Merry Christmas!

Mr. Hollywood

Joseph started second grade at a new school this last fall. It was a scary move for him not knowing anyone and giving up recess with his neighborhood buds. He took on our family motto, "I can do hard things" and went into it with a great attitude. We'd heard amazing things about the 2nd grade teacher at his new school but whoa, were we in for a surprise when we found out just how truly AMAZING she really is. I could go on and on gushing about her curriculum and her mad cogitating skills but I will refrain at this time and just share a few pics and clips of their latest program of which she wrote and composed all of the music.

I asked Joseph if any girls had crushes on him. His response, "Ah, just a few. They're just in love with with my big eyes and lashes I guess."

His teacher calls him her Mr. Hollywood. Click on the videos to find out why.

Winters

Don't judge, just love... I let my girls go to school dances before the age of 16. Maybe it's a cultural thing (Quinceañera). Or maybe it's because she has a late summer birthday and will actually graduate at the age of 17 thus skipping out on a whole year of dances. Regardless, she goes on a friend only basis and with a big group of kids and maintains the same curfew as any other night.

Being a girls choice dance she decided at the last minute and from heavy persuasion from her friends to ask her hilarious tennis bud, Howard. Here are a few pictures of the fun response.


Analisa sifted through a bag of flour and found these little notes but no answer...


Half an hour later the doorbell rang with this type of flower laying on the doormat.




She found her gorgeous dress at Thrift Town for 30 bucks which she happily paid for with her own $. Thank you Lisey!


The girls arranged a three course meal at Anna's house.


I chaperoned this part of the evening and was able to snap a few pictures.


They all went over to another girls house after the dance and decorated ginger bread houses while watching Elf.

This picture is only half of her very good friends. How lucky she is to be surrounded by some pretty amazing kids.

A Christmas tune

performed by our little music man, Matthew.

Listen to the Sounds of Heaven

Last winter our dear friend Blue invited Matthew and Katherine to hear her daughter sing with The Salt Lake Children's Choir. When the kids came home that night they went on and on about how beautiful it was and how I just had to hear it to believe it. Matthew commented to me that he wanted to try out and sing with the choir too. I didn't think much of it but he insisted. I made a few phone calls, arranged an audition and here he is one year later adding his own angelic voice to the mix.

Nothing like beautiful Christmas music to usher in the spirit of the season.





Berceuse (Lullaby to the Child)
Their joyous voices lead us on to the child who in the manger reposes on the fragrant hay
Oh sleep little Jesus, Oh sleep holy child
Heavens shining eyes are watching over Thee, so sleep
Our hearts fill with hope and joy at thy birth
Slumber dearest Jesus fair heavenly King, Oh sleep
To God we sing our joy Noel!
Sing we Noel!

December 2009

Last week I felt like this...


Word to the wise: DO NOT EVER attempt to pack or look for a new place to relocate a family of 8, plus a dog, in DECEMBER! Involuntary tears, insomnia and overall grumpiness are not a good way to start the "most wonderful time of the year".

The last thing I felt like doing while packing up the basement was to turn around and unpack Christmas decorations. But thanks to my dear sister Crystal and a few unrelenting kids, the stocking have been hung and the magic of twinkling lights and boughs of holly have draped themselves around our Sunnydale home one last time.

It's Christmas time folks, and that alone is cause for celebration! Just don't ask me where we're going to live a month and a half from now or I might have to hurt you ;)

Caution: Read only if you're in the mood for a good cry

I came across this tender photo journal titled Days With My Father by Philip Toledano. The pictures and story are so touching. Reading this made me 1.grateful that my parents are still relatively young and healthy even though they live far away (I miss them so much these days!) 2.grateful I am not an only child cause that would be really lonely and 3.grateful for my knowledge of eternal families.

words to live by

Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.
Alma 26:37

Adventure

This picture makes me laugh now, but at the time I was going through what would end up being 3 days of all natural labor with Samuel. And that my friends, was no laughing matter. Why on earth would I put myself through such a thing, you ask? Cause I can do hard things.

