The Most Wonderful Time

It's beginning to look a lot like a tiny Christmas.

And we love it.

Have you started the Christmas movie nights yet?

Little Women is first on my list. Then I need to track down While You Were Sleeping.

With Elf before, after, and in between, probably.

Tis' the season!

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is great.

Everyone focuses on how much they have to be grateful for,

and eats a lot of food. What's not to love?

This was my first Indiana Thanksgiving,

and we had so much fun in Evansville.

We rode Michael's horses a couple times, 

did you remember he's a cowboy?

His family has some land close to his house,

where they ride horses, have bonfires, grow HUGE sweet potatoes 

(think at least four times bigger than what you're probably thinking),

and lots of other good stuff. We have such a good time there.

They have some chickens in his backyard,

much to little Jocelyn and Madeline's delight.

They got right in there with those chickens. 

I don't know how the chickens felt about it,

but the girls had a blast.

We went to a circus on Saturday - look at those elephants!

They are adorable. And huge.

The monkeys were great. Most of the stunt acts gave me extreme stress,

and I just kept wondering who all those performers' mothers are.

They should never watch the circus. 

I already dread the thought of my boys playing football...

now I see there is so much more to fear.

The trapeze act was incredible. Can you imagine growing up in that kind of lifestyle?

There were a few families in the acts that performed together.

We went to pick out a Christmas tree for Michael's parents,

it was such a cute place. They even had a machine to shake off all the dead pine needles,

before they send your tree home with you.

They said they had to "make sure the tree can dance" before they let you buy it.

And they had hot chocolate. 

Everything is better with hot (or cold, or lukewarm, or any kind of) chocolate.

The break went by way too fast,

we always love being in Evansville.

Michael's parents are so nice to us, and to everyone.

Now, we're back in Indy and back in the routine.

We did some Wii bowling to see who had to do the dishes,

to soften the blow for at least one of us.

Two points, people. Two points. Sigh.

Sticks and Sticky Buns

Here are a few of our favorite things we've made at our house lately.

First up: the infamous popsicle table.

We finally made it to the end, people.

That right there is over 700 popsicle sticks, 

coming together to make something they probably never thought they'd be.

And that's a totally fair assumption on their part.

Thanks to Michael and his dad for cutting out the tops and bottoms!
And yes, those are plural, because the plan was to make two tables.
First I just need a little bit more of a popsicle stick sabbatical, please.

Last Sunday I made something far less time consuming, and much more tasty...

Mmm. I want another round after looking at this picture!

I found a Clone of a Cinnabon recipe,

and Sunday just needed some cinnamon rolls.

I actually also found a "healthy version" of the Clone of a Cinnabon recipe.

..........Maybe next time.

And last on my little list is the thing I am most proud of making every day.

And that's making it to work on time.
Bless carpooling and the inevitable punctuality responsibility it puts on me.

Here's a little picture of our downtown commute, pre-time change. 

It felt like we drove to the city in the middle of the night, every morning.

Getting out of bed feels like the hardest part of my day,

so I try to get it over with before I do anything else.

Michael is wonderful.

In my funemployed days, I'd make him a lunch in the mornings and send him on his way.

But now that we both leave at the same time,

I kind of go with the rule that whoever finishes doing their hair first has to make lunch.

Typically (every single day), that's him. He's the best.

We love driving to work and school together,

with another grad student in our ward.

p.s. We just got home from Lincoln. Have you seen it?
It put me in a biography-reading mood.
But first, this and this for Book Club.

Proud to be an American

Another late night of watching election results,

to add to my flashbulb memories of doing just that.

Last time around, I saw Obama inaugurated from across the pond, in London.

It gave me a patriotic homesickness that I had never experienced;

homesick for my country and grateful for it, too.

Results aren't quite in yet, but it's looking pretty clear by now.

I'm not going to talk about who I voted for or why.

But I will say that tomorrow I will pray for the safety of my president,

whoever he is.

Tomorrow I will pray that everyone, leaders and citizens,

will recommit to doing all they personally can to make America better.

Tomorrow I will remember how grateful I am for my right to vote.

I will remember how lucky it felt to watch two leaders discuss their visions for America,

both of them being free to do just that. Both of them safe after disagreeing.

There are so many places where that doesn't happen.

Facebook is filled with disappointed sentiments and plans to move right now.

But me, I'm staying. I believe in America and I know I'm lucky to be here.

I pray for my leaders, whether they had my vote or not.

We can get lost in differences, but right now more than ever is a time when we 

need to focus on what we all have in common, and what we all need.

So, here's to my hopes for the next four years and beyond:

Less hate. More individual responsibility. And lots more gratitude all around.

God bless the USA. I know He's had a lot of practice.

Half of Fifty

Even though we were super happy when Lewis arrived on November 2,

Michael was a little sad about it.

If Lewis waited one more day, he would be born on his uncle's birthday!

And Michael was convinced that if this happened,

they had to name the baby after him.

Close, Michael, very close. Maybe next child.

Of course we had blueberry coffee cake in the morning!

Michael loves this stuff more than anything.

First it was doughy. Then it was burned.

He still loved it more than anything :)

(And don't mind those paint samples taped to the wall...

that is just me practicing my new DIY definition and thinking this paint project through.

Actually, do mind them. And help me choose.)

We had big plans for the birthday, which included the Indianapolis Zoo and all its glory.

Unfortunately, some clouds had big plans for the day, too,

and they dumped on us all day.

But that's ok, we'll take a rain check! Literally.

That night, we went with some friends to the Pacers vs. Kings game.

We were hoping for a Jimmer sighting...which we did get, 

but only because they put him on the jumbotron next to a picture of Paul Ryan

during the "politician look-a-like" bit.

Other than that, no playing time for our P-town hero.

We're still rooting for him.

Then, we went to the Naylors house to bust out the birthday cake!

After he blew out all the candles he said,

"Oh....I forgot to make a wish."

This made me sad for him,

but that's coming from a girl who wishes on every first star,

every 11:11, every railroad track crossing (feet up, fingers crossed),

and every yellow (sometimes red) light.

There's always next year, Michael.

And that was his happy 25!

I'm so glad this guy was born.

So, so, so very glad.

p.s. do you love our free shirts? XLs all around, everyone in the whole place!

More to Love

Being an aunt is the best.

Jaren was born just after I graduated high school,

and we were all obsessed with him.

He rarely spit up, but he did almost every time I held him.

I didn't care, he was still my favorite nephew.

Then a couple years later, little miss Lydia came!

I was living with Ali in Boston at the time,

and Lydia was born the day our church burned down.

Big day all around.

Loved her. She quickly became my favorite niece.

Then, I met Michael Daetwyler.

He told me fun stories about all his cute nieces and nephews while we were in Jerusalem.

Little did I know... 

(but maybe not so little?) 

that they would become my nieces and nephews, too!

Marriage has a lot of bonuses,

and sharing everything with someone is just fun.

Sharing family tops the list.

This week, we have a new addition to the list we love!

 Meet little Lewis Miner!

He debuted early early on November 2nd.

He beat the family record (previously held by Alison Miner) of fastest entry into mortality.

Jenny felt her first contraction at 12:20 AM, and was holding Lewis at 1:39 AM.

The nurses joked that Logan would have to catch their next kid!

Except they weren't joking at all...

I love this family. So so much.

We can't wait to meet him at Christmas time!