kiss

The Red Flame and I innocently were caught kissing in front of the girls (Sofia mainly) who at once became obsessed and each night when Papa gets home, "requests" in her most demanding voice, "kiss on the lips! kiss on the lips!" which we of course comply.

True to form with the many stories of Disney's princesses in which a kiss automatically means marriage and happily ever after. I was not susprised as we watched a movie a few nights later, when the 2 main characters kissed that my sweets asked, Mama, they kissed! Yes Maka they did (with a smile). Mama? Yes sweets. They are married now huh?

Ahh Sofia. If only it were that simple.

Christmas Eve

The girls are now sleeping, waiting for Santa to come and hoping that they will see him...
The Red Flame and I are just relishing; relishing our first Christmas in our new home, relishing the tradition of watching (at least once) "The Christmas Story" as everyone knows it has just started the 24 hour roll of playing the movie. Love it.
The snow has stayed on the ground and I love to see everything frosted over in white.

It could be just another eve before just another day, but this one is special and we are loving every minute of it. We know all too well it will soon pass away and the calendar restarted for another year. On that note~

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Belated meeting

Sofia got a hold of her Great Grandma's picture and I thought it was appropriate that they meet since I never got to see them together. So fun to see the resemblance between the two and with moisture filled eyes was touched that Sofia was introduced to someone who meant so much to me. Two beautiful people. Two very different times.

Christmas Cards

Every year I think that I am actually going to get the Family pictures, Christmas Cards and the "year in review" out to friends and family. And...each year it seems to sneak up on me WAY to fast and I am scrambling at the last minute. ARGH! Well Josh (my cousin) was grateful enough to take our family pic in front of thier mantle and fireplace so we could at least get a pic out into the world with our cards.

Here are some of my favorites:

What's your thing?

Last night we were greeted by a small tin outside our door with a folder. It had instructions (in a small poem) that told us to open the gift, and then pass a new gift along to someone else. You were to post one of the papers (in the folder) somewhere on your door so others knew that you had already been "hit". It was so great! It really got me in the Christmas Spirit.

We may have cheated a bit by re-gifting another item, but we got out the tin and folder right away and did the knock-and-run thing. I guess we have missed out the last few years living in the apartment before moving into our home, because in the 4 years we have been in this area, this is the first we have been chosen to participate.

It was a good teaching opportunity for Sofia and although she is only 3- you better believe she gets the whole "present" thing. She did not want to give up the tin, but we talked about it and by the end she was pretty darn excited herself.
Tonight were going to deliver our own "knock-and-run" gifts to others. I cannot wait to see how the girls will re-act...

So. "What's your thing?" What do you do to make CHRISTmas more about him and less about everything else?

NOW I know...

So The Red Flame and I celebrated 4 years of marriage yesterday. Yep. I know. 4 years may not seem like alot to those of you who have been married in the double digits for some time now, but for us? Each year we consider a milestone. We did not have the typical "boy meets girl" story, we certainly did not have the typical engagement. But we made it. Were still here. The both of us. And unfortunately, for some that is not typical these days as well.

I had to work last night and so our "Happy Anniversary" was over the phone in the morning and then again while we crossed paths that night- he coming home from work to go over the mail, what was for dinner, the girls; naps? baths? feeding time? and me heading out to work again-that was it. No fancy dinner, no fancy presents, just relishing in the fact that here we are. Were still here. And we have 2 beautiful girls to show for it. And it was great.

NOW I know what my parents may have had to do to make it work when times were hard. NOW I know (or am beginning to understand) what it takes to be a parent and why not everyone is ready for it when it comes along.
NOW I know that you can have "that person" that no matter what, you know he/she will be there. Through the thick and thin, highs and lows and all the in betweens.
NOW I know why I waited as long as I did to get married. There was so much life to live and places to see which opportunity would not have been possible with kids. For me? I have No regrets.
NOW I know why I work hard, everyday, to keep the love alive. To stay true to my values and beliefs. Our girls look at us- I want them to have the example I did as a kid.

My Russian Red Flame, I know others may have been a bit iffy about me bringing you home, but I knew. And they knew the minute they met you. You balance me out. You keep patient with me. You love me. Happy Anniversary Red Flame. Thank you for asking me to marry you in Russia on New Year's with all the "kids" help. It was not typical... but neither are we.

It is done.

Day 30

I would not be being completely honest if I did not say that today, I am thankful to be done. NOT about thinking of all I have to be thankful for, but again, I just cannot muster the creative juices enough to drop a story every day on the blog. Besides the fact that the 2 jobs, 2 kids and the Red Flame keep me busy.

In all seriousness, today I am thankful for a very understanding Russian whom I claim as my husband. I had the best trip planned to take him to Vegas for our 4th wedding anniversary on Dec. 10. He has always wanted to stay at the Luxor hotel and I have never been able to find it for less than $150 bucks a night. Well I happened to check at a time when they were offering a deal. $50!! I was shocked! We could actually do this! I planned ahead, called 3 jobs to get them all off, arranged for the girls to be taken care of and I was on my way of susprising him!!! He had'nt a clue....until.
WELL. Life happened. Things started to unravel and it ended up that I told him the plans. Then things unraveled a bit more and just tonight we talked and decided that we could not justify a trip to Vegas, with things being as tight as they are. Sacrifice we did. This is one of the reasons I love him so. He was not at all mad, not at all disappointed (well maybe a little bit) and he took it in stride. I was so much more sad than he!!
There is more than one reason why I married the Red Flame...his ability to let things "roll" is one of those reasons. There will be no Viva Las Vegas for us this year. And tomorrow will still come around regardless. He reminded me of this. And it was exactly what I needed.

I am so thankful for him...again.