Over the last 19 years we have lived in many places across the country. The moves had always been initiated by better opportunities in Brett's line of work -sales. Added mula for an ever growing family was a bonus, but the biggest pay day came in the form of friends we made along the way. Kurt and Julie in Provo, Lee and Juliana in Ohio, Cindy, Jen, Kim and Steve in Chicago, Daisie in Houston, Kristin, Michelle and Blue in Salt Lake and countless others who have had a profound impact on me and the lives of my children. We savored the time living close to family in Georgia, Ohio and Houston. Get togethers with my sisters and in-laws here in Utah have been priceless!

As typical with any sales job cycle you have good years and not so good years. Budget cuts in the lowest dollar per pupil state in the Union have left my educational sales hubby in a difficult position. As we've prayed about what to do without completely uprooting our two high school girls the answer seemed rather simple. Sell the house.

Because we bought our home just before the big housing boom at a crazy good price we felt that if we could sell for current market value we could live on the equity for several years until the oldest two graduate and something better presents itself work wise. A darling family in our ward who were just preparing to move themselves jumped on it and long story short, we close after the holidays.

Come February 1st comfy chaos will be taking up new residency. (heavy sigh).Who knows what adventures lie ahead? But ready or not here we go, again.

Art

If you happen to be in Springville, Utah visiting the local art museum you might come across a painting that looks like this. It will be on display til the end of December and then be shipped off to some gallery on the east coast where it will sell for about $8,000.

Last year while looking at our agents website, the artist, Sandy Gagon, came across a picture of Matthew. She took one look into his deep brown eyes and knew he was the boy "Timothy" she'd envisioned in her plan for this portrait. After much searching she came across my picture. Since our profiles are first name only she called the agent and asked if there was any chance we might be related. She was thrilled to find out that I was his mother! She measured us for costumes and began her work with me. I sat (head tilted just so) for about 20 minutes at a time and then rested for about 5. This process went on once a week for about three hours at a time for about 6 months. During the "breaks" I grew to know and love this dear lady as a sister. Her testimony and love for the scriptures became evident through our weekly conversations.

After she completed most of her work with me, she began painting Matthew. His breaks consisted of mini art lessons and talk of classical music. Needless to say, it wasn't long before the two of them became bosom buddies. It was a special time for the three us and one that I will always cherish.

what are you thankful for?

ditto!

controlling the chaos at dinnertime

All heck breaks loose at our house right around 4'o clock. The last school child walks in the door back pack in hand and asks the million dollar question, "Hey mom, what's for dinner?"

Monday's are dedicated to tennis, voice, dance, homework, family night, etc ....and so the week goes...

If I haven't planned ahead or at least made a trip to the grocery store well before 4pm, it's good old Papa Murphy's Pizza to the rescue yet again.

In an effort to tame my stress level and provide a little more nutrition than cold cereal, I designed a menu template and stuck it in a cheap IKEA frame that hangs in the kitchen. On Sundays when things are relatively calm I pull out my cookbooks and jot down dinner ideas with a dry erase marker directly onto the glass. I then make a grocery list according to the weekly menu and voila, a plan is set in motion. The kids like knowing what's in store for the week and occasionally add their own requests. It wipes off in a jiffy with a damp cloth providing a fresh slate for the following week.

I'd love to hear any ideas out there of things that work for you. I have recently become a huge fan of allrecipes.com and have enjoyed getting e-mails of nutritious things my kids will actually eat. Bon appetit!

Lofty Goals

Every year starting late spring Analisa and Matthew are encouraged to work on a piano concerto. They start off all gun ho and then come June, their crisp music books take a back seat to swimming, tennis, hanging out with friends and all the fun things summer has to offer. They set goals with their piano teacher, Bridget, and chip away at getting them learned one little section at a time. By late October the pieces are expected to be memorized, polished and performed just in time for Federation the first weekend of November.

Matthew thrives on things like this. Give him a mountain to climb and he's all over it. Easy peasy. Analisa on the other hand had to work her guts out to fit it all in to her busy schedule. The recital was shaky for Lisey. It was a good wake up call to show her where she had to beef it up.

As Analisa explained to me as we were waiting for her turn to go in and perform for the judges, "You have no idea how hard this is unless you've ever had to do this yourself."

"And you're right," I said to her,"but you've worked so hard, and I know you can do this. I will be there praying along side you. Go get'em girl."

And so she did.

She and Matthew skip to my lou'd all the way to the car waving their little gold superiors in the air, elated from a job well done.




