Two Peas in a Pod

Here are recent favorite pictures. The Bubs love to sit in the rocking chair together, and have been so cute about it lately. They giggle with each other, and you'll notice Afton resting her head on Maeryn's shoulder in one of the pictures. Sometimes I turn and catch them pressing their little foreheads together. I had heard about the special bond that twins have, but to witness it is indescribable.

Christmas Time

I have my "days". Everyone has their "days". But I seem to have had perpetual "days" the past number of days, feeling often at my wit's end. But, as always seems to be the case, life takes a turn and suddenly everything is great, wonderful. I find myself not completely losing my patience and questioning my sanity from day to day. Such is the case at present. The reason: It's Christmas time. That's the change. Thanksgiving is over, and we're on to Christmas. I love Thanksgiving, but I'll be honest and admit that I've been sneaking Christmas music when Cody's at school and singing it at the top of my lungs in the car. (The Bubs are very patient listeners, and make a wonderful audience since they can't communicate enough to tell me to be quiet.) So, with the Christmas season comes this magical thing called perspective. I find myself daydreaming a lot, entertaining Christmas wishes, if you will, and it hit me today, that all of my daydreams involve happy gatherings with family and friends. We're sitting around the Christmas tree, we're laughing and singing carols and playing games and reminiscing. And, as I danced about my kitchen this evening with two very happy little Bubs to some good ol' Ella Fitzgerald Christmas music, I looked at them and realized I was in one of those moments. We were laughing and playing and having a good time, and I nearly burst into tears right there, because it was absolutely 100% a perfect Christmas moment. And I'll tell you what, I LOVE my Bubs. I had a hard time putting them to bed tonight (that NEVER happens), because I just never wanted the moment to end.

Halloween . . . Better Late Than Never

Okay, so Halloween was a bit of a bummer this year, I'll admit. I was sick and cranky, and ended up with ONE picture. And does this ONE picture include both Bubs in their costumes? Nope. So, angry and embarrassed that poor little Afton doesn't also have a picture of her 2nd Halloween, I didn't do a post, but I'm getting over it . . . really, I am. And, seeing as how Maeryn looks so incredibly adorable as a little brown bear, I decided it was high time I swallow my pride, admit I'm not a super mom, and post her picture. So, here's the picture.

Movies

I just watched a really great movie. The synopsis is misleading, so you'll just have to take my word for it. It was recommended to me, so Cody and I gave it a chance and were not disappointed. It's called Lars and the Real Girl. Speaking of great movies, if you haven't watched Sweet Land, it is excellent as well. As for BBC miniseries, I recently finished Bleak House (based on Charles Dickens' book of the same title) and thoroughly enjoyed it. And, if you haven't already heard me rave about Cranford and North and South (both based on Elizabeth Gaskell's works), here's a plug for those too. I love hearing about good movies, so I thought I'd share.

It Makes Me Happy

What makes me happy? Pandora. What's Pandora? A free online radio station that allows you to customize radio stations to fit your mood. For example, I am currently listening to my Natalie Cole station. I am hearing songs by Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, etc. It makes me so happy. I can listen to a variety of music without having to buy all of it, and it's commercial free. It's great when I want music to write to as well. Fabulous for that, in fact. And like tonight, a Friday night, when I need to relax and unwind, there it is. Ah . . . Pandora. So wonderful. Check it out! www.pandora.com