Homemade

I really wanted to sew a homemade gift for Christmas and I found a cute idea as I browsed the internet. 

These projects proved harder for me than originally thought. I think my equipment is under par and it makes most sewing projects really difficult. 

After a grumpy and frustrating two days, going to church today and feeling the Spirit was such a boost. I got to play the organ, which meant I sat on the stand and didn't have to break up fights on the bench with the kids. I was able to listen and feel and enjoy. All three meetings were so great. Service, love, recognizing God in our daily life. Here's to a wonderful Christmas week. 

We have an 11 year old!

As I was up most of the night last night, I thought of the eve before Brynn's birth. I was up most of that night too, wondering if I really would have a baby soon; she was a week overdue. 

My pondering helped me gather some thoughts of that time as a new mom and as a mom now. 

I was terrified to be a mother. I rarely babysat because I didn't really enjoy kids, I think they've always scared me. I wondered how I would care for the new and demanding baby. She screamed the whole first night, and anytime we tried to put her to bed until she was well over two years old. It was traumatizing, for her and us. I read books about sleeping and scheduling and asked for advice, none of it worked with her. She was determined to do things her way, on her time schedule. The upside of this experience is that my subsequent babies have been so easy. 

She still is determined and independent, but she has a very kind heart. She makes friends so easily and has many of them. She is patient with her younger sister who really likes her. She's a great babysitter and is responsible. She's talented academically and musically. She does well on the piano and has a beautiful voice. She loves to read and make crafts. She's a positive and happy person and she likes to laugh. 

Being her mom now is so much easier. I don't miss the screaming days of her infant and toddlerhood. She is patient with me and trusting as I try to guide her along, sometimes too forcefully. I enjoy her as she learns and becomes who Heavenly Father wants her to be. Her time with us at home is more than half way done. Crazy. We sure love having her in our family. 

Mice

I'm terrified of sharing the same space with mice. I don't mind watching them out in the field. I can't stand it when they are in my house, garage, or vehicles. Several years ago we had them in our townhouse and I thought I would die. Macy was a baby and on the floor a lot and the older two were still little. It just grossed me out to see them scurry across my living room floor, find their poop all over the place. Stan took care of it. Now that we live on a farm, mice are everywhere, but I haven't yet seen them IN the house.  We need cats. 

Today was bad timing for me. Mice have been in our vehicles lots!! But today was the first time there was one in it while I was trying to be in it. I'm kind of a germ freak and this was too much. Stan could not take care of it. He was too far away. I probably traumatized spencer but he said, 'it's ok mom, smush him with your shoe." Sorry dude, can't do it. 

Heaven is for real

This is the title of a book we are listening to. We drive a lot and it keeps the kids and me happy and we get to "read" together too. This book is a real story of a little boy, at the age of 4, had an emergency appendectomy, and went to heaven while he was in surgery. His father wrote the book years later after his son kept sharing information about his visit to heaven.  It is engaging and testimony strengthening. The dad is a pastor/minister of another faith, can't remember which. What the boy shares about heaven is TRUE! 

I learned something today

This morning, while on the treadmill, I read an article from the December Ensign magazine.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/12/helping-children-recognize-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng

It talked about learning styles of our children and how knowing how your children learn can help you to help them recognize the communication that they can receive from the Holy Ghost.

As I read this, I realized why I like to help and serve people and not just give money to specific good causes.  This was a follow up from my last post about needing to experience and feel things, to really feel like I've made a difference.  Also maybe that is why I want my children to like each other and I want us to have good family experiences together because that is how I feel like our family is happy.  Then when everyone is home together and not having an enjoyable experience, I feel like my plan of happiness has failed.  An interesting note, when Stan is here too, there is generally less fighting.  It seems to be more when it's all the kids and me.  Hmm.  Wish Stan was here more.  

Perspective

We, Stan and I, often TALK about doing nice things for people. We come up with some really excellent ideas but rarely do we follow through. It's frustrating for both of us. So in the last several days as I've read and pondered many Christ centred Christmas ideas, my perspective has changed just enough. Pause 

A friend shared something they participated in recently, helping a family really in need, getting help from the community to fill the needs. I long for those kind of opportunities. Pause

 I often don't like gift giving especially outside our little family. Most people have everything and I don't like giving something that will clutter up space or someone's life or that they will feel obligated to keep. Also  not a huge fan of giving out lots of sugar, we have too much.  I've found some great ideas online and even came up with one on my own. Giving gifts with perspective and meaning will me stay properly focused. Ideas;

With gifts in our little family we are writing a note about how the gift will help us friendship, share the gospel or serve. 

For visiting teachees, I gave them winter smelling hand soap with a note to use our hands to serve as a gift to the savior. 

An idea I loved that I found was doing acts of service, writing about it and emailing that to parents as a gift to them. 

Also there are things like the Christmas jars by Jason Wright. 

Back to the beginning of my post. Stan and I are formulating a plan and we ARE going to follow through. Two ideas, sing for the local elderly. We love music and want to share it to elderly people or those who need a boost, ALL year. Hoping for once a month. 

The other is getting involved with a humanitarian organization. 

Finally as followers of Christ, we often serve. We want to ritualize this so it has meaning to us. 

And... An element important to me is to be a part, I don't want recognition. We donate fast offerings every month but I don't SEE how it's used or where it goes, same with dropping money in a jar at Walmart. For me, I need to feel the sacrifice and Know where it's going. That might be spiritually immature but that's where I am right now. 

Thoughts of Christmas

Search this title on google books: 

A gift from the heart by norman vincent peale. 

I read this story this morning in a book about Christ centred Christmas traditions. I was really touched by it and some other thoughts have been swirling through my head that hopefully I can get down on this blog soon. 

A Little Princess

If you have girls, and if you don't, you should read A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The main character is someone we should try to be like. I was continually impressed with her grace, her patience, her fortitude, her kindness. 

While we are talking about this author, we also LOVE The Secret Garden. I must really connect with this author. These two books from her really speak to me. I love stories with hardships and the the perseverance needed to endure and I love a happy ending. Both of these books have that. I'm not a good book reviewer and I'm not sure what else to say. Both books are excellent!

American thanksgiving

I used to try to celebrate American thanksgiving but due to the fact that in Canada every works and goes to school on that day, it has been difficult. Sometimes I've invited missionaries so I'd have an excuse to celebrate. But this year I had no plans. Until... My sis in law invited us because she loves to celebrate and she had invited the missionaries!  We were excited to enjoy in their delicious meal, celebrating thanksgiving in November. The food was excellent, as always, and the company even better. I sure love living close to family.