Facing December

I have spent some time lately in the Lord’s classroom and unfortunately I can’t say I’m such a great student. I think it is hard and wondering why I have to go to school because I am too tired, saying I am not smart and all sorts of other murmurings. I have really enjoyed re-reading the conference issue of the Ensign. I also really enjoyed the 1st Presidency’s Christmas devotional last night. I have felt a bit like the Grinch lately. I hear, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” and I think, “Really?” Is it so wonderful to be so busy and feeling so poor because you can spend a $1000 in a month and still have other things you could buy? I really haven’t enjoyed Christmas. It means more things for me to do and more people for me to try to please and I really don’t feel up to the task. Kids list seem unending. And I know that there will still probably be one or two gifts they wanted that they won’t get. I love the meaning of Christmas they laid out for us last night. I volunteered at the Festival of Trees Gift Shop last week. I read a book while I was waiting called The Magic of Christmas. IT is about some cute little mice who wonder if the magic is in the snow and the sledding and the baking, etc. The end of the story says it is being together that makes the magic. I don’t necessarily agree with that either. I loved my Christmas’s as a missionary and the ones when we were living in Oregon by ourselves and didn’t see any other family. I remember Christmas being magical for me when I was a kid. I want that back. I make goodies to take to our neighbors and those we care about but they are the ones who really don’t need the food. Their counters are overflowing with goodies others have brought as well. I loved how President Monson said that the Christmas’ he remembered were the ones where he was giving service to others. I loved how President Uchtdorf said we need to think about Christ’s role in our own lives and focus on that. It was just the medicine by grinchy heart that was two sizes too small needed. I think I am ready to face December again!

Thanksgiving

As I loaded five kids into the van to head to my sisters house on the day before Thanksgiving on possibly icy/snowy roads, I wondered if it was really worth all the effort to spend a night at her house and to travel for Thanksgiving. Wouldn't it be easier to stay at home? Yet once we arrived, I don't think I saw the kids. They disappeared with their cousins. They played basketball. They played cops and robbers using plastic hangers as guns. They went sledding and didn't really care about dinner but were eager to resume their playing. Even as we left and they had been going non-stop and I thought they must be tired, they were asking, "Why do we have to go?" I have to say I enjoyed myself just as much talking with my sister as we were cooking in the kitchen. We don't talk often yet there is always things to talk about when we get together and things that I know my sisters will understand when others won't. I was grateful for family and it helped me remember Thanksgiving is more than just turkey :)

Bridger's birthday

It was Bridger’s birthday this week. We celebrated for 3 days. I made his cake on Thursday (his real birthday) becauseI told him that he had to have cake on his b-day. It was too crazy to do much else that night (pack meeting, hockey, and ym pres meeting). The cake was from a cooking show on PBS called “America’s Test Kitchen.” They try out recipes to find the best of whatever it is that they are making and try out kitchen ware as well. I like it. I found the best chocolate chip cookie recipe on there and can’t wait to make them again. Friday we had both of our parents over for a b-day dinner and he opened his presents. Saturday we went to Harry Potter as his choice of activity to celebrate his birthday. We also had the first snowfall of the season. It is always exciting for the kids. It makes me want to curl up in front of a fire with a blanket and a book. That is how I enjoy the snow.

Golden Ticket

"I've got a golden ticket! I've got a golden chance to make my way, and with a golden ticket, it's a golden day!" I didn't get to go into a chocolate factory yesterday but I did indulge in eye candy for my house. I went to Salt Lake with a friend for the day and did some shopping. I was able to get some new decor for my house and get a start on my Christmas shopping in a marathon day that would surely have caused my children to faint. I have my husband to thank for their preservation. He stayed home and gave me the credit card. I have not had a shopping day like that since I have had children and it was SO fun! Maybe the fact that I was not limited to 500 calories a day had something to do with my enjoying my day so much, too! I feel like I have much to be thankful for!

