The Festival of Lights

Like I mentioned before, my 12 days of Christmas this year seemed to be more of a bust rather then a success.  Take our trip to see the lights.  We were suppose to go on a Monday night, but Brent suggested we wait a day.  There was snow in the forecast and the lights are always so magical when there's actually snow on the ground.  With much disappointment, we waited till Tuesday.  But what I thought was going to be a bust, turned out to be a magical, whimsical night. 

I flipped the camera around to capture the kids in the back seat.  They are all hilarious.  Beckham pretending to be surprised(he told me later that he meant to do that), Isabel being over joyous, and Annika being a silly billy. 

Really, Jaren?  

Like his headphones?  He got those for his birthday and they've been a permanent fixture on his body.

I'm so glad that we waited til the snow fell.  It really made for a magical night.  

One of my favorite sites that night were all the

 christmas tree lights covered in snow.

I tell my kids every year that this is one 

of my favorite things about the holidays. 

More trees covered with snow. 

The day we went to the festival of lights there was no looping for a second time.  We had to make the most of our turn around the park.  Brent was going way too fast and I insisted that he slow down.  He heeded my request and we all thoroughly enjoyed the lights this year.  The kids look forward to the tradition every year.  Some years there are new light exhibits and we have fun trying to point them out.  This year we think we spotted a leopard hiding behind a tree. 

12 Days of Christmas or bust

Why is it that good intentions sometimes dwindle as schedules get busy, and priorities shift. This year I feel as though my 12 days of Christmas efforts have been a bust this year.  I didn't get my snowballs hung, or sit around the table and watch the kids make snowflakes.  A few of them tried, but their efforts became frustrated and they split.  I chose to be flexible and not let it get to me, too much.  Other activities as well just seemed to dissolve.  We can't even figure out a time when the kids can all gather around to open up the darn notes. 

One activity that did go off without a hitch was the annual Weiss Family Bingo.  The kids look forward to it EVERY year since it's inception 4 years ago.  Me, it gives me anxiety.  I never seem to get the first bingo, and the one person I don't want to get it, does and then takes all the good stuff, or the biggest gifts.  I'm a hot mess the entire night.  I shouldn't be cuz I always leave with such great gifts.  My parents always do a wonderful job coordinating everything.  You can tell they put a lot of effort and love into it.

Just chillin after the controlled chaos.

It was chaos this year too.

Everyone was together when in the past Grandma had the kids in the basement;

While Grandpa entertained the adults upstairs.

This year the main themes were games and books.  

So great.

This was my Mom's home made tree this year.

And by home made I mean she went to her back yard and cut down this beauty.

Pictures don't do it justice.

Can you see it's spiky trunk? 

This is probbly the most unique tree I've ever layed eyes on.  

It's fabulous!

The warm glow of the Christmas Village.

Warm glow of Christmas Lights.

This evening as I prepared to finish my day, I turned all the lights off and just left  the Christmas lights on.  There isn't anything at Christmas time more inviting, more soothing, or more cheerful(to me) then the warm glow of hundreds of tiny lights.  That is the one thing I miss most about the season ending.  

This year I feel a little less organized then I usually am.  I have plenty of time on my hands, and yet I still can't seem to pull it together.  I think it's cuz I have other things occupying my mind.  All of it's good, but it's causing me to be stressed out.  

The last few days I've been a hot mess and I just haven't been myself.  I've noticed that I've snapped more at the children, I have little to no patience for their shenanigans.  They deserve to have a chilled out, relaxed and flexible Mom during Christmas.  I know, I know, that is nigh impossible, or is it.  

Will there ever be a year where I can juggle everything and manage to pull it off with a smile and a happy heart?  Maybe, with some preparation.  

I think what I need to do is to remember that it's the spirit that I'm trying to capture. I need to remember the reason for the season.  It's not about the 12 days of Christmas, although it's fun and my kids look forward to it, or even bingo.  The spirit of Christmas is Christ.  Giving of ourselves to others in service.  

Maybe next year I'll do the 12 Days of Christmas Service.  Now the wheels are turning.  But let's not get them spinning too fast or I'll just fall to pieces. 

