Christmas Confessions; part I

We're all gathered in the choir room at church getting last minute instructions before the first of 5 Christmas Eve Services begins. Everyone is quiet in an effort to hear what's being said.

One of the musicians/vocalists walks up to me holding a piece of black gaff tape and whispers, "Will you tape my pack?"

(For those of you who don't know what that means - we were wearing in-ear monitors and they had battery packs that clip to your pants, go in your pocket, etc. Often times the pack comes loose and you need to tape it down so it won't fall off).

I feel a little uncomfortable about it... He's young, single, super good-looking - and I'm old, happily married and not used to doing something like this.

But the look on his face tells me that he doesn't think it's a big deal. So, I agree and take the tape from him. He turns his back to me.

I grab the bottom of his shirt and lift it up to find the battery pack.

He reacts with great shock - arching his back and trying to jump away from me.

I'm confused.

He turns and looks at me and whisper-shouts "Noooooo! Tape my pack!"

I'm thinking, uh, yeah. That's what I'm trying to do. I look at him, shake my head and mouth the words - "No problem - turn around."

I can tell he's suddenly a little uncomfortable with the situation (as am I), so in order to get it over with as quickly as possible, I grab the bottom of shirt and yank it up - this time a little higher (I want to be sure I find the pack this time so I don't have to keep lifting his shirt up).

Once again - he reacts with great shock - recoiling from me as though I had just touched him with a piece of hot coal. He arches his back - throws his shoulders back and thrusts his hips forward like he's trying to limbo dance. He starts prancing around - clearly desperate to get away from me.

I'm thinking - "what is this guy's deal?? I'm trying to help him and here is making a scene in front of all these people - all while we're supposed to be listening to Curtis give us instructions. I mean, geez, I'm not exactly thrilled at the idea lifting up his shirt either - but if he wants his pack taped, that's what has to be done. Good grief - he asked me to do this - it's not like I'm just trying to get his shirt off."

He spins around and looks at me. His eyes are big. Mouth wide open.

He whisper-shouts "NNNNNO! What are you doing?! Tape my pack!"

At this point I'm over it and decide that he's insane. I look at him and hiss "I'm trying! I can't find it!"

His expression changes from shock and horror to total confusion.

He reaches out and grabs the tape from me and starts patting himself on the arm with it.

He whisper-shouts "I said, tape my BACK!"

As in - take the lint off.

Crap.

The color drains from my face and I start praying for death to take me.

I attempt to play it cool but I am coming up totally blank.

I simply respond with, "OOOOOOOh. You want me to tape your BACK!"

Sigh.....

When I walked into that room, I was a sweet pastor's wife.

When I walked out, I was Potiphar's wife.

(click here if you don't know about Potiphar's wife - she's a homewrecker in the Bible).

O Christmas Tree - Take 2

We're doing two Christmases this year; one on the 25th and one on the 2nd. So we need our tree to last through the 2nd.

It didn't.

We had decided that we would keep the dead/crispy/brown tree through Christmas day and go grab one the day after Christmas (hopefully for cheap or close to it) for our second celebration.

Kurt ran to Home Depot (where we got our first tree) and asked what they would be doing with their excess trees on the day after Christmas. He explained the whole story of why we need it to last, etc.

The manager told Kurt to bring the dead tree back today - and they would give us any tree on the lot for FREE. Hello!

So we took everything off the old tree, said our good-byes and brought home a beautiful, GREEN Noble fir.

Yay...

Blabbermouth

Kurt and Hope were cleaning the kitchen together.

Hope surveyed the scene and declared that there was simply not enough room in the dishwasher for all the dirty dishes.

Kurt's response was, "Well, we can wash the ones that won't fit."

Hope came back with, "No, let's do what Mom does."

Kurt was intrigued and asked, "What does Mom do?"

She replied with a shrug and a slight roll of her eyes, "She just crams everything in the oven."

Really? Christmas Cheer? Yeah.... Not feelin' it.

