Wordless Wednesday - Wrestling with Alligators

A single photo 

– no words –

capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment

I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment

that brings a smile to my lips, 

and joy to my heart.

Wordless Wednesday - Gearing up for the Season!

 

A single photo 

– no words –

capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment

I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment

that brings a smile to my lips, 

and joy to my heart.

A shopping cart

Oh my goodness, does this bring back memories for anyone else?  Or is it just me?  When I was a child, these simple carts were the best toys ever.  When we found one, we could make forts out of them, we could haul things in them, we could roll fast down even small hills.
If I had a nickel for every bruise and bump I got from a shopping cart.......
Besides, using them when I was a child, I will forever appreciate the store that let me use on to take home my groceries once a week.  I had six children and no car.  Usually I had the baby strapped to my chest, the bigger baby in a back pack on my back and at least one of the other small ones in the cart.  Shopping was very difficult as the kids could only carry one bag.  One day, the manager saw me struggle to get all the bags on my arms with the babies everywhere else and he introduced me to a shopping cart and told me I could use it to take my groceries home as long as I would promise to bring it back.
We lived a block away, just around the park from the store, so I would put everything and everyone that would fit in the cart, take everything home and then we would walk the cart back to the store.  What a gift that man gave to me.  I am sure it didn't seem like much, but I took it as an issue of trust and brought it back faithfully as soon as I was done using it.  It made my life easier as I didn't have to make more than one trip a week to the store.
The kids loved riding in it.  There was one place that was a small down hill and on the way back to the store, I would put them all in the cart and they would get to ride down the hill.  It never  got old for them.  It made us all laugh.  It brightened my day and made me smile every single time.
I love that life is full of small and simple joys.  I love that those are the things I remember.

Wordless Wednesday -

 

A single photo 

– no words –

capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment

I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment

that brings a smile to my lips, 

and joy to my heart.

Becoming Like Him - Day 25 - Enjoy

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS, 

BECAUSE ONE DAY 

YOU WILL WAKE UP AND REALIZE 

THAT THERE WERE NO LITTLE THINGS.

START

One of the things that I am trying to do more of in my search to become like Him, is to enjoy the little things around me.  To make room for them.  To give them a place in my life.  I think that I am not much fun.  It is hard for me to "take time out and smell the roses" as my husband says.
I believe that Heavenly Father made this beautiful world that we live in, for us to enjoy.  For us to take time out to breath and to foster relationships and to even have a little bit of fun.  Why else did He make such amazing places?
Today was a beautiful day.  We wanted to spend a little bit of family time together and one of my older sons and his wife were coming up for the day.  We met them at the lake with our kayaks and our dogs.  They met us with their dogs and we had a great day.  I have a boot on my foot because it is broken, so I was the dog sitter with three yorkies and one mastiff at the side of the lake.
As you can see, the family is having a great time.  I did too.  It was so nice to sit and enjoy the peace and the beauty in the world that we live in.

I really think one of the things that brings me so much closer to Him is to acknowledge His hand in the world around me.  I love seeing the many creations that surround us.  I really enjoyed my day at the lake with my family playing on the waters.
Enjoying our blessings makes them so much more valuable to us.  It give us a chance to regroup and recharge and show our gratitude.

STOP

Wordless Wednesday - Boys Will Be Boys.

A single photo 

– no words –

capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment

I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment

that brings a smile to my lips, 

and joy to my heart.

Wordless Wednessday - Fun In The Sun

A single photo 

– no words –

capturing a moment from our lives.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment

I want to pause, savor and remember.

A moment

that brings a smile to my lips, 

and joy to my heart.

Sunday Scribblings - Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not always easy.

At times, it feels more painful

than the wound we suffered,

to forgive the one who inflicted it.

And yet,

there is no peace without forgiveness.

Marianne Williamson

The picture above was of one of my daughters who discovered at the aquarium where we were visiting, that when you put your hands in this fish tank, the fish immediately swim to your fingers and start lightly nibbling.  She loved it once she worked her courage up to try, but no matter how much she told the other girls that it did not hurt, not a single one was willing to put their hand in there for the fishes to taste.  

