Christmas at our house

Christmas at our house was Very Merry. Thanks to all who had a hand in the merriness.

Ballet

Kate started dancing just a few days after she started walking. She has always loved ballet, but in the past few weeks she's gone from wanting to be a ballet teacher when she grows up to wanting to quit. In her mind, she's mastered ballet and is ready to move on to something else. The dirty truth is that her peers have told her ballet is little-girlish. Ballet has come easily for her. She's in a class with girls a year older than her & she's still one of the best dancers in the group. When the rest of the class is off cue she's right on because she listens to the music. Okay, I hold a mother's bias, but it's influenced by her teachers compliments & efforts to pull me aside to praise Kate. She was in the local Nutcracker performance last week. I told her we won't be starting something new yet, but she's still ready to quit.

Gymnastics

Amber has enjoyed gymnastics this year. She has loved it and has become stronger. I'm impressed with the way she finishes each move.

Letters to Santa

I'm not sure where the idea of drawing your Christmas list to Santa originated, but these were so cute I could hardly bear to send them to the North Pole. They were told they could only ask Santa for 3 things because asking for more is selfish. Kate actually drew a few lists, but the one here is the one I was able to get my grubby little hands on. I especially love the quantities on Kate's list: 10 Zoobles, 9 Squinkies, 10 Webkinz. Those poor reindeer! I'm sure glad parents can influence Santa on the quantity of items delivered. For the record, here's a transcription: "I'm 6 yirs (years) old so giv me rocandrool (rock & roll) and cyoot (cute) stuf. and my name is Kate and each thing that is mine poot a leter that sase (says) Kate so, i no it's mine. Thank you. I love you Santa! I'm trying to be a good sister. My sister has everthing I want. She ben rily (mean, earased & replaced with) nise to me and I ben rily nise to her and I rily want this stuff plys. "

I'm a softy & would do just about anything to fulfill this gals wishes. She's just not thing oriented & never asks for much. She couldn't even think of a 3rd thing, so I suggested the k'nex coaster. A night mask & earplugs?!! I love it. Is it obvious she shares a room with a sibling?

callings & trials

I wish everyone could have their turn as a Relief Society President. It's one of the most challenging things I've done yet. (A mission to Bolivia was harder, I'll admit). The love that I feel for the sisters in my ward is indescribable. I know the Savior loves each of them, because the love I feel for them is greater than my own love; it's His love. I'm learning from the examples of my councilors how to be better at keeping covenants. I'm getting to know my sisters in a much more personal way. I love, respect, & admire them all. Yet, I'm delighted to discover that not a single one of them is perfect! We all have some level of disfunctionality. And it's okay! I'm much more aware of other people's trials. The little adage "If all of our trials were hung on a line, you'd pick yours & I'd pick mine" is oh so true.

Merry Christmas!

The begging to put up out Christmas decorations (both of them) and decorate the Christmas tree has ended. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.

We're wondering who gifted their Christmas jar to us. If you know, please thank them profoundly for us. If only they could have seen the tears on this mother's face, the expressions of glee on the childrens' faces, the oft repeated phrase, "Mom, I just can't believe someone did this for us" & how quickly one sweet two year old could pull out her piggy, eager to feed it & insisting on sharing. They'll never know how much it means to us, this year particularly. We can't wait for the days we can pay it forward.

Nummy!

Spencer likes his baby cereal. His chases the spoon around for each next bite. We have to feed him every spoonful about four times, but he'll learn.

He's such a little chunk-a-lunk. If only I could post pictures of his chunky little thighs.

Talents

Is there anything you consistently do 30 minutes a day 5 or more days per week. I mean, beyond eating and sleeping? I was listening to my girls practice the other night while cooking dinner. Then, I started to really listen. They are starting to be pretty talented pianists. They both play better than most adults. I'm really proud of them.

I sometimes wonder if teaching my children to play the piano is just mother inflicted torture to them, but a couple of weeks ago, while listing things we're grateful for Kate wrote down, "My mom. She teaches me piano." It made me feel all warm & fuzzy inside.

These photos are from our most recent piano recital.

Meeting Grandma

Rich's grandfather passed away in November. We were sad to see him pass on, and especially sad for his wife. Sondra & Lamar, Rich's parents, were able to leave their mission to attend the funeral. We were so glad to have this little boy finally meet his grandparents.

communication

Because of my calling, I'm on the phone a lot more often than ususal. My kids have learned that if they try to interrupt, I don't respond. Amber has turned to alternate forms of communication. Art.

Jessica just came out of her room at bedtime & handed me this:


"Hewe mom, foun dis in my woom."

Great item for a 2 year old to be storing in her room.

To blog or not to blog

I blog because I want to create a legacy to leave behind, for my children. I want to record those precious moments that are so easily forgotten if they're not recorded. Blogging makes that easy. I don't remember details, so I try to record them. So much so, that I'm admittedly crazy. I have my own journal, a journal for each of my kids, scrapbooks for each child, as well as one for the family, and my blog. Ohh, typing that makes me recognize my insanity. I'm wondering if it's time to simplify.