Not feeling the whole Christmassy, happy thing right now.

So I decided to focus on something that always makes me happy. My kids.

This Monday Hope and I are going to Disneyland, just the two of us. I'm very excited about it.

So as I'm sitting here fighting tears and trying to find the joy that I seemd to have misplaced - I started looking at old pictures - and found a bunch of me and Hope together.

Every one of them made me smile. Every one of them brought back a good memory.

So I'm posting them.

They probably won't do much for you, but that's okay.

They're doing a lot for me...

Hope, 4 months old

Hope, 8 months old

Hope, 14 months old

Hope, 2 years old

Hope, 3 years old

Hope, 4 years old

Hope, 5 years old

Hope, 6 years

Hope, 7 years old

Kurt.

Everything is so.... wow!

This is the look on Jack's face 97% of the time...

Everything is exciting to him.

Everything is worth talking and talking and talking about.

Everything gets a "WOW!" from him.

Everything is so new to him...

He makes so many old and mundane things new to me too.

And I'm thankful for that...

Santa's not feelin' the love...

Our kids have issues with Santa (Hope finally let go of her fear in 2005).

Have a look...

Jack, 2008
















Jack, 2007














Hope, 2004
















Hope, 2003





















Hope, 2002

Tip of the day; Part IV

If you come across an old diaper bag and it has a bad smell - just throw it away.

It's best if you don't try and clean it out. And you should avoid putting your hand in the bag without looking....

Yeah... it's definitely best if you just throw the bag away.

Tip of the day; Part III

To my gentelmen readers - hang on to this advice. It may save your life someday; or at the very least it will spare you from a really bad fight that she never totally lets go of.

Just ask my husband.

Okay, now for the Tip of the Day.

When your wife (who is 8 months pregnant) asks you for a foot-rub, it's best to just smile and do it.

You want to avoid saying something like:

(spoken with a big sigh and eyes rolling)

"Can't I just run out and get you an ice cream sandwhich instead?"

Yeah... it's definitely best to just smile and rub her feet.

Tip of the Day; Part II

If you're in the car with your boss, and he backs into a parked car, stay absolutely silent.

Avoid giggling (even a tiny little one).

You should also avoid saying things like, "You know, you should get help for that spacial awareness deficiency of yours." or,

"Hmmmm, ya know, your proximity alarm was going off, it's a shame you didn't listen to it." or,

"Hey, let me know when you're leaving tonight so I can be sure to go out and move my car first."

Yeah... it's definitely best if you just stay absolutely silent.

Tip of the day; Part I

Two year olds don't need maracas.

You should avoid equipping them with maracas at all cost (especially when you have a splitting headache).

Two year olds are loud.

Maracas make them louder.

Yeah... Two year olds definitely don't need maracas.

I think it's perfectly normal; Part XIII

I love to walk down Main street (at Disneyland) when everyone is lined up for the parade and wave to them like I'm walking the red carpet.

And I don't do the whole celebrity wave either. You know, the whole elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist, wrist thing.

No, no.

You have to get a happy, dreamy, far-off expression on your face, make sure that you're lit nicely (lighting that gives off a soft filter sort of look is preferred; it helps to look at the lights - not directly into them, but just off to the right or left of them), stick your arm straight up and out (like a 45 degree angle) and move your hand from left to right.

And then count how many people wave back.

You know you've fooled them into thinking you're something of a big deal when they lean over to their friends, say something very excitedly, point at you and then wave back with expressions of great awe on their faces.

Hey, don't knock it.

It's entertaining and it's free (Well, it's only free at Disney if you have a Disney pass - but this can be done at ANY parade).

I think it's perfectly normal; Part XII

I swallow chewing gum.

And please, it does not take 7 years to digest (click here for more info)

Please try back during normal, business hours.

So lately I've been struggling with some stuff and have felt pretty much on my own spiritually.

