Lights, Cameras, Christmas!

I love looking at Christmas trees & decor!

Growing up in Northern Indiana, east of Chicago, we were lucky enough to go to the wonderful museums there. One of my favorites is the Museum of Science & Industry. Each year, they have a "Christmas Around the World" exhibit. This includes many large trees (more than 50) decorated in the traditions of other nations and cultures. It was a favorite to see! The last time I went when I visited my Aunt Kae & Uncle Jim for New Year's Eve. I was preggers with my first-born (so, that was YEARS ago!) and as a treat they took us to the museum.

If you are in the Chicago area, I highly recommend a trip to this museum. The display this season runs through January 4th!  {{More Info on Museum HERE}}

As a family, one of our annual traditions is to visit a light display somewhere. Whether it's a hayride through Layton City Park {{Hayrides info HERE}}, driving through Spanish Fork's amazing Festival of Lights {{Festival of Lights info HERE}}, or strolling downtown Salt Lake to see the lights on Temple Square {{Temple Square lights info HERE}}, we always enjoy it.

Sometimes, I have a hard time getting into the spirit of the season. The stress of shopping, cooking, cleaning, getting ready for out-of-towners, trying to come up with a new & improved annual letter, getting everyone to smile during the photo for the cards...  sigh. It can all be a little overwhelming. But, listening to beautiful Christmas music, seeing the stunning lights, and looking at the festive decorations always pulls me back. I reflect on my family and our traditions and I remember the things that matter most.

Many nights in December, after everyone else has gone to bed, when the house is still, I find myself sitting alone in the living room, just taking in the glow of the Christmas tree. It's my own sanctuary of sorts, pulling me into the Christmas spirit, and drawing me nearer to Christ. Those few precious moments of "still" are sacred to me. I reflect and ponder and pray. And sometimes I come away with new inspiration and other times simple affirmations that I am loved.

Who doesn't want more of that?

Oh - and before I forget, be sure to tag me in your comments if you post holiday photos on Facebook or instagram, etc. I'd love to see what inspires you this holiday season!

All's Fair in Love & Board Games

Typically on New Year's Eve, my kids will attend parties, and about every other year I let them have their sleepover/party here.  When it's at our house I let them bang pots and pans and run through the streets at midnight yelling "Happy New Year!"  But I only let them do this for about a minute and then they have to come back inside before the neighbors start calling the po-po.  Hehe.

Then on New Year's Day, I usually invite my sister's family up from Spanish Fork for lunch and a day of games and chit-chat, and just hanging out.

Well, this year wasn't "typical" because A) my parents came in from Carson City, NV and my brother & his new wife came in from Barstow, CA for my niece's baptism and for our annual family Christmas party   and  B) because we were already down at my sister's house for the baptism and Christmas party, we stayed down there for the New Year's Eve par-tay too.

The morning of our New Year's Eve Day was devoted to Chloe's baptism.  She was excited and we were all so proud of her for her decision to be baptized.  It was fun to be a part of her special day.

The afternoon of New Year's Eve Day was devoted to our annual Christmas party.  We exchanged gifts, played games and stuffed ourselves full of food.  We laughed and had a lot of fun. Then we cleaned up a bit and went to my sister's friend's house for a New Year's Eve party (because that is where SHE typically spends NYE and we were down there this year).  It was fun as we played more games, laughed some more, and managed to stuff ourselves full of more food while some of the party-goers got fake-drunk on fake-beer (birch beer, apple beer, root beer, etc.).  At midnight, they went and lit fireworks in the street.  By this time I was dragging a bit.

Thanks to my parents, the kidlets and I stayed in a hotel down there so I wasn't driving all the way back up to my house in the middle of the night.

Yesterday we all went to church with my sister and then headed up to my house for the usual New Year's Day lunch and game day.  We had a taco bar and lots of other treats and spent the rest of the day playing games.  The family that eats and plays together, stays together, or something like that right?

Overall, we had a ton of fun swapping stories, swapping presents, laughing our butts off, stuffing our guts full, playing jokes on each other and playing games.  It was a jam-packed weekend for sure.

After everyone left yesterday, I was sooo tired, I laid down for a little nap around 7:30 and ended up sleeping all night long.  The nice thing is, I don't have to work today.  w00t!

Miller Parties Rawk!

In less than 10 hours I will be chillin' with my peeps.

By "chilling" I mean attending my niece's baptism and by "my peeps" I mean my family.  But AFTER the be-on-your-best-behavior-and-wear-Sunday-clothes ceremony, we plan to par-tay.  For reals.  It's the Annual Miller Christmas Party: Utah Segment.   I say that because our family Christmas party usually takes place in three installments, at least for my parents.  You see, there are 7 of us kids.  2 of my siblings still live in Indiana.  2 have moved to Nevada and live near my parents.  2 of us live here in Utah and 1 is in the Army, so his whereabouts change quite frequently and I can't disclose anymore or he might have to kill you, ha!

But check this out.  My parents are so cool, in addition to celebrating the holidays with the sib's & their families in Nevada, they travel both to Indiana AND to Utah every year so we can spend Christmas with them too.   No, they are not rich by any means.  They're just cool like that; it's how they do.

I know that my kids and I truly appreciate that they make the sacrifice each year to be able to spend the holidays with all of us (even though my mom is dealing with a bad knee ailment at the moment and traveling can be a pain).

