Busted.

I know I have been absent from the blog lately, but I figure everyone is too busy to be reading it anyway.

I just mailed the last of my Christmas cards today. Before dumping like 50 cards into the mail slot, I peeked down into it to see if there were a lot of other procrastinators mailing cards today. Down the chute there was this cut out of an angry man wearing all black pointing his finger at me. It said, "Hey, JUST DROP IT!!"

It startled me and I totally jumped out of my skin. I immediately looked around to see if anyone had seen. It was truly embarrassing.

I wonder how many people at work have tried to look down into the mailbox and have seen this angry guy staring back at them. I am too embarrassed to ask around.

Several times today, I have laughed out loud just thinking about it.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

P.S. Thanks Jeffry for taking this great picture for us!

Cute Wion.

Stuck at home lion around with Chicken Box...

His scary roar.

As you can see, he was feeling just terrible all week.

Chicken Box

Yep, vaccine, schmaccine... Jack Everett still somehow managed to come home with Chicken Pox, or as he calls it, "Chicken Box." When I took him to the 'Little Spurs' Pediatric Urgent Care on Sunday night, they told me he needed to stay home for a week, but that since he has been immunized, it should be a minor case.

Luckily, there are only about 12-15 "boxes" on him and he has been a real champ about leaving them alone. There are three bad ones on his scalp and they seem to bother him the most.

Monday morning I called the pre-school and the director said Jack Everett is the first reported case at the school.

First in his class. We're so proud.

Genuine.

Well, I have not been blogging much lately because my dad gum computer has a fatal error that is about to live up to its name and be the death of me. Now, all you computer whizzes reading this, please do not e-mail me ideas to troubleshoot it because I already know what it is.

When I "borrowed" a copy of XP from a friend who shall remain nameless, I was thrilled by the upgrade. I enjoyed it for several months and even started blogging because my computer was so much more user-friendly. Wow, what an easy fix!

Then, a sneaky pop-up window said, "Updates are ready for your computer! Click here to install now." Well, I didn't read it, I just think FREE updates have to be good. Well, it turned out to be a low-down dirty trick designed for people who "borrow" copies of software. I fell right into the trap, so I guess I deserve what I got. What I got is a message that pops up every time I log in that says, "Warning: You may be victim of software counterfeit. Someone may have sold you a copy of... that does not pass our 'Genuine Advantage' authentication process" or something like that. Yeah, I know. I click on "Resolve Later" and go about my work. This "Resolve Later" technique worked for about 90 days, until this week.

Now, about every five minutes or so, and I am NOT exaggerating, I get a fatal error and my Internet Explorer has to close down. Mid blog, mid picture upload, mid e-mail... no warning, and nothing saves. It's terrible. Every five minutes. I have already had to close my browser three times while writing this post. No joke. I am so tired of seeing "We apologize for any inconvenience." and NO, I do not want to send an error report. *sigh.

So, here are some reflections from this experience this week.

"Be content with what you have." My Windows 98 was working just fine, really. I just wanted what the Jones' had. (Well, it's 2007... GRANDMA Jones already had XP.) That's not the point. What I had was fine, and if I couldn't afford it, I didn't need it.

"What goes around, comes around." I was not going to sell it, it's just little old me, and Bill Gates is not going without dinner tonight because of my one little copy. Besides, when I get my new computer I WILL buy a copy of XP.

Bottom line: I STOLE that software. It was not Genuine. That thought process is called entitlement, and it is one of my least favorite attributes in people and in society. If millions and millions of people make "one little copy..."

"Spend some time in the slow lane." I cannot handle computer delays very well. I am okay with cashier lines, traffic, and being placed on hold, but when it comes to the computer, I get so frustrated when it takes too long to process my request. I want to shake that hourglass and strangle that little running roadrunner. It's embarrassing really.

I don't want Jack to be this way. He already is to an extent. He wants me to fast-forward through the Dora the Explorer Theme Song and get to the mission. He wants me to skip every slow song on his nursery rhymes CD. When I take a picture of him and his friends, they immediately say, "Let me see it!" and crowd around the display on the digital camera. It's crazy. He has no concept of "That show is not on right now." He has the cafeteria menu on the DVR and can pick the show he wants, and even which episode. He asked for a particular song and when I did not have that CD in the car, he said,"Momma, you need to put that song on your iPOD." His whims... on demand. Scary.

So today, I am home and he is napping. I decided to catch up on my blog and realized how frustrated I have become over a problem I caused for myself, and frankly, I deserve. This 'fatal error' came at a time that we do not have the money to buy our way out of it. I can't just buy a new computer right now. I have to see a reminder every day that I stole this software. Serves me right.

I want my life and the things in it to be Genuine - including my software.

I know God uses these little things to re-teach us big lessons.

Well, lesson learned. Again.

Bjorn's Christmas Party 2007

Jeff and I enjoyed our 7th Bjorn's Audio/Video Christmas Party. As usual, it was very nice. We raised several thousand dollars for the SAMM Ministries and had a lot of fun. We look forward to the event each year as it is a chance to dress up, win some prizes, and we always enjoy riding with Darin and Marilyn. Each year, they drive us in a different new car. We love it.

Here are a few pics:

Huge ice sculpture at the entrance.

Jeff, me, Marilyn, and Darin standing in our annual prom-looking pose.

Chocolate Fountain with fruit, pretzels, marshmallows...

I was WAY too stuffed by the time they served this cake. I hear it was good.

Enjoying a night out without Jack Everett.

Santa and his interesting elf delivered gift cards from a major competitor.

They were actually to Chili's or Olive Garden, but were good for a laugh.
Left to right: Jeff, Darin, Joey, Tom, and Dennis.

In the background: Andy taking a picture of me taking this picture. I am not exactly sure what that's all about.

Look out Santa, here we come!

Jack Everett, four of his best friends, and of course, "Squirrel", hit the mall to see Santa Clause this week. Here is our stroller caravan:

Front: Jake, Jack, Grant... Back: Alli Jean walking like a big girl, T.J.

With five kids under three, Julie, Laura, and I were quite the tag-team. I must admit, watching those two SuperMoms in action makes me realize that I really have it pretty easy...

Alli Jean comforts him, "Don't be scared, Jack."

He was a bit scared at first. Squirrel took his place in the pic.

Alli Jean and Jack Everett - a little help from a friend.

Jack, Squirrel, and Santa Clause 2007

"Now I know my ABC's..."

Just when I thought Jack and I had exhausted all the different ways to practice his letters, we found a fun new way last night... just before bedtime!

Gimme a "J"!


Gimme an "A"!


Gimme a "C"! (In his mind, he looks JUST LIKE the letter C ...)


Gimme a "K" !


"What does that spell?"


"ME!!!"
-----
A few more...
H W S

X T M
O V U

???

He can hardly stop giggling long enough to take a pic of each letter. Plus, he knows this is a sure-fire way to get Momma to let him stay up even later! He is such a joy and I just hope to teach him that learning is fun!



To see entire slideshow, click here: Alphabet Jack!