We have had such an early winter storm. It has been fun for the children! Growing up in California, we never saw four seasons. It is beautiful to capture those seasons in my adulthood. I love the beauty of this earth. But, I still miss warm Cali.! Good ol' Bing....My mom would blast the Christmas music on our record player each year. Andy Williams and Bing are her favorite! Right? Ahhhh...everytime I hear them I go back to the childhood feeling of Christmas. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Remember we got this for Christmas last year.... Now look.....as big as her father!
I am grateful that I have a Savior. He is my Redeemer. Remember Him in all your doings! May you all have a wonderful new year, living as He would want us to. We love all of our family and friends! Merry Christmas and a Happy 2009!
"The Very Best Happiest Part of all.....is the presents you give away"
I have had an amazing month so far. Busy, yes, but having fun and learning.
(Besides my nasty eye infection I can't beat!)
I had a great preschool performance. The children sang one song about giving presents away. Then they recited a cute poem, about Santa. I had three boys stand in front and sing "You're A Grand Ol' Flag" by heart! That was adorable! Then we had a sing along with the audience. While singing "Santa is Coming to Town", out jumped Santa! So fun!
Anyway......hence the title "Giver and Receiver". I want to share an lesson I learned.
I have so many wonderful preschool parents. There is one parent who is always vocalizing how much her children benefit from the preschool.
She earns extra money as a photographer. She is very talented. She took my class pictures recently and charged $8 for a 8x10 of an individual and class. They turned out fabulous! She has that photographer eye....and finger....snaps at the right moment! She spent tons of time in my classroom and at home getting these pictures ready. That is just what she does.
At the Christmas program she comes to the front of the stage and hands Ms. Julie and I an envelope. She then precedes to go on and on about how wonderful we are as teachers. She was even getting emotional. I was standing there in shock! She had taken all the money she earned from the class photos and bought Ms. Julie and I a massage at a local spa! I couldn't believe that she would donate her time and effort and the parents would give that much money to US? To ME?
I have an easy time giving....but receiving.....I swallowed my pride and Thanked her from the bottom of my heart! Wow! That is the true meaning of Christmas is... "The presents you give away".(Words from the little song I taught the kids) Ms. Julie had to stand there and give me a nudge to say something! That is a moment I will never forget!
This experience gave me a moment to reflect about the true meaning of Christmas. We all can give and receive the love and knowledge that Christ is real. I know that He lived on this earth to teach and Atone for ALL mankind. I hope to always remember to live as He did.
Mom and Dad visited this holiday. Look at the cute robes Mom made for the kids. Hunter had to wear his to the store and Petland. I let him. Who cares what people think. He was thrilled.
Preschool children were doing a little rain dance around the carpet.
I have been thinking alot lately. I received a big blow from a good friend I haven't heard from, for twenty years. He has chosen a way of living that is.....let's just say......as the "church Lady" used to say....."it's of the Devil"!!!! He is doing devilish things. I am so sad about it. He has chosen not to procreate with a women, not to share a life with a sweet family. He has chosen to be selfish. To do things that only gratify him. I am sick about it. We were best of friends when we were teenagers. We even dreamed of sharing a life together? How could it happen? We are not born that way? And if we have those tendencies....can't we control them? I don't go jump the bones of every hot guy I see. I control my passions. I am having a hard time. I still love him. I care for his safety. I asked him if he still believed in the things he taught as a missionary. He didn't respond and cut me off. No more contact. The devilish side of me wanted to "watch" his way of living. He lives a life of Broadway. He does makeup and hair for many Broadway shows. He is doing Spamalot right now. Travels all over. I wanted to see what that life was like. I did question.....for a moment. Could it be better than the life I have chosen? Could it be a life that satisfies his passion forever? Or just for a brief moment? Doesn't he wonder what he left? He won't be able to create darling children that take after him. Deep blue eyes. Creative soul. Will Heavenly Father forgive him? Is this a mental illness? He knew the truth....yet he has left it? I ached and constantly thought about it for about a week.....then my parents came......and we talked.
That opened my eyes to the whole picture of my life. Here is my mother and father who have lived a good life. They have had their ups and downs. They have worked hard. They have procreated. They are seeing a new generation. They still believe in the Christ that their progenitors did. They went to church every Sunday.....even when they didn't want to. They served in many challenging callings. They did hard things. They did it because they know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, they can do all things. I looked in their eyes and knew they were satisfied with the life they have lived. They are serving still today. They serve all the time. Because of Him. I am trying to live that life He wants us to live.
