It was supposed to rain today. Instead we got about 6-8 inches of snow...at least judging from my back step.

Mason was so excited to see all the snow and kept standing at the back door screaming his excitement at it!

Festive Weekend

Jeff has been working 60+ hours a week this whole month. Needless to say, we haven't had much time to do anything Christmasy. Last Saturday he got off work at 2:30 and we took advantage of it and actually did some Christmas shopping! Even though the stores were packed, we had a lot of fun just getting out and getting our last minute presents. Here are the boys playing around in the cart at Home Depot. After shopping we headed to Thanksgiving Point to see Santa's reindeer. Carson was disappointed that they were so small and wondered how they could pull Santa's sleigh.

Every year since we've moved here, we've gotten together with Jeff's siblings and his step-dad for a Christmas party on the Sunday before Christmas. It makes sense for us to exchange presents here instead of hauling them all up to Idaho. The boys had so much fun opening their presents and I had a great time just enjoying having everyone over. Its becoming tradition to have Sunday dinners at our house and I love it! When Jeff dedicated our house, one of the things I had asked for was for our home to be a gathering place where others would feel welcome. I love seeing this blessing come to pass.

Christmas Goodies

We've been busy around here getting ready for Christmas! One of the things we've been doing is making lots of Christmas treats. Last Sunday we got together with Jeff''s family and made graham cracker houses.

Jonas spent more of his time eating his candy than decorating with it!All the big boys decorating their houses.Our finished products! Mine is the collapsed house, don't ask, I'm just graham cracker house impaired. Jeff's is the one on the left that resembles our house.

Yesterday the boys and I spent three hours making sugar cookies. By the time we were done they were covered from head to foot in flour and frosting.I let the boys decorate them and here is their finished product! There's nothing like spending an afternoon with my boys, baking treats, while Christmas music is playing. Can't get much more Christmasy than that!

What Would You Do?

So I made this quilt for my sister in law as a wedding present. I spent a lot of time and money doing it. Last week I got it back from the quilter and was absolutely appalled at the quality of work (of the quilter, that is). The front isn't so bad, but the back is horrifying. There are bubbles and wrinkles everywhere. See for yourself.

This is the one that really makes me mad...

I honestly can't believe this lady has her own quilting business! I've never stippled before, but I'm sure I could have done a better job! So what would you do? Call her back and demand a refund? I'm really not the confrontational type and don't know how I would handle that, but I can't let her walk off with my money after doing such a poor job. Does anyone know if there is a way to fix this? Can I unpick it and have someone else fix it? I don't really have the money to pay to have it done a second time, so I'm not sure what to do. Any suggestions? Anyone that can help me out??

Birthday Boy

Mason turned one year old on December 1st. As always, the first year flies by so fast! Mason had two birthday parties this year, one with my family when we were in Idaho last weekend.. And another party at our house, with Jeff's family.
His birthday cake...and my beginners level cake decorating skills.At one year old Mason is getting such a cute little personality! Most of the time he is such a happy go lucky kind of guy and loves life. It seems like he always has a huge smile on his face! He has cut his two top molars and has been working on getting his other ones. Unlike my other boys who walked at 9 months, Mason doesn't walk. He can stand up on his own and has even taken a few steps, but hasn't been motivated to make it his full time mode of transportation. He is getting good a crawling really, really fast! He still has a lot of stranger anxiety and likes me to hold him most of the time. He likes to go around the house saying, "Ma, ma, ma, ma".

Happy Birthday little man! We love you so much!

Buddies

From the time I found out I was pregnant with Mason, I just knew that he and Jonas would be good buddies. Now that Mason is almost a year old (has it really been a year?) they are starting to play together a lot more and it is just too stinkin' cute. Jonas disappeared today and I found him in the crib, hanging out with Mason (who was napping). Its nice that Mason is such a good natured boy that he enjoyed his brother's company, rather than getting upset that he was awakened from his nap.

Another Sappy Post About My Family

Its that time of year when I've been trying to scheme up some thoughtful Christmas presents. In the process I came across an old photo album my Grandma had given me. Looking through it caused so many memories to flood over me that I decided I had better record some of my thoughts...at the risk of yet another self-centered blog entry.

I know I've said this before, but my Grandma & Grandpa Carson meant so much to me. Obviously...I named my son after them. When I was younger I spent a lot of time at their house while my mom worked. In fact, most of my early memories are of being with them. Those days were precious and full of so much happiness. A few days before my Grandpa Carson passed away, I was talking with him. I'll never forget him telling me, in a broken voice, "Each day with you was such a blessing."

