Christmas Past and Present

This is my sister, Stacy and I on Christmas day, 197?. We usually got a variation of the same thing and loved it! However, one Christmas Eve, we just couldn't sleep. After laying in bed with our eyes wide open (well up into the wee morning hours) and several trips to our parents room, our mother finally decided to take us into the living room and show us what we got. We weren't quite sure how to take that but, one thing was for sure, we were not getting any sleep until we knew. And SLEEP was the one thing that our mother just happened to want. Now, I know this sounds extreme but, we had older siblings who were very out of the excited stage and we also had a certain tradition in our home every Christmas morning before gifts.

We always held a testimony meeting in our parents room. So, with seven children and two parents, you can imagine how long and how short some of those testimony's were. However, we did not know any different, it was what we did on Christmas morning. The only family testimony meeting we ever held during the year. Looking back, I think it is one of the things that has kept us close. My own little family has adopted that tradition and they do not know any different either. In fact, I think they look forward to it just as much as I do. Thank goodness my kids can sleep on Christmas Eve, though.


I had to show this picture because Troy is actually putting garland on the tree. He'll help with the lights sometimes but then he lets us take over. Yeah Troy! He even put our outside lights up just a day after Thanksgiving!


Last year we had a "MOM" tree and a "KID" tree but this year we only did one so, I relinquished my decorating to the kids. It was a lot of fun and our neighbor down the street even joined us. I will be sad to have to put everything away in January. However, it will be nice to have snow to preoccupy me.

Flying Jingle Bells

Here is the first snowfall of the season in front of our house! It just started coming down in big flakes, beeautiful! I love the warmth of the summer but, there is something to be said about the first snowfall! Maybe it's the way everything looks so clean and pure or the way it just FEELS more like the holidays or the fact that I grew up in the desert and wore shorts all year long! Never quite experienced the whole, "White Christmas" thing until I moved away. I came home that night at about 10:00 p.m. and the kids were still playing in it.


The following night was our Ward Christmas Party in which the Primary presented a Talent Show. Here I am as the MCee. I asked a couple of other people to do it, who I thought would be great at it but did not luck out. It was a lot of fun watching the kids perform.


Here is Luke in the green, as an Oriental influenced, ninja, shepherd boy, so we were told. That's what happens when your mom isn't inclined to sew.


Alexis and Monique did a skit using balloons that they came up with on their own. I thought they were very cute and very brave. Way to go girls!


The last number of the night was, "The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies" made up of several of our very own Moses Lake Fairies. Kate and Ellie enjoyed getting their hair put up like a ballerina (shocker) and twirling around on stage. I want to give a shout-out to the Mom of the Year, Jessica C. for staying with the girls and dancing with them. Some of them WOULD NOT perform without an adult with them and Jessica stepped up to the plate! Yay Jessica!


Ellie and Santa! One of our few children that hasn't screamed on Santa's lap. Before Santa came in, I gave all the nursery and sunbeam aged children each a jingle bell bracelet (like the one in Ellie's hand) to shake while we all sang "Jingle Bells." I had pictured this in my head a couple of times before that night and thought it would be so cute. I didn't consider the strength and boredom of some of the boys and decided not to turn around when one of them sent theirs flying across the room at some unbeknownst bystander. I also couldn't hide the grin on my face as I thought to myself, "NOW, it is officially one of the most memorable Children's Christmas Programs."

"Growly Faces"

I should be going to bed right now but I feel like rambling so bare with me. Every night I read to Kate, Ellie and Luke. Sometimes it is a chapter book and sometimes it is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books. Well, right now we are reading a series of Junie B. Jones books, which I highly recommend! I love Junie B. She is full of Kindergarten questions and enlightenment. Her bestest friend (that's what she calls her) is Lucille. Throughout the series, these two, and others like, (mean boy named Jim) and Mrs. (her school teacher) have their disagreements in which Junie B. makes a growly face at them. However, once they get things off their chest, they always make up.

I thought of my best friend in kindergarten and how I thought she would always be in every class I was in, for always. I still remember the feeling in my gut when 1st grade came around and she wasn't there. OUch!

