conversation between Luke and Anakin

Anakin: Luke do you like me?

Luke: Leave me alone!

Anakin: But, Luke do you like me?

Luke: Leave me alone!

Anakin: Luke do you like me?

Luke: Leave me alone!

Anakin: Leave me alone!

Then laughter erupts, and they are best friends once again!

Day 2 of Freedom

Our finished project!

Gypsy Girl loved putting raisin in the dough.

The boys did a great job of cutting out the gingerbread men.

This is the beginning of our fun. We plan to do a crafty project everyday before Christmas. My gift to my kids this year: spending time with them!

I got an A on my final--so that was very nice to see with all the other A's that I got on tests and papers. I am pleased. There is nothing like school: there is a clear beginning, middle and end to it. You even get positive reinforcement the entire way.

The Next 6 Weeks.........

I will be a stay at home mom. So watch out world here I come. On my first day of freedom, I made homemade Sweet Pepper Soup and Lion House Rolls. It was so delicious, and so much better than McDonalds. We also cut out snowflakes, thanks to Suzy Q, and played with home made play dough. It was so relaxing: no papers, no tests, and no school.

Recipe:
2 cups chopped onions
1 Tablespoon butter or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon red cayenne pepper
6 cups chopped red and green bell peppers (about 6 peppers)
2 cups water or vegetable stock (I always use chicken stock or bullion, sorry vegetarians)
1 cups sour cream
2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
salt and black pepper to taste

In a covered soup pot, saute the onions and spices on medium heat in the butter or oil for about 3 minutes, until barely softened. Add the bell peppers and cook, covered, until just soft, stirring occasionally. In a blender or food processor, whirl the cooked items and the remaining ingredients. Don't over-process; small pieces of peppers should remain. Return the soup to the pot and gently reheat, adding salt and pepper to taste.

I actually process the onion and green peppers before cooking; it saves time! It is a wonderful recipe from the Moosweood Restaurant.

Nativity

My sister-in-law made this for our family--it is a copy of the one she made as a girl. I love the simplicity, humility, and purity of the scene. Christ was born in a stable because there was no room for him in the Inn.

Once when I was a little girl, we had no Sunday School Teacher. My mom was walking by our classroom, and she stepped in and taught our class. My Mom is a marvelous story teller, and she told us the story of Christ's birth. Something struck the entire class as my mom told the story, and has stuck with me ever since--The Inn would have been crowded and noisy. I sometimes wonder if it had more of a bar-like atmosphere. Where as the stable was quiet, peaceful, and reverent. Shepherds came and worshiped, and peace filled the stable.

Although I love many of my other nativities, this is my favorite because of it truly represents that night in a way that the others cannot.

Snow Day!

Weather: Today the boys had no school, that right no school, why because rain, freezing rain, snow, and blowing snow. We had a great day--a day where we didn't go anywhere, didn't do anything, didn't even get dressed. We watched two movies--yes two: Madagascar and Elf. I did do the dishes, and made cookies. It was nice just to lounge.

My School: I am doing great in school--my final is tomorrow. The only bad thing about the boys not having school--I was going to study, yes study while they were in school. So I guess it will be a late night for me. I am inching my way towards this Masters Degree, one class at a time. I learned a lot this semester, and have loads of ideas for when I get my own classroom.

Politics: the only thing that I knew about Illinois politics is that it has a reputation for being crooked. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested for trying to sell Obama's Senate seat. He kind of proved my theory. There have been three, yes three past Illinois Governors that have served jail time in the past 35 years. I guess the politician need to live up to their reputation.

Religion: I loved President Eyring's talk during the Christmas Devotional. His end remark, "I leave you my blessing that you may at this Christmas season, and through the year feel the love and the approval of our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son." I think anyone can feel Heavenly Father's love--but his approval, now that is something that words cannot describe.

Santa

Luke with Santa!

Anakin with Santa

Our Nephew with Santa

We had the Ward Christmas Party last night. GG had fallen asleep in the car, so she was crying for the entire time. I left early, so I missed Santa. Mike and the boys stayed for the great program and Santa Clause. Our nephew often hangs out with us at Ward parties, somehow their parents are always a little busy on these kind of nights. (His dad is the Bishop, so I guess we can help out.) Luke knew that Santa was Brother Roby, even though he grew out his beard just for the occasion. Thanks for making it such a special night, and especially that we didn't have to fight the crowds at the mall to see Santa!

Just as a post script: Last year Anakin wanted to have Mack from the Cars movie. So when he told Santa what he wanted for Christmas, he said, "I want a Big Mac." I think Santa thought he want two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles on a sesame seed bun. This year it was a little easier because he wanted a big battle ship, surely that can't be confused with food.

Backyardigans on the Piano

Mike had been gone for most of the week (he left early Sunday(2am) and got home at 10 on Friday. Gypsy Girl was excited to see him, so she immediately ran to me. After about an hour, she remembered all the great things she likes to do with her dad. One of them being play the piano together. Mike plays the theme song to Backyardigans and they sing along. They are very cute together!