I'm somewhat embarassed to say that it's not an uncommon struggle for me. But, on the upside, at least I'm still willing to struggle with it and I haven't given up completely.

I was looking through some old files on my computer last night, and I found this song setup that I did 3 years ago. It was a good reminder for me and I thought I'd share it.

I hope these type of posts don't come across as preachy - that isn't my intent. I just want to share my struggles and hope that they serve as encouragement for someone. So many of you have shared your struggles/victories with me and I have come away encouraged and uplifted. I hope that I can do the same for you.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness – 2005
Hope loves to look at Christmas lights. When she was little there was one house in our neighborhood that had one of those lighted Nativity Scenes. Every time we were out driving at night, we had to drive by it. We would turn onto our street and she would pipe up “I want to go Baby Jesus’ house and talk to Baby Jesus!” So we would always drive by, stop for a second and she would say night-night to Baby Jesus.

Well, one night we were coming home and we started down the street for Baby Jesus’ house – but when we got there, the lights weren’t on. I started to explain that maybe the people who lived there weren’t home or something but Hope interrupted with a dramatic proclamation: “Oh NO! We can’t talk to Jesus!”

Intrigued as to how she arrived at this bizarre theological conclusion, I asked her why we couldn’t talk to him.

She replied with a wail, “because Momma! He’s closed!”

There have been lots of times in my life when it felt like God was closed – like I was on my own. I’m not talking about times when I was going through something really difficult, I’m talking about just normal, everyday life. God felt different – He felt far-away. But, if I’m being totally honest with myself, I can see that the difference wasn’t with God – it was with me. I had stopped talking to Him. I wasn't spending any time with Him. I hadn't worked to keep Him in my life.

No wonder He felt so far away. I pushed Him there.

God’s faithfulness doesn’t change. He provides us with everything we need: His mercy, strength to get through today and the hope that we need to face whatever tomorrow holds. We serve a faithful God, we can always count Him and we can rest assured that He’s never closed.

An old favorite...

Came across this photo of Hope taken in December of 2004. It's always been a favorite of mine...

It's the most wonderful time of the year... Except when you're dealing with this:

Behold, the task currently topping Kurt's "To Do" list.

Does anyone want to tell him for me?

Um, seriously? Is that really necessary?

Why is it that when children are playing with toys that are clothed (dolls, stuffed animals, Mr. Potato Head, etc), the first thing they do is strip the toy down?

Seriously, what is that about?

Wire hangers don't bother me a bit.

So Monday was a tough day at our house.

Jack was in rare form. He got in big trouble twice. The first time he was using a toy to attempt to destroy the house. The second time he was using a different toy to torment his sister.

Both times he was given multiple warnings and ignored them. So, both toys ended up in the trash.

It was bad. He cried, screamed raged and rifled through the trash to retrieve his precious weapons of chaos and destruction. Hope wasn't much help.... She was in tears because her brother was sad. She wanted him to get another chance. But he didn't get one (he'd already had several).

The toys are gone forever.

Several times I questioned my judgement, but it was too late at that point - I had to follow through.

Fast forward to Tuesday.

Jack hurt his hand at daycare. Nothing serious - but very painful (his finger nail will probably fall off...). Then Kurt took him to the doctor to be screened for diabetes (he'd been displaying some troubling symptoms). That screening involved getting a catheter. NOT a pleasant experience for anyone let alone a two year old little boy. (Test came back negative - and he's fine).

Hope and I arrived home. I explained that Jack has had a REALLY rough day. I told her, "Hope we need to be extra nice to Jack tonight because he isn't feeling very well."

She stared at me without saying a word.

Her expression darkened and her voice cracked with emotion as she shouted, "Of course I'll be nice Mom. But I sure hope that you're gonna be nice too and not throw any more of his toys away!"

And without another word, she stormed into the house leaving me alone in the driveway feeling like the worst mom ever.