I also thought of a family that my family was good friends with when I was young. They had a kid pretty much the same age as every kid in our family and a few extra. We always did things with them and called each other our bestest friends. We spent every Thanksgiving with them until they moved away... Yes, they moved, crummy huh? I was devastated and in the fourth grade. Well, when we lived in Carnation, we were very close to a couple of families, one of which pretty much had a kid for every kid in our family and a few extra until....we moved. Yes, crummy again! The kids were devastated! I have to admit, so was I. However, I knew from experience that we would keep in contact and stay close anyway.

Now, we are getting to know some great people here and it is wonderful. It is nice to feel comfortable around other families. I often think of how sometimes, just like Junie B. Jones and Lucille, we can find connections with people that will last forever. What a blessing.

I've Been Tagged...

...by a long, lost friend of mine, Carrie. It has been so much fun catching up with her. She has always been a lot of fun! I love that technology gives us ways to re-connect with people.

I am supposed to post my fourth photo on my file so, here it is! I am putting the candles on Kate's 3rd Birthday cake. I always have my kids pick what kind of cake they want me to make and she wanted pink flowers. We were at my sister-in-laws house in Ellensburg because my nephew was also getting baptized. It was a good day!

The Mom Song

I'm sure many of you have seen this before but, I ran across it again today.

A Blaze Of Glory

While I was putting Ellie down for a nap today, Kate and her partner in crime, Kolette (cousin), decided to toast some marshmellows. However, they decided to modernize the process by using the toaster! They had all sorts of goodies out on the table ready to be accessed: pink sprinkles, multi-colored sprinkles, green sprinkles and food coloring. Little did they know that their plan would be foiled by flames. At first, I heard Kolette cry a little and then Kate screamed, "Ohhhh NOOOOO!" Then, in no time, she was in the bedroom telling me to go to the kitchen. Upon seeing the flames, I repeated three times, in my head, "Crisis plus time equals humor," "Crisis plus time equals humor," "Crisis plus time equals humor!" Kate was crying, "Don't tell dad!" "Don't tell dad!" Actually, I was thinking, "This could be much worse, the cupboards could have caught on fire or worse, the girls could have gotten burned." I couldn't chuckle in front of the girls though because well, what would that teach them. I calmed them down, gave them some peaches and told Kate that dad would forgive her!

P.S. It's a good thing they're so cute!

Unexpected Date

Troy had to get a handful of sand for Luke's volcano project and decided to drag me along. Now, driving around the sand dunes is not something that is foreign to me. I grew up around them. And Troy is a boy who always wanted a Jeep just for the purpose of tackling a sandbowl or two. So, he drove up and down a few bowls and I kept yelling things like, "WOOHoo, this is fun!" and "That wasn't very big, try that one over there!" At one point we were on two wheels, on our side. But, even then, I did not fret! I stayed calm and collected. Alright, I am kidding, I screamed like a baby! I thought I was going to die! It was still fun though. I kept thinking to myself that spontaneity is good every once in awhile!

A Tumbling Tower

We love having friends over for Family Home Evening. It helps me be a little more prepared and it's always fun. I told the story of Joseph being sold into Egypt and then we played this game.


I made a tower of Brown Sugar and put a piece of candy at the top. It was supposed to be made of flour but, of course that didn't work so, we improvised with sugar. (much tastier) Everyone took a turn shaving a piece of the sugar off with the knife which represented sin or wrong choices. Whomever the tower fell on had to use their mouth to grab the piece of candy that was on the top. So, the theme of the lesson was to always be "Steadfast and Immovable." Well, the tower immediately started to crumple before anyone started to shave it. So, I tried to get the idea across before half of it fell. So, it lasted about 30 seconds max. It's funny how things don't always turn out the way you envision them but sometimes, it makes it even better or funnier or faster!






We had a great time and our friends were very good sports!

Halloween: Part 2

We started celebrating Halloween early in the day with lots of kids, goodies, spiders and costumes. It was nice because the kids had the day off of school. Every year we get a (not so scary) movie for the kids to watch in the afternoon. I tried to get "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" but, it didn't come in on time. So, we settled for something else. The older kids watched "Beetlejuice." That 80's relic was a hard one to find. Then it was time to get dressed. Ellie was easy enough but, Kate did not want to be JUST a witch. She decided on a Vampire Witch.



