{ Christmas Eve }

All too quick, Christmas Eve was here. Scott grew up with the tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve. After 11 years of marriage, I now willing participate in the tradition. We always open the gifts from Scott's aunt and uncle which usually includes some pajamas. This year I was the only one who got new pajamas. (I slept warm and cozy!)

The kids got some fun things to play with...

And new coats!
Way more than I expected and so very appreciated!

The Christmas story was read and the kids tucked into bed. My heart ached that Brittany and Levi were not with us.

Festive Preparations

Is it Christmas yet?!

My new calling required a lot of extra time before Christmas. It was so fun to help with the Ward Christmas fireside, put together the Relief Society Christmas dinner, create 13 food baskets for the widows, and organize a Giving Tree project. (As well as help a few families who would not have had food for Christmas.) I have a fabulous presidency which makes it even more fun to serve!

We went to Morgan's Christmas Program at school and sang some songs with the kids. (I love living in a community where we celebrate Christmas and not Winter. The kids even sang songs about Jesus. At school!)

We found time to make gingerbread cookies.
(Don't look too close. My cutter creates a gingerbread boy with a club foot.)

Zane loved squeezing the frosting from the bag!

Morgan just loved frosting! Everything!

I found time to make a gift. (I have a box of fabric for gits that didn't get made.) I LOVE the Welcome Sign and am anxious to make one for my shelf too.

I made some cards for a gift at our party.

And more cards for the kids to give to teachers and friends.

I usually type a full page newsletter to send to family and friends but this year it wasn't coming together. Then we received a card from amazing friends and I knew that was my answer. I totally copied her and had my pictures uploaded, news written, and cards ordered in one evening. I wasn't sure I would have them in time to send out before Christmas but I decided to just not worry about it. Check that off my To Do list.

And... we decided to make scripture tote bags for the past presidency. We each stitched together a bag (I didn't get any pictures) and then I made a cute little card. They were adorable! Trust me.
Is it Christmas yet?

Modern Day Mother

This is one of my favorite prints!

Modern-day Mother in Zion © Anita Mae Hart-Carroll
oil on board, 8th International Art Church History Art Competition

Prints can be purchased by contacting Anita at ahartcarroll@yahoo.com

As I attended our Stake Conference this weekend, this image kept coming to my mind. So many spoke about the need to strengthen our homes and families.

Some things I learned:

** We need to contend for the best conditions to raise our children. I am no "ordinary chicken." I need to do all I can to protect my family from the dangers that are out there.

** Faith is more than belief - it is ACTION. When you are doing what is right you are truly happy.

** Ask what you can do better and live your testimony every day.

** We must teach our children correct principles and how to stand for truth and righteousness at all times. Even when it seems they are not listening, they are. When they need it the most, they will remember the testimony you bore to them.

** Great blessings come from attending the temple!

** "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Life is meant to be enjoyed. At those times when we can't laugh at the experience, lift up your head, be of good chear, and turn to Christ who can heal ALL wounds.

** Sometimes life is a bunch of dots - we must figure out how to connect those dots. Scriptures, prayer, and patriarchal blessings will help us find the path.

** Don't lose your focus! Keep your eye on your goal of eternal life and you will have the faith to endure your trials and be strong for your families.

I also have 10 things we can do to strenghen our marriages. (That might just be another post.) It was such a wonderful weekend! I was especially thankful for the opportunity to attend the Saturday session with my husband who has to work most Sundays.

We live in a scary world. Our children need us to step up, wearing the armor of God, and defend and protect them. When you are on the Lord's side you can not fail!

A Week of {Thanks}

A few days before Thanksgiving, Zane saw a picture of a turkey saying, "Eat Pizza!" Getting ready for bed Thanksgiving night he said, "We forgot to say that before we ate!"

It was a rough week for us. Morgan had the flu the week before which, naturally for her, ended with tonsillitis this week. The flu bug got Zane Sunday night and Scott Monday night. I was THANKFUL we had plans to have dinner with some friends in town, THANKFUL we weren't travelling far, and THANKFUL I didn't have to cook a turkey.

Wednesday we spent the morning running around and got Morgan into the doctor's office just before they closed for the holiday. I was THANKFUL for modern medicine and THANKFUL it only took 45 minutes to get the prescription filled.

We barely made it home before the flu bug knocked me down. I was THANKFUL for my husband and my wonderful secretary who finished up with the dinner deliveries. And honestly, I was THANKFUL for a moment to rest.

Scott made dinner for the kids. Zane promptly threw up that wonderful dinner. My time of rest was over. I was THANKFUL my stomach was empty as I cleaned up the mess and Scott bathed Zane.

Thursday morning I woke up feeling better but wishing my pies had baked themselves. We made it to our friend's house just in time to enjoy a wonderful afternoon with good food and good friends. The kids filled their tummies and played nicely. I was THANKFUL for friends, family, and an abundance of blessings!

Friday we ate pizza for dinner. Just for Zane. And the turkeys.

Is it Patriots or Pioneers?

(I know I'm a little behind... My new calling has kept me busier than I ever imagined. But that's okay. I love to be of service and I have had the opportunity to involve my kids too.)

For a few weeks before Veteran's Day, Morgan would come home from school singing her program songs. She had a few questions as she tried to understand what a Veteran is. The most confusing for her was understanding how a Patriot is different from a Pioneer.

Zane loved the HUGE flag! He took a million pictures of it as we waited for the program to start. This was his favorite one with a pink hue.

All the kids did a great job. A few of Morgan's friends sang solo parts and did fabulous! The kids all had little speaking parts that they memorized. I was impressed!

Scott was waiting for a cattle truck so we had to sit towards the back which made it tricky to get any good pictures. I did 3 movies and all of them have choppy sound so I probably won't share them. Just as Morgan stood at the microphone to say her part a guy stood up to take his baby out and walked right in front of my camera. We could hear her but couldn't see her. Boo.



"We would rather die on our feet than live on our knees." Franklin D. Roosevelt

On This Date in History...

I wasn't really sure I was in labor. It was still almost 2 weeks before my due date and 2 days earlier the doctor said the baby was not ready. I showered, ate some breakfast, and then called the nurse. She said go get checked at the hospital. No big deal.

I packed a bag, just in case. My little sister didn't have school so I made her come with me. (She wasn't even 14 years old yet so I'm not sure what she could have done, but at least I wasn't alone.) As I drove I would come to a stop sign and have a contraction. Another contraction hit as we came to a red light. By the time I parked the car, in visitor parking, the contractions were coming fast and furious. I had to sit on the stairs that led to the lower parking lot and wait out a contraction. When I got to the admitting desk they said sign here and get into this wheelchair.

My mom barely made it to the hospital before Brittany was born. My sister wished she had school. (She vowed she would never have children.) And Brittany was born in time for lunch.

My little Brit was anxious to see the world!

It's amazing that they enter the world so small and helpless! Then, in what feels like the blink of an eye, they're all grown up and getting married.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Brittany!
(Thank you for letting me practice my parenting skills on you.)

Family Night

"And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another."
Mosiah 18:21

For Family Home Evening we had a lesson on unity. We had a good discussion (Morgan asked lots of questions and gave a good example of people working together to build a house) and then we worked together to make a yummy dessert.

As we worked, their hearts were truly "knit together in unity and in love" and they helped each other make delicious mini chocolate pies. It was a SWEET night!

Hopefully they will always remember...