A day late and a dollar short-wrapping up Christmas memories part 1

Now that 2016 is well under way, I thought I’d better hurry up and share some memories of Christmas 2015.

(I always seem to be running after the bus, so to speak.)

The season started out with some great helpers decorating our house and tree.  Our children and the grands always do so much of the decorating for us.  Yes, we are spoiled!  

We tried to simplify things this year, and yet we still had a lot of things we couldn’t do without.  

There were parties....

 Our ward party at our church had individual people hosting a table- being responsible for the dishes, centerpieces, and decorations.  There were all kinds of looks, but it all made for a festive atmosphere.  

 This was our table and we enjoyed hosting some dear old friends.

 

We also hosted several family parties at our home.  My side of the family had over fifty people.  We had tables everywhere!  (Paper plates this time!)

And of course some delicious food!  The dessert table made for some hard decisions!  Some people started cutting things in small bites to allow for tasting everything.

 My husband's family party was equally fun and almost as large.

Some of the kids escaped to the basement for some Nintendo time.

To be continued.....

Hands-on Christmas

Doesn’t it seem like the words, “Don’t touch!” are spoken so often during this time of year?  If you think about it, a lot of Christmas decorations are either breakable, fragile, or just carefully-placed-vignettes-that-you-don’t- want-moved-around.

We had some little grands here tonight and that phrase was repeated over and over again.

Evan is a busy thirteen month old who is quite curious, and who wants to keep up with his older siblings. 

His favorite “Don’t touch” activities were the dials on the dishwasher, the computer printer, and the tree ornaments.

We do have a Fisher-Price nativity set that is fair game for the kids.  The characters get moved around a lot (and the place of honor for the baby Jesus is often filled with a shepherd or one of the animals).  Sometimes, the whole manger is uprooted and scattered around the room, including under the edges of the furniture. 

It always gets put back together though, usually by an older, thoughtful child who understands the beauty of the birth of the most perfect person to ever live on this earth, a King born in a lowly stable, right there next to bleating sheep, donkeys, and smelly cattle, and of the importance of the weary Wise men and humble shepherds who traveled great distances to welcome their Savior.

It’s a beautiful message!

And, it is the real reason for the whole Christmas season.

That should qualify for some hands-on play time, don’t you think?

JoAnn

P.S.  He also likes to climb on tables…..Good thing he is cute!

Reflections

 

This Christmas season is quickly approaching, and what better time to think back and reflect on some Christmas memories.

It has been the best of times…

We got married during Christmas break, while we were attending college.  It was a bit of a whirlwind affair (sorry mom).  Miraculously, things came together for a lovely event (well, thanks to a ton of work and stress by my parents).  We are looking forward to our 43rd anniversary this year!

Our last child (Number 6) was born a few days before Christmas.  Rocking a brand new tiny baby by the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree was a poignant reminder of the birth of our Savior.  (Feeling a lot of gratitude for an  efficient hospital staff and modern conveniences, compared to the humble setting of a crowded, animal stable!)

There are so many  happy memories of sharing the excitement of Christmas mornings with our children and families.  During the really lean years a lot of work went in to creating a “respectable” Santa delivery.  (Why do we let ourselves feel that pressure?)  Some years, finishing sewing and other projects went right down to the wire, even well into the Christmas Eve.  I think the rewards for making gifts is much more satisfying, don’t you?  (Although I’m relieved I don’t have to do all that work anymore.)

It was the worst of times…

There are a few memories that come with a bittersweet reminder.

My sweet parents passed away just before and just after Christmas, one month apart, following their three month sudden illnesses.  They both had unrelated cancers diagnosed at the same time.  That year we put on  happy faces for our young children, but our hearts were hurting deeply.  Thoughtful family, friends, and neighbors helped so much by supplying  little treats and surprises.  We’d come home from long, depressing  days at the hospital to find goodies, meals, and surprises on our front porch.  This gave our children excitement and joy, which we didn’t have the energy to provide.

