Christmas Eve Happenings

Riley and I spent Christmas Eve-Eve and Christmas Eve in Idaho. It was a very quick trip, but it gave us the chance to enjoy some time with our family, and still make it back to Utah for Santa to find Riley in our own home.

Ambrie

Hallee

Riley

Lexi

Baby Karlee

Riley and I decided to take Hallee and Lexi out for breakfast on Christmas Eve. It was so much fun, and so entertaining! We will definitely be repeating that experience! Best breakfast dates ever!

After breakfast, Hallee and I headed out on a little aunt/niece outing. She and I like to drive around, doing whatever random thing we come up with (I love this girl!). This time, she manned the Ipod (Taylor Swift, anyone?) and I shot a few photos.

I'm digging how the white on white on white of the structures, the snow and the sky. This is how I imagine Idaho in the winter.

Then it was time to head back to Utah to await Santa's arrival. Of course, Riley opened the traditional Christmas pj's before bed.
Stockings were hung (sorta) and Riley's haul was set out for her to discover on Christmas morning.
Merry, merry!

Christmas Eve Musings

Luke 2:11 - -For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
As this Christmas Eve winds down, I find myself reflecting on the reason that we celebrate the Christmas season in the first place. I'm grateful for the birth of Christ, for His teachings and His sacrifice. I'm grateful for the peace I find by following Him and for having His example as a guide to teach my daughter compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, and love .

May you all find peace and joy this Christmas, and may you all have the happiest of holiday seasons.

The Lights at Temple Square

You would think that since we only live a handful of blocks away from Temple Square, it would be nice, easy evening out to go see the world famous lights. Right?

Um, no. Not so much.

There were cold hands, cold feet, itchy socks, too many people and a tired little girl.

Oh, well. We gave it our best shot.

Cold evening - I think it was about 27 degrees.

Riley was still talking about the "bubbles" today.

Eating snow. Which is why her hands were cold and wet, but there was no telling her this.

This is always my favorite Nativity. I love the candles and the reflection of the temple.

I'm glad we went. AND that it will be a year before we have to go again.

The big news of the day:

The girl got her very first "addressed to her" package in the mail. She was SO excited to see her own name on the envelope, she kept saying "I just can't believe it, Mama. My very own mail." Pretty big news, indeed.

December 12of12

(Click photo to enlarge)

1. We woke up 8:49 am. This is unheard of, but Riley had a rough night.
2. Pre-church snuggling and photos.
3. Poinsettias from my building lobby. Riley calls them "poem-setters".
4. The Girl playing with my Ipad. Her favorite app is an annoying bird that repeats everything you say.
5. The big project of the afternoon - a gingerbread house. oh, boy. It was...ummm...fun.
6. I finished up a project I'm working on for Riley's bedroom.
7. The resident Drama Queen was quite dismayed to find out she had to eat dinner before we could finish the gingerbread house.
8. I'm coming up with ideas for my kitchen, so I began wading through a stack of design mags.
9. Some of the candy for the gingerbread casa.
10. Hard at work on the snowmen and tree.
11. We are reading the various bible versions of the Christmas Story. We read Luke 2 yesterday.
12. All finished up with the house. Now to keep her from licking the roof (it's already happened more than once.)

Identity

Identity

How do you define yourself? he asked

My silence met his, then stretched across miles.

Was he aware that the question was bigger than

All of the answers a heart could hold?

A mother? he prompted.

Certainly. Yes.

I’ve felt my body stretch to bear the weight of another.

Held her safe in an ocean’s protection and

Felt her foot draw an arc across her sky.

But also

A sister, a daughter

An aunt, a niece.

And how do you name what you are to those

who are family by heart, but not by blood?

A writer? He suggested.

Certainly. Yes.

I’ve felt my mind stretch to hold the weight of my words.

Held the syllables steady while I chased the meaning

Felt the gentle release when the rhythm was found.

But also

An artist, an athlete

A warrior, a scholar.

And how do you name what you are to those

passions that are still searching for their muse?

A lover? He wondered.

Certainly. Yes.

I’ve felt myself open to take the weight of another.

Held him close, pressed my ear to his heart, and

Felt his hands burn the flesh on my back.

But also

A friend, a companion

A confidant, an advisor.

And how do you name what you are to those

who are part of your past but still part of your whole?

I felt myself grow weary of his questions.

And told him that I don’t have to name what I am.

Instead I choose to define myself by

The collection of moments that have left me breathless.

With passion, with pain

With love, with fear

With wonder, with awe

With anger, with forgiveness

With triumph, with defeat.

I’ll wrap them up neatly within my own name.

And dangle them around my neck, close to my heart.

She said

Another recent conversation with Riley:

Me: "Why were you in time-out?"
Riley: "I hit you and kicked Harley."
Me: "Does it work to throw fits in Mama's house?"
Riley: "No."
Me: "Do you have something you want to say to me to help make things right?"
Riley: "Umm.....Good Luck?"

Decking the Halls

The tree has been decorated in it's Christmas finest.
The Snowmen came out of hiding.
(The Girl greeted them with the same joy that would befit long lost family members.)
Stockings are hung on the bookcase with care.
Fah-la-la-la-la....

Loving Utah!

Good day to be out in the snow, (semi)fresh air and with a good friend.

Getting ready for ski season

Because ski goggles and a sun-dress are always in style.

Pink shoes, striped tights

Her favorite thing to wear these days.