TTA - A New Year

Happy New Year!!!

Of course it is the time of year where we reflect on our life and choose things to change and/or improve. For the past few years I've chosen not to make a long list that will only make me feel guilty all year. I've decided instead to choose a word that I can apply to all areas of my life. A couple of years ago I chose PATIENCE. I'm still working on that one!

For 2007 my word has been SIMPLIFY. Although few things got more simple in my life, I do think I was better at realizing that I don't have to do as much as I usually do. It's okay if I buy Halloween costumes instead of make them. It's okay to say "No, I can't host a jewelry party." It's okay to order food for the big get together instead of make it all. It's okay that we have only decorated two rooms in our house after a year and a half. It has been one of the hardest years of my life and I really feel like I have been personally tested. I am always feeling like I'm not doing enough, doing it well, doing it cheerfully, pleasing my Heavenly Father. I've also been feeling a lot lately that I have a lot of untapped potential. Growing up I knew I could do anything and be anybody. It wouldn't say it was ego, just a healthy sense of confidence instilled by my parents and siblings. I find myself often wondering if there isn't more I should be doing. I don't think these feelings have helped me much this year, so my word for 2008 will hopefully give me a new perspective on things for myself and others.

G E N T L E is my word for 2008. I've been thinking about it for a few months and have come up with several ways I can apply this to life. First and most obvious is to physically be more GENTLE. I am one of those that walks fast, climbs stairs two at a time, throws the kids cups in the drawer while unloading the dishwasher, drives a little too fast, etc. Basically I'm a high energy, always running kind of person. I often tell myself to just SLOW DOWN and take a deep breath. I always feel like I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I'm too loud, and often don't think before I speak. I'm hoping my word will help me to relax, speak softer, move and think more GENTLY.

I am going to be more GENTLE with others, their feelings, and their circumstances. I had an experience recently that reminded me of this. I have always been grateful for my disdain of gossip. I find no pleasure in it and actually get very nervous and uncomfortable when I'm around people who engage in it. That being the case I was literally sick to my stomach recently when I returned from a fun night of dessert with some friends and realized that some of my comments about an individual had absolutely crossed the line into gossip. I was horrified with myself and wanted so bad to take it back. I had a hard time sleeping that night and the first thing I had to do the next morning was call all the friends I had been with and apologize. I wanted them to know that I was aware of how ugly the comments were. I also wanted them to know that after contemplation my comments were not a true reflection of how I felt about the individual and their situation. I was thinking to myself that I had NO idea what that person and/or family was going through and I was trying to make a judgment. I thought that I would hope that people would show compassion for me in a similar situation and not judge. I needed to be more GENTLE with people. My friends were really cute about my awkward apology and I was so glad that I let them know that was not the kind of person I was. I am going to be more GENTLE with others.

I am going to be more GENTLE with my kids. THEY ARE ONLY KIDS! I sometimes forget that they are learning as they go and I am their guide. I can't expect my 3 year old to act like I would in every situation. I can't expect my home to remain clean and clutter free with a 7, 5, 3, and 1 year old roaming around. I also need to be more GENTLE in my discipline. I don't hit my kids, but I raise my voice and get irritated more that I should. Sometimes I do grab and forcefully lead them to time out more harshly that I should. I need to be more GENTLE with their feelings and what's important to them in this stage of their lives. Mostly I want to be more GENTLE in my words and actions with them.

I am going to be more GENTLE with myself. Like I said previously this last year has been hard on me in so many ways. I don't think that my constant criticism of myself and lack of abilities in many areas is helping me a lot. I need to remember that we are all imperfect in different ways. I NEVER EVER thought I would compare myself with others in ways that I have this past year. I have always been confident and appreciated that everyone has different talents. I have found myself too often saying things like, "how does she do it?" Or, "if only I had it all together like so and so." I need to stop that and count all the amazing and overflowing blessings I have. My kids will survive if I'm not going all out for every event, holiday, and milestone. I truly admire those who are so organized and have so much energy to make every day an event for their kids. I'm not like that and I need to accept it. There are a lot of things I do right, and a lot of things I don't. As long as I continue to try to work on those things that need improvement, that's all I can do. I am going to be more GENTLE with myself.

