Christmas highlights

I have had such a happy, relaxing Christmas season this year.  I’ve been trying to analyze what made it so easy so I can do it again every year!  Here’s what I’ve come up with:

1.  I’ve been milking the “I just had a baby” excuse for all it’s worth.  I didn’t sign up for ANYTHING extra.  No helping in classes, no hosting parties, no taking meals to those in need.  Nada.  I realize that may not be the best long-term approach to life, but it sure has allowed me to relax and enjoy my own family this year.

This is the newest addition to our Christmas book collection.  Gingerbread Pirates.  I think it’s funny that I have to read to them “classroom style.”  It’s the only way everyone can see!

2.  The one exception to #1 was that I was asked to direct the choir for the Stake Christmas concert.  I was a bit hesitant, because I knew it would be hard.  And it was!  As of the day before the concert, I was still a nervous wreck!  Wondering if we would have an orchestra or not was the biggest stressor. (Well, that, and the fact that I have never even been IN an orchestra, let alone direct one!  Scary!)  But the night of the concert, everything came together perfectly!  We had over 50 people in the choir, and a 15(ish) piece orchestra.  They were amazing!!  What a rush to stand up there and wave my arms, and have such beautiful music happen!  The church was completely filled all the way back to the stage, and I got so many compliments.  Every single musical number that night was outstanding.  I still get goosebumps remembering…

3.  We got our Christmas shopping done early, and mostly online.  The kids’ shopping was much more fun this year too.  Instead of taking them all at the same time and trying to hide all of their presents from each other, I took them in shifts.  Simon and I went to the dollar store while the other kids were at school, and I had so much fun being able to listen to just him, and talk through what each of his siblings would like.  It was hard to convince him that the girls, for example, would not especially want a dinosaur or a truck!

4.  We planned ahead.  We had a family home evening where each child got to pick a Christmas tradition that was important to them, and we made a list.  Then when we had a free evening, (which we seemed to have more than usual.  See #1) we would do one of those activities.  Temple Christmas lights, gingerbread houses, caroling, ice skating, hot chocolate and Christmas movies, and secret santa-ing a family.  Check, check and check!

With everything else running so smoothly, I felt like I had time to really think about what Christmas means in my life.  Yes it means fun family activities and heart-stirring music, but the birth of Jesus Christ brought so much more than that to me. 

Because He was born on the earth, I have his life and example to follow.  Because He died for me, I can repent and change.  I can become better.  Because He lives still, He can help to carry my burdens and bring peace to my life.  I feel like I have come to know Him and depend on Him more this year than I had before.  And the closer I get to Him, the more I am filled with love.  For Him, for my family, for my fellowman, and for myself.

To be continued…

Less than perfect

 

On Sunday I listened to President Uchdorf’s Christmas message.  He talked about how we sometimes try so hard to make the Christmas season too perfect.  Then when things go wrong, as they always do, we feel disappointed.  “We have in our minds a picture of how everything should be—the perfect tree, the perfect lights, the perfect gifts, and the perfect family events. … [But] sooner or later, something unpleasant occurs … and the picture-perfect Christmas we had imagined, the magic we had intended to create, shatters around us.”

His words couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time for us.  On Monday we put up our Christmas tree for family home evening.

  

We have what some would call a “junk tree.” Each year we give the kids an ornament that reminds us of them during that year.  Consequently, we have everything from Yoda to Scout Shirts to Spatulas hanging there.  We were doing the math, and in 10 years we will have at least 70 more ornaments on that tree!

Toward the end of the evening we turned off the lights to sing Christmas carols.  The kids who take piano lessons accompanied the singing- each of the older four knew at least one Christmas song.  When it was Simon’s turn to choose a carol, he wanted to accompany us, too.  He climbed up onto the piano bench, waited for me to start him, and confidently plunked out our “accompaniment” with 2 fingers.  When the song was over he climbed down, satisfied.

I have to mention that during this time Jonah was curled up under a chair with his hands over his ears, yelling his own song to block out what we were singing.

Jeff and I just looked at each other and couldn’t stop laughing.  Good thing we weren’t worried about perfection!  At  the end of the night Savannah made the comment that it was a great evening, so I guess perfection is not what great memories are made of. 

 

Elijah’s blessing

For logistical reasons, we decided to bless little Eli at my parents house on the same day that Lindsey blessed Milo.

(Milo on the left, Eli on the right.  We had a hard time getting them to co-operate for pictures!)

It was such a lovely day.  The Bishop of my parents’ ward was there to preside, and my dad conducted.  After a prayer, Jeff gave Elijah Jeffrey a name and a blessing.  I can’t find the paper that we took notes on, but I remember a couple of details:

He was blessed that he would be a good example to his brothers and sisters, and also that he would learn to follow their good examples.

