santa baby

Reid couldn't wait to get on Santa's lap. He was so excited. As soon as Paul put him on Santa's lap, he took out his binky and started talking to Santa really really fast. It was pretty funny. When Santa talked back, he got a little worried.

Olivia was so happy to finally see Santa. She told him she wanted a Baby Alive. The baby that really uses the potty chair. If only she would potty train Reid for me!

Brock didn't know what to think. He told Santa he wanted a Wii

Santa asked Lindsey if she had been a good girl and how she was doing in school. Of course, she passed with flying colors. Look how tall she is sitting on his lap!

COSI

On Saturday after Thanksgiving, we went to COSI. It is a science museum for children in Columbus. We had A LOT of fun.

Lindsey was chosen out of the audience to "help" show what static electricity does to your hair. She had a good time and was a great sport. Cute girl.

Thanksgiving

We were really grateful to have Ray and Sharol, Paul's mom and dad, in our home for Thanksgiving. We also had Sharol's brother, Wayne, his wife, Toni, and their three boys over from Indianapolis for the day. We had a great time and we were so glad they were here.

Reid loved Grandpa and would cuddle with him whenever he could. I think Reid was so happy to have somebody to watch TV with that wouldn't get up to cook or clean. Thanks for watching A LOT of "monkey", Curious George, and Cars! Ray asked him if he would go home with him and Reid would say,"Yes!". When Grandpa left, Reid was really sad and wanted to go home with him. I'm pretty sure that Grandpa would have a "little buddy" if we lived up the street. Thank you for spending a week with us!

Lindsey's 12

It is true...... It is truly amazing that we have a 12-year-old. I really had a daughter go to Young Women's last Sunday. This just makes me younger because I've had to get faster at texting, thinking fast like a tweenager, really meaning no when I say it, and trying to say yes when it really doesn't matter. She is completely adorable and we are so lucky to have her in our home. Last Saturday, on the way home from Columbus, she asked me if she was going to need to recite all the articles of faith before she left primary. I totally went with it and said, "of course you do. Do you not remember them?" She got a little panicky and started to ramble them all off. I told her it would be alright because if she didn't get them all, she could just go back to Primary until she could. She got out her Article of Faith card and had them completely memorized in about 10 minutes. Talk about motivation. Cute girl. We laughed and told her that she really was fine but we were impressed that she just needed a little "study time" to get them completely word for word so quickly.

It was the first time in 12 years that she had to go to school on her birthday. She didn't like that so much. We had a fun party with a few of her friends. She is now wearing blush, lipgloss, and mascara. Paul thinks that she should only wear makeup when his sister, Marci, does. (sorry Marci) Marci is beautiful and really doesn't wear it much. Lindsey laughed and went to put more on. It is truly amazing how quickly these cute little ones grow up.

How long does it take to decorate a tree?

A really long time. I think that with all of my cute distrations, it takes much longer than it really should. I keep wishing I had more "stuff", but then really...why? I think of my mom taking six hours to put up her Department 56 village . It took me nearly 1/2 hour to put my one Department 56 City Hall. With four extra hands touching, pushing lights, and asking why does it spin and Olivia "reading" Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas off the roof of the City Hall, it was almost too much. I put a couple more things up, put lids on all my tupperware Christmas containers, and called it good enough. Another moment when I was reminded that I have the best mom in the world and wanted to tell her sorry and ask her again...how did you do that with all of us? She would simply say, just like you do. Love you mom!

the Reason for the Season

Last year we had an awesome thing happen to our family. It has always been very hard to be so far away from our families over the Holidays. I am one who would be happy living a few doors down from mom and dad. For some reason, I have had the opportunity to move here and there and experience some new and different places. At Christmastime, this becomes exceptionally difficult for me. I know that my Heavenly Father knows how extremely heartbreaking this is for me but I try not to let it show. On our doorstep on December 12th came the answer to my question of how I was going to make it through our first Christmas in Ohio. It was a "Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas" note. It said something like this:

The days leading up to Christmas are always exciting and can become quite hectic. It seems to take more and more effort to keep in mind why we celebrate this special holiday. Our "12 Days of Christmas" are intended to help us all focus more on Jesus Christ -the Reason for the Season.

Each evening between now and Christmas, you will receive a gift onyour doorstep. We'll ring or knock so you'll know it's there. Accompanying each gift will be a scripture highlighting one of the many names by which our Savior, Jesus Christ, is known.

Each night we recieved a very cute note with a name the our Savior is known by, a scripture with this name in it, and a treat or small gift to go along with it. Lamb of God, The Word, The Rock, Good Shepherd, Alpha and Omega, Savior, Light of the World, Jesus, Prince of Peace, Redeemer, Bread of Life, and Bright and Morning Star.

What an answer to a prayer this was for me. It helped me remember that my Savior, Jesus Christ, is living, that he does love me, and that he does care about my trials and my feelings. It made my Christmas Season joyful as I anticipated another name and scripture at my door everynight. I think I became more excited than my children and I enjoyed pondering about the scripture and name that was shared each day we were bustling and preparing for Christmas day. Thank you to the thoughtful friends who choose our family. What shining examples you always are. It will now be a tradition in our family as we follow your example. As you prepare for Christmas, please remember those who need a little love and an extra smile and some encouragement along the way.

Already?

WOW...I can't believe it is already December 1. Where does the year go? Just one day at a time doing everyday things...I know. It truly is amazing how time flies.