"Baby Jesus" Christmas Tradition

Last night we were blessed to have a family from our ward, the Saunder's, come share a Christmas family tradition that they do in their family every year. Seth and Amber have three boys as well that are a bit older than ours. They are adorable boys and it was so much fun (and LOUD) to have six of our boys running through our tiny house:)

A few weeks ago Seth called and asked Ian if they could come share their tradition with our family. Ian said of course and we have been looking forward to finding out more about what they do.

Last night they came over and Seth explained to us that the tradition started in his family when he was a baby. A family came over and read from the bible about Jesus being born and then like the three wise men brought gifts for him. From that year on his family growing up each year picked a family that had a new baby and went to their home and brought gifts for the baby and shared the story of the birth of Jesus. This was something he enjoyed so much that when he and Amber were married 12 years ago they continued the tradition.

This year Owen was the lucky baby to be bestowed upon. We all sat around the living room while Seth read from the bible and then their three boys (or should I say Wise Men) handed out gifts to Jacob and Nathan to open for Owen. He got some of the cutest outfits including a new christmas shirt and a Chicago Bears outfit (can't not have one of those when we are living here!) He also got a cute toy and diapers which we needed more of soon--yea already done!:) Last but not least they even brought a small gift for Jacob and Nathan to share---a book of Curious George's Christmas. They were so excited and had to read it before bed.

We shared cookies and Harvest Loaf Cake with them before they left. It was such a fun experience and we are so thankful that they thought of us/Owen. Owen of course passed out before they got here and slept in Amber and her boys' arms the entire time:)

They have invited us to go spend Christmas eve at their house with some other friends from church and we are really looking forward to it. Thankfully they have a basement because 10 kids under the age of 10 (NINE of them being boys) should be quite the experience!:)

This Christmas is already so special to me. I think having Owen has really put things into persepective for me. Sitting in Church Sunday after 5 weeks of being gone and holding him in my arms with him peacefully sleeping, listening to songs like "Whose Child is This" opened my heart and my eyes. I sat there thinking of Mary and her holding Jesus as a baby in that stable as a new mother just wanting to protect her child. And I thought of how compeltely innocent Owen is still. I love watching him sleep and seeing him smile. Ian and I often talk about what he is thinking about and we have come to the conclusion that the only thing he could possibly know about or dream about is about where he was before he came here to this earth. I am so thankful to have this sweet - not so tiny anymore- baby especially at this time of year to help me ponder the true meaning of Christmas. Times may be difficult but I am truly blessed.

Jacob's Kindergarten Holiday Music Performance

This past week Jacob's school put on a Holiday Music Performance. They sang both traditional Christmas songs and some Hanukkah songs. This event is ALL Jacob has been talking about for weeks. Another mom and I came to the conclusion that all they were doing at school was practicing for this event. Jacob even came home from school telling me we need to make Latkes (had to look those up to see what they were, sorry I am not very informed on Jewish traditions) and that we need to celebrate Hanukkah and light candles. I told him we can look up recipes and make some Latkes at least so sometime this week I need to stay true to that promise. I am sure he will not let me forget!

So, Wednesday was the BIG day. Jacob has been sick but was bound and determined to go. Nathan was also sick so I left him home with Ian and Owen and I were off. First of all that school has NO parking. Add in snow and having to park across a main road with two lanes of traffic going each way and slipping and sliding carrying a baby carrier...not so fun. However by the grace of God klutzy me managed to make it all the way in the school and back upright unlike some other unlucky parents and siblings along the way.

The Kindergartners were first and I had to laugh as Jacob came in with his class, lined up (he got to stand next to his favorite girl, Kayla (who he proudly told us was "the girl of my dreams"seriously how old is he?) and proceeded to scan the crowd back and forth not seeing me. Finally he spots me and yells "THERES MY MOM!" and was frantically waving and giving me the thumbs up. I love that kid. As embarrassing as it can be I am going to embrace it because I know all too soon he will be trying to hide I am his mom.

