Merry Christmas 2012

This year as an ode to our love of the library we (meaning I) decided to take our Christmas card picture there.  My mom took the picture above and I took the individual ones of the kids.  We love books, We love Christmas, We love our Savior Jesus Christ and the ultimate gift he gave to the world.

Merry Christmas to you all!!!

Front of Card:  The kids are reading books they're interested in.  Emry - Science, Lila - one of her favorite authors Lois Lowry, Ethan - an A-Z mystery book.

Back of card: :)

Christmas Spirit

This.  Is.  Awesomeness!!!!!  I know I go on & on ad nauseum about how horribly shy I was growing up, but the fact is I was.  Add a whole bunch of insecurity in the mix and you pretty much get a disaster waiting to happen.  That is why it thrills me to no end that my kids are nothing like me (or how I used to be anyway).

This getup, it kills me.  It's spirit week at Emry's Junior High and today is dress as your favorite Christmas character.  Emry picked a Christmas Tree.  As I was pinning her costume on it was really itching her but she said "It's worth it for the fame".  Hahahahahahaha, Oh, I guess she'll be famous after today :)

Her first class is P.E. and I tried to explain how she could take her outfit off but she said she'll just put her P.E. clothes on over it.  Um, okay.  That will be a sight to see.

The point is she's having fun and no one is going to get in the way of that.  Bravo Emry.  Bravo.

Here's some random Christmas spirit-y pics.  Obviously Glenn and Lila haven't had the Christmas spirit.  Either that or I've been lazy with the camera.

Also a fun tradition we've started this year is Elf on the Shelf.  I thought it was lame but Glenn came home with one and it's actually so much fun!  The kids can't wait to wake up every morning and find Tiny Buddy Ron.  That's his name.  The kids couldn't agree on a name so we used all their suggestions.  It works.

Emry and I made the hat above for Monday's spirit day.  As with the Christmas tree outfit everything was purchased at the thrift store.  The snowman on top of her hat actually bounced all around.   Good times.

Didn't take any pics of the mountains of caramel corn I made, probably too busy eating it.  We woke up one morning to find that Tiny Buddy Ron ruined my puzzle.  But that's okay because I need to get this house in order as my sister and her family arrive in 3 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I am so ready for the BEST Christmas ever.  I will be surrounded by my kids, Glenn, my 2 sisters, parents, brother in law, nieces, nephews, possibly 2 of my brothers and Brutus.  Nothing Better.

 

Say Anything

Sunday morning found Glenn out of bed early to focus on his church calling.  His side of the bed didn't even have time to get cold before Ethan slid in and promptly fell back asleep.  I love those mornings.  I've seen plenty of movies where couples lie in bed and watch the other sleep, & while I can't say I've ever done that, I can say any time one of my children are asleep by me I can't help but just stare at them.

In those moments my brain goes at warp speed and my heart beats faster.  I have conversations with myself about how much I love them and how extraordinarily lucky I am. I go over the balance sheets of what I've been doing right and the parenting methods that need to be checked.  And sometimes I'll just indulge myself and let my heart crumple in on itself while I slowly just take in their face.

I rarely sit still long enough to watch T.V., but Friday morning found me on the couch addressing Christmas cards with the news on.  Right in the middle of stuffing envelopes my heart dropped and confusion, anger, sadness and despair set in.  There is many to feel for at this time, who need to feel our love, prayers and hope.  Amid gathering strength there are also many questions and one on my mind is how is a boy who is barely a man capable of this?

Even in a world of turmoil I believe in my kids.  They are not now and will never be perfect but they are good.  They have caring hearts and a love for Jesus Christ and their Father in Heaven.  Not only a love but the obligation they feel to be an upstanding citizen is tangible.  They know they have a responsibility to make the world a better place.  They know this because they hear it in our daily prayers.  It is expected.

When it comes to their friends I must say I've done a good job of veering them away from some kids while wholeheartedly fostering other friendships.  I don't think my kids know about all the hustling in the background, but there is hustling for sure.

I lived in a bubble for the first 16 years of my life.  It's good and bad.  It was a time of innocence and just being oblivious to the harsh realities of life, but once those realities show up on your doorstep in a very pretty package, it's downright difficult to figure it all out.  Especially on your own.

So I am no Pollyanna and this is what I know - communication is key.

