Ever since I can remember, we have met together with my cousins, aunts and uncles for a big Christmas Eve party. As happens with most families, we have increased in our numbers to such a point that we can’t all fit comfortably into one house. The difficult decision was made to start having our Christmas Eve parties as separate families (meaning my parents, siblings and their families), and try having one big holiday party for the extended clan. So, this year we are starting a new tradition. My siblings and I have decided to meet at my house for our Christmas Eve Extravaganza. I haven’t been this excited for Christmas Eve in a long time. We have plans for new traditions as well as carrying over some of our old ones. My sister and I have been planning activities for the kids and of course, we’ll have lots of yummy food. Leaving old traditions and family activities behind is hard, but creating new traditions for our children with our own little families is an exciting thing as well. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what we do, as long as we are together and can celebrate our Savior’s birth and life for Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone and I hope you have an awesome holiday season.
And to all of my cousins, aunts and uncles, whom I won’t be seeing for Christmas Eve this year, I’ll miss you and I love you lots. I hope you have as much fun creating traditions with your family as we’ve had with each other in the past.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Best Gift a Mom Can Get
One of my favorite types of Christmas gifts to give and get are homemade items. In this world where things are bought and forgotten so quickly, time is one of the most valuable commodities we have. So, when someone spends some of their precious time on something, it seems to be kind of like a labour of love. The kind of gift you don't quickly forget. Anyway, I usually start making a lot of gifts sometime in October for Christmas. This year I've taught my girls how to do some of the things that I have been doing. We've made watches, hats, scarfs, candy, etc. On Saturday night, we were making bracelets for some of their friends and Hayley says, "Mom, you are so awesome. This is the best Christmas ever." And Ryeley says, "Yea, you are the best. You've taught us how to do so much." Aawwwh. I couldn't ask for a better Christmas gift.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Driving Home from Work
My sister wrote this short little quip about me driving home from work. She is so talented that I wanted to share. Her rendition is so much better than what I would've wrote. Basically, I would've just said, she drove home from work. Anyway, here it is:
I can’t believe I went this long without caffeine—it’s been one of those days. I fill my favorite 32 oz. mug with Mountain Dew…liquid gold. I love this mug, it fits perfectly into my van’s drink holder. It never spills, I don’t know what I would do without it. I take a big sip, I’m totally addicted. I look around to see if anyone is watching, I fill it up again. The lid is pushed on tight and I start to carry my drink to the counter. I rip off the straw wrapper with my mouth. I always end up breaking my straw if I tap it on the counter, and I only have one free hand.
I-15 is not the best place to be during the week, especially at 5:30 pm, but there is no way to avoid it. At least the drink makes the trip more bearable. 5 years of commuting back and forth and it’s obvious that California drivers are much worse that Utah drivers, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Layton Hills Mall on the right looks more appealing than the traffic backed up a mile, but then again the parking lot tells another story. Olive Garden for dinner, don’t they do take out? Calling ahead would have been smart, just keep driving.
Ah, the Air-Force Museum, half way there. It’s unbelievable those huge aircrafts actually used to fly. Traffic is beginning to thin, it’s great when the road splits into three lanes. Another swig of Mountain Dew. Turn up the radio to listen to something other than the hum of the tires on the pavement. The cell phone is buzzing and my purse is on the floor, is it worth the risk? I reach out just to see and there is no way, I’ll just have to see who it is when I get home. It’s probably my sister calling me back, dang, she actually has a minute to talk and I can’t reach my phone.
I can’t believe I went this long without caffeine—it’s been one of those days. I fill my favorite 32 oz. mug with Mountain Dew…liquid gold. I love this mug, it fits perfectly into my van’s drink holder. It never spills, I don’t know what I would do without it. I take a big sip, I’m totally addicted. I look around to see if anyone is watching, I fill it up again. The lid is pushed on tight and I start to carry my drink to the counter. I rip off the straw wrapper with my mouth. I always end up breaking my straw if I tap it on the counter, and I only have one free hand.
I-15 is not the best place to be during the week, especially at 5:30 pm, but there is no way to avoid it. At least the drink makes the trip more bearable. 5 years of commuting back and forth and it’s obvious that California drivers are much worse that Utah drivers, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Layton Hills Mall on the right looks more appealing than the traffic backed up a mile, but then again the parking lot tells another story. Olive Garden for dinner, don’t they do take out? Calling ahead would have been smart, just keep driving.