This years Utah family party is a bit different as far as time and place go, but here are the things we can count on for sure:

• There will be plenty to eat!
• The cousins will love hanging out together and playing.
• The kids will be loud.
• The food will be good.
• There will be fun games.
• There will be lots of laughter.
• There *might* even be a prank or two.
• Did I mention there will be food?

Yep.  So, if I'm not reachable to phone or email, don't worry - I haven't gone completely off the grid.  Just a little time out for a family party.  (Either that or I'm passed out into a sugar coma somewhere!)

All right Millers, did someone say party on?

Done.And.Done.

Christmas 2011

Visiting Santa...

Christmas Eve...

Snacks for Prime Movie Watching on Christmas Eve...

Christmas Morning...

The Loot...

Holiday Treats

No doubt we all have some favorite treats around the holidays.  Here are a three of mine and it's not too late to try them, because they are great for New Year's too!

No-Bake Cookies {{Click for recipe}}

Monkey Bread {{Click for recipe}}

Cinnamon-Spiced Nuts {{Click for recipe}}

Merry Christmas!

Wishing each of you a blessed Christmas day!  

Christmas, Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve-Eve

This year my kids will be at their dad's for Christmas.  So I decided a few weeks ago that we would have our Christmas on Christmas Eve.  Of course, this meant we'd have to do our Christmas Eve stuff on Christmas Eve-Eve.  :)

Last night we did our annual reading of the Christmas Nativity Story, then the kids opened their new PJs.  Well, truth be told the didn't really "open" their PJs.  In fact -- I've been so busy, I never got around to wrapping them.  But I forgot about that little tidbit until it was time to open them.  Doh!  SO, instead we played a game.  I told them they each had 1 top, 1 pair of pajama pants and 1 pair of new socks and they were all in the same sack.  One by one, they had to close their eyes, reach into the sack and pull out the ones they THOUGHT might be theirs.  It was fun, and no one got their PJs right.  We also got some Secret Santa gifts by our door a few days ago, so I let them open those too.  The kids and I each received a holiday fleece throw and a gift card. They loved them and I felt truly blessed that someone would think of us that way.

After swapping until they all got the right PJs, they each took their showers while I got the snacks ready for our annual Christmas Movie night.    Every year we always watch " A Christmas Story " and " Mixed Nuts " on Christmas Eve.   I started the wood stove and everyone gathered around for the movies in their new pjs and snuggled up with their new throws, and we munched on cheese and crackers, cocktail shrimp and soda.

This morning, they all slept in (which was really nice, considering I did my usual tossing and turning all night).  Finally, around noon they came dragging in the front room where they retrieved their stockings and took turns opening their gifts.

We finally ate "breakfast" around 2pm, which consisted of an egg & sausage skillet (complete with country gravy) and Monkey Bread.  Then we just hung out and relaxed and "played" with our new "toys" for the remainder of the day.

And, oh yeah...  guess who forgot to thaw the turkey?  Christmas Spaghetti anyone???

I am getting ready to make up some spiced nuts and then figure out what's for dinner before we embark on a late-night family game night.  It should be fun!

I plan to post pictures later this week.

Tomorrow the kidlets will attend our Christmas Music Program at church before heading off to their dad's.  It's been a wonderful day!

Wishing all of you the best Christmas ever!  :)

Half-Ounce Christmas

Who says Christmas can't come in small packages?

Three of my favorite things come together to make this little nugget of Christmas melt in your mouth.  Ghirardelli Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice and Caramel.  I just sampled a piece and I am in a whole new world of Winter Wonderland.  Not.Even.Kidding.  For reals -- you should try one. Better yet -- go get yourself a bag and let's split it!

Freaking.Amazing!

Christmas Traditions, Part Three

Ok - the final chapter to the Christmas Traditions post is finally here.  These are traditions I have initiated since becoming an adult and having my own kidlets.  Once again - in no particular order...

The Tree.  Maybe it was because we always had a little tree growing up and the same decorations year after year, but it's been MY tradition to have a "different" tree each year.  The first year our tree was a definite Charlie Brown Tree; it was sparse and held a few decorations I had from my own childhood and a few more a lady in church had made over the years.  She gave them to me because her family was moving and she was trying to minimize everything they were packing and moving across country.  Although I didn't really "love" my tree that year, it was what it was and FunnyMan was just a wee little tyke anyway.  That year I waited until the day after Christmas and bought tree trimmings for 80% off to be used for the following year.  I mostly bought red and gold, because that is what there seemed to be a surplus of.  So, that next year my tree was Red and Gold.  I continued shopping the day after Christmas each year after that, and depending on what I'd find would determine my color scheme for the following year.  Of course, as money has been a bit tighter these past few years, I've mixed and matched some of the colors I have.  I have ornament "collections" in red, gold, silver, white, cream, chocolate brown, pink, blue, purple, and "jewel tones".  I am slowly working on green.

A New Ornament.  Each year in their stocking my kids receive a new ornament.  I started this when my oldest was a baby, so that by the time they are adults and on their own, they will already have a collection of ornaments.  Sometimes, we've put up 2 Christmas Trees.  My tree in the front room and the Kids' tree, with all of their ornaments, in the family room.  It's been fun to pick out new ornaments for them each year and hopefully, one day when they are older they will have fond memories as they unpack their ornaments.

PJ's & Socks.  Each Christmas eve, my kids get to open up new PJ's & socks.  They look forward to getting to open a gift the night before Christmas and I love that they look "clean and crisp" as I am taking their pictures opening their gifts the next morning.

