Every day life and occasional adventures of Emily Snow and Family

Monday, December 31, 2007

Thomas Words


Even at five, Thomas still has a few words that he says in his own special Thomas way. I actually love these words and haven't done much to encourage him to say them the way that he should. I know that he can say the sounds the right way if he needs to.

One word that he says every morning, that puts a smile on my face or at least in my heart, is "bret-test" as in breakfast. As in, "Mom, can we go downstairs and have bret-test?"

Another word, that will really always be remembered as a Thomas word is "chep-ped" as in ketchup. He actually was saying it the correct way a year or so ago and then he went back to chep-ped. Again, I don't mind.

Until later,

Emily

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Goodbye Lazy Sunday Mornings!

We are a family that attends church regularly. When I say regularly, I mean pretty much every Sunday unless we are on a trip, or one of us is sick. With the turn of the new year, our ward or congregation will go from meeting at 1:30 PM to 9 AM. I actually like 9 AM church once I get there but it's the getting there...or rather getting there on time that is the killer. That means we will have to leave our home by 8:30 AM...it's going to be tough 52 weeks! To save time in the morning, I'll probably bathe the night before. The kids always get their baths at night. Bags will have to be packed the night before. Not only will Sunday mornings be busier, but so will Saturday evenings! "Saturday is a Special Day"....(a Primary song), suddenly popped in my head! But, on the flip-side, it will be the return of my Sunday nap! I love naps. If I could, I would nap every single day of my life. But, since I now have two young children, I'll take one every Sunday instead! Goodbye Lazy Sunday Mornings...but Hello Lazy Sunday Afternoons!

Until later,

Emily

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Time Went by Too Fast!

As Toby's 1st birthday is quickly approaching and I happen to know for a fact that he will be receiving a few new toys, I decided it was time to put away 90% of the "baby" toys this afternoon. Tasks like this tug at my heart strings because I'm not sure if I will ever get these out again to use or if I will find myself a few years from now donating them to Goodwill. (This is exactly the reason why I did not push Thomas out of his crib until he was 3 years, 1 month old! ) And, because of the timing of this Germany move, I have to admit, I do feel that we got cheated out of enjoying much of Toby's infancy. It was like a gray cloud over his first nine months...

But, time has gone, we'll never get it back, so I realize all we can do is try to enjoy both our children more now that life has settled a bit for us. What happened to us is "life" it's not always easy or fun... and sometimes there are gray clouds over the most precious of moments.

Toby is changing every single day...today he climbed three stairs...those parts I ordered for the baby gates have not arrived...he ate pizza for the first time yesterday (OK, it was the crust!) and the look on his face was priceless--you could tell he was looking at Thomas and I and thinking "Yeah, I'm just as big as they are!"

Thomas has shot up like a weed recently. He has already grown out of some of the new pants he got for his birthday a mere two months ago. (A small glimmer of hope that maybe there is still a chance that he'll get my long legs rather than James' not so long legs?) Sometime next month, James, Thomas and I will go to the International School that he will be attending starting in August, to get better acquainted with their system and ultimately registered and enrolled. Life is constantly changing...

Until later,

Emily

One More Thing About Christmas 2007...

It was a white one! It turned pretty cold here about two weeks ago. Slowly, a beautiful frost has been growing everywhere outside. Do you remember growing crystals on charcoal with ammonia? That's what it's been like, a little more grows each day. It reminds me of the ice storms we have in Maryland but these are more like crystals and there was no storm. It is absolutely beautiful.

Until later,

Emily






(Can you tell the difference? These pics were taken with my new camera!)

Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas Greetings from Toby & Thomas!



Christmas Day 2007













As we approached our first Christmas "away", I wondered what it would be like. Would I get depressed? Would we get bored with the day? Would it be a let-down? But, on the contrary, it was very lovely.

The kids slept in until 9 AM--I nearly died! Well, not really that Toby slept in, I realize he's clueless but I thought we'd hear Thomas' pitter-patter somewhere in the 6 AM hour...we came downstairs and let the kids open their presents. Thomas was delighted that Santa was able to fulfill his Christmas wish for a certain Herbie car (which isn't produced anymore)... and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle with a light blue bandanna that was the featured Happy Meal toy about 9 months ago--all I can say is thank goodness for eBay! Then, we took a break and enjoyed some homemade cinnamon rolls. Then, it was my turn to open my presents. After that, we went back for round two of the cinnamon rolls and round one of breakfast casserole. Finally, we got to James' presents. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out as a family and it was absolutely WONDERFUL!