I wanted to explain to her that I didn't choose to throw those toys away - Jack made that choice when he repeatedly disobeyed. I wanted to tell her that my heart hurt when he was so sad because his toys were gone. I wanted to tell her that I had to fight to leave those toys in the trash; that everything in me was saying, just give them back and give him another chance.

I don't know if I handled any of it very well and I'm pretty sure that I am officially out of the running for Mother of the Year. I hope that someday both Hope and Jack will understand how much I love them... I hope that they'll understand that discipline is a form of love... I hope that someday I'll be better at conveying love while disciplinining my children...

I hope that somehow we all survive this process...

I think it's perfectly normal; Part XI

I play the drums while driving my car.

This Spotlight isn't big enough for the two of us... so go get me a sippy cup with tea and lemon.

Jack has a toy microphone that plays music to which he can sing along.

His song of choice? Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

He's always enjoyed singing. But now hes taken it to the next level.

Now he enjoys performing.

Note the closed eyes, the mic tilted upward. The slight raising of the hand.

Yeah. He totally owns it.

I was watching him and couldn't help it. I started singing with him.

WARNING: The fairytale stops here, people.

Jack's eyes snapped open and flashed me the dirtiest look.

He slammed the mic down on the table and said,

"This is MY song, Momma. My song."

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. He picked up the mic again.

Eyes close. Melody resumes.

I couldn't help it. I joined in again (just to see what would happen).

This time he drops the mic on the floor, turns around, walks away and says,

"I sing alone."

Sigh...

Reporting back on the Thanksgiving Day Shenanigans

Well, Thanksgiving dinner came and went without any of the following:

1. Trips to the hospital because of food poisoning

2. Uncontrollable gagging due to slimey stuffing and gelatinous gravy
3. Burns on the chest from a turkey baster explosion

4. Burnt on, caked on, stuck on Stove-Top all over the inside of the microwave because I misread the instructions and cooked it without a lid

5. Missing fingers from chopping vegetables

6. Heimlich maneuvers due to overly dry turkey

7. Salmonella due to overly moist turkey

8. Fights with Kurt over the fact that the kitchen isn't big enough for the two of us

9. Mashed potatoes that could be mistaken for wet cement

10. A dog (his parents' dog) that had to be rushed to the vet because he ate too many table scraps (because everyone was slipping him the food off their plates so they wouldn't have to eat it).

So I'd say it was a good day.

Thank you to everyone who gave me advice - everything went smoothly. The only thing that was mildly troubling was this thing here:

Kurt used this to inject the juices back into the turkey to make it more moist. Look at the size of that needle! Hello!

Anyway, when he shot it up, the injection site would swell up and move around like the belly on a pregnant woman. I half expected turkey to explode and the thing from the Alien movies to come shooting out of it. FREAKY. And a few times when Kurt would stick the needle in, the juice came shooting back out at Kurt - which could have been pretty bad if it had hit him... So he would shoot it in, and juice would come spraying out of the turkey from a a prior injection spot.

See, this is why I don't cook.

I have to say, I feel like I'm jipping you all out of some good stories. The day was wonderful - but uneventful.

The most noteworthy event took place prior to the Thanksgiving festivities. For those of you on Facebook, you already know this story. It was early in the morning so I was still in my pajamas. Kurt and I were both in the kitchen and I was trying to rinse out the sink. We have one of those faucets that pulls out like a hose.

It was stuck.

And the water was on.

So I kept pulling.

As hard as I could.

Well, it came loose and sprayed me down with blinding fury. Water everywhere. My clothes were soaked.

Did I mention I was still in my pajamas?

I dropped a few choice words.

Kurt looked at me and started shouting, "WooHOOO, spring break!"

Nice.

All in all, it was a great day. I hope you all had a great day too!!

This post is so that Laurel will have something on which to endlessly comment. Alright Laurel, I expect LOTS of comments from you.

A time for traditions...

Holidays are always full of traditions.

I've always loved the idea of traditions - but we don't have very many... I'm always looking for new ideas of stuff to do with the family. Stuff that will be meaningful and lots of fun.

