Oh Hear The Angels Voices

Random thoughts before Christmas

• Here we are, three days before Christmas, and I have accomplished a lot, but yet there is so much left to do. Gifts still need wrapped, which means I will probably pull my usual all-nighter on Christmas Eve, and a couple gifts that still need to be purchased.
• We had a Family Meeting last night to discuss our plans for Christmas. We are so blessed to have family very close to us on both sides so the Holidays are always a schedule juggle. Jacob, who is still holding on to the magic of Christmas with his heart even though I think his brain is telling him otherwise, really wants to wake up here, at home, on Christmas morning. We usually juggle Christmas by spending the 24th with my family, spending the night of Christmas Eve at Kevin's parents house, and then waking up Christmas morning with Kevin's family. This all meant that Santa had to come to our house on the night of the 23rd and we would open his gifts Christmas Eve morning. This worked out fine in years past, but this year Jacob is not buying it. So we will be staying home and waiting for Santa to come on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning I am sure will be a mad rush of excitement with opening gifts then quickly getting dressed and ready to drive to Warden for the day, then Moses Lake for the evening, but I am sure that great memories will be made.
• My original plan to spread Christmas cheer with the gift of homemade tamales was a bust. My mom and I could not workout a schedule where we were both home, ALL DAY, on a Saturday to make our yummy gifts. We were both feeling bad that this was not able to be done, so we are hoping that maybe we can get them done as New Years gifts. Until then, we hope some of you will enjoy our treats that we whipped up quickly for you. Merry Christmas!
• I am enjoying having my kids home for break. We spent all day yesterday playing LOTERIA, Mexican Bingo, and we had so much fun. Kelsie is the bingo queen!! She won so many times and she LOVES yelling BINGO when she does win. Lots of giggles and playful bickering and great memories were created on day one - Now on to day two!!
• Ashley is also home from college for break. She is currently asleep on my couch, such is the life of a college student, and I am using her laptop. My whole family is literally HOME for the holidays. My parents and Ashley are patiently waiting for their NEW HOME to be built. It'll be about 90 days, and their new home will be ready for them. They are very excited to pick out all of the fun stuff that comes with building a new home, like carpet and paint and appliances. Jacob's favorite things about this are 1) He'll have his room back and 2) My parents house is being built right around the corner from his two friends CARSON and TYLER. He thinks this is the coolest thing ever.
• Christmas Sunday at church was perfect. All the right words were spoken and the right feelings were present. I was surrounded by sisters who I love and the ones who were not actually in the building, I could feel because of their amazing strength and awesome examples that they are to me. Thank you all.

All I want for Christmas is My FIRST Haircut

Yes, it's true. Kelsie is 3 years old and had her very first haircut ever yesterday. Kelsie is well known for her beautiful, curly hair with ringlets that go on for days. I love her hair - except for every morning that I have to tame her fro from all of the tangles of her bedhead. I should buy stock in the Suave Detangler Spray, but Kelsie is a champ. She sits there everyday and lets me do whatever I want to her hair. Some days I don't hear a peep from her as I am combing out her locks, other days she peeps a lots. I decided in recent weeks that it is time for a knew do for Kelsie. Nothing drastic, just trim off all of her uneven baby hair and update her look. Kelsie, however, was not on board with my plan. She would simply just tell me NO when I would suggest a haircut. Fine.

Last Thursday, Kelsie and I were driving around town on errands and she said to me, out of the blue, "Mommy, it's time for my haircut." Really? I told her that I thought that was a great idea, only problem was she wanted to go RIGHT NOW and that wasn't on my scheduled day. I convinced her to wait a few more days and she agreed. Yesterday, was THE day.

I really wanted to take her to a friend of mine who is a FABULOUS hairstylist, but Kayla had told Kelsie about Monkee Dooz and Kelsie's mind and heart were made up. She was very excited to go there. On the drive there she says to me, "Can we go there later, not right now?" I told her we had to go now because we had an appointment. I could tell she was nervous. This is a picture of Kelsie waiting for her turn. She was happy and smiley. That all changed VERY QUICKLY.

Here she is as they are laying her down to get her hair washed. She was so apprehensive and nervous. Her whole body stiffened up and there were no more smiles and giggles.

They asked her what kind of shampoo she wanted. Chocolate, Raspberry, Orange, Blueberry, Coconut, Bubblegum, WOW! No response from Kelsie. She would not speak. She would only shake her head yes or no at me. She chose Raspberry.


She was happy when that was over, but still no smiles or any reactions at all. Stiff and still.

She was pretty excited about the Barbie Jeep she got to sit in. She really liked the penguins on the cape she was wearing. Isn't she so cute, even with no emotion.

These WERE her beautiful curls. It was SO long. It stretched right down to the top of her bum. I was sad and excited both. When the hairstylist asked me how short I wanted it I asked her to go to her shoulder blades. She informed me that would be about SIX INCHES!! WHAT!? That kinda freaked me out so I changed my mind. How about 3 inches. Sounds good.

This was the first snip, getting rid of her baby hair. ((TEAR))

Here, I am holding 3 inches of curl and showing it to Kelsie. She obviously is NOT amused.

I asked for a little bit of layers to give her a little bit of volume.

Remember, this was Kelsie's idea and she looks like someone just broke her heart.

I wonder what she is thinking here? My little baby, growing up right before my eyes.

