Bread

I am a good cook, is that rude to say?! I'm a good baker, too, at most things. Most things, except...Bread. I cannot make good bread. I have tried a few times, unsuccessfully, and...all the time and effort put into making bread, and then not having it turn out...is very. very. discouraging. and frustrating. and makes me mad. BUT. I have a goal. In 2011, I will become a good bread maker. I think I will. I'm certainly going to giver 'er a 'go.' My mom just made 19 loaves (yep - that is NOT a typo!) of delicious, seriously - DELICIOUS - oatmeal molasses bread...and I have decided: its time. Time to become a good bread maker. My grandfather's family owned a bakery: Bredin's Bakery (not a very original 'name', but...whatever.) - he was a good bread maker, my mother is a good bread maker, and...I think its in my genes: so...I have made a goal - that is about to be published on the world-wide-web: to become a good bread maker. There ya go.

I love toast. I love bread. And have never comtemplated a no-carbs diet (or diet of any kind, to be honest) - so...it only makes sense that I should be able to make my own. So. 2011...watch out. I will not be making New Year's resolutions to lose weight -- I will, in fact, probably gain even MORE weight if I accomplish my goal, but...whatever. I look forward to the challenge.

Christmas 2010

Well, it has been a whirl-wind of a holiday. Christmas was sooo much fun with Jonah this year! He has turned into quite a little bundle of energy the last several weeks, and...I'm not entirely sure its just the holidays...he's soo hilarious - he genuinely makes us laugh! He loved Christmas -- he figured out after he opened the first couple Chuggington trains, that there were more under the tree...so, we weren't able to take our time quite as slowly as we anticipated! But - he was THRILLED! It was so fun watching him open his gifts...and he is very excited about 'claying' with his toys every day -- a couple times today, I tried convincing him to watch a show, and he didn't want to! Hahaha!

And we've had lots of time with the family - which is always...fun, and...draining a little bit, too -- there is a lot of us!! But - I would say everyone had a great time together - and we're happy to be able to spend so much time with Mike, who is only home for a few more days 'til he goes back to Toronto...

Lots of food -- lots of games -- and...I think Mom and Dad's highlight was the slideshow of old and new pictures, and the letters of 'memories' from each of us kids...it was a little 'emo', right, Erin?! But...a keep-sake we all enjoyed doing, and it was a special thing to sit down all together and watch our life in a slideshow...and I was thankful my annoying computer didn't shut off, like it is VERY prone to do at very in-opportune times!!

Its always a little nice to 'get back to normal', though, I'll admit...I haven't taken down my decorations yet, but -- I'm a little anxious to get things back in their proper place, and to figure out where to put the new stuff -- mostly Jonah's toys! All his toys this year are small, but...there's a lot of them!!

So -- no real 'news' to tell, but...figured I should write a quick entry, at least, before the year is up...2011 -- here we come!!!

band concert

Soooo... Jonah was 'that kid' tonight. you know: the one dancing like a maniac and causing a scene, and 'attacking' the kid sitting beside us at an attempt to play and wrestle and make him laugh, and yelling out while we were in between songs, and running up and down our row, trying to play on everyone's ipod's (we were with a bunch of people from church, so it was okay, but)...still...oh my word. out. of. control. And having the time of his life...he's getting to be quite a little monkey...doesn't for a second think he might not be 'welcome', so...he just plows his way into everyone's hearts. I love him. He's a handful sometimes, but...he brings us loads of joy and laughter. And peace...when he is finally snuggled and tucked into his bed...

no snow

We don't have a speck of snow, and...I'm super bummed about it. It makes me feel so much less Christmasy not seeing snow on the ground or in the air, or anywhere. Oh how I wish it would snow. We have a week and a half to go -- pleeeeassse --- let it snow.

In other news...I worked tonight. Jason started his day schedule yesterday, so I will work one night and one morning so that my mom watches Jonah in the morning, and Jason is home with him on the night I work. Its still hard to wrap my mind around Jason being home every night for supper. Every. night. And he will be off every weekend. I'm sooo excited about that!! Annnnnddd...we're going on a DATE this Friday night...for supper, and then some Christmas shopping. Which means, I won't be shopping for HIM, but...we do have some shopping to do together, so...that will be nice. I can't wait!!

We have no youth group tomorrow night, 'cause every kid but 2 of them is either attending or playing in the junior high school's band concert...sooooo...Jason, Jonah, and I are going to go watch!! I'm so excited!! We're starting to enjoy these kids more and more -- and I'm happy to be able to go see their band play!

And...life is...just happening right now, I guess...Getting busy with Christmas just around the corner -- and excited for my little brother to come home this weekend!! I love the holidays with family: and Jason does NOT have to work this Christmas -- which is awesome!!!

I have nothing note-worthy to share tonight. Not on here anyways...

