I feel good today. Often on the evening of Christmas some sort of depression sets in. But today has been full of family, music and tenderness. I enjoyed being at church today. To reflect on feelings of the past couple of months... of gratitude for a good husband, children that are growing and trying to make sense of all that's around them, of peace that comes when I think on the Lord and his goodness, of compassion and understanding for those that I see struggling, of patience for my own inadequacies and of knowledge that the Lord knows me and wants me to find joy.
Happy Christmas
25 December 2011
17 December 2011
Living Nativity
Had a fun night out with the family last night.
Earlier in the week the kids asked if they could please, please go the Living Nativity that's put on by the Seventh Day Adventist church every year. We alwaysmean to go, but last year was the first time we actually made it. And the kids remembered it. And it was an even better experience this year.
First of all, Clive the Camel showed up this year (I guess last year he was sick). So that was fun. But the whole event is great. The Romans welcome you (and give you a booklet to hold the stickers you get at each station) and then you go to the Census station to be numbered. All the volunteers are in character and will ask the kids things like, 'So how did you come this evening? By horse, or donkey, or perhaps a chariot?'. To which Thomas replied, 'No. We came by car (like, duh!)'. Then to the 'Temple' building holding a replica of the ark, a veil, unleavened bread, etc. A man gave an nice explanation of the symbolism within with the kids actually really listened to. There's the inn, the manger (all with real animals for petting) and posted correlated scriptures you could read to the kids at each place. The carpenter is actually making little wooden crosses to hand out, the fish market has actual smoked fish going. Then the indoor market is just as fun and informative to give you a feel of the times when Jesus lived on Earth. Ends with warm treats and a band performing Christmas hymns you can sing along with. Quite a production. I enjoy having opportunities throughout to answer my kids questions and be in a positive environment. The kids individually would get excited about something they saw here or there and call a sibling over to share it with. There were good moments like the ones you always envision before doing things together (but that as often as not don't go as smoothly as planned with kids teasing and bickering and such). At the end we were all finishing up our hot chocolate and were standing between an outdoor fire getting warm and the camel. Slowly, Clive's head came craning around our direction and I say, 'Hey kids look! Clive is checking us out!'. And then in the blink of an eye his large muzzle darted directly at me- or rather at the cup of Hot chocolate I was holding. He came within an inch of the cup when the rope on him caught. Took me by surprise!
Finished up the evening with some traditional Friday night pizza.
Earlier in the week the kids asked if they could please, please go the Living Nativity that's put on by the Seventh Day Adventist church every year. We alwaysmean to go, but last year was the first time we actually made it. And the kids remembered it. And it was an even better experience this year.
First of all, Clive the Camel showed up this year (I guess last year he was sick). So that was fun. But the whole event is great. The Romans welcome you (and give you a booklet to hold the stickers you get at each station) and then you go to the Census station to be numbered. All the volunteers are in character and will ask the kids things like, 'So how did you come this evening? By horse, or donkey, or perhaps a chariot?'. To which Thomas replied, 'No. We came by car (like, duh!)'. Then to the 'Temple' building holding a replica of the ark, a veil, unleavened bread, etc. A man gave an nice explanation of the symbolism within with the kids actually really listened to. There's the inn, the manger (all with real animals for petting) and posted correlated scriptures you could read to the kids at each place. The carpenter is actually making little wooden crosses to hand out, the fish market has actual smoked fish going. Then the indoor market is just as fun and informative to give you a feel of the times when Jesus lived on Earth. Ends with warm treats and a band performing Christmas hymns you can sing along with. Quite a production. I enjoy having opportunities throughout to answer my kids questions and be in a positive environment. The kids individually would get excited about something they saw here or there and call a sibling over to share it with. There were good moments like the ones you always envision before doing things together (but that as often as not don't go as smoothly as planned with kids teasing and bickering and such). At the end we were all finishing up our hot chocolate and were standing between an outdoor fire getting warm and the camel. Slowly, Clive's head came craning around our direction and I say, 'Hey kids look! Clive is checking us out!'. And then in the blink of an eye his large muzzle darted directly at me- or rather at the cup of Hot chocolate I was holding. He came within an inch of the cup when the rope on him caught. Took me by surprise!
Finished up the evening with some traditional Friday night pizza.
