Owen is 3 today!

Happy Birthday Owie J. Owen celebrated his third birthday yesterday in good ol' pirate fashion.

As Owen continues to grow he continues to knock our socks off. His vocabulary is excellent, everyone comments on how much he talks. He's very active, loves sports, pirates and potty talk in true boy fashion. He's a bright boy that brings so much joy to this Friddle family. We love you so much Owen J. Hope you had a great day with your friends!

Good Bye Christmas

Our Christmas tree is down, the decorations have been put back (except the one I noticed in the kitchen...arrg now I have to get back in the attic). Our house is still a mess, but most of the toys and clothes from Christmas have been put away. Now I have to figure out how to change the blog template. I'm not doing that tonight, as it took me too long to it get it to where it's at. The blog might stay Christmas until late January or until I have more free time.

Our Christmas was delightful. We spent Christmas Eve with my mom and Chuck and his family. Christmas morning with Chad's family, the kids loved playing with their cousins. Christmas day was spent with Chad's grandma. Chad has celebrated Christmas at his grandmas house every year with the exception of maybe 2. That's amazing. His grandma "Deed" as we call her is 83 years old (I think that's what Holli said). She hosts a Christmas dinner for her sons and their families as well as all the cousins. It's quite the assentic mix, one that I've learned to appreciate. I realized this year how much it means to Chad to be part of this tradition, even if it's a long drive and you never really know what's going to happen at Grandmas.

I love Christmas because we can be with family, but what I miss when we go home is that our families don't really celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. They don't celebrate the birth of our Savior Christ Jesus. I pray that one day we can all celebrate the same way. I'm committing to praying for our families this year, that they would come to know the Lord as their Savior. I'm praying that in some way we could be a witness to them and live our love for the Lord out loud in a way that won't scare them away.

With that said, we do recognize the blessings our families bring and enjoy them completely. This holiday a fun highlight was Bowling with the cousins and grandmas and grandpas the day after Christmas. Owen and Alyssa had such a blast and we had a great time watching them. It was fun to get John and Tami out for some family fun and spend time with the girls (Taylor, Jayme and Carli).

I of course miss my sisters on Christmas and long for the day that we can be together at Christmas. So the other cousins can play together. I'm praying that Nate gets the border patrol job and stationed in Tacoma/Seattle.

We've got Snow, Yes we do!

When was the last time it snowed in December? I can't remember it being this close to Christmas with this much snow. It was fun at first, but we are worried it will prohibit us from traveling to the beach for Christmas.

We are trying to make the best of it. Even though I hate to be cold, so going out and "playing in the snow" is always a little hard for me. On Sunday December 21 our advent calendar activity said play in the snow (which we intended to have to drive to the mountains to play). I couldn't have planned it any better. There was plenty of snow outside our house to play in.

Owen played for a bit while I was at the gym, but said "I'm freezing" and went in to watch Rudolph and the Misfit toys. Alyssa stayed outside while Chad shoveled off the side walk. We tried to make a snowman but the snow had a cover of ice over it and wasn't really good for making snowmen. Alyssa was successful at a small one.

Chad has been driving to work and we managed to do a little shopping on Saturday. His 4 wheel drive has been really nice to get us around safely. We just hope we will be able to make it home on Christmas.

The true gift at Christmas

Santa's Elf has made it to Tacoma

After reading about Mark and Magical two elves that showed up at the homes of our friends, we were anxious to see if Santa would send an elf to our house. Low and behold he did. Alyssa named him Fred and he's been "watching" the kids to see if they've been naughty or nice. He leaves each night to go back to the north pole to report to Santa on their behavior. He returns in the morning in a new spot.

I was silly to think that this might be an incentive for better behavior....no, not for Owen. When he learned that the only rule that applied to the elf was not to touch it, he became determined to take a whack at Fred. Fred must know this to be the case with (almost) three year old boys and has been perched high above the room looking down on the children. The first day Fred visited Owen threw a rolled up sock at Fred and knocked him over. Alyssa was distraught because she has taken quite literally to the rule and believes that his magic power might disappear. Oh, my this has been quite the adventure at our house.

We are very much enjoying Fred and even sent his brother to my friend Melissa's house to watch over Elise and Scarett.

The top 12 highlights of this Christmas season so far include.

• Alyssa enthusiasm and excitement while she unwrapped the ornaments and display them on the couch before putting them on the tree. I love the old glass ornaments, I've collected them since I worked at the Gray Whale Gallery. I have tons. I love that Alyssa treasures them.


• Deocorating ginger bread houses with Auntie Des and Uncle Chad, Hunter and Bridger and Wendy and Chris, Camden and Aiden.
  
• Snow in December and a snow day (today) for Alyssa, mom and Owen. With the snow is the need for Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks. Thanks Chad!


• Owen has only broken 5 ornaments to date. Not so bad. Three on the first day. He isn't trying to break them...really, it just happens when he's around.
  
• Owen singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas, now bring me some figgie piggie wiggie pudding".
  
• Ironically Owen singing "You better watch out, you better not pout...he sees you when your sleeping, he knows when your awake, he knows if you been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake". I think he's like his dad when he sings, he doesn't really listen to the words.
• Shopping for a dress (which is a skirt) for Alyssa's school performance. I hope it doesn't get canceled due to the snow.


• Our advent calender. We hang 25 small bags from the mantel, each morning Alyssa and Owen open the bag that corresponds with the date. They either get a gift, a note with something we will do as a family or a note with something to do for others. It's been fun, we still need to make good on taking food to the food bank and buying a present for a child in need.
  