We got very spoiled by our families this year and we also spoiled one another. Two things I am really excited about are my new digital camera (8.1 megapixels) and our new (black) kitchen table. Which isn't actually here yet because Ikea was out-of-stock, but as soon as they are back in, the new table, along with 8 chairs and a wall cabinet will be arriving at our house!

Until later,

Emily

Thursday, December 27, 2007

One Year Ago Today...

It was exactly one year ago today that I found myself, while vacationing in Utah for the Christmas season, admitted to the hospital for preterm labor. I had over eight weeks to go and was already dilated to a 3+. The hospital that I went to wasn't equipped to take care of that early of a baby, so they called one of the bigger Salt Lake hospitals and told them of my situation and that if I went any further they'd transfer me by ambulance. The doctors gave me a drug to stop the contractions, but that one didn't work, I was having regular contractions, so they tried another one, which made me feel really funny. However, this one worked. They also administered the first of two hormone shots that would develop Toby's lungs. I ended up spending most of that day (Wednesday), that night and most of Thursday in the hospital (I came home Thursday night). I got the second shot for Toby's lungs and was sent home with pills to take any time I felt a contraction or what I felt could be contraction. I hoped to make it another six weeks, but I was confident that I could hang on for at least another month...after all, I had Thomas on his due date...

My hospital stay was sandwiched between Instacare visits for James on Christmas Eve Day for one of those sore throat-aches-n-pain illnesses and one for Thomas on New Year's Eve for an ear infection.

There's just no better way to say it--2006 was a hell of a Christmas holiday!

Until later,

Emily

Toby's First Christmas

Having an older baby or a toddler in the household during Christmas is always interesting. My nicely decorated Christmas tree was quickly "adjusted" by Toby or the fact that Toby liked to touch everything. The precisely placed ribbon had to be adjusted (but was never precisely adjusted) within an hour...ornaments had to be moved. He was constantly in the presents or in the tree or trying to unplug the lights. Darn kid!

Until later,

Emily





The Twelve Days of Christmas


This year, "my family" which consists of my mom, dad, brother, sister and brother-in-law sent us the Twelve Days of Christmas". It was really fun to open something for half of this month, and Thomas certainly enjoyed it. After the first morning when he be-bopped into our room at 6 AM because he was so excited to open the first present, I set some ground rules (no present opening until after 8:30 AM and you have to get dressed first!) and then it was much more fun for the whole family!

The first day of Christmas: one board game (Cootie)

The second day of Christmas: two DVD's, (Transformers & The Jungle Book)

The third day of Christmas: three card games

The fourth day of Christmas: three stocking caps

The fifth day of Christmas: five bags of our favorite chocolate candy minis

The sixth day of Christmas: six chap sticks/lip glosses (I got a 3-pack and the boys got one each).

The seventh day of Christmas: pajamas for all of us (two-piece sets for James, Thomas & I, and a one-piece for Toby)

The eighth day of Christmas: matching mittens or gloves to go with the stocking caps from day four. Wrapped individually to make eight.

The ninth day of Christmas: Nine packets of my favorite hot chocolate with peppermint pieces in it.

The tenth day of Christmas: $10 worth of mine and James' favorite sea foam from Alvey's candy, out of Richmond, UT.

The eleventh day of Christmas: Eleven packages of marshmallow snowmen Peeps (Thomas and I love them and we can't buy them here)

The twelfth day of Christmas: the rest of our presents!

I thought they were really thoughtful and creative with the presents and it made our holiday season more memorable! Thanks!

Until later,

Emily

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

A Little Catching Up to Do...

Before I post Christmas pictures or blog about our Christmas...I have some other pictures and stories to tell first. Like I think most people, I am taking today to take it easy and start to recover from Christmas...so, I'll work on those posts and I'll post them later and ultimately, get my blog caught up...but maybe tomorrow or the next day...so please check in again on the Snow family!

Until later (and Happy December 26th, which should be declared a holiday itself--which, by the way, it is in Germany!)

Emily

Sunday, December 23, 2007

An Early Christmas Present!