Ah, the Air-Force Museum, half way there. It’s unbelievable those huge aircrafts actually used to fly. Traffic is beginning to thin, it’s great when the road splits into three lanes. Another swig of Mountain Dew. Turn up the radio to listen to something other than the hum of the tires on the pavement. The cell phone is buzzing and my purse is on the floor, is it worth the risk? I reach out just to see and there is no way, I’ll just have to see who it is when I get home. It’s probably my sister calling me back, dang, she actually has a minute to talk and I can’t reach my phone.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thankful
Since it is the season of thanks, I thought I would post the top 20 things I am thankful for:
1. A Heavenly Father who loves us so much, he sent his son to give us a way to come back to him.
2. The gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. The chance to be a wife and mother.
4. An amazing husband, who puts god and family above all else.
5. Three beautiful, healthy little girls.
6. A way to support our family so we have a home, warm beds, clothes and food.
7. Freedom and those that serve in the armed forces to protect it.
8. My ancestors: those that didn’t give up as they came across the plains, those that remained strong in the gospel so that we have the benefit of having the gospel in our lives today.
9. The testimonies born by those around me; in word and deed.
10. The amazing women in our neighborhood and ward, who show me what it means to be a strong, faithful woman.
11. My entire family: for my parents (in-laws too), siblings (in-laws too), grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. who have been there and supported me through everything, even when I didn’t deserve it.
12. The ability to love others.
13. Modern medicine!
14. Forgiveness.
15. Friends, without their love and kindness, I think I would crumple.
16. My grandmothers. I especially want to pay tribute to the amazing women who came before me. Who taught me homemaking skills, how to love, how to be a good wife, how to be a good mother, and most importantly always bore their testimonies to me so that I knew what they held most dear (and still do).
17. My sisters. I can’t even express how much I love my sister and sissy-in-laws. What a blessing it is to have sisters! I know that I can call anytime and I only have to say a few words and you understand exactly what I mean, and love me anyway!
18. My mom. I now understand so much more of what was happening when I was a child, and that you never gave up. You were always there for me then and now.
19. The scriptures, a living prophet and the many people who serve in our church.
20. Did I mention my amazing husband? I can’t believe that I was so fortunate to find a man who is capable of so much caring and love. And that can put up with me because I know I can be difficult, even on the good days!
1. A Heavenly Father who loves us so much, he sent his son to give us a way to come back to him.
2. The gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. The chance to be a wife and mother.
4. An amazing husband, who puts god and family above all else.
5. Three beautiful, healthy little girls.
6. A way to support our family so we have a home, warm beds, clothes and food.
7. Freedom and those that serve in the armed forces to protect it.
8. My ancestors: those that didn’t give up as they came across the plains, those that remained strong in the gospel so that we have the benefit of having the gospel in our lives today.
9. The testimonies born by those around me; in word and deed.
10. The amazing women in our neighborhood and ward, who show me what it means to be a strong, faithful woman.
11. My entire family: for my parents (in-laws too), siblings (in-laws too), grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. who have been there and supported me through everything, even when I didn’t deserve it.
12. The ability to love others.
13. Modern medicine!
14. Forgiveness.
15. Friends, without their love and kindness, I think I would crumple.
16. My grandmothers. I especially want to pay tribute to the amazing women who came before me. Who taught me homemaking skills, how to love, how to be a good wife, how to be a good mother, and most importantly always bore their testimonies to me so that I knew what they held most dear (and still do).
17. My sisters. I can’t even express how much I love my sister and sissy-in-laws. What a blessing it is to have sisters! I know that I can call anytime and I only have to say a few words and you understand exactly what I mean, and love me anyway!
18. My mom. I now understand so much more of what was happening when I was a child, and that you never gave up. You were always there for me then and now.
19. The scriptures, a living prophet and the many people who serve in our church.
20. Did I mention my amazing husband? I can’t believe that I was so fortunate to find a man who is capable of so much caring and love. And that can put up with me because I know I can be difficult, even on the good days!
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