Dear Dad

 We love you Grandpa Bagley. Happy Birthday to the most wonderful New Year's Baby EVER!

Moments From Days

 *******************

 

As I reflect over the past few days, gazing at these snap shots of moments, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude. We have it so good. I remember years when Brian and I couldn't even afford a tree. Those are sometimes the best years, aren't they? I never look at having a tree in our home without remembering that Christmas in 2002, with 2 small boys, and no Christmas tree. I cried. I ached. And then I grew to appreciate having such a gift. Oh how I have so much more gratitude for that divinely lit tree of ours. I really do.

 

This past year has been rough for our family. I am so thankful we are where we are today. Together. Healthy. Alive and well. Able to provide food. Able to have a roof over our head. To have internet and cell phones...family and friends! Able to be surrounded by so much love and support and warmth and goodness. We feel it and it means oh so much!

 

We always have the choice to focus on lack, don't we? On scarcity. On what we simply do not have. That is our choice. At the same time, we have the choice to give all of our focus to the love, the joy, the goodness and bliss in every area of our lives. It is there. It is. There is so much...even for those who have what may seem like so little.

 

This holiday weekend with my sweet little family has been divine. We went out to breakfast, made crafts, watched Christmas movies, played in snow, made sugar cookies, ate Panda Express (a Christmas Eve tradition), played endlessly with Legos, wrestled, curled up with Dr. Seuss, and did a whole lot of nothing. It was perfect. Truly.

 

I do so hope your holiday weekend was full of peace and joy and love and all sorts of wonderfulness, as well.

Merry Christmas!
   

 

 



Man I Am Getting Lazy

 {Simply photos from our Christmas day}

Merry Christmas

So tired.

I am so tired.

These kids are insane.

2 am.

Seriously?

AUGH.

Maybe I will manage a post AFTER a nap!


{Present opening didn't actually happen until 5 am, but my gosh!}

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

This Moment

For The Love

 Can I just tell you what an awesome dad Brian is? Friday night was fah-reezing! So cold. When, in the comfort of our warm and cozy home, Brian suggests taking the kids to the Riverwoods to see Santa, my response was, "Go for it! Have fun!" I meant it, too. Well, at least for about 30 seconds. I knew it was important and I needed to get my head in the game, no matter how exhausted I felt, so we announced it to the kids and their excitement did me in!

After piling on layer after layer in an attempt to minimize some discomfort (These boys think hoodies are sufficient for 28 degree weather), we braved the cold and made our way to Provo. That's when Brian really melted my heart. Oh that man, I tell you! He stood out there in a surprisingly long line with Kate while the boys and I kept warm in Blickenstaffs toy store. There were times Kate stood by one of the many outdoor fires to keep toasty, even joining us inside, but Brian remained out there in the bitter cold so his little girl could fulfill her wish. She was so, so very excited to sit on Santa's lap (none of our boys were ever this thrilled). How grateful I am he did!!! She climbed on up there, and when he asked what she wanted, she said a DOLLY. A dolly? Seriously Kate? You never once mentioned to us you wanted a dolly!

 Things to do:

Buy a dolly.

There aren't very many years left in this home of ours for the MAGIC of CHRISTMAS to be so alive, so enjoyed. Do you think there will be a dolly under that tree Christmas morning for a certain little girl?

When she climbed down from his lap, she said to us, "I wanted to fall asleep there. He felt like a pillow pet." Oh my, I almost cried (So what if I cry at everything? It was so sweet).

How grateful I am for these little stolen moments in such ordinary days. Things that may seem inconvenient, even uncomfortable, yet turn out to be some of the most memorable time spent together as a family.   

 {Horse drawn carriage ride around the Riverwoods, thanks to Brian who has gotten really good at ignoring my whining}

 

May your holiday season be full of precious stolen moments with friends and family. Happy Holidays!

Life has been HECTIC!

Hopefully now that I have 3 days straight off from work (I've never had even two), I'll be more available and present. Happy Holidays to you all!

1st Grade Christmas Program

 What a sweet evening this was.

Just one day before the shooting in Connecticut, 6 first grade classes, including our Kate, stood before a room full of parents to perform their Christmas program. A typical evening at the elementary school, taking in sweet voices ringing out in dialogue and song. A fabulous night together as a family.

 

What different eyes I have as I view these photos now. Oh how precious life is. I feel more than ever grateful to have these little people in my life. I am definitely more patient, more tender, more loving, and more attentive with them these days. May I always remember to remember... live each day, each moment, to it's fullest!  

 

Tis The Season

 This morning, our family joined 3 other families for a Christmas Brunch.

We inhaled baked eggnog french toast, sausage-egg-hash brown casserole, pancakes, bacon, sausage, fruit salad, orange juice and freshly made eggnog.

We crafted ornaments, bracelets, and clothes pin reindeer.

 Watched football, played piano, visited, explored, cuddled with sweet little dogs, and visited some more.

 The children (13 total) played throughout the house, venturing outdoors for some snow play.

 

We are not able to travel this holiday season. With jobs and finances, we will be spending the season here in Utah. How lucky we are to have good friends to celebrate and share in the wonderfulness that is Christmas!