Christmas Spirit

It's December 22nd. I got a call from my sister asking if my kids could go see Alvin and the Chipmunks with her and her kids. This is where it all started.

The start of feeling that THIS IS CHRISTMAS. Not because of the movie, but because in all the hustle and bustle, she is going to go sit still and watch a movie with her kids. It's about them.

And she invited my kids. At first I was sad to not go with but my older two wanted to stay home so I will enjoy time with them.

Last night, John, Thomas, and Jack had a piano recital....along with Lauren. It was wonderful. They were all dressed up and in red sweaters and they looked great and Christmasy.

After, John came home with the kids to watch a movie and I went to my mom's house. My mom and I wrapped our Christmas. And it's done. And maybe THAT is where it all started.

Today, I am cooking 5 different appetizers for our H family party tonight. And I can't wait for this party. 64 people together....43 grandkids, one in-law grandkid plus 21 adults. It will be magical. It always is. There will be singing and laughing and eating. And I can't wait.

I've had lots of thoughts of my dad today. I'll be making his Deviled Ham Dip.....the one he makes every Christmas.

After I dropped off my boys at the movie, I was in the car alone, listening to Christmas music and the world seemed still. There were cars and people everywhere but my mind was silent and I was happy. The UPS man is delivering last minute packages, the stores are crowded, and I imagined the preparation that everyone is doing for this glorious holiday. Christmas. And I hoped...and prayed, that everyone is remembering why they are in a hustle and bustle. For the love of family. The love of neighbors and friends.

And most importantly, for the love of our Savior. He is the reason.

And I am at peace. And it is beautiful.

Merry Christmas!!

Halloween 2011

Pumpkin carving this year was done by Sam, Jack, Thomas, Emily, and their dad. Somehow lil John, Leah, and I missed out. They did a great job.

Grandma invited us to come trick or treat at her work. Her entire office was decorated amazing. It was fun to see.
The kids are ready for the Ward Halloween Party.
Aaron and Zach came over to trick or treat with Thomas and Jack. Sam left with his buddy Benson and his family. It was a perfect night for trick or treating. We had soup with our neighbors and Rob, Teresa, and Leslie then Teresa, Leslie, and I took the kids around the block. There were people everywhere. It was so fun.

Ward Halloween Party

We attended our Ward Halloween Party. It was wonderful. There was a hay ride, a spook alley, a chili cookoff, donuts for dessert, games galore, costumes in every variety, cute "older" witches sharing their candy, and fun, fun, fun. We were there for an hour and a half and had a great time. We love our neighbors.

Green

She was two months from being born at this time last year. That means she is one in two months. WHAT?!!!

Laura's mom made her the leg warmers.

This is where John and I were for St. Paddy's Day last year. My mom was at home with our kids celebrating with the traditions I grew up with.

Our milk was magically green this morning, as it is every year on St. Patrick's Day....funny how that happens.

The corn beef and cabbage and potatoes and carrots are ready to go. And I thought green chocolate chip cookies might be fun this year. And there just might be gold chocolate coins left by the little leprachaun that comes around this time of year.

My mom caught a leprachaun. It's in a clear dish at her house. I'll have to take a picture. She's always done such cute and fun things for us. I am grateful for that.

Happy Valentines Day!

Our littlest Valentine!!

My mom bought her outfit on an after Christmas clearance and thought it would be great for Valentines. It was perfect!

What a great day. No matter who you have to love. Kids. Neighbors. Friends. Family. What a great day to recognize those we love and mean something in our lives.

I got lucky today. My two little ones and the big guy all have coughs and colds so John stayed home! Yeah! I got to help in Thomas' class without little ones in tow and had a great experience with a little girl from his class. More on that later. We then got to have lunch together and then I got to go help in Emily's class with her Valentine's party. She was so cute to watch with her class. She is happy and kind and I was a happy mom. I'm so glad I could help because I heard it was their last party this year and next year when it's Jr. High, I won't be going in to help anymore.

Last night we all helped make Valentine's for Thomas, Jack, and Emily's classes. We all wore red or pink today and the kids had a "secret admirer" leave them a small gift and letter.

Tonight we had navajo tacos. John made the scones and he made them in the shape of a heart. It was so cute and the kids loved it. The kids decorated cookies from grandma then they took advantage of the great weather and played a lot of basketball outside.

They are now all in bed and I need to finish up here and go cuddle with my valentine. He's a keeper and he made my day wonderful. He is great at making all my days wonderful.

With love.

I HEART Valentines!!!

I've decided I LOVE the holiday, Valentine's. I forget about my love of it throughout the year until it shows up again. Then I remember how much I LOVE it.

I love that it gives us extra motivation to love each other and do secret little things for each other to show our love for each other. I love 'heart attacking' my husband and children. I love to celebrate LOVE.

Last night Thomas asked if he could prepare our Family Home Evening lesson for tonight. So he got out the friend, got a paper and pencil and got to work all on his own. When he was done, he brought it to me to show me. He had the songs listed and the prayers and who would be giving them. He found a story he wanted to read and talk to us about and wrote that down too. Then he wrote "activity" and wrote down that everyone would be given hearts to write things they love about each other on. I asked him where he came up with that and he said "I just thought of it. That's what we do in February." I was so happy that through all my years of doing this, that he has remembered and it hopefully has meant something. It makes doing these things so much more fun and worth it when I know the kids remember and they like it. And how fun for it to be spear headed by one of the kids.

So, here's to sugar cookies with cute sprinkles (that I bought a month ago and have been sitting and waiting for the season to arrive to use them.) :) Here's to "heart attacks" and secret acts of kindness and love. Here's to celebrating those I love and vowing to treat them better...always.
And to my sweetheart. Oh how I love him. How lucky I am to have HIM to LOVE. And oh do I ever feel so loved by him.

Watch this. It will help with the spirit of loving and giving service.

Happy Valentine's.

Ring in 2010

We had a great year and a great evening. New home, baby on the way, healthy, happy kids and parents.

Tonight we had a yummy ham dinner with all the fixins and topped it off with homemade oreo cheesecake. We spent the evening rearranging freshly painted bedrooms (a work in progress); playing the "DAD game" (where dad hides anywhere in the house and the kids find him. When they find him, he jumps out and scares them. They are all scared as they walk around the house trying to find him but tonight they were all equipped with swords in their search. It was fun to watch while I washed the mountains of dishes from all of my cooking today); playing Sequence, Bologna, and Go Fish; and an 'extra' FHE lesson this week on the words we say. We've decided too many rotten words come out of our mouths. We all recognize it and decided to make a change. So in 2010 we will be focusing on 'the words we say'. Our family song is "Kindness Begins With Me" and our family word is "BE" along with "courage" which is the theme for the Young Men and Young Women. I bought the word "BE" the other day and every time the kids ask what it is, I say "be......." with whatever word comes at the moment....smart, happy, kind, etc. We liked "Courage to BE". Anyway, hope we can keep that going. Above the kids are getting ready to ring in the new year with a bang. Loud, obnoxious blowers, confetti poppers, and some sparkling cider while we watched the ball drop. We then stepped out on the back porch and made lots of noise and watched fireworks in three different places. The kids felt bad that Sam was asleep and "missed out on all the fun".

So until next time......BE FUN!!!!!!

Jack just asked if "we say Happy New Year to bad guys too".