12/14. 12/15. 12/16.

On Friday morning I went to the zoo with my kids, my friends, and my friend's kids. It seemed as though we had the whole place to ourselves. Harriet looked at the animals wide eyed and I just marvel as her little personality unfolds and she becomes more and more her own little person.  George was just begging the whole time to go to the snake house which also has a whole bunch of birds, his other new found favorite kind of creature.  Between the reptiles and birds I think he could spend all day in there.  I couldn't. The humid penetration of animal dung permeates the place and makes me a bit sick.  But it's fun to see them get excited over things.  Jaynie is usually just happy to be and was busy pointing out all the stinky smells.  She got excited about most of the animals and was very intently watching the gorilla when it honestly CHARGED FULL SPEED AHEAD to the plexi-glass of the 'enclosure' (they're cages. but call them as you'd like). Jane didn't even flinch I swear it. The rest of us screamed and decided to leave that area of the zoo.  As we were walking out he did it again, slamming even harder this time.

My friend and I said in agreement that we needed to really get out of there, that he was going to break out of  there any minute. Laughing, but legitimately scared I said Hogle Zoo is going to make national news about the ape that went crazy and got out and we are going to witness it.

As we left the zoo a little later, I had a text message from a friend prompting me to the real national news of the day and in my sincerest sentiment, I wish that it was just about anything else than what it was.

I've been glued to the news reports and updates for the last three days.  I know everyone handles situations like this differently-- I am always one who seems to get sucked in and as much as I wish I could leave it alone because it is seemingly doing very little to read 764 sources of the same story, I can say that for me it's a feeling of helplessness to do anything about it for anyone.  Except care. And I care more, the more I read-- the more I find out about these precious sweet souls: their names, their faces, their wishes from Santa, their talents, their families, their little lives and big hearts.

As a missionary I was asked by the mission president to memorize a quote or scripture that helped me better share the purpose of life and the gospel. I chose to memorize an excerpt from then Bishop Richard C. Edgley who said in a conference talk:

"I believe we all understood that by coming to earth, we would be exposed to all of the experiences of earth life, including the not-so-pleasant trials of pain, suffering, hopelessness, sin, and death. There would be opposition and adversity. And if that was all we knew about the plan, I doubt if any of us would have embraced it, rejoicing, “That’s what I have always wanted—pain, suffering, hopelessness, sin, and death.” But it all came into focus, and it became acceptable, even desirable, when an Elder Brother stepped forward and offered that He would go down and make it all right. Out of pain and suffering He would bring peace. Out of hopelessness He would bring hope. Out of transgression He would bring repentance and forgiveness. Out of death He would bring the resurrection of lives. And with that explanation and most generous offer, each and every one of us concluded, 'I can do that. That is a risk worth taking.' And so we chose."

May the promise of Christ and the eternal family be real and felt in the hearts of all of us. Let His promise of peace, hope, forgiveness, and life be to all who it's intended for, and certainly those victims and those mourning after the events at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

12/13. Ode to lucky number 12.

I usually claim 32 (or any factor thereof) my lucky number. (thanks Karl the Mailman Malone) but Karl's best man John Stockton and I shared the same number in basketball. So I love that number too.

and yesterday was 12.12.12.  and yesterday I received an interview invitation from the U of U. I think only Hailey really gets how big this is for me. Even Matt seemed unusually 'eh' about the situation. And I know it's only half the battle, but without it I've got nothing. so 12 cubed turned out to be lucky just like I thought it might be.

12/12 Greetings from us to you.

If you are on our mailing list you probably received/will receive a card and picture as follows. If you aren't and you happen to be reading this then please know we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all the same. My computer is on the fritz and my back up hard drive where all my address lists are backed up has gone missing (or in other words lost in the great abyss of the pandemonium we call our basement). But to you and yours from us and ours.... We love you. Merry Christmas. 

(in some of the cards matt made a sketch of the family not shown here which listed what we hope Santa and the New Year bring. Harriet: toothbrushes and a ball or two. Jane: Unicorns, Princesses and a "mean" barbie. George: A white alligator and a ride-on car. Me: Health and maybe one more baby for a nice even four. Matt: Happiness and ten more babies for a nice uneven baker's dozen).

