My new toy

For my birthday my mom got these bells for me. Today we took them to a friends house for Family Home Evening and played Christmas songs. They were a lot of fun. Next week at church some of my primary kids are playing a song in Sacrament Meeting. We will definitely use them when all of the family is around this Christmas. And to think I almost didn't get them because I was afraid I wouldn't really use them.

Whitney, do you like my picture?

March...two...three...four

Early the other morning, Nels walked into my room and asked if he could play with the electric Christmas train. Not ready to open my eyes, I told him he had to wait until I could get the living room vacuumed before we would get the train out. I vaguely remember hearing the hall closet open and the vacuum being dragged down the hall. He then came back into my room and asked if I would help him vacuum the living room. Trying to be a fun mom and not the usual morning grouch that I am I said sure, in a relatively cheerful voice, but I still didn't move. Nels responded "Well then, Lets go! March...two...three...four" as he marched out of the room.

Exceeded Expectations

Last night I took the two boys and went to a Christmas choir concert called Sing Noel at our stake. In the past I have always been a member of the choir and have thought that we did a fair job. Last night, for the first time, I was an attendee at the concert. It was fabulous. If our choirs in the past have sounded like the choir last night I no longer think people are attending because of obligation to members of the choir. (My dad may be the one exception.)

Michael is in the middle of finals. He just did not have time to go and I could not leave the boys home with him, so I took them both with me. I knew I was expecting a lot to hope they would sit for an hour and a half concert after we had waited around for an hour before it even started. (You have to get there early to get good seats, and I knew they would not last 5 min if we weren't in the benches.) Luckily we sat next to Nels favorite babysitters family and she played with him and his micromachines, let him lay on her lap, colored with him and did what ever else she could think of to keep him entertained. It was a great night.

I need to make my christmas cards

I have several official and unofficial callings in church that are keeping me very busy; Primary Chorister, Assistant to the ward Activities Committee, and a member of the core committee for our Stake Production coming up in March. Sunday at tithing settlement, our bishop asked me if I wanted a substitute for my one official calling (Chorister) until things calm down. It was extremely nice to have him offer and although I have been griping about primary for the last little while, now that there is a way out (at least temporarily), I feel like I don't want to take it. Since my youngest son was born, I have had a hard time getting back into primary. A vicious cycle started: I wasn't having fun, so I wasn't putting any effort into it, so it wasn't any fun and on and on. I recognized this a couple months ago and things began to get better. And although things are crazy for me, I don't want to give up what I have worked so hard to make better.

If the last couple of weeks are indicative of the next several months, accepting the Bishop's offer will just be survival mode kicking in. My youngest was up all night with a fever, my week for Joy School, book club last night, two 20 guest dinner parties last week, helping out with the ward Christmas party, a meeting with the 150 cast members for the stake production, Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, Michael's finals... I love being busy, but I think I am just getting tired right now. Who has time for Christmas cards.

I guess I am a runner

I have never considered myself athletic. That trait definantly skipped me and went directly to my siblings. However, Michael and I started running about 3 months ago and decided to run the Dana Point Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving. Today Michael gave me an early birthday present. I guess with this present, he thinks I am going to keep it up. Since the turkey trot, it has been hard to get out; my life seems so busy right now. I do enjoy running though and am grateful that Michael is as motivated as I. We encourage each other.