Excuses

I have four kids now.

It's the holidays.

And we're traveling for the holidays.  And Leah's getting baptized.  And we're going on a vacation.

I am busy with church callings and school volunteer work.

I don't sit down at my computer as much as I used to, now that I have an iPhone.

Whatever the excuse, blogging has dropped lower on my to-do list than it's been for a long time.  I used to make more time for blogging.  I used to compose posts in my head, let the ideas formulate for a few days or weeks or even months before I would hit publish.  I used to feel a bit panicky when I would let too many sweet moments or big milestones or thought provoking ideas pass without recording them on the blog.  I still feel that way sometimes, but mostly I'm just spending more time living those moments and milestones and less time recording them.

But blogging is like paying it forward to my future self.  If I take the time to record the memories now, I can enjoy them for years into the future.  And I already know I'll need all the help I can get because I have a horrible memory.

So for tonight, I'll start with tonight.  With the little things that I don't want to forget.  Like listening to The Trans Siberian's Carol of the Bells or Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride and giggling over the fact that a trumpet could sound like so much like a horse.  And trying to dance like Lord of the Dance and wondering just how to make a broom sound as neat as it does in Stomp.  And the way Adam looked at me with wide eyes after listening to the story told in "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and asking me if that really ever happened.

And laughing and laughing at these two, who happily re-enacted a game they played in the store this morning.

And there are just a few other little things that I don't want to forget.  Like this sweet little sugar and the way his hair always floofs up.

And the day that Leah, Emma and I went shopping in Des Moines.  Emma was convinced that we were at the Mall of America again, and all her dreams came true as we rode up and down the escalator.  She was overcome with happiness and passed out on the way home.  Leah acted as a kind shoulder to rest on.

 Jason gave Adam the ultimate Sunday style- a faux-hawk that didn't lay down for three days!

I couldn't find Noah's coat all week so he got to wear one of Emma's.

 The day we built a Little People Universe.

This scowl.  I don't have any idea where she gets it.

 This delicious afternoon snack.

 The day Adam and I sat in front of the fire and pored over Lego Jr. magazines.

Or all the many, many moments that not pictured.  Like the way that Jason and I always kneel down to pray at the end of the day and wind up talking and laughing and musing about the happenings of our days for way too long, all the while telling each other that we really should just go to bed.

It's all about the little things.  And I don't want to forget.