Happy New Year!

I have had the privelige this past year of discovering blogs of friends from near and far, spending time with my family and friends here at home, and watching others at church and school and I am just so inspired by you people! Thank you for your humor, wisdom, spirit, strengths and weaknesses.

I'm determined to be a better friend, homemaker, wife, mother. . . not just because it's the new year, but because I know people like you.

I see you struggle and laugh through it. I see you dealing with things so differently than I would ever think to do and I can see glimpses - through you - of ways that I can be more like the person I want to be. The Lord has placed some incredible examples of how to be in my circle of aquaintences and I sometimes feel overwhelmed by your goodness and my lack of it . . .but lately,

I just feel blessed and motivated by each of your everyday moments and your extraordinary moments that I've seen you live through or heard about or read about on the computer.

Thank you. I felt I needed to say it but not sure how to single all (or any) of you out - I hope some of you will read this and feel good about who you are and what you are doing to touch other people's lives - because you do -

you influence people everyday without knowing it and I'm grateful.

Live Nativity - December updates

Our Ward (congregation) revived an old tradition this year - we held a live nativity a couple of weeks before Christmas. One of our dear former bishops (Bishop Jim Puida) had the idea several years ago and we were able to enjoy it annually under his stewardship back then.

It was a lot of work to put it together again and added some busy nights to our already full December schedule, but what a sweet experience to sit with my kids and listen to the Christmas story while bundled up in snow clothes and shepherd's robes.

I didn't get many photos the night we participated as a family. However, the next night, Rebecca begged to be a shepherd again, so I dressed her up and out she went and since I wasn't dressed up, I got to take some photos - so sweet!

What do you think? Shepherd or ANGEL?

Inside the building, the activities committee had hot chocolate to warm up actors and visitors. We also set up nativities for everyone to enjoy.Members of our congregation lent all different creche sets for display, People brought some large, some small,
Some for kids, some delicate,

Some were newer,

Some wooden, some glazed,

They were realistic and fantastical

Some were crafty, some elegant

Glass, crystal, for play or displayMomentos from honeymoons (the blue and white set of ours),

and souvenirs from all over the world
Ornaments, keepsakes, simple and ornate,

white, painted,

even stuffed,

Almost anything you could think of. . .

The whole experience was so beautiful and inspiring - a touching reminder of what it's all about.
We plan on doing it all again next year - so come see it if you are close by!

My Aunt Nikki was in town for the few days preceding this. She helped set up the creches and witnessed our pre-Christmas chaos first hand. I don't have any photos of her while she was here, but she took some of us, maybe I can steal them from her. We sure loved having her here with us and hope it won't take us six more years to see her again. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AUNT NIKKI!!!!!

Haul out the Holly!

Ok - I've had the music out for a couple of months already, but now I can be official about it - last Saturday, after the kids piano recital (which went really well), we went out to get our tree.

Over the town line and through the woods to find our Christmas tree . . .Becca asked the Christmas tree farm lady, "Where are the tall, fat ones?" She was so excited and then sooooooo cold that before we even found the right one, she started begging to get back in the car. Garrett, Kathryn and Alaina all found their own 'perfect' tree, but eventually we all agreed on one and brought it home to decorate. Aren't they cute all freezing and posing?

It's really pretty - in spite of the unpainted wall behind it!
That's my January project - I'd hoped to have it done by Christmas, but it just didn't happen.

My favorite Christmas present over the last couple of years . . .

Our Stockings - I made Gregg's the year we were married, mine the next, and Kathryn's when she was born, Garrett's when he was, Alaina's when she was, and Becca still has the stocking I got on my mission from my companion.

I like that memory, but she needs her own. I'll make it this year. Now that it's in black and white I'll have to make it true huh?

Merry Christmas!!!!!