Update

I guess I could quickly take the time to write a letter to everyone about the Maas family!

Its been a little crazy (like always) around here. I am finishing the Christmas program (only 14 musical numbers) for the 18th and then a smaller Christmas program for the 25th. Why two, because we are a 1/2 student ward and lots go home by the 25th, but yet there are still quite a few of us that will be here Christmas day. I love my calling but having the extra work of being the organist and just until recently also the ward choir pianist has been a little stressful. In January I am having others take over the other two callings, and I'll be back to just my original calling :) (Jeff will love this) I really have enjoyed teaching all my students piano the past few months (13 total) but as we get closer to Jeff's defense I look forward to the break in March. Its been a blessing to have the additional money and time to work on a talent, and I hope to resume teaching (not as many students) after we are settled in Bloomington.  Tomorrow morning I will finish my timed 3 hour writting assignment for my English class, this is the last thing I need to  finish for my online class. I should get atleast a 95% in this course (A required as a pre-req for the Nursing course) only a few more pre-req's to go after this one.

Speaking of Jeff, today he is at the InnerVision Center, (Where they did my MRI) they are doing a CAT scan on his ion trap. Sounds cool, I can't wait to hear what they find. :) He is super stressed with his dissertation and we are taking one day at a time. There isn't much I can do to help him but stay positive as a somewhat "single mom" Mon-Sat. Thank goodness for Sundays and our commitment to refrain from all work and studies, or I would be crazy by now.  He has completed one of his 3 papers needed to finish is defense and is in the process of writing his second. I think we'll hit the deadline of turning in everything by Feb 15 but it will remain crazy until then.  I do look forward to our mini vacation in February when we attend Brian's Wedding in Salt Lake City. I think he tries not to think to much about it, but is excited that he can take a two month break before work comes in June. As we work on plans for buying a house, he works on his plans to build his long promised bouldering wall, he's only wanted this forever, and in each house we've lived in has requested it...I told him it was just one of those things that would have to go with home ownership, and he has been patiently waiting. He remains busy with the scouts, and occasionally Ben goes with him, its a real treat for both of them.

Ehre, ha ha ha did you read the blog. A friend agreed with me, working in the medical field gives us a warped sense of humor. Ehre cut her thumb on Friday, not bad but it bleed a little. I walked with her upstairs to clean it up and put a band aid on it.  She had watched me clean it but as I was placing the band aid, she totally fainted! Within a minute she was coming too but it gave me a good laugh. Yes, she has Jeff's genetics, they don't do so well with blood, but I've never known Jeff to pass out, just feel light headed.  Ehre got her first 100% on her spelling this week, an A+ she typically gets 100% but the teacher only gives her an A when she capitalizes a wrong letter or writes a letter backwards. She was so proud of this accomplishment! Earlier in the year when she was missing 1-2 words a week we had a talk about how important it is to do our best, since then she's really improved....talking of improvement she is such a good reader and I look forward to her scripture reading each morning.

Benjamin, busy busy busy and social. Weekly he comes home in tears after finding out that I have not arranged a play date for the afternoon.  He loves his Pre-K class, and this Thursday night has his Christmas program. He often can be heard singing while he plays in his room, and just recently has showed an increase in his desire for piano lessons.  He also is doing really well with his German Christmas poem, its fun to hear the children speak in a different language, and then recall the poems they have learned in the past. Last night for Advent, we sang Silent Night, the first time was in English the second in German, its really been a fun tradition.

Elise, babbles non stop (just ask Grandma D) and its not just noise. Its as if she really is trying to communicate with us but in baby talk. She is my active one. I am currently looking for a second pack n play because I have come to realize that she will not be ready for a bed by the time this baby comes. Sure I may put her down in a bed but as soon as I leave the room, she'll start running around again. She goes non stop. She is curious about everything. She is constantly falling or running into things trying to be like her older siblings. Consequently this has been apparent in the bruises all over her, no we don't beat our children, they beat themselves. Funny new trick, she can give you rocks. ( when two fists hit each other ) its really funny, and she loves it if you will pretend that her rock hitting yours hurt, so don't forget to say "ouch!" (She was taught this by some of my piano students)

Baby Beck, is 26 weeks today. He is still measuring at least a week bigger. My ultrasound said he was due on the 18th, I am hoping I can keep my doctor on this date so that she can deliver him but it will come down to the last days to see if that will really happen. He is active and constantly moving, sheesh when he gets here I may never get any rest with him and Elise. Yes his name will be Jeffrey Beck Maas, just in case I haven't told you. Beck is the name Jeff's mom was named after who is his Grandmother Margret's Maiden Name. Sometime I will need to post his family heritage on the blog its quite amazing.  (did you know his geneology has been tracked all the way back to Anna cousin of Jesus!...yes we are famous!)

Christmas plans, well we are coordinating a "left behind" party with friends. We will do dinner and a projected movie (with our new projector) in the gym of the stake center. Its going to be fun. We are still continuing the Advent tradition with two more Advent nights to go. We also look forward to attending the live Nativity that another church puts on, complete with camels donkeys and an extensive and amazing full set outdoors!  I'll try to post pictures just after we go this weekend. Jeff and I look forward to celebrating our 8th anniversary next Tuesday, and so on Saturday I've arranged for us to have a date to the symphony for the Holiday pops concert.

Well that's about it,
Love you all!
Ann