I am so glad my mom and dad came. It was great fun. My kids enjoyed them. We ate and went to the movies, laughed and played games. Good times. I love them and what they stand for. I am proud of my ancestors for coming to America from Sweden and Norway to find truth, live it and love it. They worked hard and loved each other. I hope to raise my children the way my progenitors did. That is what I am most Thankful for this year.
P.S. My husband just read this.........he wondered why I was rehashing these feelings?......He is the manly man I chose to marry! He has made great choices! I have no regret. Procreation! Hip Hip Hooray!
My Preschool Thankful Turkey.................it's time time reflect.
I am so thankful for my primary experience. We just finished our program. It was a rocky Sat. practice. Aren't they always? Sunday program was SUPERB!! The children did so well! All of them memorized their part. The songs were wonderful! Sis. Christensen did herself proud. She taught the kids "Called to Serve" sung in Italian, "I love to see the Temple" in Sign Lang. There were also special musical numbers, Quartet , solos and flute accomp.
Here they are.... Jessica and Heather in the background! The Sunday before....practicing and pretend like we are in the chapel. Always crazy!
I am thankful the Primary Program went smoothly! I am mostly impressed with the two older classes. I have watched them grow up! They are so wonderful and such happy, helpful young adults. I love how they have learned each year, more and more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the teachers and my counselors and Sec. for all of their hard work. I appreciate the teachers that come every Sunday with no complaints. Truly sacrificing, which in turn will bring blessings.
My Dad (The guy with the white hair) May 2008
Today is my fathers' birthday.
My Father: "Dougie" as my mother calls him, "Daddy" is the name I call him and "Grandpa Doug or PaPa" is the name the grandkids call him. He has had many "names" throughout his life. But the one he has most fulfilled is "father". He has always been the father of my home as a child. And I am very THANKFUL. He is the provider, the nurturer, peacemaker, believer in Christ, giver, anchor of our family.
I wanted to tell a funny story about Dad when I lived at home.
He always fell asleep while watching t.v.,reading the newspaper, reading 10 books to me before bed AND even in the movie theater. (Usually he was sleep deprived.....because of working a full time job for the county and delivering papers from 1a.m. -6a.m.)and being the bishop, stake presidency or scout master)
If you woke him up.....he may respond in a silly "half-awake" way!
One night, when I was 18, after my date, the guy took me to the door. I tried to open it, but it was locked. I noticed the light on, hoping someone was still awake. I knocked again and again and finally my dad answered. He was standing there with his hair a flyin" and he handed me and my date a cup? Then.....he started vigorously shaking his hands back and forth! My date looked at me and I looked at him? What on earth was my dad on? I was so embarrassed...but started to laugh! I took my sweet dad inside and waved goodbye to my date! Good ol' Dad! (Unfortunately, I am a sleep walker/talker too)
He is so wonderful! Sometimes I have to remind myself not to compare Shane to him. Shane has said in the past, "No one can be as good as your Dad".
I love you Dad. I am thankful the Lord sent my to your family.
My mom and dad are coming for Thanksgiving. I am excited.
My nephew Petes' tumor is visabally reducing in size. Which is something to be thankful for!!!
I have been posting tons about preschool. I always say how I love my job so much! But....I don't love it as much as my job as a "mother". I was blessed with wonderful children. The Lord knew I would be busy serving. So he sent me obedient children. I am thankful everyday that I was able to have three children. Unfortunately, I physically can not have children anymore. I always wanted to have ten children! But, my mind and body are weak....in which I am unable to carry a child. I still have those pangs of childbearing. I loved feeling the baby move inside. I love the smell of a newborn. I love the tender quiet moments mother/baby have alone. I love the miracle of birth. Sometimes I feel so sad. But, then I go back and feel how grateful it is to have three healthy children. So, I focus on them. Focus on the different beauty of each child. My children are all so unique. I am always reminding them of the talents they have been given.
Dylan...my tender leader.
(Dylan didn't really dress up this year)
Hunter....my strong willed child.
(He dressed up as two things this year, Indiana Jones and Hunter person) Katlyn....my easy going, happy child. (Katlyn dressed up as a "Pink Lady" from Grease)
We had a fun busy Halloween. Both 9th and 3rd ward primary (Molly) put on a Halloween party. We decorated the gym, Trunk or Treat in the parking lot, Halloween stories and costume parade and doughnuts and cider at the end. It was fun! Lots of people and tons of extra doughnuts! The missionaries wore huge boxes that were painted like scriptures. They did a little jig while the primary children sang "Scripture Power"! Very fun!
When I was young, my mother either handmade a costume or threw together an awesome costume. Some of my favorites were Little Bo Peep, Clown, Princess Lia. Mom was singing to us on Oct. 1st-Oct. 31st, Halloween songs! My brothers, sistr and I were always excited for this fun time to dress up and party! Thanks mom for making it fun!
