Our Month in Review

It has been a busy, busy, busy month. From a broken arm for Karlie when she ran into the wall to an emergency room visit to remove a popcorn seed that Nathan stuck up his nose, we had an interesting Christmas break. Karlie now has her cast off, and we learned from the triage nurse at the ER how to get even "lodged-in-so-far-that-you-can't-even-see-them" objects out of children's noses--blow hard on their faces until they sneeze, and out the popcorn kernel popped! Who would of thunk it! Nathan got off easy with that ER visit. . . and the girls were so thrilled that he stuck the popcorn seed up his nose because it meant that they were able to have their first ever slumber party at our friends, the Lambsons, house. We may have to watch them closely for a while to make sure they don't encourage Nathan to put small objects in his body cavities. . .


Christmas Day itself was nice and peaceful, but two days later we once again hosted the Annual Dryden Family Christmas Party in our home for Julie's small family (only 33 people here this year) followed by a short stay by Julie's sister, Jill, and her family, and an overnight stay by Julie's brother, Paul, his wife Kate, and little "L-A" (pronounced LaDasha, because the dash ain't silent)--sorry Paul and Kate, but Paul suggested this name for your unborn daughter, and so that is who she will always be to me! Julie has finally recuperated, the kids are back in school, and we are now excitedly entering the 3rd trimester of pregnancy--Colin should be here in just 3 short months!

Abby's Eight Alter Egos

1. My rock star name: *Mickey Civic*
{First pet and current car}

2. My gangsta name: *Hershey Bar Snickerdoodle*
{Favorite candy bar and favorite cookie}

3. My detective name: *Dark Purple Stallion*
{Favorite color and favorite animal}

4. My Star Wars name: *Hanab of Prevacid*
{First three letters of last name and first two letters of first name then the word "of" then a medication you are on}

5. My superhero name: *The Light Pink Rootbeer*
{2nd favorite color and favorite drink with "The" in front}

6. My Nascar name: *Cathy Donabel*
{First names of your grandmothers}

7. My "lover" name: *Happy Smarties*
{Name of your favorite perfume/cologne and your favorite candy}

8. Witness-protection name: *Karlina E*
{Mother's and father's middle names}

Karlie's Eight Alter Egos

1. My rock star name: *Mickey Odyssey*
{First pet and current car}

2. My gangsta name: *Twix Chocolate Chip*
{Favorite candy bar and favorite cookie}

3. My detective name: *Blue Horse*
{Favorite color and favorite animal}

4. My Star Wars name: *Hanka of Focalin*
{First three letters of last name and first two letters of first name then the word "of" then a medication you are on}

5. My superhero name: *The Purple Sprite*
{2nd favorite color and favorite drink with "The" in front}

6. My Nascar name: *Donabel Cathy*
{First names of your grandmothers}

7. My "lover" name: *Gossip M&M's*
{Name of your favorite perfume/cologne and your favorite candy}

8. Witness-protection name: *E Karlina*
{Mother's and father's middle names}

It's a. . . . .

BOY!!!!!!

Challenging times to say the least, but still so much to be thankful for. . .

Forgive me if I get a little personal in my post this time, but this fall has been a very difficult one for my family. So many things happening all at the same time that we wonder what will happen next: an uncle diagnosed with cancer, a cousin involved in a serious motorcycle accident, another cousin going through a sad divorce, and just this week a cousin losing her first baby at only 3 weeks old to a rare disease that affects only 1 in 1,000,000. Then there is my own family: my sister who is just 15 months older than me had emergency surgery this week to remove a flesh-eating bacteria from her abdomen that the surgeon explained could have taken her life if left untreated, and my younger brother who was involved in an accident on-site at work that severed a tendon in his right hand leaving him on disability for a full month.

All of these things could be overwhelming and all-consuming if I didn't understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that I know about our Savior and the love he has for us. I know that through his help and the help of our Heavenly Father, we can get through anything.

Now, to post my blessings: my family, my husband, my three sweet children (and a fourth on the way), the gospel of Jesus Christ, the scriptures, the power of prayer, my home, my country (a land of plenty), the freedoms we enjoy. The list could go on and on.

Sure, life is challenging, but the blessings definitely far outweigh the difficulties. And, it is so wonderful to know that there is One in charge who knows the whole picture, and He will give us peace and assurance in difficult times.

The Past Month

This month has been so hectic--life has just taken over! There is so much to catch up on.

First, Aunt Angela stopped by for a quick visit, and the girls tried a lovely technique that their dear mother taught them on trying to get people to stay when you don't want them to leave. . .

The girls loved their first trip to the American Girl Boutique and Bistro. They ate in the Bistro with the dolls, had their dolls' hair done, and loved looking around the store and spending their allowance. It was a dream come true for them!

Next, changing weather means lots and lots of fall leaves to rake and jump in! So much fun for the little ones!

And, Halloween: Karlie dressed up as a Colonial Girl, Abby was Padme from the Clone Wars, and Nathan was our little bat. Brandon and I went out on a limb and dressed up as a "Bun in the Oven" and "the Bunmaker". Of course, we had Abby take the pictures, and she did a great job for a 6-year-old, but you don't get the full effect of our costumes. We attended several parties and went trick-or-treating at least 3 times before the holiday was over! Nathan didn't want to wear his costume at first until he discovered it meant people gave him lots and lots of candy!

Brandon and I also had the fun opportunity to go see "Wicked" at the Fox Theatre. We really enjoyed it, and we appreciate Laura for organizing this event. We especially appreciate Angela for taking the kids to the Fernbank museum while we enjoyed the show!

My Girls

On the way home from my parents' house on Sunday, Abby kept asking me how to spell words. I thought nothing of it--she was happy and was busily writing. Later that evening, I found her composed song in the kitchen. She has given me permission to share it:

Get It, Come On

Get it, get it, it's time.
Get it. Come on.
Come on on on on on.
Let's go down stairs.
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Ya, ya, ya, ya.
It's time to get it.
Get it ya.
Get that dog.

(she loves the suspense that you can't figure out that she is talking about a dog until the end):)

Not to be outdone, Karlie composed her own song Wednesday night. Here it is:

BARRACUDA
(Karlie Version)

It's a deadly creature ure ure ure.
Eating fish and fishbones, bones, bones, gross!!!
We know who that creature is.
It's a not so good creature.
You don't see it every day.
Oh yes, you don't see it every day.
Oooo, barracuda.

(Karlie says she was inspired by the Guitar Hero 3 song, Barracuda).


Another funny thing the girls did happened last night when daddy let them have a slumber party on our floor. I told them they could talk and giggle for five minutes before they went to sleep. They were really enjoying themselves, and I could hear mentions of "witches" and "potions" in between giggles. They finally spilled the beans to me that they planned on putting potions in my underwear in my drawer after school today. I think I should be very frightened!