The Monster Tree

Every year when we venture out to find our perfect Christmas tree, it reminds me of the first tree we had in our house.  It was a monster tree.  And the experience that went along with it was a memorable one.  One that is relived every year.

I was eight months preggers with Miss Mallory Jayne.  Jay's brother had told him of this "new" place where we could cut down our own tree.  I was a skeptic, but of course went along.  Why not cut our own tree down??

It had snowed that night, so there was about just a little over a foot on the ground.  I had wondered if I should have worn snow pants but second guessed myself.  How was I going to get them around my HUGE belly?  I wore snow boots and a maternity coat--no mittens or hat.  So not prepared.

We went after Jay was out of work, so it was starting to get dark.  It seemed like we were driving forever.  And then we stopped in front of this house that had only one light on.  We pulled into the driveway and a man came out.  We paid our $20 bucks and he told us to drive around and go ahead and just cut a tree down. 

Easy right?!?!

We finally found "the" tree after driving, walking, driving some more, and walking again.  It was about 20 yards from our car.  Jay was hesitant to drive to it.  Afraid we would get stuck.  The tree was HUGE.  We decided to cut about 4 feet up from the ground.  When he was finished, he dragged it to the Explorer and that is when we realized it was probably TOO big for our car and even our house. 

Go head...picture this.  Me--eight months pregnant--helping Jay put this HUGE tree on the car.  It was hilarious.  We were laughing and pushing and laughing some more.  I almost peed my pants (what woman doesn't when she's pregnant).  We kept joking that this would be an unforgettable experience. 

But, this tree was perfect for us.

By the time we got it home and into the house, it almost touched our 12 foot ceiling.  We have pictures of both of us (at separate times--yeah, we didn't think to use the timer) in front of it, with big smiles on our faces.  Mallory was there in spirit and in my belly:0)

Every year, we talk about this tree and the craziness that went along with it.  At the time, I thought we were nuts and hilarious.  And to this day, I still think we are nuts and hilarious.  The only difference is that we have two kids to add to the mix. 

I feel fortunate to have more funny experiences, then stressful ones during this holiday season and all year round.  What causes this?  Maybe we both are the type of people who create these moments together.  Or maybe it is Jay.  His easygoing, humorous ways that make our situations lighthearted and a story to tell.  Whichever the case, I appreciate this about us.  And our nuts, hilarious stories that are always fun to share and revisit.

Top 11 for the WEEK:

11.  Torture.  My husband likes to torture me.  I know that sounds bad.  But it's not what your dirty minds are thinking.  He knows I can't stand waiting to open gifts and presents.  If I'm giving or receiving, it really doesn't matter.  He's been torturing me for about a month now.  Seriously he has talked about it every day.  My gift was found on the Internet.  Then bought.  Came to the office.  Was in the house.  Downstairs.  In a bin.  Now, it's WRAPPED in plain view, where I can see it.  Talk about HUGE torture.  When he left a few minutes ago, I honestly wondered if I could unwrap it and then wrap it up again.  Then I remembered how excited he was like a MONTH ago because he had found the PERFECT gift for me.  Don't worry honey.  I won't ruin it for you or me.  I'll wait.  But it will be PURE torture for me from now until December 25th (unless of course you'd like to give it to me early).

10.  Help!  Love my kids.  BUT by the end of the week I was begging for a break.  Jay offered to take them to the Dowagiac parade (which is HUGE parade) without me but I couldn't do it.  Why do mommys feel so guilty for getting away and having their own time??  If anyone has a solution to this, please share.

9. 2 Sticks of Butter.  In the baking mood once again this weekend.  YES.  I made dark-chocolate chip cookies and used the TWO sticks of butter that it asked for.  However, I did use wheat flour:o)  Jay said he noticed by the color of the cookie.  Every little bit helps, right?

8.  Family & Friends.  Visited once again by my parents this week.  Short and sweet visit which allowed Santa(s) to go shopping.  Also met up with several friends this week and weekend.  So nice to hang out together when it gets too cold for the kiddos to go outside.  Play dates are a must.  I know that both parties enjoy them.  (Sometimes I think my kids get bored with me).

