Christmas Eve Recital

Christmas Eve we started a new tradition.  This year we got a piano, and my kids have finally started taking music lessons.  With all sorts of Christmas songs being practiced, I decided we would have a family recital as part of our Christmas Eve traditions.  It was great.  We ran some last minute errands, cleaned up, and Darren ran to the store to buy some fun foods.  Egg Nog, Chocolate milk, shrimp, cheese balls, popcorn in the tins, pistachios, chocolate orange sticks,  oranges.  I feel so blessed. I was the most prepared this Christmas than I have ever been.  Two things made the difference this year.  First I went Black Friday shopping in Utah and got 90% of my shopping done.  When I brought all the gifts in my mom offered to wrap them! So she, Malinda, and Makayla wrapped 90% of the gifts in about an hour.  The 2nd thing was online shopping.  Usually I love an excuse to go out and go shopping, but this year I just wanted to try and not run around like crazy.  So I bought almost everything else online.  It was awesome! I also tried to do it early so I wasn't freaking out the last couple days paying extra for shipping.  It definitely helped.  All  the little things added up and it made for a relaxing holiday season.  I only had one secret errand to run the day before Christmas Eve. 

 

Chocolate Advent Calenders

We have this little elf, Mr. Peeps, that comes every year on Dec. 1st.  He always bring chocolate advent calendars.  All my kids get their own. Paul and Kyle usually eat one a day, maybe more.  Ellie is a saver, and will save them all for the end of the month.  She is the kid that always has Halloween candy at Easter.  Gabe ate them all the 2nd day.  Then he tried eating Kyles and I told him no.  A few minutes later I noticed his sitting so sadly on this stool against the wall.  He had his head in his hands and was so sad.  He was so cute.  It broke my heart to see him so sad.  So we took his advent calendar and melted his chocolate and filled it up again.  I ended up doing this every 3 days till I was all out of melting chocolate. I don't mind.  I like spoiling my kids around Christmas.  It's a good excuse, right?

Santa

Well, Gabe got a chance to meet Santa at the Ward Christmas Party.  He didn't like him, and wouldn't sit on his lap.  So he sat on Darren's and Darren sat next to Santa.  I love the pictures of kids screaming in fear as parents force them to sit on Santa's lap.  What is it about him that makes kids so scared? The long white beard?  The soft red suit? The glasses? The cherry red nose? Whatever it is, it makes for good entertainment for the adults.

I MADE all my kids sit on Santa's lap.  Paul was devastated since all his friends were in the room.  I think it's good for him.  He doesn't need to act like an adult ALL the time. 

A REAL Tree

We have had a fake tree for years, and I admit there are a lot of good things that come with a fake tree.  But this year when I put up our fake tree, only the very bottom branches lit up.  We've had it about 10 years, and each year another string goes out.  So I put it back in the box and told the kids we were getting a real tree this year.  It was really fun to go to the Christmas Tree lot.  We looked at all the trees and smelled the beautiful pine smelled and just inhaled all the magical feelings that come with Christmas.  We found the perfect tree and took it home.

Talking about Christmas trees, I should tell you a very funny true story about when I was a kid.  I was about 5 years old. I actually very distinctly remember this.  We went as a family in our old station wagon to buy a Christmas tree.  All my brothers and sisters were there.  My family chose out a beautiful tree and tied it to the top of the car.  We all piled in the car and started driving home.  My dad looked in the rear view mirror and saw me sitting in the back with tears streaming down my cheeks.  He said, "Emily, what is wrong sweetie?!!"  In between the sobs I said, "I wanted a tree with decorations on it!"  My parents burst out laughing, and my dad said, "Honey, we take the tree home and put decorations on it there!"  My face lit up and I said,"oh!!"  I remember feeling so relieved!! My family still jokes about that.

Kyle's Birthday

Well, Kyle's Birthday was Dec. 17th.  The kid was excited for weeks.  Finally the day arrived.  I had forgotten the night before to put up streamers and write on the bathroom mirror.  He woke up super early and was in tears that I didn't have the streamers up. I told him to go back to bed for 5 min. while I quickly did our special birthday traditions.   When he got up and saw the streamers and the "Happy Birthday Kyle" written on the bathroom mirror he was a happy guy.  We opened presents first thing in the morning, cause he just couldn't wait.  He got a package from Gran and Gramp's (Darren's mom and dad) and from Grandma Rita and Opa. (my mom and dad)

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I got Kyle this cool BYU football jersey shirt.  He really wanted one with Taysom Hill's name and number on it.  But they didn't have one.  So I bought a plain one and had one on my friends cut out the name and number onto iron-on fabric on her computer.  It turned out great and I think it ended up being his favorite present.  I think he has worn it every day since then. 

