The Thurber Gang

I am getting baptized on my 8th birthday! Please join me for my special day. The Baptism and Confirmation of Lillian Aza Thurber. Sunday, January 4th, 2009 4:30 p.m. In the baptistry of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 16965 E Twelve Mile Road Roseville, MI 48066 On the North side of 12 mile, between Utica and Groesbeck. There will be light refreshments after the service. Any questions, please call my parents at 586-778-6743

Here's what our basement is looking like. . . Madison screamed when she saw it and asked if we needed to go to a hotel again. . . we cleaned it up the best we could and the plumber is coming in the morning. . . anyone want to scream with me????? My pretty new basement. . . sob. . .

I am just heading to bed as another Christmas Day comes to a close, and the countdown for the next one begins. . . will I be less busy next year? Hmmmm. . . I really hope that I won't be having all of the dental appointments next time around! We had an amazing day and had we timed things just a *little* bit better, it would have gone off without a hitch - but a couple hours after dinner at a friends house, child by child, we were seeing the exhaustion set in and meltdowns began. Happily, after leaving, two of the four were asleep within minutes of arriving home, and the other two were just a little behind that. It really was a wonderful day. . . Love to you all. Merry Christmas. . .

Lillian and Sydney put on a little Road Show a while back. They had fun with this Alvin & the Chipmunk's song. I thought I would wait a little closer to Christmas to post it. Sit back, relax and enjoy the Silliness!

I am *finally* beginning to feel like myself again - just in time to bust out some Christmas projects! And, I've learned that when life hands you lemons - you really *can* make lemondade!! After almost three weeks of no solid food, I'm happily fitting into my skinny jeans!! Now, don't worry - I'll be ready to fold them up and put them away as my eating gets better, but in the meantime, it's a nice reminder that things are better than they sometimes seem!!! The bad news is that I canceled my last dentist appointment. I got the reminder call, and just COULDN'T do it. I'll have to go soon, but I just need a few more days of no work being done in this poor mouth!!! Anyway, I should be back here a little more often now that I'm not so medicated and out of it! Hope you are all doing well and your own Christmas is as bright as mine!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I've spent the last week in quite the haze. Thankfully, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel as I was able to have my root canal finished yesterday. (A little update - I went last Tuesday to have an emergency root canal after my nerve had been left exposed on Monday. The endodentist was not able to complete it b/c there was too much inflammation and infection (gross, and OUCH!) I was on some hefty pain killers and antibiotics for the whole week just waiting until he could 'go back in'.) I am *so* thankful to say that I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I still can't eat solid food (unless I'm drugged. . . which I'm trying to wean myself off of them - I never take anything, so it's been quite the rude experience for my body!) so that's what I'm most excited about in the coming days. I *am* making a Thanksgiving meal tomorrow, and am hoping to partake of everything, but the mashed potatoes and gravy have always been my favorite, so I ...

I've been having some work done on my teeth. Unfortunately, it has not been at all pleasant. A lot of numbing, renumbing, drilling, digging, cutting gums, bleeding, filling, making molds, etc. Today's appointment was meant to be a little better than last - it was only 2.5 hours as compared to over 3 hours last week. I was uncomfortable, but the shock didn't set in until the freezing wore off a few hours later. I must have a nerve exposed or SOMETHING - I can't talk right, can't eat or drink (I literally JUMP when something even touches my tooth - including my tongue or saliva!) I almost cried when I tried to comfort myself by sucking on a mini egg - steering clear of that whole side of my mouth, of course, when the sugary saliva worked it's way to my tooth. There's no consolation at all!!! In all of this, however, I've had multiple people come and offer *much appreciated* assistance. . . driving my kids home tonight when I just couldn't wait ...

Madison asked me yesterday if we could start calling her by a new nickname. . . she assured me that she still loves being called 'bubba', but that she was hoping we could also use a new name. . . she said that she thought about it for a while, and that she really thinks that it fits. . . so, here it is. . . drum roll. . . Madiswim . What a cute girl. . .

Well, Milo got paid today. That's always a really good thing. . . we know we can get groceries, pay bills, etc. *OR*, we could blow the whole thing and have fun in Mexico. . . today, that's exactly what we did. Milo's entire paycheck was spent in Mexico!!! However, it's not quite as fun and fancy free as it sounds. . . we got a call tonight from our bank, wondering if we had made a large purchase. Actually, a few *very* large purchases. My first thought was 'maybe Milo's buying me a *super* awesome present for Christmas, and I almost wasn't worried (I'd give him trouble - but not overly worried). . . but then they spoke to Milo. . . More money than we even had in our bank account (thanks to our new draft protection!) was spent by someone in Mexico - drained us completely. . . You know - this is something that you hear about. . . and take steps to prevent. . . (just yesterday, Milo was explaining to the girls why we shred all of our statements and bi...

