~~It's Christmas Night~~

It's Christmas Night

by Max Lucado

It's Christmas night. The house is quiet. Even the crackle is gone from the fireplace. Warm coals issue a lighthouse glow in the darkened den. Stockings hang empty on the mantle. The tree stands naked in the corner. Christmas cards, tinsel, and memories remind Christmas night of Christmas day.

It's Christmas night. What a day it has been! Spiced tea. Santa Claus. Cranberry sauce. "Thank you so much" " You shouldnt have!" "Grandma is on the phone" Knee-deep wrapping paper. "It just fits." Flashing cameras. It's Christmas night. The girls are in bed. Jenna dreams of her talking Big Bird and clutches her new purse. Andrea sleeps in her new Santa pajamas. It's Christmas night. The tree that only yesterday grew from soil made of gifts, again grows from the Christmas tree stand. Presents are now possessions. Wrapping paper is bagged and in the dumpsite. The dishes are washed and the leftover turkey awaits next weeks sandwiches.

It's Christmas night. The last of the carolers appeared on the ten o'clock news. The last of the apple pie was eaten by my brother in law. And the last of the Christmas albums have been stored away having dutifully performed their annual rendition of chestnuts, white Christmases, and red-nosed reindeer.

Its Christmas night.

The midnight hour has chimed and I should be asleep, but I'm awake. I'm kept awake by one stunning thought. The world was different this week. It was temporarily transformed. The magical dust of Christmas glittered on the cheeks of humanity ever so briefly, reminding us of what is worth having and what we were intended to be. We forgot our compulsion with winning, wooing, and warring. We put away our ladders and ledgers, we hung up our stop watches and weapons. We stepped off our racetracks and rollar coasters and looked outward toward the star of Bethlehem.

It's the season to be jolly because, more then at any other time, we think of him. More then in any other season, his name is on our lips. And the result? For a few precious hours our heavenly yearnings intermesh and we become a chorus. A ragtag chorus of longshorman, Boston lawyers, illegal immigrants, housewives, and a thousand other peculiar persons who are banking that Bethlehem's mystery is in reality, a reality. "Come and behold him" we sing, stirring even the sleepiest sheperds and pointing them toward the Christ-child.

For a few precious hours, he is beheld. Christ the Lord. Those who pass the year without seeing him, suddenly see him. People who have been accused to using his name in vain, pause to use it in praise. Eyes, now free of the blinders of self, marvel at his majesty. All of a sudden he's everywhere. In the grin of the policeman as he drives his paddy wagon full of presents to the orphange.

In the twinkle in the eyes of the Taiwanese waiter as he tells of his upcoming Christmas trip to see his children. In the emotion of the father who is too thankful to finish his dinner table prayer. He's in the tears of the mother as she welcomes home her son from overseas. He's in the heart of the man who spent Christmas morning on skid row giving away cold baloney sandwiches and warm wishes. And he's in the solemn silence of the crowd of shopping mall shoppers as the elementary school chorus sings "Away in a Manger". Emmanuel. He is with us. God came near.

Its Christmas night. In a few hours the cleanup will begin-lights will come down, trees will be thrown out. Size 36 will be exchanged for size 40, eggnog will be on sale for half-price. Soon life will be back to normal again. December's generosity will become January's payments and the magic will begin to fade. But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. Maybe that's why I'm still awake. I want to savor the spirit just a bit more. I want to pray that those who beheld him today will look for him next August. And I can't help but linger on one fanciful thought: if he can do so much with such timid prayers lamely offered in December, how much more could he do if we thought of him every day?

From all of us to all of you we pray you were blessed with a very Merry Christmas.......

Pink Sparkle Toes....

I treated Brooklyn to her very first pedicure yesterday.....so super cute!!! She loved it!!! I'm looking forward to many more years of pedicures together!!!

Precious Moments...

I went shopping with my Bestie Kim early early this morning at midnight, and when I came home this is the sight I got to see when walking through the front door. My 3 babies snuggled up under the Christmas tree. Love them!!!

Snow Fun.....

Saturday brought a big ole snow storm. The kids loved it, including Jason....they had a great afternoon of snowman building, snowball fights, and whitewashes.....Brrrrrr is what I say!!! They all enjoyed their hot cocoa after to help defrost. I hate snow, but love to watch my kids enjoy it!!!!

Halloween 2010.....

Brooklyn as Little Bo Peep

Kaden as Darth Vader

Jackson as Prince of Persia

Emily as an Army Major

Alli as a 50s Pink Lady

Thankful......