He was blessed with health and strength.

And my favorite- he was blessed that he would have the desire to seek out truth, and the wisdom to recognize it.

 

After the blessing my dad invited Lindsey and I to bear our testimonies.  I mentioned how grateful I am for my family members who keep coming, even after 7 baby blessings, to show their support.  Somehow it makes me feel like Elijah is officially part of the family, and that his life is important.

Giving Thanks

It was a great Thanksgiving.  People count – 61.  Homemade (by the girls and me)roll count – 194.  Pie count –34.  You get the idea… it was a bountiful feast!

It was everybody’s “on year.”  Meaning that nobody was missing, spending the holiday with their in-laws.  All of my siblings, except for Aunt Kami in Guatemala, were there with their spouses.  All of the Griffith cousins had come- some from out of state.  Even sweet cousin Jill, who is fighting cancer, was there to celebrate.  Our family has grown through marriages and births, and it was a big, joyful reunion.

As I peeked around that kitchen during the prayer (when my eyes should have been closed,) I felt such a swelling of gratitude.  My heart and my eyes overflowed as I thought about the abundance of good things in my life.  I am married to my very best friend, who loves me and takes care of me.  My children are happy and healthy.  They have never known hunger or war.  We live in a land of peace and freedom, full of opportunities.  I could go on and on.

Crowding into the front room for our traditional singing time,  I thought about my Father in Heaven, and what the Book of Mormon calls “the great plan of happiness.”    This is exactly what he wants for us.  He wants us to feel joy, in spite of all the hard things that happen in life.   He wants for our families to be united- to strengthen and support each other.  I felt strongly that following His commandments and guidelines is the surest way to be happy.  I had to take a little break from singing so I could soak up all that love and happiness! 

I am so grateful for all of the blessings in my life.  Especially my family.  And I picture heaven as a bigger, better, Thanksgiving day!

Shake well

The other day I noticed, a few times, that the kids were shaking the silverware drawer.  They would open it, shake it a few times, then grab a fork or spoon and be on their way.

I didn’t think much of it because, well, kids do things like that sometimes.  Only when Savannah asked about it did I realize what was going on.  As she was taking her turn to shake the silverware drawer she asked “Mom, why do you want us to shake this before we use it?”

Confused, I asked what she was talking about.  She pointed out the “instructions” stuck to the front of the drawer.

 

Someone had put this sticker on the front of the drawer.  Since I have been labeling everything lately, (light switches, closet shelves, bathroom cabinets, etc.) the kids just assumed it was put there by me.

With their usual unquestioning obedience, (HA!) they were faithfully following my instructions.  Shake well before each use.

When I explained that it wasn’t put there by me at all, we all had a good laugh.  For the rest of the day the kids had fun trying to sneak that sticker to each others’ behinds.

Too bad I didn’t get any pictures of that!  Or better yet, videos!

In the trenches (of motherhood)

Savannah took this picture of the glamorous life that I lead.  Ha!

And to re-post from last year:

Trying to get Caleb to do anything that was not his idea is at least as pointless as banging your head repeatedly against the kitchen cabinets.

I should know. I tried both today. I prefer the head banging.

I didn’t physically bang my head against the cabinets today, but it’s the same feeling.  I can’t talk him into eating breakfast OR packing a decent lunch these days.

On the bright side…

Elijah is learning to make cooing sounds.  It’s so cute to watch his whole body work so hard to get one little sound out.  And then he acts surprised and tries again.  He’s a smiley, good natured little guy!

Birthday boy

Happy 9th Birthday to Josh!  We had a nice family celebration at home.  He requested a barbeque for his special dinner, and Aunt Theresa helped make a cake.

We got a video of him blowing out his candles, but no pictures.  The only actual photo we have is this one of him holding his new birthday quilt that is mostly finished in this picture:

 

Some things that I love about that boy:

The way his eyes and his WHOLE FACE lights up when he’s really excited.

He is super thoughtful, and tells me often how much he appreciates me.

He is a good big brother.  He does a great job when I need him to babysit Simon and Jonah so I can nap or get things done.

He’s very creative, and has a great imagination.  Right now he loves to make origami and duck tape creations.

He loves basketball, and really likes to be coached.  I love to see him willing to work so hard at something.

I love that he loves to read, maybe as much as I do!

He is generous.  When I take him to the dollar store, he always wants to spend a couple of dollars on things to share.

I have such a clear memory of the day he was born.  The moment I saw him, I knew that this was Joshua.  (We had been a little uncertain of his name up to that point.) It was like I had known this boy forever, and he had been a  part of our family forever.

Happy Birthday Josh!  I’m so glad you’re a part of our family!