7.  Toys R' Us.  Last Sunday afternoon, Jay and I decided to take the kids shopping to preview the toys.  It was a HUGE success.  Santa will be bringing exactly what Mallory asked for and Clayton will be getting something he enjoyed as well.  I loved watching their faces when they found something that they adored.  This might have to be the start of a new tradition.

6.  Irritating Elf.  If you read last week's blog, you know that we have an elf named Christinia.  Cute little thing, but she's starting to be a little irritating.  Mal gets up at the crack of dawn to see where she is and what she's doing.  A few nights this week, she woke up in the middle of the night (like 2AM!) and I had to reassure her that it was not morning.  I LOVE seeing her face when she sees her or when she's talking about her, but the early morning/nights are a drag.  The things we do for our kids.  (Jay told Mal that maybe Christinia had to go back to the North Pole to help Santa.  Her look was priceless.  She isn't.  Still here.  For now).

5.  Clayisms. 
(*)  Ummm...Clay POOPED in the bathtub this week.  It was GROSS.  He farted in the water and then stood up and dropped one.  Bathtub was obsessively cleaned before Mal got in for her time. 
(*)  He's getting sneaky.  He opened up our pantry, grabbed a sucker from our bin, and ran into the living room, and hid behind our rocking chair.  What else is he going to do?
(*)  I feel like I constantly am telling him NO.  I am really quite shocked he doesn't say the word NO because he hears it 50 times a day.

4.  Malloryisms.
(*)  Several times this week I saw Mallory showing small acts of kindness.  Totally warmed my heart.  From giving her friends a candy (before she had one) to saying Please and Thank-you.  Proud Momma here.
(*)  Calls hand sanitizer--hanitizer.  Which makes sense right??
(*)  Seems my vocabulary is wearing off on her.  Irritating and hilarious were used this week in the right context.  Yep.  She's a mini me.
(*)  She's finally "agreed" to let me work with her on school stuff.  Before, I felt like I was pulling teeth.  Now, it's okay for some reason.  Her growth still amazes me.
(*)  Speaking of growth, she's grown 3/4 of an inch in just over a month.  No wonder her 4T pants are TOO short!  My daughter will be in 5T pants! YIKES.

3.  Mall Santa Visit.  OMG.  Jay hates visiting Santa.  I could take or leave it.  But I am fond of the "experience."  So Jay sucks it up and goes along with me.  This year, it was kinda random when we went.  Wasn't planned at all.  Just woke up Saturday morning and was like "LET'S DO THIS!"  We got there a little before 10AM with our "game face on."  And to our surprise there was like three other families there.  We were IN and OUT in like 15 minutes!!!  A record for sure.  Mallory was shy, Clay hated it.  But we did our duty.  I was bummed it wasn't the same Santa that we've had for the last three years...but he was friendly.  AND Mal once again confirmed that the gift she wanted from Santa, the one she saw at the store, was the EXACT gift we bought her.  Santa knows!:o)

2.  Our Xmas Tree.  After work this week we went and bought our tree.  It is an extremely round, full tree.  We both think it's our best one yet.  Decorating it was a bit of a hassle with Sir Clayton.  But we took fun family pictures in front of it.  I love the way it smells and the glow it gives.  There's just something about having a Christmas tree in your house that makes you feel good.  Now if we could only get Clay to leave the ornaments and train alone, we'd be good to go.  HA!

1.  Shopping with the BIG man.  I had the opportunity to shop with Santa this year (AKA Jay, my hubby).  We took off around 5:30 on Thursday.  Got into Kzoo around 6:00.  And shopped 7 stores in 3 HOURS.  Not many people, and we doubled up on some of the stores (Jay was at Home Depot, while I went to Target).  Did I mention that we also grocery shopped too?!?!  We had enough time to stop and enjoy a drink and appetizers at Main St. Pub.  Have REAL conversation and a break.  It was bliss.  Now we just have to wrap:o)

That's a wrap.
Another week down.
Hope everyone enjoyed their week.
And for those of you that are teachers, only 2 weeks left!!
Good luck with this week!!

With love,
Mrs. Newell

P.S.  I'm extremely jealous of my friends and family who have SNOW.  Please send some our way.

P.P.S  Weird finding this week.  Jay's parent's birthdays are the 13th and 15th.  My parent's birthdays are the 14th and 16th.  Now isn't that strange???  I'm a big numbers person...love finding patterns or weird coincidences in dates.