Naughty or Nice

"He's making a list and checking it twice,

Gonna find out who's 

Naughty or Nice...

Santa Claus is comin' to town."

The list has been made...

The verdict is in... 

AND...

Whew!

Someone made the "nice" list.

Now to just STAY on the nice list!

Concerts

It's that time of year for choir concerts and Christmas music. A. had her school choir concert last week.  She sang very nicely.  She then performed a piano piece for the Ward (church congregation) Christmas Party on Saturday. She had signed up for it a few weeks earlier, and then wondered why she had done that!  She practiced lots and worked with her wonderful piano teacher, Sister K, finding an arrangement  she was comfortable performing. During the performance she didn't even look nervous. She played beautifully. She was so brave to share her talent!

X-man had his school Christmas program last night. He was a very cute elf. I was glad he participated since being in front of people and singing is very uncomfortable for him. As we were listening, the songs sounded vaguely familiar. I realized A. had done the same program in 1st Grade. They must pull this program out every few years, so L might get to perform it.  I couldn't really follow the story then or now. T was as stumped as I was,  so X. explained it to us.

Happenings

Some random happenings in our life:

• L. had his last soccer game. It was a win with L. scoring a goal. He was so happy to end the season with a win! 
• After the soccer game the team went to Cici's Pizza for all-you-can-eat pizza and trophy awards. He had a fun team with a nice coach and a fabulous assistant coach, T. 
• B. had her Young Women's in Excellence program. We got to review her accomplishments this past year in her Personal Progress (a program of for young ladies in church which focuses on goals and strengthening their faith in Jesus Christ.).  She has worked and is continuing to work on piano, cooking, daily prayer, and daily scripture reading. 
• B. dog-sat for some friends. She loves dogs. 
• A. went sailing for Activity Days and helped steer the boat!
• X. is practicing for his Christmas program (they call it Holiday program) at school. He is an elf.
• L. had a Thanksgiving Feast in his kindergarten class. They made hats/Indian headdresses, butter, turkey, and corn cakes. Then they ate together and added cranberries, corn, apple juice, and pumpkin pie. A feast! I went to help and had the best time.
• L. went roller skating for a friend's birthday party. He pushed a little walker thing around. He told me he went around 8 times!  His knees have little bruises from the occasional fall. It was so cute to see him. I wish I'd brought my camera. 
• And now we're all having a Thanksgiving Break together. We haven't scheduled anything, so we can enjoy this time together as a family. It's nice.

Soccer star.

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL! 

 L's favorite part of soccer: the trophy!

B. with Peyton the dog. She loved playing with him. 

Inspired by Chocolate

See these little treasures?  (Once there were three; now there are...) Chocolate covered marzipan hazelnut logs, A.K.A Heaven! They are at your local Aldi store.  Don't have an Aldi? I'm sorry. You'll have to go to Germany to find them then--that's where they're from--or have a really nice family member/friend send you one if she doesn't  eat it first.  Your chances are slim.

I found them the other day while scouting out all the chocolate in Aldi. Others may go there for the sales on eggs, milk, butter;  I go for the chocolate. I let T have a little, tiny nibble. He liked that nibble. He suggested I visit Aldi again, so he could have a nibble (or two or three) on his own marzipan log. Being the nice, agreeable wife that I am, I agreed to go. AFTER I had finished the Must-To-Do's on my list, of course. I do have some self control! Really. So I was getting those things done. Then I thought about that yummy little log. Oh, but I had a  phone call to make. I really should get that done...later. I went for the chocolate. AND I'm SO glad I did, because I saw some friends I hadn't seen in a while that I would have missed entirely if I had stuck with my "To Do List." I really think I was suppose to be at Aldi at that time to be at the right place at the right time. I'm so glad I was. I'm so glad I saw these friends. I'm so glad we can go about doing good even while thinking about chocolate!

Opinions

So lately, I've been sprouting strong, opinionated opinions like hairs sprouting from a mole. We all have opinions; it makes life interesting. But, my goodness, lately I have these opinions that are so strong that I have to do something about them. It's like I'm a knight in rusty armor, and wrongs have been committed which I must correct. It's rather uncomfortable.  I like to let others spout their feelings, nod politely, and then pick up my own thoughts and feelings and continue on my way.  I'm sorting through these opinions and figuring out which are battle-worthy and which are not. Am I like Rocky Balboa, winding up my right hook (is that even a boxing term??!) with sweat dripping in my eyes and "The Eye of the Tiger" playing in the background? Ugh.