I could go on and on about the ways to apply this word...the environment, family situations, my body, finances, but you get the idea. The point is that it is MY word for the year and I am going to try to apply it in all facets of my life. I am so grateful for friends and family that love and support me. I am so grateful for a testimony of my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that there is nothing that I can't accomplish with His help. Now I just need to get out there and DO MY BEST!

We Believe!

Pink Christmas

This year I participated in Kristi's Pink Christmas! I had so much fun doing a homemade gift for my Pink Christmas Sister. I had originally planned on making whoever I got some jewlry, but I got cute Dana and she is the master jewlry maker! So, I had to stretch myself and come up with something different. I had wanted to start doing some painting projects and this is what I came up with! I painted the Merry Christmas canvas, and the picture frames. I then made her some Christmas note cards that perhaps she can use next year! Last I used vinyl lettering on a tile from Home Depot to make the decoration that says, "WISEMEN still seek Him".
Sorry you had to be my guinea pig Dana. I had a great time and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

This is the gift I recieved from my secret Pink Christmas sister. A spiral notebook, stickers, a children's book about America and a pink frame!
Thanks Sally J.!

2008 Christmas Card message

I decided to do a blog version of our Christmas card for all my fellow bloggers and lurkers! Hope you have a great Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Thanks for being a part of my life!

Paul and Kara continue to juggle all the responsibilities of the family. After years of not traveling, they were able to visit Hawaii, Paris, Rome, and run the St. George marathon again…10 years later!

Ella loves 2nd grade. She begs for a dog everyday and says that if Santa doesn’t bring one then she knows he’s a fake…Yikes!
Jack started Kindergarten and loves it! He is such a sweet boy and loves to help Mom. Jack loves all sports and is quite the athlete.
Max is about as big as Jack despite the 2-year age gap. (He is quite the brute) Max loves Joy School, & makes us laugh everyday.
Nora could not be cuter, busier, or more of a joy in our lives. She is talking a ton and growing very little. She’s such a little pip-squeak!
We are so grateful for the Savior and the reminder that the season brings. We wish you all peace and happiness in the year to come.

TTA - Telling the stories of Christmases long long ago.

I could go on and on about this topic. I will try to keep it short and sweet. I had a few pictures scanned, but realized I need to scan WAY more! We were asked to comment on how/when we found out the truth about Santa, and I can honestly say I can't remember. Being the youngest I'm sure it just slowly unraveled. Ella was an unbeliever earlier this year, but I think we have successfully rekindled the magic of Santa with some of our activities. The Elf of the Shelf has done wonders for us! We love this new tradition.
This is probably my earliest memory of what I got for Christmas. This is my Victoria doll. I LOVED this doll, and it now has purple marker on the face and body to prove it. This Christmas I also got a high chair, bed and stroller for her. Good memories!
I love this picture because my Dad ALWAYS wore these red silky PJ's for Christmas! I also wanted to show how great my Dad was about every present he got. He always acted thrilled with everything. He was famous for unwrapping one little corner of the present, peeking through it, and then looking up and saying "oh, it's just what I wanted." We would then raise a ruckus until he opened it completely for all of us to see. He seemed to take great joy in providing us with a memorable Christmas.

One of my biggest memories is how my brother Dave and I would wake up at about 6:00am and run around waking everyone up. We would then all gather at the top of the stairs and wait while Dad went down to make sure Santa had arrived. (he was really lighting the fire, setting up the video camera, and turning on festive music) He would ALWAYS come up and say that Santa had missed our house, or say that there was a HUGE mess that we needed to clean up. We would all laugh and call his bluff.

Our gifts were always arranged in piles for each person an we would run in and start on the stockings first. They were always my favorite with a big orange in the toe. It was so fun to see my parents grinning ear to ear and enjoy our excitement so much. Now as an adult I'm sure they could hear the "cha-ching" with every present opened, but they made us feel so deserving and worthy.

