So in the last month or so most of the focus has been on Christmas. We've also been trying to get a mortgage to buy a house. One went really good, the other is still a work in progress. Since it's the day after Christmas and we haven't moved, I'll let you guess how the mortgage thing is going.
I really don't want to try to fill you in on the last month so I'll hit the last week. Julie started working about 2 months ago, we spent 1.5 WHOLE paychecks on Christmas for the kids. I asked my kids this morning if they wish they had got something that wasn't under the tree. They all said no! Wow did that feel good. Thank you Julie. Before you think how spoiled our kids our let me tell you a little story. About 2 months ago Julie was in the store with Abby, she had picked up a toy and was trying not to let Julie see that she really liked it. When she saw mom coming she put it back on the shelf. Julie asked what it was and Abby wouldn't say. Why, you ask? Because it cost $60.00. Abby's whole life we've never bought anything that was that much, she put it back because she knows her parents can't afford it, and she'd rather we not feel bad about it. She never asked for it for Christmas.............but she got it anyway. She cried. She's not spoiled, not with us; maybe with grandma and grandpa (I mean she'll pout and cry about wanting stuff to them).
So anyway we spent a lot on Christmas and all the kids went to bed dreaming of today. As I like to say, "creating memories."
Speaking of creating memories, Julie and I have some Christmas time traditions.
- Christmas is Jesus birthday, every year there's a party
- We put enough lights on the house to slow down traffic. (I went light (rim shot) this year b/c I was hoping we'd move)
- We make candy (I make candy, Julie watches over the kids and directs them)
What you're looking at there is glass candy. Good stuff and dangerous to make, think hot sugar and molten limbs.
So the last candy you see there is sponge candy. It's a Buffalo thing, like chicken wings. Both of which are enough to move back home for, b/c they are OMG good.
Traditions are important. I remember making glass candy as a kid and pouring it in the snow to cool it off. The lights and the birthday party stared with Julie and I.
PS If we do get the house we're looking at, I need the change the tradition to lights that will stop traffic.