Comfort

I did several things to bring me a bit of comfort this week and none of them were my traditional comfort foods! I officially made it one week without cheating and eating any sugar in any of its devious forms! I think I deserve a prize. How about a pumpkin cheesecake from Costco? The craving still haven’t gone away but I feel a little more in control of them. I have 2 more days of shots and by Saturday I will be able to include healthy fats in my eating. Then three glorious weeks from then, I will be able to start to incorporate starches and sugar (in moderation) back into my diet. My sister keeps telling me I can do it for 40 days and lose more weight, but I would be too far into December with neighbor goodies coming in by the truckload and feeling a little helpless not to just have a taste. I will be done. I am proud of myself for making it this far. I even made no-bake cookies for treats for FHE on Monday and did not have any! I have purposely not made brownies because I think that would be too much.
We went to the temple yesterday. It always brings a sense of comfort that comes from nothing else. I enjoyed the time to talk to Bridger. I got the Halloween decorations down in time to hurry and get the Thanksgiving decorations up before Christmas comes. We started to put a dent in the Christmas shopping yesterday after our trip to the temple. I am glad to have a start at that. Christmas is a stress to me and I am glad I am taking proactive action by starting.

I am being put in as the 1st counselor in our ward primary presidency today. I love primary. I have been there before and was sad to leave. I always feel unworthy of such callings. The people who are there now are doing such a good job. It is such a trick trying to capture their attention and bring the spirit in to teach them such important truths. I am not sure how my kids will feel about me being in there. I hope it will be okay with them. Just as I was getting comfortable!

Halloween

I don't know if I am a bad mother or not, but last night when the rest of the neighborhood was out trick or treating, I had my kids home handing out candy. We had been to the ward trunk or treat the night before and I am sure they would have visited many of the same houses of people they got candy from the night before. My kids are picky candy eaters, too which means they only eat a quarter of the candy they get. And the rest of the candy is left to tempt me. (I did give in to the temptation last night and had some candy, but I am back on track today). I told them they had enough candy. I am sure they would have gotten a few more choice morsels they would have liked and a lot more I would have enjoyed!
In addition, I haven't got a picture of them in their costumes. I didn't take a picture at school because I thought I would get one at the trunk or treat with a cute backdrop and all of them together. But-when we got to the church, it was a scattering. They dispersed and I couldn't find them again until it was time for the trunk or treat. I could have got one when we got home but people were changing before I could do so. I could have made them dress up again, but I haven't--yet. Corban was a hockey player, Kjerstin and Brynna were Twilight vampires, Daven was Buzz Lightyear, and Gideon was a pumpkin. This is the first time since my kids were babies (and got the hand-me-down pumpkin costume) that they have kind of been something Halloweeny (is that a word?). I am not sure Twilight counts as Halloweeny but it may be as close as we get. Kjerstin has a rash on her face from the makeup so I am leary to inflict it on her again.
In other news, we have had the nasty cold at our house this week. Kleenex and Motrin are going fast. And Gideon is moving all over the place! He is attacking all floor plants. He is climbing stairs (because there must be something more exciting happening someplace else) and is pulling himself up. He has done the splits a few times because he can't quite figure out standing to crawling again. He has a few bonks from not being as sturdy holding on to things as he should be. The only time he holds still is when he is sleeping. It is a dangerous world out there. We also have our primary program today. It is always a favorite for me. I am sure it will be extra interesting as kids have had a weekend of sugary, stay up late fun. Bridger was out of town this last week. He was in West Yellowstone for meetings. We had to have the van repaired while he was gone and a leaky faucet fixed. I know things often come in threes and have been waiting for what's next. At least he will hopefully be home to help this time. Thank goodness for good parents and in-laws! I completed my first few mystery shops and they were fun! I don't make a ton of money but can do more if I want to. It can be my mad money! I am still hungry but not angry. I think it was coming off of sugar. I really think sugar addiction is as real as any other addiction. I would like to study it more. I am ready to break out the Christmas music. I think Thanksgiving and Christmas tie into each other well. Maybe I am just excited for December to come because I can legally start adding sugar back to my diet!