Normally, at this time of the year, I feel accosted by all of the Christmas paraphernalia that is rampant in every store I visit. I usually feel a little infringed upon that the commercialization of Christmas is what my girls see for *two* months of the year, nothing at all yet about the true meaning of our celebration. But, this year is different. . . this year, as Hallowe'en passed, I waited less than patiently for that holiday's merchandise to be put away and the Christmas wonders to be unpacked from their boxes. . . Then - to be safe, I waited just a little while longer. . . today, on the way to swimming, with *just* enough time to slip into Target, I unloaded the girls, we ran into the store and headed to the back - the seasonal section. . . I've had a little influence on these girls, so their breath was held almost as sharply as mine as we scanned the shelves. . . Madison found them first. Our hallowed Mini Eggs (Christmas Balls at this time of year). EUREKA! We ...

I have been having that 'am I feeling sick, or just run down?' feeling lately, and after a rough sleep last night, it was obvious. I am NOT feeling well. . . this morning at 5:30, I canceled running (sorry Celeste) but, I couldn't fall back asleep. So, I laid in bed feeling yucky. I finally got up after a while and watched saved episodes of Gilmore Girls. Thankfully, I've been busy lately and the DVR was getting filled with them! I've watched 3 or 4 episodes now, in between a nap or two - and now I think I'll head back for the last one that I have. . . but, I just had to share my gratitude for the silly, witty show. . . I miss it!!

While wasting a bit of time, I just figured out which Celebrity mom I'm like. . .ha. . . thought I'd share. . . You're Reese Witherspoon Plucky, positive, and fiercely protective, you are, above all else, a survivor. If your husband were to leave you for an attractive younger girl, you'd grab the nearest attractive younger guy and become instantly thinner, sexier, and more fashionable than ever before. Belying your broad comic talents, you're a remarkably private person, a defiant and devoted mom dedicated to raising your kids with the simple, down-home values your folks instilled in you. I found this quiz here: http://family.go.com/community/quizzes/which-celebrity-mom-are-you-qz/

A change has come. We'll be hearing that a lot now, I'm sure. I find myself really emotional this morning. No matter what your political beliefs, we have witnessed history. I heard that there was 'dancing in the streets' here in Detroit - people gathering by the bronze sculpture of prizefighter Joe Louis’ fist . . . living here, I'm disheartened as to how far we still need to come to be a united country - black, white, Christian or non, etc. So, here we are. Whether we (well, you) voted Democrat or Republican, Barack Obama will be our next President. I pray that change really *will* come. . . I pray that our country will unite. I pray that we can actively support what we believe in, and fight against what we don't, and at the end of the day, feel peace in knowing that God has a plan for us, whether we see it or not.

I am just wishing that I could vote tomorrow, and I'm hoping that all of you who are able to will exercise your right to vote!! It is a gift!!! These next 24 hours are sure going to be interesting. . . My girls voted in school today, and it's really funny how swayed they are by the media and their peers. . . I hope that their interest will remain as they get older, and that instead of what 'every one else thinks', they will eventually understand their own inner beliefs, and that THOSE will drown out all of the ridiculousness that elections seem to naturally bring. . . Living as a legal alien has it's benefits, but also it's drawbacks, and knowing that this is where we are paying taxes, educating our children, receiving health care, etc - I'm really finding it stifling that my voice cannot be counted. BUT, yours can!!! VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!!

We got our Christmas Pictures taken yesterday . . . and we really like them. . . and we think you will too . . . hey - you didn't think we'll show the actual pictures to you BEFORE Christmas, do you??? Enjoy the teaser, and wait patiently for just a few more weeks!!!

Tonight after finishing supper at the Thurman's all of the kids went downstairs while the adults visited in the kitchen. Madison and Lindsay came upstairs, begging for our video camera, which we didn't have with us, and they were so disappointed. They just kept going up and down the stairs, begging us to come and look at Vivien and Brayden. Thankfully, Kendall grabbed his digital camera and grabbed a few seconds of footage, because THIS is what we saw when we went downstairs. . . What do you think? Should we sign them up to be ballroom dancing partners? It's pretty good form for 3 & 4 year olds!! ha. . . Just after this, Madison, Lindsay, Lillian, Sydney and Ella organized a wedding - and Vivie and Brayden were married. . . they exchanged a plastic bracelet and sealed it with a hug. Silly kiddos. . .

