Christmas at School

All of the kids had programs this week at school.

The girls sang some songs with the rest of the kindergartners. It was cute to see them all dressed up in their pjs singing about Santa. Thankfully the word "Christmas" has not been changed to "Holiday" in the their school. The next day I came to help them "make" fudge. We actually filled in the blanks in a simple recipe book and pretended to measure out ingredients. At the end they were given a kit to make the real thing at home. Friday was a short 2 hour day. The teacher provided breakfast and they exchanged puzzles during their Christmas party.

Tyler's preschool does a more elaborate Christmas pageant. We've participated in the last three. Unfortunately this was the last year any of my kids will be in it. Tyler was given a speaking part as one of the shepherds. He did an excellent job. We had a potluck lunch afterward. Then we went to visit Santa. Tyler decided to change his mind on his gift and asked Santa for a skateboard with elbow and knee pads. (I believe he just wanted to copy Karena.) At least he's trying to be safe. There was no reasoning with him that it was a little late in the season to be changing his mind on what he wanted from Santa. We did a few crafts and headed home.

No more school for 2 more weeks. Let's see if I survive the next week as the kids impatiently await Christmas and I try yet again and again to explain to Karena and Tyler that they will not be getting skateboards for Christmas.

If you can't make fun of yourself...

Another blog I read posted this. If you're offended, I'm sorry. I hope you're not because I found it freakin' funny. (Just had to through the freakin' in there to add to the Mormon humor.)

Enjoy!

6th Birthday

In the past six years Karena and Hannah have gone from this,

and this,

to this!

Happy Birthday Karena and Hannah! We love you so much!

Christmas reflections

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Its not just the decorations and the giving. To me Christmas brings with it a sense of peaceful reflection. I find my self reflecting on the past year. Remembering memories my family has shared together. Remembering people and friends that have come or gone from my life. I think to the future and ways I can improve myself as a mom, a wife, a daughter of God. I hope for a better year than the last no matter what happened in the past year. I think of the memories I may be a part of. A child entering school or a new grade. An upcoming vacation.

But mostly I reflect on a quiet night over two thousand years ago. I like to think of Mary and her thoughts and feelings as she made her choice to be a humble servant of God. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." I want to be more like Mary. To say to the Lord, "I am willing to do whatever Thou asks of me because I am Thy handmaid." Unfortunately I am more likely to put conditions on my service. "I'll do it but can it wait until..." What must it have been like to feel the Savior of the world growing inside of her? Did she know to what extent His life would effect hers? Do I know to what extent His life can effect mine?

As I start this Christmas month I hope I can keep these feelings in my heart always. I want my children to love this time of year for more than presents and Santa Clause. I want them to love it because of the Savior.