I let my kids know daily how much I love them, how proud I am when they're making great choices, my frustrations and disappointments when inevitably they don't. They can ask me anything and get an honest answer.  But that honesty also extends into my expectations for them. I know that any kid would much rather "not like" their parents for being too involved, then for real not liking them for not being involved enough.

All I have is my gut and heart to lead me.  Like every other parent these 3 are my whole world and failure is not an option.

Good, Clean Fun

 Tuesday nights are designated youth nights in our church.  Every Tuesday we have a fun activity for the boys & girls ages 12-18.  I've been working in primary for years but I just got called to be the 1st counselor in the Young Women's and with Emry turning 12 last month it is a huge part of our life right now.

This past Tuesday we had a progressive dinner for the youth.  Appetizers at my home, caroling down the street to another ward member where we had dinner, then caroling back down the street to my neighbors house, also in our ward, for dessert.  Besides not a lot of people being home and one guy telling us to keep it down his kids were sleeping (!!??!!) the kids had fun.

 I am so thankful for the Young Women's Program.  While the boys work on getting their Eagle in Scouting, the girls work on their Personal Progress books.  In this book are requirements having to do with the values we are teaching them. 

Emry's working on a few things simultaneously right now.  Some are big others are small.   For instance 2 of her goals are saying a morning & nightly prayer, & saying something kind to her siblings every day.  The great thing about daily goals are they become habits. 

To complete the entire book will take a few years, so if she keeps going I can't even imagine the young lady she will become.

I walked into the kitchen a few days ago to see Emry studying her scriptures as part of one of her goals she is working on.  Even though I grew up in the church, seeing her sitting there, reading the Bible on her own accord almost broke my heart.  I do not take it for granted.  She also taught us a lesson Monday night (family night) on avoiding  temptations in life.  Who raised this girl?  Oh yeah, that would be ME!

O.K. let me come back to reality.  I get upset at my kids, they can be selfish and immature, lazy? uh yeah!  But they are good kids.  They love each other and they love our Savior Jesus Christ.  They're going to mess up but I know they know what it means to Choose The Right.  My job right now is just helping them be strong enough to make the choices they know they should.

Santa Baby

Saturday morning was 'Breakfast with Santa' for all of the Primary children at church.  Since Emry just turned 12 she is no longer in Primary but attends Young Woman's now, she's big time.  I dropped Emry off at Walmart just down the street so she could watch her friend in a singing choir out front.  Who was there but our Mayor Chuck Washington.  Of course we had to take another pic with him.  I always love seeing him at various events around town as he is just a happy and genuinely nice guy and does a fantastic job running our city.

On to breakfast with Santa.  Breakfast consisted of fruit, hot chocolate, muffins and an assortment of sugar cold cereal, my kids were elated as we never have this at home.  There were crafts, singing and of course sitting on Santa's lap and greedily telling him all the things you want him to bring you.

 

And here's me at 7 yrs. old at a church breakfast with Santa in 1980.  Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!

Shelly's Cream Wafers

Glenn's sister Shelly made these cookies every year at Christmas.  I remember she would arrive with a big ol' tin overflowing with these flaky, melt in your mouth wafers filled with sweet frosting and everyone would go nuts.

I've had every Christmas treat, cookie and tradition ever made, why had I never heard of these?  I promptly got the recipe (similar to THIS one)  from Shelly and they soon became our favorite holiday cookie as well.

 I took them to a church function a few years ago, our stake Creche festival, where thousands of people go every Christmas to view all different Nativity scenes.  There were a gazillion cookies donated and my good friend Channin (who is a FANTASTIC cook & baker) was raving about these little green and pink filled cookies she had tried there.  I practically jumped up and down waving my hand in the air saying "Mine, they're mine.  I made those!!!"

This is Glenn's oldest sister Shelly, who brought these cookies into my life.  She died 2 years ago from complications dealing with Cancer.  She left behind 2 married children and a daughter still in high school.  She played the piano beautifully and once even played the organ in the Cathedral at Notre Dame.   The public isn't allowed to play it but she figured she had nothing to lose by asking her guide, and he said yes.  Before he could change his mind she sat down and started playing.  I always remember Shelly having the biggest most genuine smile on her face when she was at the piano.

We miss you Shelly and love all the joy you brought into our life.  Thanks for the cookies, they'll always remind me of you.