One new tradition we've started is that every year, we cut 4 circular pieces (one for each of us) off of the tree trunk, stain them, put a little hole on the top, carve/burn the year on them and make them into ornaments.

So, the kids will take a physical piece of every one of their childhood Christmases with them when they go off and start families of their own.

Of course we have other little things - watching Christmas movies, getting our annual Christmas picture at Disneyland, leaving cookies for Santa...

But I'm always looking to explore some new options.

I did a little research and found some possibilities that I thought were kind of cool. Thought I'd share them.

1. Exchange gag gifts
2. Play a special card game with the whole family on Christmas Day
3. Hold dinner at someone else’s house each year, be sure to ttrade off
4. Exchange hand-made gifts

5. Put together a family photo Christmas book every year

6. Make a gingerbread house together. Let each person pick out a pack of their favorite candy to decorate the gingerbread house with
7. Make at least one new ornament per person in the family each year to place on the Christmas tree.
8. Have a special Christmas movie night

I would love to hear some of your traditions!

Sakes alive, I'm 35.

Today is my birthday.

Wheeee.....

So for my 35th birthday I thought I’d list 35 questions that I would really like answered.

These questions are not so much meant to inspire you, to wow you, or to challenge you….

They’re just meant to convey the fact that my mind is something of a frighteningly random place.

OH. One more thing – a little thing really...

I would really like 35 comments on this post for my 35th birthday.

No pressure or anything.

I’m just sayin’…. ya know…. it’d be nice.

35....

Hey it could be worse. If people ask me how old I'm turning, I tell them that I'm turning 76. That way they'll think, "wow, she looks really good!" So, I could be asking for 76 comments. But I'm not. I'm just asking for 35.

35....

Anyway! On with the questions.

1. Why do people think that swaying their arm back and forth would change the direction of a bowling ball?
2. Why is it that on a phone or calculator the number five has a little dot on it?
3. If a bald person works as a chef at a restaurant, do they have to wear a hairnet?
4. Do prison buses have emergency exits?
5. If parents say, "Never take candy from strangers" then why do we celebrate Halloween?
6. Do Chinese people get English sayings tattooed on their bodies?
7. How come lemon scented liquid soap contains real lemons, but lemon juice contains artificial flavorings?
8. If there's a speed of sound and a speed of light is there a speed of smell?
9. What do Greeks say when they don't understand something?
10. Why do people say "heads up" when you should duck?
11. Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
12. Why do superheros wear their underwear on the outside of their clothes?
13. What do people in China call their good plates?
14. How come toy hippos are always blue, or purple, when real hippos are brown?
15. Why do British people never sound British when they sing?
16. Why do we press the start button to turn off the computer?
17. If you had a three story house and were in the second floor, isn't it possible that you can be upstairs and downstairs at the same time?
18. Why are the numbers on a calculator and a phone reversed?
19. How come you can kill a deer and put it up on your wall, but it's illegal to keep one as a pet?
20. If prunes are dehydrated plums, where does prune juice come from?
21. What is another word for "thesaurus”?
22. If you try to fail and succeed, what have you done?
23. Why is the time when the traffic is slowest called rush-hour?
24. If your vacuum cleaner really sucks, is it a bad thing?
25. Why are they called stands when there made for sitting?
26. If the #2 pencil the most popular, why is it still #2?
27. Why do they announce power outages on TV?
28. Why do you press harder on the remote-control when you know the battery is dead?
29. Why are buildings called buildings when there finished? Shouldn't they be called builts?
30. Why is abbreviated such a long word?
31. Why is it that when you tell a man there are 400 billion stars he will believe you, but when you tell him there's wet paint he has to touch it?
32. Whose cruel idea was it to put a 'S' in 'lisp'?
33. Do you find it unnerving that what doctors do is called 'practice'?
34. If a turtle doesn't have a shell is it homeless or naked?
35. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

The VonGoble Family Dancers

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