In his last days, my Grandpa taught me a valuable lesson: when it all comes down to it, what matters most is spending time with those you love and building memories. Isn't that a big part of this whole mortal experience? To build our eternal families? I am reminded of a passage from The Proclamation:

"In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress towards perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."

This "earthly experience" hasn't always been a rose covered path for me...or for anyone. There have been times when I've felt so overwhelmed, discouraged, and depressed that I've felt myself wanting to slip into despair. As some of you may know, I went through a pretty rough patch after Mason was born. In short, depression is horrible, and a place I never want to go to again. Without an eternal perspective of who I am and what I'm doing here I don't know what I would have done. The knowledge that all my trials lead me to a better end...an end where I can be with my family, has given me the strength to press forward when the way was difficult.

I am ever so grateful for my family. My husband, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and each and every cousin. I am thankful for photographs like these that help me remember those early days of playtime with my cousin, Ben, who felt more like a brother to me than anything. A photograph of a very sad me saying goodbye to my Grandpa when he and Grandma moved to California. A photograph of my Grandma holding a me as a baby.

I will forever be thankful for simple little snapshots of a cherished childhood.

Thoughts of a Tired Momma

I think back to when Jeff and I were first married and how I vowed I would always have a clean house. I was so diligent about keeping everything spotless. I like order. It makes me happy. One of my strange quirks is that, at night, after I have scrubbed my house, I will sit out on the couch and just enjoy the cleanliness. Enjoy the order. Enjoy the peace it brings me to have everything in its place. I guess its a way for me to unwind and meditate. Cleanliness brings me joy. I know, its weird, but its one of those areas in life where I can actually see where I've made a difference...even if its only until the boys wake up the next morning.

Sometimes I look around and wonder what has happened to me. More often than not I am behind on laundry, there are dishes filling my sink, toys are strewn throughout my house, and there are fingerprints all over the doors. Sometimes its so discouraging, especially because I am a perfectionist. Its a tricky balancing act between (1)trying to make sure I am focusing on my boys and enjoying these precious years with them and (2) not letting my house disintegrate into chaos. I am still learning. Still trying to figure out what works for our family.

Carson is getting old enough that he is such a great help with the chores, but Jonas and Mason....they think its their job to make messes. And that's ok, because that is how they explore their world, but....whew, sometimes it exhausts this momma! Even though Mason has a few more weeks until his 1st birthday, he already acts like a toddler in lots of ways. I knew this day would come: two toddlers under two, but it came too fast! He feels it is his job to unload the dishwasher as I am loading it, or to empty all the cupboards and drawers while I am cleaning up some sort of mess in the living room. Its precious, really, probably because he is so darn cute that I can't get mad at him.

Even though its sometimes stressful, I wouldn't trade the messes and smudges and dirty laundry for anything! For me, its evidence of a home filled with the joy of childhood. What a blessing these sweet little babies are! What a blessing it is I get to spend my days with them! What a blessing it is that I get to figure this whole motherhood thing out...even if I'm exhausted and miles away from my goals at the end of the day.

I can think of several dear, sweet friends who long for children and are unable to have them either from infertility or the lack of a spouse. I talked with a friend the other day and she cried to me because she thought she would never get married and have the blessing of holding her own baby. I vowed then, that I would never take another moment of motherhood for granted, ever again. Children really are a gift. They teach me so much everyday. I see their precious little faces and know that this is where I belong; that I could do no greater work than to train these little ones up to the Lord.

Dear Santa...Just in Case You Read My Blog

I know Christmas is still 47 days away, but I thought I'd give you a head start on what I'm wanting. For the past month or two, I've been cruising, The Vintage Pearl website, and admiring their necklaces. As you know, I love necklaces, and I think the perfect gift for me would be one of these beautiful hand stamped creations...with my family's names on it. After much thought, I have decided I would like the Dainty Names necklace.My first choice would have been the Our Family Nest necklace, but since my family is still growing, I think I will wait to order it.Santa, thank you for all that you do for our family.

Happy Holidays,

Sara

P.S. Just so you know, this jewelry takes 3-4 weeks to be created and shipped.

Fright Night

We were haunted by a soldier, dragon, and monkey......but through it all we stuck together like best friends do. {Photo courtesy of Carson}

And no, in spite of what Jeff told everyone...I did not beat up a bunch of 12 year old girls for the costume.