Released

For those of you that didn't know, my husband was released on Sunday as the Elders Quorum President. It was a bit of a bitter-sweet experience for him. He has served as president for 2 years and was in the previous presidency for 2 years. I have forgotten what it is like to have Jared home on Wednesday evenings - and on Sunday. :o) While he is sad about being released, his work schedule leaves little time for anything else. I guess it is a blessing in disguise.

He was so grateful to have served with such great men as counselors. As a wife, I felt he was really blessed to be surrounded by such good men. We have all been strengthened by their service, friendship, and testimonies. When he was called, he was told that he was given the chance to serve - at the expense of others. He was given the chance for growth and blessings. I have seen so much of both over the last 2 years. I am glad that he was given that opportunity. We have such an awesome ward and I know that Jared has really enjoyed these last several years. I can't wait to see what will be in store for him next.

More to Come...

For those that faithfully check my blog only to discover that I haven't posted anything new, I promise that more is coming. We have had a very busy month.

I honestly have never been so proud of my husband. He is working insane hours (18 and 20 hour days 6+ days a week) and he manages to still greet me with a smile. He is amazing. Way to go, Sweetie! I know that all your hard work is going to pay off. I can't wait to stop being a "single mom"! It will be great to have you around again. The kids and I are really looking forward to Christmas with you.

Gail (super mother-in-law) did another great Preschool Program (I'll have to do an entire entry just to show off my photos) this week. Did I mention that she is unbelievable? It is so easy to see why my husband is never satisfied with just getting by. Gail goes above and beyond for everything. I am glad that he learned that from her. Great job on the Progam and all of the projects! In my eyes, Jadyn stole the show, but she LOVES singing, dancing, and being on stage. She has been counting down the days until program for a month. Funny kid.

Christmas shopping is almost all done - and half of it is wrapped. I have never been so prepared when it comes to the kids. I have a few gifts that are in the works and may or may not get done by Christmas for family and friends. I have promised myself not to stress about it. What gets done will be done - if not, oh well. (Now I just have to believe myself.) Who knows, I might actually get some sleep on Christmas Eve this year. (Ha!)

I love the Christmas season. I love the decorations, the smells, the food, finding/creating gifts for others, the magic that the children add, and constantly remembering the Savior.

I will have to post more later (when I have my photos ready to load). I just had to write a few thoughts today.

The Cost of Christmas Magic

Lately everything has been carefully monitored by how much it costs and if it really is a necessity. Spending $25 to sit on Santa’s lap and get a poor quality photo was not on the necessity list and I have been putting it off for weeks. Today I threw that out the window and finally said, “Yes!” to Jadyn’s pleadings to go and talk to Santa. She has asked every day since Thanksgiving. She wanted to go and see Santa and give him an enormous hug. She has even had Jenna start asking me over the last week. Well, today was the day.

We got up and went to our outdoor mall only to discover that Santa does not arrive until noon. (We were there at 9:45 – and it was cold this morning!) Since I didn’t want to disappoint my kids, we took off for an indoor mall. Santa was our very first stop.

The girls were so excited standing in line. They could not stand still for a second! At last it was our turn and Jadyn rushed to Santa, almost knocking him over with a HUGE hug! He just laughed, “Ho, Ho, Ho!” and Jadyn giggled. Jenna didn’t knock him over, but she was so happy to be able to sit on his lap.

Hyrum did remarkably well (no crying or fussing) for his first visit to Santa. He wasn’t exactly thrilled about sitting on a stranger’s lap, but he did OK.

They allowed me to take some photos of the kids talking to Santa while the “official” photo was being processed. I LOVE these pictures! This is why a visit to Santa was important. Both of the girls had Santa’s undivided attention for a few minutes as they told him exactly what was on their Christmas list and listened to him tell them that he was proud of them for being good girls and listening to Mom. It was so sweet to watch.

