12:30 pm

Post-Edit title: Christmas Adam

(the original title of this post was Christmas Eve, Eve.

My nephew informed me that today

is actually Christmas Adam--- since Adam came before Eve)

The girls made lunch for everyone.

The husband and little son shredded papers

so that the husband can make paper bricks,

his newest green venture.

And I vacuumed.

So we can open presents on a clean rug.

Once the vacuuming was complete,

the girls powered up the Roku.

They were excited to finish watching She-Ra.

When the husband heard the She-Ra music,

he paused the paper shredder and joined them "for lunch."

(But we all know he really just wanted to find out what happened with She-Ra)

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve!!!

A Note of Apology

I think it's time I apologize to The Shaefers. In letter form. Even though the letter I write is to The Shaefers, I don't mind if you read. Because, it is on the blog after all.

Dear The Shaefers,

I am so sorry. Your Christmas card has been delivered to our house 4 times now. And each time, I put it back in the mailbox, flag raised, and last time with a yellow post-it on it- alerting Mr. Postman to make sure it goes to you.

Our mailman has picked it up each time. And then as he shuts the mailbox door, he peels out of there as fast as he can, like he's trying to get the heck out of Dodge- he has created a divot (although there is no grass there) about the size of a small canyon. Not your fault. He does it everyday. The husband is weary of fixing it. He is running out of gravel to fill it.

I digress. Back on subject, I am sure Mrs. Barbara Driscoll is wondering if you have received your card, tucked in the red envelope. And she is not aware that it keeps coming to us. Nor is she aware that the children have been jonesing to open it each time it is delivered. But, I have not allowed it. I know. You're totally welcome. I am the defender of the card.

So, today I placed it back in the mailbox after I sharpied-out the little routing stamp at the bottom. That's prolly why it keeps coming to us, since we live on separate sides of the valley from you, and our addresses are only a little tiny bit similar. Like, we have 3 of the same numbers in our 5 digit house number. Yet, they are not in the same spots. And our towns are totally not the same. Honest mistake. Plus it's the holidays, and those postal workers are just trying to keep up with the volume. And, trying to avoid going postal. That would be hard at this time of year, in the post office, don't you think?

And I hope Mrs. Barbara Driscoll enclosed a gift card or family picture or brag letter or something that would make it worth all this traveling it has done. Poor weary card traveler.

And since I'm pretty sure you read my blog, you will know to look for the little red envelope with the mistletoe sticker on the back. It should arrive tomorrow. If all goes well.

I don't know. Maybe you can make sure to hang it on your wall with scotch tape when it arrives? And then perhaps keep it up there past President's Day just so that it can get adequate wall time, since Mrs. Barbara Driscoll really did send it out with ample time to spare before Christmas.

Again, our sincerest desert apologies. Desert apologies, because I'm pretty sure desert apologies are the most sincere. And we are, after all, in the desert.

And if we ever meet in this life, you can thank us. But, really, we are just that benevolent. So if we never meet, we know that you feel you already owe us so much. You're so welcome.

Your friends,

The Laughing at Life's Little Wedgies Family

P.S. I am sure you can appreciate our dedication in getting your card to you, especially as you may not be aware that today, this very day, is the husband's birthday and so it really did take a bit more effort on our part to get that card back in the mailbox. Plus, we said goodbye to Elder B. yesterday, so, you know- really busy.

Writing the Book

my nephew, elder b.

(surprise, sister, i just totally stole this pic from your blog. thanks.)

I was going through my post in-box, or whatever it is, and looking at all the posts I have started but never published, and I came across this draft- written over a year ago- on October 14, 2009.

Last Wednesday evening as I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep, the husband next to me already deep in dreamland with his hand resting on my backside, my mind was racing- not willing to rest.

I was thinking about the busy day I had just completed and the progress of the project we had been working on that day. I was thinking about the husband and his business trip the following day and how I would miss him.

And then, as thought processes are sometimes neither rational nor logical, I realized that it was Wednesday. The day that many parents send their 19 year old son or 21 year old daughter out into the world to preach the gospel. I thought of all the new missionaries being introduced to life in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah. And I thought about their families. And all the tear-y goodbyes and the hugs for family and the handshakes for the girlfriend or boyfriend left behind.

