Stories of the Season

Those of you who know me know I love a good book. In fact, an okay book is fine with me usually. And those of you who know my family know that my cutie patootie mother loves a decent book too. And those of you that grew up in my house with said mother and self know the joy of a great Christmas story. That was actually our YW activity last night. Storytime. And it was sSSsSooOOoO fun. So as we begin celebrating the season, here is a list of my top three fav holiday selections.

"The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree"

by Gloria Houston

Darling story about Christmas in the Appalacian Mountains during World War I.

"I believe in Santa Claus"

by Diane Adamson

This book makes me remember why it's okay to still Believe and why we truly celebrate the Christmas season. And even if you're a 'Santa-hater' you'll appreciate the beautiful artwork.

"The Angel With a Mouth-Organ"

by Christobel Mattingley

This one is special not only because it's such a touching story, but because of the memories I have of Mom reading it to us with tears in her eyes, evidence of her tenderness and gratitude.

I kinda feel like good old Lavar Burton (I can go anywhere, take a look, its in a book...) ,but when you find something good, you've got to share it! So now I'm dying to know, what's your favorite Christmas story?? What should we pick up next time we're at the library?

See you on the Runway!

I often have the benefit of reading my cousin Megan's thoughts on her fav TV shows. One of mine just started up again. Do I dare admit to the public what my silly guilty pleasure is? Here it goes. Deep breath.


Hi. My name is Carrie and I like to watch Project Runway.


There. I said it. And I can actually hear all of your, "Hi, Carrie"s echoing through cyberspace amongst a few shocked gasps. No, I have zero aspirations for design stardom. I can't sew. Ask Tammy. And frankly, I don't even remember how I got hooked. But I am. And season 4 just started.

I mean, honestly, I'd rather watch grown men and women fight over fabric and scissors than someone of the opposite sex (no offense to The Bachelor lovers) or a coconut that fell from a tree (no offense Survivor lovers) or a room without a view (no offense Big Brother watchers) because somehow the trivialness of it all is what makes it great but meaningless TV. And just like after the World Series (please continue to abstain from mentioning it to Tyler... we're not quite over it yet) and my newly discovered amazing talent for calling strikes and balls with astounding accuracy (Dad, aren't you proud?), I can spot great fashion and clothing construction from the first step down the runway. I'm that good. Or that obsessed.

I'm so obsessed that I won't let Tyler switch to Dish Network from Qwest cable (which would be slightly cheaper) because I won't get Bravo for the lowest cable price anymore. We'll have to up our plan to one that I am just not willing to pay for. When have I ever thrown money after something so trivial? Well, now, I guess.

All I can think of is Tim Gunn's brilliant advice. We'll just have to...


Make it work.

And what about you? What's your silly guilty pleasure on the boob tube?

THE Thanksgiving Post

So, I can't let one of my most favorite holidays pass without acknowledging it. I love giving thanks. That's why I love this holiday. But that's not what this post is about. Well, it is, but it isn't. In homage to the Music Man, I offer this witticism to explain myself. Thanksgiving starts with T, and that rhymes with B, and that stands for Becoming. So you see, I got here organically. (just call me cheesy and let's move on, okay?) 'Becoming' seems to be the new 'buzz' word in our church, (maybe it's just in our ward) but Elder Dallin H. Oaks talked about this idea in a conference talk 7 years ago. My post doesn't tie too much into his talk, but the general idea comes from his words.



Last year, I had to give a talk on 'Thanksgiving' Sunday. After reflecting for what seemed like weeks but was actually only days, I decided I didn't want to give the same old talk about how we should be grateful. We know that. And if you're like me, you really are more grateful for your blessings than words can express. I wanted to give my talk on service. When I prepared and gave my talk, I didn't really know how I got from point a to point b, at least not very clearly. I hadn't yet channeled the Music Man. But it's all clear to me now.



I'm a 'so-what' kind of gal. Meaning my thoughts and feelings generally should move me to action, or at least I wish they did. I'm grateful for my blessings. Well, so what? What am I going to do with that? I think it's great to verbally thank our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. It's not only great, but vital, a commandment even. But I've decided that it's not enough to just say it. I think if I was truly grateful I should be moved to act on those feelings, right? And here's where the Music Man and Elder Oaks references come in. It's great to express gratitude, but can't we, if we really try, become gratitude? If I 'became' gratitude, wouldn't I give up everything to show Him-who has given me everything- that gratitude?



Elder Gordon T. Watts of the Seventy said in October General Conference in 1998 “The depth and the willingness with which we serve is a direct reflection of our gratitude.” So this Thanksgiving weekend, I ask myself this question: How deeply and willingly do I serve? Because we all know “when ye are in the service of your fellow being ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17)

May we all reflect on our

blessings this holiday weekend

and dedicate our lives to

becoming gratitude in the

way we serve.

Pip pip and cheerio!

