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For the most part, we're ready. The Christmas tree is up. Lucy helped with some of the ornaments. Little gingerbread village has survived the snackers. Stockings are hung by the fireplace with care. (This was a project three years in the making! I've had the fabric forever.) Christmas cards are in the mail. (Photography by Katherine Wallin , design from minted.com , love their skinny labels !) Neighbor gifts have been delivered. ( Recipe for peppermint bark from allrecipes.com ) Teacher gifts have been given. ( Marble magnets "how-to" on not martha .) The one thing left on my list is to finish Emmie's quilt. This is how it looked in October. This is how it looked in November. This is how it looked yesterday. It is not a hard quilt. It has just taken the back burner, but no longer! I intend to give it to my baby daughter on Christmas and it SHALL be finished. That will be my greatest accomplishment this month. Merry Christmas to all, especially to all you out there

Lucy had to get special x-rays taken at Primary Children's Hospital yesterday. (It is called VCUG if you want all the details .) It is something we have to do every year to check up on a urinary tract abnormality she has. The procedure is fairly quick and easy but can be traumatic none-the-less. This year, they gave Lucy a "hospital buddy" which I thought was the most brilliant thing every. It's a simple muslin doll that someone has sewn and donated. The doll is nondescript except for the hospital gown. The children can personalize it with markers or bandaids and are even encouraged to stick it with needles. . . it helps them deal with anxiety and feel more comfortable with what is going on. Lucy took to hers immediately. Even though we brought several of her favorite dolls and stuffed animals with us, they were left in the bag and "Birdie" (yes, that's what she named her) got all the attention. Here is a nice article talking about some amazing kids th