Glimpses of Christmas 2009

Mom and Dad relaxing amidst the Christmas madness.

Eli unwrapping DJ Hero, because we surely don't already have enough video game crap (Did I really say that??) in this house. I know, right?

Seth modeling the "cool" new jacket that he got from his grandma. Am I imagining it, or does he look way too grown up in this photo? Seth, you are nine years old. You are a baby. Seriously.

Their first picture as an engaged couple! Are they adorable, or what???





Gerald took this "action" photo just as Shulamith came through the front door and up the stairs to show me her ring. She was so surprised! Without question, this is one moment neither of us will ever forget.








So there you have it, just a few glimpses of Christmas, 2009. I don't post many pictures to this blog because I'm really bad at it. It literally took me three times as long to figure out how to post these five measly pictures than it ever takes me to write a typical blog post. Writing comes naturally; copying and pasting pictures does not. The process is just not intuitive, at least not to me. But I managed to get five pictures here, so feel free to congratulate me. And now I can leave Christmas 2009 in the past, and think about an idea for a New Year's blog post. Which is far more fun than copying and pasting pictures. :-)

Reactions

It is now 7:30 p.m. on December 25, 2009. Christmas Day. It is quiet. Luke, Isaiah, and Eli have gone back to the movie theatre to watch "Avatar." Despite its high critical acclaim, a movie in which blue creatures with tails fly around does not appeal to Shulamith or me. Seth is downstairs fully engrossed in his new Bakugan video game. Shulamith is upstairs talking to Matt on the phone. They do that a lot these days. Have long phone conversations. In between their marathon text conversations. True love. So it is quiet here on the middle level of the house. I'm taking a moment to enjoy the calm. Christmas music (which I won't get to hear for another 10 - 11 months) plays softly in the background. Life is good. Would you like to hear some reactions from this morning's festivities?

1. I awoke before any of the kids. Seriously, this is an absolute first. What can it mean? That they are growing up whether I like it or not?

2. Eli was the first of the kids to get up, so excited. He is a true Webster; I think he loves Christmas nearly as much as I do.

3. Already he (Eli) was receiving text message greetings from his friends, mostly girls. This continued throughout the morning. Each time, he'd say, "Oh, it was Andrea," or "Ah, Kourtney," or "Hey, it's Brittany." I stopped counting at 10.

4. In the oven were caramel sticky rolls, which Shulamith had left overnight to rise. And rise they did. Meine Gute! She put all 36 rolls in one bunt pan. By morning they were literally overflowing, and ultimately, they were delicious. Thank you, Shulamith, for the yummy Christmas breakfast.

5. Let the opening begin! As is tradition, we began with Seth and went through the family in order of age, one gift at a time. Three hours later, we were finished. Some favorite lines follow:

6. Isaiah, after receiving a down comforter: "Wow, great. But it would have been better this past semester when my stupid roommate kept the heat off and the window open no matter how cold it was." This roommate had other much more serious issues (kleptomania, anyone?), and fortunately, he has moved out.

7. Shulamith, EVERY time someone was about to take her picture: "Make sure you get my ring in the picture....make sure you get my ring!"

8. Gerald, every time he received an article of clothing: "That'll work."

9. Seth, even before he opened his Nintendo DSI: "I am filled with joy!"

10. Luke, after receiving a cookbook called A Man, a Can, and a Plan: "This is good. Look....just a can of tuna + some cream cheese + noodles = an amazing meal!"

11. Me, the usual comment spoken repeatedly throughout the gift-opening: "Slow down. Once it's over, it's OVER!"

And over it is. For another year. But here's the good news. Remember how much I dislike the month of January? You know....it's still cold, Christmas is over, and my big kids go back to school and work? Remember that? Well, this year January will be different. It will be glorious. The weekend of the 16th, I'll fly to Salt Lake City to help Shulamith and Matt put the finishing touches on wedding plans. Then on January 30th, Gerald and I will drive to Idaho Falls and meet Shulamith and Matt to take her through the temple. Clearly, the best January ever.

