A Christmas Craft

Here are some simple nativities that we made with various sizes of Popsicle sticks, tiny dowels, small wooden stars and hot glue. I got the idea at Enrichment meeting last night and we had fun making these this afternoon.
This nativity was given to me by a neighbor a couple of years ago and I have always loved it for it's simplicity. It is another way you might wish to create and embellish one of your own.

'My So Called Life'

Did you ever watch the show 'My So Called Life'? I loved this show! I could totally relate with the way the main character- Angela Chase (played by Claire Danes) felt about her life and life in general. To me it is one of the better 'coming-of-age' shows that have ever been made. It only lasted one season and I only found it after it had been cancelled but I could watch the reruns over and over. Much to my delight ABC is running some of the episodes on the Internet and I patiently await each new one and watch, remembering MY so called life of the past and how there isn't anything in the world that could make me go back to being a teenager again!

AAAAAHHGGGGGHHHHH

Is it just me, or is this one of the hardest weeks of the year? My brain is fried! I can't think straight. I was good this year and have my cards out, packages mailed, and nearly all my shopping done so the preparation stress is gone. All the parties and activities are over but now it is the waiting. The waiting for Christmas day and all of its fun. The waiting for normal life to begin again and all the thinking of all the things you want and need to do in the new year and you can't do it yet or even clarify it in your head. And so I wander around the house attempting to clean it and do laundry but my kids are beyond helping because they are in a stupor as well so it is pointless. And school work, well that is a joke right now, I'm lucky to get 1 hour out of them. So today for example has been filled up with Sudoku, coloring My Little Ponies, and an attempt to clean my living room downstairs that has ended up with me, here at the computer typing instead of cleaning the desk off (forget the 4 loads of laundry waiting to be folded). I know that I am sounding really whiny for no reason but really I wish Christmas was tomorrow and we could have our normal life back. I guess I better go turn on some Christmas music and the lights on the tree so I can get some Christmas spirit back.

Garin and Bethany Sitting in a Tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Tagged by Sharon.

What is your husband's name: Garin Lee Cruz

How long have you been married: 9 years, 3 months, 23 days and counting

How long did you date before you got married: 8ish months, it depends on what counts as our first date.

Who eats more: We both love to eat too much ;P

Who said 'I love you' first: Me

Who is taller: Garin

Who sings better: We both sing although Garin will not admit it. 2 years ago we sang a duet in the Stake Easter Cantata. We sang 'Greater Than Us All'. It was alot of fun.

Who's temper is worse: MINE. He's a lover not a fighter. I'm hot headed.

Who does the laundry: Me

Who does the dishes: 95% of the time Garin does the dinner, and weekend dishes.

Who pays the bills: I write out the checks and do the budgeting' he makes all the $$$ so I guess we both do.

Who cooks the dinner: Me unless Garin is home and then he usually takes over. He enjoys cooking.

Who drives when you are together: Garin, I don't like to drive that much.

Who is more stubborn: We both are about different things.

Who is the first to admit they are wrong: We both are apologetic and able to admit we are wrong. Unless I am right ;)

Who's parents do you see the most: Garin's, they live 45 minutes away and my parents live 11 hours away.

Who kissed who first: This is a subject of contention in our home because we both disagree on the scenario. I will not say to keep the peace.

{he's gonna kill me for putting this picture up!}
Who asked who out first: It was a set up. Shaina and her 'boyfriend' Rich (did he even like girls??? we may never know huh Shaina) thought one of his friends might go out with me so they picked Garin.

Who proposed: Garin but he needed some reassurance that he should do it.

Who is more sensitive: It depends on the subject but I cry more.

Who has more friends: We have about the same most of our friends are couples.

Who wears the pants in the family: We both wear pants and sometimes about once a week I wear a skirt. HA HA

Where did you meet your husband: We met at a CES Fireside at BYU. A whole bunch of us went together.

Where was your first date: A game night at the afore mentioned Rich's apartment. We had many dates there.

What was the first thing you said to your husband: Probably 'I love you', it was a long day and talking is not one of the things I remember the most.

Where was your first kiss: Well we both agree it was in a parking lot next to my car.

Where did you get engaged: At the rest area just out side of Quincy Wa. It was quiet, secluded and park-ish.

Where were you married: Salt Lake City, Utah Temple

How was your reception: It was nice.

Where was the Honeymoon: We stayed the first night at the Anniversary Inn at the old Salt City Jail in the French Garden room. The next day we went to Lagoon and stayed at the good ol' Motel 6. We at dinner at Lorena's in Wood Cross.

If you could have changed anything about what would it have been: We had a great time but I would have enjoyed going some where and having a little more time but we couldn't get out of work and school.

I tag Alyssa and anyone else who reads this and would like to start a blog-- hint hint to my sisters. Sorry Wendi you'll have to wait a few more weeks and then you can post your story;)

Some things about me.

My soon-to-be-sister-in-law, Wendi, tagged me to tell 6/7 things about myself.
She is marrying my brother Matt, they have some of their engagement pictures up if you want to see them at
http://www.sloanphotographers.info

1. I went to six elementary schools, 2 junior high schools and 3 high schools.

2. I home-school my children. Could number one be a reason for that, I'm not sure. I do it though because after lots of prayer and deliberation, I can't deny that it is what is right for our family. It is hard and frustrating but also challenging and rewarding. Most people think I'm crazy and some days I believe them but being a mom makes us do crazy things sometimes.

3. I would love to travel the world with my family. I saw this family that prepared financially for a couple of years so they could leave and see the world. They packed minimally, planned very carefully and did service projects and stuff along the way and it just inspired me. Some definite points of interest would be Egypt, France, Jerusalem, Ireland, Azores Islands and New Zealand.

4. I have a terrible habit of staying up late and sleeping in and then telling myself all day long I won't do it again that day. I've never been a morning person.

5. I like to play PlayStation with my hubby. I'm not very good and only play some games but I still have fun.

6. I love having all girls for all the girly stuff in includes. But for the life of me they won't let me do anything to their hair other than an occasional curling. I have to beg and plead and bribe and fight to get a pony tail that will come out about 3 minutes later.

I hope this was enlightening instead of boring. So if you are reading this, consider yourself tagged as well.