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

This is probably my most favorite hymn of all time! I heard it this morning while getting ready for church and it brought tears to my eyes. Oh how I love my Savior. How I wander sometimes, but his love always brings me back home.

Payson Temple Nov. 2012

One of these months I'll get a good photo of the temple and my kids. This time I brought my camera and the lighting was perfect, except the batteries were dead in the camera.  Luckily for me I have a teenage boy who can't leave the house without his blessed ipod.  He let me take a few photos with that.  Thank goodness. 

November was a very eventful month.  The I-15 core project finished up and we now  have a luxurious 5 lane freeway to drive on.  Including a commuter lane that goes all the way from Spanish Fork up to SLC.  Ya, it's pretty sweet. 
We voted for the next President of the United States.  Mitt Romney, as many of you know is a mormon, lost to Barak Obama.  Bummer dude.  Brent stayed up all night watching the "projections".  In the beginning we were very hopeful that Mitt was going to pull it off.  As soon as the tables turned I went to bed.  But not after pacing the floor and and cutting out an entire quilt top.  I Hate politics.  The next morning Hannah asked me who won.  I told her Obama.  She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Well, I guess that's who God wanted to win."  What simple faith. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving, Twice.  

Jaren turned 15 freaking years old.  I still remember being big and preggers with him BEATING my Mom and Sister up Dead Man's hill while in labor!!  Today they'd both kick my butt.  That's a memory I wont ever forget.

It was like pulling teeth to get my kids to go to the Temple this day.  It's never going to be the right time.  I made sure to talk about the Temple.  I told them how much I love the Temple.  One reason is for the many person revelations I received while in the Temple.  They said, "we know, we know!".  So I've told a few of my stories many times.  There is one story that they hadn't heard for a really long time.  And that was about the time I knew I was suppose to marry their Dad.  I was at work and just could NOT concentrate.  My stomach was full of butter flies and I was getting nothing done.  I left to go on lunch break and headed to my favorite place which was Hogi Yogi.  I ordered my favorite sandwich, chicken salad on white bread with ranch dressing.  Oh the body and metabolism of youth.  I was in such a fit that I couldn't even eat my sandwich, and people, that is saying something cuz nothing ever got in the way of me and that sandwich.  Later on that evening I met up with Brent and told him my experience.  He asked me about what time that was, I said lunch time.  He was like, "Huh, I was in the temple about that time praying to know if I should marry you."  WHAT?  I told my kids I knew then and there he was the one I was suppose to marry.  Look at us now, happily married for almost 17 years. 

I just let my kids know how much I love the Temple.  My purpose in doing this little activity is to get my kids to love it as much as I do.  I hope I find success.

Notice any change?  

The third level is up. 

And I think that might be the frame for the spire?

So Exciting!!

Look at my ducks all lined up!

Stupid crappy picture. 

12-12-12

I don't have any cool pictures to post.  I just wanted to document the crazy day that I had. 

I was pretty proud of myself for getting in some yoga before the day even really got going.  I'm trying to be more healthy and I decided to make a greater effort to fit exercise in my daily routine, NO MATTER WHAT.  So I said hello to Bob and the Biggest Losers. 

My next stop was to pick up my friend Danniey, drop her car off and head to the Orem Mall to listen to Hannah sing with her Jr. High Choir.  While stopped behind her at the light on HWY 6 I realized that I didn't grab the other car seat to put in the 'burb for her youngest son.  I called her on the cell phone, when our conversation was just about over I witnessed a school bus loaded with kids hit another vehicle.  I freaked out.  I quickly got off the phone with her and called 911.  I pulled up behind the bus to make sure all the kids were okay.  I've NEVER been a first responder before and it was amazing how the adrenaline kicks in and takes over.  The front right side of the bus was smashed in, crushing the sliding doors useless.  It didn't take long for police and ambulances to arrive.  I gave my name to dispatch and then again to the firs police woman I saw.  I left right away cuz the 'burb was in the way. 