The Christmas Story.  After the kidlets have opened their new PJs and taken their baths, just like my mom used to do, I have them gather round as I read the Christmas story from the Bible.

Stockings.  Instead of filling their stockings with a bunch of holiday candy, each year I make a stop at Harry & David's in Park City and pick up the famous "Moose Crunch Bars" in my kids' favorite flavors.  I will also add some of their favorite candy bars.  Once in a while, I throw in a mini box of cereal too.  I try to add a little gift in their stocking as well.  Sometimes this has been a gift certificate to Baskin Robbins and other times it's been a little toy or trinket.  When money was a bit more "plentiful", I'd give them gift cards for xBox points or the movies.  But, they always get something in addition to their ornament and favorite candy.

Wake-Up time.  I mentioned earlier this week that growing up my dad did not let us get up before 5:30 on Christmas morning, and that we'd always have a contest to see if the kids could wake up before the parents.  Well, this is NOT one of those traditions I've passed on to my kids.  Mostly because, I love sleep and I rarely have the opportunity.  So MY "tradition" is that no one goes into the living room or near the gifts until Mama wakes up.  And they've always been pretty good about it too.  I love to be able to sleep in and not get up early.  I usually begin to stir when I hear them outside my bedroom door whispering things like, "Think she'll wake up soon?" and "What time do you think it'll be this year before we get to open presents?"  And, then I insist they all wash their faces before we start... cuz, yeah, I'm mean like that. Haha.  As soon as we are all gathered in the living room, I let them open their stockings first.

Youngest-to-Oldest.  We do what my family did as a child, and that is to let the youngest open her gifts first, working our way up to the oldest, which would be, ahem - me.

Charity.  I have always felt strong about teaching my children the TRUE meaning of Christmas.  No matter how hard we have it, there is always someone who has it a little harder, and giving of ourselves is being Christlike and THAT is the true meaning meaning of Christmas.  When times were good (financially speaking), we did a lot of "sub for Santas" and the kids loved going shopping to buy gifts for families less fortunate than us.  Then, after my divorce, it just wasn't anything I could afford to do.  However, I still made what little effort I could.  Anytime we go to the store and there is a Salvation Army Bell Ringer outside, I scrape up any change and let the kids deposit them into the bucket.  Many places are also "Toys for Tots" sponsors.  So, even if we can't adopt an entire family for the holidays, I try to buy at least one toy to place in a collection box.  Something we started doing about 4 years ago is the "Hayride in the Park" up in Layton (about 14 miles north of us).  The Layton City Park sets up a huge light display every year and you can either walk through the park or drive through to see the lights.  The local Burger Stop and a local car club join forces to provide Hayrides through the park and Santa is at the Burger Stop too.  The tickets for the Hayride are $1 for kids 5-12 and $2 for 12+.  100% of the money goes to a local charity, one of which is the local women's shelter.  So, for a couple of bucks we get to build Christmas Memories and donate to a good cause.  Sure, we could save our $4-5 and drive through the park for free.  But, the kids have come to love the hayride, in spite of freezing our butts off in line.  :)

Christmas Movies.  We have 2 favorite movies we watch as a family EVERY year before Christmas.  One is A Christmas Story and the other is Mixed Nuts.  Just about everyone I know has heard of A Christmas Story, but not many have heard of Mixed Nuts.  Seriously, I think this is one of the funniest holiday movies around.  It's quirky, and has an all-star cast (Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Robert Klein, Anthony LaPaglia, Juliet Lewis, Rob Reiner, Adam Sandler, Liev Schreiber, Rita Wilson, Parker Posey, Jon Stewart and Joely Fisher).  It's basically the antics of a suicide hotline non-profit organization in Venice Beach, about to go belly-up right before Christmas.  Totally hilarious.

Letters & Pictures.  Right after my oldest was born, I began to do family pictures each year for Christmas.  I think it was the 2nd or 3rd year I started incorporating the annual Christmas Letter as well.  I know that many people don't care to read the "Christmas Letter", especially if they're filled with self-promoting accolades and extensive travelogues.  But I actually love reading the letters, and therefore I send them out each year too (although I try not to make it too long or boring).  I've lived in Indiana, Hawaii and now Utah and I have family and friends spread out all over the country, and former in-laws outside of the country.  So, I love to hear about what's going on with everyone.  It's my way of catching up with everyone, and writing my letters is my way of letting them know what we've been up to.  I know, I could probably blog, email or FaceBook it.  But aside of the 1 or 2 16 year-olds in their Rumspringa, my Amish relatives don't have internet, email or Facebook.  Also, I always put a copy of the annual letter and family photo in each of my child's scrapbook.  It's a nice way to journal what we've been up to.  I realize that many will read and then toss the letter and/or picture; but it's still a tradition I've come to enjoy nonetheless.

I used to take the kids sledding -- however, we don't always get snow here on Christmas.  We used to go to the Movies, but these days it is so crowded that it isn't "relaxing" and I'm all about relaxing on Christmas Day. So -- we usually just hang out all day in our PJ's and watch the DVDs we got for Christmas.  That's been the most fun.

This year the kids will be with their Dad for Christmas, so we are having our Christmas on Christmas Eve... and our Christmas Eve on Christmas Eve-Eve, hehe.

What about you?  I'd love to know about some of your Christmas traditions too!

Christmas Traditions, Part Two

I've already mentioned the traditions my Mom made part of our Christmases growing up (see {{HERE}} if you missed it).  So, today, I am going to share the traditions from my father's side.