I can't say for sure that it was the best Christmas ever because there have been so many magical ones in the past, and I know the future holds so many many more, but without question it ranked up near the top. So I conclude on this Christmas night, in a quiet home (yes, Seth is still playing video games, and Shulamith is still talking to Matt) listening to Faith Hill sing "Oh Holy Night."

Love to all who read this. Lots and lots of love.

Engaged!

How good are you at keeping secrets? I want you to know that I am pretty much an expert. Or maybe I'm just a really good liar? In either case, Matt and I successfully pulled off Shulamith's engagement surprise flawlessly. Want details??

Okay.

About two weeks ago, she was in Texas attending the master's graduation of her friend and former roommate, Katie. While she was away, Matt called, and we began plotting. They were scheduled to drive to Billings this past Saturday. Matt had already ordered the ring which would be ready Friday at 5 pm; however, he told Shulamith that he didn't get it ordered soon enough to beat the Christmas rush, so sadly, it would not be ready until after the new year. Poor Shulamith was so disappointed, wanting to have it before Christmas, especially since she was coming home. Throughout the following week, he and I discussed various options as he decided exactly how he wanted to surprise her. It was SOOO hard to keep the secret; I was afraid I would slip every time I talked to her. Fortunately, I didn't, and everything went as planned.

Matt secretly picked up the ring Friday just before picking Shulamith up at her school. From there they drove up to Ogden and stayed overnight with Matt's aunt and uncle, cutting off over an hour from their drive the following morning. The weather cooperated beautifully, and they arrived in Billings Saturday mid-afternoon. We met them at the mall and wandered through every jewelery store, attempting to find a ring like Shulamith's because, as far as she knew, I would not get to see it until mid-January when I fly down for MLK weekend. I tried to act sufficiently sad that I would be the very last one to see it, and frustrated that they couldn't find one like it in any store. Ah, I surely missed my calling as an actress!

That night was the Musical Feast at Skyview, a full course dinner accompanied by music, singing, and dancing. We all attended that to watch Eli perform. It was my fourth time attending this event (Isaiah used to be in choir too), and generally, I enjoy the experience thoroughly. This time, though, it seemed to drag on FOREVER, second by second, as the excitement/tension increased between Matt and me, waiting not so patiently for it to end. When it finally did, we headed home. At this point, my awesome acting skills were in full swing. I began lamenting the fact that I had forgotten to buy syrup for Sunday breakfast the following morning. Shulamith suggested that I call Eli who was still at the high school. I went in the kitchen and pretended to call Eli and then reported that his phone went straight to voice mail. "Why don't you try Isaiah," she then suggested. Sheesh! Okay. Same story.

Finally, Matt volunteered that the two of them would go get the syrup. Shulamith was NOT enthusiastic but reluctantly agreed. Just then, her favorite Neil Diamond Christmas song came on the stereo. "I can't leave; this is my favorite song!" she said. Gerald told her we'd play it again when she got back. "Just go!"

From here, I can no longer report first hand. I know what happened next involves a swing in a park, a boy down on one knee in the snow, and a very surprised girl. I don't think she's stopped smiling since. They are so in love. It's a joy to watch.

As an aside, I should say that there are any number of ways Matt could have proposed, and in any number of locations. He could certainly have given her the ring in Salt Lake City and celebrated with all their friends. But he didn't. He waited to do it here in Billings so I could be a part of it.

And I won't ever forget that.

You Froze Through Them

This morning I was lamenting the fact that Christmas is but a week and a day away. For most, this a good thing, but well, I'm a bit of a little kid when it comes to Christmas. I want the season to last a long time. I generally get pretty sad once it's over. January is by far the toughest month of the year for me. Christmas is over. It's still cold. My big kids are gone. It's not good. And it's seriously the longest month of the year. I'm pretty sure January is twice as long as December.

So I said to Gerald this morning, "How can it be December 17th already? Wasn't it just the other day people were chastising me for playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving? What happened to the first two weeks of December?" His reply, "You froze through them."

True enough.

