Winning the losing game

Have you ever been playing a game and another player tries to take you out, even when you aren't a threat to them and you aren't even close to winning? This morning we went outside to find that Tyler's car had been broken in to. I felt like yelling, "We weren't even IN the game!" I've refrained from discussing our current financial situation because, as Emmaline keeps saying, "If one more person says something about the economy, I'm going to scream!" Anyway, suffice to say our industry has come to a screeching halt.

As I was thinking about the feeling I had, (kind of like being kicked in the teeth when you're already on the ground) I suddenly realized that I also had a song running through my head. "You can't keep a good man down." I just had to laugh- I think my sub conscience has a funny sense of humor. I was looking for the lyrics to that song (not very applicable, by the way) because I'm pretty sure I've never even heard that song in its entirety.

As I did that, another song started running through my head- "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed. When you are discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

We are so incredibly blessed. Although it was annoying to replace the window- thank goodness nothing in the car was stolen (there was a LOT in there). I have certainly been getting back to basics recently and realizing how little I actually need. Most days, I don't even go anywhere. Somehow my days used to often be filled with errands for things that just couldn't wait. I'm finding that, not only can they wait- I don't need to do them in the first place! Although we can't continue in our current situation indefinitely, I am enjoying a bit of simplification. Hopefully I can keep a bit of that when my life returns to "normal" (as it most CERTAINLY will =).

Tyler's New Year's Resolution

The other day, Tyler took Oliver with him to drop off some paintings at the gallery. He was feeling pretty good, spending some quality time with his son, listening to a radio talk show. On the show, the host related a story from his wife about their son describing what he "wanted to be when he grew up." He said he wanted to be a "good dad." The host continued the conversation by saying how great that made him feel... like he was doing a really great job.

Tyler decided to ask Oliver if that is what he wanted to be when he grew up... "a good dad." Oliver replied, "Yes, I am." Tyler was feeling really great until Oliver continued with, "Yeah, I'm gonna really yell at people." Oh the humility of parenting. Can you guess what Tyler will be working on this year? =)

I must add, though, that Tyler is an amazing dad. He is always up for a game of any sort and the kids bask in the attention he gives them... but that story was too funny to pass up.

Christmas

In keeping with my theme of events that should have been posted LONG ago- here is a recap of Christmas. It was very quiet and really great. Christmas Eve was spent at Georgia's, making a gingerbread house and having the usual clam chowder and ham sandwiches.

As a side note, Oliver's downstairs bedroom had just been finished on the 23rd. It was so exciting, the girls decided to spend the night with him in his new room. Although he thought his bedroom was really great, he was a little nervous about spending the night alone the next night. He asked the girls if they would join him again. They told him they preferred to sleep in their own room. On the way home from Georgia's he said, "Okay Sannah. I've decided. You get to sleep with me tonight!" He thought he had it all figure out =)

The Webkinz from Grandma and Grandad were a big hit.

I didn't even know Oliver wanted one until he said,"Finally, my very own Webkinz."

He named it "Fuzzy Max" after Micah and Stephanie's Max and it's been his constant companion ever since. Tucker enjoyed his new seahorse. He opens and cuddles objects with quite a bit of vigor.

This year Emmaline saved her money for months to get everyone a special present.
We decided Tyler's was the "best wrapped." She used floral wire to complete the look.

But she spent almost all of her money buying a doll for Savannah. She was so excited to give it to her. I just love moments like that.

Tyler thought it was high time we start teaching Oliver some skills. He bought him several sets of learning cards to get started (numbers, shapes, etc.). After opening a few of them (Tyler wrapped them each individually) he said, "Why do people keep giving me all these cards that I don't even want." The expression was priceless.

We had Christmas dinner at our house. I was really happy with the way all the food turned out. I think I've finally gathered all my favorite recipes. (Now if I can just keep up with them, right Judy?!) The only disaster was the pumpkin pie. When we picked pumpkins this year, I specifically asked the owner which variety was best for pie. One of us misunderstood the other 'cuz, Mister, that was no pumpkin. It was some kind of squash and it made for an interesting pie. Of course there was lime jello with pomegranate seeds and bananas because it just wouldn't be a Huntzinger Christmas without it.