The rest of our mall visit was also costly…a ride on the carousel and a snack to tie us over until we got home. Ugggh. I am normally more prepared, but I wasn’t intending to be gone for so long.

Riding the 2 story carousel was a lot of fun. Hyrum sat on the elephant for a minute, but asked, "Down, Down!" He likes to sit on the seat and watch the girls go up and down.

Pure Enjoyment is a real treasure.

My kids had a wonderful day. The highlight was seeing Santa, but playing and riding the carousel were also treats. On the way home, we sang Christmas songs until I noticed that I was the only one singing. Yep…all sound asleep.

So, the day cost me about $35 (ouch), but the experience was priceless.

Halloween Night

Jadyn LOVED her costume this year. She was all decked out as Glinda the Good Witch from "The Wizard of Oz". She even practiced singing the song,

"Come out, come out wherever you are

and meet the young lady who fell from a star

and Kansas she said is the name of the star..."

My favorite part of the song is the accent that she used to sing - like a British Glinda. Cracked me up! She was absolutely beautiful...

Jenna was The Witch (but not the really mean one) from the Wizard of Oz. She was so cute and really liked the broom that she got to carry. She walked around singing,

"I'm a mean old witch with a hat - he, he, he, he

And I ride on my broom with a cat (meow)...

My shoes are pointed and my chin is too

And you watch out or I can scare you, BOO!"

Introducing all of our Wizard of Oz stars - Glinda, the Witch, and the Lion! Granted, I couldn't get a decent photo of all three of them, but this was not so bad. Hyrum's costume was a combo - a slipper head and the costume bottom. Sadly, Hyrum would not keep the head on for anything, so we used the one that came with the costume for trick-or-treating. Aren't they adorable???

Just before heading out - This is the full crew including Mr. Scarcrow in the stroller as Hyrum's buddy.

Daddy came just time for some trunk-or-treating and to help me take the kids around. He got to listen to Jadyn and Jenna get really excited to show off their costumes and talk about "The Wizard of Oz" to everyone that gave them candy. It was fun to do all of our candy gathering on one street (thanks for the invite, Mom) and then be done before the kids were too tired.

Jared and I were a couple from "Alice and Wonderland". He was a handsome 3 of Clubs and I was the Queen of Hearts.

I'll have to post some pictures from the family party that we had with the McClures (later). At least I posted some basic Halloween photos. We ended to night on a good note... Happy Halloween!

Preschool Halloween Party

Every year at preschool the spend the day before/on Halloween playing games, frosting yummy cookies, and finish the day with the parade. This year, Jadyn was so anxious for the parade and party that she could not even sleep the night before. She was very excited to be Glinda the Good Witch (Wizard of Oz) with a semi-homemade costume. It was fun to see all of the little kids all dressed up. Here are some highlights...

Since Jenna was with us taking pictures of all of the Halloween party activities, she was able to march in the parade as well. She dropped her witch hat immediately and had fun being a big girl.

Of course, what event would not be complete without one of my kids having a complete melt-down? After the parade, Jadyn sat on the pavement and cried like her life was over.

Fortunately, Nana rallied her spirits and we were able to grab a few shots with some of the little cousins and preschool friends. (Yeah, she was just wailing a few moments before and she was able to turn on the charm for the cameras....Drama Queen!)


Here is our car-pool group. I really love these girls. I am so glad that we get to all drive to preschool and have so much singing and talking in the van. Jadyn has wonderful little friends and that is a blessing that fills me with gratitude.

We love Halloween and we love preschool. It was a great combination! (with the exception of Jadyn's dramatic crying-fest) Happy Halloween!

Hyrum's Blanket

Hyrum loves his fuzzy blanket. He sleeps with it and likes to put it in his mouth... meaning I have to wash it almost every single day. Before he could walk he used to put the blanket in his mouth and crawl (scoot) around. Sometimes he throws himself on his blanket or hides under it. His sisters can take just about any toy from him, but heaven help them if they try to take The Blanket!

Gotta love that boy and his blanket!