And, lo....

Tonight when we were reading scriptures at dinner (we usually do it at breakfast, but it has been a little bit off schedule during the break.), Ben decided to read the Christmas story in Luke. (Right now we are currently reading in Alma, which Livy calls Elmo. It is quite cute). As Ben started reading the first words of Luke 2:9- Brooke chimed in and recited almost the entire next 3 verses without any help.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Ben and I just watched in amazement and smiling. Brooke was giddy that we were so excited. And then at the end she said, "And that's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown." We all laughed. But deep down i almost wanted to cry because of all the things she can memorize and remember i am so glad she remembers those words so well, and i hope that they will always stick with her! Then she said, "That's what the Linus button says." I bought the Charlie Brown book at wal-mart two weeks ago and it is a favorite! (And deep down i was giddy that Brooke's teacher showed the movie Charlie Brown's Christmas at school last week-because obviously it does have the true meaning of Christmas in it!)

Christmas Cards

Why do Christmas card have to be such a task in our family. It seems every year some new obstacle happens to get them out. And every year i try to fix it so that it is easier the next year. Like last year I bought christmas letterhead right after christmas so it was done adn we had it. And I even put it in our christmas boxes so it was easy to find when it was time to print them. But of course, the letterhead didn't fit our letter. Then when i finally got to another store to get letterhead, they only had a few of the right sized envelopes, so i had to go to another store to get envelopes. And then when i finally go to print them, the totally ready and completed Christmas letter that was finished three days ago, just waiting to be printed, was deleted off Ben's computer. (when it backed up online, it tripled everything and ben cleared things out....and one thing happened to be our letter.) I just kept thinking, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! So not only am i always scrabbling to get them off before Christmas Eve, but i always run into some really frustrating obstacles.

But on a happy note, Ben entered ALL of our addresses into excel this year-so that will be super easy to update and print off of next year. And while i was 'venting' a bit and getting my frustrations out on this little blog post ben found one of the letters we had printed on the "last years clearance stationary that didn't work this year" in the recycle bin, so now i just have to re-type and not remember everything! Hallelujah, what a blessing. And it isn't even Christmas Eve and I am sending the cards off.

The Nutcracker

We went to the Nutcracker last night at Temple Hill. It was so awesome! Brooke loved it! Livy fell asleep halfway through the second half, but enjoyed it up until that point. The admission was free, and the show was absolutely AMAZING! It was so fun to see all the girls at the intermission twirling around on their toes and sashaying to and fro all around the lobby and outside. I'm so glad we got to go. And the Temple looked beautiful with all the lights. When we drove up there it was pouring rain and you couldn't even see the spires on the top of the Temple from the parking lot when we pulled in. But when we were leaving it was crystal clear. You could see all the way to San Fransisco and all the bridges. I highly recommend going up to the Oakland Temple, even if you aren't LDS, to see the Nativity and the Lights and there is a Reflections Exhibit in the Visitors Center that is supposed to be amazing. I just love the feeling on the Temple grounds, especially at Christmas.

Christmas Music

I have been spoiled growing up to have been in such a musically talented ward. (You would've thought by now it would have rubbed off on me, but sadly, no. Thankfully i have Ben to help our kids be musically talented). And especially at Christmas time, it has been such a treat! And today was no exception. Music at Christmas magnifies the Spirit so much. I am so thankful to people that put in the time and energy to always make the Sunday before Christmas so amazing. I was sitting in Sacrament meeting overflowing with with joy and peace. The music was so powerful. My friend Katie wrote the most beautiful Christmas song and 8 women sang it a cappella today. And the children's chorus was so good. And Robert Elliott's O'Holy Night was just incredible. But amidst the joy I also felt a twinge of sadness. Sadness that i hadn't invited everyone of my friends to bask in this amazing Spirit felt by music. Sad that the few i had invited weren't able to make it. But the joy and wonderment from the amazing songs definitely won out over that twinge of sadness.

Last Saturday we had an amazing ward Christmas Party as well. And again the talent was awesome. And it just makes me so grateful for people like Katie that put in the time to organize and plan such wonderful programs that magnify the feeling of the Christmas Spirit to the umpteenth power. Thank you Katie for sharing your talent and time. And thank you Carrie for having a children's chorus! It was awesome.

I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. And beautiful music helps me feel the power of His birth and his death deep in my soul.