As always, there were after dinner games. The older group enjoyed Settler's

while the younger ones convinced John to play "Hungry, Hungry Hippos" a million times. Wish I had a video of that because a picture doesn't do justice to his playing style. "LOO- SERS!"

All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of family and plenty of tradition.

This is the night we've waited for...

As previously explained and noted, on the first Monday of the year, our family makes a list of the top 10 events of the year. This year was no exception (although I failed to post it until now). It's better that way, though, don't you think? Like when someone gives you a belated birthday present. Then you can enjoy the moment all over again. So here it is... the moment you've been waiting for...

2008 Huntzinger Family Top Ten (in no particular order):

1. Tucker was born.
2. Savannah made the Red Devils competitive soccer team.
3. Emmaline started school with Savannah at the Salt Lake Art's Academy.
4. Oliver started preschool.
5. Savannah got her ears pierced.
6. Emmaline won the school Turkey Trot.
7. Savannah started Young Women's (our church's youth organization for girls 12-18).
8. Mama got her gall bladder removed.
9. Oliver's downstairs room got finished.
10. Dad decided to move to TX, but not yet maybe someday...

Our bishop has encouraged us to choose a verse of scripture as a "theme" for the year. Tyler and I chose:

2 Timothy 1: 7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

This felt really "right" for our life now and current business perspective as well.

Emmaline was in charge of the activity for the night and decided we should do oatmeal/yogurt facials.

Oliver really wanted to join in the fun, but after several minutes he changed his mind.

When I washed off the oatmeal he kept saying, "Feel my face. Isn't it so soft and smooth?"

(Don't fret, we're not making it a habit. Don't think this will mesh well with the "army guy" thing.)

My hero

On Friday, as I was driving Emmaline to math tutoring, she asked me, "Who is your favorite African American."
Me: "Probably Myrtle." (the maid/nanny from my childhood)
Emmaline: "I mean, who is your favorite African American hero?"
Me: "Why would you ask that?"
Emmaline: "That's what we talked about in school today. We talked about our favorite African American hero and made collages of famous African Americans and others we found in magazines."
Me: "I've got a question for you. Who is your favorite white hero?"
Emmaline: "It's not the same. There isn't a holiday for those guys."
And before I can begin my tirade on "President's Day" and heroes like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson....
Emmaline says: "I guess there's Dr. Seuss. He's a hero because, if it weren't for him, kids would still have to learn to read 'See Dick run.'"

Gotta love public education.

Quotes of the day.

Emmaline:
"Mama, you think of the worst passwords for the computer. I can't ever figure them out."

It's a brand new year!

I get so excited about New Year's Resolutions. I know, I'm crazy... I blame it on Mama and being the granddaughter of Morgan Walker. I've been making lists since I can remember. Looking at some of the books I had when I was little, I think I was making some sort of lists before I learned to write. Last year I didn't do much in the way of goals or resolutions. That is one of the small favors I allow myself when I'm pregnant. It is kind of a struggle, but every time I even think of setting my sights on something I want to change in my life, I have a little internal argument with myself that goes something like this...
"Self, getting at of bed in the morning when you know you'll be throwing up several times during the day is hard enough. DON'T PUSH IT!"

It works, for the most part. As a result, I didn't accomplish much last year... that is, if you don't count creating and growing a little human. It was one of the first years that I can remember not reading the Book of Mormon all the way through at least once. So I've been giving my goals a lot of thought the past couple of days.

One of the goals I was considering was being more deliberate. I read in a magazine (so it must be true) that if you concentrate on small things during the day (swallowing as you take a drink of water, the motions required to wash your hands) it makes it easier to meditate. I have trouble meditating when I don't spend a lot of time running, so this struck me. As I was thinking about this today, while making cornbread, I was being very deliberate while measuring the baking powder and then... while deeply engrossed, I poured the measuring spoon into the sugar bowl instead of the bowl I was using to mix the cornbread. This might be more work than I anticipated.

