Five Beautiful Blessings Between Heaven & Earth

Dusty took the kids Christmas shopping today and this was the photo that I got e-mailed to me.  Glad to see he has our little trouble maker happy and boxed in all at the same time!  Go Daddy!   At least I know she won't be getting away in a crowded store!

Today Bridgett announced her "Christmas list".  I was a little surprised.  We don't really make a big deal about Christmas list at our house.  I may ask the children when they would want to get an idea, but we don't have a big sit down to write out their wish list, or to write a letter to Santa.  In fact we don't often talk about Santa much at all.  I try to keep the focus on Jesus Christ,  On getting rather than giving.  And when we do talk about Santa I tell the children that he bring them one gift a piece as symbolic of the gift Our Heavenly Father gave us of his Son.   I knew that Aaron wanted "lego's" for Christmas but come to think of it I don't think that I even asked Bridgett what she would want for Christmas.  I think I was afraid that she would ask for a puppy.  Something that she just can't have right now.  So it was to my surprise that she announce to me today that she had a Christmas list.  Cautiously I asked her w...

The last day of Aaron's school before Christmas break his class put on a Gingerbread man play.  Daddy was lucky enough to work from home so that he could join us in going to Aaron's school to watch him.    All the kids were to wear aprons and these hats they made in class along with two wooden spoons.  Bridgett loved to listen to them sining their holiday songs but of course she was very wiggly and wanted to be in the play with Aaron and all his friends, so Daddy had to put her on his shoulders to try to keep her OUT of the play :)  Aaron with his wooden spoons! And here he is saying his line!  Aaron is great at remembering lines and is always able to give them with out even looking nervous!  Go Aaron!

So after getting the put back together once the hardwood floors I took a few days to enjoy it before puling out all of the Christmas decorations.  The kids were excited to have the house looking like Christmas, but I think what they were most excited about was their own personal Christmas tree that goes in their room.   I think the love it because these trees,  they get to decorate however they want.  It's all about them and their own creative style.  I think it's important to give them something where Mommy has no say and is not correcting them to get a better looking end result. The love being able to decorate their own little trees every Christmas and it has become a fun tradition.

The first Sat in Dec Anderson Mortuary does the christmas celebration.  An open house where all are invited to come and place an ornament on their tree in memory of a loved one who as died.   We went last year and have decided that it's a great way remember Colette during the holidays.  So tonight after Dusty got done with tithing settlement we gathered up the kids (even though it was probably already past bed time)  and went down to the mortuary. The kids love putting her ornament on the tree and remembering her this time of year.  They love sitting and eating and just love this extra special family tradition we have started the last couple of years.  Dusty and I love going because we get to spend a little time talking to our friends,  at Anderson Mortuary.   We will always be grateful to them for the compassions they showed us during the hardest time of our life.    Yes they were just doing their job,  ...

Since we bought our house 4 years ago we knew that the hardwood floors really needed to be refinished.  this past year it has gotten to the point in some places that I knew we were down to bare wood.  Especially in places with lots of foot traffic and under the bar and such.  I've been meaning to do it.  All summer long I  knew I needed to find some places and get some quotes.  Now knowing that life is about to get crazy busy with two babies on the way I knew I needed to just get it done and get it over with!  Mom decided that she wanted to get her's done too.  Funny enough we both found the same place on line,  I guess their web page must have appealed to both of us.  She called them and got a quote scheduled for her house and was kind enough to get one scheduled for mine too.  The owner came out and gave mom her quote and then followed her down to our house and took some measurements and brought some color samples to see what I li...

Happy Thanksgiving!    Today was a pretty mellow day!  It was nice!  We did dinner with my side of the family since we did it with Dusty's side last year,  Between Mom and Grandma and I we cooked a pretty good spread!  Of course I had the least to do of anyone.  I made homemade rolls,  and did candied yams, and Dusty did the green bean casserole. In the morning before the big dinner we went over and visited with Grandma Teena and Grandpa Ken and Uncle Kyle.  We played with the puppies (Bridgett's favorite!)  and Aaron and Uncle and I put together some puzzles. Bridgett with Brain,  its' not really her name but Bridgett has decided it is,  she watched Inspector Gadget with Aaron and I guess Penny and her dog Brain made quite the impression!  Putting together a 2 sided puzzle is harder than you would think it would be!  Snuggled on the couch with Uncle and "brain"  The big meal!  Bridgett trying t...