Earlier this year I told Reid and the kids I wanted our Christmas theme to be "homemade" and being that I have a ton of crafts, and how-to books,& Reid has a ton of tools, I figured it be no trouble, lol... Upon saying that, Amira new just what to make for Richard, he had no clue, months went by and still no ideas...
So the last couple of months I have been busy when the kids are not home, sometimes it was hard to hide the items I was working on and I wondered how full time Moms ever make anything for their kids, I had a lot of fun! and quite the learning experience. I am a bit of a perfectionist, and as crunch time came close I had to throw perfection out the window and settle for getting it done, I was so pleased as the finished products went into wrapping,
and even more thrilled when they came out! I have quilted several times with my Mom, never binding them though... I took this task on head first, scared and on the phone a lot!
I didnt have all the time I needed to finish all the projects I started, though I did finish most! I was even able to paint a nativity for my visiting teaching partner. 
The kids, knowing my "perfection attitude" teased me about how funny the people looked, but I did not have time for perfection, so I let that go and she loved it!I also made the kids curtains for their new rooms, cork board, and pillow cases to match. Their new rooms are not finished, or even really started, but I have alot of stuff out of Amira's,(which was my office) so the next step is to get the wallpaper off and prep for painting. I am so excited for this because we let them pick their colors and I think it will turn our wonderful!
I have to rewind a bit, back before Thanksgiving, Reids parents came and spent some time with us, we had the kids most of the week they were here so it was fun for them to come and be able so spend so much time with them and us! Weston and his family were able to come see them & us also, so we had a lot of fun, and really caused and uproar when we girls stole away and went to town... It was a lot of fun to have a girls evening out!
Amira enjoyed having a girl cousin to play with, & Grandpa enjoyed having his feet, hands and head messaged (Amira is really good at messaging! She is the only one that can really touch my feet!) Our kitty, Kiina, really enjoyed herassing Grandma, Grandma even saved her life! Dad helped Reid with the installation of our new fireplace (Thanks to Weston!) Which we are very much enjoying!
After Weston, Des, & thier kids went home Amira says to me, "we need to get us one of those..." (meaning Kaitlyn) and she has not quit bugging me about a little sister since :) And then we had Thanksgiving with Russel, Melinda, Preston & Cameron (a family friend) So of course, Amira just adored Preston too! It was really fun to watch her with these babies, its kind of been a fear of mine to how they'd react to a sibling... They did not take it well after I had my first known miscarriage... Anyways, this year was my first to do Thanksgiving ya know without My Mommy, or Reids Mommy, (or His Aunts) and I was quite nervous! to say the least, and the message that my Visiting teaching partner chose, spoke of turning your troubles over to the Lord. So I did just that, I prayed so, that everything would turn out pleasing (because I am a perfectionist) and shortly after I'd said the prayer I had peace, I was calm, and I went about singing. Thanksgiving dinner did turn out Wonderful! and the company we had made it even better!
Richard and Amira helped out tons! Well especially Amira, who was absolutely thrilled to take on my usual (at home) Thanksgiving tasks, she made the Relish trey, like artwork!
The turkey, I thought turned out perfect (though none of ours survived Lumpy to be Thanksgiving Dinner, the storebought one was great!)
Reid woke up with me and we loaded it up together, and as we tucked it in the oven, he joked "Our first Turkey in the oven." Which we both laughed at, because well...We enjoyed playing games, eating, and eating some more! Pies, cheesecake, crackers, cheeseballs, dips... We had a Wonderful Thanksgiving! All the While I was thinking how Thankful I was for my answered prayers and Happy family, & my Miracle!
So as Christmas neared, I became increasingly worried as to what to get or make for Reid, nothing was coming to me, I still have no clue, he texted me and asked if he could by himself this gift he wanted, I was thrilled, and said of course! So the largest gift is his gift from me! He new everything under the tree for him, cause he purchased it! Except a few things in his stocking!
We were able to go up and get our Christmas tree as a family, and a little bit of fire wood for my parents, it was a little rough considering the snow, but it was a lot of fun, Amira makes fun of the tree because I had a better one originally picked out and Reid saw this one and decided it was our tree. When we got it home I realized how odd it looked and she laughed and said, "I told you!" all I could say was oh... but its not too bad. Time flies so fast anyways, it will be goat food soon! Reid and I have always enjoyed going to the after Christmas sales, and so the four of us headed into town on the 26th and stopped at Wal-Mart, Reid asked someone if he could have their leftover Christmas trees to feed to the goats, they said yes, & counted for inventory purposes, 45! and then he thought well I will call Home Depot, they also said yes! they had about 50! These were the most beautiful trees I have ever seen! They were so perfect! and now they are goat food! Its kind of funny, but kind of sad! their are so many needy people, and thier prices were so high!
Of course with 3 goats and 2 cows they could not possibly eat all those christmas trees! So we shared, and a neighber with over 100 goats drove Reids truck into town and met us at Home Depot where we loaded our first bunch! We dropped off a bundle at their home and then onto ours, you shoulda heard our crowd go nuts! The were so excited, lol
On Christmas Day, (we opened gifts on Wed. instead of Fri. so the kids could enjoy them longer) we played in the snow, we took our two 4-wheelers and two sleds, and went by Newton Lake and drove up a hill,
found a short steep hill for the kids, pulling them behind us we pulled them to the top, so they could sled down, it was uneven terain we pulled them on, so it was funny, then the steepness of the hill was Great fun!
Reid was actually on the lake, I was too chicken, so I stayed up top and took pictures of our rope we use during the summer to swing into the lake, the beautiful frozen lake. It was such a beautiful clear day!Our good friends invited us on a sliegh ride, so just after dark we went on over. It was really cold, so I sat close to the fire, yes there was a fire on the sliegh. It helped keep me warm while I roasted a few marshmellows.
Reid decided he would ski behind the sliegh and talked Rachel into it too... They had a lot of fun, until they fell off and had to run to catch up to us.
We had a Wonderful, Fun, very busy Christmas! The last couple of months have been shared, with Family and Friends and with Lots of Love! I am still amazed as I watch the kids learn and grow! They are so very intelligent! and a lot of fun to just hang out with! Of course now that they are no longer with us, and the quiet is no longer filled with their laughter (or arguing), I really think about the best gifts I have! They will be back in a week! Seems like forever!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season! Please remember Our Savior, and keep him with you throughout the New year, Wow, 2010!
May God Bless and be with everyone!