I received an early Christmas present this year...well, it isn't really a Christmas present but it made me as excited or even more excited than a good Christmas surprise would make me--James was able to successfully hang four wall hangings on the walls! Three of the four of them I would consider heavy too! Everything has to be pre-drilled. Then, there's the funny--only a man would do it that way notable-- when he hung up the decorations, he didn't find it necessary to take off the little stamps from the moving company...the ones that inventory each item. I guess he decided he wasn't going to do it all and left something for me to do. And, I didn't say a word about it either...

Until later,

Emily

Friday, December 21, 2007

Toby's Tooth Trauma




If you recall, Toby got his five teeth practically one right after another all in about 4 or 5 weeks. Naturally, once they "came in" they started "coming down". He has had this uneven smile for a while, though, because tooth #6, the upper tooth next to his front teeth never came in. I started to get worried. Then, last weekend, I could see the white bud just beneath the skin...so I knew it was there but taking it's sweet time. On Tuesday morning, Toby looked normal, but by Tuesday evening, I initially thought he had eaten something red...once I got a closer look...I could see that it was teething trauma. Or a teething blister. I had never seen that before...but apparently, it's not all that unique. All the same, I grabbed my camera and captured the image forever. It was gone the next morning and the tooth is poking out of his gums already.


Until later,


Emily




Christmas Cookies!


I made sugar cookies last night. Thomas helped me roll out and cut the cookies. I baked them all, and then had to shift gears for dinner, which we ate picnic style since the table was being used (I really miss my bar in my kitchen in Maryland!). I frosted a few for James, Thomas and I to sample and then sent Thomas off to bed. I stayed up and frosted the rest of the cookies. I ended up making 11 1/2 dozen. This was only a double batch, I've made triple batches before but I wasn't up for it this time. They've all been handed out except about a dozen.


Until later,


Emily


Thursday, December 20, 2007

No Christmas Cards from the Snow's this Year!

While my intentions were good this year, time flew and Christmas cards did not happen. Truthfully, I was waiting for a great picture of the four of us that I would upload to shutterfly.com and get those cute postcards that are so popular these days. Last Monday, I had decided to use a darling picture of Thomas and Toby that I took recently, and didn't post on the blog and then I realized that by the time they got shipped to me and I sat down and addressed the envelopes and sent them off to the States again, there was no way they would arrive before Christmas! So, I "shelved" the idea of Christmas cards for a while...until yesterday, when I changed the style of the card from Christmas to New Year's and now my order is on it's way! I figure as long as I get my New Year's cards out sometime in January...I'm still being punctual!

Until later,

Emily

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimn...Oops!


Stockings for the Snow Family have always been a strange source of anxiety for me. Our first Christmas, I went out and bought pretty much the cheapest thing out there thinking that I'd get something better later. I really don't care that they were cheap...but they're not very cute.

Once we had Thomas and I started receiving the Pottery Barn Kids catalogs, I knew I wanted their stockings but they always seemed like a splurge to me, especially when it seems like you are already spending a lot of money during the holidays.

Last summer, I even fooled myself into thinking that I could recover the tops of new-with-tags PBK stockings that were being sold at Downeast Outfitters Home for $1 a piece (there were other people's names monogrammed on the top). In fact, my sister-in-law did the same thing...and I bet she's done hers and they are absolutely amazing! But, as the months have gone by and my plate has been full with other things, I realized that I wasn't going to do yet another project!

So, finally, I went ahead and ordered my dream stockings--complete with monogramming, of course! I ordered them on November 21st so we would have them for almost all of December. Three of the four did arrive on December 6th. Poor Toby's was MIA. I waited another eight days before calling Pottery Barn Kids customer service number. Their records showed that it had been shipped...but they went ahead and reordered the stocking but apologized that it probably wouldn't reach me in time for Christmas. I almost cried. The first stocking arrived the next day...go figure!

With four stockings in my possession, I was finally ready to hang them by the fireplace. We have a fireplace over here, which makes the stocking thing even more exciting...in my own opinion! I had considered ordering stocking holders online but thought that I would surely find some over here. I never did. But, I thought that I could hang them up with thumbtacks. Again, our plans have been foiled by the German construction! We can't get anything in these walls! Every nail, pin, hook practically bends when it gets a centimeter away from the walls! (This is a real problem since I still don't have anything hanging on the walls--but James is going to try "one more thing" and then he says I can call Hans to the rescue--the guy that hung all our curtains).

