Believe

I have been seeing the word “Believe” all over the place during the season. Heck, I have it in a glass block, as well as a wooden one in two different decorated areas of my home. I guess it’s associated with the idea of believing in Santa –or in the magic of Christmas, etc.
Mom never allowed us to believe in Santa Claus. We were the mean kids who told other kids that he wasn’t real. For her own reasons, she took a very firm stance on leaving him out of her home where the holidays are concerned.
Christmas has been no less magical to me though. A few days ago we had a ward party that I attended. After a few musical numbers, the primary children performed a nativity with the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible. It was so beautifully touching. Ella got to be an angel –and she kept waiving to all of the people she knew. :) This, in comparison to last year’s meal and visit from Santa was so much more satisfying as a Christmas memory I’d like to keep. The magic of this season struck me at that time. It’s the divinity of the Christ-child, coming to Earth to save us all. It’s a time to be celebrated, and revered with humble gratitude.

Do I believe? I use the words from my brother John: “A statement of belief is more powerful than one of knowledge because it cannot be contradicted and it demands no proof. Therefore, I make here a statement of what I have willfully chosen to believe…” and that is that Christ died for us. He died for each of us personally, and he knows us individually. He understands our heads when we feel things aren’t working correctly. He understands our hearts when they burst with the love we have for others, or struggle with losing them. He hears us when we beg for mercy, or sing praises of gratitude. He’s there in the quiet moments of normalcy, be it while making a sandwich for Ella, or driving in my car. I believe that our God is a loving God. When I lost my old high-school best friend Carter to suicide, the note he’d left for his wife simply said (written in a different language) “God Is Kind” –and there it is. I believe there is a plan for each of us. I believe that this magical season is actually so because of the miracle of His life. May we each let Him into our own, and BELIEVE.

Goodbye Ed

Ed is my dad’s cousin. He died on December 14th. I met him a long time ago when he’d come to Logan with his mother; Aunt Barbie (my Grandmother’s sister) to Grandmother’s 75th birthday party. I was 17 years old. He and I connected for some reason, and had a lot of chats during that visit. Since then, we’ve exchanged letters which slowed and turned into only a yearly Christmas greeting. I’d just sent mine to him, but don’t think he received it in time before he died.
I feel like I gained an appreciation for the person he was. He was very interesting, and had some serious mechanical talent. I guess what breaks my heart is how he wasn’t considered much a part of the family in recent years. I recently saw Aunt Barbie’s Christmas card, and he wasn’t mentioned at all, although his two brothers were. I don’t know what his choices were that put him in that position, and I don’t judge those who chose to cut off contact. I’m just sad that it happened at all. He died alone just like Uncle Richard –not feeling wanted and not having the appreciation of love and family that I wish they’d had… Grandmother and Barbie (sisters) both lost a son this year. It makes me resolve firmer that regardless of the choices my children make, they will NEVER be on the outside of my communication and love. I could never bare the idea of having my child die (or take their life) without knowing how sincerely they are loved, needed and wanted.

CHRISTMAS TIPS: TIME TO GET SERIOUS!

Craig Wilson, USA TODAY

I hate this time of year. Not for its crass commercialism and forced frivolity, but because it's the season when the food police come outwith their wagging fingers and annual tips on how to get through theholidays without gaining 10 pounds. You can't pick up a magazinewithout finding a list of holiday eating do's and don'ts. Eliminatesecond helpings, high-calorie sauces and cookies made with butter, theysay. Fill up on vegetable sticks, they say. Good grief. Is yourfavorite childhood memory of Christmas a carrot stick? I didn't thinkso. Isn't mine, either. A carrot was something you left for Rudolph.I have my own list of tips for holiday eating. I assure you, if youfollow them, you'll be fat and happy. So what if you don't make it toNew Year's? Your pants won't fit anymore, anyway.

1. About those carrot sticks. Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-maltscotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch.You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Whocares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you'regoing to turn into an egg-nogaholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fillit with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk orwhole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sportscar with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and NewYear's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do.This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can't leave them behind. You're not going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mince meat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with themandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, havesome standards, mate.

10. And one final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave theparty or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.Reread tips. Start over. But hurry! Cookieless January is just aroundthe corner.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

My lovely friend Ashlee requested a picture of the tree, so I thought I'd add a few to demonstrate the Christmas-spew that my house becomes! Love it!
Ho yeah, DANISH BUTTER COOKIES a'top my fridge!

Poinsettias here and there...

Children with visions of sugar-plums dancing in their heads! ...How cute is Ella here? She has my mom's Pikachu (actually, it was my brother John's) that she's madly attached to... Gosh, I don't get Pokemon. Joni, I feel you babe (by the way, recognize the "HOME" above the cabinets and the "sleigh" that is all fluff above the tv -my GREAT crafty friend?)!