As of Late

We've been eating tons upon tons of oranges.  We brought home about 8 grocery bags full of them from Fresno.  There is an orchard that is really an electric plant that uses the trees to mask all of the equipment.  My mother-in-law asked the boss if we could pick oranges there and he said sure.  We go every year.  You know I can't pass up free!

Lila's been loving gymnastics, she says, and I quote "It's My Life!!!!!!!!!!"  She practices all the time and moved up a level after only 2 weeks.  After 2 months she just has to master the beam to move up once again.

I left Fresno frustrated, having no closure with the 2,000 piece puzzle.  I bought one at a used bookstore (after spending a few hours on it I realized how stupid it is to save money on a puzzle, if there were pieces missing I would have had double frustration) and worked all Sunday afternoon on it.  Mission Accomplished, 300 piece is definitely more my speed.  And thank goodness there were no missing pieces.

Spent about 4 hours at the Dr's.  Remicade is like Christmas times a million to me.

Did some shopping at Toys'R'Us and found the unicorn of Barbies.   Seriously, I thought they didn't sell this in the States anymore.  Emry wanted to give a pregnant Barbie to her friend last month for her birthday because when they play Barbies at her house they have to stuff clothes in the Barbie to make her look pregnant.

After looking everywhere I realized Barbie brand doesn't make them anymore, so if you want it be prepared to spend upwards of $400 on ebay.  Emry bought some Asian brand knockoff Barbie on Ebay for $15.

I am not sure why Barbie stopped making them.  I really hope it's not because they thought it was a bad example for girls, if anything it's great.  Most little girls are nurturing by nature and I think this encourages a love for motherhood.  And if toymakers or parents are really worried, then why is there a whole aisle of Bratz dolls??????????????????????

After having only 1 car for over a year Glenn finally got a truck.  It may have taken almost 40 years, but he finally got his dream car.

Of course!  Decorating with Christmas music playing in the background.  I LOVE this time of year!!!!!!!!!

Watching season 3 of 'Little House on the Prairie'.  We can't get enough of this show.  Season 3 is the season Nelly gets pushed down the hill in her wheel chair by Laura and lands in the pond.  My kids LOVED that part.  And then Mrs. Olsen faints!  Oh this show is so awesome.

R.I.P. to my trustee friend who has been with me for 16 years.  As soon as we got married I dropped $2,300 on this top of the line stairmaster.  I've loved the convenience of it, but it's done.  The T.V. was Glenn's since before we got married, we just upgraded, big time.  Honestly my kids are in heaven.  They still don't get to watch regular television (although we now have cable because in Glenn's words "I am watching the Super Bowl at MY house this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!") but we seriously feel like we're at the movies when we rent a video on the weekends.

After cleaning our front lawn the kids decided to go ask neighbors if they could clean their yards for a donation.  Funny how when they got paid suddenly they were working at lightening speed.

Christmas shopping has been a big priority.  I don't like crowds and I really love to just enjoy the season with friends, family, baking, & just taking it all in.  I am almost done, but it's a lot of work!  I had one thing in mind for Ethan and I woke up early Saturday and I had a good feeling.  I went garage sale-ing and found at the first house exactly what I wanted to get him for $5, Score!!!!!

Glenn already gave me my gift.  Another Stairmaster!  He found a practically new one on Craigslist for $200.  Tis' the season for good deals for sure.

I realize there are many exclamation points in this post.  That's how I feel right now, just living at warp speed trying to get everything done in the next 3 weeks to just enjoy the holidays and my sister's family who are coming down, so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Also, just the day to day of life is busy, but good, no complaints here.  Laundry, homework, dinner, Brutus, church calling, friends, etc., etc.  Life is full and I love it all.

Sky High

Emry was born on Thanksgiving Day (2000), this year her birthday fell on the day after Thanksgiving so it was fun to celebrate with Glenn's family in Clovis.  From left - Mark, Glenn's younger brother with his 4 boys, Glenn with our 3 & Glenn's older brother Scott with his son.

All Emry wanted to do on her birthday was go to the local trampoline park.  She went online to figure out directions and hours.  She typed up waivers for everyone.  She talked on and on about how excited she was.  She made sure we got there plenty early.  I sprung for the  2 hour time slot knowing my kids could easily go for 3.

Doh!!!!!!!!!!  This is what happens when you want something so bad.  About 30 minutes into jumping Emry rolled her foot not jumping, but tripping on the mat walking off after getting tagged in dodgeball.

Luckily her Aunt Thira was there and has had experience through her years of playing college volleyball to know what to do.

