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Temple Square

Yesterday was what we in Utah call a beautiful winter day. The sky was blue. The high was a pleasant 38 degrees (Farenheit). There was a wonderful layer of snow--that started melting because it was so warm. We had planned to visit Temple Square to see the Christmas lights in the evening. I came up with the brilliant idea to get up there a little early (4:00 or so), visit some Church stuff (i.e. museums, Tabernacle, visitors centers, etc.) and then we would be there when the lights turned on. The reason it was brilliant was because it gets so cold in the evening. If we wait until after dinner to go up, it is chilly. But this way, it would be pleasant. My brilliant idea worked! It was beautiful! The only flaw was that we were soooo hungry!

I love the Christmas lights on Temple Square. I enjoy Christmas lights everywhere. I've been to some places where you have to pay to see the fancy lights. They are all kinds of fun. But there is something different about the lights at the temple. It is sacred and holy and beautiful. We stood on Main Street Plaza and looked out from Church-owned land to the city street. The street was also decorated with Christmas lights. But there was such a difference. It was in one sense tasteful and festive, but also somewhat garish. I can't really explain the difference. But it reinforced to me the sacred nature of the dedicated and holy temple grounds.

I included some photos for your viewing enjoyment. I tried to include more, but the computer is slow. Maybe later.

Christmas in photos

Sarah loves her new blanket




Cute, tired kids. Beth and Nathan sleeping in my bed. There was no place left for me! What else is new?






Chris and Beth reading Beth's new copy of an old favorite--Moo, Baa, La, La, La

Ammon got a new book. I hope he likes it.

It was so quiet after we opened the books. We could have stopped the presents there. This is Nathan reading about caves and caverns.

Sweet Beth

Bethie woke up from her nap while we were eating dinner. She called, "He-wo" from the top of the stairs. I went to greet her and she said, "Beffie wake!" What a cute way to wake up. She is so sweet.

Cheese

Nathan was talking about what he wants to be when he grows up. Uncle Nate said, "If you can dream it, it can be achieved." Nathan said, "I like cheese."

Oh, Nathan

This was the conversation:

Nathan: Mom, I think you are the greatest mom in the whole wide world.
Me: Well, thank you, Nathan.
Nathan: And you know what Dad says? He says you're cute.
Me: Well, that's nice. And, Nathan, I think you are one of the greatest kids in the whole wide world.
Nathan: What? But I shake my butt. And I sneak food. I snuck sugar today!

and he went on . . . and on . . .

Merry Christmas

I keep checking my blog site, hoping that someone has hacked it, and then written something witty and charming for me. I have been flat out with Christmas stuff to do. I am usually more organized during December. It seems like this time, Christmas came before I even had a chance to write a list of things to do. That's mostly okay.

A couple of weeks ago, I was feeling abnormally frantic about Christmas. I decided that our family should do a little service project to help us focus on what is actually important. There's no way we could do a sub for Santa or anything of that nature. So, we decided to do the 12 Days of Christmas for some people in our neighborhood. It's nothing fancy. We take them very little gifts. I imagined it would be really fun. The kids could drop the presents, ring the doorbell, and run, run, run. But the people we chose have a super steep driveway. And it has been pretty bad weather. Personally, I don't think it's "bad" weather, but it's not smart to send your little kids running just to watch them slip on ice and snow and fall on their faces. Plus, the people we chose are not home in the evenings. So, we carefully walk up to their house, put the treat on the doorstep, and casually walk away. It's still fun.

My point is, a couple of weeks ago, I made a list of 12 gifts we would take these people. I printed a list of scriptures to go with each gift. They go in a particular order and I can't change it around. Because I am both simple and crafty (in my own mind), most of the gifts were meant to be homemade. That means that almost everyday for the last 11 days, we have had a Christmas project that I cannot procrastinate or avoid. Today, we will make sugar cookies and frost them. Yesterday, it was a homemade candy nativity. The day before, gingerbread men. Last Saturday, I was supposed to take homemade bread. (I got my days mixed up in the 12 Days list. I meant to have the bread for Sunday.) I didn't have time on Saturday to breathe, let alone make bread. So, Chris came up with the brilliant idea of taking them some strawberry jam to go with their own bread. The jam is homemade, but it's been frozen for a while. We've made Christmas tree ornaments and a CD of carols. I'm so glad I have forced our family to do this 12 Days service project. As much as I would like a day off from a Christmas project, at least this year we'll have some memories. I actually have done something creative with my children!

