Journal your Christmas, Day 12

How many of you have wonderful childhood memories of your Christmas past? I know I have many and have shared them with you today. Journaling: I have many fond memories of my childhood Christmases. On Christmas Eve we
would visit friends of my parents and then head home and prepare for Santa’s
arrival. We would receive new pj’s and go off to bed in anticipation of the next
morning.

Christmas morning we would awake early full of excitement. We always began
with our stocking and then our gifts from Santa. Mom would prepare a big
breakfast and we would head off to church.

Lunch was always at my Grandma and Grandpa Laurens’ house. All of the cousins
would come to visit and we would play and open gifts.

Christmas dinner was always hosted by Auntie Linda and Uncle Fonce. Again, all
of the family was together for an evening of celebration.

Today Christmas is pretty much the same. Some of the people are no longer with us,
Auntie Linda and family is in Fla. and the children are now grown with their own
families, but the holiday remains the same. Time spent with family, children excited
about Santa and friends coming together to celebrate all of the blessings in their lives.

Take a few minutes today and bring back the memories of your Christmas past.

Journal your Christmas, Day 11

Real...Artifical... colored lights...white lights??? Today we were asked to journal about our Christmas tree. Here is my journaling: Growing up, we always had a real Christmas tree.
I vowed that I would never have an artificial tree.
I also used to decorate my tree to perfection. All
white lights, perfectly matched ornaments and hours
placing each decoration so my tree looked like it
belonged in a store window display.

Well after many years of cleaning up the messy pine
Needles and the tree dying three days after we put it
up, I decided to get an artificial tree. No longer are
there beautiful glass bulbs and Lenox ornaments
hanging from the branches, they have been replaced
with plastic balls and handmade ornaments that the
kids have made for us. Many ornaments are clustered
together and there are bare patches as well. This year
we even have a few sets of lights that are out, but I do
not let it bother me.

Instead, I now see a beautiful tree that is decorated by
the loving hands of six children who still see the magic
in the lights, and who’s heart is full of joy when they
see their ornaments hanging on the tree. That
certainly is much better than having a designer tree!

So, do you have a designer tree or a tree filled with love?

Hurry Santa, I am too tired to wait!!

Journal Your Christmas, Day 10

Do you enjoy wrapping?? I know I don't. Today's journaling was all about gift wrapping along with the sample of paper we will be using.

Journaling reads: I am not a procrastinator by nature, but when it comes to wrapping gifts
I am guilty.

I do love to buy beautiful gift wrap with matching ribbon. I do enjoy
putting care and creativity into each package. However, I do not like the
fact that it is torn off in a matter of seconds and most time discarded.

Most gifts I take the time and attention to detail to make the package look
beautiful. My children’s Christmas gifts, I just quickly wrap them, no ribbon,
no tag, just their name written in sharpie.

I do however, love gift bags. There are so many beautiful designs with
coordinating tissue paper and ribbon. What is wonderful about a gift bag,
is that it seems to be used again and again. It is like receiving two gifts.

Journal Your Christmas, Day 9

Today I had to write down our holiday traditions. So here they are: We always attend the light parade in Putnam, Ct. The girls shine on stage at the annual dance gala. Our annual baking day on the 23rd of December. Our Christmas Eve celebration and our gift to the giving tree at church.

What are your holiday traditions? Take a minute and write them down, or start a new tradition this year.

HO HO HO

Yesterday was the annual Bouche School of Dance, Christmas Gala. This year the monies raised will be donated to the Molly Bisch foundation. Anna and Eda danced to Frosty the Snowman, and Ingrid to Nuttin' for Christmas. They were little stars shining bright on stage. The best part of the day was a visit from Santa!

Journal your Christmas, Day 8

Every where you look, there are definitely signs of the season. It may be a light display, a pointsettia and the obvious snow. What reminds you of the holiday season? In my house it is the Santa hat. They come out with the decorating of the tree and the kids wear them every where. Of course Ryan would not be caught dead wearing one, and as a matter of fact...don't know if I would either. Have fun looking for your sign of the season!

Journal Your CHristmas, Day 7

Today's entry was quick and fun. Just a to do list. Some of you know that at times I can be on the verge of OCD, so me planning and completing my Christmas shopping shouldn't surprise you. Journaling: With a large family, it is essential that my holiday
countdown begins mid September. Once I have
recovered from school shopping it is time to focus
on getting items that are on the annual wish lists,
and preparing for the holiday season.

