My One Word

I am lucky that even though I am just a sub at my kids' elementary school, the other staff have taken me in and included me in so many things outside of the classroom.  It has been a true blessing in my life, something that I truly needed after moving here.  One of the things they have included me in is our GAG group - Gals Achieving Goals.  Each week we get together, discuss goals we worked on the previous week and set new goals for the coming week.  They can be related to anything - spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, whatever we want to work on.  Then we help each other with ideas if we are struggling with something in particular.  We also take turns do a little presentation or something so we all leave feeling refreshed and full of new ideas.  I personally love it and I will be really sad when summer comes and we don't do it!

I had posted earlier about my feelings on goals and new year resolutions.  This year I wanted to do it differently so I was kind to myself and my imperfections.  Last week during our GAG meeting we learned about My One Word.  It is something I had heard of before but didn't really pay attention to until it was presented in our meeting.  It all kind of clicked and I decided that was how I could still have success this year in my goals but be kind to myself at the same time.  I listened and found the word that I loved.  It was actually one that she talked about during her presentation.  My one word?  ENOUGH!

Enough.  I am good enough.  I have had enough.  I am strong enough.  I am doing enough. No, that's enough.  It can be used in so many areas of life and twisted so many different ways.  I have always struggled with not feeling good enough or feeling like I am not doing enough.  I am not a good enough mother.  I am not a good enough wife or friend or neighbor or anything.  I am always so busy that it is hard to find time to do what I feel is important.  Now I have a word that I can focus on.  A word that can bring strength when I don't feel strong enough; comfort when I don't feel good enough; and peace when I have had enough.

I didn't stop with myself though.  We are always talking to our children about growing, learning, changing, and becoming who God wants them to become.  We try to teach them the gospel.  We try to teach them right from wrong.  We try to teach them service for others and love for all.  We try to teach them who they are - children of God.  We try to teach them to be strong and confident, to work hard and always give it their best.  Sometimes it seems to sink in and other times it doesn't.  So, I thought I would give this approach a try with them.  Last night we talked about My One Word.  We talked about how it can change them into what they want to be and into what God wants them to be.  We talked about how just one word can encompass so many areas of their life.  If we each have one word that we focus on throughout the year, at the end of the year we will be amazed at the changes we feel in our lives.  So, I sent them to bed with instructions to think about a word and to pray to Heavenly Father about a word.  After all, He knows better than anyone who we are and what we have potential to become.  They did and this afternoon we shared our words.  We made signs for each of their words to hang in their rooms by their beds.  I told them to write the words on their mirrors and dry erase boards, write them on their book covers and bookmarks, put them in places where they will see them and be reminded of them constantly.  They all seemed excited about it.  I know it won't mean as much to the younger ones as it will the older ones but we are all going to do it anyways!

So here are our words...

Michael: GRATEFUL

Me: ENOUGH

Maddi: FEARLESS

Makenna: FAITH

Zane:  HAPPY

Dillon:  OBEDIENCE

Zeke:  TRUTH

Olivia:  LISTEN

I must say, I was impressed with the words they came up with and if you know my kids, you can see how each word fits them and their personalities.  These are words that can/will have great meaning in their lives and in their own personal interests. 

How will we incorporate this into our daily lives so that we can remember these words all year?  Aside from having the words posted around the house, it will become part of our daily/weekly devotionals.  Every evening before bed we read scriptures as a family and say family prayer.  Each week we have Family Home Evening.  That consists of prayer, song, lesson, sometimes activity (I kind of slack on that) and a treat.  Everyone takes turns each week doing the different things.  So, each evening we can ask - what have you done to be fearless? have faith? be happy? show obedience? tell the truth? be grateful?  listen? and be enough?  The kids love to share their accomplishments and I love to see their insight into life and how it affects them. 