Yes, that's even "Shrek The Halls" playing. It's Mia's newest thing -she LOVES that movie to pieces, and won't budge through the whole thing!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know ME!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? When giving them, wrapping paper whenever possible –I LOVE pretty packages, and bags are only for odd-shaped gifts! However, receiving them... doesn’t matter!
2. Real tree or Artificial? ARTIFICIAL! Who needs sap to deal with on top of all the rest of the Christmas chaos?
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the end of November, but this year I’m late!
4. When do you take the tree down? The day after Christmas, if possible. My house looks like Christmas threw-up in it, and I’m OVER it right after the holiday!
5. Do you like eggnog? Nummy!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My “Real Baby” –it was so awesome!
7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My baby! She won’t remember anything I get her!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a pretty Willow Tree one. I love it.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Always mail. Ooo, need to order my pictures!
11. Favorite Christmas Movie? A CHRISTMAS STORY!!! (“Dad-gummit, BLOW OUT”)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Oh, man, as soon as I can accept that it’s coming. If I have money, sometimes in October.
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Danish Butter Cookies –divine.
15. Lights on the tree? White!
16. Favorite Christmas song? I love most of them, so narrowing it down is a tuffie: “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day”, “O Come O Come Emmanuel” and “The First Noel”.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? All of the above. Home for the first gift extravaganza, then off to the in-laws for more, then off to my parent’s home for even more. It’s a busy day!
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph! -Now gimme a hard question?!
19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel this year. I’d want to get a star that I really like…
20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning, with the traditional Christmas Eve jammy-fest.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Only the horrible SNOW and COLD that get in the way of all the shopping and fun times!
22.Favorite Ornament theme or color? My tree is Victorian with reds, pinks, golds, and lots of sparkle.
23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? My family’s Christmas Eve tradition: Campbell’s soup –from the Campbell family, who had us over for Christmas Eve dinner the year our garage caught on fire on Christmas Eve morning. That soup represents so much of the generosity and beauty of the season –I look forward to it every year!
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I have everything I could ever ask for.

A quiet evening with the fam...

The other night we decided to hang out together and play some Yahtzee! Mia was pretty thrilled watching the dice go all over the table every time it was Ella's turn.

Here's me with my new HUGE hoop earrings! I love them!

Ella after her roll -she'll say "I WON" with ever roll, so cute! It's her favorite game to play.

Here's Lance concentrating on whether or not to take 12 on his fours, or take that chance...

Baby giggles! I think she's pretty impressed with herself that she managed to get a white shirt so nasty without me even realizing what she's gotten on it!

Mia turns 1!

It's my little Birthday Girl! This is my sweet Mia, having just turned 1 year old on November 30th. Mia with Aunty Sarah -I love this cute picture.
Here's me, coordinating birthday plans -sorry Mia, we didn't do much... It was a crazy weekend, but we still love you!

Baby gets the cake!

Such a doll.

There is little I can say about this weekend. So much has happened, it's impossible to begin or end it. So, with that, here are my girls and a sneak peek at the Christmas pictures we had taken. Tell me they're not the sweetest kids you ever did see?

The Weekend

Over the weekend I took the girls to SLC to get some pictures taken for our Christmas cards this year! Thanks for the picture, Mary! Here are the dresses. I'll post some of the pictures when I get them.

Oh Nuts!

So I don't get along with nuts so well. Over the last year or so, I'd had a random attack here or there, maybe after eating some trail mix -once after eating some red dyed pistachios… This incident takes the cake. Ella and her friend Mikana were zooming around the house two days ago, and at one point were carrying chestnuts. Now, having heard the song “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire” the nut seemed pretty inviting, as Ella left it untouched sitting on my kitchen counter. I decided to giver her a try. NO BUENO!!! AAK, chestnuts are AWFUL!! I spit out what I had in my mouth immediately, but could tell within a minute that it was an even bigger mistake all around. I noticed that my throat began to swell up, and I had difficulty swallowing. I called my mom and asked her to come over and help me –as I was having a pretty severe allergic reaction. Bless her heart, she stopped by for some Benadryl and was at my house within minutes. I had lost my voice by that point –because my throat was so swollen. My hands felt huge and became VERY itchy along with my arms, my belly, my neck, and head. My chest felt heavy, and that’s when I knew that I couldn’t mess around with it –we headed for the ER, They wheeled me in quickly and gave me a shot of epinephrine (I think) and started an IV. The lowest my blood pressure dropped was about 64 over 34. Lots of great drugs later, and slipping in and out of consciousness, we’d killed 3 or 4 hours and then I was discharged. Mom had taken the girls to Donny and Debbie’s who kept them for the night. (Thanks guys!) I went home and slept well –but too bad I was too out of it to enjoy the night without the girls! :) Just kidding! ...But am I??