In this case, there was no wound for her, except for the unbelief of those around her. The peace comes in doing our own individual best, not in convincing anyone else that they need to be just like us.  She had her own amazing experience because she wasn't afraid.  One of my all time favorite scriptures reminds me to trust the Savior in all my fears.  I love this one.  

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

The Wrong Turns

So many times, 

I have wished I could have lived my life

without any wrong turns.  

In reality, that path doesn't exist.  

We fall, we get lost, we make mistakes,

We get up and live!

These are a few of my little testaments to living.  They remind me that I am loved, even when I don't feel lovable.  I tend to be very hard on myself.  I remember the mistakes I make.  I would give anything to be able to go back and change them, yet I know, that they have led me to this place with all these little people who remind me that it is okay to not be perfect.  They love me anyway.  

You can see how much fun they are having (and how little attention they are paying to the photographer, who is me!)  They laugh, they giggle, they play, they run, they want to come to my house and be in the woods and spend time together.  They want to help Papa with the fire and the chickens, they want to drink hot chocolate and eat brownies and most of all, they want to snuggle into any lap that can hold them.   My lap expands to hold those children.  My love grows a little more each and every time a new one is born.  

When I look into those faces, I see that no matter how many wrong turns I have taken, those turns have led me right to them.  Right to this single wonderful and beautiful moment.  I was a mother first, then a grandmother.  I made mistakes, but I also taught my children what love really is.  I taught them what being a family means.  I taught them that they are worth so very much.  They, in turn taught their children those things which were most important of all.  It comes right back to me with little hearts and sticky kisses.  I have been so very blessed.  

They teach me to get up and live!!

Today, I needed to laugh

Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life. 

I saw this one today and had a good laugh.  When I went to visit my daughters a couple of months ago, I played the alphabet game with the grand-daughters on our way to Kansas.  I have to admit, some letters are so much harder to find!  I could have really used a sign like this when the going got tough.  

I am not always good about laughing.  Life can seem pretty serious to me on a regular basis.  I forget to just enjoy it every once in awhile.  I really think that I need to learn to laugh a little more at myself and take things just a little less seriously.  I need to quit wishing for things to be clear and helpful and trust that they will become that way as time goes on.  I will be able to find the Q's, X's, Y's and Z's that I need.  And a little laughter will go a long way toward making it a fun journey.  May we each find a little more joy in our day to day existance.  

When We All Work Together

My girls were in a fashion show a couple of weeks ago.  One of the girls did the fashion show about modesty in dress and showing the other girls that they can be modest at all times.  There were different styles and types of dressing:  Casual, dating, school and Prom.
There was a lot of work that went into this production.  It was hours of putting it together, hours to set it up more hours to design and decorate a runway and make and display decorations on the tables, and a lot of talent to put the outfits together for each girl in different areas.  There were even changing areas behind the "stage" for the girls to change their outfits and not have to worry about being walked in on.
I think the girls had a lot of fun and they really enjoyed being in the spotlight and getting their pictures taken.  There was also a potluck where all the mom's made italian dishes to share.  All in all, it was a really nice Mother-Daughter evening.
The biggest worry for me, was taking the time to help put it all away.  I thought it would not be done until very late, but every single girl and every mom pitched in and starting taking it all down.  When everyone worked together, the job was done in just over an hour.  It was amazing to watch all the work just disappear in moments.  One of the young women made a comment on it taking a lot less time to take everything down than it did to put it all up in the first place.  What a wonderful way to teach the girls that when we all work together the job is made light. 

Galatians 6:2,9 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Girls Night Out

Today, I am joining up on Mama Kat's, for one of her nearly world famous Writers Workshops.  This is a challenge that I enjoy.  The prompt that I chose this week is girls night out.  Here are the rules.
Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list on Mama Kat's blog post. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!

