A Christmas Post!

I have been seriously slacking on blogging. I have had all these collages ready for quite some time but just haven't wanted to take the time to post. So here is our Christmas! We had the Senior Sister Missionaries over for dinner on Christmas Eve. We were so fortunate to have there sweet spirits in our home adding to the special Christmas spirit we were feeling.

On Christmas morning we opened Santa gifts and then headed to church. After church we came home and opened the presents. It was such a nice and relaxing Christmas. My Dad and Brother also came and hung out with us and we just talked, played and had a great time.

We also did lots of family Christmas activities leading up to Christmas. We went to The Living Nativity where they act out the night Baby Jesus was born. We went to our ward Christmas party, made gingerbread men, watched Brooke's Preschool Christmas program (I am going to have to post the video later) we went to Disneyland and enjoyed the Christmas Parade, and lots of other small Christmas fun at home.

Some thoughts on Christmas

This time of year is my favorite for so many reasons. The lights, the joyfulness, the treats, the special feeling in the air,the giving and receiving of gifts, the way kids get so excited (and adults), the awesome sales, the love, the sharing and compassion, getting to have your family a little bit more, the "pricks" that we get that make us want to help others more, the way we can remember Christ more often and be able to see symbols of him everywhere we go. It is all so magical!

The last few days I have noticed I have been a little to into the "worldly" part of Christmas. This is always a struggle for me because I love giving gifts and I love shopping so it is easy to get wrapped up in the details of that. So to refocus myself I watched a few christmas messages and boy am I recharged! I am truly grateful for the wonderful miracle of the Saviors birth! Even more so, I am grateful for the the example he was and is and that he gave his life for all of us! It really is the most amazing gift that we will ever receive.

I thought I would post some of the things that have really helped me and my kiddies to feel the true spirit of Christmas, which is the Spirit of Christ.

This morning I read this beautiful article and I loved it so much I knew I wanted to post it so I could always remember it. For the whole post go to 71toes

"For Christmas is a beautiful time of the year. We love the excitement, the giving spirit, the special awareness of and appreciation for family and friends, the feelings of love and brotherhood that bless our gatherings at Christmastime.

In all the joyousness, it is well to reflect that Christmas comes in three levels:

Let’s call the first the 'Santa Claus level.' It’s the level of Christmas trees and holly, of whispered secrets and colorful packages, of candlelight and rich food and warm open houses. It’s carolers in the shopping malls, excited children, and weary but loving parents. It’s a lovely time of special warmth and caring and giving. It’s the level at which we eat too much and spend too much and do too much–and enjoy every minute of it. We love the Santa Claus level of Christmas.

But there’s a higher, more beautiful level. Let’s call it the 'Silent Night level.' It’s the level of all our glorious Christmas carols, of that beloved, familiar story: 'Now in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus…' It’s the level of the crowded inn, and the silent holy moment in a dark stable when the Son of Man came to earth. It’s shepherds on a steep, bare hill near Bethlehem, angels with their glad tidings, a new star in the East, wise men traveling far in search of the Holy One. How beautiful and meaningful it is; how infinitely poorer we would be without this sacred second level of Christmas.

The trouble is, these two levels don’t last. They can’t. Twelve days of Christmas, at the first level, is about all most of us can stand. It’s too intense, too extravagant. The tree dries out and the needles fall. The candles burn down. The beautiful wrappings go out with he trash, the carolers are up on the ski slopes, the toys break, and the biggest day the stores in the entire year is exchange day, December 26.

The feast is over and the dieting begins. But the lonely and the hungry are with us still perhaps lonelier and hungrier than before.

Lovely and joyous as the first level of Christmas is, there will come a day, very soon, when Mother will put away the decorations and vacuum the living room and think, 'Thank goodness that’s over for another year.'

Even the second level, the level of the Baby Jesus, can’t last. How many times this season can you sing 'Silent Night'? The angels and the star and the shepherd, even the silent, sacred mystery of that holy night itself, can’t long satisfy humanity’s basic need. The man who keeps Christ in the manger will, in the end, be disappointed and empty.

No, for Christmas to last all year long, for it to grow in beauty and meaning and purpose, for it to have the power to change lives, we must celebrate it at the third level, that of the adult Christ. It is at this level–not as an infant–that our Savior brings His gifts of lasting joy, lasting peace, lasting hope. It was the adult Christ who reached out and touched the untouchable, who loved the unlovable, who so loved us all that even in His agony on the cross He prayed forgiveness for His enemies.

This is the Christ, creator of worlds without number, who wept, Enoch tell us, because so many of us lack affection and hate each other–and then who willingly gave His life for all of us, including those for whom He wept.

