Christmas at the Cheneys

Santa surprised the kids by showing up a day early this year, completely unexpected. It was glorious for the following reasons:

• We didn't have a hard time getting them to go to bed.
• Ken and I (and my Dad) were able to sleep in until 7 and they didn't get up until breakfast was ready.
• Even Nicole and Matthew were lost in the spirit of Christmas [and surprised].
• Because I was off work today, but have to work swing tomorrow, we were given a whole day of fun and tomorrow we will be able to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. {and the kids won't rebel because they can't play video games on Sunday. We would have had a mutiny if they opened those gifts tomorrow.}
• My Dad was here for all the fun and helped me memories that the kids, especially Matthew, will remember for a long time.

So here is our day in pictures.

Matthew finally got the million dollars he's been asking for.

 Nicole and Anna's stockings. [This year Santa left their socks at the kitchen table so they would notice them.]

 'Christmas' morning

 Mine and Ken's socks

 Going through the loot.

 Waiting very nicely to open their gifts.

 I'm sad this is blurry but it's the best reaction from Matthew, opening his 'main' gift.

 Nicole opening hers.

 Anna got a gift from her friend, Abby. It's a small tote full of dolls that they play with when they get together. I show this picture instead of the one of her opening her 'main' gift because this was the highlight of her day. She played with it all day, took a nap with it and tried to sneak it to dinner. Abby wins this year. (Thanks Abby and April!)

 Ken. [Have I mentioned that I really like this guys?]

 Quilts they got for Christmas. {Their handmade gift}

Matthew -- Go Oregon Beavers!

 Anna - Hushabye by Tula Pink

 Nicole -- Filmstrip 9 patch.

 Silly string war!

 Matthew is naughty. :)

 Nicole got a label maker.

That's how it all went down! It was fantastic. I hope your day is too.

stay tuned for one video in a couple of days.

A few on my [Christmas] favorite things.

This is a picture post of my some of my favorite things. You may have seen some of them last year but we learn from repetition. I'm helping you be the best stalker you can. {Amy}

Our Christmas tree. See the lame Santa hat on top? It looked great on our baby tree we've used every year since we've been married. I bought a replacement yesterday.

 My Christmas village on my piano. I Love It.

 Stockings. All different, but perfect for each person.

 The top of my organ.

 My favorite Christmas ornaments.

 I painted this little guy and 7 of his buddies in 2001. He's one of my favorites.

 Gingerbread Ken

 The Santa key. Our kids used to be worried that Santa wouldn't be able to get in the house because we didn't have a fireplace, so he brought us a magical key that opens our front door on Christmas Eve. It stays on the tree until Christmas Eve when the youngest child sets it outside. Santa uses it and before he leaves, he hangs it back on the tree.

 Gingerbread Dedra

 A pickle

 My nativity scene. We have 3 but this is my favorite.

 I painted this little dude a couple years ago. I totally forgot about him until we started decorating

What are some of your favorite things?

Awkward and Awesome

Awkward:

• Putting the fact that I am 34 years old aside, I still feel completely insecure about going to an open invitation party without carpooling with someone else. What if all the sudden I'm the nerdy 6th grader that got picked on (A LOT) everyday!
• I have the starts to many Christmas treats but have only completed 24 peanut butter patties. They're in the freezer. Tomorrow I get cracking on that or else I'm going to have to hand out new years eve treats.
• I forgot my glasses today when I went to lunch and couldn't read the menu. Two of my friends had to do it for me. Lame and Awkward.
• After lunch today I got a flat tire. I went to the tire place to get it patched and they asked me if I was ready to have my tired rotated again. I told them I'd never had them rotated and the guy took my mileage and told me it should have been done twice by now. I felt awkward.

Awesome:

• I picked my new glasses out today. I will have them in 7-10 business days. After I ordered them I realized they look a lot like Nicole's. Not matchy matchy, but very similar.
• Christmas is in 3 days!
• My friend, Amy, posted her A&A post today and added a special line (About not wearing pants) just for me. She knows I'm actually a blonde stuck in a brunette's body. Click on her name and read it. Let me know if you had a different visual before her disclaimer!
• Lunch with friends and no kids. The. Best.
• My tire couldn't be fixed. <-- not awesome. Because I bought for new ones there last January, 11,000 miles ago, they replaced it for $15.00 <-- awesome.
• This post is not typed on my cell phone. 

