12.12.17 Traditions- Gingerbread houses, Tree

According to Hallmark gingerbread houses and Christmas tree decorating are an integral part of Christmas. I have never done much with gingerbread, but decided to succumb so my kids could fully experience the holidays. No seriously, some opportunities came and all I had to do was provide candy so it was a win-win. My sister Ruth invited us to a little kid decorating party. It was a delight. The kids love candy dipped in frosting and the enjoy the time spent with cousins!!

Addie is my middle child all the way through. A kind friend invited her to spend time with her lost middle child. They had a delicious day decorating to their heart's content, with no sibling interuptions!

The young women also took a dab at gingerbread houses. I won't explain the headless snowman or impaled santa claus. They obviously had fun. And ate candy so another successful night!

And our Christmas tree which we got up in the single digits maybe by the 5th and have slowly decorated and re-decorated daily. It's not a rush it's not a finished project but an object that is enjoyed. The warm glow of the lights the peaceful scent of real pine. The excitement it invites for the kids have been fun to watch.

An old time tradition stringing popcorn. Let the popcorn sit for days and it absorbs moisture making it totally easy to work with. Doesn't break! These two were very good stringers. I was a bit surprised. Livy gave up and gave up and gave up. She doesn't like to do hard things or be beat by her younger sisters. Another interesting personality trait as we get to know how she works.

On to baking and singing this week. It's gonna be a good sweet one I think.

12.11.17 See the good

We have traditionally participated in Meals on Wheels in the month of December. No exceptions this month. I was late, frazzled, not sure where I was going and encumbered with overzealous helpers who like to sample if not watched carefully. A totally normal day. I was frustrated and spent a few miles of time thinking how it's so much easier for others. No carseats, constant threats to stay buckled and just generally free of little opinionated little people. Terrible I know. Selfish and so short sighted. Stupid becuase the a main focus point is teaching the kids to serve and share an activity I enjoy. But true.

They are cute on doorsteps handing over food. They smile and say a sweet Merry Christmas. We only spilled one hot lunch. However, then the lady wasn't home so it was all good. We have never spilled a lunch. I now know what not to do.
When we got back to the meal site I replaced the bags in the delivery vehicle and took the notebook inside. A man beckoned me to follow him. I was hesitant. But another senior lady encouraged me on. His jolly face accompanied a small bouquet of roses he insisted I take one. He smilingly and lovingly said "I hope you have a good day! Merry Christmas!" Wow I was humbled. Such a kind gesture from a total stranger. I took the rose to my car and showed the girls. I am truly thankful for them. I am thankful for their slowness and inability to keep track of shoes. I love their enthusiasm! I'm so thankful they want me to hold them and cry when or if I might leave them. I just have to remember to see the good and not dwell in the land of negative thoughts. Off we go again today and this time I'm going to enjoy all of it come what may. (And I know where I'm going so that makes it easier:) Merry Christmas to all and to all a good day!

12.6.17 Traditions- snowflakes

Years ago Aunt Brenda shared some time with us making snowflakes. Every year since, part of our holiday decorations involve these hopeful tributes to a white Christmas- although we are reserving any sort of snow praying until December 21 at least. Unless you are John and MArk and then we glare at you when you do. 

The pinking sheers made snowflakes that looked like lego creations. So interesting how each is unique to the child that creates it.

Anna and HArold have become particularly adept at intricate paperwork.

and of course hanging our snow. The little girls love attention from Harold and all things Christmas, so this was sheer delight for them. My full grown son walking on my couch...grimace and bear it.

And the most interested clean up crew. So cute they love to be part of the action.

This year I'm trying to make sure we pay attention to the excitement of Christmas. Making sure that the things that are important to the kids and make their eyes light up are happening. This weekend we made space for the Christmas tree, bought and have plans for many gingerbread houses. Addie made the first. We bought a tree. We colored Christmas pictures, sang carols, made snowflakes, and made and ate cookies. So far so good. I want them to have happy memories of the entire season. I'm working to remember their time is short in my home and  I want them to have fond memories of living here so forward ho! on the traditions that are ours. The laughter, smiles, and togetherness is of course my favorite part. And the new ability to totally relax watching hallmark movies even in bed is a nice help. Merry Christmas!

12.6.17 Feeding Bruce

Bruce is a demanding chap these days. He isn't a fan of dinner time on his own. He picks and tosses his food about after eating the one thing he likes. He's ignored because I'm trying to listen to the other kid's stories. But when Greg comes home he is hungry and takes over the plate. Bite for dad, bite for Bruce is generally how it goes until a full toddler suddenly collapses into sleep. Funny how fast he shuts off. 

Full. The coleslaw was so good he's even wearing some on his forehead. He really loved that stuff. Who knew? And the bottle, well it should go. It's a mom crutch and sometimes (when there's no meat, cheese, or peanut butter around) it works for a pick me up.