The Prompts:

1.) Girls Night Out! Describe the last time you got to hang out with your friends? What stops you from doing this more often?
2.) If Social Media died tomorrow, describe another hobby you might get into.
3.) Share a Summer Camp memory.
4.) We’re too old to be getting in trouble…aren’t we? Write about a time you were scolded…as an adult.
5.) Barefoot and hormonal…describe an incident that upset you when you were pregnant, but now looking back makes you laugh.
6.) Create a video where you share your opinion on monetizing blogs. You are free to talk about whatever this topic inspires in you, but here are some sample questions: Are you willing to work with brands? Is it “selling out”? Can a blogger over do it? Do you have tips to share? A memorable experience working with a brand? etc.

The last time that I had a "Girls Night Out"  was when a very good friend and I took all of our girls to a ballet.  BYU has a ballet troop and every year they travel to the White Mountains of Arizona and perform a program for the girls (young and old).  We took the girls out for dinner, then went to the ballet and mingled with the ballerinas before the performance.  We then got to watch several ballets performed.
Each one was about 20 minutes and each one was about a well known fairy tale.  My friend and I loved it.  We totally enjoyed being with our girls for the evening, and we completely enjoyed talking and laughing and acting like girls ourselves.
I would say the thing that keeps me from doing this more often is simply time.  I have so many responsibilities.  I work too much.  I don't spend enough time with my girls and my husband.  I suffer from serious guilt over any extra time away from home.
Don't get me wrong, I crave friend time.  It means a great deal to me.  But I don't like the guilt that normally accompanies me anytime I try for some "mom" time.  So, this evening, was perfect.  My girls came with me!  I had an adult friend to laugh with.  We all saw amazing girl ballets.  And most of all, we had fun.  All the makings of which was, for me, a perfect evening.  And one I hope to repeat soon!
I think it is important to note that, although I wasn't only with friends, I did manage to compromise and have a wonderful evening including the best of both my worlds.  I think it is possible to do the things we need to do and still manage to have fun in our lives.  I don't think we have to be "just" a mom, I think it is possible to be many things to many people and still manage to take care of ourselves.  Sometimes, you just have to be willing to look at it from a different perspective.
For me, it doesn't work to plan time away from my family; But it does work to have time with friends and family.  I think that is what life is.  Making choices, taking risks, finding the things that mean the most and keeping them close to you.  For me, that is what makes my time most enjoyable.  

Happy Labor Day

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a "Labor Day" on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.


Did you know???

In 1938, the first minimum wage instituted was 25 cents an hour...it's now $7.25.

President Cleveland signed the Labor Day Bill in an effort to win back votes. He had ordered federal troops to intervene in the Pullman Yards Strike which aroused sympathy across the country and more strikes were called to show solidarity with the workers.

The 8 hour day started in 1935, under the National Labor Relations Act which also provided us with the OSHA and child labor laws.

There is no federal law mandating "paid" vacations.

The "coffee break" started in 1882 in Stoughton, WI. Norwegian housewives, who were going to replace their husbands at a tobacco factory because they had left to work for another company, would not go to work unless they got a break in the afternoon for coffee.

On average, workers have been with their current employer for 4.1 years and only 10% have been there for more than 20 years.

In 2008, the average earning for male and female full time year round workers was $46,367 and $35,745 respectively.

Americans work in a wide variety of occupations. Here is a sampling:

Occupation	Number of employees
Gaming services workers	85,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists	718,000
Chefs and head cooks	281,000
Firefighters	258,000
Musicians, singers and related workers	179,000
Bakers	183,000
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs	286,000
Service station attendants	96,000
Farmers and ranchers	825,000
Pharmacists	232,000
Teachers	6.5 million

7.3 million
Number of workers who hold down more than one job. "Moonlighters" comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these, 3.8 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job, and about 293,000 work full time at both jobs.

24.3 minutes
The average time it takes to commute to work.

Of the 233 counties with populations of 250,000 or more, Queens (41.7 minutes), Richmond (41.3 minutes), Bronx (40.8 minutes) and Kings (39.7 minutes) -– four of the five counties that comprise New York City - experienced the longest average commute-to-work times.