This is the Christ, the adult Christ, who gave us the perfect example, and asked us to follow Him.

Accepting that invitation is the way–the only way–to celebrate Christmas all year and all life long."

Family Pics 2011

My amazing friend Elise took our family pics back in Nov. As soon as we got to the spot it started raining. You can't really tell in the pics because Elise is so great but we are soaking wet and it was raining a lot. After about 30 Min's of shooting we called it quits because Preston was shivering so bad. Luckily we still got a lot of shots that I like. Here are the results - (Thanks Elise!)

I am sad Brooke and I didn't take any together but we will be taking them again soon to remedy that:)

Fieldtrip to the Sawdust Factory

I got to on my first Field trip with Brooke. It was such a cute place to go called Sawdust Factory. They made a special Christmas project for the parents. It was so cute. I love Brooke's teacher Mrs. Sara she is so calm, fun and easy going yet very organized. The perfect combination.

I had a great time seeing how Brooke interacted with the other kids. It was sad and interesting at the same time. I think Brooke is a little left out because of her age and her loudness. Every time she would talk to one of her classmates she would yell or be so loud that they would turn and go away. It's hard to see your kid struggle already with social situations. I think most of it is her age because she is younger than most of the class.

I also saw where she has picked up some of her bad behavioral problems. The teasing and pushing I saw it all from other kids doing it to Brooke and had my aw ha moment. I know Brooke isn't totally innocent either (she does it right back) but now it all makes sense. My first reaction was to take her out of pre school so she doesn't pick up on all the bad. Then I realized that it is only the tip of the ice berg and I need to teach her now to do what is right regardless of what others are doing.

Anyways. I am so grateful that she has pre school to learn and grow from.

Disneyland with Grandpa

My Dad recently got a pass to Disneyland. It has been so much fun getting to go with him and show him around. Of course the kids love having him around and I love the company and help. Now I just need to take him alone so we can go on all the big rides together.

Homemade laundry detergent

I made my own laundry detergent about a month ago and I am in LOVE with the results. I am very picky about cleaning supplies and how things work so you can trust me on this one. This recipe will probably last about 9 months and it costs around $20 to make. Here is what you need -

1 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (I had a huge one that I bought from Costco that is like 20lbs.)

1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (I searched all over for this but only found it at Wal-Mart)

1 4 lb 12 oz box 20 Mule Team Borax (they have this at Target and Wal-Mart)

2 bars Pink Zote Laundry Soap 14.1 oz each (This is only at Home Depot in the cleaning Isle) - A lot of homemade detergent recipes call for Fels-naptha as the laundry soap but it won't make your whites as bright and won't be as good for delicate clothing. It also is not very good for you. The Pink Zote is delicate, has brighteners and is gentle on your skin. (I was worried it would dull my darks but it has not)

2 small containers of oxyclean or generic brand (I used 32 oz for the whole batch)

Buy a big 5 gallon bucket and lid and line with a garbage bag. Add all ingredients except the pink zote bar. Put the lid on and shake. Grate (or just stick it in your food processor) the Pink Zote bars until they are super small bits. Add to the detergent and mix again. You are all ready! This works in HE machines as well as regular. It smells good (not as great as tide though) You only use 1 Tbs per load. It is super concentrated.

You can even make it look cute by putting it in a big glass gar with a cute scoop. I am going to be doing that soon.

I spent $20 total on everything for about a year which is what I spend in one month of store bought detergent. Try it I promise you will LOVE it!!

Dear Brooke

Brooke I am writing this to you now for the day you call and tell me that your toddler is driving you crazy.

My little Brookie. Lately you have been one hard little girl to live with. You are grumpy and sad and like to hang your head low all the time if something is not going your way. You like to yell at your mom very loud and ugly and have learned to use a voice and tone that scares me. Where did you learn this dear daughter? (You just told me today that a little girl at preschool taught you how to talk this way.) You think it's fine to take a toy away from somebody as long as you touched it first, which means it is now yours. You tell me "No" every time I ask you to do something. You complain about how hungry you are and then when I make you what you requested you sit and tell me that you don't want it and you are not hungry. You tell me how tired you are when I ask you to help with your chores and tell me that you "just need a little rest." Where do you learn this from? I do not do that.

You are really into teasing people, especially your best friend. You want to do everything your brother is doing but you don't want him to do it anymore which makes playtime difficult. You do not like your hair brushed at all and I am considering shaving your head. You do not like the bubble gum toothpaste you picked out and there for only want to brush your teeth with water.

