Grateful for Christmas songs

I've realized that as I've gotten older, I've started feeling less "in the Christmas spirit." Which then makes me feel a little guilty because it's the day of our savior's birth and that is something worth celebrating. But this year I've started really listening to the words of some of the Christmas songs that I've heard so many times before, and it's gotten me into the spirit of Christmas. Not the commercial spirit (though I do enjoy buying presents for the whole family with my parents money so there is something under the tree on the 25th), but the spirit of what Christmas really is. And while this viewpoint might not be very popular, it isn't even about my family and how great it is to be giving and loving during this time of year. It's about my Jesus. It's about being thankful. And that really is what the season is all about. But it's not just this season. On the 26th we should be just as thankful and in awe of the gift of Jesus as we are on the 25th.

And just for good measure, here's a couple of my favorite less traditional Christmas songs.
Leaving Heaven
Day After Christmas
Evergreen
While You Were Sleeping

Weekend Highlights

Spending five days with the family can be super fun and tiring all at the same time. But generally, some awesomeness will ensue... so let's focus on the positive, shall we?

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Calla has learned her "t" sound well enough to call me Kate rather than kak.

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Josh knocked over the tower that Owen had proudly been working on and wandered around the room saying "I knocked it" with a huge grin on his face.

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Laughing so hard I cried with my siblings playing a random word game... and no, Bonzo is not a clown.

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Best alarm clock ever -getting jumped on by a four year old

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Owen asked me if I was married. Because the only reason anyone would ever wear a ring is if they were married, right? I told him he'd probably know if I got married.

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Josh 'riding' his bike


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Scott's version of parkour -running around the playground equipment and then throwing his arms in the air after a successful landing

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Watching the huskies beat the cougars with five other former huskies and the future huskies (hopefully)... and a falcon (who is a husky fan out of necessity by marrying a Maxwell)...

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Actual conversations with my family since I'm not a great phone talker

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Remembering that I do actually have a significant number of things in my life to be thankful for

procrastinating

So, it's been a long time since I've posted. Since the blog world last heard from me I have been to Seattle twice and Las Vegas once.
The first Seattle one was planned... that being Christmas. I had such a good time with my family. It is so much fun having three little kiddos around. Owen (nephew) wanted to help everyone open their presents.
Las Vegas was awesome. I went there to meet up with some friends from the Dominican Republic in '08. We just chilled and caught up. Good times. And since what happens in Vegas obviously doesn't stay in Vegas, if you want to see pictures, check facebook.
The second Seattle trip was medical-related. I finally found a doctor who was willing to keep looking (beyond just lingering parasites) for something wrong with my stomach. So I went down to have some blood drawn. I get the test results back in about a week, so I'll reveal the diagnosis at that point.
Other than those three jaunts, life has been pretty standard. I have been subbing a bunch at the school, which is cool. I'm getting a little bit better of an idea what age I want to teach and stuff like that. School is good. Working on my masters is a little harder than undergrad, but I guess it should be.

to infinity and beyond

How does one get to infinity? Anyway, life in Haines is good. I kinda wish that I could be with my family this weekend for Easter and stuff, but I get to hang out with part of my Haines family, which is good too. And I get to see all the Maxwells in 14 days when we convene in Hawaii, which I am STOKED about.

But tomorrow is Easter, and that is a very good thing. There is nothing more fundamental to who I am than that Jesus lived, died, and rose for me. And although sometimes that seems to good to be true, it is the only real hope that I have.

"That Jesus succeeded in changing a snuffling band of unreliable followers into fearless evangelists, that eleven men who deserted him at death now went to martyrs' graves avowing their faith in a resurrected Christ, that these few witnesses managed to set loose a force that would overcome violent opposition first in Jerusalem and then in Rome -this remarkable sequence of transformation offers the most convincing evidence for the Resurrection. What else explains the whiplash change in men known for their cowardice and instability?" -Philip Yancey The Jesus I Never Knew

easy come, easy go

So, as rapidly as I got my job when I first got here, I lost it upon return from the holidays. Although I was assured that I would have a job when I got back from Mexico and Seattle, my boss hired someone else, so now I'm unemployed. I'm looking into things, but nothing seems too exciting at this point. But we'll see. I'm pretty much open to anything. If all else fails, the bakery reopens in February, so I should be able to get a job there. Or, if that fails, then I might move to Juneau or Seattle. Who really knows?
I sure don't.

Christmas Recap 08

This Christmas was pretty good. Although I was not able to eat normally and thus had to pass up the traditional Maxwell breakfast casserole and prime rib dinner, it was a good day. I got to hang out with my whole family in one place, which hasn't happened since April, I think. My niece and nephew are getting so cute. I like them a lot. We played a lot of Wii and made a lot of wii jokes. I was called wii-tarded a lot. One of my brothers got a wii-eat down. My sister-in-law told us about hitting her wii-mote against the wall. And Winnie, my brothers Wii-ton terrier was a fun target as well.

in Bend...

Thanksgiving weekend has been pretty cool. Chilling with the family (especially the newest member) and eating large amounts of food while watching football. Here is a picture of the cutest kid I've seen in a while.