Love

One thing I love the most about my husband is his spontaneity.  I know that not a days passes where I can expect what witty banter or sarcasm will come flying from his mouth.  I also love the fact that he can dupe me quite easily which makes holidays, Hallmark and legit alike, more surprising on my end. 

This Valentine's Day is no exception.  Our building administrative assistant came into the copy room with a large rectangular box.  I figured it was for the machine or something, but I was wrong; it was a box for me! 

Not to be disappointed, I looked inside and found...

These are the most scrumptious chocolate covered strawberries I have ever tasted. 

A few years ago we decided that eating out on Valentine's Day was too much of a hassle, and we decided to start the tradition of ordering in.  Some years it is Red Lobster, sometimes a steakhouse, and this year it was Olive Garden's turn.  I only wish I could have eaten more than my salad and a few bites of calamari before getting full.  At least it will make for an awesome lunch tomorrow.  Seafood Portifino is amazing. 

I love you Ryan :)

PS Say a little prayer for Cami.  She still can't shake this nasty cough and on and off fever.  She is uncontrollably fussy and is pulling at her ears despite just recently finishing a 10 day antibiotic.  Hopefully it is just that other molar popping through, but little miss is miserable. 

Bring It On

Happy New Year!

I welcome you with open arms, 2011.

This year I resolve to be DETERMINED...that is, determined to accomplish my goals, to suppress any anxieties that may arise, and to challenge myself to be the best wife, mother, daughter, friend, teacher, colleague I can be.

No more half-ass.

Dammit, I am going to try to stop procrastinating.

I am going to find the balance between family, self, and work that I crave to function without resentment toward any of the former.

I am determined to lose weight.  I WILL lose weight.  I refuse to enter my 30s still carrying around baby weight from 21+ months ago. (Any blogging friends who are trying as well and want to buddy up, feel free to send an email!)

I am determined to learn to cook (better).

I am determined to be more frugal in the ever tightening economy and uncertainty with Ryan's job.

I am determined to stop going to Rutter's for coffee and use my Keurig on a regular basis.

I am determined to use the public library first before indulging in purchasing books.

I am determined to stick to the necessities when shopping at Target.

I am determined to continue advocating for my daughter and others with Down syndrome.

I am determined to educate others on the insensitivity and lack of class they show when choosing to use the "R-word".

I am determined to place my faith in God for situations that are out of my control.

I AM DETERMINED.

Traditions

Fellow blogger Kelle Hampton recently has blogged about family traditions, how she feels as the matriarch in charge of said traditions here. 

It got me thinking about this whole living in the moment mantra.  In some ways, I feel like Cameran's delays are an excuse for me to cop out of going balls to the wall in terms of festivities and such.  At times I catch myself thinking, "She won't remember this [Christmas] anyway", or "I bet she still won't be interested in unwrapping gifts again", or "Do I have to bake REAL Christmas cookies?", or "We don't need a real tree this year because Cami's still little", or "We don't have to freeze at Dutch WinterWonderland this year because Cameran can't walk so we can put off going", and even, "I am too tired to finish decorating the tree."  In fact, that last statement is still true.  I lugged the tree out of the basement and assembled the whole thing while Cami played next to me on the floor.  I even strung the lights and wrapped the ribbon.  However, except for the 6 or 7 ornaments I received from this year's church ornament exchange, the tree is ornamentless.

And then I feel horrible and guilty.  If I am honest, sometimes I feel downright jealous of other friends and family members whose same-age and sometimes younger children are already walking, talking, and enjoying the beginnings of such traditions.

So, instead of procrastinating, I am resolving to apply the mantra of living in the moment to family traditions starting today.

Tonight the tree will be decorated.  We will walk around and look at Christmas lights.  Heck, maybe we will still go to Hershey or Dutch Wonderland to see the lights. 

If I am the matriarch of traditions, then I had better get started.


Cheers.

I have some traditions to cultivate.

Merry Christmas from the Gerbers

(Disable sound before viewing our spectacular moves.)  Enjoy.

Not so much into rap?  Try this 80s version...

Holiday Tunes

I am totally stealing this idea from my high school friend.  In no particular order are some of my favorite Christmas/holiday songs.  Some are traditional classics while others are more contemporary.  If you wish to listen, be sure to pause the playlist at the bottom.





and another...























And my favorite (apologies for the grainy version---the official TSO's sharing and embedding is disabled.


There a tons more songs I could add. These are just a few I am digging this year in particular.

Happy Holidays!