Christmas Angels

As you've heard me mention in previous posts...we have been very blessed by many different peoples generosity. I couldn't possibly mention all of them because nearly everyday over the last two weeks someone has done something unexpected and wonderful for our family. Some were simple and some were big, but big or small we are truly grateful for all of our Christmas Angels.

I hesitate to mention any, since I can't mention them all but here is one that was both especially touching and fun.

On Christmas Eve we found a bag on the front porch. When I went to lift it I nearly fell over...it was very heavy. When we opened it we found this..... Even more touching than the money was the note attached. It was full of encouragement and well-wishes. It was kind and uplifting and just what we needed to hear.

Sydney and I spent some time on Christmas counting coins. That little heavy tin held over $250.00. This was a fun gift to receive. Long after this money is spent...we'll still remember how this gift made us feel. Very, very loved!

A New Tradition

I actually stole this idea from my brother's blog, for Thanksgiving his family did a "Thankful tree". I liked the idea and decided to do the same for Christmas...this is our "Blessings tree".

It's important to me that my children understand the real reason we celebrate Christmas. I really try hard to make it a Christ-centered-Christmas even with all the worldly commercialism. This year our family has been much more on the receiving end than the giving end of things due to Ken's job loss. Even though we could not give much I wanted my children to feel the Christmas spirit by recording the blessings we received or the things that we were especially thankful for.

All of the kids got into the spirit and we really enjoyed recording our blessings. It's is very difficult to deny the hand of the Lord in your life when you can physically see evidence of His tender mercies each day.

On Christmas Eve I gathered up all the "blessings"ornaments off the tree and put them into a treasure box.


On Christmas morning before we opened up any presents we opened up our treasure box and read all of our real gifts. It was a fun time listening to all the things that we were thankful for and felt were blessings in our lives. It helped to put things into perspective and understand how much we are cared for and loved.

This is a tradition we hope to carry on each year. I will keep the ornaments each year as a way of journaling the things that are important to us.

Puke Fest

Tyler hasn't turned into a gang-sta', he's just trying his best not to end up like......

THEM!
Last week we were having a puke fest. It started with Emma when she got home from school. Then just about every 1/2 hour someone else would complaining of a tummy-ache then within minutes they would be hurling their guts out. It was almost comical the way Ken and I were rushing around with puke bowls. UNTIL...I got sick then it was no longer funny. At one point Ken was helping Kaylie while she was vomiting, at the same time I was in the bathroom with Sydney holding her puke bowl, then I couldn't hold it in anymore...I too started heaving into the sink. We were a pathetic bunch. Everyone except for Ken and Tyler ended up sick and violently puking all night. It was truly awful and disgusting. Ken was amazing taking care of everyone.

I am so glad it is over and everyone was better before Christmas.

The Blessings Are Overflowing

"God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom"
-President Spencer W. Kimball

We are overwhelmed by the overflowing kindness of others...we have been very blessed. The amount of support from our neighbors, friends, and family is unbelievable. We have no doubt that our Father in Heaven loves us...because we are served daily by His loving servants. People like our adorable little 11-year-old neighbor...to anonymous Christmas Angels. We thank-you so much and wish you a very...Merry Christmas!

Still On The Hunt

Thank you for your prayers.

This time someone else's prayers got answered.

We are still on the hunt.

What Christmas Is All About...

As I've mentioned before we have had many blessings come our way through the kindness of others. Just this week alone everyday someone has done something special and unexpected for our family. Things ranging from shoveling the driveway, calls asking...'I have this...could you use it?' to a gift card anonymously left on the porch.

Today another tender mercy arrived in the mail...It was simple and small, but it touched me deeply. It reminds me of what Christmas is all about...giving, sharing, and caring about others. We can celebrate our Savior's birth by being more like Him. It was a precious gift from the heart, and I am truly grateful.

Arriving in the mail today was a letter addressed to me with no return address. I opened the letter and found a $10 bill. The letter read:

Dear Nancy,

I heard that Ken is out of work. I remember going to your super shopper class at a Relief Society function years ago and being very impressed with how far you could make your money stretch. Recently someone was very generous to me and I felt impressed to pass some of it on to you...it is small, but I know you can make this stretch further than I can.

Good Luck. I am praying for you.