12/11 sipping hot cocoa.

once when I lived at the blue light special* on Darwin Avenue in Logan, my roommate Sue taught me about a dollop of vanilla ice cream in your hot chocolate.  I have never looked back. I can't think of anything that spells Merry Christmas like this. And what better than Stephen's candy cane with Dreyer's vanilla bean? 

As far as I'm concerned, nothing.

It's what I'm enjoying as we speak.  A little pick me up before I fold seventeen mounds of laundry.

*shame on USU if it's not called the blue light special anymore.

12/10 - The art of gift giving.

It really is an art. It's not one at which I'm particularly great, but I still really really enjoy it.  In fact in the "love languages" the one that comes easiest to me is giving gifts. (NOT that I feel love most via gift giving --- I'm words of affirmation all the way). But I really really like to give gifts. If I had all the money in the world, I'd waste it all on gifts. (because aside from the thrill of the gift is the thrill of the hunt and the wrapping it up fun and pretty). ah gifts. 

I often (VERY often) get a gift for someone because I have to and I just have to come up with something.  But more often than that I think of something that I wish I could get someone just because. Just because I think they're fun or because I found something that I am sure they would like. But alas, I have to save money for the times I "have"  to get a gift for someone. But the just-because gifts are among my favorite. It's less expected and therefore there's nothing you have to appease... just a pleasant surprise.

I do love when I've made or found something that I am sincerely excited about giving. I also love that there are certain gifts I've received that I love over and over again.  Some gifts that I love most I might not have known that it would be so useful or so cute or whatever when I opened it... but then it becomes a favorite that I baby because I don't want it worn out or lost or broken.

Here's a list, for whatever it's worth, of things I think are fun gifts that I've given, gotten, or wish listed for myself or others somewhere along the way. Random and eclectic and not for everyone. But for me, yes, please...  (just in case you know someone like me. Or are looking for a gift for me.teasing. I swear).  

In order I wrote this list, which is nothing particular. But I do love lists. I LOVE lists. So here is this year's gift list. Of gifts I mostly already have.  And I know homemade and heartfelt un-wrapable gifts are the important ones. However, the materialistic things listed below have value beyond just a dollar amount to me. I'll try to explain why.

1. This. Called a carafe. I got it on Amazon and love it. I feel really happy when I use it. When we use it my dinner table is a restaurant. I know we're weird. But Matt and I agree, this is COOL to have.

2. Bibbies. Found them at Swiss Days a couple of summers ago. They really are the best thing for the messiest babes, which I live with the world's top 3. So I own three. And love every second of owning them. If I was talented I would make some more of my own. And some for you. But you can see the real things here: www.dillydallychic.com . I recall them being quite a bit cheaper at Swiss Days. Regardless, worth every penny.

3. Bath and Body Works Holly Berry Wreath Soap for your bathroom and kitchen. Yum. 

(Second best Winter Cranberry: Christmas every time you do the dishes)

(Best: Christmas every time you pee).

 

4.  Cloud B soother. Ours doesn't look so nice. But we sure love it. And we love it because H-Bear loves it most. Except the heartbeat sound resembles war. But the other white noises are nice for baby ears.

5. Minky blankets for the girls. (you can have them for the boys too. we love them for the girls). Minky Couture which is local have nice and pretty options.  But my two personal favorites (and for SURE Jane's favorite) are two I bought off of Etsy. they're soft and pretty and they are hand-made by someone in America. Call me old fashioned, I really like that. I like that they were sewn in someone's house in a neighboring state.  I blame Matt that I even care about that.  Ever since marrying him I love artsy fartsy personalized/handmade/one of a kind things. It means more to me for it. I really love Etsy. I don't look at really any of my millions of subscribed emails... except Etsy. So creative and well done and amazing to see people's ideas and talents. One year I hope to buy every present off of Etsy. They have registries now. If I ever had to register for anything again (which I don't) I would register with Etsy--- SOOOOO COOL!

6. Non-boring picture frames. One with color or texture or POP! as matthew would say. Pier 1 imports probably has some of my favorites. Tai Pan and Pottery Barn have some on occasion. Ross/ TJ Mazz/ &the likes are hit and miss. Even have found them at Kohl's, Jill's one true love. 