And the fun of being a toddler is finding places to stick your finger. He is a ham. He posed these pictures just because he loves an audience. Little stinker didn't give in to sleep until after 1 that night. Oh well thankful he's a happy chap when he gets what he wants. 

12.4.17 A New Driver

Those are real smiles on that reluctant picture guy. He had been asking everyday for two weeks when we could go. I held him at bay for one week demanding he read the instruction book first. Well the night of the viewing he made wise use of his time studying. 

On the way over to take the test I told him crazy questions I remembered and quizzed his general knowledge. We missed the cut off time because the DMV was so busy. But they let him take the test anyway. He passed with an 80%. So of course I got to be chauffeured around. He has his first hour of driving under his belt and did pretty well. He reported scaring his dad the next day by driving off the shoulder next to a huge drop off is cause for alarm. 

Onward and upward and in the passenger seat. Probably some subliminal parental learning here, no longer the boss of the teen kids but more the instructor coach provider as they figure out how to live their lives. So far so good. 

And one more learning and showing her natural ability. Livy is quite the artist. She is showing her pictures of mom's pushing carriages with babies. Some moms have babies in their tummies too. I love seeing how their minds work. And I love that they always use red for hair! Life is good. 

12.3.17 LIght the World

After church on fast sundays we do a fast meeting in our home. This helps the kids learn to bare a testimony, gives us a chance to learn from each other, and to hear the hearts of our children and they ours.

Part of the weekend work was reconfiguring our house in preparation for the Christmas tree. The boys thought they would take the mom and dad chairs.  

Bruce was all over that. He loves being the center of attention. 

Another large part of December is the challenge/invitation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to Light the World doing acts of Service. This year with my nephews death his parents have requested that in honor of David we try to be more kind and love others and suggest this template as a way to do so.
Today's challenge was to do good on the Sabbath.
Part of the conundrum of the Light the World is we do a lot of service anyway, do we do more? do we do less? does what we do count as enough? Are we in the right spirit?
Well as I sat at home waiting and organizing my kids to get ready for the next activity (Bishop youth Discussion- Harold took homemade ice cream sandwiches. More later about that.) I stewed that Greg was not home but out working. But as I sat in my chair reviewing ideas I realized while I was stewing and brewing Greg was out doing. Like he always does. He is a master at using his abilities to help others.

Mark trying to avoid the camera. See I have some boys like David who want to know the how, what, why, and wherefore about everything their quick eyes see. In some ways I can't think too much about the similarities or I worry or cry. But that patient husband of mine just explains away, taking it in stride and never barking "Be quiet!" at those inquisitive little minds. One relief is when those kids go with dad and I can enjoy some quiet. He is patient and he has plenty of ideas on how to slow down the bored mind by giving the kid a lot to do and try.

After the kids came home and reported on their fireside complete with incredulous comments that other kids had no idea how to assemble homemade ice cream sandwiches "Like they had never had them before...!" I realized I need to chill out a lot more. I helped my son go and be noteworthy. I hold down the fort and continue to feed the troops. For today that was my contribution to using my skills to bless others. It's hard to remember that a mother's service in her own home is the most important work and people to worry about. I may focus too much on those outside, than the people inside my life. Working this holiday season to correct that or to better mesh the two.

12.1.17 Normal

Normal is so nice when life is shattered. 

We were honored to be called to sit with  close family friend while they processed the death of their own son early Sunday morning. After some quick rest Greg headed out to talk to some close friends of the deceased. 

I was left handling hundreds of family emails/texts finally rushing out the door to church. When we sat down I realized not a head of hair was combed or face was washed. Lovely. But we were there. We managed to get through the devotions, loudly and sprawled all over but we were there. THe afternoon Greg was again checking on friends and I was feeding kids. Mark insisted we go to the neighbors/cousins and we listened to their abridged heartbreak and healing story. 

Harold raced up demanding we come quick as we had horses to chase for other neighbors. We are not horse people. 

I went my assigned post to see the 4 lovelies headed down the road then abruptly turn into a neighbors yard and obediently take up residence in their pens. The same pens we herded our awrny cows to 2x this summer. The same house I promised the owners we would not be back to. I just could not knock on that stern man's door again. So when I finally got Greg with me, he knocked and explained the situation. She mentioned how the owners had coaxed the wanderers home the last time with a bucket of grain. Lickety split we had 4 curious hungry for grain horses headed for home. Normal just normal! 

I ended the day at another neighbors who is terminally ill from cancer. It was so nice to just listen and visit with them. So nice to be on the other side of need. To be giving love.

A few days earlier we had gone early in the morning to the temple. It was awesome. The car was full of these good kids. I find so much strength and insight in the temple. I'm thankful they want to go too.

After a nice breakfast celebrating my two birthday kids we headed home. Later that night we again celebrated with their favorite dinner. Everyone helping, and snitching away.

My kind brother in law fixed my counter in the meantime and we are so thankful for all the goodness that keeps coming our way. Counting blessings is overwhelming.