If you've read any of my blog posts over the last few years, you already know my father was raised Amish.  In fact, you probably get sick of me saying it over and over and over.  But it was part of my upbringing, so not really easy to ignore.  Well, one thing that is fairly typical in Amish communities is that they have large families.  My father's family would be about average, by comparison.  My grandparents "only" had 7 children.  And I think, if I am counting right (although, I may have lost count), there are about 40 grandchildren.  That is a lot of family to plan Christmas for, especially when it comes to coordinating schedules.  It would've also been an imposition on many of the families to purchase gifts for each other.  So, this is how we did Christmas on the Miller side.

My grandparents and each of the siblings would take turns "hosting" the Family Christmas gathering each year.  Sometimes, the family party was in their home, sometimes a family cabin, or the town scout cabin, or the basement of a local church; just depending on who was in charge that year and where they chose to host it.  Typically, the party was held on a Saturday, although once in a while a Sunday afternoon.  We'd usually begin gathering in around 11am.  The hosts would prepare the main dish and everyone else would bring a few potluck items.  Also, everyone would bring homemade treats for the "treat table" (always a hit with the kids!). We would snack until the food was ready and then stuff ourselves full.

Then, as typical with Amish culture, the men would mix and mingle together in one area while the women and children in another.  Stories were often swapped, and tons of laughter would ensue.  Then, my grandmother would beckon us all together, usually in a large circle and she'd hand out Christmas Carol books.  And we pretty much sang the carols from cover to cover.  She also loved for the grandchildren to come together to sing the 12 Days of Christmas, complete with actions.  (Yes -- I still know all of the actions, too.)  I remember one year, when I turned 11, she gave me my own carol book for Christmas.  I still have it and love it.

After the carols, we'd continue snacking and chit-chatting and the host would usually serve coffee and homemade herbal tea.  My grandmother would always have a little gift for the Aunts and my Grandfather often had a little something for the Uncles. The rest of the afternoon often included things like playing games, skits, pranks, my Uncle playing his Hammered Dulcimer and more chit chat.  Sometimes, the left-overs were reheated and we'd have supper before heading back to our respective homes.

Now, when my own parents and siblings get together for our Annual Miller Christmas Party, we incorporate a few of those traditions too.  We always have a candy/treat table.  The host/hostess always plans the main dish and the rest of us bring potluck items.  After we eat and do gifts, often times we bring out our own carol books and sing along.  And if my sister can talk them into it-- some of the kids will "perform" the 12 Days of Christmas.  Sometimes we have little skits or pranks, and sometimes they want us to do a mini-talent show.  We usually spend the rest of the day playing games and chit-chatting and if we stay long enough, then will will reheat leftovers for dinner or order take out.  :)

Thanks Dad, for having an awesome family that passed on some of their traditions to us!

Christmas Traditions, Part One

When I was little I loved Christmas for many, many reasons.  As I mentioned {{HERE}} we only received one gift each year.  Suffice it to say, that while I cherished that one gift each year, that wasn't the reason I loved Christmas.  Looking back, it's the things we did as a family -- the traditions my mother incorporated into our Christmas that made me look forward to that magical time of year each year.  Some of the traditions were traditions from her childhood and others were ones she and my dad started with us.  (And while I'm sure my dad had a hand in some of the traditions, I mostly mention my mom here because she was more the "enthusiast" about them.  Dad did best to smile and nod and let her have her way, hehe.)

In no particular order, they included...

The wake-up contest.  When we were really little my mom used to wake us up on Christmas morning by playing her Christmas records.  Then after we got an organ, she used to play Christmas songs on the organ.  (Which, by the way, is not my favorite thing to wake up to at 5:30 in the morning, haha.)  As we began to get a little older and a little more anxious about waking up early, she told us when she was little, she and my Uncle Jim used to wake up before their parents and jump on their bed yelling, "Merry Christmas!"  Well, that sure sounded like fun to us.  So, it became a contest.  If Mom woke up before we did, then she got to play her Christmas music.  If we woke up first, then we would commence with the jumping on the bed routine.  My Dad did set the rule, however, that no one was allowed up before 5:30am.  (I guess he wanted to "sleep in" a little.)  Since the contest began, I think the kids "won" just about every year.  Usually the oldest sibling, Naomi, would wake up way before 5am, and get the rest of us up.  Then we'd wait patiently on the stairs until  about 5:29, sneak into my parents' room and began our jovial hails.  Although, looking back, I'm willing to bet that my parents were already awake, laying there, waiting for us to come in and "win".  :)

Christmas Waffles.  One year my mom received a waffle iron for Christmas, and this wasn't some rinky-dinky little waffle iron either.  This was a very nice, very large waffle iron, that made LARGE waffles.  We had nice, fluffy waffles for breakfast and thus began the tradition of fluffy waffles every Christmas morning since.