So, it's been a rough couple of weeks in our house. It's awfully hard to be thankful in the rough times for all that we've been given. So, since it's the start of a fresh new week, I'm going to list a few things that I'm have made me smile this week.

1*Taking the kids to Despicable Me and listening to them giggle at the funny parts
2*Hearing how much fun the kids had picking apples from the neighbors tree
3*Taking all the kids to pick out Halloween costumes and watching them give a runway show for us and Grandpa and Teresa
4*Having a husband that cleans up kid vomit at 2 am with me (the wretching coming from him was making me laugh at that ungodly hour!!!!)
5*Listening to Brooklyn sing to herself a made up potty song while she tinkles
6*The happy smile Kaden has on his face every morning when he wakes up, comes to my doorway, waves his little hand and says "Hi Mom"
7*The return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte to Starbucks and the friend from out of town that I got to visit with while sipping it
8*Watching Brooklyn go through a bag of hand me downs like it was Christmas
9*Listening to Jackson auction off and ISU Pendant at the Scarecrow auction
10*Smelling the heaters warm up when I turned them on today because I couldn't stand the cold one second longer!!!!


What's made you happy this last week???? Hope everyone smiles lots and feels the warmth and love of family and friends this week!!!

Christmas List.....

I have started my Christmas List!!!! Have you???? Of course my kids wish lists come true way before mine, but I wanted to give everyone a little peek of the few things I will be asking Santa for this year.....

These adorable pink Dansco clogs for work!!! Plus with the Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon, I love them even more!!!! Portneuf is having us go to plain ole boring blue scrubs when the new hospital opens, so I think I need a sassy pair of shoes to jazz up the blue a little!!!!

Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things Perfume....smells sooo good!!!

Urban Decay eyeshadow.....love Midnight Cowboy and Uzi and many more!!!

Mindy Gledhill's new CD....have you heard it???? Love her song Hourglass...and it's All About Your Heart....and basically the whole CD......

What's on your list?????

One Year.....

This was one year ago today....10/10/09. To celebrate we went to The Cheesecake Factory...yum!!!! I got some of my favorite flowers, gerber daisies all different pinks, and orange lillies..... Love flowers, Love this man, Love this day, Love Love...... Hope you all feel love today!!!!

Jenny Lake.....

A couple of weeks ago I surprised Jason with a trip to Jackson Hole. We went for the day, hiked around Jenny Lake, ate at Merry Piglets, walked around town a bit and then headed home. I love day dates!!! It was an absolutely beautiful drive up through Alpine. All the the trees were changing and so the colors was amazing!!! I'd love to take the kids for a day!!! Maybe next year.

Here we are at the top of the Look out point, overlooking Jenny Lake

At the waterfall

Love the Tetons!!!!

The weather that day was super!!! Our sweatshirts came off shortly after we started the hike. It was so sunny and the fresh air was fabulous!!!! Thanks for spending the day with me babe!!!! Great memories!!!

Bountiful Basket......

I LOVE the Bountiful Basket program!!! I've just returned from volunteering this week as well as picking up my own basket. It is seriously the best!!! I meant to take a picture, but totally spaced it because I was so excited putting it all away! This week we got cabbage, a honeydew, 5 ears of corn, 5 plums, 6 nectarines, 6 apples, a butternut squash, 4 tomatoes, a package of mushrooms, 4 bananas, a bag of green grapes, and romaine lettuce. In the past there has been celery, yams, strawberries, eggplant. All yummy yummy stuff and stuff that is sooooo good for you! My family has definetly started eating better and has been more adventurous because of this! It is the best $15 bucks I spend each week for sure!!!! If anyone is interested in this awesome program, email me and I'll be happy to give ya the info!!!!

First Day of Kindergarten.....

Well, the day finally arrived!!!! Kaden got to go to Kindergarten!!! I crawled in bed with him this morning for a little snuggle time before we got up, I said, "Good morning buddy, today is the day!!!!" He pulled back his curtains, looked at the gloomy sky and said, "Mommy, it's still the middle of the night!!!" I assured him it was indeed morning time and that was all it took, he was off and running to get ready. He even helped pack his lunch. He had a great first day and told me he didn't even miss me a little bit. Sniff Sniff......


Kaden and his teacher Mrs Westwood

I swear he's excited, even though his face appears to be that he's going to the dentist and not school!!!

Brothers!!! Jackson was super excited to introduce his friends to Kaden. Jackson made sure to keep an eye on Kaden all day. What a brother!!!

Helpin pack his lunch.....