Boo To You

Boo! So guess what I didn't DO this year?  I didn't take any pictures of the trick-or-treaters all costumed up on their way out to beg.  Yep, no pho-tos.  They were being stuff they'd been before, mostly. I must admit I've felt a bit like a Halloween Scrooge this year--a real Boo Humbug!  I was feeling rebellious. Plus we were running out the door to the Trunk-or-Treat when I thought about it. And B. was sick, so she didn't even feel like getting costumed up. And...I just said forget it.  Luckily for my guilt-ridden heart (the day after), I remembered we had some pictures from the church carnival we went to. OOOooo, that was close. I was almost in the-mom-who-didn't-take-Halloween-photos-of-her-cuties-all-dressed-up class, very close to the Wicked Witch of the West class.  Whew, that was close!

But to plead my case, we DID have a rather SPOOKY Halloween dinner. No pictures, of course, so you'll have to take my word for it. We had mummy dogs (hotdogs wrapped with bread), goblin toenails (potato chips), witches' fingers (carrots), newt eyeballs (green grapes), swamp water with worms (green punch with gummy worms), and pumpkin pie (yum). Then we had a wonderful night talking and playing games. It was actually one of my favorite Halloween evenings!

THE Pictures I remembered:

Meow! Donut-loving cat!

Lego-man minus the big-bulky Lego brick.

 (Thankfully, he did WEAR it last year.)

Vet B with her stuffed dog

Transformer L taking on Mr. Incredible in a stick pull!

He won the first one and Mr. Incredible won the second. 

Pumpkin Patch

We try to get to the Pumpkin Patch every Fall. Last year not everyone made it. This year we all made it. The kiddos ran around and did everything in 15 minutes. They asked us, "Now what?"  I think some of us might be outgrowing the pumpkin patch!  Is that possible? They did go back for more and had great fun. We came home with enough straw and dirt stuck to us to start our own pumpkin patch!

Growing like weeds pumpkins!

Soon they'll be taller than the ruler (and Mom)!

 Hiding in the hay maze.

Quacker lips. 

The things you can do with Pringles! Thanks for showing us, Dad.

  

 Wheeeee!

Yahooo!

Aahhh!

Escape from jail. 

Double trouble at the Double Oak Jail!

Double Double trouble!

Sweeties.

Crafty Lady

I have some friends who have "dates" with their kiddos by letting them stay up a little later and playing games or scrap booking. Thinking A. and I needed some time to just chat and be together, I thought I'd try this at home "date."  A very creative friend had made a Halloween house and I wanted to copy her and try our own version. We chose paper, painted, glued, modge podged, and best of all--chatted and enjoyed each other's company.  I think our house turned out cute and crazy--just right for Halloween!

Gluing

Almost done.

Done!  

SPOOKY!

Falling for Fall

I love Fall--the cooler weather, the golden colors, the decorations, the apples, the excitement of Halloween (especially when your kids want to be what they were last year--yahooooo!).  Monday the kiddos didn't have school, so we went hiking. We gathered lunches and put them in backpacks--we were serious hikers!  We hiked about 2 miles over quite a few hours. We stopped and looked at leaves and acorns and rocks and sticks and dead bugs and butterflies.  We found branches and fences in the shape of the letters of our names. We tromped over a bridge and listened for the troll to bellow at us for trip-trapping over his bridge. He was silent or we were loud.  We picked up walking sticks and dropped walking sticks. We stopped along the way to munch on lunch. We were so intent on the adventure of what was ahead, that we forgot about the distance we'd come.  The return trip wasn't quite as cheery with more stops and a few sighs of "Are we THERE yet?!"  But we made it.

Serious hiker with a serious backpack!

Looking for trolls!

Sitting on the Troll bridge

My beautiful A

All my QTz!

Armful of love!

My girls!

X-man's cactus!  

The last time we were here X got so excited about the prickly pear fruit he found that he reached out to pick it, not realizing that the fruit had tiny, hair-like stickers. Knowing from experience--twice--I hollered for him to stop. Too late. He came away with a handful of stickers. We got them out. Now we've lovingly named the cactus after X-man!

I Believe in Marriage

On September 26, fourteen years ago, T and I began our life together.  We were sealed in the Manti Temple for time and eternity. We were young, excited, full of energy, hope, and love.  Now we are young--at heart, excited--for dates, with a house full of energetic children. Now we hope for peace and quiet and love bedtime.

