The Pages: January 2010

It's already mid- January - where have all my posts gone? Oh, I know -- I haven't done any. The last two weeks have flown by...talking with Lee about her newest addition of 4 nieces and nephews to her household -- trying to keep my job from taking over my life -- trying to be a good mother to my dogs (who have been so neglected lately!) and trying to make time for fun!

Speaking of fun -- Myan and I went to Chuckie Cheese last night to celebrate Mom's birthday,

And, in doing so - since Auntie Lee is busy and can't come up on Tuesday's right now I decided that I would keep a fun Tuesday tradition going and take her to Chuckie Cheese every Tuesday night. They do have an awesome salad bar. :) (and, no, i'm not joking)

Myan learned air hockey -- and I have to say that I'm impressed with her mad skills....After $25 bucks for a salad, one drink an individual size pizza (which is = to about 1 full piece!) . . . and games -- with her tickets -- she got a sucker and some paste on ear-rings. Lovely. Next time, no pizza. The time after that? No drink. :)

But - just taking her out for the night -- letting her see and interact with other kids -- it's worth it!

Julia was at the house when we got home -- she came over to spend the evening with me and just to talk about Mom -- we shared some great laughs and some tears -- very sweet of her to come hang out with her old auntie on such an emotional day....Love that kid

the morning of christmas 09 - myan got up at 6:30 as i was saying 'santa came, santa came' and she ran out to the living room...or, wait -- i guess i was carrying her -- i was hoping that she would run out to the tree, arms raised with a smile on her face...but, no -- back to the story. i carried myan out and said 'santa came..do you see all of the presents?' no reply.

hm..maybe she didn't hear me. 'santa came...do you see all of the presents?' yes, she did, but she wasn't biting. It was so early -- julia, mitchell, lanny and i were all there, up -- waiting for her to run out and start ripping thru gifts. that moment didn't come -- however, once i found her iCarly gift to unwrap (her fav! show) i told her there were more (lie) so that she'd keep opening gifts--and she did! she got a train set some matchbox cars, books, a doll, tap shoes, clothes, more books, a cell phone (fake) candy, gloves, - everything a girl needs to get her through the holidays.

lee and eric showed up about 8 for breakfast and they brought even more gifts! splendid!!! julia and mitchell had to leave at 9 (short stay, huh??) -- but they had to get to mitchell's grandma's house for the day. so lee, eric, myan, lanny and i had breakfast and then opened more gifts -- followed by relaxing and taking pictures. it was a great christmas morning -- nothing like lee and i remember as a kid (those holidays can't be beat) but it was fun to try to start new traditions (of which i'm not sure we succeeded) but -- we tried. it was hard w/out mom being there -- to show us the ropes and bring the ever-present happiness that she brings to all occasions...but we did it, with partial smiles and partial tears. thank god we had full on white biscuits and jam to tide us over.

myan and i caught the train to chelan on christmas day around 5 p.m. we got into wenatchee at 9 pm and then spent the next 4 days on and off sick -- but i wasn't committed to work -- i was on vacation -- so it wasn't that bad -- at least i could sit around and not worry that i wasn't getting paid -- oh, wait, i wasn't -- well -- let's not think about that. we spent a little bit of time with tiffany and her family -- quickly visited uncle etha in tonasket -- saw stephanie's new house -- but spent 90% of our time hanging out at dad's in the warm living room trying to get over the colds. ahhh, christmas!