Star of the Week

Brookelyn was chosen Star of the Week this past week. What a Gal!

I'd like to say (and think) it's because she is this spectacular student. Well rounded in every way. Helpful, kind, attentive, and respectful 1oo % of the time. And she probably is, at school. But then I learned that they were assigned which week they got to be star of the week. But i can still think what i want to about why she got it!

She was so excited to color her poster and fill in all the information! And what was even better is that she got to "present" her poster on wednesday. Just as I walked into the classroom. Ot was impecable timing. Couldn't have been more perfect. i volunteer on wednesday's in her class and thankfully I got there about 10 minutes early and just happen to see her. It was so great. She got to be up front on a big chair with her poster while the other kids were on the rug. She talked about everything on the poster and then everyone got to answer questions or make comments. And boy, oh boy, did she eat this up. If you can picture this...since i didn't have my camera (but who am i kidding, i never have my camera). She is sitting there on the chair with her legs crossed. This grin of pure joy. She was so proud to be able to be in charge. She got to remind the kids that if they wanted to make a comment they needed to raise their hands and she would call on them. It was hilarious! So great! She ate up all the compliments. They all said how they loved her drawings and colorings. And she just beamed. Her love language is definitely words of affirmation and physical touch. Man, i wish i had had a video camera. But i am just really grateful, i happened to be there to see it! Brooke, you are AWESOME!

I also got to teach Brookelyn's class PE. It was so much fun. I actually got to put into practice some of the great things i learned at BYU! We played some great tag games and then did lots of jumping and skipping over hula hoops. It was great. I loved it when the kids kept saying to each other, "That was so fun!" or "I loved the Cookie Monster game. Can we do that again?" I just kept them moving and smiling for 25 minutes and now they all love me! It really showed me again, that kids like to be physically active. And they all need more of it!

Then i got to teach the cub scouts volleyball that same day! Wow, that Master's degree in Sports Pedagogy came in handy. :). It was so funny to see the boys get so into it and competitive! I loved it.

It was a fun Wednesday! I am so grateful I get to be in Brooke's class and see her environment once a week. I am still trying to think of ways to be able to be in her class in first grade too....any ideas!

'Tis the Season

A Christ Centered Christmas. I think it is in the back of every one's minds every year. And every year i come up with a new idea or two on how I can bring Christ into the spirit of Christmas a little more. I feel it is commonplace now to hear the complaint about how Christmas is "glitzy" and more commercialized every year and our society always focuses on the getting and wanting more than the giving and loving. And yes that is a bit true, and i am a culprit of that complaint as well (especially when I think about Christmas decor being sold and advertised even before Halloween) But the past few days I have been thinking about the "Spirit of Christmas". There is a spirit of Christmas everywhere, even amongst the materialism and commercialization of it all. And that means that deep down people are more conscious of being kinder and nicer, people are recognizing the difference of this time of year. Because we celebrate the birth of Christ at this time, His love is felt by all even if they don't know that that is what it is.

Loved this little video clip. Click here for more video and ideas for a Christ centered Christmas.

Favorite Sayings Today

Me: "Brooke let me put some oil on your feet. There are some people who have been sick lately, so i want to make sure you don't get sick." (We usually put them on at night before bed, so she isn't used to it in the morning.)

Brooke's Response as I am rubbing oil on her feet."Mom, it is like a war between the bad germs and the oils." (i smile and chuckle inside) "So if i don't get sick, mom, that means the oils won."

It was very cute!

Livy squinting her really big smile and gritting her teeth and flexing really hard and she says, "LOOK AT MY KNUCKLES MOM!" I had to laugh so hard. Especially since she was only in her underwear while she was doing it. So now we refer to our muscles as our knuckles.

My mom was helping Livy in the bathroom. She kept asking Livy if she was finished. Livy sat there closing her eyes really tightly and not answering. Finally after a few times of asking, Livy responds, "Dwama (grandma), I'm hiding from you."

.... i so wish i would just come straight to the computer and jot down their funny sayings because there are lots of them throughout the day. And lots of times it is those moments that I am the most happy, enjoying the really fun moments of motherhood.

Another great saying I got from my friend at our Learning Circle. "I am happy everyday. I'm not happy every minute of the day. But I am happy everyday." Motherhood makes me happy everyday. And most minutes I am happy, but the moments when kids say funny things, it is not just happy-it's hilarious!