Moving on to a new year

It is Sunday, January 3rd, 8:45pm. We just got home from the last family party we'll have for a while and Rob is upstairs singing lullabies to the children. I am downstairs staring at the mess of toys, clothes, books, and shoes that are everywhere, basking in the soft glow of the Christmas lights, remembering our wonderful holiday. Tomorrow life will go on... Christmas decorations will come down, the mess will be gone (hopefully), and everything will return back to it's schedule. This has been a great last month, but I am ready to move on and start getting organized again.

A few fun memories: New years eve, the 4 of us went to the Gateway to do a little shopping. They had some activities for kids, so my kids made masks and noisemakers. Then Rob and the kids rode the train to Layton, where I picked them up and we headed to Gamma and Gamps. Tonya and Jared also joined us as we did the count down. Gamma even had confetti! The kids loved it... although they were a little confused when we had our toast of home-made grape juice and sprite. "Where's the toast?" they both wanted to know. Then the kids were off to bed. Four hours later, we had the real count-down, this time with Mary and Shaun, too. Gamps even stayed up and played games until 1 or 2am!! (Okay, he did have a little nap before that, but I was still impressed). Plus, Jared was so hilarious in the wee hours of the morning. The next morning we had a big breakfast before we all split up into different directions... J & T to Chicago, Mary down to SLC, and we headed home to drop off stuff and continue down to South Jordan. Oh, the fun didn't stop. With Rob's mom and dad and Lorie and Manny in town from Houston, we just kept going. The kids got their Christmas presents... which they LOVED! Kyle wouldn't get off of his new bike (although it was hard to ride around on carpet inside) and Bekah has already slept several nights in her new princess sleeping bag. So thanks.

Then last night, after a jam packed day of bridal shower, primary activity, fundraising at a local boutique, and then dinner with the Franklins, we stayed at the Franklins apartment playing games until 1:30am. Luckily, the kids have spent the last 2 weeks sleeping somewhere besides their own bed, so they are pretty good at it. Then tonight, we were once again having fun at a big Bassett family gathering (which was also delightful).

It was so much fun to just hang out and stay up late playing games and talking... both with my family and the Franklins. We used to do that all the time the first 4 yrs of our marriage! What happened? Ever since we moved here to Utah, we just haven't really done that much. And although I would like to blame it on others, I think it is really the other additions that happened about the same time we moved here: My beloved Thing One and Thing Two. Hmm... maybe I'll make that one of my goals for 2009.

Merry Christmas

Wasn't Christmas wonderful. My children are at the perfect age... with excitement and magic but few expectations. They definitely get the whole gift getting thing... everytime we are at the store, they informed me that they wanted every truck, train, or doll we passed. But they also got giddy when I saw an elf (plus it motivated them to clean up) and they Love reading and singing about Baby Jesus.

We have spent almost the whole week with my family...just camping out at my parents house. I have been home only a few hours in the past 5 days. It has been SO much fun! All of my siblings and wives except Josh and Val have been here. It has been great to sleep here because we can hang out, talk, watch movies, and play games until the wee hours each morning. Plus, my new sister-in-laws are perfect for the family... Here's to the sistahs!

Christmas eve we did the traditional Christmas pageant. My kids were Mary and Joseph, and of course their daddy was the donkey. Gamps asked my kids (in front of all the family) what the real meaning of Christmas was. I was relieved when Bekah replied "Giving and Jesus". A couple weeks ago, her answer was "getting presents" so we have been talking about that. Phew.

Christmas morning, presents were opened one at a time. My kids were patient in between turns, more busy playing with their new toys. It was perfect. Family. Fun. Giving. We have received more than our fair share!

the Fistula Foundation

Thank you to everyone who has been donating! We have raised over $600 so far (and I am sure that even more have donated that I am unaware of)! It's good to think that we have helped changed at least one woman's life so far... helping someone return to her family and live a normal life. Keep it up!

On Jan. 3rd, there will be a boutique here in Woods Cross from 11-2pm. Not only will there be great vendors, but also a silent auction to help raise money for the fistula foundation. Spread the word!

Good ol' Bing

My parents have a talking doll, Bing Crosby dressed like Santa, and if you push a button he sings Christmas carols. In the past, he scared the bejeebers out of Bekah, but not this year. Bekah and Kyle love it so much, my parents have to hide Bing so we don't have to listen to him over and over. Well, singing in the car the other day, Bekah got excited singing, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." because that was "one of Bing's songs"! Then she began another song that he sings. Wow! I couldn't even tell you what songs he sings... other than they get really annoying after the 50th time.

traditions

I have no fond memories of Christmas baking. Not because my mom didn't bake a lot of goodies. She must have done a ton, because I do remember bringing baked cookies, caramels, etc. to neighbors houses while carolling. I just don't remember helping bake any of it. Hmm... maybe because I didn't.

