Our early Christmas

We celebrated Christmas early this year. Sean just got home (California) from his cruise, and then flew here the next day. We weren't so sure that Sean could even come out before Christmas, but his new boss let him extend his leave!!
Jen and Steve, Nick and Racheal, Sean, Kevin, Dad and I all went to Olive Garden for dinner. It was very crowded. We ended up splitting up four at one table, four at another. But we had a great dinner. We came home and opened gifts. Everyone sure had fun!

"The winter dance"

Kevin's Nativity Pagent

Thursday at 2;15-3;15 Kevin had a nativity pageant. We got there a little early and the pageant was ending. Wow we were shocked. But enjoyed what was left.

Then we noticed that they did 5 pageants that day and Kevin's was last. He played the wise man. I told him he was a King and needed to give his gift to baby Jesus or his mommy. When it was his turn he came up and gave the give to Mary for Jesus. He looked so regal!!!!

The narrator was wonderful. He rolled up the angels and shepherds that were in wheelchairs and there were so many helpers. He went through the Christmas Story with delight and shared such a special time with these children.

He had one of the missionaries come up and share their testimony about Christmas. Ours' happened to be the piano teacher who had been playing for 6 hours. She told us how the Lord helped her so much as she played the songs. To have the strength. She told us once in the temple she had to play for a double shift , about 7 hours straight. She didn't think she could do it. But the Lord helped her and she finished. She bore her testimony about how celestial each of these children were. And how we are just on the path. What a wonderful Testimony.

The two German Missionaries and two other missionary's. Pick up the hymnbooks in German and sang "Silent night" the way it was meant to be sung, in German. Then we all sang along the last verse. It was so beautiful. Steph, I thought of you, your Dad. It was special to me.

Jeff is going to post a bunch of pictures. of all the kids. It was great!

We took some pictures and then we had to take Kevin back to Dr. Slack. He was pretty well behaved. No strep, but he had a nasal flu shot. Pretty cool HUH! "NO SHOTS". Kevin needs his wisdom teeth out and when they do it, Dr. Slack said he needed his ear canals cleaned. The earplugs keep shoving more wax into them. I told him about the peroxide thing. He said it didn't matter. Hopefully we will have insurance for Kevin after Jan. 1, 2009, ATT is really fighting this for Kevin. They said we would have to have a judge say that he will be just like this the rest of his life. Well.....................Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's basically what his dr. said.

The Reason for the Season 2008

For me, Christmas is a promise of hope. Hope for me, hope for my family, hope for an eternity spent with my family, hope that I will see the Savior and Heavenly Father again.

The birth of Christ is the beginning of His life here on earth. I have been thinking about Mary and Joseph, what terrific parents they must have been. They were chosen to raise the Son of God. What a responsibility that was! All of the normal duties of being a new parent, and then to have such an incredible task ahead of them. Schooling the Son of God.

As a mother, I too had a sacred responsibility. It was up to Dad and I to raise you and teach you about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. And how to return to Him.

I love the scripture in 2 Nephi 25:26,

"And we talk of Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins".

That says it all. Mary and Joseph held the Savior in their arms. They cradled him. They taught him about his literal Father in Heaven. And He grew up to fulfill the prophecies and be the atoning sacrifice that was needed for mankind. He has already paid the price for us.

My most sacred hope is that my children will be humble and walk uprightly before the Lord. Inspite of imperfect parenting, they will come unto Christ and allow Him be their Redeemer.

Merry Christmas.

Eternally,

MOM

A Christmas Carol

We went to "A Christmas Carol" friday night December 5, 2008. We had 4 tickets and invited Jen and Steve to come along. They weren't sure they wanted to go. I had never seen it on stage and the kids just kept asking, is it a local high school thing or a good production. I told them that Margaret, my buddy, told me that it was incredible. Finally they agreed to go. I know they are happy that they did.