Everything is a battle at this age. Luckily I love you so much that the good times overshadow the bad. You are teaching me so many things. I am starting to understand what the word patience really means. You are the sweetest girl when you choose to be and you are starting to understand what kindness and love really mean. You have a sweet spirit that recognizes truth so easily. You have a love and a testimony in the Savior at such a young age. You are super inquisitive and smart and want to know why everything is the way it is.

So even though you make me want to pull my hair out a lot of the time, you sure bring more happiness and love into my life then I could have ever hoped for. How grateful I am for you Brookie. Thank you for teaching me what it really is to be a mother. I love you so very much!

Time Out For Women 2011

I got to go to Time Out For Women with my Sister April and 2 of my nieces this past weekend in Phoenix. I had such a great time and it was great to refocus on what is most important to me and how to be a better mom, wife, sister, friend and daughter of God.

I got to meet Mary Ellen Edmunds who is a total crack up. I also met my "mommy hero's" Linda Eyre and Shawni Pothier. I was totally embarrassing and cried to them as I told them how much there books/blog have helped me in my life. It was so weird to meet someone for the first time after reading there blog for so long and them being a friend who helps you through hard times and yet they don't know you at all.

I loved getting to be with my sister and nieces and just love them and miss them so much already.

Who wants to do it next year with me? I also just got caught up on a bunch of posts so keep scrolling down if you are interested.

Getting Big

Preston turned 18 months old last week. He goes to nursery and likes it but sometimes he is to tired and just cries when he is in there. (Church is right when his nap time is.) He is such a funny little boy and his personality is really starting to come out. He is in love with Elmo and will sing the Elmo's world theme song. He also loves Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse. He can say a lot of words now and will even put them together sometimes like "down peas." He is so nice to his sister but he also screams when she comes near because he has learned to be afraid that she will take his toys or do something to him. They are either great friends or worst enemies. I figure this is just how life is when you have kids close together in age. Preston has started to be picky with food and even though I am sad about it I am much better equipped to handle it since this is picky eater #2. I am hoping it is just a phase. Preston is still such a sweet baby and he will come up and give me a hug or snuggle just to let me know he is there and thinking about me. He loves "bapples" (apples) and he is pretty much always walking around the house munching on one. He loves playing with cars, little Disney figurines and his airplane. He is such a fun little boy and I wouldn't trade him for anything.

Me first!

Brooke and her best friend Brooklyn are both really into doing things first before the other. So when they both needed to go to the bathroom this is what they came up with. Seriously so gross but so funny too! Love those cute girls!!

Entertainment Center

About 4 days before we moved I bought and refinished an old dresser into an entertainment center for our new home. Here are the results -

The before. I got this ugly solid wood dresser off of Craigslist for $75

The after. I took out the top drawers and built a back and inside for it. Painted it Black, added trim around the component area, distressed it and added some new drawer pulls. The entertainment center I wanted cost $1300.00 so I tried to make it as close to that one and ended up spending $140 total.

Las Vegas 2011

Jason and I got away for 4 days to Vegas. We had such a great time just relaxing together and getting to have each other all to ourselves. It was a great vacation. My pictures are all out of order and for some reason I can't fix it.

Some of the things we did.

We went to the most amazing spa at Cesar's Palace called Qua. Seriously was the most relaxing day of my life. You must go here if you are ever in Vegas!!

After the Spa we went to see "O." I had heard it was the best Cirque Du Soleil. It was good but I was a little disappointed because I thought there would be a story line. It did not and so I was a little underwhelmed by everything even though the talent was pretty darn incredible!

We ended the trip to the Temple. It is always so amazing to me how I can have a good time at the spa, shows, restraunts, ect.. but in the end the Temple is the one place I truly feel peace and happiness.

When we went to go see "O" at the Bellagio they had the most amazing set up for fall made out of all flowers and food. It was huge and so cool to look at. We also saw P-Diddy filming a commercial but I was too short to snap a pic through the crowd.

We went to a fancy steak house called StripSteak. It was pretty good and the company was even better. I got to try "Duck fat" fries and shabbu shabbu for the first time. They were both amazing. I also learned that I hate the smell and taste of Truffle oil. Whenever we go somewhere fancy we always re-celebrate our last Anniversary. :)

We went and saw the Jabbawockeez one night and it was such a good show. I loved the music, the dancing and the talent.

We also just walked around and looked at the new hotels. The Cosmopolitan had these beautiful crystals all over the ceiling. It was super pretty. And of course we had to go stop over at Serendipity 3 to try the famous frozen hot chocolate. It was good but not as great as I had imagined. I guess when something is hyped that much it never really can meet your expectations.