I always set a dollar amount per child, and try
to purchase as many items as possible and put them
on layaway. This way I pay $50 a week and the
financial burden is not so bad, and the items are
picked up and paid for by the first week of December.
Internet shopping is an absolute dream for this gal,
especially when they throw in free shipping.

Then the drawn out chore of wrapping begins! I am
normally not a procrastinator, but when it comes to
wrapping this is my least favorite chore.

On December 23, it is our annual baking day. The kids
and I bake for 12 hours that day in preparation for
Christmas Eve. Cookies, pies and cakes are just a few
of the items we bake. Then we add them to the holiday
gift baskets for our friends and family to enjoy.

When Christmas Eve arrives I cook all morning in
preparation for our guests. When they finally arrive
I am able to enjoy the fruits of my labor!

Journal Your Christmas, Day 6

Today we had to remember two different tyes of Christmas...one good, one bad. Good Christmases come every year...but there was one very bad Christmas!!

MERRY

I have been truly blessed. I can remember most of my
Christmases being perfect. The day spent with family
and friends, surrounded by the sights and sounds of
the holiday. My children delighted in the fact that
Santa was good to them, even though at times they
were naughty. On occasion a beautiful freshly fallen
snow on the ground and the peace and joy of the
season in our hearts.


There was however, one bad Christmas in 1998. The
boys and I returned from early mass on Christmas
eve to find Daddy sick with the flu. He stayed in bed,
while I entertained guests. No sooner did they leave
and Ryan got sick. I awoke the next morning
excited to open the presents only to find Christopher
sick along with Daddy and Ryan. No presents were
opened, no excitement or joy…just continuous vomiting!
I was so angry and disappointed…I ripped the ornaments
off the tree, and threw it off the balcony. I packed up
all the ornaments and had everything cleaned up by
noon. Good thing, because I then got sick and my little
5 month old Alec. Our whole family was sick with the flu
for 3 days. It was the worst Christmas ever!!

SICKMAS

Journal Your Christmas, Day 5

Today's topic, advent. As a little girl I had an advent calendar and loved opening the little doors to see the surprise inside. As an adult, the surprise is inside of me all year long.

Advent is a very special time
In the church year. It is the
Preparation and anticipation
of the birth of Jesus

In the Catholic faith we have
a wreath that has three purple
and one pink candle surrounding
a white candle that is in the center.
The purple Candles symbolize faithful
expectation, and the pink candle
joy and hope.

On the First Sunday a purple candle
is Lit. On successive Sundays, the
second purple candle is lit, and Then
the pink and lastly the Third violet.
This is meant to represent God’s eternity.

On Christmas Eve we light the center
candle, or the Christ candle to represent
our Savior’s birth.

I love this time of year, because it reminds
me of when I was a little girl filled with
such hope. Ingrid shares this same joy,
and has made her own advent wreath to
celebrate this time of wonder.

Journal Your Christmas, Day 4

Today we were asked to journal what we thought was the perfect Christmas. I decided to take one from my childhood and now as an adult. The journaling reads: As a child, my idea of the perfect Christmas
was receiving all that was on my wish list.
Toys, toys and more toys were a top priority.
This year (1973) I got my dream gift…a
Barbie Townhouse. I was so thrilled.

I loved to receive new pajamas each Christmas
Eve and loved putting them on to go to bed to
dream about Santa. I looked forward to
spending the day with my cousins and having
fun just being together.

What I did not realize was this would be the
last year that I would have a “perfect” family
to share Christmas. In the Spring my parents
would divorce and we would spend the rest of
our Christmases as two separate families.



As an adult, my perfect Christmas is being
surrounded by family and friends. Everyone
gathering at my home on Christmas Eve and
enjoying the spirit of the season. The kids
excited and hearts filled with joy. The sound
of laughter and the feeling of love.

When my guests leave, I prepare for the arrival
of Santa and then head off to midnight mass alone.
As I sit in the home of Jesus, he enters my heart
and I am at peace. I enjoy the sounds of the trio
of opera singers and listen to the true word. As
I leave the snow is falling and the night is so still.