More Than 100 hours
The amount of time the average American spends commuting to work each year. (This exceeds the typical two weeks of vacation time taken by many U.S. workers over the course of a year.)

As we celebrate the day to honor the American Worker, be mindful that we are lucky enough to be part of the 154.4 million people that are part of the nation's labor force, we get paid vacations and paid for the holiday!

"Labor Day differs in every essential from the other holidays of the year in any country. All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."
Samuel Gompers, Founder of the American Federation of Labor

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received".   ~ Albert Einstein~

Meeting Family

The Fourth of July is not just a holiday at our house.  It is an event.  It involves getting up at all hours to serve the community, celebrating, eating, and just plain having fun.  This year was no different.  The three girls and Laura and I got up at 5:00AM and went to participate in this year's Carissa's Run.  The pictures on the website are the pics from last year, but it was fun and amazing anyway.  Miracle, Mikayla and Laura all jogged for the fun run of 2 miles.  Anya and I jogged and walked.  My knees do not think that jogging is such a good idea!  We had to walk fast though.  The run started at 6:10AM and I had to have Miracle over to the high school by 7:00AM.  She was asked to sing the National Anthem for the community flag raising.  She sang a solo with no music.  She did amazing!  (Even if I am slightly biased!)

Once we finished with the music, we all went to the annual Fourth of July Parade down the highway right through the middle of town.  The parade is always a lot of fun for the kids, although this year, they would not allow any water!  Boo Hoo!  Once we finished the festivities, we all walked over to the park and participated in a wonderful play day!

Simple pleasures on the slides!

Playing together in family fun.

Love and laughter.

Oh yeah, family, there is nothing quite like them!  They can be loud, noisy, happy, sad, mad, or just plain onery!  But I have to admit that I love them like crazy and miss them when they are gone.  We are never quite the same without everyone.  You wouldn't know it by looking at this picture, but we are still missing nine members of our immediate family, and several extended family members also. 

I think that eternity is a little like this day with my family.  We will be so excited to finally be together again.  We will welcome each other home, and we will share love and laughter and joy together.  That is what I love the most about this holiday.  It always brings family together again.  No matter where they have wondered, they want to come back home.

Happy Fourth of July!

“Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice.” - Anon

Sunday, July 4th, marks the 234th anniversary of America's independence from Great Britain. America's independence was declared on July 2nd by the Continental Congress and adopted on July 4th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year on July 4, 1777. By the early 1800's the traditions of parades, picnics, barbecues and fireworks became the way to celebrate.

Did you know??????

• The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation. The colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament.
• In May, 1776, after nearly a year of trying to resolve their differences with England, the colonies sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. Finally, in June, admitting that their efforts were hopeless; a committee was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. On June 28, 1776, Thomas Jefferson presented the first draft of the declaration to Congress.
• Only 2 people signed the Declaration on July 4, 1776. Most signed it in August of that year and the last one didn't sign it until 1781.
• While the British were our adversary back then, the United Kingdom is our 6th leading trade partner today.
• Ben Franklin had wanted the turkey to be the national animal, but was out voted by Adams and Jefferson who chose the bald eagle.
• One US President was born on the 4th of July (Coolidge) and three died on that date (Adams, Jefferson and Monroe).
• The names of the signers were withheld from public for more than 6 months because they could have been put to death for treason.
• The first Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi occurred at Independence Creek and was celebrated by Lewis and Clark in 1805.
• There were 27 grievances listed against King George III in the Declaration of Independence.
• There is no record as to why the colors of red, white and blue were chosen for the flag.
• Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration went on to serve as Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, Vice President and President.

 “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.” John F. Kennedy

Blog Hop

Today I wanted to do something a little different.  I found this on one of the blogs I follow and thought it would be fun.  I am linking up with other Bloggers today.  Hope you have fun reading from everyone!

A blog hop is a linky list that is SHARED ON MULTIPLE BLOGS.

When several blogs put the same linky list code on their blog, the
exact same list appears on each blog.

Blog visitors can submit their entries on any blog that contains the list.
The entries will appear on each blog where the list resides.