I am very excited to do this and see the growth that we each have over the year.  I feel that them choosing a word (and Michael and I too) will help them feel empowered.  It is not me or Michael telling them what to do anymore.  It is them choosing to work on something that they feel is important.  It is them seeing how THEIR choice of word is helping them grow.  It does not require perfection.  It does not encompass the ability to fail.  It is a progression.  We have good days, we have off days.  At the end of each day we can look back and see how the word has affected us or maybe even how lack of the word affected us.  If we forgot to look for ways to be happy what kind of day did we have?  If we chose to be fearful instead of fearless, how did our day go?  I think no matter what, this word that we all chose can help us whether we remembered to act on it or not so no matter what, we have learned and grown.

Zeke's Birthday!

On the 6th of this month Zeke turned 8!  He was so excited for this birthday to come.  Turning 8 is a big thing.  He got to join scouts with his brothers, he got to be baptized and he got a build-a-bear from Michael's mom.  He also got his own set of scriptures and a journal for him to write in.

To make the day even better, we had a snow day!  It was supposed to be the first day back to school after Christmas break but because of wind chills in the negative 50's and 60's we all got to stay home.  All the kids woke up early so he could open his presents before Micheal went to work.  We knew he wouldn't be able to wait all day so we did it early!

We spent the day inside because of the cold weather and the kids enjoyed one more day of break before they headed back to school.  Zeke picked out finger steaks and macaroni and cheese for his birthday supper.  Then he wanted a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting  with nothing on it for his treat.  That made it easy for me!

The Sunday after he turned 8 he was baptized.  Michael baptized him.  He chose Dillon to give a talk on baptism and he chose Maddi to give a talk on the Holy Ghost.  He got to pick out the songs he wanted to sung too and he chose Zane to give the opening prayer and I got to give to closing prayer.  It was a very special day.

 They dressed alike that day - cute huh?

Zeke is a very special boy and we are so thankful to have him in our family.  He is a boy with a great understanding or the gospel and what is right and what is wrong.  He is very caring and loves to make people smile with his funny jokes and his kind deeds.  He loves to help me and everyone else and is always willing to step in when needed.  I love him so very much and I am so proud of him and who he is becoming!

Boys Only Weekend

For Christmas the boys got tickets to a Vikings game from Michael's mom.  Dillon was excited being a big Vikings fan!  Zane questioned it since he was a Packers fan and Zeke questioned it too since he was a Colts fan.  They went to the last home game of the season and the last game to ever be played in the Vikings Stadium.  They left Saturday morning and headed to the cities.  It was a boys only weekend - no girls allowed!  (Michael did say us girls could come but I thought it would be fun for the boys to go without us)  They went to the hotel and swam most of the evening, got to eat supper at TGIFridays and then enjoyed playing around in the hotel room.

The next morning they headed to the stadium.  Zane and Zeke's questioning ended once they got there. They were just as excited at Dillon as they headed inside!  They had a blast and it was a good day to go because the Vikings somehow managed to win (that hasn't happened a lot this season)!  Here are a few pictures of game day:

They all came home with a flag from that they were giving away to everyone as they came in to the stadium.  Dillon also found a purple feather on the ground and he took a chip of purple paint from the railing.  When they got home they were all talking at once telling me about what they thought were the coolest plays of the game!  Zane thought it was cool that he was not the only one wearing a Packers jersey.  He also thought it was funny when a man came up the stairs in a Packers jersey and everyone booed him! Now all they talk about is the next game they want to go to.  Zane is determined to make it to a Packers game :)  Maddi was jealous that she missed out on the whole thing but us girls had a day out on the town too while the boys were gone.

Thanks Munu for the tickets and Stacey for the hotel!  They had a great time!

How Great Thou Art

This week has been a different week to say the least.  Monday morning started out like Monday morning should - crazy.  Last minute schedule changes and frustrations, trying to figure out how to get everyone where they needed to be when they needed to be there and then back home again and trying to get myself and the kids to school on time while Michael took a quick business trip to Idaho.  However, what I thought was going to be the worst part of the day ended up being nothing in comparison to what others had to go through.