We have had a LOT of Hallowe'en fun around here. . . School parties, church parties, class parties, street parties, ballet parties, skating parties, preschool parties, even a halloween swim meet! and OH MY GOODNESS - that's not even counting actual Trick or Treating. . . This Hallowe'en felt a bit like a never ending holiday, but the girls loved it. . . that's what counts. . . I have many, many, many pictures of the girls dressing up, but this was the ONLY one with just the four of them together (I guess I thought I'd have another opportunity, or maybe I figured I already took several. . .) I'll upload a few more tomorrow - but here's a teaser. . . Madison - Gypsy/Fortune Teller, Lillian - 50's girl, Ella - Ballerina/Little Black Raincloud (her ballet costume from last year's recital.) and Vivien - "Growlie" bear. While we were in Madison's classroom for her party yesterday, Vivie caught a glimpse of these frosted cookies. . . she lean...

Tamara tagged me a little while ago, but I didn't have a 4th picture in my 4th folder, so I put it off, wondering what to do?? 3rd in the 3rd?? 5th in the 5th?? The stress was palpable. Today, I reread the tag, and I realize now that it's supposed to come from my picture files, not Blog folders. . . So - with my head hanging just a little low, is the 4th from my 4th. . . November 2, 2002. Ally, Lillian, Molly and Madison at the St. Louis Zoo. Here are the rules: Go into your picture files and post the 4th picture from the 4th folder onto your blog. Then tag 4 friends. I tag . . . Christi, Tiffany, Megan and Susan.

Saturday morning was the big girls' swim meet. We had to wake up super early so that Madison, Lillian and Milo could leave by 6:30 a.m. I stayed up, getting myself ready, enjoying a cup of mint calli (my *favorite* tea!) and waiting for the babysitter who would watch Ella and Vivien & their cute friends. . . At 7:20, the two little sleepy-eyed princesses sauntered into the family room and immediately cuddled into me. After a couple of minutes trying to gain a coherent thought, Ella looked at me, puzzled, and said, "Did you stay up ALL NIGHT?" So - seeing me up, dressed and ready when they wake up is really not a common occurrence in this household! I'm more of the 'jump on mommy to wake her up' type of gal. . . Although, I've roped a friend into working out with me in the morning, starting . . . soon. . . ha. So, the girls will wake up to see me sweaty and *strong* in the future. . . ha. Wish me (a LOT) of luck!

What a day!! Lillian swam in her first *real* meet today, and she surprised us by not only having a lot of fun, but swimming really well!! She took it easy, swam two events - the 25 back and 25 fly. She finished both like a champ. We are so proud!! Lillian's backstoke. . . Her butterfly (it was beautiful!!) And, although the camera was on a crazy setting & we didn't realize it, watching Madison congratulate Lil after her fly was heartwarming. What a fun day to have *TWO* of our daughters swimming. It was a really great experience!! Girls - we are *SO* proud of you!!

For my family who've been asking - Here's how Madison did this past weekend - she shed quite a bit of time off of a few of her events!!! GO MADISON!! (Notice in the picture that Madison is pulling the Michael Phelps trick - cap, goggles then cap again!! It worked for her!) Individual Events Event Age Group Season Best Time Delta from Lifetime Best Delta from Prev. Season 100 FR (SCY) 10 & under 1:13.85 0.00 -06.91 (-8.56 %) 200 FR (SCY) 10 & under 2:42.42 0.00 -07.58 (-4.46 %) 50 BK (SCY) 10 & under 39.30 0.00 -01.98 (-4.80 %) 100 BK (SCY) 10 & under 1:25.45 0.00 -04.43 (-4.93 %) 50 BR (SCY) 10 & under 47.47 0.00 -01.16 (-2.39 %) 50 FL (SCY) 10 & under 40.41 0.00 -01.17 (-2.81 %)...

Alright - to you, this may not seem like a big deal, but for me - - AMAZING. Milo and I stopped at "Chili's" for an appetizer after a church meeting tonight. The waiter gave us a memorized list of what was available to drink - all alcoholic. We ordered water, and he was on his way. A few minutes later, he greeted the table behind us and offered a selection of sodas to them. I don't know why I thought to look, but I turned around and noticed that it was a younger couple. My heart SOARED. For the first time (in my recollection), someone acknowledged that I was at least 21 years old!!!! It wasn't ME that was offered the sodas - he knew that I was an adult! It was only a few years ago that I wasn't allowed to sit at the bar at Applebees to pick up a to-go order because I had forgotten my ID. It was not too long ago that someone mentioned how sweet I was to my sisters, until Madison informed them I was their mom - and then she went on a rant about teenage...