Blog readers see the same list on each blog, and can "HOP" from blog
to blog seeing the same list of links to follow: BLOG HOP!

A Time to Laugh

I know that having fun together can strengthen our families.  Our family is one of the most important things in our life.  It is so important that we do that which will help us develop an eternal family.  Sometimes, I get so caught up in the teaching, that I forget there is more involved that can also bring my family closer together.  I forget to teach them to laugh.  Setting aside time to play and building each other up, is an important part of developing that eternal family.  This is an area that I am constantly struggling in.  You would think that I would be amazing at it considering how many children I have been blessed with, but so much of my time has been taken up with serious things.  I find myself forgetting to have fun.
It says in Ecc. 3:1-8

1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

So, this is my time to laugh.  This summer I put the girls in the children's theater class at the local community college.  It was a two week, whirlwind of practices, makeup, costumes, songs, and lines.  They performed their finished play on Friday afternoon and evening to a theater full of proud parents, grandparents, and friends.  Here are the pictures of our time to laugh.  The play was Walt Disneys 101 Dalmations!

Miracle was Annita (the person!)

Mikayla was a Poodle!

Anya was my little Chihuahua!  (That is her, in green, last one on the left!) 

They danced, they sang, they fought, they argued, they had a villain, and most important of all, 

they had a wonderful lot of fun!  

Oh yeah!  SISTERHOOD!  Isn't it great!

I don't always manage to do things right, but it this case, I think I succeed in a couple of weeks of amazing memories and fun. May you be just as successful this summer in bringing fun into your families.

Kisses on a mirror

I love having children!  I love watching them grow and develop and change.  That being said, I can also say that one of the most difficult times in the life of any parent is when the children grow up enough to become teenagers.  They are so amazing and can also be so frustrating.  Especially when they want to do things that you don't think they should be doing.  They have a tendency to know everything (or at least, they think they do!)  And I hope you never have to try and convince them NOT to do something that they have made up their mind to do!  There is no such thing as Win-win with a teenager.  It is more often a case of picking your battles.  Don't get me wrong, I love my teenagers.  I am amazed at their strength, compassion and testimonies.  They teach me on a regular basis.  It is just that one of the things they seem to really work at teaching me, is patience.  I cannot manage to have enough of that in my life.  No matter how many I raise, I need more for the next one.  I have raised eight of our kids so far, and several foreign exchange students.  (I think those count, since I get them as teenagers!)  There have been times in our home when we have had as many as eight girls.  It can be quite the experience and my husband is a true saint about it.  He has been known to go to the store, after a long, hard day at work, and bring home a couple of bags of chocolate!  (Or a couple of gallons of ice cream)!  Of course, he is then promptly mauled and knocked down as they race to fight over the bags in his hands!  I am always looking for creative ways to teach my children correct principles.  I found this story several years ago, and I loved the ingenuity that this caretaker showed, in getting through to a group of girls.  It also made me chuckle!  I love it when the adult wins!  It seems to happen so little in my life.  I hope that you enjoy this story as much as I do.
HINT:  This is supposed to be funny!

A school head was alerted by the caretaker to a persistent problem in the girls lavatories: some of the girl students were leaving lipstick kisses on the mirrors. The caretaker had left notices on the toilet walls asking for the practice to cease, but to no avail; every evening the caretaker would wipe away the kisses, and the next day lots more kisses would be planted on the mirror. It had become a bit of a game. The head teacher usually took a creative approach to problem solving, and so the next day she asked a few girl representatives from each class to meet with her in the lavatory.
"Thank you for coming," said the head, "You will see there are several lipstick kisses in the mirrors in this washroom.."
Some of the girls grinned at each other.
"As you will understand, modern lipstick is cleverly designed to stay on the lips, and so the lipstick is not easy at all to clean from the mirrors. We have therefore had to develop a special cleaning regime, and my hope is that when you see the effort involved you will help spread the word that we'd all be better off if those responsible for the kisses use tissue paper instead of the mirrors in future.."
At this point the caretaker stepped forward with a sponge squeegee, which he took into one of the toilet cubicles, dipped into the toilet bowl, and then used to clean one of the lipstick-covered mirrors.
The caretaker smiled. The girls departed. And there were no more lipstick kisses on the mirrors.

