GROSS!

My family has been watching this funny video from Americas Funniest Videos. It is hilarious to watch with Luke who laughs so hard sometimes I think he will wet his pants. Anyway, I am officially done thinking this video is funny! Why? Because it happened to me!

The other night we literally walked through the door at Grandmas when Peter started fussing. Something about milk, I think? I picked him up and BAM! Right into my mouth. Family scattered like flies. Which left me with Vomit all over my face and down my new white sweater. Me, plus white, plus kids is not a good combo.

Awesome Parents

On Christmas Eve we went snowshoeing as a fam. The kids found a steep hill and wanted to slide down it.
We missed Peter's first time down on camera and MADE him do it again. He was not as happy this time around. Notice how Mom pushes him down, and casually watches from the top. No one seems too worried about the poor kid!
Love pushing my kids to be brave--what awesome Parents are we!

Happy Festivus From the Rest of US!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.
Steve made the first fire in our fireplace since we have lived in this house. Which is about 8 years. Our house has not burned down......yet.

Christ in Christmas

The one thing I will admit that I am good at, is doing the majority of my Christmas shopping before December. Thus leaving the great month to concentrate on more important things. I want my kids to know that Christmas is not about the "hustle and bustle" but actually the opposite, staying in the warmth of our home with family, decorations, warm yummy food and the spirit of our Savior.
Our kids are very familiar with the the Luke 2 story of Christ, this year I wanted them to know more. We began reading in Helaman with Samuel the Lamanite, and are slowly progressing to the visitation of Christ. I think it is remarkable that those in the Americas saw the same signs that they did over in Israel. I know that Samuel was a prophet of God who prophesied that these signs would come, and indeed they did. Samuel like all the other prophets of old and like our prophet today are persecuted for "righteousness sake." Satan works hard to make man think the prophets are fools.
The Book of Mormon also tells us that the same Christ who we celebrate his birth also came to the Americas, for he loves all his children. I know that his life is what we celebrate and if he was here today he would be with those who need him most, the "poor in heart...to those in trouble, distress, and need wherever they may be."
I hope I can always concentrate a little more on what Christmas really means.
I love this video, especially the person who sang it!

That's my boy!

I looked out the window the other day and smiled! This is what I saw:

My 8 year old Luke was helping the elderly neighbor across the street shovel the snow.
I was so impressed by his willingness to do service. I know it comes from the great example of his Dad. Steve is always the first to make sure all the elderly on our street our shoveled out. What great guys!

McDonalds Mayhem

So after last nights disaster at IKEA, I needed an easy day. So much for wishful thinking.
First up, kids Christmas program at the school, 9:30. I hurry and drop my little ones at Grandmas and rush down to Paradise Bakery to get teacher gifts. I was scheduled to do it last night--and we know how that turned out. P.S. I had to prove my friend wrong who told me "I knew you wouldn't get the teachers anything." (Love ya Christina!) Maggie's class sang first, Luke's last--ARRRRGGGG!
Next up, pick up kids at Grandmas, put on a new white sweater also from Grandma, and were off to McDonalds.
Kids had a blast. Mom however had Rachel throw up all over her new outfit--it was bad!
I realize I am late picking Luke up from school, Peter is nowhere to be found, and its a blizzard outside. Turns out Peter is at the top of Playland and will not budge. It took a lot of pushing, pulling, screaming, bribery and even mom climbing up the slide to get Peter down.
Poor Luke had to walk home in the horrible snow storm, I feel so bad that I am going to buy him the scary ski mask.
Side note: The only nice thing I can say about Peter today is that he is a GENIUS. He pointed to a word and said, "That spells Utah!" Wow!

IKEA

I love IKEA. Do I love it enough to be stuck there all night? NO!!!!!!!!!!
Our night began when I agreed to pick Steve up from work and then we would head off to IKEA. Returns, shopping, play land, dinner....you name it, we did it. Once we were in the parking lot and Steve asked me to unlock the car....ooops, thats when I knew. I had locked my keys in the car.
Back into the store and a couple phone calls later, a locksmith was on his way. Or was he. It took him an hour, and he said he lived in Herriman. Isn't Herriman just right down the street? He also said he got lost...seriously dude, you drive by IKEA everyday!
We are home now, 4 1/2 hours later.
All I have to say is that I have an awesome husband. He never even got mad at me, and said everyone makes mistakes. He did imply that I make very expensive mistakes however.

Luke's Request

For years Luke has wanted me to buy him an accessory for the cold weather. I have blown him off, until recently when the requests/nagging are coming often and he does have to walk to school in the frigid temperatures.
The item is a ski mask with three holes.
How do you explain to your sweet child that:

This sweet face
plus +


a ski mask
equals =

The old neighbor lady mistaking you for the bank robber she saw on TV last night.
(ok, not the scariest picture. But this is a family friendly website!)

Baby Steps

Rachel is walking...well sort of...we will call them baby steps!
Check out the video!
Steve and I watched What about Bob the other night and I think it inspired her...you know "baby steps."

Day of Song...and Special People

Friday began with Maggie's Kindergarten Program. She sat on the front row with her legs spread apart. At one point she was picked to sing a special part with a handful of other kids, hate when they do this-but love it when it is MY child. As I watched my beautiful girl sing the Christmas carols I wondered if she knew the importance of what she sang?