This is our fifth winter in Montana, so I ought to be accustomed to this weather by now, but I swear this year must be the worst. Goodness. When I left "Bethlehem" one evening last week, the temperature inside my van read -17 degrees. No, I'm not kidding! Do you see the minus sign before that number 17? For days the temperature didn't reach zero. When it's that cold, it doesn't matter how many items of clothing a person puts on, it simply hurts to be outside. Additionally, for me at least, it's impossible to ever fully warm up. All day. I'm literally cold all day. For what it's worth, it was a balmy 32 degrees this morning as I drove to school. The melted ice on top of the the snow made for slick roads, but I am not complaining. I'll take positive 32.

So I froze through the first two weeks of December which, I guess, is why I can't remember them. Now we have just over a week until the glorious day. Is that enough time to fully appreciate the beauty of the season? No, but I'll do what I can. Today is my last final exam, Luke and Isaiah are already home, and Shulamith and Matt arrive Saturday. A majority of the shopping is done, with gifts wrapped and under the tree. The house is decorated. Cards are addressed and ready to send. Once Shulamith gets home, we'll do some baking and some final shopping, especially to help Santa out with stockings.

And then, all too soon, but filled with unparalleled joy: Christmas Day!

Oh wait....and then it will be January. Okay, we won't even talk about that now.

Experience Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie;
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;

Many of us here in Billings, Montana have had the rare opportunity to visit "Bethlehem" these past two weeks. No, we did not perfect the science of time travel (as though that were possible); however, after five years, the Billings East Stake once again "built" the city right in the stake center's cultural hall and invited the Billings community to visit. Nearly 4,000 people did just that.

They were greeted by Roman guards who insisted they shout "Hail Caesar" before going forth to be counted and to pay their taxes. Tax collectors demanded shekels before the people were allowed passage into a city filled with travelers arriving from all parts of the land because of the census. Once inside Bethlehem, tour guides escorted them through the city, first visiting the well where women gather to fetch water. Next, they visited the bakery. For one shekel, they could purchase delicious freshly-baked bread. Onward through the market they progressed, stopping next at the Jewish school, where young boys are taught how to be people of the covenant (Seth, in photo above) and play a game called Dreidel, symbolizing the miracle of Hannukah.

Next, the tour traveled through the open fruit and vegetable market. Using any remaining shekels, they could purchase a fresh orange or apple. At the market, they happen upon a young couple, also in Bethlehem for the census. They are weary from their travels and in need of a place to stay, as the woman is nearly ready to deliver her baby. Along with this couple, the visitors on tour go to the inn to see if there is room available. Unfortunately, the innkeeper answers the door and reports that there is absolutely no room in the inn. It has been booked solid for two weeks. The young man begs for help for his wife, but the innkeeper tells him that already people are sleeping on the floor. He suggests they go out in the fields on the outskirts of town where perhaps they can find some sort of shelter used for animals.

The young couple goes ahead of the group in search of this shelter. After a few minutes, the tour follows, finding shepherds in the field and eventually an angel with the words:

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Ultimately, the tour continues to a manger scene, with the young couple from before; their newborn babe; shepherds; and wise men, come to worship Him.

And there they leave the City of Bethlehem and return to the present time and the extremely cold city of Billings. Hopefully, their experience in Bethlehem will warm them long after, as they go forth to celebrate the miracle that happened there so long ago.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given !
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.

Family Pictures

Family pictures. Do the words strike terror deep into your soul? They do for me. You see, I am old enough to remember a time prior to digital photography. Remember when you had to put film in your camera? Remember when you had to wait to have it developed before you could see the pictures? Yeah, this was not a good thing for someone as vain as I am. My mother once commented, "Oh vanity, thy name is Terrianne," and never has she spoken truer words. I am terribly self-critical when it comes to how I look, and here's the thing: I am just not very photogenic. Usually in pictures, I look like I'm drunk. Not that I've ever been drunk; I haven't. But I think that's how I would look, and it is not good.

I remember taking our four little kids (this was the pre-Seth era) to get family photos. So much preparation and time went in to selecting just the right outfits for everyone. Then there was the effort to make sure the kids all had sufficient sleep and that we weren't scheduled at the photo studio around nap time or meal time. We tried to think of everything! And I truly did my best too, taking care with hair and make-up. Nevertheless, more often than not, we'd go through all the hassle of getting the pictures taken and all the expense of paying for them, only to find that I looked awful. I mean totally horrific! And so I would tear up the pictures and never use them. I can't even tell you how many times this happened.