Boiled Custard. Just about every other year, we'd pile into the van and make the 10-hour journey down to Paris, Tennessee and visit with Grandpa Ray & Grandma June, as well as our FAVORITEST Aunt EVER - Aunt Glenda and her hubby, Uncle Wayne.  They lived next door to each other, which always made it fun.  The "older girls" (which included me) would get to sleep over at Aunt Glenda's house while Mom, Dad and the "little kids" stayed with Grandma & Grandpa.  Aunt Glenda was (and still is) a riot.  She would tell us the crazy stories of her life, take us "after-Christmas" shopping, teach us new crafts, and she made the best candy!  I can almost taste her famous fudge, nut logs, and cinnamon crackle candy just writing this!  Mmmm-Hmmm!  One thing she introduced us to was Boiled Custard.  (Or if you're from the south, it's pronounced "bowl'd custard", tee hee.)  Anyway -- it's a drink and can either be served warm or cold.  To me, it's waaaaay better than egg nog.  You can buy it down there during the holidays in the dairy case, or you can make your own.  We love it so much that my mom got the recipe and began making it every year for us too.  Now, I make it for my kids.  :)

Youngest-to-Oldest.  Because the youngest usually have the hardest time with patience in opening their gifts, my parents have always had us open our gifts, starting with the youngest child, in turn, making our way to the oldest and then my parents took their turn.  A few times we mixed it up and went from oldest to youngest, but for the most part, that has been our tradition.  Even now, at the Annual Miller Family Christmas Party, gift opening begins with the youngest.  This is a tradition I've passed on to my kids as well.

Gingerbread Houses.  The last town we moved to growing up had a well-known Amish style Restaurant, "Das Dutchman Essenhaus".  It still exists, and it's still just as tasty.  It's a definite tourist attraction and I think I was in about 4th grade when they decided to expand their operation to include a candy shop, a toy store, a bakery, an inn and a Bed & Breakfast.  For the holidays the bakery would host a Gingerbread house contest, open to the public.  There were various categories, including "edible" and "non edible" for all sorts of age groups.  My mother decided that we would each make our own gingerbread house and enter it.  The first year we each did simple square houses.  It was fun and cute and because there were 7 of us kids, we had a better chance of having a winner among us.  (Not to mention, there weren't many kids who entered.)  Over the years, our entries became a little more elaborate - including farms, 2-story houses, and one year even an igloo.  Even though it made a huge mess in the kitchen, and even though it probably took a lot of time for my mom to draw the templates, then bake the "wall"s and then help us put them together, it was something we did every year - all 9 of us.

Decorations.  My mom would always haul the boxes from the basement the first of December and transform our living and dining rooms into a Christmas Showcase.  She had sooo many Christmas nick-knacks and paddy-whacks, it was impressive.  Many of them were items from her own childhood.  My favorite is the kissing Mr & Mrs Claus (which has since been passed on to me!).

Christmas Eve.  My mother would gather us around every Christmas Eve and read the Christmas story from the Bible.  I remember laying on the floor in the living room, in my pj's, listening to her read.  I didn't even always understand the words, but I knew the gist of it, and it was something I looked forward to every year.  This is something I have also incorporated into my own Christmases with my kids.

Movies and Sledding. Because we didn't live very close to my mom's side of the family, and because my dad's family was so big that we had a separate family Christmas party on another day, it was usually just the 9 of us on Christmas Day.  As some of us began to get a little older and become teenagers, my mom discovered that the Movie theaters were open on Christmas Day. So, after opening the gifts and eating our waffles, if there was snow on the ground, she'd take us to the nearest sledding hill and we'd play for a few hours.  But if there wasn't any snow, she'd take us to the movies.  It was fun, because we'd stuff our pockets with the candy from our stockings and we were usually the only ones in the entire theater.  While I loved sledding and making snowmen, I'm not gonna lie -- I used to secretly wish for no snow just so we could go to the movies.  After I had my own children, I used to take them to the movies on Christmas Day.  However, over the last decade or so, it seems that everyone else has caught on, and now Christmas Day is crowded.

There were other things that we could always count on around Christmas time.  My mother would get out her Christmas records and play them all month long. We would gather around the TV as a family and watch "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life".  She would hang the Christmas Cards we received in the mail - usually around the archway from the living room to the dining room - for all to see.  We had mistletoe and loved to catch visitors underneath.  She always filled our stockings with an orange, a candy cane, other candy and a small gift or toy.   I am sure I am probably forgetting a tradition or two -- but these are the ones I remember the most, and these are the ones I have the fondest memories of.

Thanks Mom, for making sure we had Christmas Traditions and that our Christmases were extra special!

'Twas the 24 Nights Before Christmas

I don't know about you -- but I'm tired!

Between finals, rehearsals, kids' school programs, holiday shows, church visits, Christmas parties and my birthday, I've had something going every single night since December 1st.  I've been so exhausted lately, I even had a dream last night that I was so exhausted I needed a nap.  In my dream I was driving but couldn't keep my eyes open anymore, so pulled off to the side of the road and napped in my car.  A dream about napping - haha!

After this weekend, I am hoping things will slow down just a tad, or at least enough to feel rested before Christmas.

Oh wait, I forgot.  I still have to shop and wrap and clean and bake and............

Christmas Nerds

My father, who because of his Amish upbringing didn't go to high school, always worked long hours and overtime whenever possible so that my mother could stay at home and raise us 7 kidlets.  (He did go back and get his GED later in life though - Go Dad!)  My father is one of the hardest working men I know.  (Guess he learned something from years of getting up early to do chores.)  In addition to working as much as possible, he'd often pick up side jobs here and there just to help make the ends meet -- or at least come closer together.  Needless to say, money was tight.

Nevertheless, my parents still did things to make our Christmases feel special.  Most of the things I remember are the traditions (which I will post about later this week).  But I also remember the gifts.  We each always got 1 gift for Christmas.  My parents made that decision when they started having kids - one main gift per child.  That way, no matter how much money they had (or didn't) we never had high expectations and were never let down, because we could always count on that one.

When I was really small -- like 2 -- Naomi got a wooden train set, Rachel got Weebles and I got one of these...Tree Tots!

