Oh What Fun....Traditions

Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh... well we didn't have a horse or a sleigh but we had snowboards and sleds. Christmas Eve day we went to my brothers apartment up at Wolf Mountains in Eden. We had lunch and half of the kids went out to snowboard or sled down the hills. The heard the snow was more like ice not real ideal for sledding, but they still had fun. My brother, his girlfriend Colleen and I played Skip-bo and California Speed. We later opened gifts and finally said our good-byes. The kids were anxious to start our Christmas traditions.

We got home, heated up the white bean chili I had made earlier and had dinner. After the kitchen was cleaned up for the night. We allow them to open their Christmas PJ's in order of age, youngest to oldest, but in order to open them, they have to choose a Christmas song or Christmas hymn for all of us to sing. When the song finishes they open up their gift and run to put it on as we are all singing the next child's song. I like it because the kids usually keep to the hymns. When we were all done getting dressed and the mess is cleaned up, I read the The Living Christ, it's our newest tradition. I have Ron read Luke II in the scriptures and we even ventured to 3rd Nephi to hear what Samuel the Lamanite had to say about the birth of Christ, very nice. We all reverently go downstairs to our movie room and watch Mr. Krueger's Christmas and then Luke II -the Nativity on the same DVD. Then we say our family prayers with each of us taking our turn to pray. I allowed the kids to watch one final movie before we go to bed because it was still early. We watched our new movie that my brother got us The Sorcerer's Apprentice. They went to bed, but we didn't, Ron drove to his parents house to pick up our large gift items and I was preparing the stockings in my room. My son Brandon chose to be an elf this year and so he helped me and then helped set up when the time was right. It was a lot of fun, we finally went to bed around 1:30am. It was a very Merry Christmas. We loved our day. My other tradition is to serve Rhodes cinnamon and orange rolls for breakfast. I make my kids  wait until 9:00am to open our other gift of clothes. We each picked out an outfit we wanted, even I and Ron got something new. Ron wasn't expecting it but thanks to Cameron who also earns money in our house, we were able to surprise him. I make the kids wait until 10:00am to open all of the other gifts around the tree. The last tradition I do is make a big Christmas dinner where I can use my Wal-Mart china dishes. We actually set the table and sit around our long table.  My kids look forward to the dinner, they like it big and I don't mind cooking it. We had turkey, mashed potatoes w/ gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, corn, snap pea salad, cranberry sauce, red jello, and rolls. We all got to celebrate with Sparkling Grape Cider and a few other flavors in our nice glasses. For dessert, my girls begged me to make peanut butter pie, Cameron loves pumpkin pie and I love Banana Cream pie and I made a sugar-free apple crisp for Ron. It was a great day with all our traditions. Everyone was happy with what they got for Christmas. Happy Birthday Jesus, we love you.

Christmas Break Continued

On my fourth day of Christmas break, my mom made me do:  morning kitchen jobs and Saturday jobs too.....Children-what?!!!? Why?  Mom- "What is on Saturday this week?", children-"Christmas?", mom- "yes...the reason we are doing Saturday jobs today, tomorrow will be spent up at Chris' place."  I'm a mean mom for making them do jobs today, so they won't have to on Christmas. So mean.   Also, she made us: make 5 pies....more moaning and groaning. More surprise Christmas shopping with Cameron and rent 7 movies for the long weekend. The movies aren't due back until Monday of next week, so why not?   We are celebrating Joseph Smith's birthday tonight by eating a pioneer type meal. Will spend the night watching a movie no doubt. Maybe check up on how San Diego State does in their bowl game. Oh what fun it is to be on Christmas break.  

More Christmas Break Fun

On my third day of Christmas break, my mom made me do: morning  kitchen chores, early 3 hour cheer practice and everyone's bedrooms to perfection. My perfection not theirs :)  Lots of moaning and groaning, lots of why why whys, but I will have my way yet. I was doing lots of the work anyway, I don't know why they were complaining. Now instead of my feet, my back and knees are killing me.

To add to the fun, we spent time building Imaginext sets, reading Christmas books, deliver Christmas treats to our neighbors and friends. I was able to spend a little time reading Because He Loved Us. Made breakfast for dinner, my kids favorite dinner and watching the Bowl game Utah vs. Boise State (who should I go for?....hmmm, this is a hard one) and maybe a glimpse of the Jazz game I hope. Looking forward to bed. Happy Holidays. 

