Christmas Memories from 2012

Christmas Lights on Temple Square
Brad and I took the little ones to Temple Square on Saturday, December 1st.  It conveniently turned out to be one of the warmest December nights I have ever known in Utah.  Lizzy took off her coat and shoes before I could stop her.  Lizzy loved looking at the water fountains more than the Christmas lights, and she wanted to wade right in, but Brad and I wouldn't let her.  David was more interested in walking around Temple Square than sitting in his stroller and staring at the lights.  He made a lot of ladies smile at him, toddling around in his over-sized boots, and losing his balance once in a while while he walked.  Pretty hard not to smile at that.

Ward Christmas Party
Our ward's Christmas party was on Friday, December 7th.  I made a gingerbread house to use as a centerpiece for the party, and Emma made one with the Beehive girls in her class at church.  We had a "Cafe Rio" themed dinner at the party, which was delicious.  Brad and I sang in the ward choir, and Lizzy surprised us by singing with the primary children without any coaxing from us.  Lizzy and David enjoyed sitting on Santa's lap before we left.  They both love Santa.

Family Home Evening Activities
All of the Family Home Evening activities for the month of December was focused around Christmas.

On Monday, December 3rd we made Christmas trees out of green foam, buttons, and yarn.  I was amazed at how unique our trees turned out to be.  In my mind I thought everybody would make their trees the same way, since we all had the exact same materials, but everybody's tree was a work of art, including Lizzy's, which she did all by herself.

On Monday, December 10th we ate like shepherds on a blanket in our living room.  We had chicken, dates, cheese, pita bread, and grapes.  We'll have to do that again next year.

On Monday, December 17th we made candles out of clementine oranges and read "The Christmas Oranges" while eating orange slices and drinking orange smoothies.  I love the book "The Christmas Oranges," and it has been a family tradition to read it once a year at Christmas time.

12 Days of Christmas
I did something this year that I have never done before.  I had a marvelous time giving Brad presents leading up to Christmas Day.  Each day I gave him a new gift, increasing in number as the days went by.  Each gift was relatively inexpensive, or in some cases, free.  My favorite gift was presenting him with the first 2 seasons of Downton Abbey on blu-ray, which I bought on sale for an amazing price.  That was the biggest surprise, and he was very happy.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: 

12 (secret) packets, 

11 ball point pens, 

10 yummy pastries, 

9 sexy love notes, 

8 chocolate bars, 

7 awesome coupons, 

6 cans of root beer, 

5 Downton Abbey discs, 

4 votive candles, 

3 candy boxes, 

2 Martinelli's, 

and a clean and organized room.

Christmas Eve
We spent Christmas Eve at home this year.  I made a big turkey, and a broccoli casserole, and we invited Marilyn & James and Grandpa North to have dinner with us.  Marilyn brought mashed potatoes, a salad, and rolls to dinner, and Grandpa brought the drinks.  We had raspberry/cranberry Christmas punch, and it was yummy!  Lizzy was feeling pretty sick this year, but the rest of us were fine.  I liked having Scott and Emma with us for Christmas Eve.  We had our tradition of getting pajamas on Christmas Eve, and both Scott and Emma liked the jammies they got.

Christmas Day 12/25/12
Little Lizzy was still very sick Christmas morning, so we brought her bed downstairs in front of the tree so she could watch us open presents.  David loved the wrapping paper the best.  He clearly thought it was extra fun ripping paper without it being taken away from him.  He got some cute toys, clothes, and books, and a play cellphone, which he loved.  Lizzy got some adorable Disney toys, including a Merida and Angus set, and a Little Mermaid doll, but she got the most excited when she opened up Grandma Whitcomb's and Rachel's package with dresses inside.  She loves dresses!  Emma received a bunch of My Little Pony toys, and a pretty purple turtleneck sweater, which she has been wearing constantly.  She and Scott also got a present from Rachel: a Harry Potter Scene It game.  Scott received art supplies and a Lego set, and lots of random small gifts, such as a Lord Vader Christmas plush toy.  Brad and I were just happy to get "Brave" and "Cinderella" on Blu-ray, and to receive gifts from Aunt Laurie and Rachel, and Scott's and Emma's maternal great-grandmas who are always so thoughtful in their gifts.  We are very thankful for our family and loved ones who think about us during the Christmas holidays.  We ended up spending Christmas at home this year, since Lizzy was feeling so unwell.  We liked having the Bruce Clan come over for a little while, and we enjoyed spending time at home watching movies and editing photos.

Visiting Extended Family
One thing I love about the holidays is spending time with Brad's family!  We had a soup and game night, complete with a hot chocolate bar and Mr. Kruger's Christmas on the Sunday before Christmas.  It was nice playing games and visiting with Brad's family, and eating delicious soups and yummy treats.