One classmate lost his grandmother to a heart attack, we lost a friend to cancer and some of the faculty lost a dear friend to a sad tragedy.  Hearts were broken, lives were shattered and my messed up schedule became a walk in the park compared to the pain that others were going through.  It was hard to watch those I cared about go through this pain.  I'm not good with words and emotional stuff so I didn't really know what to say and I struggled with how I could help them.  My thoughts turned inward as my mind raced with different emotions.  Some of their struggles hit home in ways that I did not expect and others were not and are not aware of.  So my mind raced and my heart ached.

Things kind of all came out Tuesday after school and I left with a very heavy heart.  Again, emotions were stirred in ways that I didn't expect as I listened to others talk about their struggles.  So much of what was said hit home because they were things that I had experienced and gone through in one way or other.

Wednesday I woke with the song "How Great Thou Art" in my head.  The words somehow helped me understand and organize my thoughts.  Last night and this morning I tried to write them all down - the song with my thoughts.  It may have no meaning to anyone else, but I am going to share it anyways because it does for me.  As I wrote, my mind and heart were filled with thoughts of my friends that were going through so much this week.  I saw their eyes filled with tears, heard their words of sadness and watched them grieve.  I also saw them hug each other, comfort each other and lift each other up.  It was an amazing week in so many ways.  Amazing in the fact that life can change so quickly and so tragically.  Amazing in the fact that these friends care so much about each other that even though they are grieving they still reach out to help those around them.  Amazing in the fact that we all find out that we are stronger than we think and if through these trials and struggles we keep our faith in God we can make it through.

So here are the words that I felt as the words to "How Great Thou Art" played in my mind over and over:

Oh Lord, my God,

Please hear me as I cry

When I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made

Hold my trembling hand in Thine as my world crumbles all around me.

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder

Whisper peace and comfort to my aching heart and soul

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Lift me from this darkness and help me feel Thy warmth

When through the woods and forest glades I wander,

Lead me through the thorny paths to safety in Thine arms

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

Let me hear Thy soothing words of love and understanding

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

Look down on me from Heaven above

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

Wash me free from this grief and pain.

And when I think of God, His Son not sparing

Fill me with this love so constant and unchanging

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

Oh Lord, my God, I feel Thee ever near me

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

This path I walk, was walked before by Thee

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Thy blood was spilt to make me whole, Thy suffering to keep me clean

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

Thy perfect light brings freedom from my dark abyss

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

I look to Thee and gladness overcomes me

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,

Then to my knees I fall in gratitude and humility

And there proclaim; "My God, ho great Thou art."

No words express my true emotion, tears stream down my face.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee

I know that for me You came, You suffered, and You died!

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

You felt my pain and sorrows, You felt my sins and grief.

The sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,

You did for me the things I could not do myself,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

With eyes toward Heaven and heart now free I, too, sing;

"How great Thou art, how great Thou art!"

2014

Well, a new year is upon us.  Time for goal setting, pondering, and fresh starts.  Time for cold weather, basketball season and flu bugs.  Yes, this year starts just as last year ended.  Life is just as busy and hectic January 1, 2014 as it was December 31, 2013.  So why put all this pressure on ourselves with high goals and extreme life changes?  Why do we set ourselves up for such a fall? 

Now I am not saying that we should not have goals.  Goals are very important.  They drive us when nothing else can.  They give us focus and direction.  They are the means to success.  BUT, only when they are realistic and properly done.  And that is different for everyone.

I can't sit here and think that because it is all of a sudden a new year that my schedule is going to somehow miraculously clear so that I can have time to achieve all those wonderful things I would like to achieve.  I can't sit here and think that just because it is now 2014, that things will become easier and that I will magically and effortlessly arrive at my destination, 60 pounds lighter with long flowing hair and a six pack that would make Vin Diesel jealous.  It just isn't going to happen!