The 12 days of my Christmas Break 2011

My first day of Christmas break, my mom made me do:  morning kitchen chores, girls went to a cheer Christmas ice-skating party in Bountiful and then for a mother/daughter shopping spree at the Deseret Industries for new church clothes. It took us three and a half hours to do it. My feet hurt for standing at the fitting room waiting for the girls to try on potential clothing. I couldn't tell if I was having fun or not, through all the complaining  What happen to girls being excited about shopping and getting new clothes, even if it is church clothes. I wanted my girls to look like they were going to church on Sunday's not school. I don't think it's too much to ask my girls to dress classy and modest. We managed to find something that made everyone happy. Yeah!   We finished the night split, Ron and the boys watching Monday night football, the younger kids playing Wii games and me, watching Sense and Sensibility with Brandon spending more than half of it watching too. I think I had the better fun. Our Family Home Evenings are on Sunday for now and we had a great story lesson from Samantha and Brandon and then we watched The Sound of Music.

My second day of Christmas break, my mom made me do: blow and tie birthday balloons for my 16 year old brother,  morning kitchen chores, trip to the Orthodontist with Cameron, Christmas shopping with Cameron, he wanted to buy our family a gift and then took Jonathon Christmas shopping for his friend and to get a hair cut. Then spent the rest of the day making treats for neighbors and friends. My feet hurt again :) This was suppose to be a family activity but turned out Danielle was my only helper :(   Dallon did find some time to help me crush oreos for Brandon's birthday mud pie. :)  Have a party, sing Happy Birthday and then watch the BYU basketball game/Inception on Blu- Ray. Yeah! 

Believe

Believe....      December is the time you might see this word pop out all over the place, usually by itself. In fact, I have. When you see the words in a magazine, store or on TV advertisements what do you think they want us to believe?  They leave it blank, like you can believe what you want. What does it mean to you?  Someone suggested that they, the world...  really is trying to get us to believe in the special feeling that comes at this time of year. Everyone knows this feeling comes because of the goodness of heart from giving or in other words the Spirit of God, because everything good comes from God. Because we live in a politically correct world and in a world where it appears to be unacceptable to say the word God or speak of Jesus Christ as if it's a bad name even though it's the whole reason we are having this celebration, they can't really say it, because of offending somebody. So, to say it correctly according to how I feel.  
 
I BELIEVE in Christ. He is the Son of God, the baby that was born in manger a couple of thousand years ago. He was born in humble circumstances. What makes this baby special? He came to show us the way, to teach us the way, to SAVE us, through the ultimate gift of sacrifice of the Atonement. He did it for each of us ever born and that will be born on this earth and many earths like this one.  He is the reason for this Christmas season, there is no other reason. Everything else is superficial. "He is my King! With all my heart to him I'll sing; I'll raise my voice in praise and joy. He healed the sick the dead he raised. Good works were his. He ransoms me, from Satan's grasp, he sets me free. And I shall live with joy and love. I'll gain my fondest dream; He is the source of truth and light. And while I strive through grief and pain, His voice is heard: Cheering me on "Ye shall obtain."  Jesus is my Savior, Lord, Brother and Truest Friend. I do believe in Him with all my heart and might. I BELIEVE in CHRIST

I would like you to listen to this song of what Christmas is about or not about. Click on the link below.

Christmas Must Be Something More  I think you will hear someone familiar singing this song.

Scripture Tracker

I made up a scripture tracker yesterday. I included all scriptures, including The Family Proclamation, The Living Christ, For the Strength of Youth pamplet, Articles of Faith and two conference talks.. I am starting with the Book of Mormon. Yesterday, I read the beginning pages of the Book of Mormon. Today, I will read 1st Nephi chapter 1-4.  At the beginning of my tracker, I put the date I started. I also plan on putting dates completed next to the scriptures to be read. I want to see if I do get off track, how long it happens for.  Follow along to keep yourself on track to read from the scriptures everyday. I will include the first three weeks worth of sets. The complete project should take just over a year to complete unless you do more of the sets in one day, which I plan on doing at times. It will be fun to have a group doing this together. The important thing is to read every day. Some of the sets seem long but most are short chapters, the sets I put together are reachable. If you get so far ahead let me know and I will post more of the sets.

My Scripture Tracker

Title of Book of Mormon

Introduction, Witnesses, Testimony of Joseph Smith & Explanation

1^st Nephi  1-4

1^st Nephi 5-8

1^st Nephi 9-12

1^st Nephi 13-14

1^st Nephi 15-17

1^st Nephi 18-20

1^st Nephi 21-22

2^nd Nephi 1-2

2^nd Nephi 3-5

2 Nephi 6-10

2^nd Nephi 11-20

2^nd Nephi 21-25

2^nd Nephi 26-29

2^nd Nephi 30-33

Jacob 1-4

Jacob 5-6

Jacob 7-Words of Mormon

Mosiah 1-3

Mosiah 4-7

Mosiah 8-11

Faith Hill Where Are You Christmas Music Video

I love this song.

Jim Brickman - Sending You A Little Christmas Music Video

To all you servicemen/women and missionaries out away from your families during the Christmas season. I love this song. It's a great song.