Awkward and Awesome:

• I totally thought I was done Christmas shopping and then I realized I didn't have any of Ken's stocking stuffers. I'm done now.
• Here is the photo of me and a few of my friends today at lunch. It's awesome because we had a great time. It's awkward because only Amy and I made faces you can see. (Dear Amy, I think we are nerdy 6th graders, but that is why we are friends. From, Dedra) Also, (Dear Marie, Happy Birthday one day early. I had a great time. From, Dedra) 

Here a quote, there a quote, everywhere a quote quote

** things we say far too often at our house **

What the crap?!

Why'd you poop your pants. (way way way too much)

You're smart.

I am so awesome.

That sounds like a personal problem. Maybe you should do some personal progress.

** movies which are over quoted **

Meet the Robinson's
I have a big head and little arms...

Groundhog Day
Am I right or am I right? Right. Right. Right.

Master of Disguise
It's so crazy, it just might work.

Mountain of the Lord
Good boy Hampton. (or Matthew or Nicole or Anna)

** YouTube videos overly quoted **

Kid History
Specifically volumes 4 and 6.

** things people have said that weren't true **

It wasn't me!

Dad did it.

Mom said I could.

My room is already clean.

I am so awesome!

**

4 more days until Christmas!!

Good Idea - Bad Idea

Good Idea: making delicious treats for Christmas.

Bad Idea: eating them for breakfast. And lunch.

Good Idea: having a supply of batteries.

Bad Idea: Matthew just licked a battery.

Good Idea: original cheesecake with an Oreo crust.

Bad Idea: ---

Good Idea: helping the developmentally delayed

Consequence: I got peed on last night.

Good Idea: cleaning your house.

Bad Idea: following my example. I don't have a clean house right now, except for the front room.

Ok, time to go not clean my house. I have two sewing projects I need to finish by Friday....

A Memory Monday Christmas Carol

The ghost of Christmas past:

Age 3, my mom made me a couch with yellow fabric. It was in her closet. I used to steal Garen and Adam's bottles and drink them while laying on that couch.

Age 4, my favorite gifts were a football helmet and a cardboard dollhouse. I learned later that I wasn't given either of these gifts. Apparently they belonged to Ryan and Heather.

Age 5 I got a purse.

Age 6 a baby doll I named Rebecca.

Age 7 another baby doll. Her name was Rebecca also.

Age 8 Wendi gave me a sweater. She had a matching one.

Age 9 Garen puked on my new dress while we stayed at grandma's house. I also rearranged the presents so I could get what I wanted. Somehow mom new.

Age 10, I got a dollar store Barbie and I learned the truth about.......my mom.

Age 11, I started enjoying the giving of gifts.

The ghost of Christmas present:

My family doesn't get together on Christmas day. We all have our own traditions. But, we do get together the third weekend in January and eat for three days. It's always epic.

I finally decorated my house today.

I'm done shopping but I've miss placed my inlaws' gift. I'm still looking for it though.

Santa is only filling stockings.

He may or may not be coming early. TBD.

Santa no longer enjoys chips and Pepsi. He now wants Oreo truffles and egg nog.

The ghost of Christmas future:

I'm envisioning my stocking being stuffed full of coal and loads of home made pajamas.

Finish it up Friday.

Here they are!!

Twelve dresden's = 240 wedges and 480 seems. I. Love. Them. Mucho!

I also included a rough drawing of the quilt pattern. My border fabrics are undecided.

Linking up with CMQs Finish it up Friday.

What have you finished this week?

Ps. I'm about ready to fire bloggers app. It's killing my pictures!!

