Chalkboard art

I found a huge frame at Goodwill for $19 and thought I would find a mirror to put in it.  I tried all kinds of things and then finally thought that I could have a chalkboard.  G bought a piece of wood for $8 and had it cut at Lowe's to fit into the frame.  He liquid nailed it together.  Painted the frame gold, the wood with black chalkboard paint and called it my "Christmas present".  I thought it was perfect.  I may or may not have suggested that with me being down and out on the couch after surgery.  

I found an example of what I wanted on Pinterest and got out my chalk and drew it.  It's anything but perfect, but the message IS and I want to bust out in song whenever I walk by.  It's from my favorite music of ALL time.  Handel's Messiah.  

reyyr

Ugly Sweater party

D and I were invited to an "Ugly Sweater Christmas Party" tonight.  I wasn't really sure what I was going to do.  I knew that I didn't want to use a glue gun or just a normal "teacher" sweater.  After looking at the thrift stores I came up empty handed.  But a dear friend told me that she had just recently been to Kmart and seen some shirts wondering if they were "real".  Perfect.  I headed over to Kmart and they definitely didn't disappoint!!  I may not have found sweaters but we definitely had the ugly down!

Ladies section for both of us.  D found out during the party.  lol  Seriously?  People buy these to wear for real??  Like in public?  Pretty sure D won the contest hands down.  

Merry Christmas

Christmas with C this year was such a gift.  I loved having him here before he takes off for the MTC on Wednesday.  He knew that Christmas was going to be different this year.  His "Christmas" fits inside two huge suitcases and a new backpack.  He was a good sport as he sat there watching everyone exchange gifts.

I loved having him at the top of the stairs Christmas morning being the oldest child.  I loved hearing him sing the Christmas songs at church.  I loved watching him give each family member hugs as they thanked them for his gifts.  I love that boy.

The kids were all thrilled with their gifts including A's hammock in his soon to be bedroom.

Our cute neighbor that we love, dressed up in our Santa suit and came over to see the kids Christmas Eve.

Such a good day knowing that we celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Such a good day with my children and this gift I was given.

Merry Christmas!

Gift wrapping

The kids got money from both sets of grandparents this year for Christmas.  The kids were thrilled out of their minds and eager to head to Target.  After we got home, S proceeded to wrap her gifts that she bought herself.

Introducing...

A Barbie wrapped in lots of shreds of paper with as much tape as there is paper.

Makes me smile to see how my three year old does gift wrapping.  :)

Joy to the World

The other day I was telling myself that this year I was going to say, "Merry Christmas" rather than Happy Holidays when out shopping.  But then my very sensitive to others self, shyed away from it thinking that it might not be a "Merry Christmas" for everyone.  Like, what if they were having financial hardships, a family member battling cancer, loss of a loved one, etc.  I just thought it was easy for me to say that since I was having a great Christmas with my son just before he leaves on his mission. 
But, that is when the Spirit taught me differently.  All of us in a way, are going through hardships.  Some, harder and more trying than others.  But Christmas time is the time to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I mean really, that's why we sing, "Joy To The World" with such enthusiasm.  It's not because we have found the perfect gifts, or are gathered around the table for Christmas dinner, or I have my missionary one last time.  It's because we know that we have been given the greatest gift in the world. 

The holidays are fun.  They are full of tradition.  Advent calendars, The Christmas Eve Elf, The Food Fairy, Christmas lights, Christmas Eve dinner, the children lining up at the top of the stairs Christmas morning, reading Luke 2 on Christmas Eve, etc.  They are traditions.  NOT what makes Christmas Merry.  Jesus Christ is why I will be wishing people a Merry Christmas this year.  He is what I will be teaching my children about. 

There will be Christmas' in the future where things are not so perfect.  I hope that my children and I can then remember that.  That we can find the Joy in Christmas.  Because if we can, Christmas will always be perfect.

Now I'm off to listen to Joy to the World and Handel's Messiah.  My favorite music of all time.

Merry Christmas everybody and Joy to the World!!

