Silly Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

A great read!

This is my favorite book! I got this book a few years before Alyssa and Alexander were born and I still continue to read it every year. For the past few years at Christmastime we have read it together. It is such a simple and beautiful story of the light of Christ in our lives as told from his burro named Meshak who serves his Master faithfully until the end.

"A faithful and loving companion, Meshak follows and serves Jesus throughout His life. In time the burro grows to understand the importance of the light that Jesus strives to kindle in people's souls. Ultimately Meshak comes to realize that Jesus is like the oil that fills a lamp, guiding our way out of the darkness... and into the light of eternal love."

When we are finished we would love to let you borrow it. It can be read at anytime of the year. It is not a Christmas story although I like to read it at this time of year to help me focus on what is really important.

SNAP, CRACKLE, POP!

A little ice storm is what they said on the news. Well once again they WRONG! SNAP, CRACKLE, POP the power went out...the trees had started breaking and crashing outside earlier, but then the wind picked up and for hours on end we heard trees crashing all around us. It got so bad at one point that I asked if he thought I was silly if we went downstairs to sleep since there is a tree line about 40 feet from our bedroom. So we went downstairs with Alyssa in tow (since she always wakes up when the power goes out). I would love to tell you that I slept soundly from then on but the trees continued to break, snap and crack all night long along with the ice and wind pelting the house! It was like what I can only imagine living in a war zone.

Everything was beautifully covered and craned over with thick layers of ice the next morning.

We went out to view the damages. So many huge limbs broken and SNAPPED off in our yard and in our forest area. One area on the side of our driveway is completely open to our neighbors. The same area where we could never see through since it was so thick with trees. (Picture below)

Thankfully Paul was able to go to BJ's and get the very LAST generator!

By this time it was a whopping 57 degrees in our home and dropping. On Saturday the temps dropped into the teens so we were so grateful to have heat! Let me tell you this was the best 600 dollars we have ever spent! Then we were enjoying the heat, the microwave, flushing toilets, TV and wii. You know the necessities in life!

The bizarre thing is you go over one town and it is like nothing ever happened! They had to drive a bobcat up and down our road to get all the trees and limbs off. We went out the next night and I really was amazed to see all the damage. The devastation was really beyond what I had imagined! The view down our street.

We FINALLY got power back on Monday night and our phone and Internet (which I missed the most!) on Wednesday. Just in time for us to be slammed by a snowstorm today. We are expecting to get 8-12 inches. Oh well at this point I say Let it snow, let it snow...LET IT SNOW! As long as the power stays on...oh and my Internet!

We're not dirt!

So as I was cutting a grapefruit this afternoon for the kids snack and I found a few small stray seeds and told the kids to watch out, but thankfully it won't hurt them.

Alyssa responds-"It's a good thing we're not dirt!"

Mom with laughter-"Yes, it is!"

A+

Cherokee Summer Home

Alexander had his first big project due on Monday. He choose the Cherokee Native American Tribe and had to write a report about the tribe. Xander and I tackled the written part and Paul and him worked very hard on his display. They did such a great job! Xander worked so hard on writing his report and then he had to present his information to his class. He was really nervous about this and thankfully he was the second to present. When I picked him up from school yesterday he was practically bursting at the seams with excitement! He got an A+! He was so stoked!! We talked about how WONDERFUL it feels to do your best and then to be rewarded for all of your effort.

Alyssa also had a Native American Project, but they completed this in groups in class. She was somewhat frustrated working in a group since they didn't all have the same ideas and vision. It is interesting how early in life you learn the need to carry your own weight and put your best foot forward whether others are following suit or not. She was really excited that she was chosen to bring the project home. I love the person in the canoe! It makes me smile.

1. Finding my purse when I thought it was in Paul's car which is at Logan airport for the next 3 days!!
2. Getting back all the hard work you put in.
3. vacuumed floors

25 days of Kindness

We focused on 25 days of kindness last year rather than buying an expensive advent calendar. Of course we still have the chocolate one. They only get their chocolate for the day if they have done what it says on the list below. We had a great time with it. I got so tired of focusing on the materialistic part of Christmas and wanted to focus more on serving others. You have to look at your calendar and plan what works for which busy nights and adapt it to your family! Each morning they get the service from an envelope. For the treasure box I put in little ornaments, Christmas cakes (Little Debbie ones) a small candy. Simple things that they can choose from. Come join us in serving others for 25 days!

Kindness 2008
Day 1: Make a card for Great Grandma
Day 2: Read your favorite Christmas story by the fire.
Day 3: Bring cookies to the your Wednesday night leaders.
Day 4: Listen to Christmas carols and create a beautiful picture while listening. Send this picture to someone special.
Day 5: TREASURE BOX! Since you have been working so hard at being kind take a trip to the treasure box and pick out something to celebrate all of your hard work!
Day 6: Do a service for dad
Day 7: Give your teacher a hug and tell them why they are great!
Day 8: Smile :-) at others all day long (they’ll think you have a secret!)
Day 9: Make cookies for your neighbors
Day 10: TREASURE BOX! Since you have been working so hard at being kind take a trip to the treasure box and pick out something to celebrate all of your hard work!
Day 11: Give extra love to Thurston-brush him, pet him, tell him you love him…
Day 12: Do a chore without being asked!
Day 13: Make a special card for your teacher
Day 14: Speak nicely all day long! (NO crabby apples!)
Day 15: TREASURE BOX! Since you have been working so hard at being kind take a trip to the treasure box and pick out something to celebrate all of your hard work!
Day 16: Tell 3 nice things about your brother/sister
Day 17: Call Grandma
Day 18: Do a service for mom
Day 19: Tell someone special you love them and why
Day 20: TREASURE BOX! Since you have been working so hard at being kind take a trip to the treasure box and pick out something to celebrate all of your hard work!
Day 21: Make a special card for your teacher
Day 22: Call Grandma
Day 23: Make a comfy bed for Grandma Barbara
Day 24: Watch Mr. Kruger’s Christmas and tell about your favorite part.
Day 25: Merry Christmas! We are so proud of you working so hard to be kind and loving towards others. WE LOVE YOU!!!

Abundance

“Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend . . . when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”
Sarah Ban Breathnach
As quoted from President Thomas S. Monson
in my favorite conference article
Finding Joy in the Journey October 2008