Kyle is such a sweet addition to our family.  He is easy going and sometimes I hardly notice if he's around.  He can get along with almost anyone, and is extremely smart.  I call him my Mini Moroni because he is so obedient.  Very rarely do I have to ask him more than once to do something.  He is so good with Gabe.  He, Gabe and Darren and like the 3 Amigos.  They are all cut from the same cloth.   I can't believe it's been about 10 years since he came to me in a dream.  He put his little hands on my cheeks and said, "Mommy, what are you waiting for?  I want to come be with our family!"  I sat straight up in bed, woke Darren up, and told him we needed to have another baby.  We were going through a rough time then, and having a baby was the last thing on my mind.  But I loved that spirit that came to me with a passion.  I felt his greatness.  The thing that stood out the most was how sweet he was, in fact I thought he must be a girl because of how sensitive and sweet his spirit was.  I love you Kyle!!

Christmas Lists

Here's what my kids want for Christmas
Paul really wants an Xbox 360, and a lizard.  I love how he categorized them.  

          Ellie wants one thing- an $80 Lego Castle. I'm not really sure why she wants this so bad- but ok.

Kyles list is pretty easy.  He wants a yo-yo and a slinky.  Nice ones- not from the dollar store.  Like $5 ones.   I'm not even kidding.  He said that's all he wants.  Hahaha. Can you tell which one of my kids is the easiest?  We will have to see what Santa comes up with!

Thanksgiving

We went to Utah for Thanksgiving, and I got the flu. All my plans got ruined.  I hardly did anything but lay on the couch.  Except the first couple of days.  Before we left I bought my kids winter clothes- since we didn't have any.  We sold almost all our winter clothes before we moved to Florida.  Gabe was so cute in this winter outfit he wore all around the store.

We drove straight to the BYU football game with Mark and Malinda.  It was raining so Darren didn't go, but the rest of us had a great time!  The stadium was practically empty so we picked some seats on the front row and had a great view.

We went to BYU and kicked around.  We went to the Bookstore and got t-shirts for the kids.  Then got some donuts and Cougar Tails.

We can't go to Utah without going to Brick Oven. Here are the men watching football.

And here they are again...watching football.

And then, the day before Thanksgiving, Gabe and I got sick. And slept, laid around, and slept some more.

I was so disappointed to be sick.  I missed my race that I had signed up for.  I missed going climbing at the Quarry with everyone, and I missed Black Friday shopping.   The crazy thing is, even after we came home I was sick for another week! I was sick for 2 weeks straight.  Now I know how people end up in the hospital with the flu.

Snow Day

Recently is snowed here! We don't get a lot of snow- so they cancelled school and we had a great time sleeping in, snuggling in warm blankets and drinking hot chocolate.  The kids had a ton of fun playing in the snow- although I quickly found out that we don't have a lot of snow clothes! All of my kids need snow pants and boots.

One morning we had a ice freeze and it was beautiful!  I love winter! It's magical. The earth is an amazing place.  I took some pictures of these amazing trees!

This tree looked like it came right out a Dr. Seuss book.

Here is Gabe ready to go play outside. He refused to hold still for the picture.

At least he has underwear on under that coat!

Paul's Family Home Evening

On a lighter subject- here is the FHE lesson Paul prepared and wrote all by himself for us this week.
               Heavenly Father Gave us Animals

As you know, God gave us animals. List a few animals. Now, do you know any? Ask crowd. Yes, and most animals are beautiful. Now tell me some bad animals. ask crowd. Ya, those are bad, but lets focus on the good ones. Some animals are pets and others are wild. Some amazing animals are put in zoos. But, sadly, some animals are endangered. They are endangered because of humans. Is it fair that God gave us so many amazing animals and we go and kill them and take their home? Ask crowd. No, its not. Can you tell me some endangered animals? Ask crowd. That's sad, huh? But, many people are helping Gods wonderful animals, endangered or not. There is earth day, where everyone helps animals around the world. There are also clubs and businesses that help endangered animals. Now lets do a small activity and watch Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer, about an endangered species of red-nosed reindeer. There is only one of these rare animals, and it lives in the north pole. :vp

Now, of course he was joking about Rudolph- and we all got a good laugh about it.  But I have to wonder who is indoctrinating my child? 