Emry is unstoppable and actually went back out there on one foot.  Her foot was black and blue and I could tell it hurt but I could also tell she was itching to just JUMP.

So we went and got ice cream.

All in all a great day with the cousins.  If anything it will make her 12th birthday all the more memorable.

Thanksgiving 2012

My sister-in-law Amy told me we were to dress as Indians & Pilgrims for Thanksgiving............ apparently she wasn't kidding.  Here are her two boys Spencer & Steve, so funny!

The past 3 years I have hosted Thanksgiving and as much as I love having my family here, it was really nice after all the birthday parties to just get away & let someone else do most of the work.

We spent Thanksgiving with Glenn's family in Clovis, CA.  We stayed with Glenn's sister Amy, her husband Dave and their four children.  Amy and Dave are wonderful hosts, they had Pero stocked, homemade coconut scones were made, card games were played until late, late at night, and of course they not only put up with but lavished love upon my children.

This picture doesn't tell the whole story.  We had 39 people at Amy & Dave's for a Thanksgiving Feast!  It was loud, it was rowdy, and it was GOOD!

This was one of two tables outside.  It was slightly freezing cold, but we just told the kids that's how the Indians & Pilgrims did it.  And then we locked the door.

My father-in-law bakes his own pumpkins for pumpkin pie.  When I ate it topped with fresh whipped cream it was still warm and too good for words.  By the time I left Amy's house I had tried every single pie, that's why egg whites featured prominently in all of my meals today.

The Wallwork men.  Scott, Keith, Landell, Glenn & Mark. 

Yawn.  What else is new?

Glenn's mom and sisters are outstanding cooks so it was such a treat to enjoy all of their yummy homemade food.   Mother LoRane, sisters Karen & Amy. 

This was a  2000 piece puzzle we worked on for hours and put together maybe 150 pieces.  I have a feeling it's in the trash right about now.

My kids can't be near a pool and not get in.  It was freezing, the pool wasn't heated  & we didn't bring bathing suits.  That didn't stop my kids.  They swam for all of 5 minutes.

Emry, Lila & Ethan.  Definitely grateful for these cherubs in my life.  Love them so much.

Here's a self-portrait taken Thanksgiving night because as usual I was so busy taking pictures I didn't get any of me with my family.  I swear I was there and I have the extra  pounds to prove it.   I am just planning on eating good & exercising tons so I can.............. gain it all back during the Christmas Holidays????? Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!

Annnnd....she's 12!!!

Holy Moly was it loud in my home Friday night.  During the planning of Lila's party I started feeling bad about not doing a party for Emry so I turned to her one evening and said "Emry, would you like to have some friends over for a birthday party?"

Not five minutes later she came back with a list of games they would play and invitations she had made on the computer. Apparently she had given it some thought and was just waiting for me to say the word.

They were the cutest, nerdiest invitations ever.  There was some crazy math equation on it and Emry wrote that whoever could solve it could keep all her birthday gifts.

The food was so low key it was embarrassing, but it was all stuff Emry wanted and after the previous party I was more than happy to get pizzas at Costco, open a few bags of chips, put out the rest of the Halloween candy and call it good.

Here is Emry and 3 of her friends that are in "Fiddler On The Roof" with her doing a dance number from the play for everyone.  Theater geeks unite.

Seriously though Emry is a dream come true for me.  I was the shyest most insecure kid ever so to see her just be herself, work it, live it & not care what anyone thinks, I couldn't be happier for her.

The kids did a scavenger hunt in our neighborhood, a guess the celebrity when they were young game, put on crazy clothes when the music stops game and a find the swedish fish in a tin of whip cream game.  Good times.

To my first born, my darling daughter who will be taller than me any day now.  The one I go to when I need a reminder on how to retrieve a text message, help with the printer, or anything having to do with my nemesis technology.  The one who dances with me, cleans my bathrooms and will snuggle in my bed by my side to read.  The kid I have to remind to maybe eat a meal before dishing up a humongous bowl of ice cream.  The one I pin all my hopes and dreams on.  Too much?  Ok, but you're so smart, charismatic and fun I wish it were Freaky Friday and I could trade places with you.  You took the best of me, the best of your dad, added in spunk, laughter and a killer curiosity and came to be the funnest, cutest 12 year old I ever met.   Love you more than pony heaven (& that's the highest heaven).

Emry turns 11