But I still think it is a worthy goal. I mean, dropping the car seat on my foot, slamming my finger in Tyler's car door... I could go on and on, but these things were completely avoidable. But as I thought of that, it made me consider that I usually make my goals very attainable. I mean, they are things I have to stretch a little for, but not much. When I make a goal, I am absolutely sure I can accomplish it. Not because I am superhuman, but because, like with the rest of my life, I am very conservative.

So I decided to go for it. This year I am making a goal that I have no idea how to achieve, but I really want it. I'm going to learn how to swim.

Yes- I know how to swim, conceptually at least. I learned when I was about 12 and never got very good at it. My neighbor suggested that I go to the gym and just swim and somebody watching me would offer to help. Can you imagine? That is exactly what I am afraid of. Myself floundering around like a beached whale and people looking at each other, embarrassed, wondering who is going to help this poor soul. Anyway, I've got some others... but compared to that one, the rest are a piece of cake. =)

Cousin's Sleepover

We used to have a cousin sleepover with Alyssa's kids once a month. Then we just kind of got out of sync and some of us got a lot more kids =) and we haven't had one in quite a while. We drew Alyssa's family to give Christmas presents this year and decided (besides little gifts) that the best present for the kids and Alyssa and Steve would be a sleepover. It was a great success overall. The kids didn't sleep very well, but I think they had a blast. At one point (about 2 a.m.) Evan figured out that you could turn on the radio on the intercom system from downstairs. I guess the other kids had a hard time too because I found this little card, written by Anna to Savannah, today when I was cleaning up downstairs.

(I love the little picture and "Qeen Savannah")

"Sorry we dident trun out the lights. Sorry we were copey cating you!"

Fun times. They even tried to clean up a couple of times (including vacuuming) to keep me happy. I sometimes think Alyssa's kids will grow up and say to my girls, "Remember when we used to spend the night and your mom would make us clean up all the time!" I'm trying to get better at just relaxing and enjoying the time they get to spend together.

All I want for Christmas

Tucker's teeth have grown in the craziest pattern. First, the bottom two came in when he was four months old. Then, the top two canine teeth.Then, one of his front teeth came in, but the other didn't quite break the surface. It is the silliest smile I have ever seen!

And, speaking of Christmas wishes... (you know, "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth")
The other day I was in line at the grocery store behind an elderly couple. They bought a turkey, an onion and a couple of oranges. After they checked out, they stood at the end of the counter, looking at the receipt. I'm not sure if it was more than they expected or not, but they seemed to be double checking each purchase. Later, I saw the little old lady walking VERY slowly in the parking lot, trying to stay away from the snow and slick places. I came home and told Tyler I had two wishes. I DO NOT want to have to worry about make a $20 purchase for Christmas dinner and I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT want to live somewhere where I have to worry about slipping and falling in the ice in my old age (I do enough of that in my young age!).

Twas the night before Christmas...

Here are a few pictures of pre-holiday activities.

The kids are really having a blast with Tucker. I think both of the girls spend a lot more time playing with him than they did with Oliver. Maybe it's just their ages now, but he sure does love the attention. We call this "walking the Tucker."


While we were trying to decorate the tree, Oliver was doing some decorating of his own. This faux bois table is a type of tree, no?

Emmaline spent a lot of time on Christmas presents this year- both in making some and deciding what to buy. More on that later with the Christmas post, but this is something she made for John.

I have to say, when I saw her doing this, I saw a little glimpse into the future. It looked so natural to have a baby on one hip and a drawing on the other. Maybe this is a weird thought, but I could just see her as a mom, juggling a painting and a little one.

We made a gingerbread house thinking of Micah and Rachel, of course. I should have taken a picture of the finished product. We let the kids take over and was it ever fun!

Tucker participated in his usual way... making lots of noise with plastic.

Like all boys, I guess, Oliver loves hiding in little places. Tucker thinks Oliver comes up with the best games. (Yes, Oliver is wearing his swim shirt and swim suit. We are all longing for summer, or Texas, I guess.)