(Since her original concerto is well over 6 minutes long, I just took a little from the beginning and end and showed a condensed version)

Empanada Recipe

Pumpkin Filling:
1 (15oz.) can pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger (optional)
1/8 teaspoon cloves (optional)

Mix above ingredients and set aside.

Empanada Dough:
1/3 cup warm water
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 (1/4 ounce) packages dry yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups flour, divided in half
3/4 cup butter flavored shortening

1/2 cup milk
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first 8 dough ingredients along with half of the flour. Gradually add remaining flour. Once it is well combined, form a small well in center and add milk and egg mixture. Mix until nice solid dough is formed. Divide dough into 4 equal parts. I then subdivide into small balls that can be rolled out on floured surface into 4 inch circles about 1/8 inch thick.

Place 1 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin filling in center, fold over and seal edges by pressing lightly with a fork. You can then brush with an egg white wash and sprinkle with a little sugar. That part is optional. I just think it makes it look pretty.

Bake on cookie sheet for 18-20 minutes til golden. Enjoy!

Empanadas

Brett was gone on business to Arizona this week. The kids and I feel such a void when he is gone. There were carpools to drive, doctor appointments, bills to pay, mounds of laundry scattered about the house and a teenage battle looming in the near distance all screaming my name. After tending to a few must do 's on the list and letting a few salty tears wash me clean I decided to pull out my trusty Kitchen-Aide mixer and take a trip back in time 30 years to Saturday mornings on 323 Exchange Street where the smell of Mom's cooking and fresh pan dulce were a feeling of comfort and home.

Mom's weekend breakfasts consisted of huevos con chorizo or barbacoa. Freshly mashed beans, corn tortillas and savory salsas. Dad piled us girls in his yellow truck and took us to the local Panaderia where we picked out our favorite pan dulce. Kinda like this...

There were conchas, cuernos de azucar, ojarascas, Moni's favorite- maranitos, and my favorite- empanadas filled with pumpkin. We took them home and dipped them in Mexican hot chocolate and ate to our hearts content.

So instead of wallowing in self pity, I whipped up some of these babies and let my thoughts get lost in the dough. I filled them with pumpkin just like I loved them as a child and delivered a few to an unsuspecting doorstep. And just like that all was well with the world. At least until tomorrow.

Proposal

My kids often ask me when I'm going to have another baby (as if 6 isn't enough). My response usually points out that I could be a Grandma in 5+ years (heaven forbid). Sammy, who loves babies more than any child I know, falls to pieces when I tell him that the only way he can have babies of his own is to grow up and get married.

"But girls are gross! Why would I ever want to kiss one anyway," he says.

"You will", I reply. "You will."

So yesterday, as we were driving around running errands he pipes up out of the blue and says, "Mom, will you marry me?"

"Why Samuel, I would love too. But I'm already married to Dad," I replied.

"Aw, come on. Please!"

I just chuckled. I'd never been proposed to from a guy in a booster.

favorite things

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the chance it gives us to step out and greet our neighbors.


To do something nice for someone else...


To be silly,carefree and creative and show my kids that I can be fun too...


To hang out with some of my favorite people...


And eat yummy food and share stories of embarrassing moments...


To watch Uncle Funky make silly poses and listen to his crazy talk of settling for being a ministering angel and blah, blah, blah...


And most of all, to watch my beautiful nieces and nephews and sisters and kids...


make fun, lasting memories...


together.

Gardner Village

Halloween wouldn't be complete without a visit to our favorite witches at Gardner Village. Brett and the boys went on a scavenger hunt while the girls got their nails done. We all met up later for donuts. Yet another reason to love Utah in October.







Little Jonah just stared out the window of the bakery in shock and whispered, "Oh. My. Gosh."

Jack-o'-Lantern Fun

the festivities begin...

After four years of sitting in metal chairs watching the elementary school kids march by in costume, little Sammy finally got his turn to join in the fun. He wasn't quite sure what to think of his kindergarten teacher, but once he heard the theme song to Ghostbusters come over the intercom he was all over it. He hummed it the whole rest of the day.

men at work

and play...

love means nothing...

in tennis of course!



