Christmas is coming!

So...I'm sooo so excited for Christmas -- and I have to say...it really started on Thanksgiving. Like, that is the day when it really starts to feel like Christmas. Partly 'cause we're eating all the foods we normally eat on Christmas Day - partly because we FINALLY see Santa Claus at the end of the Macy's parade! - and...we put up our Christmas decorations on that day. I'm so excited!! And...Christmas really is so much fun with a kid -- Jonah probably doesn't completely understand it all, but - He's sooo excited!! We've stopped telling him what's happening the next day, 'cause he gets too excited and can't get to sleep - no joke! He's 2 and a half - are you kidding me?! Oh my word. He was so excited to put up the decorations - had little bits of garland ALL over the house, from running around with it! And...we just saw Santa AGAIN at our own little Santa Claus Parade in Charlottetown. I have no beefs with Santa. I kinda like him, actually. He seems so magical to me, even though I don't (really) believe he's real.

And with the Christmas season, brings...Christmas parties, and allll kinds of yummy food!! And...grocery bills that I really can't afford, but...have decided I'm going to buy anyways, because...its my joy. I love having people over, I love having yummy food to share with people, and...I will TRY to not spend so much time fretting over money. It sucks the joy out of it for me. Don't worry, I will not go into tooo much more debt over this Christmas, but...I will be thankful for the resources (credit cards) I have, and....use it wisely, and...lovingly.

And...don't tell Jonah, but...I found some Chuggington trains for him for Christmas! At Zellers (the Canadian version of Target), so...I'm so happy about that - He's going to be thrilled!! He ADORES trains, and....ADORES Chuggington -- so...the combination will hopefully be perfect!! Though Erin and I agree: he will be as interested in the packaging that shows all the characters on it, as he will be in the trains themselves! Hahaha.

I'm (still!!) analyzing my friendships and relationships and learning who my true friends are, and who I should be really 'investing' my time in. But - I continue to be reminded that I should treat EVERYONE with love and respect, even if they aren't really my 'truest' and dearest FRIENDS. Its difficult. Because I can be a person who gives alot and cares alot about people who...don't often seem to return the favour, and...sometimes take advantage of the people who love me the most...who really: I also love the most. And...I don't want to be a person who does that. I want to be the best wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, etc...that I can be. And still be kind and loving to others, but...be aware of who my real friends are. I'm learning that...very slowly, but...I'm grateful for the dear friends, and family I have...I am continually learning how blessed I really am.

Just some ramblings. I have so much to say, and...never the time to say it all. I have some supper to prepare.

First SNOW!!!

We are currently having our first 'real' snowfall -- and I am listening to Christmas music, and not one bit ashamed. We usually (and by "WE", I mean JASON!) try to wait until American Thanksgiving, which is also when we decorate, but -- I am LOVING listening to it right now, and seeing all that pretty snow falling down...while I am tucked into my cozy little home. Not leaving unless I have to for the rest of the day....unless Jonah wants to play outside, which...will not be happening unless he wakes up from his nap VERY soon, 'cause its almost dark already. Erin and I went to a craft fair this morning, so even before the snow began, I was already feeling more Christmasy after being at the craft fair, which is a tradition for us...except this year, Mom is away, so couldn't go with us, but....anyways...I'm just happy and festive feeling right now....so, I'm signing off, and going to heat up some apple cider and turn on A Very Monkey Christmas (Curious George), 'cause I know that's what Jonah's gonna be asking for when he comes down from his nap. Merry Christmas.

Honestly.

its a good thing my battery life on my laptop isn't what it used to be...or I'd be wasting even MORE time on here than I already do. I am quite disciplined to not be on it much when Jonah's awake, but...when he's sleeping...i don't know what comes over me. like i don't want to miss a thing, like - maybe someone else has a more interesting life than I do...like, maybe I'll get some inspirationg for a new meal, a new decorating style, a new band to listen to...why do I glean such inspiration from this electronic device? and why do I fight it, at the same time? on one hand, i want to change with the times, and be up on the 'latest' and 'greatest', and on the other hand...its just not gonna happen, and most of me wants to fight it, anyways, but...alas: this thing called the internet vyes for my affections. and often wins. well...i've sucked the life out of it for now, and would rather be sitting on my comfy couch than at the *desk* (which is really a china cabinet) in the cold and un-cozy dining room all by myself. so...goodnight, 'world'. whoever you are. i still haven't broad-casted to the world that I even write this, so...i feel like I'm saying goodnight to myself. which would be silly, 'cause....I'm not going to bed. I'm going from one electronic device to another: watching What Would You Do (not to be confused with our Christian lingo "What Would Jesus Do") on the telly...which, honestly. I love.

date night

I've talked to different friends who say they crave a date night - a night without the kiddies...I wouldn't say I neccessarily feel that same craving, but...maybe its because we only have one, and we still crave time with him, we don't often see the need to 'go out', since every night that we're home together, we're...together -- Jonah's in bed, and we have several hours to do whatever we want. I have a neat home, so...once Jonah's in bed...I don't feel the need to 'do more' or get things done that I don't get to during the day...its 8:00 at night, and...I'm doing what I want...which is usually watching TV...or surfing the 'net. Well -- tonight...its Saturday night -- and I'm going on a date with my hubby!!! And - quite looking forward to it, actually -- feels like its been awhile since just the two of us have gone out, so I'm happy we get to do this tonight! We will be eating...something. Somewhere. Not sure of the fine details, but...I'm sure we'll figure it out!!

And its such a beautiful beautiful day out there...as soon as this baby boy wakes up from his nap, I think we'll head outside again and enjoy the sunshine while we can! The days are shorter now, and...up until yesterday, it had been a week or more since that sun was bursting through the clouds, and the rain has finally stopped, so...I'm enjoying the sun while I can!

And I hear that baby boy upstairs now, so...must sign off...

weekends

There's something about weekends - even when Jason's at work, it still feels like a day when you can just do what you want. Especially if its raining. Even though Jonah is upstairs calling "Mommy? Mama?" when he should be napping. And my friend's boy, Silas is sitting on the couch with me, watching Scooby Doo, and there's toys all over the the living room floor. It just feels...relaxing. And I love it - I love being home. Even though there's an idiot mouse somewhere within these 4 walls - how do I know?! We killed one yesterday - of course, hoping it was the ONLY mouse living in our house. Well - this morning, I was helping Jonah use his potty, and discovered: the mouse pooped in the potty first! At least he's a polite little rodent, pooping in the potty. Idiot. I hate mice. With. a. passion. No joke. But- anyways. That's fine - Jason's buying those plug-in mice thingies that supposedly keep them away...let's hope they work.

And tonight, we're just staying home, watching a show...and just being home. That's my favorite. We have so many nights out now, it seems. Which is fine, but -- I'm quite excited to just be home on a rainy Saturday night with my hubby.

just a quick blurb about my boy.

He's so great - he's hilarious, and happy, and loves to just have fun - and I think he's got such a sensitive spirit to him - He loves to pray, and loves to worship - and gets sad when other people are sad - and is so observant: notices when I have something nice on or do my hair or do my nails -- he noticed today that Amanda got glasses! He makes me so happy. and I am sooo delighted to be his mama. I cannot imagine my life without this little boy in it. I just have to say it. I love him.