I was tagged by Susan to "publish for the world to see" six of my quirks. The sad thing is that six will probably not even get us started. . . hmmm. . . I do like calling my annoying habits quirks, though - it just sounds more endearing!!! Sorry this took so long for me to accomplish, Susan, but just check out quirk #1 and then maybe you'll cock your head to the side and think 'ah- that's an endearing quality'. . . instead of being annoyed!!! 1. Every day is a marathon to me. I do things in an order that makes complete sense to me - but can leave others spinning. . . I'm *always* behind, but I'm also always super busy. . . this is what I mean: (drumroll . . .) I'll have a day that's all laundry. Laundry and more laundry. It will be a marathon of sorting, stain removal, folding, etc. The subsequent days, laundry will pile up. Emails - I'll have a marathon day of writing emails. . . reply to those that I haven't yet, etc (a 'quir...

Two for two. . . teeth. . . Gabs tried to go to sleep tonight, but got up and asked me to please pull out her other tooth. I wasn't completely surprised, she needed to feel in control of them, and once she realized how much better it is to have the offending teeth gone, she jumped on board and was completely brave. This one was in quite a bit more securely than last night's - and it bled more as well - but she was excited and we had to do the customary photo. (Lucky girl - getting out of bed for all of this hoopla!!) Just for fun - (since I already dragged you into this, Silvia) here's our favorite Tooth Fairy (who we miss SOOO much) pulling out Madison's tooth Aug. 20, 2005 and Lillian's - after the fact (notice the tooth pillow - I got that for my birthday when I was about 7!) That was July 9, 2006. Can't wait to see you again, Silvia!

Th Tooth Fairy is getting to know our family quite well lately! Three visits in one week! The first two were for my niece, Ashley - fun that the fancy fairy knew just where to find her - and last night, the visit was for someone new. . . none other than the super fast growing - kindergarten going, spinning ballerina - Gabriella Paige!! Woohoo!! First, let me tell you that the tooth has been ready to come out for WELL over a week. It's been hanging by *less* than a thread for a couple of days. It was actually pretty gross talking to her, because the silly tooth would bounce around her lips as she would talk. (If Silvia ever saw that, it would be gone in a FLASH!) I tried to get her to allow me to pull it, but she refused. None of us were allowed to touch it at all. She was convinced that the Tooth Fairy would pull it out at night. It didn't matter that Milo and I, Madison, Lillian and Ashley told her (until we were blue in the face) that the Tooth Fairy can't come u...

As I was tucking Ella into bed the other night, she had me giggling - I thought a few of you would get a kick out of our conversation. . . Ella: Remember my friend Taylea? Me: Your cousin? Ella: Yeah, my cousin. Do you remember that we were in Canada with her? Me: Yes. . . Ella: and we went to Jhevyn's birthday party at her house? Me: uh-huh. . . Ella: and there was money in the cake, and we got to lick off the money and save it for our piggy banks? Me: Yeah - that was fun, wasn't it? Ella: That was more than fun. that was . . . * cool * . Me: (hiding my snicker. . .) Ella: I want that for my birthday. But I want my party to be a bunk bed party instead of a pirate one. Me: A bunk bed party? Ella: Yes. . . but, people don't need to buy me real bunk beds. Me: Oh, good. . . Ella: and we can have lots of money in the cake. . . (wistful) . . .like my cousin. . .

I don't think - when I prepared my apple dip for my girl's night last night, that I intended to eat the whole thing myself. I don't know if that's because there was just so much other food, or it looked bad to my guests. . . I don't know. What I do know is that it tastes *incredible* when you dip your finger into it and eat it that way. I had in mind that I would dip the apples that I cut up right now - but they are brown and gross since I cut them last night. So, just before putting the dip away, I performed a little taste test. Then another. Then another. Now, I'm outright dipping my finger in and enjoying every gooey slurp. . .

