San Francisco

I know it looks like we took a family trip to San Francisco--and we did--we were also joined by my friend/sister/roommate etc, Ivy (come on--I've known her since first grade--what do you call her??) & her family on the trek to San Fran for the day! It was the perfect day to do some exploring (no rain!)--which was good because Ivy's husband has never been to SF. We did lots of tourist things--walked on the Golden Gate, ate at Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39, ate at Ghirardelli square, Lombard street, Coit Tower etc and just enjoyed the city and each other. Ivy and I realized though that we never got any pictures together--hahaha--until we stopped for dinner at Wendy's. Silly us! The kids were troopers though and liked watching all the street vendors, the ocean, going down the crooked street, etc--and it was a grand adventure with such good friends!

Take it to Heart

Last year my in-laws asked that we refrain from giving the gifts but instead, to learn by heart (memorize) something that has meaning to us and to recite it for them. It's actually a lot more difficult than I thought but it's enjoyable too. And I have to admit that when in Sunday School they were asking for thoughts about a particular doctrine--and my quote this year went right along with it--I was quite excited to recite it and share my thoughts.

Anyways, Ben & I did do ours--I memorized a quote by Nelson Mandela about being a Child of God (http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/4564.htm) and Ben memorized the poem, "The Touch of the Masters Hand" (http://gbgm-umc.org/DISC/poems/mastershand.stm). And then we thought (although it isn't asked of them) we'd see if Xander & Eliza would like to do something. We asked them to pick their favorite song they learned at church. They chose "Families Can Be Together Forever". This isn't the best version of this but since I didn't get the camera out the first time--it will have to do.

The words are as follows, "I have a family here on earth. They are so good to me. I want to share my life with them through all eternity. Families can be together forever. Through Heavenly Father's plan. I always want to be with my own family, and the Lord has shown me how I can. The Lord, has shown me how I can."

This song, and watching MY children sing it, is one of the most tender experiences I have had in the past year. I did not even know that Xander, let alone Eliza, knew this song and to watch them sing it to their Grandparents was heart warming. I love my children so much and am so grateful to know that families can be together forever because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As hard as this life gets--I am so grateful for my knowledge of this!

9-1-1

The day the kids and I flew into Sacramento we stayed at my Grandma's house because my parents new floors had just been laid and there wasn't any furniture set up in their home. The next morning we left quickly as it isn't quite as kid proof as it once was--especially with all the Christmas stuff out! When we left though we forgot to take a bunch of food that Grandma had offered us as she'd gone out of town for the weekend so I vowed to return later that day to pick it up. Later got to be dinner time and it was going to be a quick trip on the way to pick up the pizza my mom had ordered. When we arrived at the house, I remember thinking something looked funny but whatever, we were in a hurry. I parked in the garage, left the kids and my mom in the car and ran inside. As soon as I got inside, I panicked--something smelt awful! Then I realized the house was full of SMOKE! I ran to my mom and started running around the house looking for the fire. I got to the front window and noticed that the small spotlight that my Grandma had used to show off her nativity had come off its pedestal and was face down in the carpet--and it was on an electric timer! There were no flames (yet) so I grabbed it up and my mom came running and unplugged all the electrical plugs. I ran the light outside as we tried to decide what to do. I finally said, let's just call 911 because it will make us feel better. We were immediately connected to the fire house who said to get out of the house and that the firemen were on their way. Well, our little trip turned into a really LONG trip by the time the firemen were able to cool the house off and cut out the carpet and stuff--not to mention that the pizza place lost our order :( BUT we were so grateful that we went to the house when we did. Had we gone earlier in the day we might not have noticed that the lamp was down and the house could have burn down OR if we'd have gotten there later we could have been dealing with flames. CRAZY! What a great and exciting start to our trip though!

Coolest Park Ever!

Need I say more? It had the wickedest slides--we FLEW out of them and had so much fun despite the rainy weather. Way to go North Highlands!

Christmas 2009!

Christmas this year was so much more calm than last--maybe it had to do with 18 people who did not come home this year? :) It was such a great couple of days though! We spent Christmas Eve with my folks, my aunt & cousin and Grandma. We enjoyed a prime rib dinner, some delicious sides, chatting and relaxing. We read the Christmas story and put the kiddos to bed. Everything had been previously wrapped and so it was nice to just RELAX! The next morning, we woke up at normal time (although Nana & Grumpy woke up at 5:30 AM and waited for us--so nice of them!) and started opening presents. The kids were excited about everything! The biggest surprise came when Papa Webster called and told the kids that Santa had made a mistake and dropped off a present for them at his house! (Mommy found a killer deal on a Melissa & Doug kitchen back in July--$100 for a brand new, in the box, never used and Ben put it together and brought it to CA for us!) So, we ate breakfast, gave some kisses and moved to the Websters (yes, this was all part of the plan!). When we got there--they kids were SO excited! They had opened food and pans at Nana & Grumpy's but weren't exactly sure as to how they would use it! It is a great addition to our toys and keeps the kids out of my kitchen--SO nice!