03 December 2011
Thanksgiving
Ah....little ones enjoying Saturday morning cartoon, Papa and Milla off to Tri-cities for a temple trip and I get a few minutes to sit and think over the last couple weeks. It's been a nice time with family. Because of budget cuts, my kids got the entire Thanksgiving Week off of school. And we took advantage of the time to be together. Saturday was official 'Fix the oven that we just realized was taking an hour to preheat' day. After doing a little internet research and dissecting our oven we figured out the culprit was the igniter. Brandon called every place he could think of to find the part, but to no avail. So we went oven shopping (knowing we didn't have time to order the part before Wednesday pie baking). But at one locally owned store we mentioned we really just needed an igniter and the owner replied...I think I might have one of those out in my van! We watched hopefully out the window as he began sorting through an impressive mound of boxes. Only took about 5 minutes for him to emerge victorious. 2 snipped wires and 15 screws later we had ourselves a working oven! So much fun. I love home repairs when it actually works. I was ready to tackle anything after that.
Monday the kids made and put up Thanksgiving decorations and Sean began his week of subbing in for a friend on his paper route. He has always enjoyed wandering around the neighborhood so I don't think this ended up being too much of a chore. I went with him a few times (as did Grandpa) and enjoyed the time to chat.
On Tuesday morning we got to visit the dentist! The kids went back two at a time and emerged an hour or so later, mouths brighter and mama's pocket book (much, much) lighter. Nana and Grandpa Dave showed up right on time Tuesday evening. Wednesday we baked, and baked and baked. We only had 6 pies on the menu but somehow ended up with 8. No one was complaining. Thanksgiving was lovely. Nana had brought a fresh turkey and, cooked breast side down as Nana insisted, the flavor was divine. Everything came out on schedule except the rolls, but they made it to the table only 5 minutes after we began eating so we survived. My favorite part was that the men did most of the clean-up (Grandpa Dave was a power washer the whole week) giving Nana and I a chance to sing around the piano.
Rin and Sean made some games for later in the afternoon. Fill the cornucopia Relay, Feed the turkey, and Dunk the turkey all made the cut.
Friday Nana and Grandpa were kind enough to watch the kids while Brandon and I took a day trip to Tri-cities to go the the temple and do some Christmas shopping. Despite being on snowpack for the first 45 min of the drive through the pass, we arrived safely and quickly. We didn't make it back until 7:30, but the family walked over to La Grande's 'Light the Downtown' parade that evening.
Saturday Nana and Grandpa headed home :( We finished off the week with a matinee to see the Muppet Movie and have been enjoying hearing the kids fit quotes from it into conversation ever since.
 |
| Part of our Thankful Wall we had up for all of November |
 | ||
| 'There's only one place I like to be at Thanksgiving' 'Hawaii' (by Rin) |
 |
| 'Are you OK Bob?' sign:bob by Rin |
 |
| by Milla |
 |
| Turkey:'to the South' Hunter: 'Wait a minute..???' by Sean |
 |
| A recycle of Sean's birthday Dr. Who decor. Now a couple pilgrims and a turkey. 'Pie or Turkey?' |
On Tuesday morning we got to visit the dentist! The kids went back two at a time and emerged an hour or so later, mouths brighter and mama's pocket book (much, much) lighter. Nana and Grandpa Dave showed up right on time Tuesday evening. Wednesday we baked, and baked and baked. We only had 6 pies on the menu but somehow ended up with 8. No one was complaining. Thanksgiving was lovely. Nana had brought a fresh turkey and, cooked breast side down as Nana insisted, the flavor was divine. Everything came out on schedule except the rolls, but they made it to the table only 5 minutes after we began eating so we survived. My favorite part was that the men did most of the clean-up (Grandpa Dave was a power washer the whole week) giving Nana and I a chance to sing around the piano.
Rin and Sean made some games for later in the afternoon. Fill the cornucopia Relay, Feed the turkey, and Dunk the turkey all made the cut.
Friday Nana and Grandpa were kind enough to watch the kids while Brandon and I took a day trip to Tri-cities to go the the temple and do some Christmas shopping. Despite being on snowpack for the first 45 min of the drive through the pass, we arrived safely and quickly. We didn't make it back until 7:30, but the family walked over to La Grande's 'Light the Downtown' parade that evening.
 |
| Dress up time. After this Dad told me the story of taking Shannon into Misawa and how everyone wanted to pat her little blonde head. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)