My children awake early on Christmas morning,
and their sounds of laughter echo through my
home and I know that Christmas day has arrived.

Journal your Christmas, Day 3

I love to receive Christmas cards!! Every day during the holiday season I stalk the mailman in anticipation of finding a card in the mailbox. Most of you receive my holiday card and letter and I just thought I would share with you, the process of making it to your home.

The Lindstrom annual newsletter and photo
Christmas card is quite an undertaking. It is
a difficult task to get six children prepared
for the photo session. There is always someone
who is not happy and just will not cooperate.
have you ever tried to find one photo where
everyone looks good?? Not easy!

Not to mention the creativity of writing the
letter. It is difficult to try to fit a year into
a few short paragraphs. I keep it positive and
wonder what people think when they read
it…am I bragging, does anything bad ever
happen or worse…who cares!

The task of addressing and stamping 125 cards
Is no easy feat, and making sure they get mailed
before Christmas can make you crazy!

So why do I do it?? I do it because numerous
people have told me they look forward to
receiving my card each year and can not
wait to see how the children have grown.

I do it because my family brings me great joy
and I want to share that same joy with my
friends and family!

Enjoy this year’s card tucked inside the envelope

Journal Your Christmas, December 2

What is your ideal winter weather?? Today we were asked to journal about our perfect Christmas weather. I want to let it snow, and here is why...Growing up in New England I have been fortunate
to enjoy the beauty and delight of the winter months.

As a little girl, I absolutely loved the snow and cold. My mother would bundle me up in a snow suit and I would spend hours outside sledding, making snow angels and ice skating. Once I had my fill of the cold, I would come inside and Mom always had hot cocoa with marshmallows waiting for me.

As an adult, I love the hours before a snowfall. There is a crispness in the air and a quite calm that always seems to come before the flakes start to fall.

I love to take a walk during a snowstorm at night. The earth is so still and the snowflakes sparkle like diamonds in the moonlight. I love to hear the snow crunch under my boots as I make the first prints in the freshly fallen snow.

My ideal Christmas would be for the snow to start to fall during Midnight Mass. I would love to walk out and see God’s great beauty all around me in the stillness
of the night.

Think about it...do you wish for a white Christmas?? As I write this we are experiencing the first snow fall, and it is absolutely magical.

I Promise

I promise to journal my Christmas. Trying each day to put my thoughts and feelings down on paper for all to read.

I promise to slow down and enjoy the magic of Christmas. I want to take in the sights and sounds of the holidays through the eyes of my children.

I hope that some day others will look at this journal and know the joy and love that my family has given to me.

A little Elfin magic

Check out my 3 little elves who want to dance their way into your hearts this holiday season. Just click on the link and enjoy the show!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9634257233

OASIS

Can you imagine being stranded on a deserted island for 10 days?? I certainly can. This week's This Is Me Journal page was to list the items you would need to survive on this island. Here are my items (in no particular order), and I hope I can survive:
toothbrush & tooth paste
ipod
soap
janet evanovich/stephanie plum novel
sunscreen
lipbalm
margaritas
almonds
scrap goodies
lounge chair
camera
fresh fruit
bathing suit flip flops
My problem is that I would miss the madness after 5 days and start to go stir crazy! Think about it, what would you need on a deserted island? Happy dreams.

FULL house

Whew!!! Finally the end of a very long week. Ryan and his friend have returned to Wesleyan and Chris and the kiddies go back to school tomorrow. I have cooked and cleaned for an entire week with no break, and my house still looks like a train wreck.

I was on edge all week, and just grumpy and over whelmed. I was angry at my family at times and just wished for once to be by myself.

Then we took the annual Christmas picture and all of those feelings vanished. As I look at these photos, I am reminded how lucky I really am. I am blessed with good health, 6 gorgeous children and a home that I would have never dreamed of having. Life is good, I just have to stop and look at it through rose colored glasses!

This layout was inspired by the One Little Word Challenge that I partake in. This week the word is FULL, I think it is perfect.

Christmas is Coming!!

Hooray!! Our favorite time of the year is here. Check in daily for updates and to take a peek into Mommy's Christmas Journal. She will try to update it daily. Have fun and enjoy the holiday hustle and bustle.

I have been tagged!