Once at the Websters we napped (or attempted too but since we were a little too excited, nobody got any rest) and got ready for the big night with all our cousins! We had a blast re-enacting the Christmas story again, eating and opening presents. Family is so wonderful! (have I mentioned, that I love family?!) It truly was a beautiful Christmas!

And it came to pass...

We got together with the Leete's (my first cousin once removed & her family) for a special Christmas family home evening right before we flew out for Sacramento. What a treat! We re-enacted the entire Christmas story starting with Samuel the Lamanite on the wall proclaiming to the Lamanites in America that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would be born--and we threw rocks (I mean, socks) at him. And then proceeded through the entire story found in Luke 2. Xander, of course, wanted to be Joseph and as always took his role VERY seriously. Eliza started out as a donkey but quickly gave up on that. Ben played the donkey instead and even let Rachel ride on his back. I opted to be a wise men. If there was only one wish I could have it would be to be near family (some kind of family) wherever we end up! Having not ever known Ann growing up--only knowing of her--hasn't changed one bit--family is family. And hands down--my kids think the Leetes are the coolest people in Oregon!

Ben and I have spent a lot of time discussing the importance of shifting our children's thoughts from the normal "getting" attitude to that of "giving"--of truly bringing Christ into their Christmas. If you are looking for ways to do the same, check out the website: http://www.lds.org/topic/christmas/index.html

Merry Christmas to all!

A New Tradition?!

History:
-Christmas time 2006-Xander chipped his front tooth on a popcorn tin
-Christmas time 2008-Xander gets his first concussion

Today:
I was in the restroom and hear a huge crash and a huge cry. Xander comes running to me--bloody. And not just bloody on the outside of his lip, but the inside too. LUCKILY, Ben was home sick from work--although he was on a conference call--so I yelled for back-up thinking Xander had cut through his lip. Thankfully, once Ben got things cleaned up, we could see it wasn't cut through--in fact, it wasn't even cut up enough to merit an ER visit. (THANK GOODNESS!) But for now, we'll have a very sore mouth and a boy who might (let's keep our fingers crossed) think twice before climbing on the top of the toy box. (As he did so, he flew forward and smacked his face on his bed! OUCH!!) It's getting more and more bruised as the day goes on--so it'll be interesting to see what it looks like in a couple of days. Hopefully this isn't a family tradition that will continue for many more Christmases!

And I was thinking about doing family pictures--guess that will have to wait!!!

Deck the Halls!

Decorating for Christmas was so much fun this year! The kiddos were actually old enough to help and get excited about it! They asked to do it over and over and over again. So cute! My most favorite new addition to our decorations this year: our spider ornament. I know...it sounds weird doesn't it? I got it from an ornament exchange because there is a German folktale called, "A Cobweb Christmas" that Xander and I read this year--over and over again. So it was just perfect! We haven't done much else though because, well, although I'm past my first trimester, I still just feel lucky. Which is really hard because I just LOVE this time of year!! It has felt even more like Christmas time due to the beautiful winter weather in Portland! I can't even begin to tell you how much fun it is to be cold and see the leaves fall and have rain and fog--it is gorgeous!

I'm Wishing

While Eliza was doing her business this morning--I heard her singing. I'm sure only Ben & I can understand but maybe you'll pick up a word here or there. Sorry for the background but I couldn't let such a tender moment pass!!! (Oh, and she's singing from Snow White--her first real love for the tv has developed because of this movie!)

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

We hope that everyone has had a fantastic Thanksgiving and is enjoying getting ready for the holidays! We have been SUPER busy but having so much fun--here are some quick highlights and the big ones will come later!!

We got to play with Nana & Grumpy who came to visit for Thanksgiving for an entire week! We rode the Polar Express again but that deserves it's own post AND of course, Thanksgiving dinner with Nana, Grumpy, G.G, Uncle Jake, the Leetes and the Wiseman's. 22 people. PHEW! After dinner everyone who played an instrument pulled it out (I didn't bring the bass though--so I sang, softly) and we started singing Christmas songs--SO much fun and what a great idea for a tradition! After the folks left we got to play some more with Uncle Jake. We went to Zoo Lights--SO (cold) awesome! I tried to catch one of the moving ones on video:

It's really been loads and loads of fun and games. We are so grateful to have this time of year to reflect on all that is important to us. We are especially grateful for our health, for each other and for all the adventures we've had together. We are super thankful for all of our new family and friends in Oregon who have taken us under their wings and made us feel so welcome--there are many who have really helped this move be pretty smooth. It feels like we've lived here much longer by the love and support we have. We are so grateful for the news we received today that Mom Webster's CA-125 count is low enough NOT to continue chemotherapy!! YAHOO! And so grateful that the Lord has blessed us with another little spirit that will fill our heart and home in the late spring. We are so grateful to know that Jesus is the Christ, that He has atoned for our sins and that He lives that we might live again. May He bless you and your families with all that you may need as you remember the true reason for this season! Much Love!!