Christmas Eve

I love Christmas Eve.  I love the anticipation of the kids and the feeling of excitement all day.  This year my girls were with their dad during the day so Jeff and I decided to go skiing with Chase.  We are so lucky to have him here from school.  He couldn’t wait to hit the Beav!  On our 3rd run Chase hit a “box” a “flat box” (snowboarder terms) and feel very strangely on his head.  As soon as he fell I said to Jeff “that is not going to turn out well.”  Sure enough Chase had a concussion.  Or in his words he was Concussed!  We took him to the ski patrol shack and he got checked out.  It was clear he had hit his head HARD.  Mostly evidenced by him asking the same 3 questions in the same sequence over and over about 100 times!  Also evidenced by the fact that he had no memory of the day and didn’t know where he was. 

Bless his heart!  He was so frustrated that he really had NO CLUE what had happened.  Everything turned out well and by the next day he was feeling much better.  We knew we were in trouble when he had no idea it was Christmas Eve.  In fact when we told him he faithfully denied it!  So funny!!  So..  we called it quits early and went home.  The great news was…  I got a well deserved Christmas Eve nap! 

On Christmas Eve we went to my mom’s house for the usual and SO FUN party.  The kids did the nativity, we ate lots and Santa came.

We missed Mitchy!!  As usual Santa delivered.  Look at Santa with the new babies!  What a blessing to have MaeLee and Kyson this year!  They are both SO sweet!

He have all of the kids Hex bugs which they loved.

After Santa the kids did the Nativity!  It is always so tender!  It was Kendall’s turn to be Mary this year and Luke was Joseph. 

The top left photo is the mayhem getting ready!  Every year someone refuses, someone cries and there are several “this is lame.”  However they all feel the spirit of the nativity and the entire family looks forward to this part of Christmas Eve! This was the first year that Hunter was the narrator.

Hayden gave me this “Barney” video.  He brought it in on this dolly.  He totally cracks me up.  Barney is a nickname I got skiing and it will never die!  Here are a few more photos from the evening!

Concert & Skiing

This holiday season has been NO VACATION!  We have been so busy.  So, I am going to do a little catch up.  Before Christmas Taylor had a Christmas orchestra concert and we skied a couple of times.

These Orchestra concerts include all of the 4th and 5th graders in the Cache County School District.  It is always amazing and humbling to me to see that many 9 and 10 years old pull off something so amazing.  As usual Taylor had a lot of family support!

We were so lucky that Taylor happened to be seated on the end.  With 300 kids there the odds of that aren’t great!  Jordan was also there!  I have really loved watching Taylor bloom at playing the violin.  To be honest for the first year I thought we had made a terrible mistake.  But now… I love to listen to her practice!

Jeff and I also had the chance to ski one Saturday before Christmas.  I went against my better judgment because I had so much to do for Christmas.  However, I am SO glad that we went.  It was a beautiful day and the snow was incredible!!  My legs definitely felt it by the end of the day!  Another incredible day at the Beav!  Can’t wait for more to come!

 

A few more random items from the Christmas Season:  We baked, and baked and baked….

Jordan also went to a party at her Primary Teacher’s house.  She has the BEST primary teachers.  In Jordan’s primary class is Jordan (of course) and Samantha (most would call it quits with just the two of them) and about 6 other little girls who are equally as intense as Jordan and Samantha!  I  know.. WOW!  There is also one little boy.  Bless his heart!!!  The good news is..  The Sorenson’s are going to move up to CTR7 with the babies!  Yes!!

Tender Heart

My heart is always tender at this time of year.  This year it seems to be particularly tender.  I love Christmas, I love talking about the birth of Christ with my kids and I love the spirit that accompanies this time of year.  Jeff has the camera right now so I will update you with events soon.  We had our first day of skiing, Taylor’s winter orchestra concert and several other parties.  Look for posts to come.