The kids did a fantastic job and sang some cute songs. My favorite part though were all the hand motions. Jacob did great and was SO proud of himself. The gym is quite small so they had each grade sing and then file out as the next grade came in. Owen did great and slept through Jacob's grade. Then during the first graders he began to wake so I decided that was my key to go and not wait through the second graders. I was impressed by how organized it was with that many five and six year olds. Jacob LOVES music class as those of you who know him know he has loved music since he was in utero:)

I am going to attach a couple of pictures. The lighting was horrible and I was far away but you can get the picture. Then a few videos of songs:) I am very proud of him and glad he was able to "perform" as Thursday was a day of being at the doctor discovering he has double ear infections and also had to have a breathing treatment with his brother and is now on steroids to get rid of that junk. It has been quite the week! Thankfully I think he is finally on the mend.

I apologize now for the rocky video taping. I was trying to rock the baby carrier and tape at the same time...not so talented at that!

Enjoy:)

Hanukkah Song


Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Is it really that time again.....picking orders time....here we go again!

I can't believe its really time to start thinking about where we are off to next. In some ways I am so excited but in others there is so much dread. This has got to be the most involved and hard move we will have with the three boys. Jacob especially has such a hard time with change that I am really not looking forward to his reaction. Although, a couple of weeks ago I mentioned to him that this time next year we would probably be in the car driving to our new home and he at first started to tear up and said "NO! I don't want to move" then as quickly as it started he got a sly smile on his face and sucked those tears back in and came up with "then can I get a lizard! for my room! can I!" So maybe a lizard will make it all better (shoot me now!).

I have really enjoyed moving around the country with Ian. I love finding out where we are headed and doing research (I drive Ian insane! but hey that is my job, right?) I don't however love saying goodbye. The past two years here we have met some of the most wonderful people. We have gone back or started going whichever the case might be to church and had some phenomenal experiences with the people there. It is hard to think of going some place else. It is also hard to think of Ian being gone all the time again. I know I am not ready for that. It is something we will have to adjust to (me kicking and screaming a long the way).

So, for now each month a list of orders come out that Ian can "apply" for if he chooses. Then you sit back and wait a couple/few weeks and the list comes back out and it either says you are selected for those orders or they were taken by someone else. Ian said there was nothing amazing on the list this time. Although there were orders back to the ship he left to come here. Too bad it is in Japan and he has no desire to move there. I would go in a heartbeat but NOT with him on a ship. Talk about never seeing him!

He REALLY (and I mean really) wants to go back to Washington. I would not mind but I also would not mind going back to San Diego (which is not his favorite idea). San Diego would work for me. I know where everything is and would be comfortable there AND its the closest to family. That right there is the key. Then I find out last night that my close friend Valerie's husband will be transferred this summer when we thought it would be the following February. They have decided to go back to San Diego (if they can get orders) so to go back right along with them would be AWESOME! The boys and her girls are more like cousins than just friends/neighbors. We have gone through deployment together, birth of all the kids except Jacob (Jacob was 4 months when we met) holidays together, you name it. It is going to be torture to say goodbye and know we are not heading to the same place. It was bad enough when they moved out here 5 months ahead of us!

This is the story of a military family though. While it is hard to say goodbye I am so very thankful for what we have. I am thankful to go to bed at night knowing without a doubt Ian will have a job the next day and for years to come. I am thankful to know that if I am sick or my kids are sick we can go to the doctor 100% paid for including prescriptions. There is no worrying about "are you sick enough to go pay to see the doctor". I am thankful that Ian does something that his sons can look up to and be proud of. I am thankful for the time we have had here as a family and the time we have ahead of us this next year before Ian is off on whatever adventure is next.

So yes, it really is that time again. Am I excited? You bet! Am I scared? Definitely! I will keep you updated as things unfold.......

Preschool Fun! Making Gingerbread Houses with Nathan

Today is the day Nathan and his preschool class have been waiting for...GINGERBREAD HOUSE MAKING! Some wonderful moms and the teachers premade little houses out of grahm crackers and everyone brought in candy and today we joined the kids in "helping" them decorate their houses. I was planning on going to work and Ian was going to go with Nathan but Ian woke up this morning feeling worse than he did yesterday with a sore throat and coughing so we decided he would hang out with Owen while I went and I had to forego work. I guess next Monday will now be the day I start going back in.