Luke combined two costumes to become a Nerd Knight! Yes, you heard it right, a Nerd Knight! We thought it was pretty creative until we saw his buddy who also dressed up like a nerd with a KNIFE. Boys and their weapons! And then there is Alex, she did not want to be anything GIRLY! So, what do you think? Does she pass? It was all about being scary!



Everyone decided to pour out the Loot after Trick or Treating to barter and trade. I even got a few pieces of chocolate. Troy and I were watching TV later and the history channel was doing a Halloween documentary. They said that parents end up either taking or eating 90% of the candy their kids bring home. That made us laugh and sneak a couple more pieces. sshh!



Austin and his friends were our candy passer outers. I think they got a kick out of it.


We took the two little girls to a carnival at one of the parks in town. They had a good time, painting pumpkins, looking for candy in the straw, tossing bean bags, etc.



The holidays are upon us! YEAH!

Sweet

Austin and Daniel right before the youth Halloween dance. Here are some moves we told him to brush up on.

Sunday Blessings

I had an early, exhausting, insiteful, sweet day and just wanted to share a few things that happened.

1. Early - Preparations for church, Primary Program and meeting.

2. Exhausting - Watching a class or ANY class of 10 and 11-year old boys because they are always bursting with energy, spirit and what I like to call "potential leadership skills."

3. Insiteful - On the way to church, I reprimanded Kate (my 6 year old) and said something like, "...not my Kate, she's a BIG girl." she quickly responded by saying, "But mom, I'm MEDIUM."

4. Sweet - Watching a loving teacher console one of her class members.

Becoming emotional after reading a comment card about the Primary Program to the children and finding out later that it was my sweet husband who wrote it.

Being able to serve among the children every week where the spirit is so very strong. I am so grateful.

Wide Open Spaces

Here are some pictures I took at a friends house. You can't tell from the pictures but, they live on a very large plot of land without any neighbors right next to them. It was nice to go out there and just take in the space and beauty. She gave my sister-in-law and I some perennials and tomatoes from her garden. We were very excited! She also had some fun things in her yard that I just couldn't help taking pictures of. Country living is very cool.


I couldn't get over the size of the swing set, yet there was still plenty of room for football, baseball, etc. It was easy to imagine the fun their kids must have had growing up.

Fortunes

I was looking for a fortune cookie picture on the internet and this was the first one that popped up. I thought it was funny, but then again it is 1:00 in the morning. There was an article about a decorator in a magazine of mine that posts fortunes from cookies on an antique column she has. It looks really cool. Anyway, I love seeing how people make their home their own and personalize things. I have a friend that has been trying to help me with that in my own home and it has become something that I really enjoy trying to do. I want my kids to remember unique things about our home that will stay with them. I remember my sister and I taking turns riding in the giant, wooden spoon that hung on the wall in our kitchen. One of us would pull the handle, while the other sat in the spoon. I think we even broke it once. However, it was glued back together and we continued to play with it. My friend also turned me onto antiques and the stories behind them. I love to go to garage sales or antique stores and hear the stories that go along with certain items. It can be very interesting and sometimes very entertaining. I also love signs and quotes.

Here is a quote from one of the fortunes on the column: "Very little is needed to make a happy life."

The Lifeguard

By nature, I am a pretty naive person but, it is very evident that the candidates in political offices get more child like with every race. While it is very frustrating at times, I still believe in our government and know that this country is very blessed. We have so much to be grateful for. I cannot imagine living in any other country or having another form of government. I have visited a few other countries in my lifetime and I am always glad to be back in the United States. So, as I sift through the debates and mumbo jumbo of each politician, I hope that whomever gets sworn in will be a great "Lifeguard" and be the example that that office should define.

Firsts

This is a little late but we always take "First day of School Pictures" at home. This is Austin's first day of High School. I can't believe how much he's grown in the last year and that I actually have a "High Schooler." I remember my first day of high school as if it were yesterday. He also started Seminary. He really enjoys it and tells us what he learns all the time. In fact, they have released time here, which was even more exciting for him because he doesn't have to get up any earlier to go.


Alexis is in the 7th grade, 2nd year of middle school and is playing volleyball for the school. This is our first child playing a school sport! It is a lot of fun to go to her games and watch her progress and of course, cheer her on! Go Alexis!


