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My favorite Christmas decoration

Every Christmas, my mom would hang up "the big Advent" calendar. Growing up, we all thought that it was cool.. We loved turning over the felt, hand-made ornaments, which would then reveal a Christmas symbol, and tucked neatly inside was a typed description of the significance and purpose for this Christmas token. Year after year, we would turn and read, usually fighting over whose turn it was, not noticing how the elaborate details of each of the tiny "ornaments."

The calendar was given to Mom by Grandma Vreeken who made it herself. Supposedly she had seen something like it in the window of a Store Window (possibly ZCMI), and it was way to pricey to purchase, and my "Martha Stewart" grandma thought, why I could make that, and she did! She made 25 little delicate and intricate ornaments, and hung them on a tree. She made it for her Grandchildren to enjoy. Enjoy we did, year after year, and it still hangs in my mom's front room each Christmas. Well, a couple of years ago, my sisters and I decided "WE" wanted a calendar for our own families, (to enjoy)! So our quest began. What we thought would take a day, turned into hundreds, (I'm not kidding, ask my cute sister in law - who after a while thought we were nuts, and we had to convince her that everyone needed one in their house), yes hundreds of hours to make. As we "copied" each ornament, cutting each little detail out of felt, we learned really how much our Grandma loved us, and loved our mom. (We all joked that we couldn't imagine making something like this for our daughter-in-law, ha ha). We already knew that Grandma never did something at the accepted level, she always went above and beyond, exceeding all expectations.

Well, When we finally finished the calendar, I came to some conclusions; first, that I wasn't going to make another one of these (atleast not until my daughters "need" one in their homes). Second, that my grandma was simply incredible, amazing, and so extremely talented!!! Third, that I couldn't wait to hang it up, and start turning over each ornament, and reading the stories, which remind me of her! She loved Christmas, she loved family, she loved tradition. So, this is my favorite Christmas decoration. My children probably think as I do, yes it's cool, but someday they will understand and learn as I did, that this calendar is far more than a decoration. It is love, it is family, it is tradition. It is Christmas!!

PS. If you want me to make you one, just let me know... ha ha just kidding....

Thanksgiving in Colorado

For Thanksgiving we went and visited my brother (JD) and my sister (Jacque) and their families in Cortez Colorado. We had such a great time being together, and so much fun "playing" on their property. Here are some pictures of my brothers home, and surrounding property. It is so "dreamy" and so much fun.... I can only dream of having land, a pond, a HUGE playhouse, and even a henny (a cross between a horse and donkey). Needless to say, the kids also now think that it would be GREAT to have all these fun things too!! Luckily, we have a really great place to go and visit.... can't wait to go in the summer where they swing out and into the pond!!

grandpa and Zach and Em The view from the house of the pond & playhouse

Whitney swinging and Breilly swinging. They jump off the platform up in the treehouse!!

Rosebud the "henny" and his stable. Derek and the kids in the canoe. And on the 4 wheelers. My brother has about 15 acres, so much fun!! It was a great get-a-way for all of us, it's amazing that how driving 6 hours can put you in another "world." So greatful for a "break" from the crazy Johnson home, although it is always nice to be back, in your own bed!

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YOU DID WHAT??????

Last night I had one of those ugly parent moments. Those moments actually when you don't want to be a parent, at least not of the "naughty" child!! It was one of those, "are you serious, YOU DID WHAT?



We should have all been suspicious when the two little ladies quietly disappeared into the adjoining room and closed the door. But we were socializing, and enjoying a night with friends and their kids (which may now be our last, ha ha) , everyone was having a good time, and really what bad things could happen, we were right there!. Yet it did. They came out and it was written all over their faces. Okay not their faces, but, it was evident by the missing chunk of hair by our friends child.

I anxiously took Whitney into the next room to have a little chat. When I confronted her, she blankly looked, and didn't respond. *(definitely, not how I thought she should, in this case). I wanted tears, remorse, sadness, even fear.... what did we get? Nothing. I thought, maybe a little spanking will help, but would that help me release my anger, or her release her remorse. Isn't that horrible? To be disappointed that your child isn't all destroyed with their "sin." I wonder if that is how Heavenly Father feels when we don't respond how he thinks we should when we do something "naughty?" I'm pretty sure he'd like to throw me over his knee every once in a while and teach me a little lesson.....