Brad and I took the little ones to visit Aunt Marian on the Saturday after Christmas.  We enjoyed playing Nerts with Aunt Marian and eating her yummy homemade lasagna.   Lizzy liked playing with Aunt Marian's dog, Rocket, the most, and David loved getting into Marian's stuff, especially her cupboard in the kitchen.  We entertained ourselves by saying "forbidden" to David every time he got into the cupboard.

We also had another family dinner on Sunday, December 30th, when Brad's sister, Amanda, and her family came to visit out of town.  I was amazed by how big Amanda's kids have gotten.  They are so tall and slender!  Lizzy loved playing with them, and kept calling Aksel "Jack" over and over again, even when I told her what his real name was.  David and Aksel definitely look like they could be brothers-- they look so much alike!  Grandpa North provided a nice big dinner for us, and I brought some clam chowder soup to share.  It was lovely.  Loralee brought some yummy treats, including a batch of cookies Lindsey made herself, and some yummy monkey bread.

Christmas 2012 was a wonderful year for our family!  I am grateful for the memories we created together as a family, and for the love that we have for one another.  I'm looking forward to 2013!

The Currant Bush~ 10 Years Ago Today

‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me.’ ~ Hugh B. Brown

Ten years ago today, my husband was like a currant bush.  He was confident and strong, and he thought his life was good and prosperous.  He realized, at times, that some aspects of his life were not measuring up to what he wanted, and what he knew the Lord wanted, but he was content to have things remain the way they were.  His life changed dramatically on a cold December night in 2002. Everything that my husband loved, worked for, and treasured was taken away from him in a single heart-wrenching blow.  All of his branches were hacked off.  My husband was left with nothing-- nothing but his enduring faith, his physical health, and his will to live. At that moment in time, my husband did not understand how everything would be made right again.  He did not understand why "the Gardener" had let this happen to him. But my husband received strength at this time-- far more strength than he knew he had within himself.  Slowly he began to repair his life and grow into the fruitful currant bush he knew "the Gardener" wanted him to be. He could not have done it alone.  I will forever be grateful for the countless prayers and acts of kindness and support he received from family, friends, and even strangers ten years ago.  My husband was blessed tremendously. He has flourished, grown, and prospered far more than he could have envisioned at the time.  To all those who know Brad's story, it is amazing to see the contrast between the man he was ten years ago and the man he is today.

All of us have moments in our lives when we feel we have reached rock bottom.  Sometimes during these hard and difficult times we do not understand why these hardships are happening to us, or how our lives will be made right again.   I always try to remember that trials and hardships happen for a reason, and that the Lord knows what we are capable of and what we need to do to become better people.  He will do what he can to help us grow and prosper into the people He knows we can be.

Links:
"The Currant Bush," Hugh B. Brown, January 1973.
"As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten," Elder Todd Christofferson, April 2011.

The Highlight of My Day: November 2012

30 Days of Gratitude

Something good happens every day. Here's what I was grateful for in November 2012:

Thu 11/1/12: Today I am grateful for modern-day technology that allows me to edit photos on my computer and share them with friends and family who live far away. I love Photoshop and Facebook! I had so much fun working on photo projects today.

Fri 11/2/12: The weather was perfect tonight. Brad and I took advantage of it by taking the little ones for a quiet walk around the block. I am very thankful for the new neighborhood we live in.

Sat 11/3/12: Today I am grateful for early-morning, uninterrupted, lovey-dovey conversations with my best friend. I started off my day feeling beautiful, appreciated, and loved, and it only got better from there! I love my husband so much.

Sun 11/4/12: Today I am grateful for my wonderful step-daughter, Emma. We had a blast exploring the world of "Pottermore" together, shopping in Diagon Alley, and learning more about the story behind the stories. We're hooked. We'll have to explore more tomorrow.

Mon 11/5/12: Emma gave the lesson for Family Home Evening tonight. She needed to pass a few things off in her "Faith in God" booklet. I am grateful for the restoration of the gospel, and for the power of sincere prayers.

Tue 11/6/12: I am grateful for sweet little moments with my kids. I liked dancing in the kitchen with Lizzy and David today. We were listening to a Glee CD. I don't watch the show, but I wanted to hear the music, so I checked a CD out from the library. We had fun!

Wed 11/7/12: I am grateful for good, wholesome entertainment that my husband and I can equally enjoy together. I loved watching "Downton Abbey" with Brad tonight. I finished crocheting another hat during the show, too.

Thu 11/8/12: I am grateful for my extra nice and generous husband, who goes out of his way to scoop me a bowl of ice cream, or rub my shoulders, or change the baby's diapers, without being asked. He is always right on the ball, willing to help or make me feel better. He is wonderful!