When I was about 4 I don't remember what Naomi got, but Rachel got a Mickey Mouse doll, Sam got a Donald Duck doll, Sarah got a baby doll my mom made and I got this...  A Fisher Price "Record Player".

We shared our toys and after Christmas, for the most part, we didn't think of our gifts as "my" toy or "your" toy; they were OUR toys.  Maybe it's because we only got one.

I remember some of the other gifts through the years too.  In third grade I got a purple watch, with a REAL second hand (not digital, like the other kids were going to.)  I loved it because while I felt my friends were all "cheating" I could tell time for REAL. Haha.  Another year I got a little blue typewriter, another year I got a Crystal Barbie, and in the 5th grade I felt all grown-up because I got a blue sweater w/ matching purse set.  I think it's because we only ever got one gift, that I cherished those.

When some of us older ones could babysit and earn our own money, we asked my parents if we could draw names for Christmas and be each others' Secret Santas.  (This way we could each get another gift in addition to the one from my parents.)  They agreed.  The limit for our Secret Santa gifts was $5 and we had to earn it.  The little kids did extra chores to earn their money and then once everyone had their $5, we drew the names and off we went in search of the best gift our $5 could buy.  Luckily, there was a Variety Store within walking distance from our house, which we called "the Dime Store"; I guess because they sold penny candy and candy for 10 cents, etc.  But they also had things like little toys, books, figurines, etc.

Well, the first year we drew names, the youngest sibling Ruthie drew my name.  Christmas morning came and when it was my turn to open my gift, I shook it and it rattled.  Hmmm, wonder what it is, I thought. I was about eleven years old and Ruthie was 5.  Excited, I ripped open the wrapping to reveal 2 boxes of Nerds candy. Now, Nerds WERE pretty special, since they were like the newest candy to hit the shelf.  However, they were only $.35 a box back then and tax was only 5 cents on the dollar.  So, what did she do with the other $4.26 you ask?  Good question.  I can only assume she had purchased a bunch of candy, having only the best intentions, but between the date of purchase and Christmas she gave into her temptations, leaving me with the 2 aforementioned boxes of Nerds.  Now, being 11 and it being Christmas, I gave a little chuckle and said "thanks" and then went on and on about how Nerds were my favorite candy ever and how excited I was.  Okay, so I overdid it a bit.  But I didn't want to make her feel bad.

So, guess who drew my name the next year?  And guess who once again got 2 boxes of Nerds candy?  I guess my performance was so convincing she decided on a repeat gift.  Maybe it was an anomaly or something, because the third year we drew names, she drew mine once again, and for the third year in a row, I got 2 boxes of Nerds.

Over the years, it has sort of become a joke between us.  However, I will have to say, that I actually do like Nerds candy.  My favorites are the pink ones and of course the Christmas ones, like these...

So, whaddya say, Ruthie?  Send me a box for old time's sake?

'Twas the Night Before a Crafter's Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, I was glued to the tree
Wonderin' what Santa would bring just for me;
"Would it be cardstock or chipboard or would it be lace?
Or a Cricut!" I said with a smile on my face.


And that's when I heard him.  "Hi Santa," I said.


"You know good little girls should be in their beds."


"I know I should Santa.  And now I've been caught --
but I was excited to see you, to see what you brought!"


"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work."
He shook his head quickly and turned with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear,
"You've got enough Crap!  I'll see you next year!"


(Modified from a friend-of-a-friend's Facebook status)

My Favorite Things: Wish List

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.  Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things...

The song made popular by Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music is among favorites at Christmas Time.  About 10 years ago, Oprah started having "My Favorite Things" episodes around the Holidays and audience members would win prizes off of Oprah's "Favorite Things" list.  Well -- I'm no Oprah, so I shan't be handing out new cars, the season's trendiest cashmere sweaters, or the juiciest pears Harry & David have to offer, but I will be going over a few favorites off my "If money were no object, I'd buy myself one of these" wish list.

Without further adieu, my top 5 Favorite [material] Things, in no particular order...

1) I've never taken a cruise and one of these days, I am going to.  This one is on the list for sure.  As far as the destination, I don't know that I am all too picky, although I've always wanted to visit Alaska so, an Alaskan Cruise would definitely be a two-fer.  Of course, I think a Disney Cruise would be pretty sweet too!  :)

2) I've played the piano since the age of 4 and for me, it's one of those things that will forever be a part of my life.  Currently, I have a digital piano.  The advantages are that it's easy to move; it's still a full-size keyboard, the keys are weighted just like a traditional piano - so it plays the same; it has a volume control and an output for headphones and many other bells and whistles.  The down side is - well, it's not a Baby Grand Piano.

3) New House.  It doesn't even have to be brand-spanking new.  Just something newer than where I live now, and more importantly something that is mine.  I can't tell you how much I am sick of "old and falling apart" or landlords that don't return phone calls.  Plus I just love the smell of new carpet!  My "Dream" house doesn't even have to be huge (that's a lot of cleaning!), it just has to be big enough for the fam, the baby grand piano (see above), have a big enough corner for me to catch up on my scrapbooking, a master suite (see below) and it definitely has to have enough room to have fun!  I want people to call my house the party house!

4. A Tub for the Girls! Okay, as previously mentioned, I want a master suite.  And the most important thing about the Master Suite is that it has to have a private bath and the tub has to be one I can actually soak in!  (And by "soak" I mean the "girls" too!)  This tub in this picture is heavenly...

