Shantil's Days At Home

Top Pic: Days at home with Daddy's help.

Bottom Pic: Days at home when Daddy's gone.

(Note: This funny idea came about when I discovered our beloved snowman smashed deeply into our couch! Benjamin pegged this one!)

My Hottest Date Ever . . .

So we attended my Christmas Party for Verrado Village where I work. It was at a resort in Scottsdale. We dressed up--Benjamin wore his tuxedo, and looked fabulous, I must say. I wore a bridesmaid dress from my sister's wedding reception. It fit me! Hooray!

When we were checking in, the woman helping us asked if we were under 21? She had lists for employees according to age as to determine drinking eligibility, I guess. Benj and I exchanged smiles, and then took our "non-alcoholic" beverage tickets to get drinks.

The juices were awful! You couldn't tell the grapefruit from the orange juice, they both tasted so bad. I finally settled with a cranberry juice on ice, but it was sweetened, and I love the taste raw and tart! We saw the biggest gingerbread house with stained-glass windows and white lights woven through ribbons of frosting to create a snowy landscape around the house. It was quite the sight!

The dinner was pretty good, but mostly it was just enjoyable to enjoy the night with Benjamin. The whole experience was kind of like "Senior Ball" except I'm obviously now married and have three kids. The drinking and scanty dresses I could have done without, but all in all, it was fun! And as for my 'date,' he was my hottest date ever and always . . .

My Glorified Charlie Brown Tree

So, we had our 'typical' artificial tree up this year. But when Gentry brought it down upon himself, cracking the stand, Mommy had to get creative. You see, it was a night where Mommy was expecting guests, and so there had to be a tree lighting up the room in its wondrous splendor!

Mommy told the boys to hop into the car because we were going to get ourselves a new Christmas tree. The boys were more than a little excited. We drove and then parked near a walking path, and Mommy told the boys to keep their eyes open for a good branch to decorate.

Soon it was before our eyes: a tall proud branch of a creosote bush. The easy crunch beneath Mommy's foot made it simple to attain. And soon Mommy and the boys were all holding onto the "tree" to bring it home. Here it is decorated in all it's Charlie Brown simplicity. And you know what? Many have given the "tree" great reviews for its authenticity. Merry Christmas!

8,8,8,8,8,8

Well, Darice tagged me, and sorry it has taken me forever to respond! I'm so busy, just like the rest of us. That will have to do for my excuse. Here it is:

8 Favorite TV Shows

1. American Idol
2. Biggest Loser
3. Wipe Out
4. Petticoat Junction
5. Leave It To Beaver
6. Little House on the Prairie
7. Caillou
8. Sesame Street

8 Favorite Restaurants

1. Chipotle-Veggie Burrito Bowl and lots of salty chips--yum!
2. Picasso Pizza-This place is in Sedona, and the pizza is so deliciously different than your average pizza, it should hardly go by the same name . . .
3. Plaza del Sol- A very tasty mexican restaurant my hubby and I used to frequent as newlyweds still living in our apartment in Cali
4. Macayos- I love their Baja Burrito and their Spinach Enchiladas. You would never know spinach could taste so good!
5. Cracker Barrel- I love everything about this place: the biscuits, the decor, the gift shop. Makes me long for a pair of good cowgirl boots, and a trip back to the West in days gone by!
6. Subway- Does that count? I got my first job there when I was 15, and loved my title of "Sandwich Artist." They have the best Veggie Delight Sandwiches. I craved them badly when I was pregnant with Dayton!
7. Souper Salad- This is a fun healthy restaurant on Bell Road, near the Arrowhead Mall. They offer an all-you-can-eat bar with many soups, breads, salads, cookies, and frozen yogurt all for $4.99!
8. Olive Garden- This restaurant will always hold a tender place as it was the place Benj and I went on our very first date 7 years and 4 months ago.

