Kevin Flips Out!

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