Ringing in 4 with British class. And some fake tea. Okay, actually just juice.

You've heard the reviews. *See post below

You've seen the star.

Now see for yourself what some are calling the greatest birthday party EVER (especially with only hours of ibubrofen supported prepartions. *Again, see post below for clarification)

We made frames with Princess stickers, played English games (Ring around the Rosy...isn't that English??) , made paper fans, and drank our 'tea'. Is there anything better than being a girl?

The Ladies of the Colorado High Tea Society

Carrie's Rules for Living #2

I wasn't going to do another one of these till next week, but I learned something very important this week.


Never



Ever



Ever



get strep throat when both your kids have it. It's not fun.

And it gets kinda expensive. It's been a pricey week!

Two copays for the kiddos: $50
Two prescriptions of amoxicilin: $30
One copay for mom: $25 (incidentally, 1st doctor visit for me, besides ob/gyn visits, since Ty and I have been married. So eat that strep throat!)
All the throat comforting food that makes you not necessarily feel better, but makes you feel loved when your hubby brings it home for you: around $20
Mom's prescription: $10
Follow up copays for the kids: another $50
Dinner the night we were sick: Okay, free. Thanks to a thoughtful Relief Society President! Never been one of those families-so-sick-they-need-a-meal families. Kinda nice to be needy for once.

Having modern medicine to make us feel better: priceless. Okay, it was, what, 40 big ones for the drugs, but you get the idea right?

And...

The best diet I've been on in years: priceless. Really and truly I lost at least 5 pounds, what with not eating for 3 days and having no stomach large enough to consume much after that anyway.

And let's just talk for a sec about the birthday party I threw for Lainey a mere 36 hours after starting the antibiotics!

Anti bacterial wipes, so no one got strep from us: $4 (and surprisingly, none of the other moms thought it was a big issue, our major illness)
Cake, food, drinks, goodies: $20
Decorations: $20
Crafts: $18
Invitations: (okay, those were cheap)$.80
Gifts from Mom, Dad, and Brady: $40 (and she liked Grandma's gift loads better...)

Having a celebrated-in-style-newly-four little girl: priceless!

I'm crazy, I know. And you should've seen the party! Heard at the party:

"This is the best birthday party ever!" I wanted to kiss that girl! Made my day. I didn't, of course. Because of the strep. But I wanted to!

"Sister Miller, you're so fun!" I did hug that girl. Too cute! And what a major compliment from a 4 year old. Really.

But more on that later. . .with pictures.

Last 2 thoughts: what is with me and ellipses?.... anyone got any ideas? I don't even know if I do them right! Don't correct me if I don't. And what's with the hyphens in this random post?

So really, 3 'last' thoughts...can I just say to all you lovely long lost friends, HELLO! I've responded to your comments, but I'm not sure if you saw them. If you have a blog or an email address, leave it so I can see what you are up to!

Are you ready for this?

So, I often find myself making broad, general assumptions about life in general and thought I would start sharing them with you in a new recurring post called 'Carrie's Rules for Living'. Here is our first installment. (Disclaimer: I know nothing about life. I am not perfect nor do I profess to be.)

Rule #1: Nobody is paying as much attention to you as you think they are. So stop worrying about what other people think, because it most certainly is not about you.

Do you ever find yourself thinking about something you said that might have offended someone and come to find out the the offended person never gave your 'offensive' statement another thought? Or do you ever let something slip and then think, "That person must think I'm a freak/idiot/jerk/pyscho/(insert appropriate noun here)!" Well, he or she doesn't. Because chances are the minute it was out of your mouth and into your listener's ears, he or she moved on.

Case in point: A few weeks ago we had our Young Women Evening of Excellence. I made a huge idiot of myself. I said the wrong thing to someone, did the wrong thing (and caused a huge commotion in which everyone turned to look at me), and felt completely and utterly embarassed pretty much the whole night. We won't even mention the nylon issue I had going on. Okay, we will. Something was going on with my nylons and I kept tugging on them while simultaneously thinking, "Everyone must see that I am having major issues with my undergarment choices tonight."

Night over and hopefully forgotten. But not by me. In fact, I bring up my most obvious snafu of that night at a meeting a few days ago to express my embarassement and make sure no one really thinks I'm a freak/idoit/pyscho who can't control herself.

No one remembered.

See, no one thinks about what you're doing as much as you think they do.

Kabalarian

No, Kabalarian isn't a funny new language. Have you ever heard of Kabalarians? I never had. I still don't know exactly what they are, but they have a philosophy. Kabalarian Philosophy. And on their website they'll use their philosophical ideas to analayze your name and tell you all about your personality! Here's what they said about lovely, little, old me.

Although the name Carrie creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes an emotional intensity that is hard to control. (true. Remember when I would say whatever popped into my head, rational or not because I was emotional? Okay, yes, I guess I still do it.)

Your name of Carrie makes you very idealistic and generous, with the strong desire to uplift humanity leading you into situations where you can express your desire to serve others. (I hope that's true!)

