Not Happening

Between physical therapy for my foot and all of us girls being sick I don't think I'm going to get any type of Christmas or New Years letter/card sent out.  (Sorry!) So, this will have to do:

We hope you had a great Christmas and an even better 2011. 

Hopefully by New Years!

With my foot surgery and the last minute rush of wrapping, delivering, sewing, and everything else on my "to do" list, our Christmas cards have been pushed to the back burner.  However, that doesn't mean they aren't going to get sent.  After two years of not getting cards sent out I'm determined not to fail again this year.  So, just a heads up from our family to yours...

We love you, are thinking about you, and want to wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Your card should arrive by the New Years.  But NO promises :)

The Perfect Recipe For Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
You will need to start with one cute and eager little helper who is willing to stand in as your taste tester.  It helps if they have a little apron to wear.

Then, make sure you have some stuff on hand to actually make cookies with.

It's also a must to have plenty of marshmallows on hand!

Mix the dough together and spread out some flour on your counter.  Now is a good time to get out your roller and cover it in flour as well.

Then, place your dough on the counter and roll out.

Now you can start cutting out your shapes with your cookie cutters.  Don't forget to sneak a little taste as often as you can.

Then, place your cut outs onto a cookie sheet and bake for a few minutes.  Once they are cooled off you can frost the cookies.

Then add some sprinkles to the top of your cookie. 

Once you've got you cookie decorated the way you like it's time to eat.

If you follow this recipe starting with step one you are guaranteed to have the best cookies you've ever made in your life.  I know I've never had any that have tasted so good or have been so fun to make.

Post Op Update

Well, it's been 11 days since I had my surgery and I still find myself sitting on the couch with my foot propped up.  That's how I spend a good portion of my day.  (Aubs-you have my deepest sympathy!)  However, thanks to Chad's mom and the wonderful crutches she's letting me use I have discovered a new way to get around.  Before the crutches arrived I was scooting around on my bottom with my foot rested on my opposite knee.  I actually looked a lot like Britnee does when she scoots around on her bottom.  Even though the crutches have allowed for some movement from one spot to the next, I've found that I can only go a few feet before my foot begins to throb with excruciating pain and I need to sit back down and prop it up.  I've become pretty discouraged about my lack of movement and extremely frustrated with the fact that I'm unable to be a mommy to my girls.  We've had some great help from our moms, and we couldn't have made it without their willingness to sacrifice their time, but it's hard for me to sit around and just watch.
I'm completely off my pain meds; which is a very good thing.  My foot feels great when it's resting in my lap or being propped up.  I experience a significant amount of pain any time my foot goes below knee level.  Luckily I can go see my doctor tomorrow and get an update on my recovery process.  I'm not getting my hopes up though.  I was told initially that I wouldn't be back to full function with my foot  (running, exercising, chasing after my girls, etc) for 3 months :(  Little by little I suppose. 
I want to apologize to all of you who have not received any comments from me on your blogs.  To be honest I really haven't found the time to hobble over to the computer and check up on all of you.  So, I hope you are all doing well and that you are ready for Christmas.  Thanks for all your help and prayers! 

An Early Christmas

Today I was lucky enough to open up one of my Christmas presents.  Yep, I cheated.  Actually I cheated when ended up buying the gift for myself.  But in my defense I have to say that some things are just meant to be purchased by yourself and not your husband.  I'm talking about these little beauties...

I've been wanting a pair of boots since my mission and I finally found a pair that fit right.  The price was right up my ally too!  Only twenty bucks.  I do have to give Chad a little bit of credit since he has tried in years past to find me the perfect pair of boots.  But like I said, it's been hard for me to find a good fit.  (I have such skinny legs)  I'm hoping to get a second pair (brown) for Christmas too.
So, why did I end opening these a few weeks early?  A couple of reasons: snow and bunions.  There I said it.  I have bunions.  If you don't know what those are they look a little bit like this...

I have them on both feet and have had them for most of my life.  Unlike some people who get bunions (from wearing tight shoes) I got my bunions from my dad's side of the family.  Love those good ol' genetics.  Anyway, since Chad had surgery on his wrist earlier this year our family deductible has been met which means I get to have surgery tomorrow morning on my right foot.  YIPPEE!! 
Okay I'm not that excited.  I mean, who really chooses to surgery just for the fun of it.  It's also a crummy time of the year to be doing this, but I must admit it will be nice to have them taken care of.  They have been a big source of pain and embarrassment for long enough. 

So, since I'm having foot surgery tomorrow, and since I'll bee in an orthodic foot brace for 6 weeks I decided that I was allowed to open one gift early and enjoy it for the day.  Unfortunately they've been worn and put back in their box and now I'm trading them in for a different kind of boot.

OH JOY!

Tut, tut, tut...it looks like rain.

Actually, it's a mixture of rain and snow that is quickly becoming just snow.  It's a good thing though.  Rain and snow bring needed moisture to the area.  Moisture that will be needed in the summer months.  Moisture that packs that mountains with snow for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.  Moisture that makes it okay to drink up some warm cocoa and pull out all the fluffy blankets that are in storage.Rain (and snow) are a good thing! 

Except when a mother tries to take her two small girls to the grocery store to stock up for the week.  Unfortunately, there are times when moisture creates soggy wet groceries.  Moisture that saturates a mother from head to two while she unloads the girls and takes them into the store, and then tries to load them back into the car followed by the groceries.  Moisture that ends up dripping from the heads of two tired little girls.  Moisture that makes it impossible to find a dry cart to set little baby bums into.  Moisture that turns my kitchen floor into a wet yucky mess.

Ah, good ol' moisture.