I had to post this picture! Love the costume...and love how she "strikes the pose"! Cutie pie! I loved to see each child in his or her costume! I was dressed as a 50's person? When I put those cat eye glasses on....I looked just like my Grandmother! We decorated cookies.....
Practiced our "Trick or Treating" rules....
Ate cookies....(Hunter is lovin' all the preschool he attends!!)
Sang to our parents....
We sang..."Mr. Jack o Latern" ,"Orange Pumpkin" and "5 Little Pumpkins" Aren't they darling!
Here is my MWF preschool class! Aren't they cuties! They are pretty much returning students from last year! We had a great field trip! I had so much fun! Really! I like my job! Ms. Julie and I are having a grand ol time! I love this time of year. Celabrating each season is a glourious thing! Who thought up these special holidays? I need to google that! We took the preschool kids to Haywire Farms on Road 68! It is well worth the 4 dollar charge! So many fun things to do! I hope The Schmidts continue to lease this area for next year! I vote this pumpkin patch top on the Tricity list! Check it out!
I know.....sick way to explain the reason why I haven't blogged lately! I have wanted to blog...thoughts and ideas stuffed in my brain....yearning to wander to the screen....but can't find the way out to express them and time to type them! So...I have found the right remedy for this "blogstipation".....I threw frozen french fries and chicken nuggets in the oven for 25 min. and ran to the computer! AHHHHH! Relief!
I loved conference! Sister Daltons talk "A Return to Virtue"was one of my favorites!
Loved this quote!“In the strength of the Lord, I can do (hard) things.” Virtue is a prerequisite to entering the Lord’s holy temples and to receiving the Spirit’s guidance. Virtue “is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards.”6 It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. It is nurtured in the home. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions. Virtue is a word we don’t hear often in today’s society, but the Latin root word virtus means strength. Virtuous women and men possess a quiet dignity and inner strength. They are confident because they are worthy to receive and be guided by the Holy Ghost. President Monson has counseled: “You be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone. Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow. There is no friendship more valuable than your own clear conscience, your own moral cleanliness—and what a glorious feeling it is to know that you stand in your appointed place clean and with the confidence that you are worthy to do so.”7
This helped me...geared me up to remember to be virtous...have inner strength....and do HARD things! I think I am going to have that plastered on my wall. "I can do hard things".
a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cV18SjqlWYY/SPPz-hCreVI/AAAAAAAAA2w/ntxlB_cfM0w/s1600-h/monson.jpg"> I love President Monson! He is a special man. I have met him several times in person. He spoke at both of my grandparents funerals. He is a tall man, large with stature. He is filled with the Spirit! While I served my mission, my mission president kept on refering to his cousin "Tommy", whom was Pres. Monson. I heard lots of fun stories about ol Tommy! When my mission president (John R. Condie) passed away....Good ol Tommy came to deliver yet another spiritual message! He loves the Gospel!
I finally finished a painting job that I wanted to accomplish this summer! My two boys went hunting.......and it was an opportunity to PAINT! Good feeling to get that done!
The LUCKY HUNT
Dylan and Shane both got a deer! They went out Saturday morning and within a couple hours saw a doe. Dylan shot her. Then a couple hours after that, Shane shot a buck. They were lucky and both were very excited! The hard part was dragging those beasts to the truck! They wrapped a rope around their waists and attached the deer and dragged! Shane told Dylan to go back to the truck and get more Gatorade! That was a mile away! Dylan thought to himself, "I am going to drive the truck back to Dad!" So here is this 13 year old starting up this truck and driving a mile through the field! When Shane saw him, he has never been so happy! I never thought Dylan would be such a dare devil! I guess this summer his uncle Travis taught him how to drive! As long as he doesn't do it on the city streets!
So.....Shane has spent the last two days cutting up the meat! He does it out in the garage, away from me! He has a nice cutting board and very sterile envirorment! What a hunter! We had some of it tonight....I have to admit, it tasted good! Nothing I would gorge on....but edible!
So, I keep going.........I am having a hard time balancing my live? Any ideas? I want to do everything , but don't have enough time!
He is on his second round of chemo. He has all they yucky symptoms. But, the great news is....his liver is noticeably smaller. Which means the tumor is shrinking already. Only having one round of chemo. My brother and his wife was hoping they could reduce the amount of chemo, but the doctors want to do all they can to shrink it enough before removal.
Good T.V.
Why do I love Lance Bass still? He is so cute and shy! Why does he think he is Gay?
I really have my own theory about homosexuality...! But, I won't go into that!