Unfortunately, I will probably have to resort to clear packing tape to hang my stockings with care this year (James already informed me of the pure tackiness!)..so much for being picturesque! But, I know the kids won't care and I'm betting Santa won't either!

Until later,

Emily

Monday, December 17, 2007

ALWAYS Read Your Labels!

Yesterday, I quickly whipped up a pan of pork enchiladas before flying off to church...James stayed home with the kids because Thomas has had a bad sore throat and cough (he also stayed home from preschool on Friday) and Toby stayed behind because it was my Sunday to teach. Anyways, I thought this would actually work out all right because James could put the enchiladas in the oven right around the time that church got out and we could have dinner earlier. And, everything did go as planned...until we bit into the enchiladas. The last time I made them, I made them with green sauce, so this time I made them with red sauce. I should clarify that I don't make homemade sauce, I use the canned kind. I like spicy hot food and these were pretty spicy. I took a second bite thinking that maybe I just got a heavily doused green Tabasco piece (I generally "pepper" my food with it because I like my food spicier than James), but the second bite seemed even hotter! I dug the can out of the Gelbe sack and wouldn't you know it--I had picked up HOT enchilada sauce! The label for the MEDIUM and the HOT red enchilada sauce looks exactly the same except for the words medium and hot. James added more sour creme to his piece, but he didn't have seconds and I can safely say that we will not be eating the leftovers for tomorrow's dinner. But, I'll eat them for lunch!

Until later,

Emily

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Dear Santa

This is another email that I have received two or three times over the past weeks. I thought it was too cute!



Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season.

Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,

MOM

...P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Christmas Fun!

I have received quite a few of these surveys in my email over the past couple of weeks. I thought I'd post mine on the blog:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, depends on the package, but if it's for my kids, it has to be wrapped. Neither one will leave the presents alone this year. And, I only started putting them under the tree on Tuesday night. Note to self: next year no presents under the tree until at least December 20!

2. Real tree or artificial? artificial, pre-lit artificial, to be exact. Yeah, I know I'm no fun.

3. When do you put up the tree? When we were in MD but always went to UT for Christmas, I generally put the tree up around Nov 15. I figured it needed to be up for at least a month for it to be worth the hassle. This year, I aimed for the weekend right after Thanksgiving and I got it up a week later, decorated four days after that!

4. When do you take the tree down? ideally right after New Year's. Last year, I had the baby and my mom took it down for me. The rest of my decorations came down sometime in February--yes February!

5. Do you like eggnog? yes

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Becky, my stuffed animal giraffe. I still have her. She is old and tattered.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I have two but don't love either of them. I hope one day to come across one that I really love, and then I'll buy it!

8. Hardest person to buy for? My brother-in-law, Ryan. Luckily Kate usually makes it easy on me and picks something out that I pay her back for.

9. Easiest person to buy for? the kids definitely. I find it hard to stop.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't think of a really bad present but I'll never forget the Christmas Day when my cousins told me about Santa. I was only eight. I had at least one more year in me...

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? mainly mail, a few emails. This year, looks like neither!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas ? It really depends on the year. This year, we started in September.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? no

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? cookies

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear on the tree. colored outside.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I like pretty much every Christmas song.

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? James & I have traveled to UT for every single Christmas since 2000. So, this will be my first Christmas away from home. The only time James has been away was when he was on his mission in Florida.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? yes--but I'm not sure I can spell their names correctly, so you're just going to have to believe me on this one!

20. Open presents Christmas eve or Christmas morning? one (or two) on Christmas Eve, the rest Christmas Morning

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? never having enough time to do all the things that you had hoped. That and shopping with the masses. Most of my shopping was done online this year and I have to say it has been quite pleasant! Oh--and the "holiday pounds" that try really hard to get on my body! Unfortunately, I bake things that I think are yummy, therefore I sample a lot!

22. What I love most about Christmas? Christmas lights, baking, Christmas music

Thursday, December 13, 2007

A Whole Lotta Laundry...

I was so excited today when I realized that I didn't have to go anywhere. Which meant I could stay home and do some much needed housework. My kitchen is clean, including mopped floors and the main level got a good vacuuming. I even got Toby's room a little bit organized (but I wouldn't say totally) But, most importantly, I got on top of my laundry, I must admit I've been drowning in it for about a month now...since we were all fortunate enough to get sick...

