'Tis the Season

Right now, one week before Christmas Eve, I'm finally starting to feel Christmasy. Not sure why this year that has been hard to do. Maybe it's living in the desert and not so wintery town of ours (although we've been rainy, misty, foggy for the last few days!). Maybe it's the fact that getting 5 children taken care completely takes what feels like every moment of my day leaving nothing behind. But really that is part of what I should be grateful for during this season-my beautiful family.

I am truly blessed, it may be crazy, but's it's my crazy!

He returned...

2 weeks ago Emma and a friend were playing in the backyard. Paqo Kitty was out there with them exploring. Suddenly I hear screaming and Emma running in. I was feeding Rebekah, but Nate was home and ran out.
2 neighbor dogs had broken threw our fence and were chasing our Kitty, eventually chasing him out of the yard.
That evening we called for him, walked around the block looking for him with no avail. We said our family prayers including asking for a safe return of our Paqo. The kids also each asked in their own prayers.
Saturday morning he still hadn't come home. I posted on facebook for friends to keep and eye out. Emm and I went to the animal shelter looking to see if he had been brought in. Nope...
About 3pm-24 hours later- we were all just hanging out and he walked up to the door. He ran in and slept until the next morning. He had some adventure whether good or bad. We felt that our prayers were answered when he returned. No dog incidents have happened again...yet.

Talents & Interests

As parents we need to help our children develop their talents and foster their interests so they can learn more of what our Heavenly Father has blessed them with.

Heavenly Father has given us all talents and gifts that can help us provide for ourselves and our families. Learning to recognize our talents and gifts—and interests—is an important first step in career preparation. -Bishop David H Burton

There are a few problems I'm finding as a parent. First, things are expensive. If you child wants to try many different things, your forking out a ton of $$! Second, is a serious lack of time. We live in such a busy and fast paced world that just fitting things in is a challenge.

Something that Matthew is trying out this year that is free at the school and hasn't eaten in to too much time, is chess club. It has been 2 days a week after school for 1 hour and then 1 Saturday morning each month for a tournament. None of it is required, we did pay for him a Tshirt, but it was also not required.

Matthew has loved it. He is learning a new skill, forming friendships outside of his own class and grade, and building confidence.

Yesterday was one crazy day. So, we sent Benjamin with Matthew for the morning of playing chess. 

Matthew came away with a 9th place trophy and a fun morning.

 I need to recommit to piano lessons with Emma and Benjamin. They both have expressed an interest and Benjamin is doing very well at school on the trumpet. I just need to suck up and teach them myself or find someone locally (which I haven't been able to do as of yet!).

I don't need...

Today I went to the DollarTree to look and see if there were any fun Christmas goodies. There were not! I should really know better. 

As I was leaving an older women stopped and asked how old the baby was. Rebekah was in her carseat covered up and she couldn't see her. Here's how the conversation when:

Me- "She's almost 4 months"-me smiling proudly
Older Lady-"Mine are 60 & 62"-said somewhat carelessly
Me- "Wow" -Impressed, she didn't look quite that old
Older Lady- "But I haven't seen either of them since 1972"-Still quite careless
Me-"Oh, that's too bad"-Astonished that she hadn't seen her children in over 40 years.
Older Lady-"That's ok, they stole crap from me"
Me-"Oh goodness" -not sure how to respond
Older Lady- "I don't need no kids, husband or cats-they're not worth it"-And she walked away

I left astonished and grateful for my own husband, children & cats, as well as the rest of my family, friends, ward members, etc. I need all of these people in my life. They make by day brighter, bring a smile to my face, teach me and allow me to learn and grow. 

During Thanksgiving we got to spend the week with my sisters family. We played games, took outings, ate yummy food and just enjoyed being with one another. 

Love my family!