7. Good Shampoo/ Conditioner. Just nice to have something that's hard to splurge on. I know, some people just buy this for themselves. But I usually only get it if it's a gift. And I always feel grateful for it. (no particular favorites. I do have a macademia nut one right now that smells sooooooooooo fabulous. Jane always asks if she can have it/smell it).

8. A good "coffee table" book. This probably stems from my love of lists. But books that you can gain something from by just reading any random page is great. Even though it doesn't really fit this description I really like the Keri Smith books. I like books on ideas of things to do with kids and a family. I like books on parenting (and Heaven knows I need them). I like the "Dangerous book for..." books (and have them in my living room). I also like travel, trivia, and game books.  (Matt likes Louis L'Amour books. FUNNY. We have different tastes in these regards. I'm all about non-fiction. We compromise by talking about books I like...).

9. Clementines. Who wouldn't love a bag of delicious, often overpriced, cuties?! 

10. Homemade Ice Cream.  We have a cuisinart ice cream/sorbet maker. We really like it. It really is better than breyers/dreyers/farr/you name it. I have never done it, but I always think it would be cute to carton up cute a thing of homemade icecream and bring it to people. Maybe next year's neighbors gifts. If you're not home when we bring it frozen, we eat it. Seems fair.

11. Redbox promotional credit. Marci did this with popcorn this year. Loved it. Went and rented one tonight with it. (the Mighty Mac's. based on a true story. I like the true stories. The non-fiction fan in me I suppose).

12. A cupcake from the Sweet Tooth Fairy. Really any great cupcake will do. But Vanilla from Sweet Tooth is soooooooo good. Plus they box it up cute. Which is important.

13. A set of goblets. Yes, that's right. A set of goblets. 

They come in handy more than you may think. It adds a fancy element to breakfast, brunch, dinner, you name it. And I like fancy almost as much as Janer/ Nancy.

14. A random stuffed animal or puppet. Folkmanis have my favorite. It's sounds weird I know, but the kids and I have fun with puppets and I bet you're the only one that gives _____(insert name of anyone) _______ a puppet this year.  I bet Santa brings George a raven. And Jane an armadillo. and I bet they like them a LOT.

15.  Handmade ceramics. See. This is where it's Matt's fault. But I love all our random dishes that come with a (the same) story every time we use them-- about this teacher who traded him for his elephant or that potter who just gave him stuff because she liked him. (sucker. Now I get to enjoy it!!).   But our relish dish and our appetizer tray and our mixing bowls and some (not all yet, but someday) of our mugs and bowls and plates have random initials and shapes and glaze patterns that are all more fun (and pretty if you ask me) than those dang made in china wally world plates that I brought into the marriage. We are phasing those out via kids handling (breaking) them.

16. A good rug/ doormat. In fact I'm in need of one right now. But who doesn't want a rug to put somewhere.  Even if it's just in your pantry. or back stoop. there is somewhere that could use a cute/unique/useful rug? And someday when I have wooden floors in rooms and living rooms I am soooo excited to collect big beautiful rugs of different sorts. I really like rugs.

17. A good accessory. Something different. Something that you wouldn't wear otherwise, but you are forced to wear it because someone gave it to you and you feel obligated. But then you get creative and find a way to make it work... and it works well and soon you can't live without the accessory. this has happened more than once and I love when this happens. So take a chance, and give a random accessory.

18. Bird cages, jars, decorating containers.  These aren't mine. But I'd take them. I like good jars and baskets and BIRD CAGES.  I've like bird cages for years. (remember when I talked you into it PHJ?) But I finally got one for my birthday and I love it. I can put anything in it I want. Same with the jar Steph gave me. And Hi gave me. I get to change out the decorations with the seasons. And when I finally find the things I  like to go in them, they are so great to have around. So if you're really stumped this year, I'd go with a good cage. 

19. Mistletoe. Why wouldn't someone want some? It's good luck even if there isn't anyone in particular you're hoping to smooch this season. 

This: 

  is located as shown below. And is working out nicely at our house.

20. And the final suggestion I have for you is Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Not because I want it or because I think someone else will. But I have eighteen copies from last year's Barnes and Nobles clearance and it's never a bad idea to be resourceful. Jenn Erickson and I used to have a Jr. High/ Highschool business we called "SATH gifts." It stood for Scrounged Around the House. True story. We always could come up with something to give to someone in need... whether a sad friend or a cute boy's bday. 

