A Tender Reminder...

So do you ever have one of those experiences where you just think, 'Thanks Heavenly Father, I needed that.'  Well, I had a little one the other day while I was busy running around like a mad woman! I had SO MANY things to do and I had hardly accomplished anything.  Jade had gotten sick and so that kept me inside with her for several days not able to do much at all.  SO finally she was well enough that I could run some errands and I started thinking how much I had to do and how I was so not happy that I hadn't 'worked out for a few days, and needed to go to the gym but didn't know when I would have time... This was all going on in my head when I was leaving Costco with a large load of food, gifts, etc.  I came out and it was SO cold and windy and snowy and there in front of me trying to make his way was a young man (probably around my age) who had artificial legs and with crutches was trying SO hard just to walk.  It looked like he probably was injured somehow (lost his legs) and was relearning how to basically move.  It was painful to watch him! He moved so slowly as it took SO much concentration and effort for him JUST to take ONE step.  As all the shoppers just hurriedly rushed by him I couldn't help but stop and watch him.  I wanted SO badly to run over and lift him up and carry him to the car.  Carts were running into me so I made my way out of the front entrance towards my car and loaded all my stuff in and Jade and Grace and finally took off.  As I was driving out of my parking space towards the street, there he was, STILL slowly, painfully making his way ALMOST to his car (which was parked in the front handicapped spot).  It had taken him THAT long to get that close to his car and I just started to cry. I had realized how selfish I had been and my thoughts had been centered on ME and what I wanted and didn't have.  I felt terrible as I slowly drove away, the image of this young man still in my head.  I drove all the way home tears streaming down my face as I thanked my Heavenly Father for my Blessings! The fact that I could walk, I could run and take care of my husband, my two girls... and could do these things WITHOUT crutches and without painful movements.  I came home and shared my experience with Jason.  I think seeing this Young Man at Costco has really had an impact on me as I have gone about things with a little different attitude.  

Christmas Fun...

Jade received so many fun things from Grandma and Popie (my parents). She loved her new snow pants, which she can't wait to try out.  We had a blast Christmas afternoon with my family eating a delicious turkey dinner and playing games (thanks Mom and Dad)!!!
      Yes,  you are seeing EDWARD... Rachel, my little sis, woke up to this on Christmas!
               Jade had to put on all her presents when she opened them... this is her at Jason's family's house on Christmas morning.  Thanks everyone for everything!
     Pajama party on Christmas Eve with Cassi, Emily and ME ... Jason was taking the picture, but for SURE participated! Nick and Carrie had to go back home but we missed them! 
Jade's debut as a 'star'.  She did so well and every time the word 'star' was mentioned, she held it up high... then her arm would get tired and she'd rest it on G'pa's head. So cute! This was at the Baird family Christmas Party at Scott's office.
After dinner one night, Jade went in her room and found her towel with a hood in it, and put it on and brought Jason a towel from the bathroom and said, " you be Joseph, daddy, and I'm Mary."

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We sure did and enjoyed every moment! It seems since we have little ones around, they bring out all the fun in you! They really remind you that simple things can be so exciting and fun.  Jade loved reading books about the Savior's birth and every time she saw a Nativity or a little baby, she would say, "it's baby Jesus".  She always wanted to dress up like Mary, and hold her baby doll and tell us it was Jesus.  It was so cute! We loved most of all being able to spend time with Family!!! 

TOP 10 OF CHRISTMAS:

1. Spending SO much time together! Never getting sick of hanging out, playing games, or talking.

2. Family parties/ Family NIGHTS- my family had a special family night that all centered around Christ and it was a reverent and special evening! Scott(Jason's dad) planned a wonderful Family night and Christmas party where we acted out the Nativity and ate yummy soups!

3. SNOW - it's about the ONE time I enjoy seeing snow on the ground and all around!

4. Good Treats- Our neighbors are so wonderful... it was awesome to have so many fun treats and and notes, reminders of what CHristmas is really about!

5. SERVICE- we were able to do some fun things as a family and have others do things for us too! (a teenage girl in our ward came over the day is snowed like 10 feet and shoveled our whole driveway and walkway by herself! She didn't even ask.  It almost made me cry b/c Jason was sick and Jade and I couldn't leave to go out and do it myself because I was holding jade all day and she just came over and did it!! So awesome!!!

6. NATIVITY- Jade just lOVES the nativity story and acting it out.  She got to debut as a 'star' in two nativity's this year... she loved every second of it!

7. MUSIC- I love Christmas music and I LOVE to play it constantly! It is a perfect reminder of the reason for the season... 

8. Pajama Party- Jason's sisters came over and we played Rock band and talked and stayed up WAY to late.

9. PRESENTS- Giving fun things to people, shopping for them, making them, receiving wonderful thoughtful gifts... 

10. Celebrating Christ's BIRTH- This Christmas has just been so special this year.  We had a lot of good family nights, and opportunities to teach JAde what Christmas is all about. It has made our thoughts centered and more focused around HIM, and because of HIM the Greatest GIFT we could ever receive! 

ODE to ChOcOlaTe~

Dearest Chocolate,

          It's breaking my heart that we can't be friends.

          With each neighbor gift, it's chocolate they send!

  Don't you know, that I am TRYING hard to resist

          Are you mad, that you're not on my christmas list?

You would be, you know that don't you?

Breastfeeding little babies... OH the things we DO! 

Perhaps sometime SOON her tummy won't mind,

AND THEN I WILL EAT ALL THE CHOCOLATE I CAN FIND!!

DISCLAIMER:  So that's my poem I thought of at 3 AM last night as I walked back and forth trying to work out Grace's gassy tummy! I saw these cookies staring at me yesterday afternoon, and I thought, "maybe her sensitivity has gone away."...  I tried ONE chocolate cookie yesterday and I paid for it! No more... 

         

A TWILIGHT POLL

Not everyone is in love with Edward? What? Yeah, that was my reaction as I've heard different opinions about Edward vs. Jacob.  So I want to know how many Jacob lovers there really are... or does Edward still shine (no pun intended)! SO CHECK OUT THE POLL! 

So the movie I thought was really good! It was hard of course to make a movie after such awesome books, but they did well, in my opinion. I loved each character and thought they hit that right on! 

A NEW BLOGGING PLEDGE

Okay, so you can hold me accountable for this one! I WANT to be a better blogger! I Will! I Will! I really love reading your cute blogs! This is going to be my 'journal' so be prepared for RANDOMNESS of Emily's head! YIKES!! Sounds scary, huh?