If you are our neighbor, someone I visit teach, serve in primary with, or one of my children's friends or teachers, you are probably not getting a gift this year. The season just got away from me. But, one neighbor family is getting lots of gifts in your place. We love you all anyway. Merry Christmas!

Australian Tourism

My brother sent me this question/answer explanation of Australia for tourists. I like it. By the way, I have spent enough time in Australia to know that there are many Australians who are as ignorant about America as we are about Australia. The best approach to life is just to realize you don't know anything.


These were posted on an Australian Tourism Website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials, who obviously have a great sense of humour.

Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia ? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? (UK).
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water.

Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia ? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane , Cairns ,Townsville and HerveyBay ? (UK)
A: What did your last slave die of?

Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia ? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe . Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not .... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is North in Australia ? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia ? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is . oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia ? (UK)
A: You are a British politician, right?

Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can Dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia , but I forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)
A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of Gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia ? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay night clubs.

Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia ? (France)
A: Only at Christmas.

Q: I was in Australia in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the Girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross*. Can you help? (USA)
A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

Eight

8 t.v. shows I watch
1. Numb3rs
2. The Office
3. The Today Show (for the first 22 minutes)
4. Word Girl (Laura, you got me hooked!)
5. David Letterman
6. Jeopardy
7. American Idol (so embarrassing to admit)
8. So You Think You Can Dance
(I don't watch all these shows all the time . . . )

8 things I did yesterday
1. Showered
2. Ate breakfast
3. Ate lunch
4. Ate dinner
5. Visit taught
6. Went to a home-school co-op
7. Read my scriptures
8. Read to the kids

8 things I am looking forward to
1. Christmas
2. Chris getting his Masters Degree
3. Ammon's baptism
4. Chris's family coming to visit
5. Summer
6. Dinner
7. Feeling better
8. Going to Yellowstone

8 of my favorite places to eat
1. Home when Chris cooks
2. Wingers
3. Applebees
4. Kneaders
5. Geckos
6. My mom's
7. Brick Oven
8. Diego's (not there anymore, but the fun memories!)

8 things I wish for
1. Clean skies
2. Clean bedrooms (mine and the kids')
3. Clean kitchen
4. Clean toilets
5. Clean laundry
6. Clean walls
7. Clean carpet
8. Consistently good nights of sleep

8 people I tag
I only know of 5 people who read this, and 2 of them have already blogged this one, and tagged me in the process. So, I give it to:
1. Rachel
2. Kristi
3. Layne
4. Anyone else?

Singing Baby

Beth has been suffering a cold the last few days. She coughs and sniffles and has trouble breathing. Poor little thing. All of my kids act differently when they are sick. Ammon moans and mopes around. Sarah throws a lot of tantrums and makes everyone else miserable. Nathan just keeps on playing. Bethie remains as sweet as she can be.

Two nights ago, she woke up coughing. She was in and out of sleep while coughing for about an hour. I finally gave up on sleep and took her downstairs. She immediately woke up and sweetly said, "Water, please?" Then she said, "Poop?" That's how she asks to watch Winnie the Pooh. I put it in for her, because then I can sleep on the couch. It's not a great parenting technique to let your kids watch movies in the middle of the night. But for me, it's a smart parenting technique because then I get to sleep, and, as all parents know, sleep is essential for patient parenting. After the movie, Beth went back to sleep. When she woke up in the morning, you would expect her to be at least a little grumpy and miserable. But, not my Beth. She smiles and laughs and asks sweetly for whatever she needs.

Last night, Beth woke up crying. I think she has a little earache. I put her in my bed. She snuggled in and tried to sleep. She loves to sleep cheek to cheek with me. This is sweet, but my poor neck. It is a painful experience. Last night, she snuggled and cuddled, but couldn't fall back to sleep. Finally, in her sweet little voice, she started singing, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star" and then the "ABC Song." She stayed cheek to cheek during the entire serenade. She sang and sang until she sang herself to sleep. Even though she kept me awake during my precious sleeping time, I couldn't help but wake up with a smile. And a neckache.

Under Pressure

A few years ago, 2002 I believe, I decided to write my first-ever family Christmas letter. I bored myself. I didn't want anyone to have to read it. I decided it would be less boring if it rhymed. I like things that rhyme. When the kids choose a storybook for me to read, I always try to steer them towards the rhyming sort. But only fun rhymes with even rhythm. Sometimes I'm not sure how children's books get published. There are some very poorly written ones. But there are many, many children's books that are written excellently and I love to read them outloud. I am wandering off the subject.