Susanne aka Latharia has tagged me. Unfortunately, the only bloggers I know are the same ones that Susanne knows. So, I will play along and list the rules.

RULES: List 7 random things about me and then tag 7 others to do the same by leaving them a comment.

1. Growing up I hated children. I NEVER babysat and vowed I would never have children. My how the times have changed.

2. I was a contestant in the Miss Massachusetts pageant.

3. Yes, I drive a gas guzzling SUV, not by choice...by necessity.

4. I love to cook. My new fave chef is Paula Deene. To bad her stuff is sooo fattening.

5. I work at my optical business 12 hours a week for a vacation.

6. I am a very early riser. (4:30 am)

7. I love to sing, but am tone deaf.

FEAR this

Today's journal entry is about FEAR. I really only have a few fears, and I have had them since childhood. A shot is mynumber one fear. I gave birth naturally, because I could endure the pain of childbirth over the fear of getting a needle poked into my back (remember I have 6 children). As I get older, I do think of other things that scare me, but they have not become a fear yet!

FIRST

Well here she is...my first grader!! She is growing up so quickly, and becoming a nice young lady. She is excited to read and write and to see all of her friends again. She loves to ride her scooter and do all sorts of fancy tricks. I love her and will miss having her around during the day.

Cover

Here is the cover for my This is Me journal. Hard to believe I am 42 huh? This means you are getting older too! LOL

Secret

The bare naked truth. OK...here I am au natural! Not a common sight...not many people see me this way, but here I am. I started wearing make-up in the fifth grade. I would sneak into the girls room and apply it. I wanted to be beautiful and glamorous like the models in Seventeen magazine. Not the average girl with buck teeth. I wanted to stand out. I thought people would like me and want to be my friend if I was beautiful. Make-up does give me confidence, it does help me feel sophiscated. However, I do NOT need it to be beautiful, because the real truth is...BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP!

Play List

This challenge was your ultimate play list. I wrote down my faves, but when finished realized I forgot the BeeGees and Bonjovi. Oh well, rock on! JOURNALING: I have always had music in my life. Music can be your friend. It can cheer you up, make you feel sexy, and even help you cry. Whether it was an 8 track or cassette tape, vinyl 45 or album and now cd, I still grab my hair brush and run in front of the mirror and put on my best rock star performance! Here is just a sampling of my favorite artists that make me jam.

OLDIES: Elvis Mitch Ryder Buddy Guy Righteous Brothers MarvinGaye
Beatles

CLASSIC ROCK: Peter Frampton Doors Chicago Lynrd Skynrd Yess Styx
Kansas Boston Queen Aerosmith Eric Clapton Carole King
KISS ACDC Van Halen Stevie Ray Vaughn

Disco & Funk: Chaka Kahn Donna Summer KC & the Sunshine Band WildCherry
The Gap Band Jackson 5 Cool & the Gang Commodores
Earth Wind & Fire Luther Vandross Barry White

80s: REM Billy Idol Journey The Cure Psychadelic Furs INXS Poison U2
Prince Elvis Costello Squeeze Tears for Fears

Movie Soundtracks: Flash dance Footloose Purple Rain Saturday Night Fever
Grease Dirty Dancing Wedding Singer Caddy Shack

The daily DRIVE

Most people have NO idea what it is like to get a family of 8 into the car. It takes the kids 10 minutes to find their shoes, coat, etc. Then you hear them fight over "shotgun" and who has to sit in the way back. After we get our seat belts on someone ALWAYS has to get out to go potty and the chaos resumes. We fight over the radio; classic rock, sports talk, Radio Disney. Finally, we are driving and the bickering starts..."He hit me", "She is annoying", "who farted"...at this point I slam on the brakes and threaten to leave them on the side of the road. This madness continues until we reach our final destination. Then I thank God that I did not KILL my KIDS!

Favorite Friend of the Moment

This was a very special page challenge. I do have friends, but no one is more special than my Mom. She is my best friend and I love her dearly. JOURNALING: I have known my Best Friend, for my entire life. She is there for me in good times and bad. She celebrates all of my accomplishments and comforts me when I am in need. She loves me unconditionally, and never finds fault in my mistakes. She is a wonderful role model and the best friend a girl could ever have.