Just seem way cooler than . . . well. . . other people's!! Last night we got to go visit Auntie Tristin & Emily at work. It's always a little tricky doing that because we're a bit of a crew - bombarding someone's workplace. . . (picture 2 adults and 5 girls 9& under visiting a law office for 5 hours, for example!) but, everyone is always completely welcoming, and if we're a huge pain, they go to great lengths not to make us feel it! We love seeing them whenever they're within driving distance, and hope they'll be close again soon. . . The girls think this is the better way to travel. . . here's Ella, Ashley and Madison. . .and Lil in her auntie's bunk. a little guitar lesson. Auntie Tristin had a large candy supply in her office! Here are Vivie and Ella checking out the wax lips! Thanks, Guys!!! We love you!!

My niece, Ashley arrived from Las Vegas yesterday. . . this is her first flight all by herself!! Because she is under 12, her dad escorted her right to the gate in Vegas, and then I was able to go through security and meet her at her gate as she arrived. When the plane landed, the steward came and made sure I was waiting before he went back to the plane to get her. . . she looked so small. . . I was much more emotional than I thought I would be - my sweet little niece who is the same age as Madison. . . When I finally saw her coming, I whipped out my camera and grabbed a few seconds of 'my girl'. . . well, my sister's girl, but right now she's MINE! ha. . . We're so happy to have her for this week!

This post is for Lisa. . . all of our talk we do about our love/hate relationship with laundry. . . Today while I was in the midst, I thought about taking the picture. When the girls were home from school, I enlisted Madison to show it all off. This is typically what our basement looks like on laundry day. . . we have several piles for each of us - pants, shirts, etc. On the back of the couch are the piles for ironing and hanging up. . . as well as clean sheets. Notice the amount of towels this family goes through each week!!!! Sadly, I still have a little more folding left for tomorrow. . .

Well. . . that was certainly a record for me!! And I still have more to say - crazy. . . but, the time has come to remove the contacts from my super tired eyes and pry my husband away from ESPN. . . The rest will have to wait!!

After school, it's a race to see who can put their shoes, backpacks and lunch kits away and then getting on the trampoline. The rule is that only two can jump at the same time - so the race can be pretty intense!! Today, I let them all be on it at the same time, as long as they weren't being crazy. This is what they ended up doing!! Ooooh. . . I love my girls. . .

Well, it was a times trial, really. . . The team put on a Meet this past weekend so that all of the new swimmers who haven't been in a meet before could get some experience. It was also so that the swimmers could get a time in their events. . . That way at their next "real" meet, they would be seeded correctly (swim against comparable swimmers). Lillian - well - pretty much hated the whole thing. . . she loves to swim. . . not so much the meet thing. She has her first real one that she was very excited to be registered in (registration was *before* the practice meet!) that she's now really unsure about. Hopefully having her big sister around will make it more fun and we'll just go from there!!! Waiting for the whistle to blow. . . She *loves* the breaststroke. She did really well! Her freestyle finish. . .looking good, Lil!

Here are the girls' new rooms - we have been feeling the squeeze of small bedrooms for quite a while, and finally we had to do something about it!! Thanks to Craigslist.com, we got some *amazing* deals on these almost new beds! Ella and Vivie - showing off their new Trundle bed!!! This is how we'll keep it mostly, but if we want more space in the room, we'll just roll Ella's bed right under Vivie's. Lillian. . . Monkey. . . Need I say more? Lilly, Gabs and Viv - Loving the possibilities of this new Jungle Gym/Bed. Ella, swinging on the stars. . .

Waiting to go to skating, Lilly drinks a fruit shake while playing Viv's leapster. . . Like Nana, like Mother, like Daughter!!

What better to do when you're bored than get INTO the washing machine??? This is what I found last week after following the *cackles* that were coming from the basement. Don't worry - I have put the kibosh on ever turning the machine on. . . (they may even have nightmares after my little speech - ha . . .) Vivien fit the best, of course - and she actually climbed in first. . . What a trend setter! Ella was a little nervous when the drum started moving as she was settling herself in . . . I had to take a super quick picture before helping her out! Lillian loved being in there - and said that this would be her new reading space - until about a minute passed, and then she was ready to squeeze out!! Madison tried and tried. Feet first, head first. . . just couldn't get inside. So, she perched - maybe just a little sad about getting bigger. . . The very next day, Madison was toting Vivien around in a laundry basket. . . Maybe it's time to give the girls more laundry assign...

Milo says, "A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work." Ha. He had a great time on his annual Salmon fishing trip. . .

Saying "Goodbye" to the old fridge. . . And a big "HELLO" to our new one!!! (Thanks to the trusty cooler you see on our counter, we made it through a rough month!!) The best thing is that every time I open the fridge, OUR FOOD IS STILL GOOD!!!! WOOHOO!!!! Love it. . . Thanks, Melissa for pulling some strings. . .