Merry Christmas To All

WHAT A CHRISTMAS! This year was really great. We did a few new things this year to add to our traditions. We drew names and had to make the gift for that person. Jonathon drew Ethen, I drew Jonathon and Ethen drew Nana (my grandma). It was fun!

This year Ethen was really good and received a special video message from... SANTA! This proves that Santa does exist!!! What a treat this was for Ethen!
password: santa


For Jonathon I decided to do a 12 Days of Christmas for him. I went backwards and started on the 14th. Here's the breakdown. Now mind you some of these are a little cheesy but I wanted to stay within the relm of "MAKEING" the gifts or giving him something that didn't cost money.

Day 12 - 12 love notes. I printed individual notes and taped them up all over so he would find them. Day 11 - 11 nights of snuggling. Day 10 - 10 your choice meals (since he NEVER picks what he wants for dinner). Day 9 - 9 back massages. Day 8 - 8 sugar cookies. (I was making cookies for friends and cut out the letters in his name sinse there are 8). Day 7 - 7 trash free days (he ALWAYS takes out the trash so I thought to give him a little break). Day 6 - 6 meals in bed. Day 5 - 5 texted kisses (this was fun I sent "MUAH" in a text 5 times that day to let him know I was thinking of him). Day 4 - 4 deviled eggs (ok this is the bizarre one and one that I regret. not only did he get those but mom cooked breakfast burritos for dinner. Needless to say I needed a gas mask that night!) Day 3 - 3 movies your choice. Day 2 - 2 loaves of bread. Day 1 - 1 pair of fingerless gloves.
This was a great idea and I might have to do this again! Here is Jonathon opening his gloves.
Jonathon made Ethen a TREASURE MAP for Christmas. We saw a movie where people were looking for treasure and Ethen said he would like to do that. So, wish granted! It was really fun to watch. Jonathon constructed a box for the treasure and filled it with money and candy then burried it in the back yard. He then made the map and Ethen was ready to go! The video is of Ethen on his treasure hunt - Enjoy!

password: treasure

Mom drew my name and made me this wonderful wall hanging. It has one of my favorite sayings on it "The Storm Stops Here". It's meant to be hung outside meaning that the stressful storms that rage from the outside world stop at the door of your home. Home is where you should find peach, not storms!

I think he's a little excited that Santa brought him what he asked for! Way to go Santa - you're a hero this year!

We are trying to teach Ethen that Christmas isn't about Santa, getting gifts or all the hype that the world has made it out to be. It's about the birth of our Savior, the greatest gift we could possibly receive! We had the great privilage to have the Missionaries for dinner on Christmas Eve. They told us of a time when one of thier sisters was on her mission. Her Mission President had told her once that there are 3 stages of Christmas: A Santa Christmas, a baby Jesus Christmas and then a Savior Christmas. The first is good and teaches about the spirit of giving. The second even better when we start to focus on Jesus, but the third is the greatest. It is when we finally celebrate for the purpose of Christ, a savior. He said himself that "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). He truely is our friends and showed us the greatest love by giving willingly his life for us. So each year we not only give a gift from Santa but a gift from our Heavenly Father. This year Ethen received a new tie for church with the Noah's Ark on it.

Ethen made out like a bandit this year: New suit (from the big boy section no longer in the baby sections!), Scooter, train set, lots of books, some Book of Mormon action figures, Leapster game, Moon Dough set, and new learning computer (thanks Amari). This kid hit the jackpot!

Ethen and daddy playing with his new train set!

Ethen on his first trip on the scooter. This pose has become a staple pose for pictures lately. He's such a ham I can never get any candid pictures!

The greatest part of Christmas for me is having family come together. This is my grandma, my cousin, Chad, and his daughter, Brealyn. What a great time spent with family.

Here's my boys all dressed up for Sunday Church... new suits for the both of them! Don't they looks "SNAZY!!!"

Ok... now that's more like my boys... typical!

And here... our happy little family. The greatest joy in my life are these two standing next to me. I am so grateful for them!

We hope you all had the best Christmas. May the Spirit of God be with you in the coming year and always!

The REAL Karate Kid...

Boy are we super excited for Ethen. He is working so hard and learning some pretty amazing things in Karate. On the 16th he was allowed to test to advance to the next level of orange belt. (For those that are confused as to why he didn't advance to a new color belt, the reason is there are 2 levels for each belt. Undecided and decided.) It makes sense since there is a lot, and I mean A LOT, of information to learn for each belt - so they break it up! Here are some pictures of the event. I would have added the video but they were taking too long to load. So another time perhaps! Enjoy!

Ethen sitting like a "Black Belt" THE WHOLE TIME!!!

Looking like a ninja standing like a "Black Belt"


Look at those forms! (This is the "Outer Forearm Block")

Ethen receiving his headband and patch. Yes it is supposed to be orange - HOWEVER - Winter storms back East prevented UPS from delivering the shipment of Orange headbands and patches on time. He will be getting a replacement after Christmas break.
I was so impressed with Ethen! Even the owner, Cory Martin, came up to me afterwards and commented on how well behaved Ethen was for testing. Normally Ethen is running around frustrating the heck out of Mr. Wong (his instructor). Not this time, he did exactly what he was supposed to do the entire time.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU LIL' MAN!!!