It's not like I haven't done any wash and folding for the entire month, but I was really behind. To give you an idea, I washed, folded and put away 10 loads of laundry today! Sadly, there is another load in the washer and dryer and yet another one to go in the washer in the morning. But I feel oddly triumphant!

Until later,

Emily

Random Thought Thursday...


A great thing about Germany is that not only are there lots of parking spots designated for expecting moms, but they also take that one step further and reserve plenty of parking for moms with little kids! In fact, if I wasn't a mom with little kids, I'd probably be a little bitter about the number of spaces reserved for that reason!

Until later,

Emily

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Weihnachts Pyramide




I know I posted this picture a few days ago...but I found out what this is called: it's a Weihnachts Pyramide.

Weihnachts = Christmas

Until later,

Emily

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Comment Moderation

Please don't be alarmed anyone. I have changed one of the settings to my blog. I have enabled comment moderation. This means that when you leave a comment, it won't immediately appear on my blog. Blogger will "save it" until I can look at it first and then I will post it manually. Mainly I did this so I can know when I have a new comment so I don't have to scroll through all my old posts. Secondarily, it will also be helpful if someone happens to slip up and use our real names! Please use our blog names when posting!

Until later,

Emily

Monday, December 10, 2007

Two "Real" Moments...

First of all, let me clarify that I am talking about the store, Real, which is pronounced Ree-Al. It is the closest thing to Walmart here. In fact, the stores used to be Walmart until Walmart pulled out of Germany about a year ago.

So, anyways, the kids and I had to go to Real last week, we were trying to find multi-colored 220v Christmas lights...we had already made three other stops and this was our last stop, which should have been a quick in-and-out because that's all I was going in for. Then, we'd be on our way home, which is 15 minutes away.

I got the stroller out and put Toby in, and then Thomas informed me that he needed to go potty. I asked him if he could hold it and he said, "no". I don't know why I even bothered to ask...the kid only "goes potty" three times a day (I don't know how he does it), so when he says he has to go...he means it! At this point, I'm just annoyed, because we're so close to being home and sometimes potty stops can be such a pain. Real has bathrooms, I am sure of it...but I was looking for the quick solution. That's when the thought occurred to me, "Hey, this IS Germany!", so I set Thomas up to pee in the parking lot. We were kind of parked in an obscure section and I figured it would rain again sometime that day! I opened one of the car doors and pointed to a spot on the ground and gave him clear instructions, "Don't pee in the car and hurry!" He did great and I thought we were home free when he turns around, buttoning his pants and wouldn't you know it...the driver of one of the few cars near mine comes out of the store. And, apparently, he didn't approve of what I had let my son do. I could tell instantly by his piercing look and body language. That was the last time I made eye contact with him and from that point on, I pretended that I was really involved with Toby and getting my bags organized. He stared us down for a good 45 seconds. It was really uncomfortable...and I probably won't encourage parking lot potty breaks again!

Once inside, I passed this really homely man with a scruffy mustache that I immediately thought, "you need to trim that nasty thing!" about, seconds later, I noticed that he was wearing a light pink house dress and women's shoes. He was a she. She became even uglier once I realized she was a woman... I get that sometimes women have facial hair...especially when you get older, but if this is the case, something needs to be done about it! Laser, wax, chemicals, tweeze even shave. I think it's an image that will stay with me FOREVER!

To top it all off--they didn't have the Christmas lights I was looking for!

Until later,

Emily

Sunday, December 9, 2007

A Moment of Silence...

After a long and courageous battle with cancer, my Aunt Giselle passed away yesterday. She left behind my Uncle Bill, their three kids, Tara, Lisa and Wilo, and three grandchildren. May peace and comfort be with them all at this time.

Until later,

Emily

Thursday, December 6, 2007

It's That Time of Year...














































The time for German Christmas markets! We have been anticipating this time of year and hoping that we would not be disappointed. James and I ignored our "day jobs" yesterday and spent most of the day at two different Christmas markets, one in Wiesbaden and one in Mainz.