Christmas was big for us at our house because it was the one time of the year (besides birthdays) that we got what we "wanted". It was not a house where you asked for something while you were at the store and you walked out with it. To be honest, I don't remember asking for things very much. I am so grateful for how I was raised. It really instilled gratitude.
This is a picture of me and my brother Dave in front of the famous advent calendar. Don't you love my 80's style of crimped hair, big bangs, and Units clothing! Does anyone else remember those things? I used to make my own! Anyway, my Mom made this and each ornament had a day of the month on the other side. Each morning we would run down and turn it around to reveal what symbol was on the ornament. Inside was a little story/message that explained the meaning of that symbol. We would read it while eating breakfast before school. It reminded us a little more of what the real meaning of Christmas is. I have been meaning to make one just like this for YEARS and still have not gotten around to it. Perhaps I will have to put in on my summer project list. This is a great memory!
Here we are in I would guess -1976? I was the baby Jesus, my sister Shauna was Mary, my brother Brad was Joseph, Dave and Brian were the shepherds, and Heather was either the wiseman, or angel. I'm so excited to do it this year with my new costumes!! Oh, as you can see, the pillows were sheep and cows. Glad we didn't leave anyone out!
This is a picture of the year that my Mom made us all Christmas aprons. I SO wish I still had mine. I'm the shorty in front, and my Mom is right behind me. The only person missing from this picture is my brother Brad who was probably on his mission in Japan at the time.
Every year we had a big Christmas party with several of my parents friends and their families. It was a BIG production and was the highlight of the season for me. We would have dinner, games, swimming (if we were at the Christensen's who had an indoor heated pool and hot tub), and the grand finale was when Santa would come. Hands down there was never a better Santa than this guy. It was the same guy every year, and I'm going to have to ask my Mom his name. He would come in and sing the Holly Jolly Christmas song and pull out his good book. Each of the kids would sit on his lap and he would find our names in his book and tell about what we had been up to that year. After he was done with each child he would leave a bag of gifts that we couldn't open until he was gone. When I was little, this was the thing I looked forward to most every year!
Here is a picture of me with my brothers Dave and Brian on our stairs. I had to include it because it shows the carolers that my mom made from soda cans, and lined our stairs each holiday season. They were so cute, and it was even better that my Mom made them.
I also had to include this picture of the basement. I was always so excited for the candy jars to go up on the mantle every year. This year I did my own candy jars on our holiday table and even though it means my kids are having a little more candy than usual, it just makes me happy to see and remember the home I grew up in .
Every year we would make these Santa cookies. The week before Christmas we would make several and wrap them up in a chain with saran wrap, tying a ribbon between each one. We would then hang that on our bedroom doors. Each day as we came home from school we would cut the bottom one off and have a little snack as it counted down the days until Christmas.
This is the finished product and involves a decent amount of time and patience. There is a very specific order for each part of the face and includes red food coloring, sprinkles, small currants or mini choc chips, frosting, mini-marshmallows, red-hots, and coconut. WHEW! They are SO FUN and SO WORTH IT! A few years ago I was lamenting the loss of this tradition with being away from home. So, I decided to ask my Mom where her Santa cookie cutter was. She was on a mission with my Dad in Hawaii and thought it was probably in storage. She told me that she thought it was cracked anyway and I was losing hope. I decided to launch an exhaustive search via the Internet to see if I could find the exact cookie cutter. After days and days of searching I must have googled the magic phrase and a picture of the cookie cutter popped up with a caption saying, "are you looking for this?" I knew it was meant to be. I promptly ordered several of this vintage cookie cutter from this website!
I sent one to each of my siblings, and have been so happy to carry on the tradition with my kids. That reminds me...I need to get on that!
I had to include this cute photo of my kiddies last year. This was taken at the ward Christmas party and turned out pretty cute. I can't believe how fast they grow up. I'm excited to be starting some of our own traditions this year and keeping those that we grew up with.

Mary did you know?

I thought this was appropriate for the season.

