My Christmas Story: Finding Jesus

One of the things that I like to do is haunt thrift shops. There are great ones, good ones and junkie ones. We are fortunate to have one that looks like a junkie one, but is really a gold mine of great finds. It is the Goodwill Outlet store. Yes- Goodwill has an outlet! Nothing is displayed. Similar items are grouped in areas of the warehouse. You rummage through bins for clothing. Boxes of household goods are placed on tables. Toys are found in barrels. Books are in 3'x3' crates. Lamps and vacuum cleaners are lined up along the wall. At the register you can negotiate prices. It is cluttered, dirty and a whole lot of fun. 

On Wednesdays I work in San Luis. It is a long day of split shifts. My first starts at 8:45AM and I finish at 7PM. I have several afternoon hours to myself. This grand bazaar of used treasure is right around the block. Hard to resist. 

I went in, not wanting or needing anything in particular. I looked around and found a married couple reviewing some Christmas things they had found. That drew me over and I started pawing through a box. It was full of old, very ugly decorations. Then I started to find some pieces that interested me. 

Larry passed away last August, it had already been planned that we get together as a family at Kira and Stewart's home in Utah. Another tender mercy of perfect timing from a loving Heavenly Father; I will be doing something other than the normal routine for Christmas. It will make Larry's absence at this holiday a little easier to bear. Since Dan and I will be gone a week for Christmas and there is only the two of us, we decided to get a small tree. Dan said we didn't need one, but I do. 

In the box of discards I started to find small heart ornaments. I am finding that I am drawn to the shape of hearts. In the past, if you were to ask me what I like, I wouldn’t have an answer. Over the past two years, I have taken to purchase, on impulse, items that I am drawn to. Normally, I would talk myself out of getting myself anything, so this is something new. As I have examined my purchases, specifically pins, they are mostly hearts. I was drawn to the heart ornaments, I thought of my own wounded heart and the great loving heart of our Savior whose birth we are celebrating. What a perfect thing for my Christmas tree this year! Symbols of two things that are dear to me. 

A large item came into view as I looked in the box- a needlepoint donkey with a chicken on it's back. 

First thing I considered was that it was from the story 'The Bremen Town Musicians', until I uncovered what looked like a shepherd. 

Ahhh, this was from a nativity set. Then it became a hunt. 

I found a cow. 

That was all; I emptied out the box and found no more. 

Check it out...there was another box right next to me! Hunt, hunt- found Mary and 

a manger with a sheep. 

I set up my little nativity on the floor to see what it looked like. It is dated and a little bent. I liked it, but it was missing an element. Were there more pieces? Where was Jesus? I was in a thrift store, going through miscellaneous boxes. There was no guarantee that all the pieces would be there or even together. Then it became very important to me to find Jesus. The main individual that brought these random characters together was missing. The scene didn't have it's heart. 

I started leafing through the boxes, then searching, then emptying them piece by piece to find Jesus. In my heart and mind, I heard my self exclaiming- "Where is Jesus?" This little unwanted nativity needed to be complete. I was unconscious of the people around me; I was focused solely on my task. What if it was lost long before it was donated? What if it got separated? I was getting concerned and grieving the loss as my search was not yielding my treasure. Then at the bottom of the second box, I found Baby Jesus, in perfect shape. I smiled- a lot. Peace flooded into my soul. I found Jesus. 

There was no second-guessing; this unwanted, discarded, funky little nativity set was coming home with me. 

Keske Hawaii Vacation

And what does Elizabeth think of this?

Mom's 'Bright Room' Complete!

For this last Christmas, Mom's gift from the kids was a room all for herself. A place where she could go to relax, rejuvinate and maybe even sew, if the fancy struck her. With Ian on his mission and Daniel moving into the 'Girls Room', that opened up the "Boy's Room" for her use. However, it was in no shape or condition to promote peace and serenity. It was more likely to prompt sneezing and a strong desire to escape. ;) So when Katie, Kira and I came down (for Katie, up) to help mom while dad was in the hopsital this last November, we set to work to transfor the room for our most beloved Mommy Dearest.

It took a whole lot of work and effort, espcially when we had to send one of us chasing after the little ones running around trying to get into everything that there were not supposed to. Funny how they love to do that so much. We had to empty everything out of the room first to go through the 'stuff' *cough junk cough*. It was slightly overwhelming for Mom to go through it all, but she was such a trooper!

Next we had to go through the food storage that is stored in the room. As we went through the food, Kira laid down the law for what can and cannot be stored in there. (Mom was a very good student and has kept those rules! Go Mom!) By the end of the purge and clean, there was not much left on the shelves which is alright because there are only 3 or 4 people in the house. :)

In the middle of the week, Mom had a huge balloon job and lucky for her, she had lots of extra helpers! We got most of the prep work done the night before, so the early morning job went very quickly and without too many hicups. :D

We were all happy campers to be done with the job and to go home. Katie was happy too because she was able to get some back up with the three little ones that she was taking care of. Oh and did I mention that she was 8 months pregnant? Impressive right? Thank you Katie!

