GPA

I am like a proud momma.

My baby had EIGHT classes last semester, and he walked out with a 3.82!!!

6 A's and 2 B+'s!!

This is the same boy who barely graduated high school.

He's the most amazing husband ever.

And I love him.

CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOUSE

For the first time in the three Christmases we've spent together, we did December 25th solo this year.

I was so excited: we could sleep in as late as we wanted, take our time, open our gifts, and lounge.

Right.

Have you MET my husband??

First, to kick off the week we watched Christmas Carol at the Hale theater with Phil's cousins...pardon the blurry...our photographer had a hard time...

Then on Christmas Eve we went to my Grandparents' house for dinner and a Christmas program (sorry I left my camera at home, but it was GOOD). Then we slept on the couch downstairs, after watching the "usual" Christmas movies like Snowman, Christmas Carol, Rudolph (clay-mation), and even a little bit of Babes in Toyland.

Then at 5:45 AM Phil decided he couldn't wait any longer.

We each had some gifts wrapped under the tree, and then a few that we couldn't wrap. So we hid them in each others' "rooms" and had them off-limits for the two days before Christmas. So we started out downstairs.

I made Phil hunt for some of his presents on the tree.

Look at that cute wrapping job! I was so proud of him!

Fabric fund begins...

I can't remember why he made this face

Phil wanted an iPad for Christmas. Naturally, being students, he wasn't going to get one.

But we did get him started on his iPad fund.

Pokemon box. NOT Pokemon inside. OBVIOUSLY.

Smallest present ever.

More money.

Rotary cutter. NICE.

Money folded into an airplane. I'm not going to say if it flew or not.

An air mattress pump!! Save that boy's back!

The Goods. A GREAT start.

Phil's Goods.

Then we went upstairs. Did NOT see this coming.

My stocking stuffers as I sit in my new rocking chair next to my new sewing machine.

I feel like an old lady. :)

Then on to Phil's new and improved "man cave" with gaming rocker chairs and a new entertainment center.

In heaven.

It was such a good Christmas!

We both got what we wanted and had a great day together!

Love you all!

SUCCOR

It's been a long while since I've felt truly and deeply disappointed and heartbroken. Usually when things don't go as planned, I just pick up my boots and keep walking.

Not today.

Twelve hours.

Count 'em.

That's how long I spent preparing the most awesome Christmas lesson ever.

A SILENT LESSON.

Each young woman would have a packet and scriptures. Read some verses, a quote or two, and answer a question about the Christmas story that she can apply to her life. Listen to hymns about the Savior and think about her relationship with Him.

The only Christmas lesson I can remember from when I was in Young Womens.

So twelve hours. Including staying up until three o'clock the night before to finish up the details.

$6 off my iTunes account for the perfect acoustic songs by Michael Dowdle.

Totally worth it.

I was so excited.

Time for lesson to start. My two youngest Beehives and dear Tori are the only young women in the room (I have eight). Peek out the door, down the hall, no one's there. Wait five more minutes. Peek out the hall. No one's there. Walk around the whole building. Find five young women huddled in a dark corner whispering, trying not to get "caught."

These girls aren't trouble-makers. They come to activities and participate without too much arm-twisting. They're good girls.

So this is heartache. This is how the Savior feels when He offers us the world and we say no thank you. After all He has sacrificed and suffered for us, and we are too busy or distracted to care.

Thank you for understanding, Birthday Boy.

DEAR CAR DOOR HANDLE REPLACEMENT

You have also been fired. Two weeks is not a sufficient term of service. Our clients deserve better.

If only you had been purchased and, consequently, could be returned for full refund.

Too bad you came with the car.

Expect coal as well.

Sincerely,

Boss

LETTER TO SANTA

I have no idea what I'm getting for Christmas.

This makes me nervous.

For some reason I have a feeling I'm NOT getting what I asked for.

This makes me nervous.

Sigh....

Men.

BUTTERFINGERS

This is what I get for doing the dishes.

I will learn my lesson.

DEAR CAR DOOR HANDLE

You have been naughty.

I mean REALLY naughty. Like so naughty I'm going to have to replace you. That's right, you're FINISHED. You've been so bad, I would pay MONEY to get rid of you. I already have a replacement, actually. It's been sitting in my trunk since the summer when we first met, and now I'm calling in the chips. I mean, it's pretty ridiculous when I have to climb through the back or passenger side door, stick my butt out and crawl on in. Your duties have been shirked. You are unfit to perform.

Consider this your last notice. I will look for your resignation on my desk first thing. Expect coal this year.

Sincerely,

Boss