How the Grinch Stole Christmas

"'How could it be so? It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags!' And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!'"

Isn't Suess a genius? I love the messages within some of his books for kids (check out the Butter Battle book). Ahhh... Why can't I remember that Christmas doesn't come from a store? How do I take the focus off of buying and recieving gifts, and onto the birth of the Savior?

I want a Christmas that is meaningful and I'm not sure how to do it. I love reading the gospels this time of year - I love learning about the Savior and realizing how much more focused I need to be on helping and loving people. I love reading about His healing the blind man and taking time to cry with Martha after the death of her brother. Powerful, powerful stuff.

However, when I've been in Wal-Mart's never-ending customer service line or waiting for my fabric to be cut at Jo-Ann's for five hours, I quickly forget this. Will my children really be happy and feel the magic of Christmas with a stressed-out Mom who has five billion projects to complete before a certain holiday arrives? (I'm considering hiring on a few elves...) I obviously need to simplify, cut back on the gifts (as hard as that is!! just give me ten minutes in Toys 'r Us and I've found a bazillion things the kids need), and share time with these little ones who find excitement and amazement in Christmas lights glowing.

It's so fun being a Mom and I love how these kids of mine (angels in thin disguise) teach me so many things. I love how they get so excited about anything that has to do with Jesus and how earnestly they try to be more like Him, when I ask if what they're doing lines up with what He would do (they innately know). Though they're so very little, I wish I was more like them :) So, yet again, another goal for myself to improve upon: Don't be a grinch! Enjoy the real meaning of Christmas!

The Perfect Autumn Weekend

Before Rexburg became a world of white, we had the best week of fabulous autumn weather. These kids are so much fun! I'm really just grateful that I have an excuse to throw leaves at people and skip down paths. If you haven't skipped in awhile, I highly suggest it!

 

5 YEARS!! November 10

 

Defender of the Turkey

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I love November! I’m so excited. I love the crispy autumn air and the changing leaves – not to mention a certain anniversary (married 5 years!!) is coming up. I’m not counting down or anything :)

But, I have to say, I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving. I don't care how many stores overlook this holiday in their rush to sell all things Christmas - I love Thanksgiving! Maybe it’s just growing up (and yes, this has taken awhile, since I’ve been a legal adult for a few years, now…just a few), but I’m really starting to appreciate the holiday that encourages me to reflect on those blessings that I have in life.

It has been so long since I’ve actually watched a sunrise. Most of this has to do with my inability to get up earlier than 6am (and hey, I’m proud of that…when it happens), but thanks to the shorter days and Rand’s need to study the LSAT at outrageously early hours, I’ve been able to witness some really beautiful mornings.

A lot of times during my day, I am too busy. Too busy trying to figure out how to raise my children properly and still enjoy the little moments with them, too busy trying to fit in time for myself and still get the laundry done, too busy doing a million other things that distract me from something so very important – something crucial to my feeling and being better. I’ve crowded out opportunities for Heavenly Father to tell me that I am His beloved daughter, that I have purpose and meaning to my existence.

Where do sunrises fit in? It is as I take time to watch the sun rise in the morning (or the sun set, because that’s a lot more doable), or just taking time to be still, that I realize how much Heavenly Father loves me. He has blessed me to live in this beautiful world. He has blessed me with two small, absolutely precious children who deserve everything wonderful and good in life. He has blessed me with a husband who treats me as an equal and is such an amazing husband and father for so many reasons. I’ll spare you the rest of this lengthy list of blessings, but the point is – there are so many blessings that I take for granted on a daily basis.

So, this Thanksgiving, if I can make a resolution beyond just New Year’s (and stick to it!), I want to take the time to enjoy a few more sunrises and appreciate those daily blessings that I often overlook.

Gratitude

I just read this blog about a woman who was unable to have children for a long time and through the magic of technology, had five children within four years!! She expressed the importance of not taking your children for granted and enjoying each precious moment (including and especially the not so precious one's - you know, one of them leaving poop on the couch and the other smearing it all over his crib). It's a blessing - it's a blessing to be a mother and enjoy these funny, ridiculous moments that add so much 'flavor' to life.

And though I'm a little late in posting, we had a great Halloween! The kids had no serious meltdowns, it wasn't at all like it was last year (cold), and Michael kept his costume on without screaming (unlike the first half hour of his having it on). Best of all, we got some cute pictures out of it :)

Really, with faces that cute, how could I not be grateful?

Best laugh ever!

Adorable girl...even more adorable giggle. Yep, I'm a lucky one! Enjoy -



Scroll down below to the second post to hear more of Elise's preciousness (last video).

Up Close & Personal

The weekend in a nutshell :)












The Goats - why is this the best part of the zoo experience?


Just a year ago...it makes me sad to think how quickly they grow up!

Potty Wars

(see both posts)

It's me...

and this...

plus this little guy...


I will win.

There may be some wee challenges...ok, so there might have been some already (cough cough)...but I will survive!! hey hey

You're Invited...

You're invited to Elise's Tea Party!

What: A Little Girl's Dream Tea Party!
*We'll be serving lots of expensive lotion in Princess teacups (complete with whatever toys I can find) - come ready to party!*

When: Whenever Mom & Dad aren't looking!

Where: Mom& Dad's bedroom - or wherever else I shouldn't be :)

Bring: Lots & lots of toys!! We've got to dunk them all (and Mom & Dad's covers/carpet)!

RSVP as soon as possible...shhh! I hear them coming!

There's an after-party bath to follow!

Mwahaha!

I fooled you all - new posts haven't come for two months!!

Why does blogging get to be such a burden? Pressure mounts and I avoid it. Sometimes it's so much easier to forget the camera and just enjoy life while I'm in the moment, instead of thinking up the next blog post :) Ah... I'll be better ;)

What have we been up to in the past few months? Well, we moved into a new apartment - same complex, bigger place (love it!). Rand finished up the semester - never saw him thanks to a certain Spanish class that required an outrageously long essay (on top of other essays) - I'm not bitter or anything :). We've hiked every square inch of southeastern Idaho and have enjoyed every minute of the incredible summer here. We visited Rand's family and spent some time enjoying Lake Tahoe (otherwise known as the most beautiful place on earth). And I've been treasuring up my time as a mother to two of the sweetest little kids ever - even if they wake up at 5am.

Where is my camera cord?! You'll have to put up with old pics :)