I am still a mother of six kids. Six busy kids, who play sports, sing in the choir, play in the band and are involved in church groups and scouts.  I will still have to go to work and even though I am just a substitute teacher there is rarely a week this year that I have not had to go in at least once.  My days are busy and they will continue to be busy for quite some time.

I know some people are really good at setting goals and achieving them.  They are unstoppable.  I am not.  I get down on myself, put too much pressure on myself and then feel guilty when I do not accomplish all that I set out to do.  Do I have goals?  Of course I do.  Am I starting the year out with new resolve?  Yes.  But in a different way than before. 

I am, of course, still on my weight loss journey.  I am still on my betterment journey.  I always will be.  There is always a way to improve and be better.  But there are no deadlines in my goals this time.  Maybe that contradicts good goal setting.  I don't know.   But I know that deadlines in these areas don't work for me.  I can say I want to lose 20 lbs by the end of April.  It is very achievable in all actuality.  But if I don't meet that deadline what happens?  I get down on myself.  I see myself as a failure, again.  I undo all that I had been working to do with one carton of ice cream.  See what I am saying?

So, in order to not fail I am changing my goals.  This year I will continue my journeys but with kindness and understanding, for myself.  I brought my treadmill in the house yesterday and cleaned it up.  I walked on it this morning.  One of my goals is to use it at least 3 times a week.  It is an ongoing goal.  One that I restart every week.  One that if I don't meet one week I don't feel like a complete failure.  It's small.  It's obtainable.  It's forgiving.  Yes, I hope to lose weight from it but that isn't my focus.  My focus is to be healthy, to be active, to feel good.  I know I feel good when I exercise.  My focus is there, not on what pant size I wear. 

Another goal is to quit drinking so much pop.  I love diet Dr. Pepper.  It's is my go to after a long day.  I know that is it not good for me though.  Again, I am focusing on health and how I feel.  I am  not banning it.  If I do have one, I have not failed.  My goal is to be able to go for several days without one.  Sounds silly I know, but this is actually a hard one for me.  I have connected Dr. Pepper to relaxation.  If I can sit down and drink a soda, then I can relax for a while and no one can bother me - a very needed thing for me when life is so crazy!  I have had to slowly distance the two so that I know I have the right to relax without having to have a soda. 

It goes the same for food.  When the kids were little (six under the age of 7) things were kind of crazy!  I was drained most of the time.  I couldn't do anything without at least two children accompanying me - bathroom, changing clothes, making supper, it didn't matter.  I love my children and I am very grateful I could be home with them but they still wore me out!  Eating was my only escape!  If I sat down to eat, then Michael would be the one to change the diapers or get the milk.  If I sat down to eat, I didn't have room in my lap and I could just breath for a few minutes.  Food became my "me" time.  It has taken a long time but I am slowly disassociating those two things too.  It is hard, but I am having to see food in a different way.

Along with that comes the process of trying new foods that are healthier.  I had oatmeal today with strawberries in it.  Not the microwave kind.  I bought steel cut oats (I had never tried them before) and cooked a serving.  I topped it with frozen strawberries and it made a wonderful meal.  It was out of my routine of cold cereal with milk.  I bought tuna fish and light bread.  I had carrot sticks for a snack and yogurt.  Will I still eat a treat?  Of course!  It's not about banning and being strict.  It is about making better choices most of the time.  Monday is my son's birthday.  He wants finger steaks and mac & cheese.  Followed by chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  Will I eat it?  Yes I will!  And I will love it!  And I will not hate myself for it.  Why?  Because I have not ruined my goal or my life for doing it.  I made a kind goal.  I am trying to change my way of thinking - not just with exercise and eating, but with all areas of my life.

The other day, I was feeling quite unattractive.  I was apologizing to my husband for how I looked.  He took me in his arms and told me I was gorgeous!  That is a word that I have never used to describe myself!  It brought me to the realization though that he loves me for who I am (I already knew that, but I saw it differently this time).  If he only loved me for my toned body he would have left me after our first child 13 years ago.  He sees past my hips and thighs and stretch marks and sees me.  And loves me.  I have to learn to do the same thing.  If I am constantly down on myself for my failures and shortcomings how can I do that?  I can't.  I haven't.  I won't.

