Here's to the New Year

It's that time of year again- time to look back on what has happened over the last 12 months and look forward to the next 12. The overwhelming feeling I have looking back on this year is gratitude. I feel so grateful for the miracles that have occured this past year. From Darreck's new job and graduate school to our beautiful home, we've seen so many wonderful things happen in our family this year. Looking back even further to when we lived in Moscow, I never would have predicted so many of the things that have happened to us since moving here. Our Heavenly Father has looked out for us in more ways than I could ever write in one post. From the small, every day blessings to Darreck's amazing job and Max's sweet personality, life is really good right now.

This next year my only goal is to remain worthy to be blessed so abundantly. I want to do better with my calling, be a more patient mother, and be less judgemental of my fellow beings. I want to become an even better steward over the resources we have been blessed with, and I want to eat more vegetables. Okay, so I'm not good with specific resolutions, but my goal this year and every year is to become a little more like Christ everyday. Lucky for me, I have a whole lifetime plus eternity to get there. Heaven knows (and only heaven really knows, luckily!) just how very much I need that much time! Here's to small steps in the New Year, and even more things to be grateful for this time next year.

Beautiful Baptism

I know that I sometimes joke about the amount of playing I do for church, but the truth is that I really enjoy getting to use my talents to bring the spirit into church meetings. Today I got the privilege of playing prelude and waiting music for a girl in first ward- Jenavieve Giles. She was in my class in first ward, and I'm her piano teacher and her brother's violin teacher. There entire family holds a very special place in my heart, and I was flattered that they wanted me to provide music for such a special day. I absolutely love attending baptisms; there is no sweeter spirit than when someone decides to accept Christ and join His church. It is especially neat when that person is a young child with their whole life in front of them. I am amazed by the strength and faith of children, and I know that children like Jena will do much to build up the church throughout their lives.

I was also impressed by the amount of people who braved the horrific weather today to attend the baptism. It goes to show that good, strong families really do build up a presence in a town after generations. I really hope that we can continue this legacy in our family. It's nice to be home, surrounded by people who know and love our family. The importance of having connections, especially connections in the church, was really apparent to me today. We're really blessed to be in such a great place, and hopefully we can stay for years and year to come.

The Big Day

We've finally gotten there- Christmas! It only took three posts...

We woke up early (of course) on Christmas and did our presents from Santa here at the house, and then we made the trek over to mom and dad's for family presents. Way, way too much stuff later (including totally awesome purple cookware!) we ate breakfast and settled in to admire our new stuff. Max loved playing with his toys, and I'm glad he's finally at the age where he does care more about the toys than the boxes. Darreck also got his dream popcorn maker, but his quest to make the perfect popcorn is fodder for another post. After a few hours of chilling, we took Max home for a nap, followed in quick secession by going back to mom and dad's for dinner. I made dessert this year- a two layered red and green jello poke cake- and have a feeling Gram would not approve because it wasn't pie. She also wouldn't approve that mom made pork loin instead of ham, but that is precisely why we love Gram so much :) After dinner we went to Hale's to see how there day had gone, and it was fun but low-key.

VERY, VERY early in the morning!

Probably the most memorable part of this year was getting to spend it in our new house. It was fun to have enough room for all our decorations and getting to hang lights and make a fire. I think it really made it feel like *home*. That's the problem with living in apartments for so long; nothing seems very permanent. We're so blessed to be living where we are.



Telephone from Grandma Great



More toys and even a "Max" book

 And, last but certainly not least, I am most thankful this Christmas season for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without his miraculous birth and infinite Atonement, we would have no purpose here on earth. We praise, adore, and seek him still, and this coming year our wish is to continually become more and more like Him- our exemplar and perfect elder brother.

A Few Weeks Before the Night Before Christmas

Around here we believe in Santa. We believe in giving generously, and we also believe that sometimes Santa gives others the opportunity to give for him. We were lucky enough to have one of those experiences this year.

