The Lancaster Family/ 2012 Review

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Two Reasons Why I Sucked at Blogging this Month

A couple of things have happened during the month of December that have taken precedence over blogging.

#1- My son and daughter-in-law had another beautiful baby boy the week before Christmas.

Asher and Uncle Cody

#2- Don had hernia surgery three days after Christmas.

I'm going to confess. I sort of like my husband a bit drugged up. Not only did the Lortab keep Don awake (a terrific thing since he has MS and is always tired), but I found he was quite amusing.

Upon arriving home from the hospital, I situated Don in the recliner, turned the television on, then plopped down on the sofa with my laptop and permitted Don to entertain me, albeit unintentional...

8:00 p.m.-

Don- “Do you ever wonder what happened to the girl’s dad?” 

Me- “What girl’s dad?” 

Don- “The Brady girls.” 

I have NO IDEA why Don was suddenly concerned about the Brady girl's real father. All I know is he wasn't talking about Mike Brady. What really baffles me, however, is Don was watching Dateline NBC!

10:00 p.m.-

Don- "I'm not tired, AT ALL!"

Me- Could it be the three Cokes you chugged since we got home at 5:00?" 

10:05 p.m.-

Don waddles into the kitchen, picks up a Tangerine and goes on and on about why Cuties are sooo much better than Mandarin Oranges.

10:30 p.m.- 

Don- “You like bread pudding, don’tcha?” 

WTH? We have been married for 30 years. He should know that I HATE bread pudding! I'm still scratching my head about that one.

Fireflies from the Jubilee Project

The Jubilee Project makes videos for a good cause. This particular short film was made to raise awareness for autism. The little girl in the video said she acted the part because she has a brother who is autistic. Please watch. It is precious.



Behind the Scenes...

Short Animated Film About Autism

Katelyn's Blog

My daughter has started a blog! It was actually an assignment in one of her college classes, but I hope she will keep it up. If you have a minute, click on the link below and take a look. Be sure to check out each of the pages and read some of her work. She's a very talented girl and I am so proud of her. 

Katelyn Lancaster Professional Blog

A Very Special Twelve Days of Christmas

A few years ago, a very kindhearted person did The Twelve Days of Christmas for Cody. That individual (or individuals) will probably never know how happy their actions made my son. It only took a couple of nights for Cody to get into the swing of answering the door and finding packages left specifically for him. Each evening until Christmas, Cody greatly anticipated the sound of the doorbell. To this day, I have no idea who Cody's secret angel was, but I do know from the gifts and poems left each night, Cody's giver knew him rather well. 

Regrettably, I did not save every message/ gift that was left during those memorable twelve days, but I did keep half of them. They were...

Day 5- Five Christmas Stories
Day 6- Six Symbols of the Lord (all I kept was the Legend of the Candy Cane)
Day 8- Eight Candy Bars
Day 9- Nine Chocolate Chip Muffins
Day 10- The Ten Commandments
Day 11- A Bar of Ivory Soap

This is funny, however, I used to threaten my kids with dish soap or pepper. ;)

And this note was left for Cody on the last day...

If only I could speak with this anonymous person(s), I would thank them for remembering my son during that holiday season. Considering whom our Savior spent His time with during His mortal ministry, I would say Cody's friend was undoubtedly following Christ's example.

(See Matthew Chapter 9).

Out of the Archives/ Looking at Christmas Lights NASCAR Style

I wrote the following post last December. After looking at lights with Cody and Don again this year, I decided it's worth re-posting because some things never change.  :)

Cody likes to "look" at Christmas lights, so Don and I decided to grab some holiday CD's and take him out this evening.

When I was a child, I use to enjoy looking at Christmas lights, but my parents knew how to go about it. They would bypass commercial areas and drive up and down residential streets, slowing to a crawl when coming to a home that had lights. 

My husband, on the other hand, does not do that. Don's idea of taking in Christmas lights is to drive down the main roads, which are usually non-residential, to a particular destination. Then, when we arrive in the neighborhood he has in mind, he drives 30 miles an hour (I'm not kidding. I looked at the speedometer). Now, I realize 30 miles an hour is slow IF YOU'RE ON A HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY, but not when you are in a residential area tryingto catch a glimpse of homes that have been decorated for the holidays. 

Year after year after year, I have tried to help Don understand the process of looking at Christmas lights and year after year after year, he forgets and does the same thing. I don't get it. 

This is what I see from the passenger seat when Don is driving...



...unless I blink and then I miss the display in its entirety.


Photograph by David Wagner @ publicdomainpictures.net

Bah Humbug My Butt

Don has always acted like he doesn't enjoy Christmas, but after working in the garage this morning, he came in the house looking like this...

You can't see it in the photos, but under the tiny cap it says "Santa's Little Helper". I think Katelyn bought this headband a few years ago when she wanted to be Santa's Slutty Little Elf for Halloween.

I'm thinking Don is not as scroogie as he wants us to believe.