Hence, the new focus.  Instead of setting myself up for failure, I am trying to help me succeed by changing the focus.  I am trying to heal, learn and grow in more than just weight loss and nutrition.  I love to write.  I want to do more of that.  I love to bake.  I want to do more of that.  I love to take hot baths (only during the cold months). I want to do more of that.  I want to read my scriptures more.  I want to exercise more.  I love to try new recipes.  I want to do that more.  I want to yell less.  I want to take time to play games with my kids.  These are all my goals.  How do I accomplish them?  One day at a time.  If I fall short one day, I have the next.  If when this year ends and I still have 60 lbs to lose with out a six pack in sight, I will not have failed.  If I can play games one day a week, try a new recipe once a week, write every Sunday (or when the inspiration hits), go one day without raising my voice, I have succeeded.  If I can do those things then I am becoming the person I want to be.  My insides are way more important to me than my outsides.  Yes, they are connected.  But if I focus too much on my outsides, my insides suffer.  If I focus on my insides, my outsides follow along. 

So, here's to 2014!  May we all find ways to improve and be successful in whatever ways work for us.  May we learn what is important in our lives and reach out towards it.  May we be kind and forgiving to ourselves (and others).  May we find happiness and peace in our many different journeys.

Birthdays and Concerts

With the busyness of Thanksgiving, basketball starting, Christmas and everything in between I never did post anything about our November birthdays and our Christmas concerts.  I didn't get many pictures taken either.  I will post a few...

 

Makenna turned 12 on the 15th.  She was very excited for this day to come.  She was able to move up from the younger kids Sunday School at church to be with the older kids.  She and Maddi get to go together and they do a lot of fun activities.  Makenna has grown a lot this last year.  She has found confidence in herself and is able to stand up for who she is and what she believes - even if others don't like it.  I am very proud of her and all that she does.  She is very smart and makes excellent grades in school.  She is on the student council and one of the editors for the school newspaper.  She continues to love music and art.  She got the lead role in the play for the Christmas concert and also made it into the SDSU Elementary Honors Choir.  There are over 750 kids that tryout throughout the state and she was one of the few that made it.  She also loves to bake and has spent many Sunday afternoons in the kitchen making yummy treats.  She played volleyball this fall and is doing basketball this winter.  She seems to enjoy being a part of a team and working hard.



Maddi turned 13 on the 21st.  She is officially a teenager and very proud of it!  She is loving Jr. High and being with the older kids in school.  She ran cross country this fall and did great.  She ended up on the varsity team, took 28th at regions and lettered.  Not bad for a 7th grader!  This winter she is playing basketball.  She also does very well in school and has made excellent grades.  She loves being a part of the youth group at church.  She, too, stands up for who she is and what she believes in.  I am very proud of the young woman she is becoming.  She loves anything sports and nothing girly :)  She is 100% tomboy.  She is a daddy's girl and loves being around her dad.  She got her hunting license this year but has not had much of a chance to shoot her deer.  Hopefully she will get a chance to shoot one next week before they head back to school.

We also celebrated Michael's birthday on the 24th.  He is not a picture person so I have nothing of him.  We did make him fried pies and celebrated after he got home from work.

Next came Thanksgiving (which I posted about - but forgot to post this picture.  They are so Michael's kids)

They weren't allowed to gnaw on those until I left the table - makes me sick to watch it!

 

Then came the Christmas concerts.  I mentioned above that Makenna got the lead role in the little play the 6th graders do for the Christmas concert.  She also had a solo.  She did a very good job!  All the kids did.  It was a really fun concert to watch and listen to!

Taking a bow at the end

 

Maddi also had her concert.  I didn't get any pictures because she never came home from school before the concert and I forgot my camera :(  They did a good job too though.