Back to 2002. I had never written any thing resembling poetry before, so I told Chris that I was going to give my brother, Jacob, our family information and ask him to write a poem for me. Jacob can whip those things out as easy as sneezing. But much less disgusting. Chris said, "Don't ask Jacob. You can write that." I said, "No, I can't." And then decided that I could prove my point by writing a Christmas-letter poem and showing Chris how terrible it was. I surprised myself. I wrote a decent little poem. I had no idea I had it in me. But I have read a lot of Dr. Seuss over the years. Since then, I've continued my quest for entertaining Christmas letters. They haven't all been in poetry, but I have found them all incredibly entertaining and I write them mainly for myself.

Earlier this year I decided that a lovely photo-of-the-kids Christmas card would suffice for 2008. Nothing has happened. We are largely the same as we were last year. But then the pressure started. We had some friends over for dinner. I haven't seen them for a couple years. Robin started talking about my Christmas letters. It was October. How does she remember them? I don't remember hers. (I might remember hers if she wrote them, which she doesn't.) She told me that she and her sisters had been talking about my letters and how much they enjoy them. I was flattered, but a little overwhelmed. I don't think I can live up to the hype.

Then I went to my mom's Relief Society Christmas party. My friend, Christie (whom I haven't seen for a couple years), grabbed me and said, "I'm looking forward to your letter. It's the only one I like to read. No pressure." Well, thanks, Christie. But there is pressure. There's a lot of pressure. I don't have any idea what to write about. I'm not feeling creative. I'm feeling boring. Actually I have one idea that I got from my sister-in-law, Laura's, blog. But the writing is not going well. Will a simple Merry Christmas due?

Snow Day

We finally got a proper snowstorm! It's so fun. It's supposed to snow for much of the next week. I know I wrote the other day that I don't feel like snow, but I changed my mind. When the kids are this excited to get outside to play at 8:30 a.m., who can help but join in?

Grandma Christensen

Grandma lives in a retirement community. They have a family home evening each Monday evening, and every December, our extended family goes up to perform. I don't really enjoy performing. But I enjoy singing with my sisters and watching my family perform. Growing up, we used to gather around the piano and sing and sing at Christmastime. We continued this in our adult years. But a few years ago, Mom and Dad decided that they had no use for a piano in their home. Their remodel is beautiful, but I miss the piano. I miss the sponatneous singing and playing with my sisters. But, life changes and that's okay.

Last night I was so impressed. A lot of my nieces and nephews are developing into accomplished musicians. My favorite numbers were with Riley on the drums, Landon on the trumpet, Jamison on electric guitar, and Trevor on the bells. They sounded really terrific. Jaycie and Alyssa sang together beautifully. Joseph and Asher also did a fun duet. We had a children's choir for a couple numbers. My favorite, I have to admit, was Brynn's solo. She sang a Journeymen song called "Virgin Mary." I had never heard it before. Chris accompanied her. I think Brynn has a natural, folksy way of singing that I find very pleasant. And this was a fun song. I was (as usual) impressed with my husband's talent and ability to play a song perfectly after just getting the cd earlier in the day. How does he do that? Music has always been an important part of my Christmas celebration and I am glad our family has this little tradition of musical service for my grandma and her friends.

Winter

It's finally snowing outside. This has been the longest autumn-time in the history of Utah. I have loved it! The snow is so beautiful, but I'm not excited. What's happened to me? I've always loved winter. My dad once told me the only reasons I loved snow is because I don't shovel and I don't commute. I like to be outside when it's snowing. I like the crisp, cold, envigorating air. I like the blue, blue skies. (I know, Salt Lake Valley rarely has smog-free skies. But on those blue days, I am loving it!) Before I got my mission call, I told people, "I don't care where they send me, as long as there is snow!" Of course, I went where there was no snow. They had a really, really wet winter that year and there was snow up in the Adelaide hills. I didn't see it, but I knew it was a gift from God to me. So, my question is, why am I not more excited about the snow today? I want to be wearing flip-flops and hanging out in the backyard. (Not necessarily my backyard--it's pretty small. I like my parents'.) Anyway, I need some help to get excited about winter. Any suggestions? I write this as if someone will respond. But the truth is, I haven't told anyone I started a blog.

New blog

We finally broke down and joined the blogging world. Unfortunately, we have nothing to write! A few minutes ago, I was peacefully holding Bethie, typing on the computer, listening to the children play in their rooms, and enjoying Chris's singing and playing his songs. But now, Bethie has left me. The kids are doing more arguing than playing. Chris is done with his guitar and moved on to football downstairs. And I think I should find something productive to do with my day.