In those 14 years, I  have learned just how important our marriage is to us, to our children, and to our Heavenly Father. Today in a world where many are choosing to not get married, or start families or have children in wedlock I can firmly say: I believe in marriage. I believe in families. I know marriage between a man and a woman is of God. It was meant to be. It was meant to be eternal. It takes love and work and forgiveness. It takes commitment, humility, and service. Love isn't just flowers, kisses, passion, and compliments, but it is shared hopes, and dreams. And then when those hopes and dreams take a different turn, it is holding on to each other and going forward...together. Love is not noticing the dirty dishes all over the counter. Love is not saying anything when Hamburger Helper is served over and over while someone learns to cook. Love is getting up every 4 hours to give your baby medicine through an I.V. so your sweetie can sleep even when you have classes to study for. Love is listening while a worry-wart spouts about all the worries of the world.  Love is still getting excited when he comes through the door from work. Love is saying sorry. Love is commitment. Love is seeing the worst, but loving the best.  Love is sticking with it.

So yes, I believe in marriage. I believe in committing to love and honor and cherish one person not just in this life, but forever.

And lucky for me, 14+ years ago, I just happened upon the very best guy in the world and grabbed him for eternity!

 And he gave me these beautiful tulips and took me out on the town (on Friday) and gave me baklava (I LOVE that stuff) and other yummy stuff.  I love to spend time with him.

Splash of Color

I have wanted to paint the bathroom for a bit now. With everyone at school or work, I had my chance. I've never painted a room, so I got lots of advice from seasoned painters and went to work. I really appreciate painted walls now; my golly, it takes a lot of work!  But I did it, and I am happy with the results.

You can't really see the color, but it's a nice sea green or something.

 A tame choice for my first time painting. 

All taped up.

You can't really see the difference since I didn't do a before and after picture. But it does look nice. You'll just have to visit and see it. 

(Normally there are globs of toothpaste on the counter, but I cleaned those up for the photo.  They blend nicely with the paint, something I didn't even take into consideration when choosing a paint color! Bonus!!)

I also came down with a nice stuffy, sneezy, rotten-feeling cold. Since I knew I wouldn't sleep that well I finished watching the Masterpiece Theater mini-series Jane Eyre last night.  Oh, my goodness!  I just loved it. I have always loved the book, and the movie was so well done. My eyes got a little watery and my nose got a little runny while I watched it--must have been my cold. I highly recommend this movie. It's not too sappy, but very tender.

Parenthood--not for the faint hearted

O.k., so what if you're smack dab in the middle of this thing called Parenthood, and you find out you ARE faint hearted?  What then?  It's not like you can go back to school and change jobs or send out resumes for new employment.  There you in the middle of the battle field of stomping feet, slamming doors, and rolling eyes with cries of "You don't UUUUUNNNNderstand!!" or "I don't WWWANNNNTTT to go to school"  crashing down around you. And the school abhorrer has 10 more years of school, and that's just to graduate high school!  We haven't even hit the teen years, and I'm tuckered.  Can I change jobs?  I don't think I've got enough heart or know-how for this job.

Have Miracles Ceased?

Our family has experienced a miracle.

As many of you know, B. just had major oral surgery, getting 13 teeth pulled and other fun procedures done on her existing teeth.  Since it was tooth pulling, medical insurance wouldn't pay a dime towards the oral surgeon. Since, it was a LARGE tooth pulling procedure, it was costing a bunch of dimes.  A few months back I found an organization that helps children financially when insurance won't.  I applied for a grant to see about all those dimes. We obtained the grant!!

When we scheduled the surgery I was so nervous, because we hadn't heard about the grant and wouldn't until after the surgery. I FELT I needed to go ahead though, and get it scheduled before school started. We did. When we got the grant approval we had a very limited time frame to use the funds. If I hadn't scheduled the surgery at the time I did, we would NOT have been able to use those funds.

I know that we are gently guided by a Father in Heaven who loves us.  I am so thankful for all the events that led to finding this organization and to getting B. taken care of in the right way.  NO, miracles have not ceased. They happen every day.




The organization is UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation. They help with hearing aids, equipment, surgery, therapy, etc. for children who have insurance, but for one reason or another insurance will not pay or will only pay a portion of the bill. They normally don't  consider dental, but did consider it due to our special circumstances.  

First Day of School and Letting Go.

Yesterday was the first day of school for ALL my children.  That day has always seemed so distant. I can't believe it is here. B. and A. were excited and nervous for the rigors of middle school, but came home feeling much more at ease. Middle school was not going to be torture. In fact, it might even be a little fun!  X-man was actually excited to go to school which is really something, since he usually bemoans school days.  He was glad he knew some of the other kids in his class.