Anyhow. Don't be surprised if you live in Oquirrh Shadows and Mr. Dickens classic tale arrives on your doorstep. We love you even if we only spent $2 eleven months ago on you. I promise. And if you don't get one, well... don't feel bad. We only spent $2 on them eleven months ago.

But it will include this quote from the said story, which I quite like: 

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself."

12/9 gifts you can't wrap.

I came across these helpful tips in this month's New Era. I like the suggestions. So I'm copying them here (in paraphrase). But in case you still need a gift you can wrap, stay tuned for the next post. I plan to add my $.02 on gift giving. Even if it's not worth that much.

-Service (clean house, cook a meal, do the dishes, improve the yard).

-Family Time (play a game, be on time to family things, talk and listen to a family member, read the scriptures/pray together, plan a family activity).

-Commitment (commit to do something that you've wanted to do or quit something you've always wanted to quit-- stick to it. Save money, prepare for a big/important event in your life).

- Attitude (have a positive attitude, refrain from pointing out flaws, write a thank you letter, say thank you for even the small things, resolve a conflict without anger or argument, make a list of your blessings as a result of someone else in your life).

I already confessed about my lack in the Service department. But family time is best yet this holiday and I'm loving it. Commitment, well, I have a lot I ought to commit to... but this blog countdown-- that's something! And attitude = I'm happy most times. Of course there's plenty of room for improvement. Probably too much of a cynic. 

Side note. Tonight we had delicious ham dinner thanks to Jared and Jana. They sent us home with two full hams and a TON of sausage links.  All farm fresh. They get payment all the time in farm goods. He's like a cow gynecologist of sorts. But it's so cool to me. It's like the good ole' days. I think that's why it tasted so good. It skipped the store altogether-- just one hard worker to another... to a lucky recipient. 

It felt just like a Sunday Holiday meal should. With yummy peppermint dessert thanks to the Nielsen's. Thanks all y'all!

12/8 Countdown on Hold

Well the kids are making a come back today, but still not stellar enough to earn Mr. Peeps and the countdown back.

But in the absence of our elf we think a wee little leprechaun came to visit last night:

 Kind of resembles the one child that didn't send our elf away.

Yesterday when I hollered to ask the kids if they had a surprise for me yet (sometimes we tell them to surprise us by cleaning up their mess and it works. Most times not) they said yes they did...

"We're Missionaries!" they shouted as they came out of George's room with all his clothes on, Jane too... even down to her skivvies.  Not the surprise I was going for.  Needless to say their surprise created more of a mess, not less.

I do think they are currently working on the surprise we were going for yesterday. Perhaps we can count down to Christmas after all.

12/7 Pearl Harbor. Cousin Katy. And the Countdown Continues.

Happy Pearl Harbor Day.  But really that's just sad. History has some sad moments and this was one of them.

But on a more glad note, Happy Birthday Katy. We all used to think it was great that you were born on Pearl Harbor day because remember how Uncle Kev loves all things historic? He took me to see Gettysburg or some crazy war movie when I was 13 or 14 because I had to see it for school and he wanted to see it. That's my one on one memory with Uncle Kevin. He's a great for sure.  And so are you, Katy Kates. Hope you love your day as the birthday bride to be.

Mr. Peeps left our house today because the kids are on the naughty list right now. They aren't allowed to come upstairs until they pick up at least an ounce of their mess. And they aren't and they won't. So Peeps is gone and soon the countdown that he left for us will be too.  

Which we all know will make this mama TICKED because Christmas ain't Christmas without the countdown.

12/6 - Old Saint Nic... and the society.

 Here are the pictures with the jolly old fella I intended to post yesterday till they had to travel to the North Pole and back before I could get them… Given Jaynie’s bruised fat lip, George’s taking scissors to her hair in 4 different places (that I’ve discovered so far, true story) and kids that were all asleep in the car before we arrived on scene—they didn’t turn out too shabby.