Awkward and Awesome

Awkward:
•the voicemail I got the other day that began with, i'd like to discuss why your child was kicked out of class yesterday with an office referral.
•me thinking you don't know which child I'm talking about.
•Anna tells me everyday, in a very excited voice that she zipped her coat by herself. (am I a bad mom if I tell you I don't care anymore the excitement faded for me like 3 weeks ago.)
•logging on to my brother's A&A post last Thursday only to find he copied my whole post. Word. For. Word. I have to say, it was the best post he's ever written. Heh.
•the purpose for the referral to the office was because he got the whole class off task by talking...and doing a little dance.

Awesome:
•I completed 12 matching pointed dresden plates this week for a future quilt. Don't know what a dresden plate is? Google it or wait until I post pictures--tomorrow.
•Christmas shopping is D.O.N.E.
•I still love my job.
•The kids start winter break tomorrow. (please sing tomorrow like Annie does)

Awkward and Awesome:
•Ken let Anna tie his tie. Then he wore it like that to work.

Things I am thankful for

Today I've copied my brother, Ryan on my blog topic. Here is a list of things I'm grateful for which force me to keep my glass half full. My life is not easy right now but I don't see a reason to complain about it because I'm doing everything I can to improve it.

I'd like to encourage you to write a list like this too.

I'm thankful for the soiled diapers of a 21 year old woman that I get to change at work. It's really gross, makes me dry heave and smells bad. Sometimes it takes a dozen (or two) wipes and two or three pairs of gloves to get the job done. But I can take care of my own personal hygiene needs without assistance.

I'm grateful brother made me a crummy sewing machine because it broke so quickly all the repairs were covered in the warranty.

I'm grateful that I have a child with serious anger issues who sometimes punches holes in the wall because every time s/he does what s/he's told with only yelling at me, we've have a victory.

I'm grateful our dog, Animal gave our whole home flees last year. Now I know how to get rid of them without spending a small fortune AND I know I NEVER need another dog or pet!

I'm grateful for the three migraines I had that totally knocked me on my butt. It helps me to not even notice the dull ache I have almost all the time.

I'm grateful for the 75 minutes I have with my kids each school day because it makes me a better mom during our short precious time together.

I'm grateful we spend so much on gas and especially high utility bills because we had the means to pay them and it means we don't live in a tent or a van down by the river.

I'm grateful for the mother like figures in my life who can bug me (just a little) at times. They helped me live another year with out my own mom who bugged me at times. (a little or a lot depending on the subject :) )

I'm grateful for the disfunction in my own family, including having a sibling I haven't spoken to in a year and half and other little dramas. We may not have it all together, but together we have it all--and I love and pray for them daily by name.

I'm thankful I hit the wrong notes on the organ occasionally in sacrament meeting because I have hands and a brain that can read and play music.

Best compliment I received this year:

Dedra, I've never seen you without your glasses. You're really beautiful.

Ummm, thank you?

Typically Untypical

Matthew and I went to Kohls the other night. As we were walking from the car to the store we passed three moms, each walking with a teenage son.

The first mom was talking to her son and he was making every weird sound he could get his mouth to make as we walked by. The mom didn't notice and he was nodding at what she was saying.

As we walked past the second set I heard the boy telling his Mom about video games and something being so awesome because of how amazing the graphics were. She was nodded as we passed by.

The third set is a little less memorable because as we passed them I was looking over at my own boy the same age.

I'm not going to lie. The noises were kind of annoying and I don't care about video games. I was impressed with those Moms for listening though. I was also thinking how grateful I am that Matthew doesn't do some of those same things. That when I noticed him again.

While walking next to me, he was backing up a couple feet, sprinting ahead a few feet then jumping into the air. While air born he was pretending to jog as fast as he could until he hit the ground and tried it again.

Much to my chagrin and pure joy he fit the mold of the other 3 boys we passed on our short walk into the department store. We were just talking (about Lego airplanes) while he did what he thought was a good idea - something my girls will probably never think of doing.

As I thought more about the evening I realized Matthew is typical 12 year old boy. He fits the mold of all those other boys who roam the halls at his school. He can be super polite, a colossal butt head and a bit annoying. He's smart and funny and very quick witted. He is always hungry. He's also a great brother. But he is so much more than that. He is a priesthood holder and he honors it. We have conversations often that begin with him saying, "when I get home from my mission..." or ,"once I can go home teaching with Dad..." and even, "after I get married in the temple..." He loves going to church, passing the sacrament and even attending BYC.

