Christmas is Up and the Festivities Begin!

We got back from California late Friday night. It was cold and took awhile to get our car, then we stopped to eat and when we finally got home we were exhausted and the kids were asleep. The bus ride to the car was so funny though because Ryan and Lily were just chatting up a storm to some people sitting next to us. Ryan was telling them where we lived, what our full names and ages are, all about Star Wars, it was really funny, especially when it was so late they were very pleasant.  And they were also so chatty on our flights and anytime we went in public. They are just pretty delightful.

Saturday morning we cleaned up the house, put clothes away, then Sarah, Michael, and Diana came to visit since we weren't there for Thanksgiving. The kids had so much fun seeing them and Lily and Diana started drawing people as food. Diana was a roll, Sarah was an avocado, Michael was a hot dog. Then Michael drew Max as a hamburger (which he still talks about weeks later...how he's a hamburger), Lily a taco, and Ryan a burrito. They brought Candy Land and Hi-Ho Cherrio, both Disney themed, and they loved playing that. Overall it was very fun and so nice of them to come up. Before they left we asked if they could help us put Christmas up and so we got that done too! It was a productive day, especially since the day after a trip can be pretty overwhelming. I am so happy with our $30 tree! I wanted a new tree so badly, but didn't want to pay for a new one because they are so expensive. So I asked on our neighbor message board if anyone was getting rid of a tree. Someone offered a free one, but another lady offered to sell her pre-lit tree for $30. I wasn't sure of the white lights since I thought the kids would prefer colored, but we have really enjoyed it so far.

We thought it was funny how it says "Believe" in front of Star Wars

On Thanksgiving day, a tragedy happened in our ward. Kyle Nackos, whose mom Julie I worked with in Young Women and whose dad Scott is in the bishopric (both are awesome people), was killed by a drunk driver. His friend who was driving was severely injured, but Kyle died on impact. It was amazing to see the community come together and mourn and show support. People pledged to not drink and drive, and the Nackos family were featured in several papers for their call for forgiveness and their faith in the plan of salvation. Julie said while she is of course sad and misses him, she feels peace. I thought that is exactly what the beauty of the gospel does. You can feel peace when your head tells you it's impossible to feel that under the circumstances. Kyle's friends wanted to release balloons in honor of him. We all wrote memories of him on the balloons and then let them go. While we were all watching them go in the sky, Scott said, if you start to hear popping it's Kyle shooting them with a BB gun. It was very special to be able to go and show support and cry.

On Sunday we had a teacher council class and were talking about how to love those we teach. We talked about being consistent in our rules in our class, so our class knows what to expect. I mentioned how we should also be consistent about praying to love those we teach, and pray for them by name. I said how one boy I felt to take him to donuts after school, and I did feel like that helped somewhat in our relationship. I don't think it was enough, but it still helped.

Shawn Logan spoke up and said I didn't know how meaningful the things I did were. Like when I spent 3 hours watching his son's football game with my kids, that meant a lot to him. And then Gary Rieger said I go above and beyond, that to sit 3 hours for a swim meet, which is hard for him to do, was amazing, and to do it with my kids too. I felt so overwhelmed with gratitude for these comments, and for the blessing I received to have this be something I felt strongly about. To show support for kids outside of my class, to show my interest, and to have always been blessed for doing so. The kids are mostly good when we go, and they get to experience new things too. Gary also said that it's fun when I bring the kids along too. I was very moved by all of this and it made me feel like that our small efforts may seem small to us, but they do not go unnoticed and impact those around us. I want to take on the challenge this week to pray for those I teach, and to pray that my heart will be softened to love them and see them the way the Lord sees them. To pray to be inspired to help them, and to be inspired to find ways to show them I love them.

Since Lily sang in the choir in my mom's ward, she really wanted to sing in the choir in our ward. She was very nervous, but then she sat by Kim Seyboldt (who is her music teacher) and her daughter Savanna. Savanna was so kind to point to all the words and tell her when to sing and not to sing. By the end Lily was feeling very good and was happy to have gone.

Silly, cute, kids.

The kids had been asking to make some ornaments. It was cold outside and I could tell they were a little stir crazy, so I looked online and found some things in my stash of craft goods to be able to make something. Pospicle sticks was our theme, with a Christmas tree and Snowman. They were thrilled to paint, use the glue gun, and create their own ornament. I will say that I felt like a very good mom this day. 

Max did a pretty good job using the glue gun and he, Lily, and I only managed to get burned once. 

