The baby Jesus

Stetson was sitting at the computer with me when I opened a link to a music video for a song called "Where's the line to see Jesus" that my aunt sent to me by e-mail.  He was very impressed with the pictures and words to the song, and kept talking about wanting to see the baby Jesus.  A few days later it was our ward Christmas party, and of course I was stressed out.  We were supposed to dress up, Kenny wasn't going to be back in time to go, and I was supposed to lead the music.  I got someone to lead for me so that I could just focus on my kids.  The kids ripped their costumes off as soon as we got there, Lucy because she HATES wearing anything extra, and Stetson because it wasn't cool (he is 4, and he noticed that his friend wasn't dressed up, so he took his costume off - seriously!).  The gym was decorated so cute with lots of Jerusalem-type booths to get your food and do activities.  Stetson was suddenly super shy and was holding on to my leg, and I had to carry Lucy so that she wasn't running wild among all the other families in my ward who were seated on blankets in the middle of the floor.  As you can imagine, this made it very difficult to get three plates of food from several different booths and carry it back to our blanket.  We finally got seated and Lucy dumped a full cup of water on our blanket/the floor.  I was cleaning that up when I looked over to see Stetson unloading the contents of his plate onto the blanket because it was "disgusting" - at least blankets are washable, right?  Lucy just wanted to run around, and when I tried to keep her at our blanket she started throwing a fit, which included throwing herself down on the floor.  Her head landed directly in the miracle whip salad that was supposed to be the inside of my pita pocket.  I finally ended up throwing the food away since the kids wouldn't eat it, and I clearly was not going to be able to.  I was embarassed and ready to just take the kids and go home, then the program started.  A couple in my ward that is expecting a baby in January played Mary and Joseph.  They walked to a life-size stable where they brought forth their first born son and laid him in a life-size manger.  The cries of the baby Jesus that they played over the sound system caught Stetson's attention, and he immediately wanted to go and see the baby Jesus.  I told him he had to wait until they finished the manger scene and the songs that followed, and he sat very quietly through it all.  When it was over I took the kids up to see the baby Jesus, just a simple baby doll wrapped in a white blanket.  Stetson's face was glowing as he looked over the edge of the manger to see the baby.  His eyes danced with excitement as he looked at me and said, "mom, this is the baby Jesus".  A feeling of peace flowed through me and tears welled up in my eyes.  The girl playing Mary gently handed the baby to Stetson, and he took him very tenderly and lovingly held him close.  He looked up again with a big smile on his face and said, "I love the baby Jesus!"  It was a moment I will never forget, and the picture of my sweet little boy holding his Savior will forever be engrained in my mind.  This is why we celebrate Christmas!  My heart was filled with gratitude, and I left with a much different attitude than I had come with.  I wish that everyone, old and young, could have the opportunity Stetson had that night, and pray that this magical spirit of Christmas will be with each of us this season and always!  Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving landed right on our anniversary - 11 years, can you believe it?  We went on a trip the week before to celebrate and spend some time together.  Thanks so much to Suzie for tending the kids!  They had a blast, and so did we!  Thanks again!!  I'm so grateful for Kenny and all that he does for our family.  I love you honey, and hope we have many more wonderful years together.

This year we spent Thanksgiving with my family, and it was fun!  My brothers came down and we were all together, except for Jesse, who is in California.  He did send us an e-mail though, and said that he had TWO Thanksgiving dinners, so I guess he was well taken care of.

We started the day with our traditional breakfast, and then watched some football, cooked some food, and just hung out for most of the day.  Kenny spent the day working, so he missed out on the fun and preparation, but he did make it in time for dinner, so I was grateful for that.  It was so nice for everyone to get together and make this delicious meal for us on our anniversary!

Ready to eat!

 Stetson got to sit at the "Big Boy" table with his cousins Zach and J.D. and his awesome uncle Jens.

What did you say?

 Lucy sat with the adults, and I think she threw more food than she ate (a bad habit we are trying to break).

Yeah, I'm big!

 The clear dishes and white tablecloths looked a little bland, so my mom and I made some place setters to liven up the tables a bit.  I think they turned out cute!

 Our nephew Zach got baptized the day after Thanksgiving, and our cousin Colby got married the next day, so we enjoyed lots of time with family, and lots of good food!!!  We also enjoyed spending some time outside, enjoying the last few days of nice weather before winter sets in.

Lucy played with the dogs

Stetson did backwards Bob down the sidewalk (note the safety glasses, just in case he crashed)

and we all played some baseball

 This is what Kenny spent Thanksgiving day doing . . . setting up a pen and a water source for our colts, now we have new neighbors!  The kids were super excited!

Our new neighbors

I have so much to be thankful for!  My family, my home, my freedom, and the gospel top the list, but I could go on forever!  How wonderful it is that we have a day set aside to celebrate and remember the blessings we enjoy each day!  THANKS!!!