We were finally all settled in the 'burb and off we went to the Orem Mall.  Hannah sang beautifully.  I am so impressed with Mr. Tuckett and his many choirs.  Hannah was suppose to eat lunch with us but decided she wanted to hang with her own peeps instead.  Just another example of cutting the cord and letting them become independent. 

We decided to eat at Chick-a-Fila.  I've never really eaten there before so Danniey insisted.  While ordering I let the lady taking my order know that it was my first time ever.  She was so excited that she told me I could have some free ice cream when I was done with my meal.  Grace and I shared some nuggets, waffle fries and a diet coke.  When I was done your darn toot'n right I went for some free ice cream.  And free ice cream I was given.  She pulled out a mid-size cup and proceeded to fill that thing up and then some.  When I brought it back to the table Danniey and Tyler were shocked at the amount of ice cream I was given.  Of course I shared. 

After dropping Danniey off at her car I had to stop at the dollar store to pick up the treats for the 12 days of Christmas which start tomorrow.  I found some fun goodies and a few other things(cuz it's the dollar store and everything is only a $1).  While standing in line Grace kept complaining that she wanted just one thing for herself, and that I never get anything for her(which is a complete lie, hello you were just treated to lunch, plus your the youngest and are spoiled beyond reason).  The lady in line in front of us bent down and gave my baby girl Grace 2 dollar bills and told her to get what she wanted.  I was shocked, people, SHOCKED!!  After having Grace thank the kind woman, as well as I did, and explaining what she could do, she booked it for all things princess.  She paid for her booty with the two bucks and left the store happier then a lark. 

The rest of the day was pretty un-eventful.  What a great way to remember the last time in history that the Month, Day, and Year will be the same.  CRAZY!!

My Bug Turns 15

Well, Jaren's 15 years old.  I am amazed that I am old enough to have a son who is taller than I am, smarter at Math than I am (I stopped being able to help him in 5th grade), he understands the gospel way better than I ever did at his age, and he's way cooler then I ever was.

I'm at a point now where I need to start helping him become more and more independent of me.  That's a hard pill to swallow, but it's reality.   And he's doing a great job of that on his own.  Thanks to the scouting program and all the camp outs that he has to prepare for.  I'm pretty sure Jaren is the kid he is today because of Scouts.  Earlier this year I decided that he needed to learn how to prepare a few meals on his own.  Ya, we did one meal and that was Broccoli and Rice casserole.  He did the whole thing on his own.  He was pretty darn proud of himself too. 

Jaren is one outstanding kid.  I'm proud of the young man that he is turning into.  He's determined, self motivated(as much as a teen can be), happy(we laugh all the time), and strives to be the best he can be.  What more can a Mom ask for? 

Happy Birthday Bug!!

Thanksgiving Musings

This Thanksgiving I have much to be grateful for.  I love my marriage.  Brent makes me laugh every single day, almost.  He loves me for who I am and even sees me for the potential that I have.  I am grateful for his counsel and his simple love.  I love being a mother.  I'm not going to lie, some days are complete hell.  But in the quiet of the night when I go to bed and find a note written to me by a remorseful daughter that expresses apologies and love, I am grateful I kept my cool.  I'm grateful that I heeded every prompting I was given to have all my children.  Most of all I am grateful for my testimony of Christ.  Over the past year it has grown immensely.  It has changed me.  It gives me strength and direction.  The more time I spend in the scriptures, the more I feel of the love that He and God has for me.  That feeling of love brings me peace. 
There are things that I still struggle with.  Some struggles are new, as my children get older and become more independent and vocal about their opinions.  And some struggles are old, and I feel like they will never leave me.  None the less I am grateful for my struggles too.  They keep me humble, and on my knees pleading for help. 
There are a great many people that I am grateful for.  My Mom, she's an amazing person who keeps going and going like the energizer bunny.  My Dad, he has an incredible creative talent.  My sister, her generosity and loving compliments give me joy.  Snefalie, I am grateful she always remembers to call me. All my in-laws, we have such a great relationship and I am blessed to be apart of their family.  Friends, who accept me and all my short comings.  I have but a few friends. I choose to surround myself with Amazing women.  They inspire me to be better, they make me think, and they encourage me to be the best I can.
No matter what, Life is Good.  Life is what you Make. So make the best of it! 