Tuesday Tell All - Twelve Questions of Christmas

Real or artificial tree? Growing up we had both. I loved having more than one tree in the house. Paul and I always had real trees until last year. It's a pain to store, but I love how it's pre-lit and you can fluff it to the right shape.

Do you like eggnog? Yup! But it has to be the store bought, low-fat kind that I then mix with plain low-fat milk. Love it!

Memorable gift received? A Homemade Cabbage Patch doll that my Mom made. I am so mad that I don't still have it. It was the year that the dolls were all the rage. 1983 perhaps? I also loved the year that I got Strawberry Shortcake EVERYTHING!

Do you have a nativity scene? I have three and hope to have many more. The first one is an olive wood one I bought in Bethlehem while I was on study abroad there in 1995. I didn't have much spending money for the 6 months I was there and saved most of it for that souvenir. Imagine my absolute horror when I was pulling it out a couple of weeks ago and realized that the baby Jesus and manger were missing. I am SICK SICK SICK about it.

One of my other nativities is one we received piece by piece as a "twelve days of Christmas".

The last one I bought so the kids could play with it. One wise man is already missing a head!

The one I really want is by Jim Shore...gorgeous. I'd also love a Willow Tree one. There was THE MOST fabulous nativities in Rome in one store we went into. $$$$$

Hardest? Easiest person to buy for? Hardest is BY FAR Paul. He is picky. Easiest would be my boys. They love everything and are still young enough to forget what exactly it was that they wanted.

Favorite Christmas movie? I LOVE Miracle on 34th Street. I never thought they could improve on the original, but I love the 90's version with the actress from Matilda. I have to say that It's a Wonderful Life will always hold the top spot for me! Family Man is a great funny one too!

White lights or colored lights? White...for now. I love both, and grew up with colored.

Favorite Christmas song? WAY TOO HARD!! I was listening to Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant the other day and it really spoke to me. Not that I could ever compare myself with Mary and what she was going through, but I often feel like that. I am in love with Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong album right now.

Travel for Christmas or stay home? Stay at home. When we were in KY we went back to Utah every year. When we moved to Wisconsin and Paul was a resident...we stayed there every year. He was either on call, or we were too poor to fly, and our family was growing. I was devastated the first year, but it turned out so great. I loved the low pressure and really enjoying the season. Now we are closer to home (Utah) but have still stayed here (AZ). It is a really busy time for Oral Surgery and my kids are old enough that I like them to wake up at their own home Christmas morning.

Do you open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? We always opened our gifts from each other (siblings, grandma/grandpa) on Christmas Eve, and then "Santa" and Mom and Dad gifts were Christmas morning. That is a tradition I will continue.

Do you tell the Christmas story? Yes! We read it from the scriptures with ad-lib so the kids can better understand. I have been reading them a kids version to prepare them for the "real deal".

Favorite Christmas tradition? I'd love to say that it's some deeply spiritual tradition, but my favorite is still the Santa cookies that we made every year. I will have to blog about my ordeal with that the last few years, but it is the best memory for me.

Hawaii

We were so lucky to be able to go to Hawaii the first week of October following the St. George Marathon. We took a red-eye flight from Las Vegas about 15 hours after completing the marathon. Of course we were on the back row where the seats do not recline, and I had the hardest time getting any sleep. It was all good though because I knew I had a full week of doing whatever I wanted!!

We really had so much fun and were able to see lots of great friends from all our many moves in life. We were there for the National Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Conference, so many of our Dental/Surgery buddies were there too. I don't have pictures of everyone because we were losers and forgot a camera!!! We were too worried about the 26.2 mile run I guess. The blood was servicing other parts of our bodies...not our brains! So the pictures below are courtesy of our friends Brent and Tracie Boyse. Brent is a partner of Paul's and we just love these guys.