Christmas time

Christmas was different this year. I returned home from visiting my parents to a LOT of rain. The girls couldn't resist the thought of wasting an opportunity to play and ran outside in their swimsuits. They had a blast. I laughed my head off watching them. Once the rain cleared out, the kids jumped in the hot tub. Mmmmmm. Love hot water!

A posed as Santa Claus this year and showed up at the house. S was terrified and didn't want anything to do with him. Gotta love seeing B on his lap in a swimsuit. You don't see that everywhere.

Christmas morning was touching. I saw C embrace each member of the family after receiving their gifts. I knew those hugs would need to last two more years until after his mission. Then, A was cute and also hugged people after each gift. Goes to show that miracles never cease and that there are tender mercies all around us. It was a beautiful day despite the messes that covered the floors the entire day. We stayed in our jammies and watched movie after movie.

I went to bed thankful for the day, each of my children, husband, parents, grandparents and my knowledge of the Savior. It was definitely a Merry Christmas.

Finally...A Merry Christmas!

I'm just about ready for Christmas. Maybe I am ready. I'll have to look at my list again. My menu is planned and tucked away in the fridge. My gifts are wrapped. My goodies are delivered. Oh, ya, I do need some new pjs from the Christmas Eve Elf. I guess that's tomorrow.

We decorated our gingerbread houses tonight. The kids enjoyed that.

My brother came today. He'll be spending Christmas with us if he can handle little g for a few days! He, my brother, is so great. The kids love him to death. He's 6'8" and was cute enough to climb into this tiny house and then let the kids pile in on top of him. He's going to be a good dad and a great husband some day!

I got the girls their Christmas dresses a couple of months ago. They're too cute.

It's freezing today. Of course it's all relative! lol

As I've been running in and out of a gazillion stores the past couple of weeks I've continually heard, "Happy Holidays". Ya, it's nice to hear. Yes, it's politically correct. But finally, finally, someone wished me a Merry Christmas. I walked out of the store on a high. I thought, "Wow, that girl has guts to say "Merry Christmas" these days. But it was so nice. Someone FINALLY said what they believed.

Got me thinking...do I have or have I had enough guts to wish someone else a Merry Christmas?

I'm going to tomorrow. If someone wished me a "Happy Hanuka", I wouldn't be offended. I'd just say thanks and be on my way. So why is it that we don't dare say Merry Christmas? Yes, I live in a diverse place, which I love. But hey, I'm going to wish people "Merry Christmas" tomorrow when I go get me my pjs that will be given to me from the Christmas Eve Elf.

Merry Christmas!!

Playing St. Nick

Yip, that's me and the three little kids. D wouldn't dress up tonight to go around to friends, so I did. It was way out of my comfort level but it was so much fun. The kids loved it and the cameras came flying out at almost every home we visited. Pretty good don't you think? Or is that pretty sick that I can pull off a male Santa Claus?

Christmas smiles

This is a picture of me with my grandma (on the left) and my orchestra teacher (on the right). My grandma and Ms. T are some of the most influential people in my life. They both taught me the violin, supported me, encouraged me, and helped me become the woman that I am today. I got to play in the Messiah orchestra this year back home. It was a dream come true. I've missed playing in it for years. Due to my grandma's arthritis, she isn't able to play anymore. But it was neat having her sit in the audience to watch me play again. I was teary on the stage to think that Ms. T was playing in the orchestra for the 64th time out of 68 years. They dedicated the concert to her. It was amazing. I loved the music, I loved wearing my concert black, and I LOVED how everyone stood as they heard the "Hallelujah Chorus". I was on such a high that night. I was grateful to be a part of such a rich tradition.

These are pictures of S and her first Christmas. She loves her teddy and her phone.

"First Christmas" babies are always put in the mountain of wrapping paper for a picture.

S is soooo her daddy's daughter. They are little twinners!

This is B with her Christmas. It was fun getting girly stuff this year. I might like her stuff more than her.

Hanging Christmas Lights for our neighbors