Sunday Quote

Indeed, not having the Holy Ghost is somewhat like having a body without an immune system. 

                        President James E. Faust

Weekend Activities

Friday- volunteered in Kaydon's class, went visit teaching, went grocery shopping, took the family out for Nielsen's Frozen Custard before taking them to the play Savior of the World. Our brother Jack was Joseph and he was outstanding. Loved it!

Saturday- woke up early to take the honor roll students out to breakfast at Sill's Cafe'. They have great food. We then went home to rake up a million leaves, literally. We bagged 43 bags of leaves. Who needs a gym membership when you have a yard full of leaves to rake and pick up. Not to mention trim trees and prune the grapes and raspberries. So much to do in the middle of a wind storm. It's blowing so bad I'm sick of wind right now. It almost seemed pointless to rake except I can actually tell a difference now. Grateful for my children and Ron for helping. We even had extra help with Andy and Emma. Waiting for the BYU game. Ron and a few of our boys are going to it. As for me I'm going to get Lost on my couch and veg because I'm going to be to sore to move. Away from the sound and feel of wind. Go COUGS!

 

"Christmastime" by Hilary Weeks

Obedience Protects Our Freedom to Choose

We understand how obedience to the commandments ultimately protects our agency (our right to choose).

For example, when we hearken to the Word of Wisdom, we escape the captivity of poor health and addiction to substances that literally rob us of our ability to act for ourselves. When we follow the prophets' counsel to hold family home evening, family prayer, and family scripture study, our homes become and incubator for our children's spiritual growth. There we teach them the gospel, bear our testimonies, express our love, and experiences. By our righteous choices and actions, we liberate them from darkness by increasing their ability to walk in the light.   Read the entire article by Robert D. Hales

By being obedient we not only help ourselves but our children as well. In a world that is drowning in darkness, we need added protection for our families. Obedience protects our freedom to choose. It is a gift from our Heavenly Father. Let us use the gift for good. We each can make this world better by doing our part. We need to trust that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind (including you and me) may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. We must show our courage and stand as a light to the world. This is the way to everlasting happiness, this is the only way.

Your Happily Ever After

The scriptures tell us there must be opposition in all things, for without it we could not discern the sweet from the bitter. Would the marathon runner feel the triumph of finishing the race had she not felt the pain of the hours of pushing against her limits? Would the pianist feel the joy of mastering an intricate sonata without the painstaking hours of practice?

In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy.

Be strong and of good courage. You are truly royal spirit sons and daughters of Almighty God. You are prince and princesses, destined to become kings and queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your “once upon a time” is now.  “Happily ever after” is not something found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father’s map.

Brothers and Sisters, please embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ! Learn to love your Heavenly Father with all your heart, might, and mind. Fill your souls with virtue, and love goodness. Always strive to bring out the best in yourself and others. Enjoy the entire story by Pres. Uchtdorf  Your Happily Ever After .

Live Virtuously

There is nothing in all this world as magnificent as virtue. It glows without tarnish. It is precious and beautiful. It is above price. It cannot be bought or sold. It is the fruit of self-mastery. It comes with a promise of marvelous and wonderful blessings. he has said to those who live with virtue: "Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God....The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and the thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion" (D&C 121:45-46)  (Gordon B. Hinckley)

What does it mean to live virtuously?  It means someone who lives Gods standards, someone who is modest, honest, someone who keeps the commandments. Also defined as someone who has integrity and moral excellence, power and strength.Virtue “is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards.” It encompasses chastity and moral purity. Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. Virtuous women and men possess a quiet dignity and inner strength.

"We need to work on living virtuous and we need to safeguard it. We must choose the right even if we have to stand alone." (Thomas S. Monson)  "Now is the time to prepare by exercising more self-discipline. Now is the time to become “more fit for the kingdom.” Now is the time to set our course and focus on the finish. A return to virtue must begin individually in our hearts and in our homes."  Elaine S. Dalton 

Practicing Christlike Attributes

"Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task, especially when we move away from generalities and abstractions and begin to deal with real life. The test comes in practicing what we proclaim. The reality check comes when Christlike attributes need to become visible in our lives—as husband or wife, as father or mother, as son or daughter, in our friendships, in our employment, in our business, and in our recreation. We can recognize our growth, as can those around us, as we gradually increase our capacity to 'act in all holiness before [Him]' (D&C 43:9)."    Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Romans 8:28

"As we pass through the trials of life, let us keep an eternal perspective, let us not complain, let us become even more prayerful, let us serve others, and let us forgive one another. As we do this, all things {will} work together for good to {us} that love God." 