Happy Valentine's Day

I was thinking about Valentines day this morning, (probably because I woke up to find this cute little valentine at my door!).  It is one of my children's favorite holidays.  They get so wrapped up in making the valentines and delivering them to school, complete with candy and goodies.  (I have taught them the 'goodie' part well!)  They head off to the bus with all of their cards and treats neatly in plastic bags.  It is a time for parties and celebration.  A day to be thankful for friends and especially, family.  
I am so thankful for my wonderful family who have spent many years teaching me the truth and value of love.  It has been a wonderful journey, one filled with squishy hugs and sticky kisses!  One of my favorite quotes for Valentine's day was said by Robert Heinlein- "Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."  For me, that one quote describes my life, anchored by the love of my husband and filled with the sweetness of my children. 


Looking back on elementary school brings for me recollections of struggling with classmates, sitting at desks, English (or language arts as we called it), P.E., recess, and sitting in the classroom while my teacher read chapters from favorite books to us for our "quiet time".  It also was the time when October meant bats and pumpkins, November- pilgrims and turkeys, December- Christmas trees and presents, January- home-made calendars and winter, and February- Presidents and valentines. It was during February that we each decorated a specially chosen  shoe box for the all-important "valentine box". We would spend hours decorating with tinfoil, crepe paper, paper doilies, cupid cut-outs, and construction-paper hearts.  It became the project of every child in the class-room to create that one, special card that would have lopsided hearts, an off-center fold, and would declare affection in huge, crayon-colored letters—i love you mom.
Today the custom of sending valentines has been kept alive by children, mine have never made boxes - today they make large envelopes out of paper or paper plates, and decorate them with paints and paper cut outs.  It only adds to the traditions surrounding the day.  Some of them have even made "floats" out of shoe boxes that they pull around on a string for everyone in the school to see.  


Through the years, it has always been the homemade valentine that most often delighted the giver as well as the receiver, (especially when the receiver is mom). Whether it’s heavy construction paper with lopsided hearts or delicate doilies with original verse, the homemade valentine helps us to remember the day’s original spirit of acknowledging someone special. It challenges the artist in anyone, (especially mom's who get to "help"), and can provide hours of enjoyment and encourage the creativity in all of us. 

So who caught your heart today?

The Christmas I Missed

The Christmas I Missed

Probably, the most memorable Christmas happened when we lived in a little old house over by the Mesa Temple. The house was due to be torn down, so we were able to move into it for a very low rent payment. It was only two bedrooms, but it had a very large upstairs bedroom/attic that all five of the younger kids slept in. It had a large alcove next to one of the bathrooms that Kirbi (my oldest daughter) could sleep in when she needed time to herself.
It was a good little house for us, although it was old and had many problems. The kids knew everyone in the area and there was a large open field by the house that they could play in. I was a single mom with six small children and it was a tough year. My bills amounted to more than I was able to make and Christmas was going to be small. It is hard to know that your children need so many things, and you cannot provide it for them.