I am very thankful for my family.  My children amaze and teach me on a regular basis.  They humble me and love me unconditionally.  I am so thankful for the area we live in.  While some days it may seem isolated and inconvenient, it is a wonderful place to raise a family and the communities that we are involved in are filled with so many wonderful people!  My kids go to an excellent school with wonderful teachers and they are able to be a part of so many things.

Fun on Christmas

This Christmas was a fun one for me.  I started out the season kind of down and depressed.  I'm not sure why.  I was struggling with things and the thought of Christmas coming with all it's busyness didn't help me feel any better.  However, things changed.

Blessings came when they weren't expected.  It reminded me that I was being watched out for.  Watching the kids get excited for Christmas also helped.  With each day their energy grew and they became more excited!  We baked treats, played games, and they talked about the fun of Christmas morning.  I love watching them when they are so excited.  It makes me tired - but a happy tired :)  By the time Christmas Eve got here, my spirits were lifted and I was ready to celebrate!

On Christmas Eve morning, the kids got to open their presents from each other.  They got up early so they could open them before Michael left for work.  I didn't get any pictures (lame I know).  Olivia had Zane's name and she got him a box of Packers only football cards.  Zeke had Makenna's name and he got her a bracelet kit.  Dillon had Zeke's name and he got him Garbage Pail Kid cards (Zeke collects them).  Zane had Maddi's name and he got her baseball cards.  Makenna had Olivia's name and she got her a stroller for her dolls.  Maddi had Dillon and she got him a Luke Bryan CD.  They were all pleased with their gifts and spent the morning organizing cards, listening to music, giving babies rides in the stroller and making bracelets.  The elves also came so when they woke up Christmas Eve morning there was a big box wrapped up with a note telling them it could not be opened until after supper on Christmas Eve.  They started asking around 10am if we could have supper yet! 

One exciting thing for Olivia was a letter from Santa.  She had written him earlier in the month with questions about his reality.  She had heard that maybe he wasn't real.  She wrote him a letter, drew him a picture and put 2 pieces of candy in the envelope for him and I "mailed" it.  Christmas Eve when I went out to put a treat in the mailbox for the mailman, there was a letter for Olivia from Santa!  She was so excited!  She carried it with her all day and read it several times!  He told her he was real and that he already had her presents picked out.  He told her since she had been such a good girl this year he had an extra present for her!

One more year of believing!

It was a long day for them.  Even though they were busy, time seemed to go so slowly.  Some drove me crazy at times but overall they were very good at dealing with their impatience.  Michael got home from work early and that helped.  He brought the Wii upstairs and they played some games.  Then they all helped get supper ready.

After we ate they opened the box from the elves.  It contained new pajamas for everyone, popcorn, M&Ms and a new movie.  We all changed into our new pajamas and watched the movie.  After the movie we took our annual pj picture in front of the tree.

 

Some of the kids wanted their own pictures...

Olivia was in love with her new Hello Kitty pajamas.

Zeke was being silly :)

But not as silly as these two!

 

We read the Christmas story from the Bible and then finally got them all off to bed so we could finish our Christmas Eve duties.  Boxes were brought in from the garage, stockings were stuffed, the last few things wrapped, and Santa's cookies eaten.  Then Santa delivered his presents to each room (he always leaves a little present under the trees in their bedrooms) and went to bed!  Before the kids went to bed they were given strict instructions that they could not come out to the living room until they were called (we would have and have had some out at 3 in the morning).  I took a picture before going to bed.  I was so excited for them to come out in the morning and see!



Joyce made these beautiful stockings!

 

Olivia was the first one out of her bedroom when we called them Christmas morning.

 The others weren't far behind though.  They checked out their stocking first and were pleased with all the loot inside.

 

 

 

Then it was on to opening presents.  Once that started I got zero pictures.  They had fun though and I loved listening to and watching their reactions with each present.  They each take turns so we can see each reaction. 

