I went to the mall with good intentions. There are all sorts of Veteran’s Day Sales today so I thought it would be a great time to start the Christmas shopping. Pam took all the kids to see a movie today. At first I thought she was nuts. Keeping an eye on four kids while eight months pregnant isn’t my idea of fun, but she promised she’d have help.

Turns out Logan was going along. Good thing – I didn’t want to be on the receiving end of Joe’s wrath when he found out I’d let her take them by herself. So with no kids and no hubby to worry about I thought I could cross a few names off my ever lengthening list but of course I didn’t buy a single present. Instead I helped Baby Gap make a bigger profit this year by buying some new clothes for the kids.

I could justify it by saying they could always use some warmer stuff for the winter but that would be a lie. Look in any closet and there’s enough clothes for twice as many children.But who can resist cute little T-shirts with sayings like Buttercup Mountain or Downhill Racer, or a pink Fair Isle patterned sweater with the softest white faux fur collar? Hey, it reflects well on me if they’re well dressed, right? And if we’re really lucky maybe it will get cold at least once this winter.

The more I let myself, the more I miss living somewhere with a change of seasons. I know I complain about snow and ice and sub zero temperatures but I can also remember treasured moments from my own childhood. Making a snowman, shuffling through piles of brightly colored leaves, or spotting the first tulip bud in the spring. Sure it snows here in Tulsa….sometimes. But just as often its seventy degrees in December.

Hard to imagine bringing up the idea with Chris when I know he really would like to move us all back to California. What’s a girl to do?

Nothing wrong with dreams.