The Worm

Max had his 3rd grade Christmas concert (wait, maybe I should say "Holiday" Concert, you know how political correctness is taking over every aspect of our lives) last Tuesday. All I can say, I have NEVER BEEN MORE PROUD. They sang several songs, and one of the songs was called Blitzen Boogie. Well, Max and another boy were chosen to be the reindeer who dance while the song is being sung. I know he was nervous, and I still can't believe he agreed to do it. IF you know Max at all, you know that a year ago, this is something that he would have never ever even thought about doing. I was so excited.



So they begin singing, and out comes Max and his buddy, bopping along. They've both got those goofy embarrassed grins pasted to their faces, and looked a little unsure. Then, out of no where, Max started, shall we say, "Breakin' it Down". He was doing the Saturday Night Fever Dance, and the Pulp Fiction Dance that Uma Thurman did with her fingers over her eyes. Then he started doing the "Walk like an Egyptian" thing. It was great. The crowd was loving it. I've got my camera at the ready and I'm snapping away, when all of a sudden, Max looks over at his music teacher, nods his head, and busts out the WORM. The WORM people! It was AWESOME! The crowd went CRAZY! They were all cheering and laughing. It almost brought me to tears. I was so proud. I wanted to stand up and tell everyone "that's my boy!".



I love love love that my children are individuals. That they're not afraid to be themselves. Grace has absolutely no self consciousness. She is totally her own person and isn't afraid to sing a song in the middle of the grocery store or show me a new dance she's made up. Max used to be so quiet and shy and the one on the sidelines, but he has broken out of that shell in the best way! He did the worm!

All I want for Christmas....

If someone asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I would have no answer to give. I have absolutely no idea what i want, what could possibly make me happy. I know I'm not getting anything, and that is perfectly OK with me. I want my kids to get what they want and deserve. I want my nieces and nephews to be blessed with a great Christmas too. I want to win the lottery, I want to be married to my prince charming (that's a laugh huh?). I want to live in a house with a wrap-a-round porch. I want all kinds of things that most people want but don't ever expect to get.

I complain too much, and do the woe-is me bit way too much. In truth, I'm really very blessed. I have a great family, a few really good friends who I would move heaven and earth for, and I live in a country where I don't have to worry about wars in the street, or being persecuted for showing too much skin. What's not to be happy about? (Can you tell I'm having an optimistic day? Just wait, I'm sure I'll be back to "glass half empty" thinking soon enough.)

On a side note; I got out some of the Christmas decorations last night, put up our little Charlie Brown Tree and was trying to decide where to "hang" our stockings when inspiration struck. I decided we needed a fire place. So I got out some poster size paper that I have, taped four pieces to the wall, and we painted a fire place, complete with a "wood" mantel that our stockings our now hanging from. I figure those are the things my kids might remember about Christmas. I might not be able to get them everything they want, but boy do I make it interesting. I think tonight we'll start painting decorations on our sliding glass door.

Love you all!

-Jess