The work continued on. We were washing the walls, which was a special experience all on in itself, and we decided that it needed a fresh coat of paint. I went out and found the right can and we had just enough to cover all of the walls! Aren't we so blessed right? :) The room looked and smelled so much nicer!

If you ask anyone they could probably tell you that we Graff women have good imaginations and that we also love to make things extra pretty. As we were painting we bandied a bit about painting the floors too because the floors were ugly. That got us chatting about other types of flooring. So Kira and Katie (I think) went to the Home Depot and brought home samples of different flooring options. We chose a nice light beige marble peel and stick tile and oh it looks so nice! It was a fun project too. It was nice to see the floor covered up!

Yeah Rose! Some parts were Jigsaw-ish, good thing she likes puzzles!

She was such a great, hard worker! Thank you Rose!!

And the finished floors!!!

All throughout the week of work, the kids got to play with all of Mom's Grandma toys and watch lots of cartoons. Lucky ducks! Our living room looked like this for the majority of the week.

And since we were working for the majorty of the time, they usually stayed in their PJ's.

Did I mention that Katie was 8 months pregnant?

Our week ended all too quickly and we didn't get everything done that we wanted, but such is life. We left mom to do some of the last minute things and when I came home, the room looked pretty darn good! After a week of being home I pulled Mom into the room one night and we went to work finishing up the last little frills and girly things that make up Mom's tastes. ;)

And here is the final product!

Wahoo! It's Done!

Well, mostly. ;) Now there are more fluffy pillows on the bed and we have plans floating through out minds about how to make it even better! Thank you everyone who helped with this wonderful gift for our wonderful Mother!

And now a word from that afore mentioned Wonder Mom:

What a wonderful gift. The first and best gift was having the support of my family. Kira rallied the troops, drop everything she had planned and drove from Utah with her kids. Lauren missed a crutial week of school, Katie left her comfy nest of a home at the end of her pregnancy. All of them came to give aid, comfort, strength and love. Sean, Colleen and Erin were hanging next to their phones and would have been here if Dad's condition got worse. I felt their love and prayers cross the distance between us. Their primary reason for being home was to be here while dad was in critical condition in the hospital. The rest of the activities during their stay was icing on my life.

Having a room that is light, clean, bright, beautiful, fun and (did I say clean?) cheery is such a spirit lifter. I love going in there. The bed is so comfy. Many years ago I bought some white lace linen pillow shams that I adored. I planned on some day having a vintage looking bedroom to display them. Well, someday has come! I think that room will be dubbed "The White Room". I am having so much fun putting things I love in there. Little things that make me smile. Like my happy plates make me smile. Nothing matches, there are old things- like my boo-boo bunny, a stuffed rabbit I had as a child, antique cross stitch sampler, to purple dragons, to vintage lamps, a metal mouse sculpture (Lauren doesn't like that- it looks too real for her), a picture of a sleeping child and books! But it all goes together- like the table set with all the happy plates- to one pleasing, relaxing space.

Thank you again, everyone for helping to make this happen. I am one lucky momma. Dad is home, getting stronger and better. He is a different man than when he left. He has promised to continue on this path to health. Ian is in Ghana sering a mission for the Lord, spreading the message of love and the restored gospel. All my married children are doing well and giving us beautiful grandbabies that I want to hug and squeeze and just eat up! Dan the man is transforming himself into a handsome, kind, honorable, sleek young man. His determination, will power and drive are inspiring. Wa is amazing. Her honey is home, we will be wedding gown shopping soon. She deserves all the happiness and joy Dylan and an eternal marriage can offer. Thank you all, as always, I love up up to the sky.......and back into my heart.

2011 Sibling Gift Exchange

It's that time of year when the world seems to say...DRAW NAMES ALREADY! So here they are:

Erin--->Paula

Mark--->Sean

Sean--->Seth

Paula--->Kira

Kira--->Erin

Stew--->Lauren

Colleen--->Katie

Andrew--->Mark

Katie--->Colleen

Seth--->Daniel

Lauren--->Stew

Daniel--->Andrew

PS: Ian is not in our exchange this year since he is FAR FAR away in Ghana. We have decided (for you) that it would be a good idea that we are all responsible for Ian's gift(s). We propose that if you can, try to send Ian a little something for his Christmas in Ghana.