Thank you to our secret angels!

If you would like to read a story I wrote about that Christmas you can click here. 

So there you have it. 

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, despite those tough experiences we sometimes go through.

It is a time for giving and receiving love and service.

Both are equally important.

May this Christmas season find you and your loved ones enjoying the sweetness and excitement that our perfect Savior, Jesus Christ provided for us.

Merry Christmas!

JoAnn

 

A day of thanks….

I’m feeling grateful for a day to think about and appreciate all my blessings, with those I love gathered by my side.  I know that that alone is a huge blessing many people don’t enjoy.

The house is clean (mostly), the table is set, and the food plans are  underway.

We are looking forward to spending the day with most of our family (we will sure miss those who aren’t here) and we will feel a loss from those empty chairs at this year’s table (Father-in-law Reed and Aunt Mardene).

It will also be a day to remember my nephew Shane as we participate in a run/walk to honor his memory.  We can’t get together with all of his family and friends, but everyone does their own walk and then we post pictures on Facebook to share- so it seems like we are all supporting him together.

My son Robbie designed the racer’s bib for this year.

 

Here are my Thanksgiving hopes:

1.  The turkey won’t be dry.

2.  The rolls will rise in time.

3.  The weather won’t keep anyone from attending (a storm is predicted).

4.  Gratitude will dominate the day.

5.  Everyone everywhere will enjoy the blessings of this harvest season.

6.  The world can find peace.

Happy Thanksgiving!

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough!”

JoAnn

 

Appreciating those who serve our country…..a day late

Veterans’ Day is one of my favorite holidays.

I love all the attention and appreciation that is shown to those who have sacrificed for each of us; for our safety, our freedom, and our sense of well being.

I’m sorry that more respect isn’t given every single day (we should change that), but I’m happy that we remember them on Veterans’ Day.

There are so many brave and courageous men and women who have left their families and friends to serve our country- many who never got to return home to their loved ones.

Our family has its Veteran Heroes, as I’m sure you all do, too.

We are so proud of them!

At my father-in-law’s funeral this summer, I was impressed by the Veterans who helped with the military rifle salute and the Taps at the graveside. 

These fine gentlemen were all getting along in age, yet they took their job very seriously.

As this flag was presented to my husband, the love and respect for our country was evident in the presenter’s eyes and voice.

These selfless gentlemen waited at attention for their powerful part in the program.

The walkers waiting behind them let us know that their service on this day was also a sacrifice.

Thank you to all who have sacrificed for our freedom!

God bless America!

JoAnn

P.S.  We loved seeing  all the Veterans who stood on freeway bridges yesterday, waving the American flag.

Halloween Party- 2015 and a birthday….

 

The weather didn’t look or feel like Halloween, but it was another fun celebration- just a warmer one.

We missed those who couldn’t make it.

Happy trick-or-treating next weekend!

Love,

JoAnn

P.S.  My costume may or may not have even been worn.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROOKLYN!

Missed these guys, but they did go to a pumpkin farm.

 

A nice break in a busy week

We had a nice little break tonight in what has been a busy, busy week.  We went downtown for dinner with Ken’s siblings at Market Street Grill.  It is a quaint restaurant on a one block street aptly named Market Street.

Good food and great company!

At school we have taken four really large classes (over thirty students  each) and created five smaller classes.  It was really difficult giving up six students, but the size difference is HUGE! 

Happy teachers!

Now, if we can just survive the rest of the week.

Do you have weeks that push you to the limits?

(I should add a big cold sore on my lip in the picture above.)

JoAnn

P.S.  Stay tuned for our annual family Halloween party on Saturday.

P.P.S.  Maybe it is a good thing that tomorrow is Pajama Day at school!

ONE MORE…..Did you read about the New York school principal who took away all the teachers desks?

Like we even have time to sit down.