The Nativity Scene According to Thomas.

Each day lately when I pick up all the toys, I've noticed that the same things are always in the children's nativity scene we got from Grandma Nancy. Thomas very intentionally sets things up this way...

I so wish he was old enough to explain his choices to me. I'm thinking something like this: The football is a mountain backdrop. There was some construction going on around the manger, so of course there has to be a tow-truck. Joseph went out to get ice chips for Mary during labor in the red sports car. The puzzle piece is a bird flying through the air, and the block is the guest house where the wise men stay. The plastic orange donut thing represents a hot tub for everyone to chill in after their long journeys, and the angel and Joseph are guarding the "Baba" Jesus (who is always in the manger---the kid is a genius, don't you think?). All of the animals and the shepherd have to go in the basket below the scene because it's too cold to be outside, and Mary is hanging out behind the guest house cleaning herself off after labor. She's also probably gaining her composure, seeing as she just gave birth to the Son of God and all.

Merry Christmas!

Yummmm.

Just so there are not any secrets between us, I admit that I LOVE Taco Bell. I eat there about once a week. Even after looking up the nutrition information I still go there once a week and just order less. Nachos Bell Grande at 750 calories without sour cream...Yum.

I Laughed.

It's amazing how many of these things I've already heard myself say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM

Grrrr...

In case you didn't know, all Drehers (my maiden name) have an arch rival. The rivalry usually begins in about 2nd Grade when a classmate starts to stand out and receive recognition more than the others. Drehers are intense, and did not like sharing the spotlight, thus they declared war for the remainder of the childhood years. Because all three Dreher children are pretty much average in every way, the arch rivals always won in the end. But I must say we put up a good fight.

My arch rival began to emerge in early elementary school as smarter, faster, more coordinated, and more popular than me, with my chubby little legs and awkward tinted glasses. In middle school and then high school she was skinnier, prettier, and again more popular. We competed for Homecoming Queen, Class President, Valedictorian, and Varsity Cross Country...all of which she won. More on arch rivals to come...

Season's Greetings!

It has been really fun for me the past few years to start some of my own holiday traditions. One of the traditions I've attempted to begin in my family is the phrase, "Season's Greetings!" I have a jingle bell that I keep in my pocket at Thanksgiving Dinner. As soon as the meal is over before anyone starts to clean up, I ring the bell under the table and say, "Season's Greetings!" This is the official start to the Christmas Season. While currently my brother and husband roll their eyes at this tradition, I'm hoping all the kids in my family will one day be excited each year when they officially hear the bell and know the season has begun.

Some other traditions we have are: always hanging mistletoe in our home for David and I to make-out under, setting up the tree Thanksgiving weekend (notice how all the ornaments are on the top half this year for you know who), and setting up my collection of nativity scenes in a unique way. This year's featured favorite is the one above given to us by David's Aunt. It is very colorful and detailed. I love it and just found the rest of the pieces I needed at a store close by to complete the set. This particular scene is not the one that Thomas is allowed to play with, especially after finding his velcro Baby Jesus out of his Christmas Story book in the fake gumball machine, in Norman's Mouth, and thrown down the stairs this week. He also likes to put his "Baba" in his wagon and pull him around. What are some traditions you have tried to get off the ground? I hope your heart is light this month. Season's Greetings!

Then and Now

Man I had a fat face and a bad haircut for awhile there. Don't let me ever cut my hair that short again! It looked good when I first did it as a skinny-faced gal, but pregnancy and leaving my favorite-ever stylist in Denver made things go really downhill. Scary. Here's a picture with some of my BFF's from grad. school at the 2 month postpartum point.

At least I can say things are looking up, although Thanksgiving didn't help things much. Here's a more recent picture you have probably seen of me before. As you can tell I'm really losing weight in all the right places. See the poll to the right to share your personal thorn.