The peace of Christmas

Boston temple isn't too far away, a little over an hour.  Sometimes for Ryan and I to get there seems so difficult and expensive.  Either we all go as a family and Ryan and I take turns going into the temple and it literally is a 8--9 hour family trip or we pay a babysitter for 6 hours.  But those two things (difficult and expensive) actually make me focus more.  When something is harder, I think I pay more attention to it.

Last night we went and I felt so much peace and focus being there.  I can't imagine my life without being able to go there regularly.  I feel so much clarity.   Ryan and I had some time to talk and it was quiet and peaceful and that doesn't not happen very regularly for us.  I felt like a lot of the muddled gray that comes into my mind from questioning how I do things as a mother or wife or feeling frustrated sometimes with messing up, just goes away.  I still can remember all of it, but it seems farther away and I feel more whole inside.   I also love the things that I learn there.  I learned one really special thing last night in the temple that sure made me feel capable of being "a little better".  

As we were leaving the temple my eyes were immediately drawn to the scene in the picture above.  Something I hadn't even noticed when we were literally running into the temple.  The statues were simple looking which I loved and the baby Jesus was so tiny.  Ryan and  I had just been talking (we both teach Sunday) about the scripture in Mosiah 14 (quoting Isaiah) about Christ  "growing up before him as a tender plant".  He was a baby, that was like other babies--and he learned and grew--of course perfectly, but there was still a process line upon line.  Just much quicker. :)  I love Him a lot.  I really do.

6 days till Christmas...

and all through the house...

Wrapping abounds

Pajamas are waiting to be finished

Presents are stacked, nativities in disarray (having been played with constantly)

Baking

Counting down

Stockings hung by the window with care

 

Christmas lessons being prepared

and messes everywhere

Since we are NOT using this picture for our Christmas Card, I thought I'd better post it so it makes it's way into our lives permanently.  Because I like the picture.  It was a really happy day that I want to remember.

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday.  At the end of a presidency meeting 2 weeks ago, our Relief Society president handed me a book--A Christ-centered Christmas--and said she had purchased us each one.  "Enjoy!".    I have enjoyed reading it and I think it ties in so well to the things that we want as traditions for our family.  The first chapter I read, "There are no words to adequately describe a mother's heart at Christmas, nor the thoughts that are pondered within.  As the season approaches there are so many meaningful details that must be taken care of and arrangements to be made...every mother wants every part of Christmas to be just right. We agonize over the perfect gifts; we contemplate how to create lasting memories; and we long for meaningful celebrations....".   Until I read that I don't think I really thought about it, that is me.  I am the mother here.  I am the one that feels that way, does those things and wants it to be just right.

So we are trying every year to be better about having the best (of the good, better, best) traditions and say no to a lot of things and enjoy the real magic that is Christmas. It feels like there is anticipation every where I go.

 Our Christmas traditions this year--we have made some homemade gifts (haven't been as good about having the kids help), color our huge coloring books and read Christmas stories before bed when we can, sing in the car, drive by the block where they go ALL out with lights whenever we are near it, our ward Christmas party, lights at the Joseph Smith Memorial in Vermont, decorating for Christmas, Christmas movies for movie nights, FHE about Atonement, Christ's birth and life in December,  caroling to our neighbors/friends (a long time tradition from both Ryan and I's families), and my favorite of all--Christmas Eve: caroling, Mexican food and I Love You's  for the Savior.  

One special thing that my sister Anna encouraged our whole family to do this year is an Atonement Study that lasts the month of December.  She sent us the calendar and what we needed to read each day.  It is wonderful.  I love it and look forward to it in a way I haven't looked forward to studying in too long.

I want to document to remember (in case our traditions change).  Some may.  Some I hope never do.

November, November, November

is here (a R&K Jensen favorite).

and then it was gone.  And it somehow happened in like 7 days.

Highlights of the last few weeks.

1-Warm weather.  Mostly.  Warm enough for the kids to play outside a lot.  Minus the whole bear in the backyard situation (someone stopped at our house to inform us that a bear was back behind our swingset the day before Thanksgiving), we enjoy our backyard ALOT and I am glad.  We were the lucky recipients of a wooden swing set from some friends and it has gotten plenty of use so far.



2-The library and swimming.  We try to go to the library every week.  I am positive that we are their favorite patrons.  Loud, running, 50 books read and needing to be re-shelved, etc.  I LOVE going and so do the kids.  Aubrie has swimming on Fridays and the other kids swim while she has lessons.  Blake usually hangs out with me and I spend the 45 minutes fishing toys, books, my wallet, etc out of the pool as Blake chucks them in.

Some current A&R favorites.

Blake in my swim cap. We were a little bored.

Voting for Mitt

Blake had a run in with a log that was being split

Celtics v Jazz game with Pratts 

Aubrie's first book project.  She really is an amazing little poet.  Its impressive.  

The Christmas Toys R Us catalog

3- Thanksgiving.  My favorite.  It was spent at Lake Winnipesaukee with Dave and Karla and Amber and Doug.  It was one of my favorites so far.  I thought it was a great mix of fun, relaxing, talking, sharing and playing games.  Being with family just feels like a treat since it doesn't happen often.  We were completely excited.   The house is big enough that Leah, Robbie and Aubrie would disappear and so would Hallie and Paige (those two are inseparable when we are together.  Always!).  They played in the bunk room, tag all over the house, sardines, coloring, puzzles, and plenty of others that use their active imaginations.  Blake, Thomas and Syd, played together some, hit/stole toys some more and just were cute.   Our friends the Medaris' came up for a day.  My favorite thing of all...playing soccer.  I feel like we spent a good couple of hours Friday and Saturday playing soccer.  8 adults plus Aub, Rob and Leah.   The Wolfeboro Parade and tree lighting was a treat.  It really was.  I couldn't believe how many people came.  The carolers around the tree singing as Santa and Mrs. Claus come to light the tree and everyone cheering as the Christmas season starts...loved. it. 

Thanksgiving dinner

Post Thanksgiving dinner.  We talked ALOT. 

While we waited for the line to Santa's Hut to go down we all went into Blacks Toy Shop.  Every old toy I can remember is in that place.  It was so much fun to look/play in there. 

Shellacing with Karla and Amber K

Movie night this week.  Blake is just giddy when someone brings that pink chair up.  He dances around the kitchen waiting for his red popcorn container and then literally runs to his chair to "watch".  He only lasts as long as his popcorn and usually is in bed before the movie is over but it's still so cute. 

Blake and Robbie have been playing with the train every day this week.