Elf Yourself!

I think Camary makes a dang cute elf, don’t you? Check out these links, here and here.

Hosanna and Eggshells!

Last night, Xander slept for four solid hours. I was in heaven. It’s hard to believe that he is two months old now. I took him in for a check-up on Wednesday, and he weighs 8lb 9oz, and is 21 inches long. Woohoo! Camary got a check-up, too. She weighs 27lbs and is 35 inches tall. She was quite relieved that she didn’t have to get any shots. She did get princess stickers, which she stuck to her forehead. She still has red marks from when we had to take them off.

Last Friday, Rusty turned twelve. He was ordained a Deacon on Sunday, and got his Faith in God award from Primary. On Tuesday, he got braces on his teeth (with red and green bands for Christmas). They are still a little sore, but I think he can chew again today. He’s been going to the orthodontist for four years preparing for this, and had so many teeth pulled, I’ve lost count. The orthodontist said it has made a huge difference, though. Finlay started seeing the orthodontist at six!

Tonight is Ryan’s band concert. I’m excited for it, especially because I had to miss his concert in October. Last Friday, we went to the last Marching Band performance. They honored the seniors and gave out awards. Ryan got an award for Outstanding Freshman! I was so proud.

In other news, I finished my Christmas story this week! I just have to type it and print it. It’s called “The Wings of Morning.” Here’s a tease: “If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” Psalms 139:9-10

Camary likes to ask me to sing “Ding, Dong Merrily on High,” which ends with the phrase, “Hosanna in excelsis!” The other day I heard her singing it to herself. She’s quite a good singer, and she knew most of the words, but when she got to the end she sang, “Hosanna and eggshells!” I can only imagine what she thinks eggshells have to do with it.

Well, I’ve got to get typing!

Today’s quote from LDS Nuggets

“Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won’t, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming.”

–Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Great Commandment“, October 2007 General Conference

It’s Christmas Time!

I love Christmas, don’t you? Of course you do. You’re my family! It’s in our genes. We had a really nice Thanksgiving here at home. We got all of our Christmas decorations up last Saturday. I did my Christmas shopping last week online. It was great. I didn’t have to go anywhere, and I have almost everything bought. I am hard at work on this year’s story, too. I was almost done when Xander was born, and that slowed me down a bit on the whole writing thing. Yesterday we got a bunch of snow, so now it really feels like Christmas. Tracy and the kids spent a lot of time playing outside together.

I found a scripture in the Book of Mormon that sums up why I love Christmas. It’s Alma 26:35-36: “Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name. Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo.”

Have a great Christmas season!