Oh Christmas Tree.....

Today, I looked around at the beautifully lighted and decorated Christmas trees in the house, and the presents that surrounded them; the stockings that hung on an actual fireplace, a train around the tree. Although it was a beautiful sight I found my thoughts going back to another tree from a Christmas long ago.

I remember the first Christmas tree Kelly and I ever bought. We'd been married about a year and a half and lived in a little apartment. We drove a car almost as old as ourselves, and brought in just enough money to cover our small rent, and a few other necessities. We had this great couch that was purchased from a thrift store that sat proudly in the center of our living room. When you sat in (notice I said in, not on) this couch your knees quickly found your shoulders as the rest of you was gobbled up by the weakened springs. We would let our guests sit on the couch and we would sit on the floor. I'm sure they thought that we were being polite as that was the only piece of furniture in the room, but secretly we had a plan. You see, with the unique design of the couch, things in pockets just had a tendency to fall out and disappear. Once every other week or so we would tip over the couch and find all the spare change that was left. .53 cents could get us a root beer float to share from the little shop down the street, and on a particularly generous week we had $1.06 for two!

Before you feel too sorry for us, let me tell you that those were great memories. Kelly and I reflect back often on how happiness truly can come in humble circumstances. That Christmas we decided to splurge on a tree, a real tree. A week or so before Christmas we went to a lot and found a beautiful tree, it was tall and shaped perfectly as long as you looked at just the right place; we found it in a discounted area for a steal!! We came home and turned the side that had a big concave hole and no branches to the back and decorated the rest with inexpensive ornaments that were donated or homemade. Sure it leaned a bit precariously to one side, but it was ours, and we were proud of it. The next day we went to church and when we returned home I remember seeing the big beautiful tree in a heap on the floor. It had tipped over and broken glass and lights littered the carpet. Kelly, the ever inventive man I married, did not despair but got out his trusty tool kit and drilled a screw into the ceiling and wrapped wire around the top of the tree and then to the screw. A little unorthodox but we were back in business.

Today as I thought back to the lopsided, disfigured tree tied into a screw in our ceiling, it brought a smile. We weren't able to afford anything under the tree that year, just a few things in our stockings which were stapled to the wall, but it was a sight to behold and a memory I'll always cherish.

I love Christmas and over the years I have collected quite a bit of decorations. We have two big artificial pre-lit trees with beautiful and shiny ornaments that drip from the branches. The trees shine in prominent places that can be seen from windows and fill up a room. They stand straight and tall and if there is a hole to be found it can quickly be repaired by bending the wire branches. Perfection is guaranteed. Although they are truly beautiful and color coordinated, something is missing in the translation. Sometimes I long for the simpler times when happiness could be found in a leaning tower of Christmas tree, a dreary wall brightened by stockings and a couch that brought us such blessings. I am realizing that imperfect situations can indeed create perfect memories.

Merry Christmas!!

Happy 17th Birthday Ryan!!

This past week on the 16th Ryan turned 17. I always say this but I truly don't know where the time has gone. It is flying by like some supersonic jet and I want it to go as slow as a turtle. It truly is frightening how fast the years disappear.

Ryan is such an incredible person. Forgive me while I brag for a bit. As his mother I'm entitled to I think. :) He has such a strong spirit and testimony. I love it when I see the light on in his room late and go to check on him and he is reading his scriptures. He has a great understanding of them and can quote so many of them at random. He also works hard on his classes and has a great love of the sciences. When he gets talking about Chemistry, Physics and Calculus my eyes just glaze over. I would be intimidated on how much he knows if I wasn't used to this by now. I remember when he was 5 I went into the bathroom and found the sink full of rocks and filled with water. I wasn't too concerned but was puzzled. I went to find Ryan and he told me he learned about water erosion on TV (Bill Nye the Science Guy) and wanted to do his own experiment. I told him we didn't have a hundred years to wait to see results but maybe we could move it outside. Then there was the time he wanted to test cold water on hot light bulbs and I think you can imagine the results.

My favorite thing about Ryan is his kind heart. You look at the size of him and think that he is big and tough. Well he is on the outside (just ask Kelly if he can still take him down) but he has a compassionate heart. He senses when I'm troubled and always asks what he can do. When he goes to stake dances he looks for girls who are standing alone and asks them to dance. He is kind and giving with his friends. Cassidy knows that he can't stand it when she cries and will come to her rescue....unless he is the one bugging her to tears. :) (Although Cassie gets her time to get even him as noted in the picture below. She likes to decorate him on his birthday and he humors her.)

Ryan chose to spend the afternoon of his birthday doing service. He went out with the missionaries on short notice when they needed a driver and they found an investigator to teach! He also met with someone from Key Club to shop for a child from the schools angel tree. When he got home we had take out Thai food, his favorite and banana cream pie. He received a new suit which he is modeling below, a sweatshirt and a shirt and tie. I hope this is the last suit I have to buy him before his mission.



Ryan I love you so much! I'm glad I have the privilege to be your mother. Thank you for all you do and for who you are. Happy Birthday.

The first two weeks of December...

