The Christmas Card

This is a semi long story, so move on to the next blog now if you don't want to hear why you didn't receive a hard copy of our Christmas card in your mail box and why the picture on this post is teeny-tiny.

Back in November, Brandon's family arranged for family pictures as a gift for his grandpa. I figured, if I'm going to the trouble of dressing my kids up and what not, I would really like to get a family picture out of it and maybe, just maybe, even have a picture to use for a Christmas card for the first time in like 3 years...

I took my own camera, cuz I don't go many places without it, and the photographer was NOT happy about it, so I didn't get any pics of our family...not a big deal, maybe I could just buy the negatives for our favorite shot and use that...$50.00. FOR ONE NEGATIVE. Not happening.

She told me I could buy my cards from her for $1.20 a piece...still pricey, but cheaper than $50! And, they could have them made up fast... So, I put in my order on December 12th, got this ^ picture from her to proof on December 14th, emailed her back the same day asking her to add "Wishing you a 'Merry Christmas' and a Happy New Year", didn't hear anything from her for days...finally I sent her an email today asking her what the status was cuz I'm leaving town tomorrow and need to pick up the cards today and to PLEASE call me. She did, and said the cards wouldn't be ready until tomorrow. I told her I wasn't going to buy them then...I'm not paying to send out a card that people aren't going to receive until after Christmas! She was ticked...had a list of excuses and blamed me for not telling her I was going out of town. She proceeded to say, "wow" several times and then hung the phone up on me.

Now that's customer service.

So, to all of you that continue to send us Christmas cards despite our lack of holiday reciprocation, I just want you to know that this year, I tried.

Lookin' back on Jemma

Jemma turns 6 today.

I am in denial.

It really doesn't seem like it's possible for her to be 6 already! Alright, I'll quit with all the sappiness.

Jemma was born the December before I graduated from Dental Hygiene school. I was due with her 1 week after I was scheduled to take my National Board Exam and Heavenly Father blessed the two of us so that she didn't come until after I had taken them...she decided to come, instead, on the following Thursday when I was supposed to give a presentation that could not be made up...so, I was there, having contractions every 7 minutes, giving my presentation on who knows what now...

She was born that evening and was the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. (Maybe I'm a little bias.)

Above: Here she is just a few minutes old...cold and unhappy about it.

One day old...just had her first bath, and DID NOT like it.

One year old...boy was she a mischief maker.

Two years old...busy and SO MUCH FUN!

Three years old.

Four years old...dressed up for the Nativity at Christmas time.

Five years old.

November 2011...one month shy of 6.
We sure do love this girl. She brings so much life and energy to our family.

We sure are glad you were sent to our home!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEMMA!

Venting

It's 10:00am. I have a "to blog" list a mile long, but it's been a rotten morning and I'm venting here, so don't read on if you don't want to hear me complain. Here are just a few things my kids have managed to fit in during the 2 hours they've been awake.

1. Jemma wet her pants

2. Gavin took scissors to the computer monitor

3. Jemma & Carter didn't clear their breakfast dishes off the table and Gavin dumped their orange juice all over himself and the floor.

4. Carter broke the soup ladle in half (how in the...?)

5. And almost every room in the house is a DISASTER even though I picked it all up before I went to bed last night.

Jemma just informed me that she & Carter have placed themselves on time-out.

Good. Maybe Gavin will go join them.

And now you know why I don't ever get a chance to blog about fun stuff anymore!

ps. I really do love my children.