Christmas tree

The tree is up, lit, and beautiful. And smells delicious. And only costed 10 bucks. SAAAAA-weet!

little rascal

Its 2:34, and Jonah has been in bed almost an hour and a half, and he's STILL talking....what on earth?!?! I keep debating going up there and rocking him to sleep, or scolding him, but...do I dare?! Oh my word. Osmosis?!?! Go to sleep, Jonah, go to sleeeeeeeeeeepppp. What a little rascal. Seriously.

my weekend with people I love

I don't 'work for the weekend' anymore, but...I still enjoy them: there's something 'refreshing' about feeling like there's a different pace and expectation, and you can do 'what you want'...which, as per a conversation this week with my oldest friend, I verbalized, and she agreed the same thing for her: we rarely 'allow' ourselves to just do what we want, and be 'in the moment' as we 'should' be. Its funny, realizing how I even formed that sentence, using the word 'should', because it is CERTAINLY a daily part of my life. When I'm cooking or cleaning, I feel like I 'should' be playing with Jonah; when I'm playing with Jonah, I feel like I 'should' be doing something more productive; when I'm relaxing, I feel like I 'shouldn't' be lazy, etc, etc....so, I wind up feeling all the time like I'm doing the wrong thing. Which is ridiculous. No-one makes me feel like that except for me. (and maybe the odd, judgmental person, who is taking out their lack-of-contentment-in-their-own-life...on me.) but, anyways, I digress.

This weekend...I tried to enjoy it, tried to stop all the analyzing (not an easy task for me), and just enjoy what was happening. And...I had a great weekend. Amidst a wicked headache yesterday, I got to finally see Handel's Messiah at our very own Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, kindness of my friend, Colleen. (who doesn't know I blog.) and it was beautiful, moving, and lovely...and made me miss my choir days! And made me want to be a better musician, but...still: I enjoyed it. I enjoyed a cup of Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks before-hand, too -- and I honestly didn't think about the 5 bucks it cost me until: now. Haha. And I didn't feel 'torn' about being away from Jonah and Jason for the entirety of a Sunday afternoon...though I was very happy to see them when I got back!! We all had supper with Amanda and Silas on Saturday night...and had a ridiculous time watching our boys be silly and completely 'let their guard down' with each other - we laugh at the insanity of them, and are delighted we no longer 'make excuses' for them, and just let them be, knowing our love for our own, and for each other's boys....gets rid of the guilt and judgment. That's a beautiful thing. I didn't word it eloquently, because...its 8:00 in the morning, and I am literally typing as I think, and have no intention of going back and editing this post. But...I love when you have friends you can just totally be yourself with, and don't fear the judgment, or feel the need to 'explain' yourself or anything. As I get older, and especially these recent days, I am realizing more and more who my 'real' friends are: and...I am blessed. I don't often acknowledge that fact, when I'm feeling sorry for myself, or wishing things were 'like the old days', or missing friends 'from away', etc, etc...but...I have some of the greatest friends (and family!) I could ever dream up. And I'm so thankful. Its not to say I don't have some less-than-fantastic friends in my life, too...I acknowledge that as well, but...let's focus on the positive, right?!

Anyways. I had my staff party this weekend, too...which, was actually pretty fun!! And I got an increase of $20 on my bonus!! WOOHOO!! :) Always a nice thing around Christmas. I also won 2 of the 3 games, so got myself some prizes, too! I was seriously on FIRE!!! hahaha.

And lastnight, I hung out with Jason and Erin (my little sister), who is really, just part of our little family (I mean, she actually IS, but...I mean part of our little Paulino family)....she thinks she outstays her welcome here, but...we wouldn't have it any other way....we love her. And...we don't want her to move away. So...we're praying she finds a job here. So proud of her - you're gonna be the best teacher, Erin! Please find a job in PEI. We love you too much. So does Jonah.

Which brings me to another point. (wow, I have a lot to say for it being 8:00 in the morning.) I am thankful for people who love my boy. I mean, really LOVE my boy. What a special thing when you watch people who don't 'have to' love him, really LOVE him. Amanda, maybe I love you more and more as I watch you love him more and more. You're so good at loving us!! And, Erin...of course. Those two are best friends. And there are a couple of boys (in university!) at our church, who Jonah adooores!!! He prays for them and talks about them often through the week...and yesterday, we sat behind them in church...so of course, he was quite smitten...and ended up sitting beside Ben and on Ryan's lap for a good part of the service....I still find myself feeling like, "I hope they don't feel obligated to be nice to him", but....they're just soo great with him, and give him so much attention...I'm so thankful for that!

Oh, let's see....the wind is ROARING outside...and seriously, that's what woke me up early this morning....I couldn't fall back asleep, so I came downstairs and had coffee with Jason before he went to work...and I was all cozied up on my couch, and....thankful that I have my very own little home. I didn't think it would ever happen - and it may not be elaborate or huge or fancy, but...it ours, and...we love it. Especially at Christmas - its so cozy and homey....and I'm so happy to have my own little space to call my own.

And its now 8:15, and my boy is still sound asleep upstairs. Which is another reason to be thankful. Yesterday he woke up, crying, at 7:11 in the morning. He never wakes up crying, poor little fella. And he never wakes up that early, either....So - today...I am thankful I have a little boy who doesn't wake up early, and I have a bit of time to.....myself. To blog, and now...to shower. Its Monday, and...I think, despite the grey-ness and wind and dreariness outside: I think its gonna be a good day. Wow. Can I ramble...