Such an emotional day is Wednesday for missionary families.

And Wednesday is the first chapter of a new book of adventures.

I thought this was a very appropriate for the events of the day. Because today is Wednesday, the day my nephew enters the MTC. We went to the airport to see him off this morning. And there were lots of missionaries leaving on this very same morning, headed to the MTC.

I'm pretty sure they all had pencils in hand, ready to write that first chapter.

And, I'm pretty sure there were lots of families hoping their missionary will also use that pencil to draft a few information-filled letters home.

Happy Day with Ghosts

Today my younger brother becomes a doctor.

He has been working hard learning all this stuff.

Today he graduates.

And gets a diploma and all that.

And now he can work on people.

He recently moved his family to Arizona.

We love having them close.

And now, since he has gone back to his school to graduate,

we are taking care of one of his cute children.

As my cute little nephew has been in my home these past few days,

I keep seeing the ghost of my little brother

running through my house,

playing with my own little son.

And then, I look again,

and it's like the ghost of the husband

is playing with the ghost of my younger brother.

I'm not afraid of ghosts.

And it makes me smile.

Congratulations, brother!!

I sure do love you.

Thought of You

As some of you may remember, I like to dance with my wife in the kitchen.

This video caused me to pause and recall some of the most emotional dances we've shared in the past few years. From comforting each other through heartbreaks, to finding joy in our children, to working clumsily through our individual trials, to celebrating simple newfound joys, to simply expressing our love for each other, I find comfort in her arms and knowing she loves me.

I love you dear. I'm grateful for the promises we've made to keep dancing with one another throughout the eternities.

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

Giving Up

We have a good friend who recently celebrated his first anniversary of being baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has been an amazing two years as we have witnessed his growth and the changes he has made in his life. We are blessed to have been part of his journey.

I was going through my email sent box the other day, cleaning house and deleting old stuff, when I came across an email I had written to him a few months before his baptism, as he was making his decision to join the church. It gave me a few goose bumps as I read.

Indulge me as I share it. Mostly, I want it on my blog so that I can have this as a record and testimony of my own growth, but also I like the insight. Maybe you will, too.

When I was a little girl, I grew up in a small town called Rifle, Colorado. Every Easter, the local hospital would host an Easter Egg hunt on their front lawn. Every one came. And there was always tons of candy- perfect for little hunters. And anticipation was always at a maximum. Once the signal was given, it was pandemonium- children all over the place with their little wicker Easter baskets- gathering up all the candy they could.

When all the Easter sweetness was collected, it was time to sort the bounty. But the fun was not over. On each candy, was a tag with the name of a store on Main Street, downtown. And, if we wanted, we could take that piece of candy downtown and trade it at the store for an even better prize. Usually, the store clerk had kites and cars and parachute guys or balloons or whistles. And we could decide if we would give up that piece of candy for something that would last a bit longer than the sugar settling on our tongue and gone in a moment. And I usually traded in my candy and redeemed it for the better item.

Years later as I was reading the Book of Mormon one day, I read a story that I had read numerous times before, but took on a new meaning for me this particular time. The story was in the book of Alma, chapter 22. It caused me to remember Easter Egg hunting on the community hospital lawn in the little town of Rifle, Colorado.

The story centers around a man named Aaron who is, at the time, a missionary and teaching King Lamoni's father- who was also a king. Aaron tells King Lamoni's father about the gospel of Jesus Christ. King Lamoni's father is touched and the following conversation ensues:

16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.

17 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:

18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day

King Lamoni's father was a king who went through life enjoying the things that he felt enriched his life- his material possessions, his habits, his passions, his power. But Aaron teaches him the gospel and King Lamoni's father recognizes truth and realizes he is missing important things in his life and he is willing to give up all his sins- his material possessions, his habits, his passions, his power, the things he loves- to know God.

Just like the Easter Egg hunt- he has gone through life collecting all his sins in his wicker basket. And they are things he thinks are important and exciting. But, when he feels of the greater importance of Aaron's message, he is willing to give up all those things for something better. And he gives his trust to God that He will deliver all of what He promises. He accepts the Atonement and utilizes it in his life- similar to a child surrendering her candy with the faith that the store clerk will reward her with something that will bring greater lasting joy.