So then all we can do is try to teach the glorious thing called "consequences." The consequences to this was; that we all left the "party," and Whitney then was to have a day without all the things she loves, she would be grounded for the entire day. Wow, it's been a long day, especially for me. Whitney is still plugging along. (Again not responding how I thought she would, no tears, no remorse, no nothing). Hopefully, she is beginning to understand you ultimately choose your consequences by your actions. (A process we constantly learn, right).

Anyway, someone asked me why Whitney is absent from the "leaf/ fall" pictures (below) that were taken earlier today, and this is why. However, if you could look really close, and into the window, you would see that Whitney is there watching from the sidelines. (Reminds me of when I was young and grounded, and I watched out the window while all the kids played without me. I learned a lot that day (actually I was grounded an entire week!!) Hopefully Whitney will have learned something too. Thank goodness that tomorrow, is a new day, one that she (and I) anxiously await.

Sorry Jocelyn, Thank goodness that hair grows back!

Halloween

Our Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!! We had fun, and the kids picked out some great Pumpkins!

Then when we got them home, of course the carving began, I don't know which are spookier, the pumpkins on the table or the ones under it.

So like it says in the song.... "We're off to see the wizard..." We had an overly successful Halloween, as I still have bags and bags and bags of candy!!

Fall Fun

We decided that we couldn't resist a little fun in the leaves!!! So amidst the raking, the kids took a little break for a leaf shower!!

They threw so many leaves into the air that it was a blizzard of leaves!! They also buried each other, Emily didn't really like the itchy leaves.



Like this pile of leaves that fell from the tree, I am reminded, at this Thanksgiving Holiday, of my many blessings. One of the greatest blessings in my life are my children, those 4 that are here, and the new one to come! And also, one of the things I am most thankful for this year is Thanksgiving because if it is here that means I'm that much closer to feeling better!! Each week that passes means I am closer to relief!! Since I am usually quite sick until week 18, each week that I "survive" is a blessing.

So, a quick and silly Thankful list:
10. I am thankful that Derek doesn't have to travel anymore. (hooray for self-employment)
9. I am thankful that the Melanoma is gone.
8. I am thankful that we are being blessed with another little person. (Either Zach will be double stuffed or he will have a little brother).
7. I am thankful that I have such wonderful friends.
6. I am thankful for my supportive family.
5. I am thankful that we have the gospel, the scriptures, and for my testimony.
4. I am thankful that I am not a pioneer, because I would have died by now. (or been tied to the back of the wagon, because I am so blind without my contact lenses, which by the way I am so thankful for too!!)
3. I am thankful for health, which you don't appreciate until you feel crummy. (like now)
2. I am thankful for blogs which help me feel connected to my fun friends and family.
1. I am thankful for modern conveniences (like air fresheners -which save my life, since my nose is the size of a house! At least my sense of smell is!)

Am I.........

son: hey mom are you going to be sick forever?

me: no honey, not forever, don't worry, I'll be alright.

neighbor: hey I heard you've been sick alot. Are you okay?

me: Ya, don't worry, I'll be alright.

neighbor 2: Hey Your son told me that you throw up all day, and that you are going to the "throw-up" doctor...... are you....

me: what? don't worry Its nothing, I'll be alright.

neighbor 3: Hey your daughter told us that you have a special family secret... that she can't tell until Christmas.... are you....

me: what, it's nothing.....

neighbor 4: Hey my husband said he saw your husband and all the kids at McDonalds last night without you. And, he took them to the ward activity without you, and church without you...... are you.....

AM I WHAT??????? I am sure you all have a great answer for this question. And I bet most of you have the right prognosis for my illness...... I usually try to pretend that I'm alright atleat for 20 weeks, but this time I GIVE UP!! I am in my 10th week and sicker than ever! I am loving the ZOFRAN, although it seems less effective than it has been in the past. I still am hugging the big white basin in the bathroom, daily..... and an occasionaly tree as I am running errands. So if you see me on the side of the road, don't be alarmed... my kids aren't anymore. . . they think it's part of the agenda now..and incase you are wondering.. AM I? YES!

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