I Love This Quote

"We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another, and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together."
— Lucy Mack Smith

A Family Affair

This week has been all about family. I had my folks fly in to spend a good amount of time with us, luckily for them though, my brother Chris lives near by to have some fun. Sometimes life with 7 kids at home is a bit scheduled and not much time for anything else. They arrived on the Wed. the 27th of Oct. The moment they got off the plane we were on our way to our ward Halloween carnival which my kids were involved in. It was fun of course seeing all the costumes and hearing Cameron be the host of the best costume. Ron and I along with their grandma and grandpa Shapiro attended Jonathon's band performance, my parents rested up with the other kids at home. This concert also had my nephew Wyatt, an added bonus to see more family. The next day traveled to see my brother Chris and his family with my folks. Chris paid for our lunch at the Golden Corral. Later went to see a sister of David's whom we haven't seen forever. I've always thought Janette was cool and she still was. I remember as a youth she really inspired me as a homemaker. She has 6 kids of  her own and I adopted some of the things she did into my own system once I started having kids. Her house is like a I Spy book. She is a collector of things and it was fun to see it all. Friday spent most of the day at the Desert Industries it seemed. My folks really love this place, it has the greatest bargains. Later went on a date with Chris and Colleen with my folks, we ate at Famous Daves. It was their first time seeing Colleen. It was also the night Ron spilled BBQ sauce on my mother. It was kind of funny although, I'm sure my mom wasn't thrilled. Saturday night, we watched movies "How to Train Your Dragon", When in Rome, Letters to Juliet and Karate Kid. It seemed like a marathon of sorts. Sunday, we attended Shay's priesthood ordination. He became a Deacon. Came home to attend church and then later we (the adults) visited Christina together. She is doing well, still not sure what to expect. We will have to wait until court to find out her destiny. I took my mom to experience Zumba while she was in town. She''s always hearing me mention it and now she knows what it is. We went out to Costa Vida for lunch. After a great workout, you need nourishment. Mexican food is perfect. We sped up to the weekend. Friday was my datenight and we spent it with my folks, Chris and Janette and her husband. We ate at the Golden Corral again, we spent all night there talking. It's their favorite restaurant. Saturday night we got together at my house to watch movies. It took us forever to find the right movies. We ended up watching Mission Impossible 3 and Rush Hour 3 (a mistake for sure). Sunday, while my folks spent time at Chris' watching Shay pass the sacrament for the first time, we had our own family fun. Sunday, we attended Jacob and Becky's baby blessing of Adam. We had all of us there except for Dan, Aprihl and Rebecca. Maybe we will get to see them on Thanksgiving. We missed seeing them. After, we had all of them come over our house for a luncheon. Lots of visiting. It's always great fun. When they all left, my folks showed up, just as we got the house in order. We played games Like Minds and Quiddler and then watched the video my mom made of us when we were at Chris' singing last Monday. So far it's been a lot of visiting with family, which is what I like to do best. We don't do enough of it now that we are so busy in our own family routines, but when we do, we always say we need to do it more. Family is what counts and it is important to keep close to your family. I want my family to know that I love them. I hope we can visit more, it will be lots of fun. 

Raising the Bar in the Family

In Relief Society two years ago I learned as did many of you about "Setting the Standard and Raising the Bar" I wanted to share it again what I learned;:

For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet reads:

Being part of a family is a great blessing. Your family can provide you with companionship and happiness, help you learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and help you prepare for eternal life. Not all families are the same, but each is important in Heavenly Father's plan.

Here are a few areas we can raise the bar in our family units:
Do your part to build a happy home by:

* Being cheerful

* Helpful

* Considerate of others

Many problems in the home are created because family members speak and act selfishly or unkindly. We need to:

* Concern ourselves with the needs of other family members.

* Seek to be a peacemaker, rather than tease,fight, and quarrel. (Read--Ephesians 4:31-32 and Mosiah 4:13-15 --I thought these scriptures went well with the what was being said here)

Remember that the family is the most sacred unit of the Church. That is why Satan tries so hard to separate and divide families. He wants to destroy our joy and our eternal goal to be together forever. But we can't allow him to do it.
To continue we can and should:

* Honor our parents by showing love and respect for them

* and by being obedient

* Be willing to help in the home with chores that need to be done.

* Participate in family activities and traditions, including family prayer,family home evenings, and family scripture reading. These traditions strengthen and unify families.

*Strengthen your relationships with your brothers and sisters. They can become your closest friends.

* Support them in their interests

* and help them with problems they may be facing.

* have wholesome recreation activities that cost no or have little cost,and do more service projects together

We need to strive to protect our families, we need to clothe them with the armor of unity and love that only can come from family members and armor of the gospel the Lord himself gave us. He was our example of how we should treat one another. Families are important. We need to raise the bar to become our fullest potential.

What kind of things have your family done to raise the bar? What do you do to strengthen and protect?

Choose the Right