Relaxing Christmas at Home

We had a white Christmas Eve morning. It was fog, not snow though. It burned off and was a lovely day. I loved watching the kids make a ginger bread train... not really they were doing it wrong and making a mess, ha ha. No, this was our first time making one. We had fun, but I had to snap a few pics before it fell over.  We cleaned and organized a bit as a family. That was my Christmas wish, to work together, to get things organized and have my kiddos learn how to "Keep things" right before they "get things". The two younger kiddos could not wait to open presents. They were beginning to be a broken record with the asking. It was nice timing then for Papa and Rah to come over with their gifts to the kids. It is very nice to stay home and relax for the holidays, especially for Spencer. He has done pretty well the past few days.  We enjoyed a Ham and Scallop potatoes dinner and great cookies and brownies. Amber stopped by and we wrapped a few last minute gifts. We drove around our neighborhood and looked at the tremendous amount of luminary lights. We were full, happy, and grateful this Christmas Eve.

Santa stayed up late and the kids were up early. Everyone was pleased with their gifts and we've had great family time together.  Celia is fun to watch, it is nice to still have a little one so excited. She is in the cardboard box that Emmy's electric guitar came in. That Box may be her favorite thing about Christmas, Lol. I feel so grateful for family and am excited to see my Parents( Been missing them) and Tanya's family for New Year's. We are blessed and have checked all the good things remembering Christ and giving to others off our list at least for a couple days. Merry Christmas!

This Christmas

We've had a lot of rain and frost finally around here. The weather thought it was supposed to summer all the way through November. I love that our lights plug in to our outlet outside and are wired to a switch in the garage. Turning on and off the Christmas lights is easier than ever! Brian found an outlet to do the same for the tree inside, its on a switch.:) Rah and Papa gave us their big tree so we have been enjoying two this year.:) I'm glad I shopped Black Friday, its crazy out there. Even shopping for groceries and going to store on date night yield black Friday like lines. Amazon is great for purchasing on line and I fee l so blessed to have time to service others , attend the temple, and enjoy Christmas. 

We are so blessed with the conveniences of life and the strength we have from practicing principles we learn in church and through  personal study. We had a lovely dinner and program about the miracles of Christ last Thursday. The program consisted of speakers sharing with us scriptures and testimony of the miracles of healing, forgiveness, and sealing power of the priesthood(families being together in the next life). I gave the closing comments and loved the beautiful music performed there and the spirit that was shared. It helped me for the next morning reading about and seeing photos of a terrible shooting at an elementary school in CT.  Like many I cried and felt mourning for the precious lives that were cut short. Also, for the families that would remain and all those hurt by the situation. I did however remember how we had just heard and testified of Christ's healing influence. Of course I am mourning, but it helped ease the pain a little to know of the gospel plan and Christ's important part in healing and making things right in all circumstances.

This Christmas I am taking President's Monson's advice to ask what can we give to our Savior. Obedience to his commandments, service in his kingdom, and love to all those around me. Another admonition  was given to treat others with kindness and not have contention in our homes and in our hearts. I love my family deeply and I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ loves us all as well. I am learning, but I believe it will be a Merry Christmas this year especially as we strive to focus on what matters most, and loving others.

A peek into recent days.

Life has been full of fun activities, friends, and new adventures.  Celia is an official rider of her bike with out training wheels. I had fun going to apple hill and canning apple pie filling with a friend. We've had Thanksgiving and many activities for church and school. Life is full and these are some of the fun pictures I've snapped. We loved going to visit my folks for my mom's birthday. Going to Yellowcard in San Francisco was quite the adventure and oh so fun! Emmy has been having fun with new friends in the ward since the Youth Celebration she participated in. She has a cute bf, Andrew. We have enjoyed Christmas parties, shopping, dates and gifts. I am understanding more of the challenges I face and ad trying to do all I can for our children. We love them and protect them. I'm glad to have drop box, instagram, and my camera phone for being able to snap pictures of life as it happens.

Thankful for Patience

Happy Thanksgiving!. I am so grateful for my loving husband, wonderful children and sweet extended family. I'm glad my tree out front that has been looking so sad finally has its leaving turning autumn colors. I am hopeful it will perk up and get great leaves next year. We have been enjoying relaxing in town and prepping for Thanksgiving. I am Thankful for all our blessings of comfort, but also for the love and joy I feel from serving others.( even  my wild Indian kiddos;)) I want to have our gifts to each other for Christmas this year to be one of time and effort given in our family. I love the idea of giving of oneself for a need or want of someone we know.  Yes, some things take fixing and assembling and I am happy to have Brian to help with that.  Celia knows what I like and often tells me she will give me a peach or let me watch "Twilight" if I let her eat out of the kitchen, hehe. It is a great thought though, trying to give someone else what they want and look for those reinforcing things. I'm grateful for kind people in traffic and in supermarkets. I'm most grateful for patience to give it, and be able to receive it. We are all weak in something and make mistakes, how great it is to love one another, to be patient and forgive. I look at mishaps and trials as an opportunity for understanding and growth. I am happy, life is good and I'm grateful for this time in my life.

A lot of teenagers at my House.~

I survived watching 14 kids for 5 hours. It was Emmy's Sixteenth birthday party. We played games and then I let them hang out. I didn't like how much they loved it when I gave them some time to relax and hang out with out me being in the room. Spencer did amazing hanging out among all the teenagers, but was ready for a quiet ride with Brian after all the busy tome during the day. I couldn't;t help reminisce about my sixteenth birthday. Lisa made me a batman cake and I felt like I was pretty old and adult like.  We went to the temple and went on the grounds because it landed on a Sunday if I remember right. I did get my patriarchal blessing when I was sixteen too on my future marriage date. I had no idea that would be such an important date for me later in life.
The kids wanted to watch Blue's clues. Joseph kept saying how he didn't like it.  The boys there were very offended and hassled him for it. He was tricked and bullied a little, but still claimed Blue's clues wasn't where it was at. Hopefully Joseph won't mess with the guy who is much taller and older than him next time!