SCHNEE!!!

Yes, we have had a couple of dustings this week, but Ariel woke me up this morning and urges me to hustle downstairs. And what should I find? But about an inch of snow plastering the ground, and more coming down. How lovely. She was so happy, she wanted a picture. They had a blast running thru it on the walk to the bus stop, and though it was good packing snow, we didn't make it outside to build a snowman. Maybe tomorrow. But meanwhile the roads are icy, and I am tired and going to bed. Goodnight!

I'm so proud...

aren't you? I hate filing, and I finally got (most of) it done. I have to admit, there are still a few piles to organize on my desk, but it's things that Dustan and I have to do together and decide on. It took me 3 whole days, but I got it done! These are the before and after photos:

It was two file boxes full, 2 bags full and a box. And yes, there is still a pile of papers in a suitcase in my bedroom to finish up, besides what was left on my desk. But now that I've got the bulk of it done, and the framework for the rest of it to be finished; I am so happy! (And for you observant readers, yes that is snow that you see out the window!)

Toofers Missin'

Ariel just lost another tooth. This time it was the on bottom right side. This makes 3 gaps in her smile. She is so happy! Hopefully the toothfairy won't give her any problems tonight! Wish her luck. lol

Happy 9th Anniversary

It was our 9th anniversary on Thursday. It seems strange that so much time has gone by already. But it has been a full life, exciting and memorable to say the least. We have been thru hard times and fantastic adventures, including bringing our two wonderful wiggleworms into the world, and living abroad. We have a lot to be thankful for, proud of, and even more to work on and improve, but we have hope, trust in our God, and each other to lean on, so I am thinking that the best is yet to come.

To celebrate, my in-laws graciously said they'd have the kids over for a sleepover, and we got to go out to dinner and enjoy adult time. Today we tackled Nathaniel's room, painting it Versailles blue by Valspar. Soon it will be time for football and a rest, and then we'll be joining family for dinner at the in-laws. It has been a nice time. Of course, it's always nice to be able to spend time with my Sweetie!

That Confounded ToothFairy

Ariel had been working on losing her fourth tooth ever since #3 came out. It was slowly cooperating with her, and last week she came home off the bus and showed me how far she could push it with her tongue. Gross. Within a few minutes she decided she had the nerve to try to pull it out on her own, and sure enough, she did on the first try! It bled, of course, and so tissues came to the rescue. Now she can sing the famous American Christmas diddy with her whole heart, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth". lol

As exciting as this event was for her, it was more amusing for the adults in the events that followed. She forgot to put her tooth under her pillow the first night. No toothfairy. This was confusing for her since the toothfairy came last time with no tooth (it being in her belly and all). So, she immediately put the tooth under her pillow at MawMaw's house. The only problem was that she didn't sleep there that night, as it was our first night in our new home. So, she woke up again disappointed. The look of utter shock was funny, and then dismay at the realization that she had forgotten to bring it. She thought maybe the toothfairy might have left it there, but much to her shagrin, she didn't. (The toothfairy is a girl, right? But that's questionable after watching the Santa Claus movies.)

We happened to visit MawMaw's house that day (being Sunday), as the kids had forgotten their all- important sleeping toys and it had been rough getting to sleep the night before- especially in a new house. MawMaw made the off-handed suggestion that she write a note to the toothfairy and ask for 2 dollars, as her normal rate was $1. Ariel, not understanding sarcasm much yet, took it to be a great idea, and so wrote a note to the toothfairy as follows;

"Giv me two dollrs under my pillow please tooth fairy

please

please

please."

On the back was "To the tooth fairy, From Ariel"

She stuck this note with the tooth under her pillow that night with great hopes. In the morning she checked to see what the results of her efforts might be, and again, so sad the tooth fairy was a no show. This time she thought perhaps the toothfairy didn't like what the note had to say, as Mommy did warn her the day before not to be greedy... so she took the note out and threw it away, and put the tooth back under her pillow for safe keeping. Sure enough, on the 4th night after losing her tooth, the toothfairy was good enough to show up, give her a dollar and even let her keep her tooth as a present. How do you like that? She thought that it was great, but in the end threw the tooth away, and put her dollar in the bank to save for something special.

Ariel's 2nd First Day of 1st grade

She had a great day at school and enjoyed making friends, despite the fact that we did miss the bus this morning. The bus stop is down the street and around the corner, about a 2 minute walk from our house. We were told the pickup time was 8:18, but when we got there at 8:14, no one was there, so I knocked on the door to the neighbor's house on the corner and asked about the morning details. He said that the second bus (Ariel's) comes about 8:05am. Well, that certainly is earlier than 8:18. So, we had a nice little drive to school, which worked out well in the long run, because I got to meet her teacher, Mrs. Quickel.

When she got home today she was happy to see us at the bus stop (Daddy was there too, as he took a day off of work to help at the polls). Both the kids are very happy to be at home, and whenever we go somewhere, they immediately want to go back home. Of course, it's like Christmas here, with so many toys they haven't seen for 8 months. They are loving it!