Halloween, Super Low Key

This year my kids costumes were super low key. Everyone made home made "silk screen" t-shirts with Grandma Penny. They had a lot of fun coming up with their own designs and making them all their own.  The only ones to have a "real" costume were Grace and Jaren.  Grace cuz I had everything for it and she's still need to experience halloween like everyone else has.  And jaren cuz he came up with his all on his own.  Of course I did eye-make up.  I didn't have the right tools to apply to make-up, but it was fun to experiment.  My girls really didn't let me go all crazy either.  Or else I would have. 

Hannah's "iron man" Eye

Isabel's "costume" Eye

Annika's "Super Girl" Eye

Isabel just wanted a shirt that said costume on it. 

This is the saddest Super Girl I've ever seen.

Annika had a super rough morning.  Mostly because of her cranky fussy fuss face Mother.

HULK SMASH!!

Cruella De-Ville

The whole gang came over later on that evening for trick or treating.  I made sugar cookies, hot chocolate and butter beer in celebration.  It was good times.  We love getting together with family when ever possible. 

Cruella has caught her dalmation!!

How cute is that?

When Grace would tell people what she was going to be, she wouldn't just say it, she's sing it!

Beckham wasn't digging the Hulk costume anymore. He slapped together a hunch back.

My attempt at a "fun" Halloween decoration.

Glowing water balloons.  

I didn't get to see what they looked like in the dead of night.   Just as we were starting to go around the neighborhood to trick or treat, I starting having some kind of an attack.  I could barely make it back to the house.  I took some meds and had to lay super still in bed.  My mom sat with me for a minute which I am grateful for.  After everyone else got back Brent and his brother and Dad gave me a blessing.  After about 15 minutes I could get up off the bed and gather downstairs.  Kelli took care of the drinks.  I was so bummed that I missed out on so much.  I didn't think I cared about Halloween, but when you put so much work into it, and miss it because of illness, it is disappointing.  I think I had another kidney stone or something.  So stupid.  I'm much better now.  Nothing that green smoothies and salads and veggies can't cure. 

Slenderman

Whatever that is?

Grandma Clown

My Mom was in town this year.  She's usually in VA visiting my sister.

PumpkinLand

Some new wonderful friends of ours, Danniey and her boys Calvin and Linus invited us to go with their pre-school group to PumpkinLand. I was excited for the invitation.  I use to take my kids all over the place when they were younger.  Grace doesn't seem to have the same luxury, stuck at home while Mom is busy with other duties and responsibilities.   I was glad for the opportunity to take Grace on a pre-school outing.   At first it was just going to be the 5 of us, and the morning of Danniey informed me that her husband and bro-in-law would be joining us.  The more the merrier.  We all crammed into the ghetto green van.  It was cold in the morning but lucky for us it warmed up. 

Grace playing around with the squash.

 There were some very impressive pumpkins!

Danniey and Linus

Calvin and Grace

At first the excursion was a tad disappointing.  Tons and tons of other pre-schools and schools were swarming the playground and pumpkin patches.  I was quickly reminded of why my children and I were the first ones on scene and the first ones to leave.  We finally found the "wonder"land.  Places for the kids to crawl, and jump, climb and discover animals that bite.  After a little while we found the corn maze.  We were the only ones there and it was awesome.  Grace discovered that if you followed the headless monster, you could find your way out. 

We all packed lunches and by the time it was lunch all the other school had excited and we had the place almost to ourselves.  Grace and Calvin were able to play freely on the playground and we adult had fun chatting and eating our juvenile lunch of pb & j.  