Ryan, Lily, Max. Max kept say the 

While Lily is at gymnastics, we used to go to a playground, but now that it's so cold we go to Toys R Us. Lily wasn't feeling great, so she ended up not going, but we still went to the store. Plus we had to get something for our Toys for Tots child. Ryan wanted to choose a 5 year old boy who likes Transformers. He had a lot of fun picking out his present. The only problem was of course that he wanted it for himself. So we had to talk a lot about how this would be his only present for Christmas and how we were doing a nice service. He somewhat got that, but he would study the Transformers boxes day after day, pining after them. 

Max constantly wants to fight. He sees anything that resembles a sword (like wrapping paper) and says, "let's fight!" Ryan is okay to do it for a bit, but Max invariably hurts him and ends in tears. He is often scratching, pushing, hitting, or just being rough. Sometimes it's for play, and sometimes it's because he's upset. He has a lot of pent up energy that needs an outlet to get out. I can't wait until we can get him into sports.  

Studying the transformers we are going to give away. 

I took a nap during Max's nap time and told the kids they could each pick a show to watch then they had to play quietly. I didn't hear anything for awhile so I went out expecting to chastise them for watching more than what I told them they could. I came out and saw them each coloring quietly at the table, very happy. I was pleasantly surprised. 

I realized that when Jeff is away and I'm having a hard week, service is the best thing for me to do. I made dinner for a family in the ward this week whose daughter just had brain surgery. I watched kids for several hours to help out three different families. While it felt tiring at times, it's always better for me to anxiously be engaged in a good cause. I think less about myself and more about how I can ease someone else's burden.

Ryan teaching Blake how to play Hi-Ho Cherrio. 

He did such a good job teaching Blake how to build a rocket. He was very encouraging and positive. It was pretty sweet. 

Max and Jarrett just racing around on their little riding toys. They were pretty happy once they started going the same way. But it took a little work to convince one of them to switch directions so they wouldn't keep crashing into each other and then be at a standstill since neither one wanted to move. 

And Lily is teaching Kalissa how to play some games. These kids love their games, I love it!

Jeff went to Kyle's funeral at the stake center and said it was incredible. The spirit was so incredibly strong and the church was filled, many who were of course not of our faith. The high school principal sang a beautiful song, the bishop, YM's president, and Stake president spoke. Julie spoke of her gratitude and again on forgiveness. She said she will not live her life filled with hate. As Jeff shared everything with me we both sobbed and felt the spirit again as he shared gospel truths that were spoken. I was so happy to think about all those who do not have Christ in their life who got to hear beautiful, hopeful, faith filled sermons at this funeral. Heavenly Father has a way of having such positive things happen out of tragedy. 

We went to a Windsor Wonderland at the lake park. It was very cold, but the kids still had fun. We met Tara, Blake, and Taylor there too. We ended up staying much longer than I anticipated, but it was nice to be out since Jeff was trying to finish up some homework projects. 

On a tractor ride. 

This was the kids favorite part. These were soft snowballs and they could have thrown them at each other all day.  

Lily hiding out. 

Max just couldn't believe he could throw these at people. He was a bit sad and surprised though when people threw things back at him. 

Looking at trains with Taylor and Blake. 

We tried to get in line to see Santa, but they had cut it off. However, we went over to the tree lighting ceremony and they were just standing right in front of us. Lily went over for a hug with both of them. I was so thrilled that we still got to see them but didn't have to wait in line! It worked out perfect. 

Ryan wanted to see them as well, but was too scared and then said he didn't want to. I was so worried about us leaving and Ryan being disappointed he didn't go up to them so I asked again and said I'd go with him. This time he agreed. He and Mrs. Claus just stared at each other for awhile and Ryan laughed a pure, joyful laugh. He couldn't stop, and he didn't say anything to her, just smiled and laughed. 

Afterward we went to see the "crazy" house which has a million lights. Lily asked to see the front of the house, and I didn't want to, but finally agreed. Across the street from the house we were looking at was this house. The kids were so excited to see lots of Star Wars blow ups.  

They play in Max's crib all the time: Davy, Dava, and I forget the other David name. Max wears a headband and says he a princess and "I pretty." They will play forever in here and have just the best time. Siblings are so wonderful. They played it so much though that I said Max can't be a girl for these games, he can play if he stays a boy.

Ryan is always so careful to stay in the lines. He worked on this picture for a very long time. I helped some for mind, body, soul time, but he'd just keep plugging away during the day.  

Sometimes Lily sleeps with her miney on her head and sometimes she wears her pajamas pants on her head.  Jeff thought she looked like a nun.