Trials

Trying to have a baby is not really something I though I would struggle with.  I mean, I have 4 kids and have never had a hard time getting pregnant the EXACT month I planned.  But it's been 5 months now, and nothing but a bunch of negative test results.  My plan was to get pregnant in July, or August, and be done with morning sickness by Christmas, and have a baby in the spring.  I even told my friends I couldn't run in a marathon in September because I was going to be pregnant...ughh.  Then I was planning on morning sickness for Christmas, and still nothing.  I wonder if I should be worried or if this is totally normal- for other people.  It's not normal for me- and that why it worries and scares me.  Am I too old? Did I do something wrong? Was I supposed to have a baby earlier and I missed my chance?  Will I really only have 4 children?  Will Ellie never get her sister she prays for every morning and night? All these worries and more flood my mind.  A tiny part of me feels relieved, each time the test is negative- I don't have to face morning sickness, pregnancy, sleepless nights, diapers, messes, etc.  Then the mother in me crushes that tiny bit and I feel so sad.  I worry and cry that I won't be able to have another baby.  I'm not ready to be done.  I'm not ready for that stage.  Then I tell myself it will be ok.  I will get pregnant- when the time is right.  God has a plan for our family.  I just wonder if that plan involves another baby. Any advice from you mom's out there? 

Time Out For Women

A few weeks ago I headed over to Portland to go to Time Out For Women with Athena.  Darren was on call for the weekend- so I took my Ellie, Kyle, and Gabe with me.  I left Paul home to hold down the fort with Darren.  We had a lot of arranging to do to get a babysitter, and Ben to watch our kids.  Poor Athena was on the phone a lot trying to make arrangements for the kids.  She was so worried about them and Ben being taken care of and getting meals.  We wanted to go out to dinner the second night- but the kids were all crying so we had to go back.  Athena said, "I thought this was supposed to be Time Out For Women- there is just no such thing!"  I laughed.  It's true, when your a mom, you never really get a time out.  Even when your gone you worry and have to arrange things.  I think that was one of my favorite things about my cruise with Darren. We left my mom and kids and said- "Don't expect to hear from us. We'll see you in a week!" But anywho, between cell phone calls, and nursing Teddy, Athena and I had a great time.  I had never been to TOFW before,so I was curious to see what it was like.  I have to say- it was great, but not amazing.  Not as good as Education Week.  If Education Week is a 10- TOFW is like a 7.  There were a LOT of musical numbers that just weren't my style.   It's in a huge conference center and they have to project the speaker onto big huge screens up front.  The room is so huge and there are so many people, it is hard to feel...like your even in the same room as the speaker sometime. You don't get to choose the classes, topics, teachers you go to.  It's just one huge conference room the whole time.  So, over all, they do a great job- but Education Week just can't be beat.  The best part was getting to hang out with Athena and sweet Teddy. 

Here are a bunch of women from my ward.

Oh, and did I mention Ellie came and went to Time Out For Girls?  She LOVED it! There were a bunch of girls from our ward with their daughters- so she had friends to sit with and hang out with.  She felt the spirit a lot and had a great time.  I think stuff like this is so important for young kids.

Painting a Chair

Here are some pictures of a chair I got in Naples and just redid.  I would love to have just spray painted this chair- but couldn't get the color I wanted.   So when I saw the perfect coral color in chalk paint I decided o give it a try.    I haven't ever used chalk/milk paint before and I am still undecided on whether I liked it or not.  It was hard to paint with- it was very thick and has a lot of texture so all the paint brush lines would show up.  I tried adding some water and that helped.  It was a pain to get in all the cracks- as you can see it wasn't the simplest chair to paint. I felt like it took a lot longer than just spray painting- or latex paint.  And I had to do 2 coats- even though they say you only need one coat with chalk paint.  So as I was painting it I was very frustrated and swore to never use it again.  However, I really like the way it turned out, so that's why I am undecided.  Below are pictures, before, during, and after!