Fluff post... just fillin' space with my thoughts

I guess that implies that my thoughts are fluff... oh well! All I know is I have GOT to update my blog because it's my poor excuse for a family journal/ scrapbook. My Dad recently discovered that I had a blog, and being that he and Mom live on the opposite side of the world, I should share a little more with them....
If anyone reads this that I haven't told... we're pregnant! Yes! It's been a year since my surgery, followed by months of hormones, and then some drugs, but now we have been blessed with a baby coming in May! We are extremely grateful, relieved, and excited.
Now, something to fill a little space... thoughts... hmmm... it would probably be lame to discuss my feelings on New Moon, the movie. So, I shall just say that Edward was a disappointment and that he and Bella didn't even seem like they were in love. Jacob stole the show, but he was supposed to, he was the hero of the book.
I was in the Child Watch at the Athletic Club today (my Friday morning gig so I can maintain a free membership) and only one child came in during the entire four hours, so I watched tv during the other three hours and some lady (don't know her name) was on one of those morning shows and I REALLY liked a few things she said, (wow, this is a really long sentence) such as:

1. If we want our children to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, and appreciate what they have, we should limit their gifts, maybe to a number like THREE. That's how many gifts the baby Jesus received. I've heard this idea before, and I like it. The only thing I have against gifts is that the commercial Christmas detracts from the real Christmas, and they cost a lot money.
2. Don't buy what you can't pay for NOW, with real money you've actually earned. What a concept.
3. Service is the way to invite the Christmas Spirit and experience true joy (all year round). I like any traditions that support service and remind us of our Savior and what He taught.
4. Christmas should be celebrated more like Thanksgiving - by giving thanks and focusing on family and blessings - and we should carry Christmas in our hearts all year.

I've felt before that the Christmas Spirit hadn't "moved in" yet, and heard other people say similar things, so I've done a little research into how we can "bring it!"
My wonderful Mother gave me a book of Christmas stories, you know, about miracles or kind acts of service, or reminders of what Christmas is all about. A good friend shared this list with me of fun & FREE things to do as a family to celebrate the Christmas season:
1. Watch a Christmas movie or holiday show on television.
2. Go see the Christmas lights in the neighborhoods in your pajamas.
3. Drink a mug of hot cocoa under your Christmas tree.
4. Read the true story of Christmas.
5. Open one gift early.
6. Bake cookies and take a plate to the firefighters. See if you can get a tour of the fire station and the engines!
7. Write a letter to Santa to leave on Christmas Eve.
8. Make a snowman.
9. Make a snow angel.
10. Pop popcorn and play a board game together, while listening to holiday music.
11. Go to the dollar theatre and see a movie. Sneak in a snack.
12. Go to the library and pick out books about Christmas. Read them together.
13. Give the kids a bath while Christmas carols blare into the bathroom. See who can sing the loudest.
14. Get or make stocking stuffers for Dad.
15. Write a note to each member in the family to tell them how special they are and what you love about them. Leave them in their stockings.
16. Draw a holiday picture and send it to a relative (of the child’s choice).
17. Take a tour of lights in another neighborhood. Pop popcorn to take with you and blast Christmas carols in the car.
18. Make an ornament together for the tree. Try to incorporate a picture of your child and have them choose the decorating. Write the year on the back and try to add one of these each year.
19. Bake cookies for yourselves.
20. visit Santa at the mall (even if you already did this once).
21. Start a holiday memory book. Quote your child and ask them what their favorite thing they had done (so far) was for the holidays. Record what they asked for from Santa. Take a picture of them for that year with their Santa gift.
22. Print out a Holiday Coloring Page and color it.
23. Make Christmas Crackers to put in each stocking. Take tissue paper and cover each toilet paper roll with it. Take ribbon and tie to close one end of the roll. Fill it with candies and confetti (if you wish). Tie the other end with ribbon and place these in each family member’s stocking. These can be opened on Christmas morning. To make them extra special, have your child write a note to each family member and tuck them inside. It will be a special surprise for everyone!
24. Go to the library and pick out a movie to watch together as a family. Make homemade pizza and curl up together on the couch.
25. Put together a box of items to donate and take your child with you to donate them. Ask them if they would like to contribute something that they have outgrown.