explanation, excuses!?

As I was struggling over the Christmas letter last month (we made it through another year and the dog died was the most I could recall of 2007-this was going to be a short, sad little letter.) John joked that we should just "send 'em to your blog!". Such a brilliant mind he has. One of the reasons I started this blog was so I could scroll back over and remember just what we did, said and experienced as life with 3 boys zooms past me. So I send over 100 cards out, all with this address, promising "WEEKLY UPDATES AND PHOTOS". Start off with a big promise, lie boldly, and leave 'em wondering what just happened... (that's a strategy from Mama's side of the gene pool) So for the 2 or 3 of you who wandered over here to see what we were up to, and waited almost two weeks for news...here it is:
SO FAR THIS MONTH:
John and I joined 3 friends/couples for a full day of tailgating and football at the Civil War game of Oregon Ducks vs. OSU Beavers. My first time at Autzen Stadium and I was a Beaver fan to support a great friend but kept accidentally cheering for the Ducks, too. I am not a huge sports fan but I love it LIVE. To watch on TV? yawn. but take me to a stadium and I am transformed into a rabid, screaming fan. Suddenly I am high-fiving strangers and taunting the opposing team. Great way to start the Christmas season.(grin)
We've had a lot of playdates and fun outings the last few weeks. Instead of taking 3 months of vacation in the Summer (and spending Fall re-teaching what was forgotten!) We school year round, with the month of December off, another month in Summer, and a few weeks here and there for vacations or burnout. It's worked so well for our family this way. The Christmas season is so much more relaxed, with lots of time for baking and projects and ministry.
I met my Mom in Medford for the day, last week. It is exactly 2.5 hours from her house in California and from mine. So we can easily "meet in the middle" for a day of shopping, lunch and fun. Spending 20 years with 12 hours driving time between us, this is still such a treat to be that close!
My dear stepsister announced she and her husband are expecting their first child in August. What an unbeatable Christmas present! And the boys are SO excited to have another cousin to love on and spoil. I am so proud of what tender hearts our boys have towards little ones, of how they are unashamedly "baby crazy". I can tell they are going to be great fathers some day, and follow easily in their Dad's big footsteps.
We went to a fun workshop at our church where Josiah and I helped and Sam and Caleb rushed around from table to table making calenders, bookmarks, ornaments and treats for everyone in our family. It was so cute to see the brothers each covertly making the other ones a gift and excitedly whispering to me what it was. Caleb, (of course-most like his Mama) wants to give everyone their gift early, he cannot wait...
Speaking of "cannot wait" I got MY present a little early. After years of thwarted desire I finally own a Worm Factory. My garden this year will be the best ever, I am certain, because there are with over 15,000 red wigglers in our pumphouse (John nixed the dining room), eating our kitchen scraps and producing rich, wonderful compost. My favorite part is the spigot, for "worm tea".
Was I created to be a mother of boys, or WHAT?!