Sincerely,

A Friend

I do not know who this 'friend' is, but she taught me a valuable lesson...you don't have to give a lot to brighten someones day. It really is the gifts of the heart that mean the most. That $10 means so much more than it's monetary value, I am so grateful. And I'll be sure to spend it wisely.

Could You Sqeeze In A Prayer or Two, Please?

Today has been on of those emotional 'blah' days. It's been a rough few days of sickness in our house. And with the normal pressures of life piling up I have been feeling a bit down.

My day got a little worse by receiving some bad news (nothing serious), then by sitting down to pay the monthly bills. This is a chore I have never enjoyed, but not having a job just makes it down right miserable.

I went in to talk to Ken about all my whoa's. I told him I thought I needed a good cry. Like the good husband he is he patted my back and said..."There , there, everything is going to be alright". Ken interview for a job last week and was told that he would get a second interview this week. I expressed my fear that we had not heard back yet. He said, he wasn't worried, and that maybe it was a blessing considering we've all been sick. But he said he would get up and check his email, just to be sure. I told him I could really use some good news right about now. Just then his cell phone rang...he joked about it being his 2nd interview...I said, "oh, wouldn't that be ironic?"...then I heard...Oh, Hi Larry....Then I took a deep breathe, because Larry was the guy...this was the call we had been waiting for. Ken has a 2nd interview scheduled for Thursday!

Here is where you come in...We could really use your prayers. Ken feels very good about this job, and we really could use a job right now, so please keep us in your prayers. I'm sure there are other families praying for this job also, so we need to pray more than them! I'm kidding-but seriously we could use your help.

We have been so fortunate to have so many people praying on our behalf. Thank you so much!

Look What I Got For Christmas!

I mentioned that we had a family Christmas party last Saturday and I wanted to brag about my goodies. In our family instead of buying gifts for every sibling we draw names and just buy for one family. Sometimes we get ambitious and don't stop with just one family...hence my several gifts. My sister Ann had our family's name this year.

She made this super cute ornament for Ken and I. It has pictures of the two of us through the years. I love it.

She also made these precious "blessing" blocks. Each one has different pictures of each child as they grow older. I can look at them all as babies or flip them around to see them getting bigger. Again, I LOVE it!

This beautiful plaque was made by Mike and Heather. I still need to find that perfect spot in the house for it, but I can't wait to have it hanging on the wall.

And this gift is from my sister Mimi. It's a great resource book for all of our important information in case of an emergency. I need to get busy and fill it out and keep it handy.

See I told you you'd be jealous. I'm a lucky girl!

Music Express

The girls have been in a singing group for the past few months. Tonight they performed at the Festival of Trees. It was fun and they did a great job.

Here are clips of Emma and Kaylie. I can't get Sydney's song to download. I think it is too big, but this last one is a group number with all three girls.

Good job, girlies!

Remembering November

Here are a few of November's highlights at a glance...
Introducing...Miss Fashion Sense
McKenna sported around in this little ensemble until I had to peel it off of her. Lucky for her she looks good in anything.
Kaylie's 10th Birthday!

This is Mr. Fashion Sense....he's all ready for church. Isn't he handsome? With a little tucking and adjusting he really was cute. I am very grateful that the little guy gets himself ready on Sunday's, but WOW I had to stifle a laugh at this one.

Little D's B-Day...

I love those chubby hands. He wasn't lettin go for nothin'.

Thanks to Sydney he looks a bit like an Indian warrior.Ooo-Wee, we have been enjoying our fireplace. It has been lovely.

Look at this super adorable little angel-fairy-girl I found sleeping on my couch. She's sweet when she sleeps.

Here we have yet another birthday...This one belonging to our very special Aunt Tami.

43 Yikes! Where's the fire extinguisher?

I forget to take any pictures of our Thanksgiving dinner...but here's one of the turkey bowl. Ken and my brother, Mike, played flag football on Thursday morning. They were both on opposite teams just so at least one of them could come home victorious.

At the game my little niece says to me...

Hannah: My daddy isn't getting the ball.

Me: Yeah, my Ken isn't either.

Hannah: Yeah, those two don't know how to play very well.

When ever you want honesty just look to a 5 year old, you'll get it every time!

We also had a great family holiday party on Saturday. I forgot to take pictures of my goodies...but I will. You'll all be jealous.

Now it's December...Christmas will be here soon. I hope you all enjoy the holiday's and take the time to remember what it is that we are celebrating....The birth of our Savior....Merry Christmas!