5.  Okay, I'm not a pet-person, per se.  I mean, I've had dogs and cats growing up and my kids have had various pets too.  So, I'm not opposed to them by any means; I just don't feel like I HAVE to have an animal.  That being said, I do want one of these.  A Mini Yorkie.  This dog would be MY dog -- she would love me and she would be spoiled.  These dogs are known to be a little high maintenance, so there is no way I'd go out and get one with everything going on in my life at the moment.  However, one day when all of the kidlets are grown and gone and I'mma need someone to love on, she is it.  Isn't she soooo cute?  Yeah -- I lubbers her already.

Well, these are just a FEW of My Favorite Things off of my dream wish list. What are some of yours?

Christmas Spirit

What is it, exactly?

Some might define the "Christmas Spirit" as the feelings of joy one gets from the holiday music or the rush they get from the hustle and bustle of trimming the tree, hanging the stockings, shopping for the perfect gifts, attending the best holiday parties, or baking the best-ever pumpkin pie.  And while those things can surely bring Holiday Cheer, the Spirit of Christmas runs a bit deeper than that.

If the true meaning of Christmas is Christ-centered, then it would make sense to assume that the true Spirit of Christmas is also Christ-centered; to live Christ-centered lives.  I've heard it said before that service is the one thing above all others that can bring us closest to the Savior, and cause our souls to become more like Him.  It would make sense then, that if I am a true Christian - which I profess to be - then I would have a desire to be like Him and to serve others.

As a kid I remember singing Christmas Carols with my youth group at the nursing home.  In college, I helped serve up warm food at the local shelter.  As a young mom, I took my kids with me to shop for other families less fortunate.  Anytime we'd pull into a retail parking lot with a bell-ringer, I'd clear out my cup holder, giving the change to my kids to drop in the red tin pail before entering the store.  These things make us feel good, and not because we feel like we are such goody-goodies; but I believe that when we serve others, we are more open to feel of God's love, and THAT is what brings us joy -- for THAT is the true spirit of Christmas.

The last few years, we haven't been able to shop for other families less fortunate because, well, as a single-working-college-student-mom it's just not in my budget.  In fact there have been times throughout the past 4-5 years that I have had to learn to swallow my pride and be on the receiving end of things.   It can be tough because often times I have sat wondering, "What can I possibly give?  What do I have to offer?" Nevertheless, I have still tried to think of ways to serve and to teach my children to serve so they too can feel the true Spirit of Christmas.

This year my oldest used some of his own money to buy a toy to donate to Toys for Tots; and it wasn't just some cheap toy either.  No, he really got excited and put thought into it, trying to think what he would like if he were little.  Makes a mama proud.

As I have thought about what I want to do this year to "serve" others, I've come to the realization, that serving doesn't always pertain to monetary or physical needs, although having those resources surely makes it easier.  I have really tried to think about the Savior and most of all how He treated people.  I have recently felt the need to push myself out of my comfort zone, to friend people I may not normally associate with, and to really understand them and their story, because let's face it -- we've all got a story, right?

It's amazing to me, that as I have done this, I have really come to appreciate people better and I've come to have a greater love for humanity in general.  It's like I've morphed into something greater, or at least evolved into someone more loving and understanding, and less cynical.  There is so much blecky-blahs in this world, I want to focus on the nice-itie-nices.  I have to say that even if the people I have met don't turn out to be people I spend a lot of time with and even if they don't become my next best friend, I have learned something from them; gleaned something good from the opportunity in getting to know them.  I've also learned that what we see on the surface doesn't always accurately reflect what lies beneath.  Some of their stories are heart-breaking or tragic and I feel blessed for knowing about them.  If nothing else, other people's stories and trials surely seem to help me put my own in perspective.

Some might call it karma, but I believe that when we strive to serve others, somehow our own needs get met and suddenly what little we have becomes "enough".  I have already witnessed first-hand the generosity of friends and neighbors this holiday season, for which I feel blessed and truly grateful.  And suddenly, what I have is becoming "enough".

The most I can afford this year is to buy a few toys to place in the Toys for Tots bin, and let my younger kids drop my spare change in the bell-ringer's bucket every time we run into Tarjay or Walmart.  But the best I can do is try to love people the way the Savior would; see them as He would and hopefully become more of the person He already know me to be.

For me, this is how I have come to feel the true Spirit of Christmas this year.

30 Days of Gratitude: Day Eleven

I am grateful for games.

I love games. While I enjoy ice breakers and group games, I enjoy board games too.  Every once in a while my kids and I will drag some of the board games out.  Some of their my favorites are:

Apples to Apples
Mad Gab
Scattergories
iMAgiNiff
Would You Rather...?
Qwirkle
Rollick

Each year for Christmas I try to find a new game or two to put under the tree. Any suggestions?

I am excited to introduce two new ones at our annual family Christmas party this year.  We always have a good time even if I might get slightly competitive.  I love how playing games with friends too, just hanging out, laughing and having a low-key, but fun time!

I am grateful for games.

Christmas Morning Recap

It went a li'l like this...

And then I made a Turkey dinner with dressing, sweet corn, caramelized candied yams, and I can't remember what else. But it was good!

Merry Christmas!

I used my chocolate brown and Tiffany-box blue ornaments to decorate the tree this year. I'm already thinking next year I might pair the brown with green. Hmmm... wondering if I have enough green ones.

Anyway, for those of you who celebrate this time of year, here's wishing you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Be safe and enjoy the holiday!