I have never hired anyone to babysit Kevin before and didn't know what the "going rate" was for childcare. Oh my gosh!!!! I about fell over when I found out. It's between $6-$8 dollars an hour. (I think I will start babysitting!) It's a far cry from .50cents an hour. The only person who paid more were the Vesies, they paid Steph and I $1 hour and had snacks for us. We were in heaven when we could babysit them. Anyways, Andrew James had come over and watched Kevin for the adult fireside and he seemed to do great with him. So I called and he said "YES". He came over a little early and he and Kevin played the Wii game system. Andrew already knows how to play. Kevin had a blast. I forgot to tell Andrew that Kevin gets ready for bed around 7:45 and is always in bed by 9pm. He said Kevin just started brushing his teeth and got himself in bed. Wow! I usually have to pull up the covers. Say prayers, and Kevin tells me about his day! He must have been tired, cause he just fell asleep.

When we got to theater is was freezing cold. Steve and Jen picked us up. Kindof like a double date. It was fun! We finally went in and I realized it was theater in the round. I have never been to one before. But it sure made me think of Steph and how hard it would be to be the Prop manager or stage manager with all the exits, ect. We sat in our seats and there was fog all over the floor. Then it started. You are so close to the cast, it feels like you, yourself are in the production. The caroler's were decked out in 1800 dress and sang beautiful from all four corners of the room. Brother Winters, from out ward was one of the caroler's. Scrooge was excellent and of course the little boy that played tiny Tim was so cute and adorable. The entire production, music ect was so great!!!!! I told Jeff that Scrooge (the man who played him) could easily be a Jan Val Jan in Les Miserables!!! His voice was incredible. Oh, it was a musical. I didn't know that when I bought the tickets. I love musicals.

All I could think of during the production was Christ and his atonement allowed us to repent and begin again. We don't have to be stuck where we are, we just need to humble ourselves and accept this gift.
All year Jeff, Steph and I (Steph and I are on our second round this year!) have been reading in the book of Mormon, and especially Alma, teaches Redemption and Repentance, but it continues even till now and we are just in the last Chapter of Alma. I have been trying to "see our day" as I read the book of Mormon and never fails, I can see it.

So when Scrooge wants to change his life, all I could think about was us today. It is easy if you just humble yourself and do it.

Back to the play. I hope we can go again next year! It was so great! Now we know how to pick our tickets.

Jen and Steve wanted to go out to eat, but it was after 10pm and I told Andrew we should be back between 10 and 10:30pm. Jen and Steve drove Andrew home! What a terrific night!

So Dad and I recommend seeing "A Christmas Carol". Sean if you want to see it with Selena, you should have Aunt Steph tell you where to go. There is a theater in the round in Glendale.

Love the Christmas Season and the Spirit that comes with it!

"God Bless you every one",

Love MOM

Mitten Tree Day

Festive Kevin in his Laker purple hat, scarf and mittens. Kevin wore this to school for the mitten Tree Day! Aunt Kathy picked out the Laker purple. Go Lakers!!!!!

The Story of Mitten Tree Day

There was a nice lady who lived on the second floor of an apartment located in the middle of a neighborhood full good hard working people, some of whom struggled financially. Every morning she sat at her kitchen table, gazing out the window, watching the neighborhood children play while waiting for the bus. As winter approached she noticed that some of the children weren't playing, instead they huddled up, hands in their pockets, trying to stay warm. It suddenly occurred to her that the solution was mittens! She immediately took out her knitting needles, left over bits of yarn and set to work. That night she took the multi-colored mittens and draped them on a little tree next to the bus stop. The next morning she woke early and waited anxiously for the children to arrive at the bus stop. As the children gathered, the lady watched, her smile growing wider, as the children realized the mittens must be for them. The children chose the mittens that fit, and forgetting the chill in the air, began to play. The nice lady never told anyone of her good deed, but she held that gift in her heart always.

On my trip to Ca. I went to Leo Carillo beach just in time to catch the sunset. While I was gone Kathy got this great sunset of Utah lake glowing orange as the sun went down. Beautiful sunsets! Both were on the same day! A thousand miles away!

Daddy's Home!!!

Dad went to CA for Thanksgiving and I stayed home with Kevin. So we celebrated Thanksgiving apart, but both with family. Jen and Steve drove to Arizona and spent Thanksgiving with his family. They were able to stop in Las Vegas and see another brother's family. I watched Mindy and Roxie.