So the Gingerbread houses. Talk about CANDY. Nathan just wanted to eat it all of course. That and lick the frosting. It was one piece on the house one or two or however many he could get before I noticed into his mouth. I thought at one point we were done when the entire house was covered but NOPE then we had to do AROUND the house. It was comical and every other kid was the same way. I got some cute pictures and thanks to Ms. Kathy she took a cute one of the two of us.

It makes me sad that time flies so fast and that the boys are already in school but at the same time its SO MUCH FUN to join them in their fun activities. Jacob has been practicing at school for his Holiday Music special that is next week. I can't wait to go see him just because he is so excited. I can only pray he continues to love school...maybe we will get lucky and none of them will be like their daddy in the hating school area:) I can pray right??


Working away on his house


The house at the point I thought we were done...Nathan had other ideas



Licking the frosting

Yet again a mouth full of candy!


Adorable little boy....good thing he is cute!


And of course one from last night of Owen He is getting so big already!

A Nathan Funny!

I am sitting here trying to get a bit of work done for peainthepodcast.com but had to stop and blog this really quickly as I promised Ian I would!:)

This morning Ian and the little boys and I went to Target while Jacob was at school. Since Owen has been born we have removed one middle seat from the van and he sits in the other while Jacob and Nathan sit in the "way back". It is often hard to hear the kids and Nathan was trying to tell me something so I turned down the music to hear him. He says "mom I want to be a REAL firefighter" I said "you do?" and he said "yes" (all whiney). I said well, first you have to go to school and then you have to go to college and learn lots of things and THEN you can be a firefighter. He said "school?" and I said "yes" and then he said "and college?" and I said "yes" and he waiting a minute and then said "mommy what is college?" I told him it was more school and he said "oh you mean like cottage cheese?" Ian and I started busting up laughing. Maybe you had to be there but it was hilarious.

Nathan is so funny and SO obsessed with firefighting. I really need to get him to a fire station to check things out. Too bad NaNa is retired!:)

Look who is already two weeks!

In some ways it seems like yesterday we got home from the hospital and in some ways it seems like its been months!

We are adjusting well. Some days are longer than others! Ian is still off work and we are loving having him home. Next week when he goes back will I am sure be a long one! I hope to get back to work myself a few hours a week. I miss it! We will see if I can keep up! Some nights Owen sleeps great at 4+ hour stretches and some nights he refuses to sleep in his bed at all. At this point it is anyone's guess. He is a great little guy though and both Jacob and Nathan tell us a million times a day that they "love our baby Owen". It is pretty neat to watch them with him and see how much they love him.



Proud Nathan with Owen today (12/3/08)

Daddy and Owen




Our highlight of the week was Owen's first bath last night! I was so excited to finally be able to give him a regular bath. Once I covered him with our neat fish washcloth he was quite comfortable as long as I kept it warm.


Owen not quite sure of the bath with his cool fishy washcloth:)


Me looking rough getting ready to give Owen his first bath.

We go back in on Friday for his two week and I know he has grown. I told Ian I would be shocked if he is not at least a half inch longer and a good 9 pounds. Ian just wants to see the smiles. He keeps asking when he will smile. I am just so thankful Ian is here as it was at 2 and 3 weeks he left with Jacob and Nathan. What a comfort to know he is here to stay at least for the next 11 months.

Let is SNOW! Let it SNOW! Let it SNOW!

Its here! Winter that is. I know a lot of people around here are groaning and wishing it was not true but our family loves it. Yes its cold but not TOO cold yet. We woke up Monday morning to snow. The boys were thrilled! On went the new boots, mittens, jackets etc. They both wanted their shovels out and wanted to hit the driveway:) Unfortunately we were busy Monday but finally yesterday they got to play in it. Ian let them shovel, make snow angels, play on the playground and have a good old time literally rolling around in the white fluff after Jacob got off the bus.

I had to laugh when Ian came to the door asking if it was long enough and if lunch was ready for the kids because HE was cold:) He is normally the only one who is not cold.

I know we have a LOT of snow left to come and come February I will probably be saying I hate the stuff but chances are by this time next year we will be some place where we don't get snow at all or if any very little so for now we will enjoy it, especially the FIRST snow!