Well, Christmas has come and gone, and we have had quite a season. I don't know that I am quite sure where all the time and money went, but judging by the haul the kids took in I have at least an idea about the money. We learned a great lesson. Our kids have Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, and cousins. We don't need to take care of their entire Christmas!!! They were entirely spoiled. But it was fun nonetheless. Probably my greatest gift came on Saturday, when I was able to take my little family to the Temple in Seattle and have the children sealed to us for time and all eternity, completing the adoption process, at least as we view it. It was great to have friends and family there to celebrate with us. It was truly a gift the Lord has given us to be organized into families and to have the love and support he intended for us. I am always troubled when we ignore that, or take it for granted, or when we do things that void the family bonds. But when it works, that is nothing less than miraculous.

Marioisms

So I spent every night last week in meetings, but it seems that when I came home each night, Nicholle had a new story to tell me about something Mario had said or done... I'll share two of my favorites.

First, on Wednesday, as she was helping the boys take a shower, Mario was already in the shower, and all of a sudden she hears this WHUMPF!!! followed by OOOOUUUUCCCCCHHHH! Mario was completely upset thatthe shower had betrayed him by tripping him up while dancing in the shower wet.... Then after she got him out, and sent him to the bedroom to dry off and get dressed, he asked why the mirror was fogged up. after explaining it he said "cool" and she turned around to focus on Juan. all of a sudden she hears another WHUMPF! followed by another OOOUUUCCCHHH!!! Then followed up by "The stupid counter pushed me off!" It seems that the fog on the mirror was just too tempting, but naked wet feet and bodies don't mix with countertops. He couldn't quite figure that out...

Then she told me about another conversation. She was wrapping Christmas gifts for our Niece and Nephew and when he asked what she was doing, he said "Wait!!!" as he was cutting paper and stapling it together, he stated, "I want to make Mackenzie a Diarrhea!" Nicholle looked at him and said "What?" He said "you know the thing you write your secrets in!" After picking herself up off of the floor she explained that it was a Diary.... the following day in the car, she overheard him telling Franny that he wanted a Diarrhea for Christmas, Franny Said "Huh????" then he said "I must have said the wrong word again...."