As probably everyone knows, I'm not much of a baker. I'm not a huge fan of cookies, I don't really like candy a lot, and definitely don't like cake (I didn't even have one at my wedding. Gosh, I am so lame). However, if there is anything with a dip... I am there. Hence the fact that we go through salsa in record time.

Here is a picture of my great mom baking cupcakes with her grandkids. (Where am I? Well, somebody had to take pictures... and do other stuff).

This year, though, I am resolved to bake! While neighbors have received store bought things from us in the past, this year I am actually going to make something while hopefully supplying fond and loving memories to my own children. After putting it off for two weeks, I am committed. I tried yesterday, but I accidentally put all of the ingredients in the Mazda and drove to my parents house in the Altima. I think that perhaps I was subconsciously sabotaging myself. But no more! Tomorrow, at noon, I am going to my mom's house to make Christmas goodies.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is gathering around the tree each night and singing Christmas songs. My family can do it for hours without repeating a song. This year, Rob and I have really tried to slow down in the evening and make time to do it each night, as well as read a Christmas story. It has been wonderful! Both my kids have learned so many songs already. We even sing when driving, each taking turns picking the song. Along with classics like Joy to the World, and Away in a Manger, my kids love to sing some lesser knowns like Go tell it on the Mountain, and the Friendly Beasts songs. After singing for a while, Kyle will eventually always choose, "I am a Child of God" and "I love to see the Temple." I think those two songs are actually quite fitting at Christmas. Don't you?

You can't beat home sweet home

Oh there's no place like home for the holidays! I have spent Christmas's freezing in blizzards and sweating because of the heat. Christmases walking on the beach and Christmases huddled around the heat. But it is always the best Christmas with family to share it with. Because we figured we would still be in Michigan, I have treasured this chance to be near family.

After Thanksgiving with the Franklins, we next enjoyed a week with Uncle Josh, Aunt Valerie, and Noah and Eli. It was so fun to be with them. If you are reading this, I have to thank you for the wonderful time we had with you! I just love and admire you both, and it is so hilarious seeing those cousins together. One favorite memory was when the three kids were decorating cupcakes. Bekah (the oldest) enjoyed decorating one after another. Kyle smacked as much frosting as he could on the cupcake and then just ate the top of it. And Noah skipped the cupcake all together and just ate the frosting.
We had a big family gathering with the Bassetts last Monday. Dear Grandma Bassett! She is always one to have a party with tons of people over. It doesn't matter how crowded or chaotic or messy, she welcomes you in. Grandma, I love you! It was so fun seeing Sid, Stef, Casey and Ben, and the rest visiting from out of town.

We have really loved doing stuff with Uncle Richie, Aunt Caroline, Alex, and Jonathan. It's meant a lot to me to get to know Caroline so much more this past year. You are a great mom and an amazing woman!

I'm so excited to see Jared, Tonya, Jons, Celeste, Mary, this coming week! I feel so grateful to live near my parents. I didn't grow up near grandparents and I remember as a little girl having friends visit their grandparents and wishing that I could visit mine. Now it is an answer to prayer to see how close my own kids are to theirs. They talk about them all of the time. They even recognize the way to their house (and EVERY time, Kyle always says "keep your eyes open fer Charity Hill, okay!" and then acts so excited to point it out as we pass). I am especially grateful for my parents, who made our Christmases special no matter where we lived. I always felt the sweetness of the holiday because of their preparation and their open hearts. My parents, away from their own families at Christmas, opened our house to others: whether it was to missionaries, or a Chinese visitor (I still remember us kids told him he had to eat the 12-layer jello layer by layer...bless him), or a foster brother.

So to all of my loved ones who will be far away this holiday: Josh, Val, Jannene, Kevin, and my dear friends, I pray for you, that you will feel the warmth of loved ones and you will feel at home this Christmas.

a sacred moment

"The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child" said Joe Houldsworth. It is the time when all the corruptions of humanity rests, leaving behind that small, vulnerable, gift from God.

It has been a very long day... a day of crying, screaming, fighting, no naps (but very much needed!), breaking, and impatience. Not the best of days for any of us. And so it is to my children's bedroom that I creep for one last look before I sleep. I go, as though to a church, to make my own confessions to those sleeping angels. Asking forgiveness and promising that I will be more patient and loving and Christlike. A better mother. And thanking God with all of my heart for the wonderfully horrible day that I could have with my two children.