You want to assume responsibilities and to look after people; however, you can become too involved in other people's problems and tend to worry. (I don't know about the becoming too involved bit, but the worrying thing-I'm my mother's daughter, okay?)

Your name gives you a natural desire to express along artistic and musical lines. (Hmm... not sure about that one. Although, I will say, you know the angel in The Forgotten Carols? So how I feel just about every Sunday. And I guess I like to scrapbook and I'm learning to play the piano.)


You desire a settled home and family life, and are expressive and attentive to your loved ones. (Want to be settled? Who doesn't? And the expressive and attentive-I hope that I am!)

So what do the Kabalarians say about you???

Why do noses run and other puzzling questions of motherhood.

(This list has been growing for some time. Although some of these are silly and certainly rhetorical, some, I'm sure, have real answers. If you know an answer besides the obvious, please share it in a comment. And feel free to add your own puzzling questions on motherhood.)


Why do noses run? And why do my kids' noses run more than everyone else's? Really.

Why do tears fall? (Well, I guess there is gravity...)

Why do spiders look so scary? Why didn't God make them a little cuter if He knew we'd be spending so much time with them?

What is really going on inside an 18 month old brain? He's gotta be laughing at me, right?

Why does time and energy escape me so easily?

Why don't I get time outs for bad behavior? Maybe it would help.

Why don't they get it the first time? I really wanna know. Why am I constantly repeating myself?

What is under their fingernails? They haven't been outside. Where's this dirt coming from?

Why is it so easy to love my kids and simultaneously so easy to lose my patience?

What is so fascinating about boogers? Really?

Why does hair grow?

Why do I love this job even though most of the time I'm completely lost and out of my element?

Why do we like sweets and sugar more than the flavor of green beans or carrots? Why doesn't healthy food taste better?

Or why don't sweet foods have more nutrients in them?

Why can't anything ever stay clean? I'm not asking for forever cleanliness, just like a day. A day of no spills or dirt. Can't we keep the floor crumb free for a day?

Why is 'Why' such an annoying question? Particularily from a 3 year old? (Are you annoyed yet?)

How does every other mother in the world always know what to say and how to teach their kids when I never know what to say or how to teach them anything?


Will my children remember that there was a lot of fun in their childhood?

Will they know that I wouldn't trade a second of my time with them for anything else in the world?

How can two little people be so darn cute all the time?

How can only four little letters sum up all that I feel for my children?

l-o-v-e.

Road trip: How long until...

....Lainey asked for a snack: 10 minutes

....Lainey asked for another snack: 15 minutes

....Mom said, "Pick a lane, honey!": (Tyler, whether or not he cares to admit this, often drifts between lanes): 43 minutes

....we saw wildlife: 47 minutes- Big Horned Sheep. Amazing. I love Colorado. At the 2nd group of Rams that we saw there were tons of photographers with ginormous cameras taking pictures of them. Dad, you would have had to fork over major mula if you played your "Whoever sees a deer gets a dollar" game in Colorado!

....we hit the snow line: 52 minutes

....our first potty break: We made it a little over 2 hours! Go Lainey! (And Mom!)

....we had to bring out the portable DVD player: right after the potty break, but Lainey only watched 1 movie!

....spilled juice: I don't remember, but it happened. A lot.

....Mom got so frustrated we almost turned back: Um. Before we left. But then I guess we wouldn't really be turning back.

....our first 'Are we there yet?': never happened! Well, maybe I said it, but that doesn't count, right?

....we got to our destination: 8 hours 5 minutes

....we were glad we came: the second we stepped out of the car!

Where did we go?

Utah.

Who did we see?

Family.

What did we do?

Lots! We went shopping at the BYU bookstore and got some Cougarwear. Then we saw Laurie and the Marching Band practice. Then we went and visited with Grandma Dora, Craig, Marvel, and Kevin & Kristen. Then we saw Betsy, Dustin and Lucy! Then (Saturday) we went to the BYU Football game against Colorado St. and saw Laurie playin in the Marching Band. Stopped off at Grandma Dora's 90th birthday party and saw Tyler's family then headed to Betsy's to have dinner with Danner, Laurie, and the Hulers.

It was a great day- great ticket price (free), great parking (free), great weather (free), great babysitter (ok, not so free, but really great), great fellow Cougs to cheer with, great family to visit with, great everything! Thanks to all the family who put up with our crazy antics and fed and housed and took care of us whether it be with food, tickets, parking, etc. And thanks to the illustriuous BYU football team for winning! We crammed a lot into a short day and a half, but ultimately the fast pace and craziness was so worth the trip. (Note to all our Utah friends and family we didn't see: We wanted to, really bad. Sorry we didn't have time. We'll catch you (or try to) next time we're in your neck of the woods! Too little time, too many people to see! We love you all!)

Our Road Trip in Pictures