The best part of the trip was hanging out with my hubby. He is so wonderful and truly awesome. I had the best time with him and I am so grateful that he will be mine forever!

Halloween 2011

This year Halloween was pretty uneventful. We did our usual pumpkin painting (that I did an awful job of documenting this year.) Brooke had a costume/Halloween party at her preschool that Jason and I were out of town for. The Trunk or Treat fell on the same day as a work event that Jason and I attended called "The Crystal Ball" so we even missed that too. The Felton's took the kiddies to that for us and they had a great time while we were dancing it up to Paul Anka at the Crystal Ball. I was so looking forward to taking Brooke out to Trick or Treat but she was in the most rotten mood the whole day that we ended up not doing that either. Such a bummer. Here are a few pics before the Trunk or Treat.

Brooke wanted to be Dorothy so bad. Preston was going to be the Scarecrow but the costume didn't fit him so I got him this cow costume that he ended up hating so much he actually wore his same Mickey Mouse costume from last year.

Disney Trip

During this summer we did a spontaneous trip overnight to Disneyland. It was so much fun and so nice to get to stay at the Disney Hotel too. We loved every bit of it!

Watermelon and Grilled Cheese

Preston was cracking me up as he was eating his watermelon and grilled cheese one day. He kept insesntly taking a bite of one and then the other while saying "mmmm." Love that little messy face.

what we've been up to

I have been terrible about blogging lately but all for a good reason. We moved a few weeks ago from Fontana to a small apartment in Rancho Cucamonga. I have been so busy with selling all of our extra stuff, being a mom and wife and getting ready for our move that I really haven't had much time for posting the fun things we have been doing. We are finally settled into our new place and we are enjoying life again:). I will try to catch up on some posts soon. Now I need to go make some finger paint bugs with my little one's....

16 Months Old

Well my little man turned another month old again! It just seems like they keep rolling by.

Preston has grown up so much in these past few months. He is talking and walking and has even started screaming (loud) when he wants something. Which to me is a surprise because he is such a mellow kid. He is in to everything and my kitchen is definitely his favorite place to explore. The cupboards, utensils and pots, oh my! Going in and out of cupboards is a daily activity for him and he loves it!

He can say a lot of words now. He can say daddy, dada, doggie and dog, mommy and mama, bwee (Brooke), baapoo (diaper), ball, gung (car) tunk (truck), mine, me (this is his favorite when he wants something, he just says meee, meee), wawa (water), tank Tee (thank you), baabaa (bottle), bubble, pop, baby (this is still my favorite because of the way he says it), and then he will try to say something if you ask him too. He knows a lot more I just can't think of them right now.

He loves animals, especially Doggies and will sit and watch them and bark back to them for as long as we let him (The puppy sore has become a more frequent stop for us.) He loves to make animal sounds and can do a horse, dog, pig, fish, duck, and cow. He also loves to sing and dance and my baby sure does have some awesome moves!

He also learned how to hit and push from his lovely big sister so we have been working on that but he is still just the happiest and sweetest baby ever. He will also kiss and snuggle me as much as I want. What more could a mama ask for? I would still have 10 more if they were just like him. I love you baby, now stop growing up so fast!

First Day of Pre School

Brooke is officially a school girl this year. She goes every Monday and Wednesday for a few hours and she LOVES it. She has a great teacher Mrs. Sara who she loves. She has been going for a month now and really loves learning and being with other kids. Here are some pics from her first day on August 10th.

She got to pick out and earn her very own Rapunzel lunch box. It is so funny because every little girl in the class has a Princess lunch box.

She was just fine leaving Mom and Dad behind. She is such a social girl and loves to be around other people.

Getting into her classroom for the first time and finding her desk.

Brooke and Mrs. Sara. It was so sad, as soon as I picked her up from her first day of school she was so excited to tell me everything that she tripped as she was running to me and ate it pretty hard on the gravel. This pic was taken shortly after that (hence the hand on the knee.) Then she was so sad afterward she wouldn't tell me about her first day.

I can tell that Brooke will always love school because she has such a thirst for learning. We have also made cookies and milk with Mommy a tradition for when we come home and she is loving that too. I love my little Pre-Schooler!

Jason's Birthday Roast

Jason just celebrated his 28th Birthday on August 7th. All the people at his work decided to through him a surprise Party where they roasted him. I will have to post some of the things people said later but for now here is the funny video his marketer Ben and his wife Christa put together.

Jason was a great sport during the roasting and it was a lot of fun.

I sure love ya babe. Thanks for all you do for us!