• 

And in other Christmas news I went to the Relief Society dinner tonight. Matt practically begged me to go. I think he fears my activity level. Or maybe that I don’t have friends in the ward. But I do. I like the majority of the society, and the rest I tolerate fine. Maybe no besties yet, but it’s only been 4.5 years.

Alright, I confess. I’ve made very little effort in this ward to make friends or to be a friend or even be social at all. And I think my attitude suffers for it. But (as much as I hate to admit it) Matt was right, when I do go to “functions” I usually have a nice time.

And tonight I had a nice time, lovely even. And lovely is a lovely word that the Brits would say all the time when I lived there. hmmmm.  My heart enjoyed the humor. I love good humor. My body enjoyed the food. Mostly the dessert because I had already eaten before I committed to going. And the message was good for my soul. Another thing I don’t like to admit, but right now I think I could use some repair. I suppose that’s what this whole Jesus thing is about, though. Despite the holes in my faith, I’m very grateful for that Babe in Bethlehem.   And for those who fear that I admit I’ve got some missing pieces, don’t worry, He’s working with me. Together I think we’ve got this. Precept upon precept. Line upon line. Here a little, there a little. 

Until the perfect day.  See Moroni 7:48. It's my favorite.

12/5 Fotofly Away seriously flew away.

Thanks to Hailey I went to Fotofly tonight for family pictures with Santy Claus. It was going to be the a quick simple post about look how darling the kiddos are because I've gotta go to bed soon. I have to re-certify on my pediatric advance life support class. I honestly dread going to classes like this for weeks. They are nerve racking. Mostly because my mock patients never seem to make it. At least I'm working with a team on the scenario so I don't get the whole blame, but it's not like I ever leave feeling like I'm ready to go save a life. But this. makes me really happy.  (oh my heart, this might be one of my all time favorite memories in NBC history-- give it a 10 seconds and the fuzzy goes away)

Anyhow... I'm off to minister to the manikins in the morning and I'm hoping that my night consumed with dressing up children, dragging them across town, and doing jumping jacks trying to make them giggle for the "fotos" aren't for naught. Because right now our pictures are lost in Santa cyberspace and they told me they hope to have "recovered" my session by tomorrow. We shall see.  Nonetheless, George and Jane met the real Santa Claus and got a candy cane and they couldn't care less about the pictures to prove it. Just me.

12/4. Spreading Christmas Cheer.

Well. First let me tell you of a story I just told Amy a bit earlier tonight. Funny. At least I keep thinking so.

On Sunday I listened to someone at church talk about how they are doing 25 days of service for their countdown till Christmas. We talked about doing that but decided the kids were a little young. Hahahahaha. I know, I know, they are never too young to serve.  That's what you're thinking. But you are a better person than me if you can think of 25 things for a 4, 3 and 1 year old to do that has meaning that wouldn't throw me over the edge trying to put it together.

Fine. I'm sure there are 125 things we could do. But we're not doing them all in countdown form. Not this year.

But we did try one after I listened to the idea at church that I thought was clever. She said that they were grocery shopping as a family and when they were checking out they bought a pack of gum at the very end and gave it to the cashier and said "we bought this for you, Merry Christmas." She talked about how everyone felt so good during this simple act of kindness. It was sweet, and I had never heard of that. I've heard of a lot of "random acts of kindness" and I like the ones for strangers-- just because I think the shock value is a little better, but never knew about the ol' gum at the register one. (I am taking suggestions for next year when we are all old enough to handle serving our fellow beings).

Anyhow. Yesterday we were at the grocery store. Me. George. Jane. Harriet. All tired. All ornery. All causing a scene. So much so that one lady walked by and passive aggressively crusty eyed my kids (I wasn't right by them). It was pretty wild, I'm not lying. So I passive aggressively back said loudly enough that she could hear me to the kids that I didn't think the lady that just walked by liked  the way they were behaving.

And with that kind of Christmas spirit in my heart we went to check out. And I thought about sweet sister's testimony the day before. And I try to whisper to the kids to pick a candy bar out for the cashier and the bagger. They both picked M & M's. The biggest Christmas miracle of it all is that they actually caught on that it wasn't for them and it was for the Smith's employees without a single complaint, so I suppose I won't discount that.  Because the rest was mostly awkward. Both the cashier and the bagger just kinda blushed and acted like we were weird. Maybe it's against store policy for them to take things from customers. I don't know. But we had caused commotion throughout the whole store and at the checkout line so probably they didn't want something from the crazy customers. What's more, I was purchasing a pregnancy test and that's probably TMI, but I KNOW the nasty thoughts going through their mind as they were ringing it up and bagging it. (What on earth are you trying for more lady, get a handle on the ones you've got!!) But SB and I embraced the chaos a while ago.

