Random things

- I heard a really interesting thing in church last Sunday. Have you ever wondered by so many of the Advent hymns are so minor and solemn? Think O Come, O Come Emmanuel or We Three Kings. Advent is supposed to be the season of preparing for the birth of Christ, which I knew. But apparently in the times of the early church, this season was recognized as a very somber, serious time, similar to Lent before Easter. These Advent hymns were written to reflect that attitude. I've always been slightly annoyed that church songs can be such downers during this very cheerful holiday season. But since I heard this, I think I'm going to appreciate them much more. Christmas isn't about Frosty the Snowman, after all, it's about Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. And maybe that should be taken more seriously...

- Yesterday I looked over while doing dishes to discover this -



Look at that "Whoops, Mom caught me! I didn't do it!" face. My son was standing up by the high chair and reaching up to the seat to find whatever crumbs of food Baby D dropped while he was eating and then eating them himself. Very resourceful Baby B, but really? I do feed you your own food you know!! To be fair, Baby D did the same thing later that day, except instead of eating Baby B's food, he was chewing on his foot. Yup, not kidding. He loves chewing on Baby B's socks, so I wasn't that surprised, but normally he chews on them when they are off Baby B's foot!

- I made this Panko-Crusted Salmon last night from the Barefoot Contessa's How Easy Is That? cookbook. It was super delicious and super easy, you should try it.

- We discovered very quickly this year that there is no heavenly peace to be found in Baby B's nativity scene. This is how his wonderful baby-friendly Nativity scene looks when I set it up.



The wise men with their camel, the Baby Jesus surrounded by his parents, the animals all looking on. So peaceful. So nice. So orderly.

This is what it looks like after Baby B gets his hands on it.



Ahh! I know it's designed to be messed around with by crazy babies like mine. I find it equal parts sad and hilarious to see Baby B and Baby D use Baby Jesus as a basketball with our basketball hoop, and to watch them tear the Angel off the top and throw him around as violently as possible as often as possible. (I've mostly given up putting him back up.) It's okay, someday Baby B will understand the meaning of his Nativity scene. In the meantime, we'll have to keep him away from his Gramma's Lladro Nativity scene!

- For the last year and a half, almost without any breaks, Hubby T has been working his way through several online classes. As a teacher, the only way to get a pay increase is through years of experience or getting more education. Since we can't control or speed up the former, Hubby T has been steadily working on the later. As of last night, he completed his last class and, once the paperwork goes through, he will officially have a Master's Degree plus 15 credits, which equals a slight pay increase! Way to go Hubby T. Baby B and I are grateful for all your hard work, you are an awesome husband and father:)