Cousin Christmas Gift Exchange

* I was having a hard time remembering where this list was, so I thought I would post it on to the family blog. That way everyone can access it easier. This is the email Erin sent out back at the end of July. Thanks Blue for organizing this!*

Hello Dear Siblings,

While we were partying in Yellowstone we took a moment to draw names for the cousins Christmas gift-exhange. We did it super early because some of us are wanting to do homemade gifts. I *think* most people are on-board on that idea, but if there is anyone who really doesn't want to or gets too busy, no big deal. Homemade is not a requirement.

Enough babbling, here are the names:

Aubree---->Baby Harp

Bryce----->Elizabeth

Thane---->Kylee

Jameson----->Tyson

Killian----->Bryce

Tyson----->Anna

Kylee----->Killian

Baby Harp----->Aubree

Anna----->Thane

Eizabeth----->Jameson

Fun times!

Love you all,

Erin

Tahoe Family Pictures

Mom and I have decided on the color scheme for our family photos. Please, dress your family in the following color(s) dark green, dark red/burgundy, and/or cream. You are allowed to wear jeans if you would like. You do not have to wear all of the colors in your outfit! Your family does not have to wear matching things. We just ask that your outfit follows the color scheme. Remember it will be cold outside so plan a warm outfit just in case we decide to do all the photos outside. Please ask if you have any questions!

SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!
Kira

Tahoe Christmas

Hello Family!!! After all the emails about Tahoe Kira suggested that I put our plans here on the blog so everyone can see what the plans are. Then feel free to comment or get on and edit the plans as you want. I think most of the kids have access to edit this blog. For example you can get on and plug in what you are planning for the meals so we don't have any duplicates. Just be sure to check back every once in while to be up to date on the plans.

Monday:
Mom, Dad, Lauren, Ian and Daniel will arrive at the cabin.

Tuesday:
Popes and Keskes will arrive sometime in the morning
Erin and kids will come around 2pm
Harps will come around...
Sean and co will come around...

Mom is thinking about doing baking in the late afternoon with the older grand kids.

Food: Mom is in charge of food and will be making...

Activity: Mom with the help of Erin will be doing a family home evening. This will include the "Christ Stocking" tradition plus other Christmas type activities.

Wednesday:
Wake up to stocking and gift exchange.- mom will bring all stockings. Please bring one small stocking stuffer for each of the 23 stockings. (ex. a piece of candy). Unless you think we shouldn’t do stockings for the 4 grand kids that are under the age of 1. Comment what your thoughts on that are.

Later morning to early afternoon take family pictures. These will be color coordinated. Kira will post more on that ;).

Food: Kira is in charge and will be making a full Christmas breakfast and dinner. Thanks in advance to Kira for that. Breakfast will be SOURDOUGH WAFFLES!!!! Dinner will include a turkey and ham, funeral potatoes, and stuffing. mmm.

Activity: Katie is in charge of the activity for the evening.

Thursday:
Food: Sean and Paula are in charge of both breakfast and dinner. For dinner they will make our favorite sandwiches (some sort of meat Sean buys baked with Peppercini peppers) and cheesy potatoes. That are not too spicy but Killian doesn't eat it all the time. So we would be willing to make a smaller main dish for the kids if you would like. Are your kids fond of anything in particular?

Thursday afternoon Kira would like to get together to put together the cookbooks. Sledding has also been suggested for this afternoon.

Activity: Colleen and Lauren will be doing....

Friday:
Food: Erin is in charge of breakfast and dinner. She will be making...

Activity: Sean and Paula are in charge and will be doing...

Saturday:
Food: Colleen and Andrew will do breakfast of pancakes. Dinner will be a LARGE meal combined with Katie and Seth. We will have double baked potatoes and meatloaf with lots of fixings. Maybe even a desert ;).

Activity: Kira is in charge of the evening activity and will be doing...

Sunday:
Food: Katie and Seth will do breakfast for everyone. All other meals will be left overs!

Mom, Dad, Lauren, Ian and Dan will leave around...
Erin and kids will leave around...
Sean and Paula will leave around...

Monday:
Popes and Keskes will leave sometime in the morning.
Harps will leave...


Those are the main plans. There is lots of time towards the end of the week to do more activities that are less structured. Remember food and activities are first come first serve. So if you ahve a great idea for either update the blog to reserve your idea. Rumor has it that there might be a snowboarding group and maybe a nail outing (or just staying in and having girl time). Feel free to plug those activities in or we can keep it unscheduled. Please remember that we will need to pay $71.50 to help with the cost of the cabin (Lauren is willing to chip in too). Also plan on around $20 for a cookbook. Kira will let us know an exact amount as we get closer. I will add a section below where you can add equipment that you will need for cooking. We are all very excited for the big event and can't wait to see everyone!!!


Equipment needed:
Waffle irons
crock pot
casserole dishes