Max has been in love with trains for some time now, and every time we would pass one in the store he'd get excited and say, "choo-choo, choo-choo!" We assumed this was 1 year old speak for, "Mommy, Daddy, I want that for Christmas!" However, getting such a little guy a full train set all in one year is a daunting task, even for Santa :)

However, a last month we got a very random call from a family who were moving out of our ward, the Doyles. Jenn Doyle said that they were looking for a good home for their son Tyler's old train set, and would Max like it. I was astounded; completely floored. I had not told her about Max's train obsession, but she was in-tune enough with the spirit to know who she could serve this Christmas. It seemed like a huge answer to one of our Christmas problems. But, there's even more.

This particular family has had a trying few months. They have a situation I know I would not handle with grace, because I've been there and didn't cope too well. That they would even be thinking about someone else at a time like that (let alone our family, whom they'd only known a few months) really affected me. It brought the Christmas spirit into our home in a way I'm not sure we've ever had before. I think that's really the true gift.

I know that Tyler's train set meant a lot to their family. You can't develop a collection of that magnitude (this set is huge!) without a lot of sentimental value. That knowledge makes this toy even more special to our family. We may not have a lot, but we've always been provided for, quite often by angels like the Doyle family. Every time I look at the train-set, I'm reminded again of our Heavenly Father's love and watchful eye for my family.

<>

<>

 

A small part of the collection we set up for Max



Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and I had a head-cold. However, it didn't manage to stop it from being the best Christmas Eve ever, just meant I didn't get any sleep! Lucky for me everyone else in the family was healthy, and everyone had a great time. I gotta say that Christmas Eve is probably my favorite day of the year. Something about the mix of anticipation and stillness makes it perfect, and this year was one of the best.

We started out the day by trying to catch up on all the cleaning I'd failed to do sick. Not very glamorous, but these things have to be done. We spent the afternoon at my mom and dad's eating our normal (and very yummy) appetizer dinner then opening pajamas. This year Kayla and I also got mukluk slippers we begged and pleaded for back on black Friday. Hehe.

We met Darreck's family at our house about six and exchanged present with them. Later we played Catchphrase (hilarious) and ate even more food. It's amazing the amount of junk food I can justify eating by saying, "well, it's Christmas!" My mom and Kayla joined us right as Darreck's family left, and we even got a surprise visit from the law (well, dad at least). We went out and looked at lights, but it was pathetic this year. We had a really cold early December, and no one seemed brave enough to put out much of a display. We got back to our house around ten with Max dead asleep in his carseat. Then the real work began.

Darreck and I made our first ever fire in our fireplace with none too little effort. It took forever to get going but was well worth the time in the end. It was so relaxing. Then we had the long task of finishing up some assembly work for Santa. We finally fell into bed around one, exhausted, and I proceeded to not sleep the rest of the night.

More Music (Surprise, Surprise)

Today was our ward Christmas program, and I got the awesome opportunity to play a violin duet with Engra Perterson accompanied by Julie-Dee Alt. This is the second time we've all played together, and I really enjoy the experience. The song we did in Sacrament meeting was a juxtaposition of The First Noel and Pachelbel's Cannon. Totally cool piece! Then we did the opening song in Relief Society- a mash-up of Still, Still, Still and a Bach aire. I love combining the classical with traditional Christmas carols, and this one book of arrangements is the best I've ever found. It actually made playing in church fun, whod've thought?

Now we're preparing for Christmas (duh) and Darreck singing next Sunday in church. He's going to do awesome, but his obsessing about it being perfect is starting to drive me a little bonkers. People can laugh at me and say I'm a little up-tight, but they don't know Darreck well enough! He hides it well...

Crazy Christmas Week

The week before Christmas always seems way crazier around here than the actual week of Christmas. Darreck is trying desperately trying to finish everything up before he goes on break Friday. Today he got to be the "signing Santa" for the MSDB Christmas party. I know he was a little nervous about it, but he's holly and jolly enough to pull it off. I've been crazy busy baking- 9 total types of cookies on 10 trays. Yikes! I tasted so many of them to make sure they weren't horrible that now I can't even look at another cookie. My favorite of the year was cake balls- a crumbled fudge cake mixed with a tub of fudge frosting then dipped in white chocolate. Died and gone to heaven.

One other little thing, Darreck got all his grades back, and he got all A's in his first semester of grad school. He worked so hard and did so incredibly well. He always gets worried about starting a new school, but I knew he would rock at grad school. He's a wonderful writer, and that's most of what he's been doing. I'm so proud of him for his willingness to improve himself to support our family. He's such a wonderful provider, and I'm lucky to have such a great husband.