TADA!!! This is the finished result. I told you it was nothing drastic, but it was enough for Kelsie and me, too. She still has some curl left, but I fear, the more haircuts she gets, the more curl we cut off and then I will not have those long beautiful ringlets anymore. It's pretty much growing in wavy, not curly.

They finished her off with a cute Topsy-tail and some sparkles, but not even those would make her smile. Don't you just LOVE that face!! Of course, after we left and met daddy for lunch, she was all smiles and giggles again. She told everyone about her FUN haircut. Her version of the story is a little different than what I witnessed, but that was her take on it I guess. She did admit to Kayla that it was a little scary but then she said she can't wait to do it again. Not for a long while Kelsie. She was flipping her hair around all night long, it was so cute to watch. I hope now that combing and styling her hair everyday won't be such a chore for either one of us.

Feelin' The Love

I am totally loving this Christmas Season. New babies, friendly faces and my children who teach me everyday what the true reason for Christmas is. After running some Christmas errands yesterday, I came home to find THREE plates of goodies that were left by some of the best friends I could ever ask for. I was speechless. Let me tell you my friends can BAKE!! They were all so yummy. NO! I did not eat them all, I just sampled a little from each plate:) It also reminded me that I need to get started on my goody giving! Time is running out!

While going from store to store, I encountered TONS of really nice and friendly people out there. In fact, I don't think anyone was rude or unfriendly at all. This really shocked me because I can usually count on coming home with some story about how rude or impolite someone was to me or someone else while I was in town, not this year, so far.

Lovin' the weather. Yeah, it's been frigid, but it's winter, it's suppose to be cold. We are very happy about the tiny bit of snow we have so far and hope to get lots more. Call me crazy, but I am looking forward to the kids being out of school next week and hope to get some good play time in the snow in.

All in all, this winter ROCKS so far!!

Twilight - Mormon Style

Thanks SO much to HEATHER for posting this video. ENJOY!!

Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo.

Can you FEEL IT?

I can, and I really needed to. I'm talking about Christmas and the wonderful spirit and feeling that it brings with it. After Thanksgiving, none of us could wait to get out our Christmas decor and spread it through out the house. There was only one problem - The Tree. For the past three years we have used an artificial tree and it worked out just fine. Some people have very strong feelings of fake vs. real, but for me it's always kind of been whatever is easiest for that year. Our little artificial tree has been great and served it's purpose and was beautiful every year. This year however, I needed something more, and I KNEW it started with the tree. I know that this year I need to feel ALL of the spirit of Christmas, the real Christmas not the commercial one. We headed out to the local nursery on RD 68 as a family in search of the PERFECT tree for us. We each had an idea of what we wanted. Kelsie even took a picture form an ad in Sunday's paper to make sure we got the right one. The man at the nursery was so nice and helpful and I could tell that he knew how important this was to all of us. He showed us the different trees on the lot and each one was either too small, too big, had a bald spot, too skinny. It was cute to watch the kids walk from tree to tree and form their opinion, Kelsie with her picture in hand comparing each one. It took all of about 20 minutes, and there it was. Everyone ooooed and awwwed because we had found our tree. It was so exciting! We loaded it up in the truck and took her home. Once we got home we found that our perfect tree fit perfectly in our front window and it was time to start the trimming of the tree. One small problem - NO LIGHTS. You see, our artificial tree came pre-lit so we had no lights for our tree. Kevin and I run off to Wal-Mart and found lights and a new tree topper, rushed home and then started the decorating. We had such a good time! Kelsie was just so giddy and giggly I couldn't help but smile the entire night. My mom helped me find the right spots to display Christmas splendor throughout the house. It was great! Since Monday, I have loved the feeling in our home, I hope it lasts all of December and well into the new year. I love it all!

• Christmas music playing 24/7 in the house and car. There is no way you can feel anything but happy when you have Christmas music playing. Love it!
• Frosty, cold weather that makes you break out the gloves, hats and scarves. I even had to scrape my windshield before taking Kayla to school this morning - and I enjoyed it!!
• Singing Christmas Hymns in church on Sunday. I can't sing, and I try not too sing too loud on any normal Sunday, but this month I will sing out loud, so I apologize in advance to any of you sitting within earshot of me.
• Kelsie woke up the morning after we decorated the house and saw me putting the tubs away and screamed in protest because she thought I was going to put everything away. I assured her I wasn't and she was okay. Every morning she runs into the front room to check on the tree.
• Whether it is politically correct or not, I will be wishing everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS.
• The SCENT of Christmas. Cinnamon, evergreens, peppermint. It also helps that I have all of my Scentsy warmers going and it smells oh so amazing in here!! If you need some, come visit me, I have a few on hand.
• Baking! Good thing I lost a little weight before now because I am pretty sure it's all coming back. My mom and I have decided to make tamales as a Christmas treat for ourselves and for those friends that we love.
• Basketball. Yes, I said basketball. I absolutely LOVE to watch a good college basketball game with my husband and it all starts in December. Last nights Zags victory over WSU had Kevin beaming!! We think WSU is great, as long as they are not playing against Gonzaga. Kevin is a die hard Zags fan and has been for years and years.
• We've scaled back on the gifts this year and we are very happy about it. The kids are on board with our plans for service and giving and we have been feeling that little something extra in our hearts.
• I am going to try and be more Christlike. Be forgiving and patient. For me, this is a challenge, after all I am still human and a very stubborn one. I am trying to love those who offend me and try not to let other people bring me down. I choose to love and be happy.

I hope you feel that same thing in the air that I do. It fills up my heart and makes me smile.