I'm behind!! It's been a busy couple of weeks and now I'm just taking the time to upload photo's of the last little while. It has been an exciting month here so far-- as I'm sure most families would admit to. First at the beginning of December, Ryan went to the Preference dance at the high school. It was girls choice and his wonderful friend Keslee asked him. She is a sweetheart and so fun to be around. I want to clarify that Kelly took the picture when she came to pick him up. Only a man would take a head shot and not get the dress in!! :) We will have to train him before Cassie goes to Prom. When they get back their official pictures I will include a full one of them, Keslee had a beautiful dress. (As a side note, I did tell Kelly to take the pictures and wasn't specific as to what I wanted.)



Next came Cassidy and Mark's piano recital. Kelly's niece Krista is their teacher and she does a great job, especially when I can get them to practice!! Despite the earlier frustration of trying to convince Mark to practice, he came through beautifully and played his pieces very well. He played Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and Jingle Bells. Beautiful Cassidy did very well also, she was frustrated when she had a small fumble on one of the songs because she played it perfectly right before we left. I was so proud she just kept right on going and on her second one she played it perfectly. She played Joy to the World and Silent Night. Way to not get frazzled Cass and keep going! Krista also played a beautiful piece. She is so talented and I could listen to her play all day. We are so grateful for her dedication and hard work with Cassidy and Mark.


The next week brought Cassidy's ballroom dance recital. They had a fun time and performed a Tango, Samba and a Jitterbug. I love how she always has a smile on her face and loves to perform. I am looking forward to the Spring season when they get to compete. They have been working hard.

Josh had a wonderful choir concert also to which I forgot to bring my camera!! I think I could lose my mother's license for that one. He is so handsome and looked grown up in his tux and the music was beautiful. He works hard in choir and enjoys singing especially now that he is a bass instead of tenor. :)

my sister is an author!!

You need to check out my sister Rachael's book!! I highly recommend it. She writes very witty dialogue that is full of humor and fun. I am putting a link to her blog so you can read about her book!
http://www.rachaelreneeanderson.com/

I'm nearly famous now!! :)

My Christmas Poem

Farewell To My Waistline
(pretend I have one!)
by yours truly

Tis the season to be merry and jolly
For most that means lights, trees and holly.

For me the best part of this time of year,
the thing that brings me the most holiday cheer--

Isn’t found in a stocking or under the Christmas tree;
but is something that tastes good and fills up my tummy.

It can be frosted, sugared or covered in chocolate
Candy coated, glazed, sprinkled and dolloped.

I love every cookie, homemade candy and fudge
and accept it gracefully without even a grudge.

There is so many sweets and not enough time
and if you don’t try everything it’s considered a crime!

For to refuse the heartfelt edible gifts of the season,
would really be considered an act of treason!

The real gift of Christmas that I wish would be given;
is simply that calories not stick to my middle region.

But alas I have yet to receive that type of present
so I must accept the consequences and just be content.

Hence, I’m bidding farewell to my waistline until,
January arrives and I take off the garland that camouflages my treadmill.

When the new year comes and I dare dust off the scale
and realize that indeed the calories did prevail.

But until that time I will enjoy each and every chocolate
and not think of what it is doing to my increasing silhouette.

let it snow....

I love the first snowstorm of the year. It makes everything look so white and beautiful. Dead grass and shrubs always look better under a coat of shimmering white! Of course, I can say let it snow as long as I get to look out my window at the white wonderland outside while listening to Christmas music, sitting in front of my fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate!

It was fun to see my two younger children so excited for the snow. Mark was in such a hurry to go out the door that he put on two left boots, mismatched gloves and a snow hat inside out. I apologize for not getting a picture, but it was a bit rushed this morning convincing them they actually had to go to school, and that hopefully more snow would be here this afternoon by the time they got home.

I sat on Cassidy's bed last night with her and read a fairy story from a book she had. It took a little over an hour and I had a great time. I got thinking how long it had been since I curled up beside her and read to her. She kept saying, "thank you mom for reading that, it was fun." It made me realize that my children don't always need grand plans or gestures all the time. Some of the best times can just be spontaneous with no money involved, just an investment of time. You'd think in my old age I would have had that realization a long time ago, but I guess I'm a slow learner.

lost in translation...

I am learning that what you say to your children doesn't always get interpreted the right way. Some things I've grown to expect are the following"

Clean your room translates to sleep in your room

Do the dishes translates to throwing everything on the sink and turning out the kitchen light.

Don't eat before dinner somehow becomes, grab the cookies and make a mad dash to somewhere other than the kitchen.

Today was yet another example of how children process information. Mark had a doctors appointment to look at two stubborn warts on his hand and the bottom of his foot. We have spent the last couple months trying every over the counter remedy known to man with no luck. We knew he was really worried about the possibilities of seeing a doctor and what that would require. Thinking of somehow comforting him I told him that the worse thing that could happen would be he would get a shot. My thinking was he has had shots, he has survived shots and knowing he has had shots would somehow make the whole doctors office experience easier. I knew once he had the shot it didn't matter what else would happen because he wouldn't feel it. He seemed to accept my words of wisdom and go on.

At the doctor's office they announced that they had to remove his little warts. Mark remained calm until they said that they were going to give him a couple shots to numb the area. He started freaking out saying...Mom said that shots would be THE WORST THING in the world (not sure where he got the in the world idea) and he didn't think he'd survive. When the shot part was over, he said to me on the way home, "Mom you were wrong, shots aren't the worst thing, it only hurt for a second, next time don't scare me."