 L. was so cute going to kindergarten. He found his little table and sat quietly. He came home, telling me about the 5 rules and how there's a stop light system of red, yellow, and green (for behavior). If he stays on green all week, he can pick something from THE TREASURE BOX!!!!  (That's just how he said it)

And me? I did very well this first day of no kiddos. I even dropped everyone off with minimal tears. I was so glad my friend Tina let me hang out with her cute boys and her. We had smoothies, went to a bookstore to look around, and ended with McDonald's and the play area. While the boys played, we chatted. It was just what I needed. Then I came home and was AMAZED at what I could get done without interruptions.  WOW!

Today is a little more quiet. It'll take getting use to, but I'm sure I will in no time. So funny that I had to get use to having kids, and now I have to get use to having kids gone. Letting go is good for them and me, but I still have a tiny ache in my heart for the hugs and cuteness that would happen randomly through-out the days.

Are You Done Yet??!

O.k, o.k., so I'm still going on about our vacation, but some of my favorite times came next. I want to remember them.  

We went to Salt Lake City and visited Temple Square with the Salt Lake Temple. This is the temple where both T and I were sealed to our own families growing up. We loved walking around and feeling the peaceful spirit here. It was perfect for a Sunday.

Here's our own forever family.

We went to church in the Joseph Smith Memorial building which just happened to be the ward (congregation) of Elder Russell M. Ballard, one of the current 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. He was there, and T made sure we all shook his hand before we left. Elder Ballard teased X-man about his "rubber arm" when he shook his hand. 

 In one of the visitor's centers on Temple Square is the Christus. The girls still remember coming here when they were very young and looking up at this awesome reminder of our Savior and His open arms. 

 Outside the Conference Center where General Conference is held semi-annually. President Thomas S. Monson, the prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks during these conferences. 

 Inside the Conference Center. It was so great to be here. Now when we see it during Conference our kiddos will know they've been here. 

 Buddies!

We also went to "This is the Place" park. It is the place where Brigham Young and the first of the Mormon pioneers came into the Great Salt Lake Valley, and he said "This is the Right Place."  It was a desert! It was in the middle of nowhere!  Yet now it is so beautiful. 

 Throughout the park are different replicas and some original pioneer homes and stores representing how Utah was during the pioneer era. Here's a Shoshone tepee.  The kiddos made an arrowhead necklace here.

A replica of the Brooklyn ship which carried new converts from England around the tip of South America to California. They then met up with the Saints in Utah. We met up with a snake here!  It wasn't poisonous, but we left him alone.

B. panned for gold and struck it big!  It was really fool's gold. 

After striking it rich, we traded our gold at the bank for candy!  The banker was very serious about his candy supply, not willing to barter or anything even though we tried to get the most for our gold! In fact he had a big shotgun very visible behind him . 

A and I were ready to pull a handcart. 

I don't think we would have made it very far, since we couldn't even it get it out of this ditch.

School time! These smarties were ready to learn in this one-room school. 

They learned the deseret alphabet which was a phonetic alphabet created by Brigham Young, hoping to have a unified language since there were so many immigrants coming into the valley.  

X-man learned what happened to those who misbehaved during school: noses to the wall, hands out with school books in them for as long as the school teacher wanted. Now NO misbehaving, X-man!

B. riding her horse. Yeehaw!

L. was put to work beating the rug. 

A. hanging the laundry out after she washed it on a washboard.

X-man getting the ground ready for planting. Actually, he and L had races running back and forth with these little plows. I need one for my garden. They'd get my garden ready in no time.

Yes, there wasn't indoor plumbing back in those days!  B. demo-ing the beauty of an outhouse. L was less than thrilled to learn that one of the duties of the youngest child was emptying the chamber pots every morning. He emphatically refused when the kind pioneer lady asked him to come back the next morning to do his duty!

See those mountains!

We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory and ate in an old trolley car. Spaghetti, spumoni, and a trolley car--doesn't get better than that!

We got to go visit my wonderful sister and her cuties. They live on top of a mountain in a beautiful log house her husband built. It's gorgeous there. I was SO glad we got to see each other. My sister and I chatted on the deck, and the kiddos played hard together, jumping on the tramp, climbing into the loft, and enjoying the mountain air. X-man and his cousin, D. did NOT want to say good-bye.  D. wanted to hide X-man away, so they could play and play. Saying good-bye was hard. 

Our vacation began winding down. The boys helped T. with the luggage. Time to go home. 

T and I outside the Salt Lake Temple. 

We loved seeing so many temples and remembering what they mean to us--that families can be together now and forever. Makes all the distance and work of now worth the moments of joy we glimpse a long the way and into eternity.