SANTA!!!!!!

Max and I had the opportunity to go to the 1st Ward Christmas party tonight. Since dad and Darreck were both working, I got to be mom's wing man while my sister sang in the angel choir for the nativity. Their very brave primary presidency had the kids put on a living nativity, and it was a hoot. My personal favorite was the sunbeam boys dressed up as sheep! Classic.

Max also got the chance to meet Santa for his second year in a row, and he still was a little nonplussed by the whole circus. He was actually really mellow for the entire party, just like he was when we went to our ward's party. He's at that shy, won't let mommy too far out of my sight stage right now. That, combined with his overall laid-back personality, make him a pretty shy little guy. It didn't help that it was also after bedtime. But, he didn't cry and that has to count for something. Still, one of these years I'm determined to get a pic of him smiling with Santa.

The Big 5-0

One last post for the day, and I saved the best for last! Today was dad's 50th birthday, and we're so happy for him. Although we had his big party back in July, today we had a fun, low-key family day. After the concert, I went back to mom and dad's for spaghetti (dad' fav) and then chocolate cake and spumoni ice cream. We got dad a Joshua Bell CD to pump him up for the concert in April. Mom got him a very cool musical clock, which was an inspired and very unique gift. Mom has a knack for that.

I'm thankful for having such a wonderful father. Him and I are so alike that it's scary sometimes, but I've been lucky enough to learn a lot from his triumphs. I hope that this year ends up being the best yet because he defiantly deserves it. Happy birthday!

Music and More

While we're doing marathon blog updates, I thought I would mention all the music events this Christmas.

Last night was our ward party, and I had the chance to play in a violin-violin-cello trio. It's so much fun getting to play with serious musicians at church. The women I was fortunate enough to play with are not only great musicians, but they also play with the spirit. I love playing in church, but it's even better when I get to play with others who are trying to convey the same spirit I am.

Today we played the holiday symphony concert. This is my favorite concert of the year, and this year's song selections were great. Sometimes working with the choir creates some additional challenges, but the effect on the audience is always worth the extra hassle. Tim and Pennie got to come to this show, there first one here in Great Falls, and I really hope they enjoyed it. There is no greater way to show gratefulness for the talents we've been given is to use them to praise our Heavenly Father. I especially like playing this concert because it introduces music about Christ to those who might not otherwise not go to any religious services during the Christmas season. What a wonderful way to spend the Sabbath!

Trimming the Tree

Thursday we finally got around to setting up the Christmas tree! It should have been a fun and festive experience, but Max was kind of in a mood which then led to Darreck being kind of in a mood. I turned up the music and instituted a no whining policy, and the day got better from there on out. What counts is that the tree looks great, no one got hurt, and we can officially say that Max helped with the tree. It's a start!

This is the ornament of the year. It's hand-made and I found it for Darreck, knowing that he loves Nutcrackers.



Memories in the Making

I know that I never use this blog for product placement, but I have the chance to get 50 free cards from Shutterfly, and that’s an offer way too good to pass up. If any of you have had the pleasure of getting one of our Christmas cards or Max’s birth announcement or birthday party invite, you’ll know how cool Shutterfly cards are. I’ve told almost all my friends about Shutterfly, and many of our family members have gotten photo books from us for Christmas, all made by- you guessed it- Shutterfly.


I love making photo projects for the same reason that I love blogging. I keep a copy of everything I print, and post, for the future. Especially with kids, life seems to go so fast, and even now it’s hard to remember exactly what Max was like when he was really little. My blog books are my own little journal and my photo books are my nice and neat little albums. That and I have no time or patience for scrapbooking!

So, here’s the plan. I’m going to get my free Christmas cards this year and combine them with the ones from last year. After a few years of doing this, I’m going to compile my own Christmas card album. It’s just one more way to remember and pass on those memories to future generations.

Here are links to some of the products we've personally used for you to check out for yourself:
Christmas card (such as our fabulous black and red one from last year!)-

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards  
Birth announcements like the one we did for Max-
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birth-announcements 
And, last but not least, photo cards like the fab one we did for Max's first birthday party-
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

You’ll have to wait and see which one we decided on when we send them out! Happy memory making!