Our Blessed Christmas

Well, Christmas is over and it was a great one. I don't remember ever having a really bad Christmas though. We spent Christmas Day with Eric's huge family in Eatonville. We knew Christmas Day was going to be crazy so we decided to make Christmas Eve very low key and just the three of us. We didn't have to rush and get ready in the morning which was nice. We spent the day just getting ready for Christmas and tidying up the house. Eric had the great idea to go out to eat since there would be lots of cooking the next day. So we had an early dinner at Red Lobster before heading to the Christmas Eve service at church. When we got there we found that there wasn't any nursery. Well, it was open if parents needed to take their kids in but there wasn't anyone working in it. It was Gabe's first time in the adult service. He was actually confused and kind of disappointed because he is so used to going to the nursery. He was really good during the singing but when everyone sat down, he wanted to walk around. We were sitting in the section for parents with small kids and he knew some of the kids there from our small group. So, he thought it was play time. Eric tried playing with him in the nursery for a while but he wanted to come back in. Then he started getting squirrly again so I asked if he wanted to go to the nursery and he got all excited and said, "Yes!" So, I missed the last half. It was o.k. though. I thought it was good for him to go in and at least see what church is. He really liked the guys playing instruments and singing.
When I lived with Ruth and W.T. they had a tradition of always reading the Christmas story from Luke before opening presents Christmas Eve. Since Eric and I have been married we have also done that. We read it from one of Gabe's story books though because obviously that kept his attention better than reading from the Bible. Then we opened up Grandma's Christmas Eve presents which are always pajamas. Then, it was bedtime. It was a perfect day. I am so blessed to have my family. My whole life, this is what I have wanted and God has blessed me even more than I dreamed.

My New Friend

I just have to tell you about this interesting experience I had last week when I took my brother to his doctor's appt. at Harborview Hospital. Now Harborview is the hospital where they send people that don't have insurance. I have seen so many homeless and "not quite right" people ever since we started this ordeal. Anyway, we get to Eddie's appt. and Gabe starts fussing and wanting out of the stroller so I decided to go walk around with him while Eddie is seeing the doctor. I got some food and something to drink at this little stand they have and we go to this sitting area where you can look out the windows to occupy Gabe. When we were about to head back and man comes up to me and says he has to use the restroom and doesn't want to carry all his stuff with him. He had a briefcase, a bag, and a big drinking bottle that looked to have coffee in it. He asked if he could set his stuff at my table while he went. I said sure and he noticed I was pregnant so he asked what I was having and if it was a boy or girl and when it was due. I told him and he asked what sign she was going to be. I told him I honestly don't know. He seemed surprised and said, "Oh, do you not believe in that. Are you a Christian?" I said I was and I just didn't really know anything about that stuff. He wasn't rude just seemed really curious. He had an accent and introduced himself. His name was Marek. He said it was Polish, which made me say, "Oh, my dad's family was from Poland." He looked at Gabe and said, "What is your husband? Obviously not African American." I told him Norwegian and he asked if he was Norwegian Jew. I said no and thought what an odd question. Well, let me tell you. It was not the first odd question. This guy was not afraid to ask me anything. All of that was before he even left for the restroom. While he was gone I was like, "Should I keep talking to this guy? I've told him I'm a Christian so I don't want to seem like a snob. I want to be friendly. I'll just be careful and not tell him too much and make sure he doesn't follow me or anything." Plus, I was actually very curious about him. So, he came back and kept on asking me questions. What does my husband do? What do I have a degree in? How old am I, How old is my husband. How long have I been married. Where did I go to college. I was pretty vague with my answers. No last names, exact birthdates or the name of the town we live in or the name of the camp. When he found out I lived in California he mentioned that he lived in San Francisco in the late 60's and in his words NOT mine this is what he said. "This was before San Francisco became sleezy with all the faggots and dikes and transvestites. It was just us weird hippies." I was so shocked that he said that! Then I told him that my dad was a hippy too and we found out that they are just two years apart. Then he started asking about my mom and if my parents were together. I eventually told him that she was in prison for drugs. He asked what kind and when I told him methamphetamines, he said, "Oh so her skin is all bad and she has bad teeth huh?" I said ya and he responded, "So she wouldn't be for me then." Hmm, that's a weird thing to say. Then he asked where I live and I told him about an hour away. I am not kidding, he asked me next, "Are there any single women where you live?"
"No." I say. He looks at me funny. "All my friends are married." Ding Ding bells going off in my head now. Luckily Gabe started fussing and I said I better go.
He says, "O.k., would you like my number?"
"Uhhh, no that's alright."
I then realized that we are going to the same elevators so I go into this other area to just wait a while so he doesn't know where I am going. Luckily my brother was done and found me while I was hiding in Radiology.
Isn't that a funny story. I've never answered so many questions with the words "umm" at the beginning. I was always so taken aback though that I needed a second before I could answer. I didn't feel threatened though just amused. He wasn't that big and I figured I could take him. When I told Eric he laughed and congratulated me on getting hit on. I tried to explain to him that he wanted a single woman not me but all Eric heard was that he asked if I wanted his number. For some reason Eric didn't feel threatened or jealous. Hmmm, I wonder why.

The busiest time of the year

Whew, it's been a busy couple of weeks. Sorry for no blog. Last week we had the Rasmussen boys in town. Dave, Tim, and Rob stayed out here at the camp. Unfortunately it was because their Grandpa died but it was a very good visit. Eric got very little sleep but loved every minute of it. It was good to see them and get caught up with what is going on in their lives. We also got to meet Scott's wife and new baby girl. I noticed that all the guys (including Eric) have really seemed to grow up and calm down. Not the wild and crazy guys from college that I remember. I guess three kids each will do that to a guy.
After the Rasmussens left my brother was back for a short visit for his last doctor's appt. It was just a check up to make sure he is healing after the surgery. Everything looked good and he is back in Long Beach now. Now Gabe and I are off to Eatonville for cousin Brooke's birthday party. Eric is off to do his Christmas shopping. We are so busy but very happy. Hope you all have a blessed Christmas and enjoy being with your loved ones.

Christmas Spirit back on!

Well, we got a nice big snow last night. Totally put me back in the Christmas Spirit. That and my awesome husband working his butt off this week and getting so much done. Gabe stayed the night with Grandma and Grandpa so it was just Eric and I hunkered down while it snowed. It was so nice to just watch a movie, eat cookies out of the oven, and sleep in. The snow had melted at Eric's parents so Gabe didn't get to play in it there but luckily it was still here by the time we got back from picking him up. He thought it was pretty cool but kept saying, "Mess!" He was having fun until Eric and I started throwing snow at eachother and some hit Gabe in the face. It wasn't bad but he did NOT like that! So, we went back inside. We did make a little snowman first though that Gabe named, "Guck" (That's truck in Gabe lang.) We had a busy week painting and organizing but it was worth it. The living room and family room are totally done. We have thrown out so much stuff that I was just holding on to although I don't ever use it. The kitchen is closer to being done. The only reason it isn't is because we are waiting on other people to order cabinets and to use their tile cutting saw. Anyway, back to the snow! Here's some pics. I am so not good at taking pictures. They don't really show how beautiful it was here.