He is doing great! And, Lacey....is Mormon! Does she live it? Ummmmm? She is a great dancer! Fun to watch!
I love "Dancing with the Stars"! These are my favorite couples so far! Derek is also Mormon! He is sexy! Love his hair! Between these two couples........I think they could be the finalists!
A little Hunting......with Bear and Skylee! Dylan got his first pheasant. It tasted good too! I am very picky, but Shane breaded and seasoned the dickens out of those legs and I liked it! Skylee has been difficult to train. She is very timid. We finally got her to swim! Retrievers are suppose to love water. Not her! After a little coaxing and getting in the river with her, she felt like she could do it. Good hunting dogs are sooooooo important to Shane. He works with her and gives her extra praise....so hopefully she can fill her Dad's paws one day! Bear is getting up there with age. He has been coming home sore and stiff from the recent hunts. Poor thing! I know, I talk about these dogs, like they are my kids! I love em! Everytime, I vacuum their stinkin hair, I think, "If I didn't love em so much, they would be outa here!" Remember when she was this little.... I love Labs! They are so loyal and act almost human! Today, Skylee had snuck some human food off of the counter, and Bear came to tattle on her. He was pacing back and forth, knowing she was doing something wrong! I love em! I take my two youngest to the new pet store at least twice a month and snuggle and hold all the pets! I would love to buy the $1000 parrot to have to chat with everyday! Always wanted a parrot! Serious! But, Who in their right mind would spend $1000 on a bird?
Anywho......why am I rambling about animals?
Katlyn has had double ear infection and sinus infection this week. Finally getting better. Having to check her homework everynight. She is still struggling with school.
Hunter is finally going to school with a full tummy! He does not throw up anymore! Phew! I am glad that was short lived!
Dylan took me to his open house the other night. I was so impressed with the way he introduced me to his teachers. Dylans personality reminds me so much of my Dad and younger brother Gary. Very personable and approachable. What a great quality to have! His teachers are all awesome. Dylan loves Mr. Sapp, his history teacher. It is fun to hear Dylan come home from school each day to tell me about his great lectures in History? Where did he come from? Mr. Sapp must be a great teacher! I told all of his teachers "Thank You" for all your hard work! Teachers need to hear that! Teachers work hard! Sometimes they don't get the respect they deserve!
Shane is busy with work and WORRIED about the economy! He watches the news all the time!
I keep on suckin on my Diet Coke and work, work, work on preschool, primary and my home life!
Two weeks ago, Shane called me from work and asked if I wanted to go to see "Chicago"! Ofcourse, I jumped on it! The traveling Broadway group came to Toyata Center! I loved it! The acting,singing and dancing were wonderful! I was taken back to my childhood dreamland..... When I was a tiny(I was skinny.... until I gave birth)girl,my first dream was to be a dancer in the Disneyland parade. I loved going to Disneyland and watch the characters or even just the dancers strut down Disneyland Main Street! I lived close enough to join the dancing team at 16! UHHH...NO! Just a dream! My mom was always choregraphing some roadshow or stake musical and I loved dancing and acting in them! My dream was to become one of those long legged, high kickin dancers on stage, or the dramatic hand to the forehead, pouty lipped diva! I love everthing about it! The cosutmes, the makeup, the lights, the music, the feeling!!! But, I was a 5"6' girl from a good ol mormon family that taught the importance of getting an education and aspiring to be married and a mother! (Which of course, is the upmost important thing!) So, my dream never begot itself. I can act and dance for my husband, and I always get an appaulse!(Even being chubby:)!!!) But.....we still can dream and enjoy others aspiring to thier dream!
I have been busy, busy, with school starting. I do have time to reflect and think. My sister n law wrote me a recent email concerning her little son suffering through the hardships of chemo. She added this quote, and I can't get it off my mind.
The Olympic Creed "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well."
How are you fighting? I always try to think that now, instead of complaining about my trials.....How am I fighting?
My other thoughts and concerns constantly drift to Stephanie and Christian and their family during their tragedy? I don't even know this family, yet I am drawn to their family strength! I am so excited to see the media take on to this tragedy! Unfortunately, Nie and Christian are badly burned. But, the missionary outreach is amazing. People will see that Latter Day Saints fight! We will deal with what comes upon us....with the Lord at our side. Daily, I have a constant prayer in my heart that Nie, who loved being a mother, will survive! She is one of my hero's! She is fighting!
Joseph Smith once quoted "That the work (LORD'S WORK) will go forth boldly, nobly and independently...."
I need to be reminded that our work on this earth is not easy...."LET's FIGHT!!!!" It is not easy living and doing the things we do....but it is worth it! As my mother always says:
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