I love her with all of my heart and thank God daily for this wonderful woman. Not a day goes by that we do not call each other. I do not know what I would do without her. My Best Friend in this whole wide world is my Mom, Gerri Grzyb.

In My Honest Opinion

This journal entry was for me to give my honest opinion. I thought about this and I wanted to journal my feelings about Americans. Many days we take our freedom for granted and it makes me angry. My cousin, Major Bill Jakola is in Baghdad now flying his blackhawk helicopter. He puts his life on the line daily to protect our freedom, he and his family are true patriots and I am proud to say he is my cousin. So hear you are MHO, and that is one of the freedoms he is fighting for...I am able to speak my mind and not be thrown in jail. JOURNALING: In My Honest Opinion
I truly believe that our fore fathers would be disappointed in the country we have become. Many times it does not seem that we are the United States of America, we have become a country divided.

No longer Republicans or Democrats, conservative or liberal, we are Americans fighting each other. Pro-Life or Pro Choice, Border control or Open borders, Death penalty or Life in Prison. We can no longer have civil discussions about our differences; name calling and sometimes violence erupt. We no longer treat one another with respect and dignity.

“In God We Trust” is being removed from our courtrooms. Our founding fathers lived by this motto. Maybe if we put God back into our daily lives, the violence would stop and we would become a kinder, gentler nation.

I feel privileged to have been born an American citizen. I take pride in the American flag and I sing the national anthem with great joy. I love this country so much and exercise my right to vote. I just wish others would feel the same way.

In my honest opinion I wish more Americans felt this way. We are a great nation, and if we as Americans do not believe this…how can we expect others to believe it?

Life has been crazy.

Life at the Lindstrom house has been extremely crazy! Most of the craziness is due to our dear friend Teddy the dog. I will save my tirade for another day. Here is what has helped me keep me sanity. A journal challenge that focuses on me. This is the forward page. "This album is a glimpse of me...dawn marie laurens Lindstrom. I never imagined this would be me @ 42, but here I am! Through this album I hope you get an idea of who I am and where I am going, because some days I am not sure. I am just trying to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Here is my first entry to my this is me album. I do not have much free time, but I certainly make time for my hobies. Without them...I would go insane.

this is ME

I have just joined a very fun and creative scrapping challenge. It is called "this is me". It will be a journal filled with stuff all about me. We will get the challenges weekly and then just let our creativity take over.

This is the cover of my journal. I used this photo, because it represents me at this time in my life. Chaos is a daily requirement, so all I can do is laugh it off.

It should be lots of fun, so come follow me on my journey.

Can you believe???

That summer is coming to an end!! I am in disbelief. I have taken a "vacation" from blogging. Here are a few glimpses of what we have been doing over the past few months. The girls have been to dance and cheer camps at my Aunt Carol's 5 Star Academy. Christopher made the 10 year old All-Star team, and Alec continues to beat video games the first day he gets them. Christopher, Alec and Ingrid took golf lessons. Ryan vacationed in FLorida, then went to SanFrancisco and was inches within getting the Barry Bonds Home Run (we have video footage of him on Sports Center). He and his friend then drove to Sonoma, Malibu and LA. Big Chris graduated his Masters program and had a school free summer, and I was the taxi driver.

I am glad that we will be getting back to a more scheduled life. I bring Ryan back to Wesleyan on Monday and the the kids start school Tuesday. Hope you all had a safe and fun summer. I will keep you posted via my blog.

Check out my Slide Show!

America's Next Top Model

Yes, here she is Miss Ingrid. Sparkling blue eyes, platinum blonde hair and legs that do not stop...this is our Ingrid. Here she is pictured on "beach day". The students were allowed to wear beach attire, bring a towel and have water safety lessons from the YMCA.

Here personality is pure sunshine, and she is as sweet as honey. Traits that are much more important than beauty. She follows the mantra, "beauty is as beauty does!"

STOP!

Stop pushing me, Stop hitting me, stop farting...STOP the madness!!! My life has been so crazy that I need to take time and Stop. I need time to scrap, time to blog and time to enjoy life.

The kids got out of school today, so hopefully things will slow down and we can Stop and smell the roses.