I also blog because I recognize it as a way to share goodness with people I love, and maybe even some complete strangers. I hope that my life experience have value to people other than myself; that my insights might lift another soul or that challenges might make someone else feel a little more normal. But the naked truth is, I also blog for my own esteem. I want to feel that what I have to say has value and that I have a circle of influence. When I see that my blog posts only have 1-2 comments, or even none at all, I feel defective, unloved, unsuccessful at life. Why do we do things like this to ourselves? Blogging is a little painful for me. I write, re-read, delete, & rewrite way too much. My creativity is slow in coming & I screen what I post and how I post it, choosing what information I choose to give people to just me on. I may prefer paper journaling. I don't worry so much about screening what I write. I just write.

Blogging is good. But, I'm trying to determine my level of commitment.

Grand Teton National Park

During Potato Harvest Break we took a day trip to Jackson Hole & Grand Teton National Park. Our fabulous babysitter Sonya joined us. I love days like this. Although we had to endure too much cajoling for movie watching when I felt kids should be appreciating nature, and pleading to leave the park to go swimming, I still have fond memories of the day.

This girl likes dancing on the beach.
I had to laugh when the rocks she threw went completely the wrong direction.
Learning to throw can be like that.

I'm watching you big sister & I want to be just like you. . .even if you're goofy.

Well, this shot had great potential.

I simply love our babysitter, Sonya.

Sleepin' on the beach, a frigid beach.

Kate, silly?

Parents take kids to lakes just to let them throw rocks.
At least, I do.
The bigger the splash the better.

Amber & Sonya went on the world's shortest hike while the siblings caught a nap.

I love it when people stop to see the wildlife & ask "What is that?" I feel special when I can identify an animal for them. But, I'm surprised when people can't identify a moose.

We finished the day by swimming at the Jackson Hole Rec center. We can't wait to go back. The indoor water slide & water features, plus the warm water made it a grand success. Ironically, we ran into two families from our ward there. I was especially grateful for Sonya at the pool, because Jessica has no fear of the water.

Halloween

Time

Apparently my blog background host discontinued my background. It's been missing for weeks. Rich asked me yesterday when I'm going to fix it. I looked at him and replied, "When would I do that?"

Life is whirling around here! Rich is going to school full time and working two jobs. I have 4 children, 20 piano students, & almost 100 Relief Society Sisters to care for. I think twice about how I spend every minute. (Very little blogging going on here). I told someone the other day, that I don't think I really knew what tired was until now. But, it's a good tired.

Spencer is sleeping through the night. (Yea!) Yesterday, when I fed him at 7:00 am he completely overindulged. I was walking down the hall to get Jessi breakfast when he completely launched his breakfast. I gracefully sidestepped into the bathroom while he drenched me, him, & the bathroom floor. I was looking around dumbfoundedly wondering what to take care of first when I noticed Jessica's diaper had malfunctioned. She was soaked to her toes. Kate was begging for breakfast that exact same moment too. My mommy brain completely stalled. Change sheets, change Jessica, change me, change Spencer, mop the bathroom floor, feed hungry children? What do I do first? I laughed out loud & thought, "these will be the good old days." I changed myself first. Bathed the children, cleaned the entire bathroom. I think the kids ate breakfast eventually. I think. . .

This morning I asked Richard for help. He came in & found me making pancakes & lasagna while trying to also do the dishes, calm the baby and iron Amber's perler bead dog craft. We laughed.

This afternoon while writing in my journal I complimented Amber on her handmade party hat, helped Kate write a note, kissed Jessi's owies, explained to Jessi how my pen worked & tried to convince her that it really was mommy's turn to use it. I wrote most of the entry with Jessi sitting on me. I was grateful Spencer for napping.

I love this stage of motherhood. My issues and my kids issues are little issues. I know where my children are every minute. They're here in my little bubble where I have complete control. My life is so full of good people and good things. Life is crazy busy, but it is good.

The Photoshop CS book

Determined to learn to use my nice camera, I headed to the local library. I found the coolest book, "The Photoshop CS Book" by Scott Kelby. It's completely user friendly & teaches the best Photoshop tricks & shortcuts. I love it so much I bought it. I don't buy many books because I usually only read a book one and libraries are great for one time reads. I didn't learn much about taking better photos, but I did learn how to fix them.

So, I've been messing with myself. I cropped the photo, adjusted shadows, highlights & midtones, fixed my blotchy skin, erased my wrinkles (ug), whitened my teeth, brightened my eyes, erased white flecks off my shirt, softened the entire photo, & sharpened it.

It's so fun I don't want to go to bed, but I know someone little will be waking me up for a midnight snack all too soon. So, goodnight.

See how he grows!

One Day

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6 Weeks