Everything I needed to know in life, I learned from SANTA!

Encourage people to believe in you.

Always remember who's naughty and who's nice.

Don't pout.

It's as much fun to give as it is to receive.

Some days it's ok to feel a little chubby.

Make your presents known.

Always ask for a little bit more than what you really want.

Bright red can make anyone look good.

Wear a wide belt and no one will notice how many pounds you've gained.

If you only show up once a year, everyone will think you're very important.

Whenever you're at a loss for words, say:

"HO, HO, HO!"

True Colors Come Out...POSTING BY K

Little K is finally deprogrammed from her Aunt J's evil and wicked ways. She now remembers the correct team to cheer for and love. Weber State...whoever they are, and the Utes bleed red anyway! Little K was in the middle of her snack today eating a bagel with cream cheese. During her snack, we discovered that she has responded to proper training, and rediscovered that there is no place like the Lords school.

I guess the only thing I have left to say is WHO'S GOING TO THE BOWL? As Little K would say...GO BIU

Thanks!

When K's sister J and her family were here over Thanksgiving, J taught little K a little something to bug K. Little K really likes her Aunt J and she really likes to tease her daddy so she had a good time with this. It was really funny! Now K is working at reteaching her to "LOVE" BYU! Thanks J!!! It was a fun weekend! We love you guys!

Sorry the one is sideways. It's still silly. The other one is black right now but it works when you push play, I think. Let me know if it doesn't. GO COUGARS!!!

They're Back!

My little brother B and his wife C and their 2 little children K and M moved home. TODAY! Literally! They moved home to live with my parents for a while. They have been in Wisconsin for the last couple years and we are so happy to have them back. B is working for a dairy doing something really TOP SECRET. Shhh!!! Actually, I just can't remember what exactly it is that he was hired to do but I know that it's NOT milking the cows. I'm sure it's something really important though. They will live at my parents house until they get a place of their own. This is really great for my parents because now they will not be so lonely anymore. Out of all us kids, I have lived the closest to my parents for the last few years and I am still an hour away so we don't see them as often as we would like. It's going to be fun to have some more family around. And this puts C really close to her parents also so it's a WIN for everyone! We are so glad to have them back! Welcome Home!!!!!

Hugs!

I'll be going along, in a great routine, getting most of my motherly jobs accomplished and then...

BAM!!!

Something will hit me that knocks me totally off course.



Well, that happened this last week and since I can't share details because this is a "public" blog, I will just share with you something that I have learned that changed my life.

I was told this week, by my daughters councilor, that I need to love my children more. Not just love them, but hug them and kiss them and hold them and tell them that I really love them. I didn't realize that I was bad at this until it was pointed out to me. (She recommended the book Hug Therapy by Kathleen Keating. I haven't read it yet but I'm going to. Here's a quote from her. "In a world that has grown more complicated, more fierce in the demands made upon our hearts and pocket books, there is one easy, free gift left. The power of touch... The gift of touch is the most powerful healing you can offer another, and it is the most powerful healing you can give yourself. Give generously and watch yourself grow rich in what matters the most. Hug often, hug well...I embrace your spirit...." Kathleen Keating Schloessinger)

So, I have been trying really hard to do better and in just one week, I have seen major changes in my children's attitudes and in mine. I would have never guessed that something as simple as a genuine bear hug could change my world so much. Try it! Let me know what you think.


Hugs

It's wondrous what a hug can do,
A hug can cheer you when you're blue
A hug can say, "I love you so"...
Or,..."I'm sad to see you go."
A hug is,"welcome back again!"
And, "great to see you!" or,
Where've you been ?...
A hug can soothe a small child's pain
And bring a rainbow after rain

The hug! There's just no doubt about it,
We scarcely could survive without it.
A hug delights and warms and charms,
It must be why God gave us arms!

Hugs are great for fathers and mothers
Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers
And chances are some favorite aunts
Love them more than potted plants

Kittens crave them. Puppies love them.
Heads of state are not above them.
A hug can break the language barrier
And make the dullest day seem merrier

No need to fret about the store of 'em,
The more you give........
The more there are of 'em
So stretch those arms without delay
And give someone a hug today !



She also shared with me the quote by Maya Angelou. "I did what I knew how to do, and when I knew better, I did better."

We talked about how I have made alot of mistakes as a parent but that I feel like I am better today then I was yesterday or last year or 13 years ago when I started out on this crazy ride.

I have thought alot about that quote and I have a goal that now that I know better, I will do better!

SO... HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR KIDS TODAY?

Christmas Countdown!

We have a tradition in our family that I love. Each year I wrap 24 of my most favorite Christmas books and put them under the tree. Then each night the kids pick one and we read it before prayers and kisses. The part we love the most is that Ken is the official reader. There is nothing better than listening to Dad read a story before going off to bed.

So I love to hear about new traditions that families enjoy! I'm assuming that you do also:) So, here's the books we've read so far. I'll add to the list each night. (See the list on the left side of my blog!)

December 1:


December 2:

What does your family do to countdown to Christmas?

Happy Birthday K!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday K! Happy Birthday to you! (Aren't you glad you didn't have to really listen to me sing that song!)

Saturday was K's birthday! It's also the first of the month so we have a tradition that that's the day the Christmas tree goes up. This year we let the kids have their own tree upstairs and the adult tree will be downstairs. This is our first year with two trees and so the adult tree is still undecorated because we don't really know how to decorate it. The kids love their tree and they play under it and with it and around it all day long. It has their own homemade decorations on it from past years and so they truly are in love with this tree. It's very fun to watch.

K was gone most of the day helping with a work fund raiser and then a friend called him to go look at guns. I was going to give him my gun for his birthday but he took care of himself and bought a really scary gun that takes Russian bullets. So now we can go huntin' together! I did get him a present though. He wanted Season 1 of "The Unit" and he got a CD full of ballads from the 80's. Yes! Now we have some more really great music to listen to!

That night, K put up lights on the house with the boys. They froze but had a really great time together. It's fun to watch the boys get old enough that K can really enjoy being with them. Then, yesterday we went out to my parents house after church and had a nice dinner and blueberry pie and chocolate cake. Thanks Mom and Dad!

So, since it was K birthday and I can't post any pictures or any personal information about him, you'll have to settle for some sappy love thoughts.

K has a big heart! He appears to be a little rough but that is only surface deep. He is the kindest, most thoughtful person I know. I often tell him he should be the R.S. President. He loves people!

K is very forgiving! He will forgive people over and over and over. I think that I am corrupting him though because he is becoming more cautious.

K is very common sense smart! He thinks through things and remains very calm and rational. I trust everything and go into everything very naive or in a total panic and completely over-react. He tells me "not to show people my full hand". He is very aware of his surroundings at all times and is a very good judge of character. I totally trust that when I am with him that he will protect me and I really like that.

K is a very good Dad! He loves his kids. He will do anything for them. When they are hurt or sick, he is so much more compassionate that I am. When he talks to them he doesn't baby them but he gives them the confidence and information and love they need to protect themselves and make right choices. I love that about him.

K is my very best friend. I have been so blessed. I often wonder what I would do without him. He's a good listener. I have talked to him every night for the past 13 years and he still listens to me until he falls asleep. He makes me laugh. His looks of shock or disgust or that I'm pathetic make me laugh because I know that he is paying attention to me. I love our weekly grocery shopping date! And when we really need some time away from the kids, I love that he will go walking with me and listen to me talk and talk and talk. (I think I talk too much!) We are so opposite that it makes us the same. I love that I get to spend the rest of my life and eternity with him.

Happy Birthday K! I love you!