The REASON for the SEASON

We had a fantabulous Christmas.

Our Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Santa even hung up some candy canes on our tree!

The kids were forbidden to pass this point on Christmas morning.

Gunnar-Joseph

Sylas-Wise man

Me- Mary

Tamsyn- Angel

Ander- Shepherd

Here's the second half. Must watch, because Sylas is adorable.

We went to the Nativity performance at the Zoo. The Metro Zoo is owned and run by an LDS family. Every year, members from our church provide the music and acting and parking attendants, etc, and the event is free. All proceeds from food purchases benefit local charities. It was a total mad house. There were so many people, and we stood in line for an hour. Thankfully the weather was in the upper forties that night. The kids really enjoyed it. I thought it was a great way to remember the reason for the season. I see a future tradition in the making...

I really enjoyed this Christmas. It was hard being away from family. Probably harder than the last two years (perhaps because I now know this whole Virginia thing is likely permanent?) But I also feel very grateful that our family is close to Lohn's sister, Amy, Ryan and their children. After we opened presents on Christmas morning, we packed up and drove the 2 hours to their house and played for a few days. Our children thrive on cousin time, and they got plenty of it. I feel that that this year was focused less on presents and more on Christ. I am truly thankful for Him. I am so glad He was born in a humble stable, lived a humble life, and changed the world. Merry Christmas, and happy New Year!!!

Update on the status of Bah Humbug

Okay, so I know I said in the previous post that I wasn't offended, and I wasn't. At least not that day. But the more I thought about it, the more I just got sincerely pissed off. She asked me to not come AFTER she found out who was bringing her the stuff??? The more I thought about it, the angrier I got, which is exactly the opposite of how I want to feel about this whole thing. I thought about it, and decided the only way to fix this, was to give the MIL the rest of the nativity set, and apologize for spooking her (And let us be honest, I wanted to make her feel bad and I wanted to SEE her feel bad)

So I packed up the rest of the nativity, knelt and said a prayer, and walked to her house. She answered the door, saw who it was, and pulled out her "guns." She was ready for a fight. But as soon as I apologized for scaring her and handed her the rest of the nativity, she melted and told me her story.

Only a few days after they moved into the neighborhood, not that long ago, this family had stuff burned on their front yard, their house slimed with shaving cream, banners that said "Nigger, go home!" (pardon my language) and poop left on their doorstep. She said when my stuff showed up on her doorstep again, she thought it was a different approach from the same bigots who were trying to chase them from the neighborhood before. She was trying to protect her family, and she was truly scared.

While she told me her story, I could feel myself melting as well, and I lowered my own personal "guns." When I prayed to know what family to do the twelve days of Christmas to, I felt it should be them. When we were asked to not come anymore, I was confused and a little disappointed in myself for what I thought was misunderstanding the Spirit. But now I see, I didn't misunderstand. He knew exactly what would happen and he wanted her AND me to learn from this.

I left her house with both of us feeling much better about the situation, mutual respect for each other, and greater understanding. I am grateful that I was willing to apologize (even if for the wrong reasons???) and I am grateful for what I learned from this. Thanks for your comments, I have some pretty awesome friends!

Bah Humbug?

Ok folks, I need some of your professional opinions. Seriously.

For the last 3 or 4 years at Christmas time, my family has always performed the twelve days of Christmas for a family. This involves collecting 12 presents/goodies/etc, and purchasing a nativity set with about 12 pieces, and starting on Dec. 13th, we deliver a piece of the nativity set and a present or goodies each night anonymously until Dec. 24th. This has always been great fun for the kids (I make them do the drop), and I have always felt like it brings the magic into Christmas. This year, we chose a friend of mine that lives down the street from us. She has 2 kids of her own, and she lives with her mother in law (Who owns the house and whom I don't know). Her mother in law takes care of 3 foster kids. They seemed like good candidates to receive some Christmas cheer. Well, last night, we got busted on the drop. The brother in law of my friend caught us in the act, and he even laughed and said thank-you. But today, I got a phone call from my friend and she told me that while she very much appreciated the gesture, it isn't her home, and her mother in law wants us to stop bringing things to their home. She said her mother in law has been freaking out about stuff being left on her doorstep, and in this day and age, it's scary to them. My friend was quite distraught, and I think she was near tears. I have no feelings of ill-will, and I am not offended. That being said, am I totally off the mark here? Is it borderline creepy/stalker-like leaving stuff on peoples doorsteps? Is this a tradition I should completely stop? And what do I do with the rest of the nativity set? I still have 6 pieces. Should I go to the home, and apologize to the mother in law, and give her the rest of the pieces? Should I just pretend it never happened? Advice please.

I want to be in one of these!!!

I can't sing, and I certainly can't dance, but by golly, before I die I am going to be part of a flash mob. It is now officially on my bucket list. The ending was my absolute favorite. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

It's my birthday and I wants it....

(Say that in a creepy Golem voice)

For my birthday, I-

Woke up to a urine-free bathroom (I have 3 boys, folks, this is a BIG deal)

Woke up to the sound of the dishwasher humming (bliss)

Took a 2 hour nap, many thanks to Sylas for taking one too.

Ate Chop Che, my favorite dish EVER, made by the best cook EVER.

Also that best cook came home early from work to be with us.

That best cook also made me molten lava cake (swoon!)

Had 35 friends on FB wish me happy birthday :)

Got the gift of a birthday month from my kids (which means they treat me like a queen for a month)

Got a necklace from Tamsyn

Fudge, Elderberry jelly and syrup , and decorative modge podge blocks that are Christmasy on one side and Thanksgivingy on the other side (LOVE them, thanks Mom!)

And super soft/comfy lounge pants from my MIL. (I am wearing them as we speak (I mean, type))

Enjoyed 55 degree weather (Yesterday was 70)

Also I have been given the best gift of my family and health. I love my life!