Later that day Steve and I had a date to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. After being turned down by a handful of babysitters, we finally found one. (Little Rachel was taken care of by our sweet neighbors!) We left for the concert an hour and a half early, and could not find parking to save our life! Side note: Don't park where your ticket assigns you. We barely made it into the Conference Center only to find that there were no more seats! After all we had been through, my heart sunk and I was near tears! I felt like Mary: There is no room for you here!
I found a kind old lady who was ushering and she took pitty on us and found some seats. We sat down and the gentleman next to me said "These seats are for special people." "Oh," I said in my ignorance "are we sitting by someone special?" Apparently his wife was someone special. I wondered through the concert who this special person was I was sitting by. Steve later informed me that they were HANDICAP seats.

New Word

I think our Birthday was a hit. Rachel learned to say "Ma Ma". How neat is it that she said it on my birthday...if this continues, she is in the lead for favorite child.
I made a chocolate candy cane cake with whip cream. Yum!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you my precious Rachel and oh yeah to me as well.

You are the BEST birthday gift that I ever received, and I have received some memorable birthday gifts over the years. Such as an engagement ring, an orange bike, and a daughter with a broken arm. Hopefully your gift will keep giving--like me concentrating more on your special day and forgetting how old I am turning on that day.

Christmas Devotional

Tonight Steve and I were lucky enough to go the Conferance Center and enjoy a Christmas message from the First Presidency of our church.

It was a great treat to share time with my husband, enjoy the scenery of the beautiful lights on temple square, and bask in the message of our Savior Jesus Christ. The message that stuck in my head tonight was that I can do more. More to be like my Savior, more service to others, and letting in more room in my heart, home and family for my Heavenly Father.


Ironically enough by the time we were in the parking garage I had obviously forgotten the message. I was frustrated that the car in front of us was letting everyone in. I guess I really do have more work to do in this area!

Perspective

Tonight while Steve and I were talking, a story on the TV caught our attention about Zimbabwe refugees who are sick and starving. We watched the news clip of men and women running towards food that had been brought in by a charity. Click HERE to watch the story.
It made me feel selfish for the abundance that we have, and embarrassed at American society who feels sorry for themselves that the economy is in a slow down.
I think today is a good day for my Simple Gratitude's of the Day!

I am thankful for my Luke who keeps telling me he hopes I feel better soon.

I am thankful that my husband hung the Christmas lights on our house today. Look closely they are there!


I am thankful that my kids went to Breakfast with Santa, and had such a fun time!




I am thankful for the Christmas Season and the spirit it brings!

Holiday Checklist

Let the Holiday things to do list begin!
Opening the chocolate advent calendar! Check!

It is just one little chocolate but a whole lot of excitement!

Decorating the tree! Check!

Hand me down ornaments from my childhood and homemade ones from the kids. Nothing breakable or expensive on our tree. But I love it.

A Beautiful and peaceful room to relax and enjoy the season in. Check!


And finally, the dreaded December illness. Mom is the lucky recipient. Check!

Every time I call Steve this is how the conversation goes:
Sarah: Hi (in a crackly, deep, almost lost voice)
Steve: Your voice sounds so sexy, I love it!
Sarah: Huh? You like my smokers voice?
Steve: Yeah now that you put it that way, Not so much.

Iced in at the cabin

Why is everyone happier when they are at the cabin? Is it the air? Is it the water? It certainly is not the sleep! Whatever the reason we sure had fun this weekend!
The main road was iced over and the kids spent hours flying down the hill on sleds.
We made lots of "comfort foods" and all were declared "numers" by Peter!
Laughs were shared as we watched people getting stuck in their cars all over the place, and we prayed it would not happen to us as well.
Luke loved figuring out the prints we saw in the snow, and his sister must think we live in Africa since she was sure many of the prints were from Kangaroos and monkeys. Such a bright child.
It was so beautiful in the snow that I say, "Let Winter Begin!"

Thanksgiving '08

Today I am Thankful for sleeping in next to my husband. Who by the way brought these home for me yesterday, with a note that read, "I am thankful for you!"

Pixie Hollow

Maggie and her friends, twins, Alex and Lizzy are off on an adventure. Pixie Hollow that is. Their bags are packed and wings are attached. They drew a map and are determined to leave home without parents, they will miss us they say, and will return in time for Thanksgiving.
I was raking leaves in the front yard when they took off down the street and they stopped dead in their tracks when they saw me. At that point they had to come up with a new plan.
I can just see us explaining the story to the police and news media when they get lost for good!

Family Home Evening

After singing a million songs, and after scolding Luke for making "farting" noises to the songs we were singing, we got busy on the activity for FHE!
We made turkey cards. Can you tell who made which one?
Later we will deliver them to people we love--maybe it will be you!

Television Time

I am so excited I turned on TV today at 1:00 to find out this was on!



Now my girls are watching another one of my favorites! JOSEPH!



Go Go Joseph!
Click HERE for my favorite part of the movie.

Steve will disagree he knows my real favorite spot is Donny in his loin cloth. It really is just the song he sings while wearing it. Really!

Jesse & Kortney

My kids absolutely love their aunt and uncle. This Halloween Grandpa and Grandma Greer hosted a fun party for the kids. I just loved these pictures. Jesse is even loved when he looks like a "Super-Freak!"

Utah Woman am I

GO UTES!



This will be flashing Saturday Night.



Today at the childrens school it was "Wear your team colors."
Maggie was true to her family with her University of Utah sweatshirt, Luke however DISAPPOINTED. (Thanks Uncle Adam)

SIMPLE GRATITUDES OF THE DAY

Today I am GRATEFUL for:

-A two year old who says "NO, Thank you!"



-An early morning walk with a friend



-The pink clouds of the sunrise behind the purple mountains



-Crumb Cake for Breakfast



-A latter day Prophet who guides us in a confusing world


Click HERE to learn more.