So you can imagine my excitement by the advent of digital photography. Really? I could actually see the pictures ahead of time before I decided to buy? A glorious "delete" button would allow me to banish all traces of ugliness, rather than having to wait for the pictures themselves, decide which ones (usually all of them) needed to be torn up, and then search for and destroy the negatives as well. Wow! My world suddenly improved incredibly and dramatically.

Why then does the thought of pictures still illicit terror? Hmm. Habit, I guess. It's probably a reaction to years of desiring decent family pictures, trying so hard to get them, and failing so miserably. Also, I suppose even with digital, it's not always easy to get seven people to look good simultaneously. We don't have little, little kids any more, so some of the pressure is off, but Seth still gets squirmy, and even the parents and the big kids get tired. The key now is a good photographer. I am surprisingly pleased with these latest photos, and it's all thanks to our photographer, Thad. He took meticulous care with each step of the process, and it shows. So thank you, Thad.

And thank you, technology, for once again making my life better, and in this case specifically, taking some of the terror out of family pictures.

Seth's Journal of Emotions

Two nights ago Seth was talking to me about his Journal of Emotions. It's apparently a record students in his class keep to express their emotions each day. Our conversation was as follows:

Seth: I wish Shulamith would get engaged.

Me: Why?

Seth: Because then I could write about it in my Journal of Emotions.

Me: What would you write?

Seth: I would write "I am ecstatic/excited because my sister is engaged. She is going to marry my favorite person in the whole world: Matt!!!"

Okay, Shulamith and Matt....apparently Seth is ready for something official. :-)

I know, right?

I know, right?

What a lovely expression! It encompasses so much and is applicable to so many situations. For example:

Conversation between Gerald and me:

Me: Guess what?

Gerald: What?

Me: Isaiah and I were just chatting on Facebook, and he told me he's decided to start playing the piano again just for fun. He printed out two songs today and worked on them for about an hour.

Gerald: Good.

Me: I know, right?

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Conversation between one of my students and me:

Student: Can I show you some extra credit errors I found?

Me: Absolutely!

Student (after showing me the errors): It was really fun looking for these once I got into it.

Me: I know, right?

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Conversation between Shulamith and me:

Shulamith: How was your day?

Me: Okay, but it's hard to come back to school after a holiday.

Shulamith: Me too. I'm tired, and I don't want to go to my class after school.

Me: I don't blame you one bit. Seriously, there should be no school between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Shulamith: I know, right?

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Text conversation between Matt and me:

Matt: I thought I'd tell you some of the food I've convinced Shulamith to try lately.

Me: Seriously? What?

Matt: She tried sushi, coconut shrimp...I know, right?..., eggplant, and zucchini.

Me: I am impressed! Where have you been all my life?

[Note: He still hasn't succeeded in convincing her to try any form of fruit, but I have high hopes for the future.]

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Those are only a few of the many applications of this awesome expression. I could really go on and on. Except Gerald does not understand. He doesn't get it. Until last night, every time I used this expression in a text message, he would reply, "You know what?" At that point I would simply laugh and give up. How do you explain something so perfectly obvious? Finally, last night, he insisted on an explanation. "What are you talking about when you say that? I'm totally confused." I did my best to explain, but the meaning was lost in translation.

And that is not the worst of it. He says that until I stop saying "I know, right?" (like THAT is going to happen), he'll continue to use some of the words I detest. And there are many, many. Here is a sampling of these exceedingly bothersome words:

bicycle, supermarket, hubby, nibble, drowsy, tend (when you mean care for children; it's okay with sheep), hamper, supper, brrrr (to express cold), and ALL those words that begin with the letter "P" and deal with bathroom issues, the very worst being "potty." Ick... I can barely stand to write it here. And then of course there's the one that is so awful, I refuse to write it here and tarnish my lovely blog, but I can tell you the proper replacement for it: bath tissue. Whew! There are more. Lots more. I'm growing exasperated just thinking about them.

So if you are sympathizing with me right now, wondering why people can't just be normal and use good words instead of stupid words, my reply to you is

I know, right?