Well, awkwardness followed us out to the car because by the time they bagged all the groceries of our first-time-in-weeks-to-do-real-shopping grocery store trip, it filled two carts and the bagger came with us to the filthy buick rendezvous. I told her thanks so much and that she could just leave the cart by the car and go back in while I played Tetris trying to get the three kids and 2 carts of food (and a prego test) in the car. I said to the kids (I don't know why I expected them to say it, but I just did) "can you tell her thanks for helping us?" Jaynie sweetly says "thank you" (or some form thereof since you never surely know what she's said) and George shouts at the top of his lungs "THANK YOU." and with her definitely still in earshot and at the same volume if not louder he bellows out: "AND YOU'RE WELCOME FOR YOUR M&M's!"

Awesome. 25 days of charity will do us well someday.

We did make some cookies later on that we mostly ate (since cookie exchange cookies are GONE. sick. we are sick sometimes) but also shared with a select few.

doesn't she make them look delicious? doesn't she look delicious? babies are so great. that's why crusty looks at Smith's can't stop me from wanting more!

 

I hope you're full of Holiday Cheer. It's unlikely we are going to get the job done of spreading it in true Christmas fashion this year.

12/3 - Year in Review... Just in Case.

Just in case I fail myself in the Christmas countdown (NOT saying I will. But I've failed before) but I really just want to get something -- anything-- down in history about our little story. So for day 3 of the countdown I will say other holidays are pretty great too. Here are some highlights of 2012 in the order I find and upload the pictures.:

Jane turned 3. Princess/Fancy Nancy Party. Too bad I only took pictures of the cupcakes and not the princess. (at least that I can find- my bad).

She was also fancy nancy for Halloween. Only a little fancier this time.

George wanted to be a vulture. Couldn't find a costume so SB made one. Handy to have an artist. 

Got a car that works. Merry Christmas and happy every holiday to all of us.

Kids love the snow. Minus the H-bear. She likes to be in her little chariot. But we're hoping for a white Christmas at this house. We love it.

Halloween lady bug. love love love her.

there we go. Thanks to slaphappysteph and hayshood@hotmail.com I've got the Fancy Nancy B-day bash. thanks friends who blog and photog better than I ever will.  And thanks gramma ox for being my best lady that I ever knew. 

the bug was not without his own b-day characters. Scooby came. Everyone was pretty leery of snugglin' up for a picture but knowing SB was inside I didn't mind as much.

fancy cousins/sisters

For the big v-day I made peanutbutter chocolately goodness for SB. And a mug. It was supposed to be year of the home-made. But I can't remember if that lasted past Valentine's. But we always have a family candlelight dinner and family dance-off in the basement. May get awkward as the kids age, but right now we like it.

As for other holidays, I'm tired and can't look up more pictures. But we have fun. Corned beef and cabbage for St. Paddy's with our Irish everything as we remember it from our missions place settings, set to Irish tunes that still play throughout the year on random i-tune/i-pod/i-phone/ i-amstevejobsandgotitrighteverything mixes. 

Fourth of July and Pioneer day. No float to build was kind of nice. Just your average festivities for the fourth. But loved it. Lots of MCAT for the 24th, not as fun. But Wicked with Matt's whole family the next day was quite nice:

(only proof that I really went. but this is actually at dinner before, not at Capitol Theatre)

oh ya. and LOTS of green this summer with camp.

all things turkey was a success at Thanksgiving. Jaynie talked everyone into lots more flowers and sparkles and feathers on this little activity except Matt. Just one flower was all she could talk him into. He's usually the pushover in the fam. But not when it comes to art apparently. Even if it's the preschool art project. 

What else, what else. There's Black Friday. But enough to be said about that to warrant it's own post. 

With the exception of just a few details, I guess that brings me back to Christmas this year. Merry Christmas.