One day we rented mopeds and rode up to a pretty secluded area only known by locals. My brother Brad lived in Hawaii for several years and gave us the tip. After only one spill by yours truly we were on our way. I am going to have to find out the name of the trail we took because after this long I've forgotten. It was so lush and green. It was probably the highlight of my week!
Here we are at the top overlooking Waikiki! Forgive the helmet hair! My brother also told me that this was one of the "pit stops" for the Amazing Race one season. Thanks Brad!!
This is me with my friend Nicole from Wisconsin. She is actually from Oregon, but we met in Wisconsin. She saved me in many ways while I was there. I had no friends for two years there until she moved in. I love her SO MUCH and was so happy to see her. I can't wait for the birth of her third baby in several weeks! Yes that is my naturally curly mane...I mean hair. I tried to tame it the first day or two, and then decided that with the humidity it was a losing battle. Oh well, it was easy!
This is my friend Stephanie from Kentucky! Okay, she is from Utah, but we met in Kentucky. She now lives in South Carolina. We hadn't seen each other for over 5 years!! She is such a sweetheart.
This is Tracie and I. She's the one who took all these great pictures for me. I'm so glad to have her here in Arizona. She is such a good person and is so generous. She not only got me a copy of all these pictures, but she printed them out and made me a little photo album. SO SWEET!
Here we all are on the night we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. In this picture are Paul and I in the middle. Brent and Tracie to the left, and other staffers surrounding us. It was so fun to see the assistants and office staff having such a great time. They are really great people.
This is Paul and I overlooking Hanauma Bay. We went snorkeling and it was so beautiful.
Scary picture of me, but Paul looks so cute with his Lei! We had a great time!

Holiday Fun

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

Book Reviews

On our trip to Europe (post coming soon...okay maybe not that soon...I have to make it through the Holidays) I was able to read a few books I had been wanting to read. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this book! I am going to re-read it with a highlighter. Great messages, and a calm and peaceful feeling accompanies you through this read. I highly recommend it!
This book was an easy read and pretty entertaining, but a little disappointing to me. I think I had too high of expectations. Still a good read though.
This book was one I really NEEDED to read. I am still feeling like I'm in a parenting slump, but this book is really motivating and peaceful. I feel so good while I'm reading it and even though it may sound funny...I felt the spirit with me as I read. I recommend this book to all parents.

I'll have to leave now and try to organize some sort of Christmas holiday for my family. I'M SO BEHIND ON EVERYTHING! Not sure I'm going to travel to Europe for 9 days at the end of November again! It was awesome though! Get excited for that post! Now maybe you'll start checking my blog again and not write me off!

Women in Art through History

A friend of mine sent me this via email. MESMERIZING!

Fieldtrip with Ella's 2nd Grade Class

I was SO LUCKY to be able to go on Ella's field trip two days after Jack's! We went to the Wildlife World Zoo in Goodyear, AZ. It was a lot of fun and Ella has a great class of kids. This is a picture of Ella and her sweet friend Caroline in the middle of a turtle/frog tank.
Best school buddies Ella and Caroline!
Of course Ella LOVED the petting zoo, and the goats LOVED Ella. She couldn't get away!
Here she is petting "Bambi".
The highlight of the trip for all the kids was feeding the giraffe's. You could climb up a tower, buy some food for $.50 and the giraffe's would eat right out of your hand. Ella loved every second of it. It was hilarious to see the long gray/black tongue wiggle out and wrap itself around her hand. She seriously couldn't get enough.

Ella is such a joy to me and our family. It was obvious that all her classmates loved her, and that she made people happy. I am so grateful to be her Mom. I don't know what I did to deserve her.

Fieldtrip with Jack's Kindergarten Class

After the Halloween hoopla I was able to go with Jack's kindergarten class on their field trip to a local Farm. It was so fun to see him and all of his classmates interact. I KNOW I'm biased, but he is the sweetest kid EVER! I just had to soak in the fact that he LOVED having me there and was giving me hugs and kisses the whole time. I know this won't last, so I'll take it while I can!They had races through a hay maze on these "John Deere" tricycles
Have you ever seen a cuter bunch of boys in your LIFE?! I love the shirts their teacher made for them. From L to R is Jett, Alex, Smith, Remington, Jack, Johnathan, and Kent.
You gotta love the telephoto lens for shots like this! This was on the way down the first hill of the roller coaster! Jack is the one with his arms up in the air.
I love how he wanted to wave at me every time they went by!