 

The rest of the day was spent playing and putting things together!  Zeke got a green machine for Christmas so Michael and I got that assembled for him.  Unfortunately with the fresh snow he has not been able to go out and use it yet.

 

Olivia got a new princess crown headboard and chandelier.  We put the headboard on and made up her bed and then put the chandelier up.  She was in princess heaven!

 

The girls got new things for their room - chairs, blankets and wall hangings.  We went down and worked in their room to get it the way they wanted.

 

 

 

Zane got a new telescope that Michael put together for him.  He was gone before I could get a picture of him with it though...

 

Dillon was our only no assemble person.  His highlight was a ticket to the Vikings game this weekend!  He loves the Vikings.  Michael's mom got all the boys (Michael included) tickets to the game.  His sister got them a hotel room.  They will head out Saturday and come back Sunday after the game.  Santa made sure Dillon had some Vikings apparel to wear to the game :)

 







 

We spent the day together and had a great time.  We played the new games that we got, talked to family on the phone, made supper together, ate lots of treats and food and then settled down with a movie at the end of the day.

 

I love time like this with the family.  I love laid back time together.  We had nowhere to be and nothing else to do except be together.  I wish there were more days like that but we learn to treasure the days we have. 

 

Merry Christmas!



December

December so far has been a whirlwind!  Basketball is in full swing so most of our evenings are spent going to and from practice with games and tournaments spread throughout.  The four oldest are playing basketball this year.  Maddi is in jr. high now so we are even more immersed than we were last year.  It is fun to watch them play though.  I am one of the coaches for Makenna's 6th grade team and Michael helps out with the boys whenever he can. 

We have also been busy at school.  The kids all had their Christmas concerts.  Those were fun to watch!  Makenna had the lead role in her play and she had a solo.  She did a great job!  Zane is a percussionist in band. It is his first year and he seems to enjoy it.  The kids also did a talent show at the elementary school.  Makenna sand a song and danced.  She did a great job!  Zane sang with one of his friends.  He did a great job too.  Zeke did some magic tricks with two of his friends.  They were fun to watch.  Unfortunately I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures of their performances :(  I have been subbing quite a bit so I get to go to school with the kids and see all that they are doing.  I even got to go caroling with them this week!

Church has also been keeping us busy.  I teach the 6-7 year olds and Michael works the young men.  Zane and Dillon are in scouts and Maddi and Makenna are in Young Womens.  We had to speak in church a few weeks ago and the kids and I sang a song for the musical number.  I am glad to have that done with!

All of that added to the busyness of the Christmas season and I feel like the days are just flying by so quickly!  There is lots of baking to be done and surprises to wrap.  Of course in order for that to happen I have to finish getting the ingredients and surprises!  Hopefully I can find a relatively empty day here soon to relax and do some of those things.  I know the kids are waiting for sugar cookie day so we can bake and decorate!  I'm so glad they have extra time over Christmas break to relax (yeah right) and have some fun!

Christmas

I love Christmas.  I love the spirit that comes with the season.  I love singing carols.  I love buying gifts for my family and friends.  I love seeing the surprise and joy on their faces.  I love baking Christmas treats.  I love looking at my tree with all the mismatched ornaments that the kids have made over the years.  I love watching them put the decorations on the tree and talk about where they came from.  I love being able to talk about Christ and share the story of His birth.  I love telling and listening to Christmas stories filled with love and kindness and service.  I love seeing the lights and decorations.  It is just a beautiful time of year!

This year however, I have had a harder time feeling that.  I'm not sure why.  I am trying to find that Christmas cheer so I can have it for my children.  They, too, love this time of year.  Over the last few days I have had many thoughts running through my head and many emotions running through my heart.  I decided to try to write it all down.  I'm not sure I got it down the way I would like to have but I will share it anyways...

Walking down the street, looking through the storefront windows. 