As most of you have read in previous posts several weeks ago one of our ward members was in a severe accidents.  The girls have been persistent in praying for Brother Lindley.  And not just my girls..  all kids around here!  Last Saturday a family that had 4 kids at Mountainside Elementary were involved in an accident and two of the children passed away.  One boy in particular was in 1st grade and in Jordan’s class last year.  I don’t know this family, I know a few of their children at the school.  What a perspective building experience.  On Monday mornings I read in the 1st grade.  Today,  like every Monday morning I headed to school but this Monday was different.  Jordan’s teacher gathered the kids around and sat with them on the floor, looked at their little eyes and had the most faith promoting discussion with them I have EVER been a part of.  What a blessing to be the “Monday Mom” this week.  The school then had a sing a long planned and the Orchestra was playing several songs for the school.  Taylor’s orchestra teacher asked the children to think of ways to “love one another better” during the last two songs.  As I watched my sweet 10 year old play the violin for the school I was in awe. I can’t explain the feeling there but know that our Heavenly Father blessed the school today.  I know there were tender mercies all day.   When I publish my blog in a few weeks I hope to refer to this post when the following happens:

Jordan has beat the tar out of Taylor all day and I would like to throw her out the window!  Jordan has told me I am “not invited to her birthday party” OR used the word “stupid” numerous times.

Taylor has rolled her eyes at me 9 million times and has so much attitude it is oozing out of her pours!  Taylor has complained steadily about her lack of “privacy, computer time, tv time and/or everything else for that matter.”

Jordan and Mitchy have said “but that’s not fair” so many times that I quit counting 6 hours ago!

And when I am wondering about this role of motherhood thing and wondering who exactly signed me up to be a mom.

I will consider the following:

Our children are given to us by our Heavenly Father, we made a commitment to parent and teach with the spirit…  Where anger is the Holy Ghost is not.

NOTHING that has so great a reward as parenthood is easy.

Patience is NOT a virtue I was born with and must continue to work on developing. 

Where much is given much is required.  I live in an incredible community that is grounded in the Gospel. I live among people I love to serve. People who know me and I can count on.  I was given 5 children to teach and love.  Although not daily for 3 of them I still have a responsibility to influence.  I was given an incredible family who I am blessed to serve and love daily.  I was given the best partner (I hate the word Fiance, although partner has its own implications)  in the world who ever so patiently deals with my intensity and many imperfections.  Because of that I am required and lucky to give back.  I have learned that looking inward will never provide the blessings of looking outward. 

And finally:  The Atonement, the Plan of Salvation, Eternal Families, Tithing, Fasting, Prayers and love are all blessings of the Gospel that I take great comfort in!!

Merry Christmas and I promise the next post will go back to the norm!!!

I Have Issues

You all know I have issues.  I am always too busy, too crazy and have WAY too much going on.  The problem is:  I like it that way!  However, somewhere in the past several weeks I have missed my opportunity to stop and document what really matters. 

I love this time of year.  I love Thanksgiving. I love Black Friday. I love Christmas Shopping. I even love the 900 parties.  There are class parties, ward parties, work parties, family parties, primary parties and orchestra parties.  Given that it’s only December 8th we have already checked several off the list.  But first…

BLACK FRIDAY…

Need I say more!

Why yes I do..  What I hope to remember from this year.

Shopping from midnight until 9:00 a.m.

The less sleep I get the sillier I become.

Sleeping over at my parents house with my sisters.  There are some things that never change.  My dad still woke up at 3:00 a.m. to go on the tow truck.  He still turns on the same lights and sits in the same chair while he puts on his boots.  What an incredible comfort there is in familiarity.

Breakfast at Einstein’s with my mom, sisters, aunt and cousin. These are 5 of the women I love and respect most in the world.

Jill’s cartwheel in the mall.  I will leave it at that!!

What I missed this year:  No trip to IFA for Uncle Loyd… Girls you know what I mean!!

On the evening of Black Friday we took the girls to the Nutcracker.  We ate at the Coppermill first and then went to the ballet.  With the exception of auditions to the Chicken Bak Bak club at intermission on the stairs they were great! Thank you Grandma for a great evening.