***RING THE BELLS***

It's Christmas time and that means... STAKE CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS!


Most of the time you see a program held in the chapel, at the stake center. Oh no... not the Sandstone Stake of Las Vegas... We go ALL OUT!


Held on stage in the cultural hall, makeup, costumes, lights, sound board... you name it! It's a full blown production. And it was AWESOME!


I love the Christmas programs. They are always ringing in this special time of year! What a better way to get into the spirit of Christmas than to listen to angels singing!


I was honored to be amongst some of the greatest singers I've ever heard this year. We worked hard for several months on some great pieces of music. My favorites "Come See the Baby" and "Breath of Heaven". "Come See the Baby" as awesome and very upbeat. Definately a crowd pleaser. "Breath of Heaven", for those who havn't heard it, is Mary's story. It's a beautiful peice and I was lucky enough to be a part of the ensemble backing up, sweet Audrey Hansen.


I am so grateful to have been a part of this program! It was fun and certainly a great way to remember our Savior, and why we celebrate Christmas!


I didn't get too many backstage snapshots and a professional took the one shot of the entire cast/crew above. What you don't see me... ok I'm way in the back, in the center of the manger you can see my head poking up back there!

Christmas Is Coming!

***singing*** Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man’s hat. If you haven’t got a penny a hay penny will do, if you haven’t got a hay penny then God bless you!

Ok… now that that’s out of the way!!! lol!!!

We are QICKLY trying to prepare for a very lean Christmas, but it’s looking to be the best Christmas EVER! We have decided to make Christmas better for another family. Isn’t that what it’s all about anyways. It’s about turning our hearts out to the world and looking to serve those who are less fortunate. We are also drawing names for gift giving this year, with a twist… all gifts must be HOME MADE not store bought! We have included not just our family but my mom, grandma, cousin and his family. It will be awesome. Ethen drew my grandma’s name (Nana as we call her). I can’t wait for Ethen to make something special for his Nana. I, somehow, got Jonathon’s name. I am excited for this year!

Christmas has always been one of my favorite, no my absolute favorite, holiday. I am love this time of year where my thoughts are often turned to the Savior. Oh how great it is! He is truly the greatest gift of all! May you find the peace that only HE can bring this holiday season!

Ok… on to some pictures! We have had a lot going on the past couple weeks.  Check it out!

What is a blog without some cute pics of the little one sleeping! I totally love his legs crossed… he looks sooooo comfy!

We finally broke down and got a Wii! I seriously have been missing out… Wii bowling is AWESOME!!!

Nice form Ethen!!!

 

We have 2 trees this year. We couldn’t decided between mom’s traditionally vintage tree and our Christ center/snow themed tree. So… we put them BOTH up! Here’s how they turned out!

 

The animals… Scooter (the dog and Boaz the catdog!) These 2 are best buds and even play chase together. And of course what cat isn’t intrigued by the printer!

 

Ethen being…. well ETHEN!

Look, look, look… I learned how to knit in the round using double point needles… It’s a bit tricky at first… but so glad that I have now acquired the skill… on to socks! lol!

 

Well that’s it until next time. Hope the holidays are finding everyone doing well!

Thankful!!!

I am so blessed! I have the greatest life! A wonderful husband and family!

Today is Jonathon's birthday as well as Thanksgiving. So I woke up early this morning to make him breakfast in bed. He got the Karate Kid Trilogy on DVD from Ethen and he also had the privilege of going to work! HA! Not so much a privilege but necissary!

What are you thankful for this year? It's during this time of year that we are reminded to be grateful. But why can't we learn to express our gratitude throughout the year, why do we need a holiday to remind us? It's like Valentine's Day, why do I need a holiday to tell my husband that I love him. Sure it's nice to have a day dedicated to such things but we should honestly strive to live with gratitude everyday!

Two Sunday's ago I was aked to speak in church. I was given President Monson's latest General Conference address as a guide. Here is what I had to say...

Let me ask each of you a few questions, you don’t have to answer just ponder.
How many of you woke up this morning and during your morning prayers thanked
Heavenly Father for your kidneys? An organ so specifically designed that, among
its many functions, it is to remove waste from your blood? Or thanked him for
your eardrum, that through its vibrations from sound waves you are able to hear
the wondrous (or not so much) sounds of this world? How many of you have thanked
him for the many plants that provide food, shade and even life saving medicines?
My point brothers and sisters is that there is MUCH for us to be grateful for,
we simply must open our eyes and look around.