This is the first year that Luke is the "BIG" brother at school! He is in the fourth grade and has been very vigilant at keeping track of Kate and making sure she knows where to go, whether it be at the bus stop or on the playground. Thanks Luke!


Kate started Kindergarten this year. She felt a little left out last year when most of her friends started. Her birthday is September 2nd and she just missed the deadline. She is doing great, loves doing "real" homework and loves her teacher.


Ellie let me know that she needed a picture with a backpack as well. She was not going to be left out. Troy and I think Ellie is a genius (lol). She talks in full, pretty plain sentences and understands just about everything we say. We have never had to be so careful with what we say in front of any of our children at this early of an age. I can't imagine what it will be like when she starts school and no one is home. I'll have to actually get something accomplished.

"I Can Do Hard Things"

I always enjoy watching conference and taking in the guidance and wisdom from the general authorities. It is also very evident that they are inspired as to what to speak about because I always feel that they talking directly to me. We are so blessed to have modern day revelation and prophets. I can't help but feel a sense of renewed faith and hope after such services. Especially during these difficult economic times. It has come to our attention that my husbands work will be laying people off soon due to the current state of our economy and while I am nervous and unsure of the future, I feel comforted and faithful that everything will work itself out. We can always be grateful for what we DO have.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from one of the conference sessions:

"Meekness is not weekness. It is the badge of Christian hope." Robert D. Hales

"Testimonies are only born in love and meekness." Robert D. Hales

"I can do hard things." YW President

"In the strength of the Lord I can do all things." YW President

"Nothing is as constant as change." President Monson

Recently, I was talking to a friend about the reality of people changing. It has been hard for me to change certain things about myself that I know I must but, with the strength of the Lord I know that I can. There are a couple of things I thought I would never be able to overcome and are no longer a struggle. Now, I still have many more to work on but, I feel very motivated in knowing that I can change even one thing in my life for the better. "In the strength of the Lord I can do all things."

Gangsta's

I came home tonight and my children had dressed themselves up - Hood! They started taking pictures and I had to get them ALL so, I took over. I have no idea what made them think of this but, they were having a good ole time. They are also the inspiration for my new title. I know - Cheesy but, I think they are so fun and cute! Luke kind of looks like he is taking it a little too seriously, ha ha. Kate was more than happy to pose for a few more. Has she done this before?

Things That Make You Go hmmm

Every night our kids brush their teeth. Every night they use a timer like this to measure how long they need to brush. Well, tonight, Kate was busy brushing and suddenly grabbed the timer and sat it on its side, like so. Troy and I immediately thought that she was trying to stall and questioned her. She continued to tell us that she needed to spit and that she was pausing the timer so she could continue afterwards. "Oh, of course you were, you are so smart," we told her. Maybe she was stalling as well but, so what. She is too cute! I immediately thought of how I need to pause and "smell the flowers," so to speak, every once in awhile. Out of the mouth of babes.

Other lessons I have learned this week:

2. Surprise my kids more often: Austin has been wanting the third "Eragon" book, which just came out Friday. We told him that he'd have to wait. He also performed with his band at a Huskies football game and was gone all day on Saturday. When he was gone, we bought the book, placed it on his bed, opened it to the middle, so he couldn't see the title and left it there. After finding it, he thanked us profusely, he smiled from ear to ear and we even got hugs, score! He continued to tell us how there was a boy that sat right next to him on the bus reading the book and a girl in back of him reading it as well and how frustrated he was that he didn't have his own copy.

3. Observe Kindergartners more often: I took Kate (my kindergartner) and Ellie to Alex's volleyball games this week. While we were there, Kate noticed a friend of hers walk in the door that was from school. I had never seen this girl before. They immediately greeted each other with a hug, giggle and a smile and busily played for the rest of the game. I couldn't help but think how uninhibited they were and how as we get older the easier it is to be the opposite.

4. Don't be afraid to stray from the norm: I LOVE ice cream. However, this weekend I was introduced to Gelato. It is like ice cream but better (more flavorful) and wasabi cheese is not as hot as you would think. It is very, very good. I tend to keep to my vanilla and cheddar.