I was in charge of this rowdy crew. Kent, Jack, Smith, and Remington. They kept me on my toes, but I had a great time!

Jack is the best kid. I feel so lucky to have him as my son. He loves school, friends, learning, and LIFE! We have always had a special bond and I actually think he will always let me give him hugs and kisses...even when he's a man! At least that's what I'm telling him.

Become as a child...

This is a little boy who called into a religious radio show. Unbelievable!

Worst Friend Award goes to ...ME!!

Okay, so there are some things that I am really good at. Remembering birthdays is NOT one of them. So, as I read Marcie's post from a few days ago, I realized I had missed my dear friend Sally's birthday. I AM THE BIGGEST LOSER!

I have known Sally for almost 10 years now and I can honestly say she is one of my all time favorite people. Marcie touched on many of the highlights, but I may repeat them for those of you in blogger land that aren't invited to her blog!

Sally is the epitome of classy

Sally is gorgeous

Sally is "real", and will keep it real for you

Sally is very creative and has a great eye for style

Sally is so comfortable to be around

Sally makes me feel like she gets me even when I know I am sounding like a crazy person

Sally will love me even though I forgot her birthday...that's a true friend

I could go on and on, but the main point is that I feel so blessed to have her as my friend. If only she lived a little closer! I love you Sally and I am SO SORRY I missed your birthday.

Nora and Sammy Hammy

I'm trying out the video feature here on blogger. This is rag-a-muffin Nora playing with Sammy Hammy!

Pumpkins and Trick or Treating

The night before Halloween we decided that we better not be total slackers and carve some pumpkins. We went over to my brother Dave's house and made it an event with their family.
It ended up being a lot of fun and everyone got into the action.
Even Nora Jayne wanted to get messy!
Ella was determined to get a lot of seeds so we could toast them and eat them up!

This is my SIL Natalie with two of her five... Andrew, and Lauren.

Here is Dave instructing four of the five...Andrew - holding Audrey, Ashley, and Hannah.
The next night was Halloween and there was a change of costumes for the boys. Jack decided to be a sheriff/cowboy, and Max donned the Captain Jack Sparrow costume. They looked great and were geared up for the trick-or-treating.

The mustache didn't last long as you can imagine. Cute though!
Now that face beats out Johnny Depp any day!
Here they are with all their loot. If you look closely you can see that Ella's bag is literally filled to the brim. I realized this year that we had crossed the threshold of casual, around the block, trick-or-treating. Ella and Jack had the motivation to keep going and going. I was so appalled by the amount of candy that they brought home that when I saw it I blurted out (without really even thinking), "I'll give you $10 for your candy." Without hesitation Jack said, "OK" and promptly handed me his bag of candy. It took Ella a little bit while she wrestled with the dilemma. Finally we told her she could keep 10 (out of 126 - yes she counted) pieces. She was happy with that arrangement and we made the deal. I hadn't planned on doing this, but I was so glad to see that candy, and the wrappers, and the sugar high, and the turmoil it would cause, GO AWAY!!!

Quick side story. A few days later I went into Ella's room and she was eating something. I found several wrappers on her floor and I asked her where she got the candy. She claimed that she forgot that she had hid some of it in her room. I told her that she had made the deal to give us all but the 10 pieces and that she had been dishonest. I gave her the whole "I'm disappointed" speech, along with the, "now I'm not sure if I can trust you" sentiment. She was very sad and I just left her with her thoughts, no consequences...yet. About 5 minutes later she came into the kitchen with her purse and emptied it out on the counter. I asked her what she was doing and she said it was for the candy. I was so proud of her that I started crying. She was willing to give it all back to make up for what she had done. I told her that I was so proud and that now I knew she understood. I really thought that was great because I never said anything about what I thought she should do, or what I was going to do. I did take back two dollars, but let her keep the rest. I figured she had learned exactly what I would want her to learn. What an absolute sweetie. This girls heart really is made of gold.
I had to include these priceless photos of crazy man Max! A picture says a thousand words...
and these articulate this kids personality perfectly. Love him!