So at our house I had Mindy, Roxie, Abby and Chiquita! Four doggies to feed and take out to poop and play with! It was really nice. Mindy and Roxie just fell in line with Abby and Chiquita. The two smallest dogs are the two most dominate, Roxie and Chiquita. They are the bosses!!!! Oh, Kevin and I were here too!

Kevin and I had a fun week! We went to jump on it! Every Tuesday never fail! We went to the movies with Nick to see "Bolt" in 3D!!! Disney does a great job! Took Kevin to Subway and Sonic, his two favorite places to eat. Then on Thanksgiving day, I tried to get Kevin interested in watching the Macy's Parade, but he was not interested, he wanted to help me cook! He is the best helper in the kitchen! Loves to put away dishes, can reach higher than me. He loves to put things in the mixer and watch them mix. We had his favorite pumpkin pie!!!!

Nick got Racheal and they came over to eat. Nick helped set the table and help me get things on the table. I did the normal Thanksgiving fare. But used frozen biscuts rather than from scratch. I did a 15# turkey so there would be plenty of leftovers to send home with Nick. I just don't feel like a Mom if I am not feeding the kids!! And then some! We all were stuffed, and did the dishes then sat to watch "Survivor", it just was a recap of all the past shows, pretty boring!! Then Nick Rachel and I played Clue. Too soon, they had to go, Nick starts work at 4am, but gets up at 3am to get ready and drive there! He is trying to get his hours changed. We had a very nice Thanksgiving. And of course, all the dogs were here too! I was good and didn't give Roxy and Mindy and Thanksgiving goodies. But Abby and Chica, they got their fair share.

Jen and Steve came home Saturday night, they drove straight through for 15 hours. They were so tired. They came over for Thanksgiving leftovers on Sunday, but there were none so I just made up Stove Top stuffing, I had kept some dark meat and heated that up, scalloped potatoes, more frozen biscuts, and then of course Pumkin pie. Nick took home the carrot cake! Then Monday they stopped by and had pizza with us. I love it when they come over! It must be my mom feeding issue! But it feels so good to sit and eat at the table with my family.

Now Dad was in CA. He went to Grandma and Grandpa Crosier's and had a terrific Thanksgiving meal with Grandma and Grandpa, Susan and Dave, Todd, Danny, Lauren and Aphrot(?), and Sean and Selena. No dishes to wash there, Mimi prepared, served up a great meal and did all the dishes!!! What a way to go!! Dad had a great time visiting with his brothers and Mom and Dad. He also had time to spend with Sean and go to the beach to take photo's then have dinner with Sean and Selena several times. (I do miss that I couldn't go! I really miss having all the family together!) Dad also went to a swapmeet, went to church with Grandma and Grandpa, visited John Flores and had a great visit with the dentist "no cavities".

When he came home I was so excited to see him but before I could get to him Abby and Chiquita had him on the floor licking him to death!!!! Chiquita crawled right through Dad's sweatshirt pocket to the other side. They missed him so much!! After all the dog licking then I could give Dad a welcome home kiss. Kevin was so excited to show Uncle Jeff all that he had done for Thanksgiving. Show him the 3D glasses and was vying for his attention. I guess everyone missed Dad!!! I miss Dad when he is away so much! But I think the dogs miss him more. I didn't knock him to the floor and lick him to death!!! Hope Dad posts the picture I took of him.

I am so thankful for my family, here there and everywhere. God has blessed us so much. We love all of our family. We miss everyone in CA and wish that it was closer! I promise I will get back there to CA. I am grateful for all my lifelong friends. I am grateful for all my blessings. I have so many!

I finally was able to hang my Dad's picture up on the wall in the hall and can look and not cry too much, but say "Hi" to him off and on throughout the day. I couldn't do that for a while. I know what it feels like to mourn, that is really hard, and brings back memories of loved ones, Grandmother, Grandpa, Grandma Vance, and now my Dad. I am thankful to have those precious moments tucked in my heart, but it's so painful when you lose someone that you loved so much. Even though I know that families are eternal, they still are part of who I am. I am grateful for lessons learned and growth that comes through pain.

Happy Thanksgiving,
MOM