Stick and the Bones

Monday, December 8, 2008

Let It Snow! by Harry Connick Jr.

It's finally starting to feel like Christmas time.

We had some blustery, blizzardy (is that even a word?) weather yesterday.

It can be a very comforting time of year. I love seeing the blanket of snow on the ground while I am warm and toasty inside. It's like it is a big white goose down comforter, full of insulation. It's a time of year that my "large SUV owning" guilt melts away. Winters in CNY can be brutal. I believe we are in the top 5 "snowiest" parts of the country.

I even like that it starts getting dark by 4:30 or 5pm. I know call me crazy...

In the summer and fall we take advantage of the longer days and our lives are full throttle for months. Wintertime is mother nature's little whisper in our ears to "slow down" a bit.

I love the hibernating feeling that comes over me.

All our favorite winter activities are just upon us. Sledding, snowmen building, snow forts and fights, snowmobiling, snowboarding, shoveling (yes, Sam likes to shovel). Since I didn't have a blog until May, here are some images of what was going at the beginning of 2008.

Beth and Tara

Eagle Bay

Sam and Tara

Eagle Bay

Still had long hair, it was before my Locks of Love cut.

McKenna and Beth

Sam snowmobiling on Fourth Lake, Eagle Bay.

Midway though our snowmen building in the backyard. Nick was still with us too.

Sam in his snow fort that Santa brought him.

Sam and Tara making snow angels.

Beth taking a bite out of her snowgirl's carrot nose.

Luke and Danielle bought Sam a snowboard for Christmas last year.

He is a natural and after a few casual lessons from Kristin A. he did great!!!

He has been driving us crazy since we came home from the beach that he wants to go snowboarding again. It's hard for him to be patient. We did get a little bit of snow a couple of weeks ago and Brian took him to a much bigger hill. He did great again and acted as if he didn't just have a 9 month sabbatical from the sport.

I will admit that winter time is a little more complicated since having kids but it's still a time that I look forward to.

Let it snow!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Believe from The Polar Express (Josh Groban)

I truly dread the day that... well you now. (Shhh!.... the whole Santa thing.)

I don't even want to say it out loud.

It's not only because the items on my bribing menu would be lessened. It's because part of their magic world will be lost and gone forever. Selfishly, I feel the magic through them and I don't want to let it go. It's a special place you can retreat to in your mind that is pure, innocent, and smothered with happiness. Sure it's a stressful time of year for many, many reasons but if you slice out the single element of Santa and try to remember how it feels to be five (or 3)...

the power of belief, faith, hope is as true as your next breath.

Watching my children grow through this special time in their lives brings that truth back to me.

To have the belief that everything has reason, even if for no reason at all.

To have the faith that goodness is just a moment away.

To have the hope that many others feel this too.

Whether you turn towards religion, humanity, yourself.... or Santa, just turn.

It's fun to believe.

I took the kids to Hafner's last night to get our Christmas tree. I don't think smiles left their faces as soon as we walked in the door. Of course Beth bee lined to the pink trees. Sam meanwhile was continuing his 3 year search for the perfect tree topper star . Brian gave me specific instructions not to go over a 7 1/2 or 8 foot tree.

I think his specific quote to me was,

"Hey Tara, take it easy on me this year."

Well, a 108 glorious inches (9 feet) later....

(Don't be messin' with a Christmas Diva and her tree.)

;)

I love this unrehearsed smile of his.

I couldn't have planned this expression if I tried.

Beth looking up at our 108" tree.

Running home for their promised hot chocolates.

P.S. Thanks Patrick for coming over and helping me get the tree off the truck and in the house.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Do They Know It's Christmas Time by Band Aid

When I told a few that I was going to post a new song everyday I had a few requests. So today's song is for my Bono loving friends. ;)

A few years ago I watched an Oprah episode that spoke about the struggles from women in war torn nations. There was an organization that was being featured called Women for Women International. Of course after the showed aired I looked them up. Since then I get regular updates from the website.

By clicking onto to their name above you are able to learn more about what they do. I have always wanted to sponsor a woman and I started thinking about it last night. So anyone interested in doing it together? The annual cost is about $360. The more people we can get to contribute the easier it would be for all of us. Along with the monetary donation, letter writing is highly encouraged for emotional support. We would be "assigned" a specific woman to form a relationship with. Just think how that would feel for her to know that there is a loving, compassionate, strong group of American women who are supporting and thinking of her. The possibilities of good are endless, not just for her, but for us as well.

Give me some feedback about this. Let me know what you think.

Now go listen to some Bono. Happy daydreaming girls! ;)

Thursday, December 4, 2008

White Christmas by The Drifters

I'll post something later... promise!

ok, ok... I didn't say how much later! I have spent my time trying to wrap up the photo client stuff for 2008, order my Christmas cards, get the family room somewhat organized so I can get a tree, ect... Brian was out of town for a bit this week doing sprinkler work. So blogging has taken somewhat of a backseat for the moment.

For the moment....