• Seeing the Scrooge Musical with our dear friend Harriett and her family. I'd love to make this a yearly tradition and invite a new family to go with us each year.
  
• Singing as loud as we possibly can "Born to be Wild" every time we see a blow up Santa on a motorcycles.


• Planning Owen's third birthday party in the midst of the holiday season, and trying to remember to do something nice for Chad as his birthday is on Christmas.
  
• The news that my sister Kim is having a baby.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

On a personal note

I realized that most of my blogs are about my children. I post mostly pictures because I think they are so adorable, but don't most parents. Lately, I've realized that they have consumed me, my thoughts and my actions the past few years. I know that much of my time and energy is spent on them, not to mention my money. I treasure them, see a little of me and a lot of Chad in both of them and know that they are true blessings from God. I'm so very grateful for them and thankful God has given me the opportunity to grow as a woman and mother. I know that it's Gods will that my family be my priority.

However, in doing so I've let so many things fall by the waste side. I feel in my efforts to be a good mom(which I constantly feel that I'm failing), I've stopped being a good friend. I've become so consumed with my own family and the craziness that brings I've cut myself off from people who are very dear to me. I think much of this is natural when you are new to parenthood and I don't necessarily think it's wrong. But for me I've let parenthood be an excuse to stop hanging out with people I really care about. A way to get out of doing something that might require me to socialize with grown-up or get dressed up and act like a big girl. I've let it stop me from inviting people over because our house is so crowded and never clean enough. I've let the chaos of the morning and tiredness at night distract me from spending time in the word.

I've shared with a small group of women from my church my frustrations I'm having in my personal relationship with God and in my personal friendships with other women. I'm beginning to recognize the consequences of only living for me. I feel alone and seperated from those I care about so deeply. More importantly I know I'm neglecting my relationship with God.

I hear God calling me back to a deeper relationship with him, but also calling me out of hiding to share in those relationships I once treasured. My family brings me much joy, but there is no greater joy than that of the Lord. I can say that so easily, but to believe and live it is so hard for me.

During this season of Thanksgiving I will give thanks to the Lord who has blessed me with this life and an eternal life after this one. I will give thanks for those that have loved me during this incredibily selfish time in my life. I will give thanks for my husband who even when he doesn't understand comforts me in his own way. I will give thanks for those friends who've I've lost touch with in hopes of restoring a relationship that has not been forgotten. I will give thanks for my children and thanks for the time we do spend together, but also give thanks for the time I'm able to spend apart from them.

Thanks for reading...mostly likely if your reading this, you've been on my heart!

Oh, how many people haven't read Dr. Suess

I loved the idea of this costume, but was a bit surprised during our trick or treating venture how many people didn't get the costume. Those that got it loved it...but those that didn't were quite confused. The girls had fun.

Owen spent the night terrified and hiding in the Kitchen while Chad handed out candy. The firsted masked trick or treaters were all it took. Oh well he was a cute batman...again this year.

Happy Birthday Mom

After several cuts Owen and Alyssa have made you a special birthday video.


Owen uncut version one...rated "O" for "Oh no he didn't say that did he?"

We love you mom!

Car accident

To make a long story short...I was in a car accident on Saturday. No injuries, only damage to the car.

I was suppose to be enjoying myself at a scrapbooking retreat. The retreat soon turned in it a "no good, terrible" kind of weekend, with one exception...I did get 20 plus pages completed. I was able to go to the retreat with my good friend Laura. I was able to spend time with two friends Cathy and Tammi and get to know each of them a bit better. I got some alone time and two great workouts.

But on Sunday I locked my keys in the car. So it became the "no good, rotten, terrible" kind of weekend.

Until I got home and was able to go to our church harvest carnival with my family and share a very tender time with Alyssa. When I returned and she was listening intently to me tell the story of my weekend to Chad. I said "I'm just done...just done, I'm on the verge of crying". Alyssa quietly went off into our room. When I passed by I could tell she was upset. I asked her what was wrong and she ran off crying. I went in to talk with her and by this time she was sobbing. I was worried maybe she wasn't happy with her costume or was having a melt down right before we needed to leave for the carnival. I got her to tell me what was wrong and said with much empathy (still sobbing) "I just feel so bad for you, I love you mom, I'm sad it's been such a bad time for you". She clung to me, as if she was afraid something else bad might happen to me. She said she was glad I wasn't hurt, and that she loved me so much." Since I've been home she has been near me, looking for my attention, room on my lap to cuddle and for extra kisses and hugs. It just reminded me how important my family is to me and how important I am to my family. As I'm struggling to balance my desires to be a good wife, career woman, involved mom, friend, etc I realize that my time spent with my family is what really matters.

New Orleans and some things I learned

Chad and I were fortunate enough to escape for a long weekend in New Orleans. I had to travel to NOLA for a work conference so we decided to leave early and enjoy some time to ourselves...which seems so hard to come by these days. TT and John and my mom and Chuck took kept Alyssa and Owen from Saturday until Tuesday when Chad got back.

We had a great time. While away I learned:

1. That time alone with my husband can revitalize a marriage that seemed drab and predictable prior to leaving for NOLA.

2. Hours spent on a plane is equivalent to rest.

3. I can enjoy myself without being with my kids.

4. I can enjoy my husband.

5. I still very much love my husband.

6. There is much beauty, history and devastation present in NOLA.

7. It's fun to drink hurricanes and try new foods.

8. NOLA is somewhere we'd love to go back to.

9. Bourbon street is fun the first and second time you go there, the third time is a mistake.

10. There is nothing better to coming home to your family who is so excited to see you.