One of Taylor’s best friends was Clara.  That was an added bonus to an already great evening!

Taylor and Mary after the ballet.

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving was the ward party.  It was my final event as activities chair.  My Bishop always tell me that I don’t need a committee because I have Jeff and the Watrins.  He is right.  Thank you to Jeff, Kim and Shea for all their extra help! We had a great turn out and even better… I am done!

The following weekend was our traditional “Salt Lake Weekend.”  This is one of my favorite weekends all year.  My kids talk about it the entire year and anytime they are asked to share a favorite family tradition they usually share this one. 

We shopped hard and ate a lot.  Jordan came home with a 2 foot tall Rapunzel doll with more hair than I have ever seen on a doll.  Taylor also came home with hair!  Seriously.. she bought some of those hair clip things to make you hair look longer.  Weirdo!  She is growing up!  Mitchy bought his usually assortment of tanks, helicopters and Star Wars Stuff.  Another great weekend for the memory books!  Thank you Mom and Dad!

All of that was wonderful!  However a few days ago I got a “payday” as a parent.  Often times as my kids stumble through life I wonder about my effectiveness.  A few days ago a ward member of mine was in a really bad accident.  The Ward did a fast and at breakfast I was telling my girls about the fast and to remember Brother Lindley is all of our prayers during that day.  I talked about how I was fasting but how I wanted them to eat at school and etc.  Taylor told me this “Mom, I will just not eat anything really yummy or like a treat or anything.  That will be the way I fast.”  Now, that probably doesn’t seem like a big deal to most of you but her spirit and intention was so strong.  My hope is that in a few years, if she is ever struggling I can refer her back to this post and remind her of her unshakeable faith when she was 10.  Her strong desire to do the right thing for the right reasons.  I am blessed to have children who have such a pure spirit!

Cousins and Concert

We had a week full of cousins!  I have always felt so lucky to live near my family.  My  mom makes dinner for us every Sunday.  My kids look forward to this all week!  When my mom got called as the Stake Young Women’s President one of the ways we helped “lighten her load” was by taking turns cooking one Sunday per month for her.  Last Sunday it was our turn.  I am never sure what exactly goes on when the kids are playing together!  Our presentation this week was hilarious!

Again, not exactly sure but I love it!!  Please take not of Samantha’s face!!!

During the week we were able to have Reagan and Hunter on Tuesday night, Wednesday and Thursday morning while Samantha went on her “one on one” with her parents!  I absolutely loved having the Watrins over.  Reagan is my cohort in crime when it comes to watching endless hours of the Food Network.  Needless to say, after spending two nights staying up late they kids were pooped!

On Friday night Mountain Crest played in the State Championship game.  Taylor has been part of the “pre-teen” crowd that walks that track during football games!  Those of you who went to MC know exactly what I am talking about.  Anyway, my cousin Troy is one of their best players and Taylor truly feels like a super star and brags often about being related.  She came home the day before the State Championship game and said one boy in her fifth grade class asked her if “Troy is really as tall in real life as he looks when he is playing football.”  HOW FUNNY!!   We have went to several games this year and I have really enjoyed it. 

On Friday, Taylor and I (Jord opted to stay with her dad), Grandma and Grandpa and the Watrin family headed to Salt Lake.  Unfortunately, Troy got a concussion on an incredible catch very early on in the game.  Unfortunately, he was never able to return to play in the State Championship game.  Unfortunately, Mountain Crest lost in over time. Fortunately, despite all of that it was an incredible evening!  Fortunately Mountain Crest showed incredible class!  Fortunately, not one player from Mountain Crest did anything that wasn’t absolutely admirable! Fortunately, we were able to remind our kids the lesson of close family.  When Troy was hurt he kept looking in the stands for his family.  On several occasions the coaches pointed out his mom and he would wave and she would wave back.  By the end of the game his brother Brian had left the stands and was standing on the side line next to him.  When your are down you need your family even more!