My babies are growing up so dang fast. Sometimes I wish I could just freeze them where they are right now!!

Leafy Greens.....

At the end of Jackson's 3rd grade year, his teacher sent all of the kids home with a cabbage plant. The instructions were to plant it, take care of it, and harvest it. They needed to weigh the cabbage after picking it and send in a picture for this contest the Bell Vegetable company was putting on. So, Jackson had his Grammy and Grampy in Marsh Valley plant his cabbage for him and with their love and little bit of green thumb out came this 15 pound beauty!!! We gave the picture to his teacher and she will send it off tomorrow. He was the only one out of his class to return it. The state of Idaho has one winner, that winner receives a $1000 scholarship!!! We've got our fingers crossed!!!!

First Day of School.....

Today was Jackson's first day of 4th Grade!!!! He was super excited, and a little nervous. Jason dropped him off because I had a mandatory class for work. They stopped and got their weekly hot chocolate this morning on their way. Jason said he was smiling the whole way and practically jumped out of the car at the curb!!!

Kindergarten doesn't offically start until next week. Kaden gets to go next Thursday. He was super sad he couldn't go, and started crying. When I asked him what was wrong he said, "I want you to take pictures of me Mommy" So we did a practice run and took a few of him. He had to wear his backpack and take his lunch box to practice. He'll be sooooo happy when he really gets to go next week.

Jackson picked out his first day outfit himself. I didn't buy the boys much, just new shoes and a couple new shirts. Jackson picked this one out. It says how to be Awesome and lists a bunch of ways, the last way being BE LIKE ME!!!! I couldn't agree more Jackson, YOU ARE AWESOME!!!

Must Have......

I LOVE cookbooks, I mean LOVE them!!! I have so many and just love to flip through and pick out yummy things to make my family!! I've often said that my calling in life is to feed people. It just makes my heart happy to watch people I love eating good food made by me. If I could make it my job to feed people and pay my bills I totally would!!! So while browsing a few cooking websites I frequent, I found this......I've been searching for a great cake pop book, and here it is!!!! It will most def be on my Christmas list, or Birthday list, or maybe just a because I want it list!!! I can hardly wait to get it and make some yummy treats for the boy's new classes!!!

Family Pics.........

Jason's folks came and stayed with us for a week, along with the girls. We had lots of fun driving to Roy and seeing all their old friends. Jason's brother Rob was able to take leave from Alaska and come too along with Jason's sister Jessica who lives with his parents. While the fellas were here they were able to help Jason cross off some items from his honey-do list. We were able to get some family pictures taken, who knows when we'll be able to all be together again!!! Thanks for all the help guys and thank you Mom and Dad Mc for everything while you were here!!! We love you!!!!

Pic of the Day.....

We didn't do much today....pretty lazy summer day of popscicles, fried chicken for lunch, and playing in our own backyard....the kids watched a couple movies.... This is where Miss B decided to fall asleep....snuggled up close to her big brother....love them all so much....

Kicking Cancer.....

Friday we participated in the Realy for Life as a family. We were able to collect over $300 in donations. Thanks so much to everyone for donating!!! It was such a great night, Jason and the kids stayed till 10, my mom and I stayed till midnight. I think it will be our new yearly tradition. Cancer sucks...it has traumitized too many of my close family and friends. I have a grandma who passed away after having lung cancer, a mom who has survived breast cancer, and a best friend who's daughter was just yesterday diagnosed with a brain tumor. I HATE CANCER!!!! Anything I can do to help in the research and killing of cancer I will do. We had the cutest tye dye shirts for the relay.....they said on the front CANCERNATORS.... and on the back they said Kicking cancers butt one cell at a time...

Me and my hot mama who did kick cancers butt!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!

Birthday Party.....

We had Jackson and Brooklyn's birthday party this weekend. Nothing like a little slip and slide action in the back yard!!! We had BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, and a Pinkalicious themed birthday cake. Paula even dyed the cake pink so it was pink everywhere. Brooklyn loved it. Unfortunately it was 95 degrees yesterday so the cake had started to melt a little, but it was still super tastey!!! We had our friends the Mustos family, my sister and her kids, my friend Kim, and my mom over. It was nice to keep it simple and just enjoy being together.
Brooklyn by the slip and slide

Bubbles
Brooklyn with her Princess costumes!! Thanks Kim!

Brooklyn, Brooklynn, and Tessa enjoying watermelon!!!

PINKALICIOUS baby!!!!

Gotta love a girl in goggles

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate!!!!