I did not have enough money for anything except a family game and I bought each child things for their stockings. However, none of the kids were complaining and we had talked about the true meaning of Christmas and how blessed we were to be together. I had won a turkey at work from a drawing among the union members and also a gift card. So, I had been able to buy all the trimmings for a Christmas meal and we were so excited about it. We were making a turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It was something we did not have often and we all really loved it. There is just something about the smell of turkey cooking in the oven on a Christmas morning.
I did not have to work on Christmas day and we were looking forward to spending the day together. The kids and I had planned on making candy and baking goodies all day. I worked late on Christmas Eve and did not get home until after dark. All the kids needed baths and we walked over to the Temple to look at the lights and listen to the music. This was my way of reminding them of the things that were really important. When we finished at the temple, we had to come home and read our traditional Christmas stories. We loved to read together out loud and talk about the stories. We sang our favorite carols around the Christmas tree on the living room floor.
I felt so guilty for not being able to be home with them. I had to work a lot of hours back then, and it seemed as if they were growing so fast. I knew that they would not be children for long. We got to bed very late that night, and it seemed as if I had just gone to sleep when there was a banging at the front door.
I was startled and scared, but went and turned on the light and peaked out onto the porch. There was no one there. I opened the door a crack and there was a big black garbage bag sitting on the porch. I opened the door and couldn’t see anyone. I dragged the bag through the door and into the house (not a small feat as it was bulging on all sides) and opened it up. It was filled with wrapped boxes and bows. Everything was labeled girl or boy with an approximate age, but with no names on the packages.
I set everything up under the tree, thanking my Heavenly Father for the generosity of His earthly angels and their willingness to help my children in our time of need. After I got everything out of the bag and arranged under the tree, I glanced at the clock and saw that it was in the wee hours of the morning. I was so tired and I still had not had much sleep that night.
I went into bed and slept the sleep of the emotionally and physically exhausted. I awoke in the morning to a quiet house. (This was unusual on any day but especially worrisome on Christmas morning). If you have had small children, you know that they do not ever sleep in on Christmas. The anticipation of the presents and Santa is enough to wake even the most sleepy child, from their dreams and send them scampering into the living room with wonder shining from their eyes.
My bedroom was filled with light. As I lay in bed, I could begin to hear happy noises coming from outside the house. I sat up in alarm and looked at the clock: It read 9:00 am. I went into “panic mode” and leaped out of bed, dashing into the living room. The floor was all cluttered with boxes and bags and ripped off ribbons. There were clothes I had never seen before strewn all over the floor. It looked like a tornado had entered my living room, whirled around the Christmas tree, and exited out the front door.
I walked, stunned, to the door and opened it up. Out in the yard, all my children were playing happily. I stopped in amazement. You see, Santa did not just bring them presents to put under the tree the night before. He had brought them a play house. Complete with three rubber- band guns for the boys and baby dolls for the girls. All six of the children were out in that house playing and having the time of their lives. The boys were climbing on the roof, and the girls were hanging out the windows.
I broke down in tears and wept. I had slept through Christmas! I had missed it all! Imagine waking up and all the fun had happened without you there to participate. I was so sad and sorry for myself that year. I did not know how I had managed to sleep through all the noise and confusion of the morning. My children hastened to assure me that they had tried very hard to be quiet because they knew that mommy needed her sleep.
The missionaries came over later that afternoon and helped the kids play with the rubber band guns. I never could decide who liked those guns more; my boys, or the missionaries. The day went well and we all had a wonderful day, for the rest of it. When I got over being sorry for what I had missed, I was so grateful for those who made that house and brought the gifts. The children had an amazing and fun-filled day which, I think, they have never completely forgotten.
Of course, the problem with not buying the gifts myself, is that I did not have a clue about what belonged to who! I did not know if a toy was Kirbi’s or Lori’s, Lou’s or DJ’s. I did not know what shirt was for which girl, or what pants were for which boy. So, for the most part, we just put the toys and clothes in a pile and divided them up. The kids just could not understand why I was so upset when they had decided to let me sleep in. They had done me a favor and let me rest. They had a great time and I had sleep, so what was the problem anyway.
Probably, our most enduring tradition came from this one Christmas. I learned that I am not Superwoman, (This is true!) I could not stay up late into the night on Christmas Eve and expect to wake up the next morning when the children did. So, I determined that this would be the last Christmas I would ever miss! Every year after that one, I pulled up a blanket and pillow and slept at the foot of the Christmas tree. This happened every year until the oldest ones were grown and left home. I usually go to bed for an hour or so when the kids do. Then I get up and wrap and put all the stockings together and put all the presents under the tree. When this is done, it is usually about 4:00am. I lay down for an hour, and sure enough, the kids wake up and go through their stockings and we all open presents together around the tree.

I won’t be the one that sleeps through Christmas again!