Fam Party Part 1

We had the Biddulph family Christmas party today. It was wonderful. Loud. Chaotic. But wonderful.

But regardless of that, I am on day 3 of being really down. I don't know if it is the holidays or other things going on in my life. For the first time in many years, I am ready for a big, major change. (Okay, not that having a baby and being a single mom is no a huge life change.) I mean, get away from what is uncomfortable for me here in Utah.

I am also really tired which is probably contributing to the sadness.

Off to bed I go.

The Spirit of Christmas

My latest domestic endeavor. And it is yumm-o.


This is the first year I have baked or done anything home made for Christmas. This year, I am stretching my domestic muscles and, surprisingly, it doesn't hurt as much as I thought.

For Thanksgiving, I (along with helpers) made an entire dinner from scratch. Turkey, pies, everything.

For my family this year I am doing homemade apple butter (along with the annual donation to the Christmas Box House).

But I don't do those things. At least I didn't do those things. Now, I realize that when I have someone to do them for, I REALLY like it. I think I like being a mom that can be professional when the time comes, but domestic when I want to be. Happy medium.

The balance that I have is this: Today I went to see a patient. She had a massive surgery right before Christmas. Gross, cool wounds, lots of health issues. I love it. I love taking care of people. I love being in the healthcare field. I love knowing what I know.

Then I came home and started the cooking process and turned off the "business brain". I snuggled my son to sleep. I started some laundry. I snuggled Aiden BACK to sleep. And I love this just as much. No, I love this more.

Now the house smells like apples. I love that, too!!!

I know a guy...

This morning, I received a letter from my nephew who is on an LDS mission in Brazil. He is a gem. I love him dearly. It was in response to my letter to him in November. It is Braydon and he is so good to write.

HOWEVER!! He wrote an amazing letter that included his testimony... in Portuguese. I don't know Portuguese. YIKES!!! Good thing I know a guy who does. I will have to sit down and work it out. The funny thing is, I never pictured Braydon as a super religious missionary, but in reading his letters, he is amazingly spiritual and I am SO proud of him!!

See his website at: http://www.missionsite.net/elderderu/main

More from the letter were the following lines (and anyone knowing Braydon will not be surprised):
-My spirits are high and the ship is in ship shape
-And by the way, the Zulu uprising is over... over!!
-I am in a new area where there is a McDonalds and a Pizza Hut. Closer to Christmas and I am hitting those babies up... ha ha. I'm really craving a Big Mac ha ha.

He also drew this picture...

I love it. So funny. In case you can't see it, the caption is "Elder Braydon Deru. The "Brotha Snowman".

And the following picture was included with the caption "Shouldn't I cook this first?"

Heaven in Ogden

Mom and Aiden at Ogden Lights
Uncle Chris and Aiden. Uncle Chris feels much better this time seeing lights...
Soooo..... cold....

Great sign on one of the "houses"




It is one of my favorite restaurants. Lee's Mongolian Barbecue. OH MY HEAVENS!!! I love it. Biggest dive in Ogden... best food in the world. It is in the part of town where you have to count your hubcaps before you leave - and take your mace with you.

But afterward, Aiden, Uncle Chris, and Mom went to see the Ogden lights. It was so fun. Cold, but fun. Mr. Aiden loves the lights.

Best $3 Investment Ever

For Christmas, Santa was going to bring Aiden a bath time bubble maker. However, Santa could not figure out how to wrap this gift, so it ended up in the bathtub tonight blowing bubbles all over.

It was $3 and when I bought it originally, I thought, "it is probably broken and will be dumb." Ah, the simplicity of a $3 toy - and the joy it brings.

Aiden is one of those babies that you have to work really hard to get any emotion from. So when he was looking at the bubbles in awe, that was cool for Mom to see.

He found out quickly that they don't taste all that great, though.