It's about Time!

I'm a little slow, but I am finally getting around to posting about Christmas. This year we spent Christmas at home in Oregon. So here's the low down: Before we open presents we have a tradition to give a present to Jesus. We each write down our gift on a piece of paper and keep it in a special tin all year. While the kidos patiently wait to open presents we eat homemade monkey bread (like they won't get enough sugar from Santa! How did this tradition start?). Finally, time for presents. It was fun to watch Alizah get so excited about her gifts! The best part about Christmas morning is watching my happy, smily children open presents. Then they crash from the ultimate sugar high and I want to go back to bed. . . . . but instead we hop in the car and head 2 hours down to Eugene to be with Garth's family. I have 2 highlights from Eugene.

Highlight #1: White elephant gift exchange. The gift exchange is a fun tradition in Garth's family started last year. Garth got the best gift when he was in China. CHICKEN FEET! Real chicken feet to munch on. They eat them for a little snack. Yuck!! Garth bought them at a rest stop/convenience store. They were the treasured item of the evening! My contribution to the gift exchange was some "Vive Italiano" lip gloss I made from scratch with my sister when she came in town. (We added a little bit of garlic - well, actually a lot of garlic!) We are not completely mean so we also added other gifts to the pot, but I think we'll be remembered for chicken feet and garlic lips! What a great combo.

Highlight #2: Playing hockey. It's another tradition to play hockey the day after Christmas. I had an absolute blast and used muscles that haven't been used in a very long time. I was sore from my dairier down to my feet, but would do it again in a heart beat. My girls even liked it! Thanks Paula and Brad for the good time.

Overall Christmas was a success and I am grateful I shared that special time with family because family is where it's at - the fabulous, the good, the bad, and the ugly, but I'll take it all because I love my family!

Happy Birthday JoJo!

Alizah's first true friend is JoJo, a mini dachshund! Our friends share her with us and we have "adopted" JoJo and love her as part of our own family. (Mother's Note: It's quite nice because we can dog sit, visit her anytime we want, and love her like our own pet without having to take care of her full time! Highly recommend it!) Today is JoJo's 1st birthday so I thought we'd walk down JoJo memory lane!

Alizah's first of many JoJo kisses!

Chillin' with JoJo!

JoJo brings Alizah lots of smiles!


JoJo shares her favorite toys and new Christmas bed with Alizah.

What a great friend!

We love you JoJo! Happy Birthday!

The Lord's Timing

In all 33 years of my life experience, I have witnessed over and over the Lord's timing and my timing being in completely different zones! I want what I want when I want it and the Lord doesn't see it that way. I usually look back on my experiences and realize that, of course, my Heavenly Father knew what was best for me and I am grateful for His plans for me. When it comes right down to it I really have no idea what is best for me. But I do know that my Heavenly Father and Savior know what is best so all I can do is . . . . . . Let Go and Let God! Life goes on and I am thankful that I have a Heavenly Father and Savior who love me and know what I need!

First Snow!

Alizah absolutely loved the snow. Size 4t winter clothes(thanks to living in NY) is the smallest I had so we stuffed Alizah inside and let the girls play. I enjoyed watching Alizah's excitement at seeing snow for the first time.