  

Taylor and Hunter during over time.  They had a blast!  We also got to watch the Caprielle’s dance which was an added bonus!  My sister in law is the coach and puts in countless hours to make them look SO good!

On Saturday Taylor had a violin/piano recital.  She has been taking from Rachelle Cook Jones and we love her!  With Rachelle’s help Taylor has improved on the violin SO much!  Taylor sounded great and I love the “young lady” she is turning into.   Thank you to Grandma, Jeff, Jord and Mitchy for coming! 

 

Oh and P.S. about Taylor growing up..  She shaved her legs the other day… Without my knowing.  She is such a rule driven girl she told her before she even got out of the tub!  Good thing to because they were patchy..  to say the least!!!  Where does time go?

Youth 2000 Leadership Conference

Last Monday Taylor and her Youth 2000 group went to a leadership conference in Provo.  I reluctantly offered to drive thinking it was a chance for me so spend time with Taylor.  I think it is SO important for me to get to know all of her friends and I felt like this was a way I could do so.  However, it turned out to be one of the most powerful, fun experiences in memory.  20 of her classmates went down and the conference was excellent.  We left Mendon at 6:00 a.m. and go back to Wellsville around 6:00 p.m. and I loved the entire time. 

The overall message  was so powerful.  Here are a few ideas that stuck with me the most:

Popularity ends on yearbook day, respect goes on forever.

Do the right thing, even when it’s hard and other don’t respect you for it.

Your first priority it to be nice.

Life is hard!  Get used to disappointment and if you make it a point to learn from disappointment you will become a better person.  Love others through their disappointment.

Learn to let go of things.

You are your own magic wand. 

Resist temptation and don’t give into “illusions.”   They told the story of a deadly snake who deceived his master into picking him up promising worldy reward.  When the master picked up the snake the deadly snake bit him.  The snake  then said to the master “you knew what I was when you picked me up.”

Don’t EVER get involved with drugs or alcohol. 

I could go on and on.  I truly wanted to stay longer to soak up the good feeling!!

Here are a few photos:

 

The bottom left photo is with John Bytheway!  He is an excellent speaker and I felt so blessed that the kids all got to hear him.  What an incredible day that I will not soon forget!!

The follow Monday the Youth 2000 did an assembly for the school.

Bands of America 2010

Taesha just finished her last high school marching band competition!  I cried yesterday both times she marched.  She is such a talented trumpet player and marching band has been such a rewarding experience!  Taesha has marched for Sky View for 3 years and this year, her Senior year, was phenomenal!  Sky View placed well all year.  They won the overall competition at ISU and ended this year by being Regional Qualifiers at BOA and took 5th in the regional finals.  That is the best placement by Sky View EVER! 

Yesterday we got to spend the day sitting in 75 degree sunny weather in St. George. 

I love band kids! I love that 100 silly teenagers can produce a show that brings adults to tears!  I love that they love music!  I love the positive influence they are one each other!  I love band parents.  They are down to earth, excellent individuals that I would choose to spend time with any day!  It is a rule that a band director can’t be on the playing field during the competition!  I love to see the band director walk his kids onto the field and then they take over.  The hope is they worked hard enough, learned enough and can perform well!  Much like life!

I am sad to see marching band come to an end and am grateful that I got to be the “mother figure” to Taesha as she would say.  Grateful that she has blessed my life and made me proud beyond words.  Grateful that she provided this example to the younger kids and I hope some day they too join marching band!  

Last night when Mr. Beach “dismissed” the kids he had the Seniors stand in the middle of the cheer.  Among other things they said were the words “with pride.”  T, I hope that you are so proud of your accomplishments with band over the past 3 years.  It is a culmination of 1000’s of hours of work.  Work in the hot sun, sleeping on gym floors with not enough to eat!  Proud that you so valiantly finished what you started!  Proud to be part of such an amazing group of kids!  T, I hope that you are proud that your work touched other people and certainly gave me memories and friendships I will never forget!

I love you Taesha Rain you are 1 in a million… NO 1 in a trillion!  Congratulations Taesha and Sky View!!