Payson Temple October 29th, 2012

October was freakishly warm! I think we had rain maybe 2 or 3 days the entire month.  I remember as a kid it always rained on Halloween.  Not this year.   We might have set a record for the warmest Halloween in Utah history hitting a whopping 75 degrees.  No jackets necessary this year. 
October was a fast month.  We had family pictures taken on Brent's side of the family.  We enjoyed the mountains and the changing colors.  The colors always seem to come and go so quickly!  They never last long enough for me.  Costco opened up, which is huge!  It's going to be so nice having that in my own little town instead of having to drive 30 minutes north! I just hope I can practice some restraint and not spend more money then is necessary.  I actually stopped by there to pick up some milk, and that's all I purchased.  The lady helping in line even asked me, "Is this all you have, milk?"  I shook my head and said, "yes, just milk." We'll see how often that happens. And of course there was Halloween.  A holiday that is probably the least favorite of mine, but a favorite of the kids.  I hate coming up with costumes, spending money on candy,  and the sick tummy's as a result of sugar overload. 

It's hard timing the sunset and getting a good photo.  

The kids still had some make-up on from visiting Grandpa Weiss' Halloween Work Party. 

Is there much difference from last month?  

This month the kids insisted on waiting for Brent so he could join us.  It was an even faster trip then last month.  We didn't talk about the Temple.  Which I regret.  I wanted to, but just didn't speak up about it.  It was a mad rush getting out of the 'burb and another rush getting in.  As I looked at the Temple for a few seconds I wondered if there was even any change, has it gotten taller?  Well, I had to go back and compare photos, and indeed it has changed.  It's going to be so fun to compare all the photos when the Temple is finally completed.  

There are some things that are going to change as we continue this activity.  I am going to insist on talking about some aspect of the Temple while driving to and from the Temple site.  When I go to take the picture with my kids I am going to have them stand from Oldest to Youngest so we can make not of any height changes.  

Again, I want the Temple to be as important to my children as it is to me. 

Vampires and Undead

This year I decided to make carving pumpkins a bit easier on myself. Instead of tediously helping my children prick the flesh of 6 pumpkins to then tediously cut out small shapes to form intricate characters, we made vampires and undead.  Depending on their desired creature, all they had to do was cut out circles or ovals.  Soooo much easier.  The result was FUN.  And it didn't cost me but $1.  The pumpkins we grew in the back yard.  The eye balls I made out of ping pong balls.  The idea I got from Martha Stewart.  Jaren was the only to come up with a pattern all his own.  He was excited with his "slender man" pumpkin. 

Our Vampires and Undead sitting next delicate Disney Designs.

All lit up!

Carving with Cousins

Baby Elsie

Too cute not to take a picture of.  Elsie was really fussy when we began to finally carve.  When I was done helping my kids I took her from Kelli to see if I could help her.  Brent usually is the one to whisper to her and get her to go to sleep.  Well, I guess I still have a bit of magic left in my mothering arms cuz I was successful in getting her to fall asleep too.  I rocked her and we sat for a good while.  I missed being able to rock my own babies.  I felt no pangs to have another.  I felt comfort in knowing that my family is complete. 

My stackables with their stackables.

So proud

 

Hannah's Three Eyed Vampire Zombie

In true Hannah style, has to add some kind of disgusting gory touch

Beckham getting his finger eaten by his undead

This year we carved pumpkins at Mike and Donna's.  I made a cheddar broccoli soup to contribute to dinner.  I wondered why I was bringing anything since I knew everyone would go for Donna's home made chicken noodle soup.  Well, I was right, they all had Grandma's soup.  But my cheddar broccoli soup was actually really good this time.  So good in fact that I think Mike had at least 4 bowl fulls.  He came into the living and declared, "Amberlyn, did I tell you how outstanding your soup is?"  I laughed and said no.  

If any year snuck up on me and caught me by surprise, it's this year.  I feel so unprepared for all the traditions that take place this time of year.  I feel the pressure to make sure that my children feel gratitude during Thanksgiving, and to feel of the spirit of Christ and love during Christmas.  I felt as though last year lacked some how.  I feel as though I need to make up for that.  I need to lose myself in serving my family.  I am still caught up in my own very personal, very real struggles.  I think I need to start focusing elsewhere.  I know I mentioned this a few months ago.  But really putting it into action is different then just proclaiming it.  

My holidays will be what I make them out to be.