8 Things That Happened Yesterday

1. Read in Luke of Christ's Birth- I love this particular account; it is simple and beautiful to me.
2. Played Christmas Music at the Piano- I love to play the piano, and Sunday seems the best day to enjoy it . . . (sigh . . .)
3. Taught Josiah's Primary Class- It is always a blessing to teach and feel the tender spirits of the children in Primary. I'm always grateful for the opportunity--and always willing, Darice.
4. Took a Shower in Peace- When 'Papa Bear' is home, I can shut and lock my bedroom door and finally take the 10-15 minute shower I used to take frequently.
5. Rocked My Gentry To Sleep- I love that he allows me to still do this. I read a few books to him, and love to breathe in his baby smell, then I hold him wrapped in his blanket from Grammy, and rock him to sleep.
6. Instigated TV Remission- My husband, for some time, has wanted to rid our family of the tv as we once were when first married. When my boys griped about a simple request, I decided that tv was the main culprit. So we removed the tv and it's been great so far!
7. Ate a Piece of Chocolate Cake- This is always a big deal for me, as I never buy cake or anything like it! Because it was offered, and I was starving, I accepted. It was very good--I cannot lie.
8. Remorsed For a Friend- I found out yesterday, that my neighbor's husband has cancer. He is someone with whom I have tried to share the gospel, and hope and pray for him and his family that there might be peace and hope even in such a trial.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To

1. Christmas Eve- I love wrapping the last few gifts, and playing Santa with my hubby to make everything look like a Christmas dream come true for my sons.
2. A HairCut- I need one, and could have used one before our famiy pics were taken. Now if I could only find that coupon I clipped a few days back . . .
3. My Dance/Step Class- I love teaching my Friday morning class!!! I just found some great upbeat Christmas music that we can really dance to. Plus, my class has been increasing in size the last few weeks!
4. The Ward Christmas Party- I've been asked to put together a women's group for a musical number, and I've found some beautiful songs for us to sing. Anyone interested?
5. Our After-Christmas Vacation- We were going to have Thanksgiving in Utah with my husband's family as we normally do, but it turns out we'll be there for a full week following Christmas. I can't wait to ring in the New Year with my awesome sisters-in-law!!
6. Josiah's Piano Playing- I've been teaching him piano, and he really takes to it. I can't wait for the day that he thanks me for not relenting when he says he doesn't want to learn.
7. Missions- I look forward to my son's missions as well as the mission Benj and I hope we will one day serve together.
8. The Second Coming- I have just been reading about this day to my boys, and while I'm certainly not totally prepared, I do await that deep sense of reunion to be felt when that day comes.

8 Things On My Wish List

1. Attend the Temple- It is always longer than I would like in between trips to the temple. But at least I know we will be attending this month in Utah!
2. Peaceful- Goodness, this list is certainly not in order of priority. I just want to feel peace no matter what--because I'm doing what the Lord would have me do.
3. Organized- I think of the scripture about a house of order, and always dwell on the beginning which says to "Organize yourselves . . . " If we aren't organized in our minds with what's most important, we can't be much effective anywhere else!
4. Charity- When I remember to specifically pray for this attribute, my day is so much happier and I feel much more satisfied in what I accomplished.
5. Recording Studio- I have recorded one album, and have songs for a jazz album, as well as plans for a Christmas one, too. Some day soon, I hope!
6. Guilt-Free Clothes shopping- You know, I always tell my husband, if I had money a-plenty, I would buy more clothes for myself. The kind that look custom-fitted. Oh well.
7. Cuppa Jazz- This may well be the name of my jazz band one day, when I am the pianist and singer. We will play for weddings, events, and holidays. Then I can wear my pretty dresses with good reason . . .
8. Own our Home- What a feeling that would be! To follow President Hinckley's counsel regarding owning your home could not be a better goal to reach.

8 People I'm Tagging

1. Kristi
2. Sher
3. Ken
4. Lynette
5. Wendy
6. Amy
7. Rochelle
8. Jaclyn