Families gathering together, friends greeting each other with hugs and hellos.
Filing into the cafe for some warm food and lively conversation.
The window fills with reflections of years gone by,
Memories of time spent surrounded by the love of family and friends.
Memories of laughter and stories, hugs and winks from loved ones.
Jingling bells bring the warm memories back to the present of cold loneliness.
Stepping back from the window the smile fades into a longing sigh.
Turning for home the joyful sounds are muffled by the flood of emotions.
Tears stinging in the cold, the footsteps become quicker as home draws closer.
Quietly a song drifts from a nearby church, "Silent night, holy night."
The footsteps stop as the words continue to drift through the air.
"Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from Heaven afar."
Peace begins to fill the sad soul as the words continue,
"Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born"
Heading towards the church, a smile forms as the choir sings again,
"Christ the Savior is born!"
Stepping into the lighted church, warmth abounds and love surrounds.
Loneliness is replaced by wonder and awe. "Who was this child who came for me?"
A once empty heart is filled,
"Joy to the world, the Lord is come.  Let earth receive her King!"
Bowing now in pure humility, a prayer is said in silence.
"Let every heart, prepare Him room."
Indescribable joy fills every inch of a once sagging body.
Stepping out into the night with new found knowledge,
Knowing that Christ is always there with love and understanding.
Testimony bringing warmth on a cold, clear night
"Hark the Herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn King...
with angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Christmas can be such a beautiful time of year, but it can also be a very lonely and sad time of year.  There are those around us that we may or may not be aware of that are struggling and lonely.  We all go through hard, lonely times in our lives.  Sometimes we do it surrounded by those we love.  Other times we struggle through alone.  One thing that we can all be sure of though is that the Savior is ALWAYS there for us.  He will never leave us alone.  As we make room for Him in our lives His peace and love will fill our souls and we will know that all will be ok.  We can play a part in that for others.  If we will open our eyes to those around us, we can  help bring that peace and love into their lives.  We can be that hug that they need or those words of encouragement when it gets tough.  We can help proclaim, "Joy to the world!"  We can be that quiet song that fills them with comfort, that warmth that surrounds them.  I hope this Christmas season that I can be that to some one else. 

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  I love this day!  For one, Michael usually has the day off and we love having him home with us all day.  He also always smokes our turkey.  There is nothing better than a smoked turkey.

Look how beautiful it is!

For another, we get to bake.  I love baking and the kids love helping.  We bake rolls.  Two batches this year - 8 dozen.  One batch to keep and one to give away.

Those are beautiful too aren't they?

We also get to "bake" fried pies - apple, cherry, lemon, blueberry, apricot and strawberry rhubarb.

And pumpkin rolls.  I made several.  One to keep and the rest to give away. 

 

I love pumpkin rolls!

We also get to spend the day thinking about the many blessings we have.  We all write in our thankful book and look back on past years of the things we were thankful for.

 

This year we also did something different.  We wanted to teach our children that there is a least one thing, even on a bad day, that is good that we can be thankful for.  Heavenly Father blesses us each and every day.  So I made a thankful tree.  A big one.  We put it up on our wall in the living room for everyone to see.  Then I cut out a bunch of leaves from my scrapbook paper.  Every night we each took a leaf and wrote something from that day that we were thankful for.  Something personal.  Not "I am thankful for the grass" or "I am thankful for air" but something with more meaning.  "I am thankful for a high five from a friend" or "I am thankful for a ride to the bus stop when it was cold" or "I am thankful I got to help Dad today." Specific blessings from that day. The kids really got into it.  They looked forward to it each night and seemed excited to be able to share what they were thankful for from that day.  There were days where they had to think really hard and couldn't seem to come up with anything.  On those days Michael and I would help them see things that maybe they had overlooked.  Michael and I also wrote on the leaves.  The kids liked reading ours too.  Over the weeks our tree grew and took up most of the wall.

I am so glad that we did this.  Some days life is hard so it was good to sit down at the end of the day and focus on the good that had happened even if the overall day was a frustration.