My Problem with Christmas Shopping

Here is my problem with Christmas Shopping:

I find way too many things that I want.

Here is a down puffer from

J. CREW

that I know will keep me perfectly warm this winter!

I have been so cold!

And who wouldn't love these trendy RED patten Dansko Clogs. LOVE THEM! Want Them!

...can't have them.

And since I am on a red kick, how easily did I fall in love with this sweater from Abercrombie...

...like totally instantly!

Would this be a classic for all time or what?!

I need to stay out of the stores so I won't be tempted any more...

but man did I have fun window shopping!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Savior of the World

"SAVIOR OF THE WORLD"

pictures by Vicente

Garth and Sommer performed in the production, "Savior of the World." I got to see it on Saturday and it was wonderful.

Sommer is in the choir as an angel and townsperson.

Garth plays a grandfather shepherd and James. He even has a solo. He was told he had a great voice (I knew that already)...

This is Sommer and her friend Emily (they are the same age...is Sommer tall or what?!)

Here is Garth (James) as he stands at the empty tomb.

The talent amazed me.

A Trip to the Temple

On Sunday, in the FREEZING cold, we made our way to the Festival of Lights at the temple.

Our friend, Vicente, came with us too!

And lucky for us, he is a photographer!
These pictures he took are incredible.


If you haven't been there for the Christmas Celebration,
you must go.

Each night there is a different performance in the grand hall. Groups from all over the area come to perform.
The Christmas Spirit surrounds...
It was an AMAZING night!

Look What I WON!

My cousin, Marylin, had a blog give-away a few weeks ago. I crossed my fingers that I would win one of her cuter than ever APRONS (or the quilt...darn it)!

Well, as luck would have it, I won this most incredibly cute PRIZE!

Look at the shell theme...with shell pocket. Great color scheme...

LOVE IT!

Thanks Marylin for sharing your talent with your readers.

Christmas Decorating

I have spent the past 3 days

wrapped up in the

JOYS

of Christmas decorating.

Day 1: Finished putting away all Fall decorations and CLEANED.

Day 2: Put up all the outdoor lights, wreaths and other various related fanfare.

Day 3: Put up all indoor decorations

Everything is sparkly.

Ahh...CHRISTMAS!!!

All that is left is our two Christmas Trees...but that is where Garth comes in.

Can I Tell You...

...how absolutely wonderful it is to have two little boys that go to so bed easily?! They have no problem when I tell them it is time for bed (as long as we give them a, "10 more minutes!" warning) and their other three siblings are still up (making noise). They never ask me "why doesn't Ethan or Calvin have to go to bed?" They just go right up to bed.

I tell them the ever popular "Candy Mountain" or "Candy Beach" (if you need a good story, this one has worked for years and never tires...simply take them to "Candy Mountain, " by way of the secret little button under their bed. When they arrive via the fruit roll-up slide, they are in a place where everything is made up of candy. I usually throw in a few stomach aches to be sure they understand what might happen after eating everything candy...) stories and they settle down quickly.

The other children are simple too and require minimal assistance; a prayer, maybe a little story, a back scratch and/or a quick breath check to be sure they actually brushed...with toothpaste and they are fast asleep.

I am so extra grateful because over the past 13 years it hasn't always been so easy. We have had children who have slept with us and were unable to sleep alone. There have been those little ones who needed long rockings in the chair with lullaby after lullaby before finally nodding off. We have had the wake-up multiple times every night (I hate getting out of bed at night) babies. I also remember the tough transition stage from crib to bed. At least three of mine liked to wander around at night after everyone was asleep. Tough Times!

But none of that anymore. Everyone sleeps through the night. Everyone goes to bed when asked (except for an occasional one who is caught still reading at midnight). And some even sleep in! And when they do wake up, they all can get their own breakfast!

To those dear mothers who are in still fighting the good fight, I tell you this...You are amazing, and you can do it!

BUT if you are ever at your wits end and you just need a nap, call me and I will watch your little ones. I know how tired you can get!

I am serious.

A Great Family Night

Garth prepared a fabulous Family Night

to help usher in the Christmas Season.

He talked about

the opportunities to serve others.

He told the children to start thinking of ways they could serve.

We started the countdown to Christmas!

And to help them, he presented each child with their very own

Advent Calendar.

The best $7 we have spent (go World Market!).

Each day, as they open a window on their calendar, they will think of a way to serve this Christmas Season.

We can't wait to serve...