There are Christmas decorations galore! Nutcrackers, smokers, ornaments, advent wreaths, knick knacks, jewelry, hats and scarves, table linens, etc, etc. Or as James likes to say, "Girlie stuff". We decided that we liked the Wiesbaden market better because it was more spacious to walk around. And--we are so excited about this--we found a brand-new parking garage nearby! It is "Americanized", with spacious parking and decent-sized elevators! We were practically cheering when we realized how nice it was! At both markets, we tried all kinds of German food and goodies, roasted nuts, crepes, waffles, sweets, I had a cheese sandwich on a hard roll and James had a sausage on a hard roll. I found nothing to write home about (and, yet, here I am!) but he said he'd eat the sausage again. I'd have a crepe again and a waffle is a waffle...the other things, I'll pass on in the future but we'll keep trying to find something to RAVE about...there has to be something!

Our kids were great the entire day. Admittedly, we dropped Thomas off at preschool for three hours and that was kind of nice. There are times when I wish he would still ride in a stroller, and this was one of those times! Toby's at that age where as long as I keep his stroller tray full of Cheerios and such, he could go all day!

As a side note, James and I think our kids are adorable. Of course we do, we are their parents! However, yesterday, our kids were a hit everywhere we went! The Germans loved their big, blue eyes and seemed to think it was really neat that they look so much alike. One gentleman even commented that "you make one kind of child".

We returned to the Wiesbaden Christmas market after picking up Thomas from preschool, mainly to walk around and see the lights. It really was a neat atmosphere! We'll probably continue to visit Christmas markets throughout the month and we'll definitely always remember them when we return to the States and get back to the normal hustle and bustle!

Until later,

Emily

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Toby's Tumble


This is what Toby looked like TWO minutes after taking his first tumble down the stairs!

Last Thursday, he was literally at my heels as I was going downstairs to work on laundry. I was careful to make sure that the door "clicked" behind me because I knew he would follow.

So, I went downstairs, took the laundry out of the dryer and began putting the wet clothes from the washer into the dryer...that's when I heard this little whimper, and I knew he was coming down the stairs. I ran to meet him already 3/4's the way down. He rolled like a ball! He cried for 10 seconds--that's it! I think it scared him more than anything.

The door, we have discovered can "click" but not be exactly shut so now we know it has to click and then you push back on it to be sure. As for the gates for our tiled stairs, they will be up shortly. Luckily, he hasn't figured out how to go up yet (but I caught him trying yesterday). I ordered the kits that I needed to secure my gates to wrought iron this past weekend.

Until later,

Emily

Monday, December 3, 2007

Sunday Shocker!

I woke up this morning still in a state of shock--as did James. You see, we went to church yesterday and were surprised to be pulled in by the Stake President. James got called into the new Elder's Quorum Presidency of our ward. He got called in (to speak with the Stake President), then I was called in to see if I would support him, and 10 minutes later he was called during the Elder's Quorum meeting!

James has done this church job before, it is a busy job. They help with any and many needs of the families in the ward. There will be lots of meetings and lots of service projects (and lots of time away from the family). We find it ironic that one of the big reasons that we moved to Germany was perhaps to have slower pace of life, when in fact, it is turning out busier for all of us. James' job is more demanding and now he has a very demanding church job. This all effects me as well.

James will go to his first Presidency meeting tomorrow night. He is just feeling overwhelmed by the calling (job) right now. He had barely received the calling to be a EQ teacher six weeks ago, and he felt like that was something he could manage...but this is a whole other story. I suggested that he not get too worried until after the first meeting is over--he'll get a good idea of how the EQ President wants things and whether or not he'll be easy to work with and also get a clear idea of the actual "needs" of our ward (unfortunately, I think they're great since we have lots of brethren serving down range.)

Until later,

Emily

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Conversing with Thomas

A couple nights ago, we were having our usual bedtime battle with Thomas. He is very skilled at drawing out the process and James and I get quite frustrated. A new tactic entered my mind: I could pull out the ol' "Santa trick". The one where you say, "Remember, Santa is watching and he's trying to decide if you're naughty or nice." It caught Thomas' interest and he wanted to know what if Santa decided he was naughty. I told him he wouldn't get any presents...he'd get coal in his stocking instead. I asked him if that would be any fun (thinking, yes, now I have him!). Thomas gets this serious look on his face (again, yes, I have him), then his face lit up, his big blue eyes got bigger, and he replied, "Yes, it would be fun to have coal and a train!"

I gave up.

Until later,

Emily