I'm not really sure what the conclusion is for this post is except to say I am so grateful for that kid. He's given me 95% of the grey hairs on my head, we disagree almost everyday and I could not love him more.

If you haven't had a chance to meet him, I hope you get to someday.

Finish it up Friday

I'm linking up with CMQ's finish it up Friday again this morning.

It seems to be the season for finishing 36 patch quilts. I love mine a lot but I have to say a part of me is totally coveting hers. I'll be making another one in 2012.

I stippled the center and did a large strand of pebbles around the border. It took me 11 bobbins of thread and it's my first completed project on my new sewing machine-which did an amazing job! Thanks again to my MIL for the gift.

this post is being sent from the blogger app so all the photos are below. The final pic is of my favorite 4 blocks which just so happen to be touching.

Dimensions are 60*72.

Ps, how is the picture quality? I can't tell if they are big enough to view from my phone.

Awkward and Awesome

Awkward:

• At a ward party last week the drinking cups were blue and red. My friend Amy made the comment that they were making us take sides for which university in Utah we chose - BYU or Utah something. I told her they were making us pick which gang we supported. She's probably going to heaven.

I didn't drink anything. I don support Utah or gangs.

•I had a conversation with a person this week who was so worried about getting all their points and thoughts across that they didn't hear a word I was saying. It made for a 20 minute conversation that got no results.

•Anna is learning how to fix her hair. Some mornings when she leaves for school she looks like an orphan.

•I have had a few conversations with a person who has to think things through before making any decisions. Their answer until the decision is made is typically, there's a 50% chance of that.

News flash: there is a 50% chance of almost everything, it will either happen or it won't.

I told said person and they told me to shut up. Haha

Awesome:
•Christmas is in less than 3 weeks.

Are you ready?!

•I worked a graveyard shift Tuesday night. I love graveyard shifts!

•My phone speaks Spanish. ¿ ¡ ã ñ ¿Does blogger?

•I got my hair cut from a lady who reminds me of one of my favorite Kansas ladies. I loved it so much I had to call my friend in KS and tell her about it.

Awkward and Awesome:

•Nasal cleanses. They are gross too. Matthew calls it brain washing. It's addictive.

Feliz Jueves!

Ps, this post has been proofed for embarrassing autocorrects but I don't guarantee no typos.

Good Idea - Bad Idea

Good Idea - sleeping pills to help you sleep through the night.

Bad Idea - taking a sleeping pill to fall asleep at 8:30 when you have to be up by 11:40 to work graveyard.

[needless to say, it's going to be a long night.]

Good Idea - Pandora

Can I say I just discovered pandora and I LOVE it!! I listen to the broadway show tunes channel. Don't judge. I have culture and class. Third class. My other two channels are Neil Diamond and Reba McEntire.

Bad Idea - judging

Good Idea - nasal cleanses. They really help clean out your sinuses!!
• I think it's one step above water boarding.
• Matthew calls it brain washing.

Bad Idea- trying to breathe through your nose while brain washing yourself. (haha) You. Could. Drown.

See the picture below? It's my first sewing project for 2012. I'm working on my graph paper pattern. It's going to be amazing.

Festivus - the airing of grievances

I've got a couple of grievances. I'll start.

How come my kids know it's not their week for dishes if I tell them to go put something in the dishwasher but if I ask them if it's their week because dishes need done, they don't know?

I'm tired of the Twilight series.

And cats.

And laundry.

Here is a list of Christmas songs I don't like:
1. The Christmas Shoes
2. Silent Night
3. Away in the Manger
4. The Christmas Song (chestnuts toasting on an open fire blah blah blah)

And lastly, Pennsylvania is too far away from Washington.

On a different note:
I heart:
Pandora
My sewing machine
Diet Pepsi
Stouffer's macaroni and cheese
The smell of fall and winter.

Merry Monday! I'll do a memory Monday next week. Probably about Ryan or Gina or something.


Picture: scripture study at our house Friday morning.