Analisa just finished a very tough season of tennis at Skyline. The team consisted of some very high ranked girls which left Analisa struggling to find a spot on varsity. She worked hard all summer preparing for tryouts and ended up in junior varsity, again. She was so discouraged. The girls she played against from other schools in JV were lucky just to return a serve. She ended the season 12-0. Since there really wasn't any competition she decided to make personal goals during each match to try to improve her personal game. No doubles faults, coming in to the net, and cross court put away shots were at the top of her list. She did just that and was able to improve significantly despite her initial let down and lack of competition. At Regions it came down to 3 Skyline girls competing against each other for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. She even had to play her life long bf Michelle in the semi's to take home the title. It was a tough match and Michelle is a fierce competitor, but Lisey pulled it off and took 1st. Instead of shaking hands at the net at the end of the match the girls reached over and just hugged. It was so tender.

I am so proud of my girl and her amazing work ethic. She is passionate and determined which will get her far on and off the court. She wears her Skyline Lady Eagles shirt proudly and the saying on the back, "Don't make me backhand you!" was surely written with her in mind.

beauty all around

Although we can no longer pile everyone in the family mini-van just to go to church, we are fortune enough to have places like this sitting less than 2 miles east of our back yard.

Fall in Utah is breathtaking. At every turn there is a bright fall color you feel you've never seen before. I just wish it lasted as long as winter. Oh well, we'll take it and enjoy it as long as it lasts.

Sarah is doing better since the accident. She is still very sore on her neck and shoulders and has a nice big seat belt burn across her chest that causes everyone who sees it to ask, "What happened to you?!" Her hand is also bruised where she gripped the steering wheel for dear life. The hardest part for her right now is forgiving the boy who caused all this mess. She's coming around though. Thanks for all your kind thoughts and prayers. We are truly blessed in so many ways.

a series of (could've been worse) unfortunate events

Friday
6:15 am "Mom, my car won't start. The batteries dead. I'm gonna be late for cello, what should I do?"

6:16 am "Just take my van Sarah. I won't need it 'til later this afternoon. Drive safe sweetie and have a good day." I shuffle back to bed and wait for the next round of kids to awake.

7:55 am As I fluff the last pillow on my bed I have the distinct impression to get down on my knees and pray. Pray for mom, pray for Cristina, pray for Brett, pray for the kids individually, pray for safety and guidance. Amen.

2:55 pm At the Felice home up the street. A teenage boy who has parked in his friends driveway says to the friends mom, "I have a feeling I should move my car out of the driveway in case you need to leave soon. I'll be right back." He moves his car to the side street clearing the driveway for what lies ahead.

2:59 pm Felice girl (a true tom boy) age 11, plays basketball in her driveway takes a shot and misses. She never misses. She steps into the garage to retrieve the ball when this happens...



3:00pm Sarah happily driving down Upland Drive with three of her girlfriends in tow gets slammed when a careless teenage boy runs through a stop sign and into the front right passenger side of our beautiful mini van.

In a split second air bags deploy, girls scream, and the car veers to the left, jumps over the curb and stops inches away from where an 11 year old girl is fetching her basketball.

Sarah couldn't see a thing with the air bags blocking her view from every angle but had the good sense to slam on the brakes before running into the Felice home.



The boy who slammed into the girls runs over to make sure everyone is alive and admits to accidentally pressing on the gas instead of the brakes as he ran the stop sign.

Sarah, in a rage glares and screams, "What are you stupid!?! You almost got us killed!!!"

Everyone climbs out of the car and it isn't long before a firetruck, an ambulance and half of the East Millcreek 4th Ward is out examining the scene of the accident.

3:20 pm I notice several missed calls on my cell phone and call Sarah back only to hear her crying and then a stranger's voice say,"There's been an accident. Your daughter is okay but you need to come right away." Can I just say, that has got to be every mothers nightmare!?!

3:21 pm I race out of the house and find Brett returning home from a run. "Get in the car! We've got an emergency!" As we approach the scene I feel a pit hit my stomach. Soon my eyes land on Sarah and her friends, all standing and apparently unhurt on the other side of the mangled mess that was our happy little family van and I am overcome with a feeling of relief. No one's hurt. I hug my girl and thank my Heavenly Father right there and then for watching over these precious ones. And for the series of events that led to many peoples safety.