Fri 11/9/12: I am grateful for good friends and good company. Brad, the little ones, and I went to visit the Hills at their home in Magna. We had chili and bread bowls for dinner, and pumpkin snickerdoodles for dessert. David showed off his walking skills and walked all over the house. Lizzy liked hanging out with the girls.

Sat 11/10/12: I am grateful for a husband who knows how to drive in heavy snow! It snowed at least 10 inches yesterday and today. It's a winter wonderland outside.

Sun 11/11/12: I am grateful for lazy Sunday afternoons with my husband. He makes me so happy. I love being married to Brad.

Mon 11/12/12: I was so happy to get David's baby book in the mail today, and to find Emma's birthday present at Bed Bath & Beyond. I am grateful for the time I save, and the cool things I find, when I use the Internet.

Tue 11/13/12: I am grateful for the routine of going to the library every week, and checking out good movies, CDs, and books for free. The library is such an amazing resource for our family.

Wed 11/14/12: I am grateful for Scott taking out the garbage every week. He is such a good boy.

Thu 11/15/12: I am grateful for an amazing husband, who takes off work to help me when I'm feeling unwell. I'm also grateful for medical benefits and insurance. My husband is such an excellent provider!

Fri 11/16/12: Today I am grateful for my mother. She flew in from California to visit me, and she brought me some homegrown avocados and a dozen fresh lemons, straight off the tree. My mother took us out to dinner at Virg's tonight, in celebration of Emma's birthday. She's wonderful!

Sat 11/17/12: Today I am grateful for good food, parties, and gatherings with family and friends. We had a birthday party for Emma at Grandpa North's house to celebrate Emma's birthday. It was Harry Potter themed, so we had chocolate frogs, jelly beans, golden snitches, butter beer, snowy owl cupcakes, and a candy birthday cake. We also had beef stew and shepherd's pie for dinner. We ended the night by going to the Hill's Annual Pie night. We had so much good food today!

Sun 11/18/12: I am grateful for moments my children get to spend with their Grandma Whitcomb. I absolutely loved watching my mother hold sleeping baby David in church today. He looked so precious snuggled up underneath my mother's chin. I also loved Lizzy looking for Grandma at church, and helping her find her purse and jacket. Lizzy is a little mother herself. I love that.

Mon 11/19/12: Today I am grateful for Family Home Evening. We did our annual "I am Thankful" drawings together as a family. I loved drawing our new house-- first time! I am grateful for family traditions and family routines. I love the time I get to spend with my family.

Tue 11/20/12: I am grateful for the happiness my stepdaughter, Emma, brings into our home. Today was her 12th birthday. She was so happy this morning, it made everyone else around her happy. I love her very much, and I'm looking forward to her starting Young Womens shortly.

Wed 11/21/12: I am grateful for the help the older children give me in our home. Scott was very helpful today when I needed to do some last minute Thanksgiving shopping. He takes good care of the little ones.

Thu 11/22/12: Today I am very grateful that Brad and I were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with all of our children. It's such a treat being all together for the holiday. We spent Thanksgiving at Bruce and Loralee's house this year, and all the kids had a great time with their cousins, and Brad and I had fun playing games. As usual, Loralee was a fantastic cook and made delicious food. I made a turkey veggie tray this year, and a green bean casserole using Loralee's recipe. So good!

Fri 11/23/12: I am grateful for KSL.com! We sold a stationary bike today and bought a Christmas tree with the same cash. It's almost like we traded a bike for a tree.

Sat 11/24/12: We enjoyed playing board games with our neighbors today. I am grateful for the new neighborhood we live in and the good people we've been getting to know better.

Sun 11/25/12: I am grateful for the BYU channel, and for the fun times I had with Scott and Emma today watching Studio C. I enjoy watching good, clean, comical fun on TV, especially with others who enjoy it as well.

Mon 11/26/12: David learned how to say "thank you" a few days ago, and today he learned how to say "yay" for the first time. I am grateful for the sweet little moments I get to share with my children as they grow. They change so much every day!

Tue 11/27/12: Today was an extremely busy day, but I did find some time to work on Scott's headcrab hat. It's going to look pretty awesome when it's done. Today I am grateful for skills, talents, and abilities. I like being creative and making things.

Wed 11/28/12: Today I am grateful to be Scott's stepmother. I finished Scott's crab hat today. It's such a weird looking hat, but Scott seemed to really like it. I was flattered that he put a photo of himself wearing it on Facebook.

Thu 11/29/12: I've been crocheting and getting done projects around the house. Today I got the house ready to put up Christmas decorations. I can't wait to see what the decorations look like in our new house! I am grateful that I have my own home to decorate this year. It's so awesome being a homeowner!

Fri 11/30/12: Marilyn and James came over to watch "Temple Grandin" with Brad and I, and brought dinner to share with us. I love my in-laws! I am grateful to be a part of the North family.