Christmas Crazy!

So, it sort of went down like this.

I wasn't sure that I'd be able to give my kids much of a Christmas this year. I was stressed. I was worried. I had gotten them a few things throughout the year, like a $10 pair of jeans from Gap when they had their back-to-school sales or a pair of $7 shoes from the outlet mall on black Friday. Then there were a few books I had found for 50% off at last years book fair and the PJ's I found at the Old Navy Outlet for $7 a few months back. So, I did have a few things. But we're talking very few things.

I had received a few things from others to help fill the gaps. It was a huge burden lifted. And yet, I still felt like I was providing a very inadequate Christmas for my kids. I know that isn't the real meaning of Christmas. I know that my kids are not the selfish type and that they will be grateful for anything I give to them.

But as a single mom whom rarely has extra cash, it seems like we do without so much the entire year. The one time I want it to be special and to give a little more is now; at the holidays.

So, here it was, 2 days before Christmas and I received a child support check I wasn't expecting. We're not talking thousands of dollars here, or even half that amount. But it was a little extra and I wanted to get some nice things for my kids. I got off work early and from 1:30pm - 10:30pm I went Christmas Shopping.

Let me brief you with a little history. I am the type of person that is usually done with Christmas shopping even before Thanksgiving. I am the type of person that has everything wrapped when the tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving. And I don't do these things because I am extremely organized or anal or anything like that. (Well, perhaps a little.) I do these things because I am the type of person that has anxiety at times. I am the type of person who doesn't care for large crowds, driving through the snow late at night, feeling the pressure of looking for that perfect item which is sold out because it is on everybody else's Christmas list too. These things give me stress and trigger anxiety. So, I avoid them like the Plague.

But this year, I had no choice. I just didn't have the money until yesterday; until two days before Christmas. I went to Target. I went to Kohl's. I went to Hobby Lobby. I tried to get as much as I could without having to go to you-know-where. Yes, my dear readers, I tried to avoid going to Wal-Mart.

It's not that I hate Wal-Mart. I just hate Wal-Mart when there are tons of crazy people pushing and shoving and rummaging and making a mess and hogging up the aisles, and not being friendly. (Which is why I also avoid it on Saturdays too.) However, my efforts - as good as they were, were to no avail. I had to go to Wal-Mart.

I had a list, I checked it twice. It still did not seem like enough. I tried to mentally go over the items tucked away in my closet at home and I could barely recall a thing. And the things I did recall seemed a bit lame. It was loud. There were kids riding the display bikes up and down the aisles. There was a woman chewing her husband out for waiting until the last minute to pick something out for his mother. There was a man complaining to his wife that she was going over budget and "did the kids really need that?" I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. I started to feel the cerebral arteries throb from behind my eye sockets. I started to feel sweaty and clammy all at the same time. My chest felt tight and my heart was palpitating a bit stronger with each tick of the clock. I was suffocating in my own anxiety.

I told myself to knock it off. I told myself it's no big deal. Then I freaked out and asked myself, "But will it be enough? Will they like it? I don't even know what the heck I am looking for!" And yes, dear readers. I told myself these things OUT.LOUD. I had become one of those Wal-Mart Crazies!

I found an empty aisle near the automotive section. I pulled my cart in, leaned against the handle and started to rub my temples. A young kid, barely 18 years old looking, came down the aisle about a minute later with a push broom. I began to move my cart, asking if I was in his way. He replied no, and asked if I needed any help with anything. I confessed, and like a big girl, I didn't even cry. Nope. I was able to hold it together as I said, "I'm having a bit of a panic... I can't remember a thing I have for my boys and I fear it's all quite lame. I want to get something cool for them; something they will think is totally awesome." I and did. After all, I think a kid should feel excited about his main Christmas gift.

The boy with the broom set it off to the side and said, "Well, let's go see what we can find." And within about 10 minutes I had something for each of my boys that was guaranteed to be a winner. And, I didn't have to spend nearly as much as I thought! The Super-WalMart Broom Boy was my Super Hero that night. Or at least in part.

As I made my way to the check out stands, I'm not gonna lie. I had my own stroke of genius too. I looked at my cart and I thought about the stuff I had waiting in the car and at home in my closet and realized I still had hours of wrapping that lie ahead. I made a beeline over to the Christmas Aisle and bought bundles of gift bags and gift boxes. Normally, spending $18 on gift boxes would seem asinine to me. But, this was my sanity we're talking here. I think my sanity is worth a mere $18.

By the time I got home and unloaded my car and unpacked it all into the living room, it was midnight. I took my shoes off and propped my feet up and began an online conversation with a friend of mine from Idaho. Chatting while wrapping seemed to helped the time pass. He finally bailed out around 3:30 in the morning. And guess what? Well, this little anxiety problem of mine? Yeah, I sorta passed it on to a few of my kids.

LittleDuckling couldn't sleep. He continued to come upstairs and ask if I was still wrapping. He asked if I needed help. I knew that he was so excited to see I had come home with multiple shopping bags that his anxiety was getting the best of him. I threw a blanket over his gifts and allowed him to come in and help me "wrap" things up, so to speak. We finished by about 5:30 this morning.

I realize I probably could have waited until morning to start. And I realize that this probably doesn't make much sense unless, you - like me, have issues with anxiety too.

But the good thing is, now I can breathe. And I will be able to sleep tonight, this Christmas Eve and feel joy that I was able to give Christmas to my children.

From my family to yours... Merry Christmas!