This is what the scriptures can do for you. As you read them and liken them to your own life, all the struggles you face can be overcome, if you are willing to give them up. All of them! You just need to commit to change- and then move forward and not look back. And trust in the Lord. He blesses us beyond belief, and all He requires it that we give up.

Super Hero

I heart weekends. A lot.

I have a nephew who will be leaving to serve a two year voluntary church mission in just 10 days. That is not a lot of days. But, he has been preparing for this mission for 19 years. 19 years=6935 days. That is a lot of days, but still not enough to prepare for a two year goodbye.

He is the oldest nephew on my side of the family. And he is awesome. He loves a lot of things- is passionate about a lot of things- I love his enthusiasm for his passions. He is a drummer. An awesome drummer. And he plays the piano. Awesomely. And he likes to hang with his old aunts and uncles. Which is awesome.

He has some new glasses that he believes make him look a little like Clark Kent. I must say that I agree. I think Clark Kent could be considered a Super Hero, which is perfect- especially in the case of this nephew. Definitely a Super Hero.

This weekend was especially meaningful because we celebrated one of the most favorite of favorite Christmas traditions. And this will be our last time to celebrate this tradition with our awesome nephew for two years. It was our annual desert bonfire party.

Oldest daughter and me as the evening was getting underway

So, we lit the desert bonfire and gathered around and shared dinner, stories, songs and tender feelings. Each member of the family who has already served a two year mission shared memorable stories of Christmases spent in the mission field, in honor of the nephew's upcoming departure.

And then the nephew shared his feelings about getting ready to leave on his amazing adventure. And of course, we cried. And marveled at the maturity of our cute nephew. He is going to be one awesome missionary.

the nephew, in Clark Kent glasses, sharing his feelings

And then, middle daughter requested that my oldest sister recount her very own personal experience of witnessing Santa Claus's boot as he exited our home via the chimney when I was just 4 years old. This story is legend. It never ceases to mystify my children.

And then we returned to the business of celebrating the nephew and the choices he has made in his life which have led him to this point. He has set a tremendous example for his cousins.

I am excited for my nephew. He has the gospel of Jesus Christ to share. For two whole years. 24/7. For many in Latvia, this means they are about to meet someone who just might become their Super Hero. Luckies.

Jedi in the House

I must confess that when the husband is at a dental appointment and little son and I have the house all to ourselves, we may sometimes engage in full-on Jedi battles. Throughout the entire house.

Little son has mad Jedi skills and is not opposed to teaching me some pretty sweet moves from time to time. I wish I could be a Jedi, but mostly I just have to be Darth Mom. Are Darths Jedis? I’m not well-versed in all things Jedi, but I am learning.

As I said, there may have been a Jedi battle in our home today- after the insulation guy left. Because if the battle had begun while he was in our attic, he may have thought we were a little crazy. Plus, we try not to use Jedi powers on innocent by-standers and stuff like that.

Little son especially loved when I somersaulted up onto my bed and held him at bay with my light saber. It was a wickedly awesome move, if I do say so myself. Also, the bed was a great place to be when Jedi Boy pushed the force in my direction with his open palm, because Jedi-forced open-palm pushes are forceful and you need a soft place to fall back forcefully in dramatic fashion, which I ended up doing over and over and over again. And again.

We battled throughout the house, yelling stuff like, “Surrender to the force” and “You’re not my father” in authentic Jedi voices, mostly because those are the lines I remember from the movies. Plus I remember the line, “these are not the droids you are looking for” except we have no droids anyway so we couldn’t use that one. And there was lots and lots of loud laughter, and, as you already know, some evil-speaking. And it was good the husband was gone because we were kind of loud and I don’t know what his clients might have thought about the background noise and the chasing, since he does work from home and his office is located in the battle zone.

But, I also think that had the husband not had a dental appointment, he prolly would have joined the battle. And I would have made sure he was on my side. Because Jedi Boy is pretty strong in the force and I can use all the help I can get.