Webster’s defines
GRATITUDE as “the state of being grateful or thankfulness”. I would like to add
“a CONTINUAL state of being grateful” We need not only be grateful during times
of prosperity, but probably more so during times of trial. Consider Job, here
was a man to which God allowed Satan to try him with only one condition, he
could not kill him. Job was a very wealthy man, with several children and owning
thousands of animals and yet they were all destroyed. When Job first learned of
this he said “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name
of the Lord.” Even his wife told him that he should curse God. But Job knew that
even through this, Heavenly Father was still blessing him, He has spared his
life.

Brothers and Sisters we all must endure trials both great and
small. I believe that the true test of our devotion to our Father in Heaven does
not come during times prosperity, but through our trials. It comes by our
willingness to give God the glory and count our blessings when it seems as if we
have none. As I look back upon my life and the trials that I have endured, some
because of my own poor choices, though I did not see the hand of God then, I can
see it now. It was THOSE times in my life that have molded me into the person
that I am now and I am eternally grateful. I love the hymn “Count your many
blessings” (hymn 241)

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed?
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost?
Are you ever burdened
with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessing name them one by one
And it will surprise you
what the Lord has done.

In his most recent general conference address
President Monson spoke to us about gratitude. I loved this talk. He reminded us
of the Ten Lepers. These men upon seeing Christ begged for mercy. Once they were
cleansed only one returned to offer his gratitude. Christ asked where the others
were they were not found. Christ then said unto the one, “Arise, go thy way, thy
faith hath made thee whole.” It is not hard to show our gratitude. The prophet
Joseph F. Smith warned that “Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up
selfishness in its place.” If we have a true desire to be happy in this life we
must learn to express and live with gratitude daily.

In President
Monson’s talk he said “Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our
blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven.” Imagine the blessings that
the Lord is waiting to bestow upon us if we would only be grateful for the
things he has all ready provided for us! There are so many promises that have
been given to us. The Lord said “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness
shall be made glorious” D&C 78:19. Returning to the hymn “Count your
Blessings”

When we look at others with their lands and gold
Think
that Christ has promised you his wealth untold
Count your many blessings
money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high
So amid the
conflict whether great or small
Do not be discouraged God is over all
Count your many blessings angels will attend
Help and comfort give you
to your journey’s end

There are some pretty impressive promises within
that verse. Comfort, wealth untold, blessing that no amount of money can
purchase. Think of the priesthood, the literal power of God upon the earth. This
is a rich blessing to which money cannot buy. This fact confirmed in the book of
Acts when Simon, a known sorcerer, saw the apostles give the gift of the Holy
Ghost by laying on of hands. Simon then offered them money to receive this gift
and Peter’s response to him was “Thy money perish with thee, because thou
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” We must remember that
material possessions are nice to have and we should certainly be grateful for
those, but the wealth that is promised us cannot be bought with any amount of
money. And I don’t know about you but having angels to attend, that would be
pretty nice, but the promise to have help and comfort through our journey is of
infinite worth.

During this time of year we are reminded to be grateful.
It is my hope that we can learn to be grateful throughout the year. One final
thought from President Monson’s address he said “to express gratitude is
gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to LIVE
with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.

Brothers and
sisters I know that our Father in Heaven loves us and wishes to bless us beyond
our ability to comprehend. It is my prayer that we open our eyes and “see what
God has done”. I know that if we strive to live with gratitude in our hearts, no
matter what may happen we will be, as promised, made glorious. In the name of
Jesus Christ, Amen.

This year I have decided to start a gratitude journal. Everyday for the next year I am going to write just one thing that I am grateful for, with no repeats (hopefully). At the end of the year I will have 365 things for which I have been blessed with. Perhaps next year I will be able to continue with my gratitude journal! We shall see!

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving! May you be blessed always!

Some new projects

Ok so I have a few projects going on… I am currently working on 2 baby blankets… neither of them for me! One for my friends Kandra and the other for my  cousin. I only have some pics of the blanket for my cousin since I’m quilting it.

The chosen fabrics and colors. They asked for pink pink and more pink! My original (simple) design but I didn’t have enough for the whole blanket, so back to the drawing board I went!Getting there but it needs something else!

That’s it!!! Yellow boarders! Looking AWESOME!  Ethen wanted to help out! Don’t know exactly how much help he will be but at least he tries!

CHALKBOARD TIME!!!

I decided to make Ethen a chalkboard… I found a serving platter for $2 at Goodwill and chalkboard paint at Joann’s for about $6. Not a bad project for under $10!!! And ETHEN LOVES IT!

Lil’ E Turns 4!!!

I can hardly believe that he’s 4!!! Where did 4 years go to? It was such a treat for Ethen to have his party at Chuck E’ Cheese (AKA Yucky Cheese)

All though the party started out as a “Transformers” theme… it ended as a mix of Transformers and Power Rangers… He sure didn’t mind!

E with his best bud Lily E with new friend Deon

Ethen with his buddy Amari!

PRESENT TIME!!!

Transformers, Toy Story 3, a drum, $35 in gift cards and a Leapster 2~ this kid made out like a bandit!

We had such a great time. Thank you to ALL our friends that came to celebrate with us!

Videos to come!