5. Always Delegate! Especially when you are setting up 24 chairs in a limited space. It will not take more time to explain, it will take longer to do it by yourself. Two Words: Primary Program

Getting Jiggy

I couldn't resist an 80's moment for the day. Love the attitude on some of these girls faces and Tony Basil's moves are to die for! Ha Ha! My mother used to tell me to smile more, etc. when I was a cheerleader. I really only liked the dancing and gymnastics part of the whole thing. The only saving grace for me was the aerial cartwheel I could do -- SOMETIMES. In fact, I tried to do one the other day, out of sheer lack of reality and almost put my back out. Back handsprings? No, I was too chicken.

...as soon as the kids are in bed

A friend of mine and her husband have a Ben and Jerry's night every once in awhile. This is kind of a tradition they have started. Well, when they came to visit we decided that it was a great idea and that we would have to join in on this tradition as well. Ice cream is our "treat of choice" especially, when you get to choose your own personal flavor. We waited of course until the kids were in bed because this is something that you just don't want to share. Troy had aligned them so nicely we had to take a picture. I wish I had one in my hand right now.

The Recipient

I have been called a name or two in my life, it's true. I have also been on the giving end of it too. However, it takes me quite awhile to get to that point. Well, a couple of months ago, a friend called me a "pushover" for doing something that most will not. She also said that others thought this as well. I just brushed it off because I'm sure she did not mean to offend, right? I didn't think about it again until another friend, jokingly, said I was a sucker for doing the same thing. I laughed because I thought it was quite witty and I know she did not mean to offend either. Well, my sweet husband has been home all week due to a company shut-down. And while this has been a wonderful time for us to spend together, it is now Thursday and I think we have a bit of cabin-fever. I was cleaning upstairs and he starts commenting on the very thing that I have been teased about. Well, lets just say that he was the RECIPIENT of my not so "pushover" mood.

"Jungle Red"

Ok, my hands look really old right here! Aacchh! I meant to make the picture smaller. Anyway, I saw a movie recently with Meg Ryan and other famous actresses in it. It was about women and some of the trials they go through. It mostly follows Meg Ryan's character and how she goes from wearing muted fingernail colors to wearing "Jungle Red." Or rather, going from being content with life to having the courage to do something that is scary yet possibly, very rewarding. So, I decided that, even though I am very happy with my life and wouldn't change the big things about it, I could set some goals and make a list of things I've always wanted to do but haven't made a priority. So, I started with painting my nails of course. This is something I have never been into. I really hate painting them and finding that, in the same day they are already peeling and breaking, etc. However, I figured that it was more of a statement to myself than anything and maybe it would be fun. My little girls actually started it off because they wanted their nails painted and it seems like I am always doing that for them (ok, so I have a hard time clipping them but I do paint them). So, thanks Kate and Ellie for giving me that boost! I'm off and fired up with my "Jungle Red" polish. Wish me luck!

Wipeout!

New favorite show! Tuesday nights on ABC. I can't decide on my favorite contestant. It's a tie between Mr. Excitement, the 56- year old grandma and the Jazz Dancer!

What "Labor Day" Means To Me

Tomorrow is Kate's birthday! Six years ago I delivered her almost a week late but right on Labor Day! The day we came home from the hospital was the 1st day of school for the kids. It was crazy, chaotic, joyous, fun and tiring! She cried a lot after the first day home, to the point that I knew that she must be hurting. Nothing would soothe her. She wouldn't even nurse. We took her to the Dr. to get her checked out and nothing was wrong, which was even more frustrating. How could nothing be wrong? I had had babies with colic before but this was different. She was in pain. After going to her Pediatrician, we decided to try a Chiropractor. After a couple of weeks she seemed to be getting better but I don't know if she was just feeling better on her own or what. Then at 18 months, she started walking around with her head tilted to one side for a whole week. After visiting our 2nd chiropractor, he sent us home with exercises and it seemed to work. She also had Priesthood blessings given to her that I know soothed her and calmed her down, enabling her to sleep and get some needed rest. I am so grateful for the miracle of life and for the power of a loving Heavenly Father that is there for us if we ask.

I love you Kate!

Sweet Child of Mine

During these summer days all that Ellie wants to wear are her pajamas and an occassional bandana. Like her sisters before, at this age, the clothes come off and all that is left is diaper. But at 2 years of age, it's pretty cute. If she's still favoring this at age 30, we'll talk.