For some reason, I am not getting into the Christmas spirit yet. We have snow, we're reading Jotham's Journey and the kids are all excited--but I'm not there yet.

I am struggling with all the great deals coming into my inbox. All the awesome homeschool websites that are sending me advertisements that include free shipping and great sales are so hard to pass up.

I feel really good because I got the house clean yesterday and for the first time since before Alyssa Rose was born (she's 7 months now), I got caught up on the laundry. LOL

I had to restrain myself because it took me all day to get the table & counters clear and clean--and then Susanna(4) wanted to draw w/ markers at the table. I told her to put those markers away. But, then backed up and said, "I'm sorry, sweetie-go ahead and color-just PLEASE put them away when you're done."

She's been a human house-wrecker lately. Yesterday she told me her legs were tired of going up and down the stairs. I said, "let's be thankful you have legs-some people don't have them, you know." She stopped for a second and then said, "My legs aren't tired of the stairs anymore." LOL Lately, she's been telling me she's tired, hungry, hot or cold when I ask her to do something she doesn't want to do. I make her do it anyway, but yesterday she told me she couldn't bring her stuffed horse upstairs because she was hot AND cold. LOL

Hannah's (12) 4-H party was a lot of fun Sunday night. Everyone raved about the Italian bread we made. All the dads hung out at the table drinking coffee discussing the cost of hay, feed, gas & heating the house. You know, I even hear people discussing these things in the checkout lines at the grocery store-well, except hay & grain.
I had to bring Hannah to a meeting last night at the stable she helps out at. They started a riding team. Hannah was told the meetings would be once every 10 weeks and would cost less than her 4-H horse club. The reality is it costs $175 dollars for each 10 week block and they meet every week for group riding-on Sundays, no less. I don't think we're going to be able to swing that. I'm disappointed that she went to the first meeting & got excited, but she does understand that this might not happen for her right now. She also said that she's not sure it would be like she has in her mind because the 2 ladies running it aren't very organized. She wonders if it's just going to be like group riding lessons instead of a riding team. Well, she doesn't know unless she tries it, but that might not happen.
Sigh...I wish we could let the kids do all they want. Jonah(10) wants to join the ice hockey league, too-but that also costs an arm and a leg. Right now isn't a real good time to go without 2 limbs.
But, when we look at all that we DO have and do get to do, it's a different picture-we are very blessed.

Jonah said something very beautiful yesterday.  Susanna doesn't have her own room.  Her little bed is in my room.  The baby is in my room, too-she sleeps in the cradle next to my side.  So, we gave Susanna a very pretty little dresser to keep her treasures in by her bed.   She asked Jonah if he had any treasures that she could put in her little drawers.  He told her his treasure wouldn't fit in the drawers.  She asked him why not and he said, "because my treasures are Daddy, Mommy, Hannah, you, Alyssa & our pets.  And God, too."
Isn't that sweet??

And I didn't even coach him.  I had given Susanna some jewelry & knick knacks to put in there and then for 2 days told her I had no more treasures for her.  Sheesh. 
I think the most profound truths come out of the mouth of children.