I am using the word Stop today, because I have been challenged to create a scrapbook layout using the word Stop. So here it is...my Eda has had just enough in this photo. She had been playing outdoors all day, went to her brothers' baseball game and just wanted to sleep. The last thing she wanted was her photo taken, by the crazy mother. Well here is my creation. Please remember to take a moment and Stop to enjoy all that life has to offer.

There is no place like home.

The day has finally arrived...Ryan returns home from Wesleyan. This photo shows him going off to school, and today unfortunately, is a cold rainy day as well.

I am amazed that the school year has passed. I remember how sad and aprehensive I felt leaving my baby at college. Both he and I have grown this past year.

I have learned to cut the apron strings and let him become an adult (very hard to do). I am so very proud of the wonderful man he has become.

He has really come out of his shell and met some wonderful friends. He loved playing football and has done well in his classes. He wants to major in economics and minor in government.

So today I will get soaking wet packing and moving all of his stuff. It will be worth it, because for 3 months I will have my baby home.

Household DIVA!

As a young girl growing up, I always looked forward to watching Leave it to Beaver every morning. I was always amazed at how perfect June Cleaver always looked. She was perfectly coiffed, dressed and her house was spic and span. "No way, no way, could a woman look so good when doing her household chores!" This is just tv land, not real life.

Well today, I had to chuckle. I was all set and ready to go to work. I had 15 minutes before the sitter arrived, so I thought hmmm...I will do the vacuming now, and one less thing to do when I get home. I had a June Cleaver moment! I looked fab, my house was clean and my children were behaving just like Wally and the Beav.

So, I give June Cleaver credit. She was a woman ahead of her time. She was a busy Mom, who knew how to multi-task and looked good doing it!! You are my hero, June Cleaver.

Prima Ballerinas

On Sunday, Meme, the girls and I went to the beautiful Mechanics Hall to see the ballet, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The hall was the perfect venue to see the ballet. We were seated in the fourth row and the accoustics were perfect. The audience consisted of beautiful little princesses all dressed up in their beautiful princess attire. The show was magical. Only 90 minutes long, and before each set the narrator told the story and then the dancers took the stage. Very age appropriate and the girls were just so engrossed in the ballet. Of course they loved Snow White, but Annaka also liked the "evil queen". Meme and Mommy loved the blubirds that followed Snow White where ever she went. It was a wonderful, girly day and we had a delightful time.

It's a BEAUTIFUL day!

FINALLY!! After 10 days of raw, rainy weather...the sun has decided to come out. It is sunny and in the 60s. The kids are thrilled! It is their April vacation and they have been going stir crazy. Today was filled with baseball, swinging on the swings, playing in the sandbox and kids just being kids. Thank you Mr. Sun for shining down on us.

Published!!

Christopher received some very exciting new yesterday. Here is a portion of the letter he received:

"Congratulations! Your poem has been selected for publication in the Young American Poetry Digest. You are to be commended for your creative efforts.

We invited teachers and librarians throughout the United States to submit student's poetry that best represents young Americans' creative abilities. Maureen E. Davis from Dudley Elementary School submitted your poem which was reviewed and selected for inclusion in our 2007 poetry book. The selection panel members are all educators who selected only the best poems submitted, ones that are especially well written for the age level of the student."

Christopher's poem theme was peace. I do not have a copy at this time. I will get it from Miss Davis and post at a later date. Christopher shares this honor with his big brother Buzz. Ryan's poem, "One Dark Day", a poem about September 11th. was published in the 2002 edition of the Teacher's Selection Anthology of Poetry.

Christopher loves to write and has a very creative mind. Many times his teacher has commented, "did you write this?" We are so proud of his accomplishments!

Sleeping Beauties

Walt Disney may have Princess Aurora, but we have Princesses Annaka and Ingrid. Our two beautiful, sweet little angels. After a magical day of beautiful ball gowns and dancing with the handsome Prince, all Princesses need their beauty sleep.

Our Newest Arrival

Well here it is...our newest arrival!! The Quiet Please! blog spot of the Lindstrom family. Some of you may wonder, why Quiet Please!?? Well, with a household like ours, these words seem to come out of our mouths all of the time.

This is a place like our home, where you will laugh, cry, and experience the every day joys of a large family. I hope you will visit often and leave your comments. We hope to share with you, a small portion of the every day stuff that makes this family so special. So sit back and enjoy the madness!