Temple Trip

 

Reese was very excited that the youth temple day was scheduled after her birthday. She acquired a recommend and we left early on Tuesday morning to spend the day in KC.  

She loved her experience in the temple and kept thanking us for bringing her there.  I reminded her that it was her own choices that guide your path toward the temple. No one can do that for her. I hope she always remembers the presence of the Spirit and the peace and calm and good that she witnessed in the temple. Reese, live so your path always brings you back to the temple.  Eyes on the prize, Violet. Eyes on the prize. 

2016 Gingerbread WillyVille

Every Halloween, I pack up all the colorful leftovers and store them above the fridge for decorating gingerbread houses. This year, we had several trick or treaters and the spoils were plentiful. So much candy! What to with 10 packs of green and pink pop rocks and 6 boxes of grape nerds? A sprinkle shingled roof, if you're Corbin! We had fun laying starburst brick siding and making a licorice roof on a mini house. Reese stuck to traditional red and green with gumdrops and m&ms. I was impressed with her icing skills. Look at those perfect red glittery waves.  Quincy made a grinch house complete with a sled, a grinch, and an "I hate Christmas" grinch sign on the roof. Soren ate more candy than made it to his house. He made a grinch like Quincy's and a starburst chimney. Corbin  ate candy until he felt sick. Then he ate some more, because this wonderful day of gluttony only comes  around once  a year. 

 

 

Caroling at Concordia

 

 

We had a fortunate opportunity to go Christmas Caroling at Concordia Assisted Living on Christmas Eve.  It was a riot. Corbin became immediate friends with Fred and was getting motorized wheelchair rides around the room by the end of our visit.  We are still quoting Sally who complained that our singing was giving her a headache and when she asked to hold our hands looked me in the eye and said, "you make me feel terrible! I hope I die soon." The next moment she was joyfully admiring the babies.  Mary Teresa spoke in a British accent the whole time and the staff informed us she isn't British but just funny. Vera held her own baby doll and introduced her to Sloane.  Fred led our company in the most boisterous caroling I've ever heard. He was 4 words ahead of the gang on every song. The whole experience could have been a sad one, as most of these residents are near the end of their lives and a few were on hospice. It is hard to wrap my brain around and then explain to my children why humans must become a deteriorated version shell of who we once were as they near death. Turns out, I didn't need to explain why to my kids. They saw beyond oxygen tanks, leg compressors, and blank stares. Even though many of their bodies were limited to only portray the  discomforts of their mortality, I know we gave joy and light to their spirits and respite to the heavy hearts who care for these residents around the clock. We held hands and some smiled. And some showed us how happy they were to have our company. Especially Fred. This experience made Christmas. 

 

 

Foster Family Gift Basket

 

As a Benton county foster family, we received a lovely gift basket with a really beautifully written letter of appreciation from the women's ministry at a local church. This letter had menin tears.  They get it.  No one could do this without a supportive village. I'm so thankful for my supportive community, and for my amazing family who have been so quick to open their hearts to new members and showered us with outfits and care packages.   This is 100% the most difficult way to "have" a baby. But I've said it before and I'll say it again: it isn't about us.  It's the encouraging texts and phone calls, letters like this one, and of course, the gift of loving another one of God's children, that make all of the training and the year of ridiculously frustrating preparation process all worth it.  It brings me joy every time I see that someone else "gets it", too. 

 

ENT

A trip to the ENT in late December confirmed that my nodes are back and Corbin has them as well. Corbin was referred for speech therapy to help with volume control to see if it helps reduce his nodes. 

 

The good news is that Quincy's tubes are still in place and doing their job! She is healthy and she has most of her hearing back and we are so grateful! 

The speech therapist has been working with Corbin and the stuff she shares with him is wonderfully creative. Corbin was introduced to a series of heroes and villains all related to vocal controlS who knew? It's genius and helps him to remember to use the appropriate volume for his environment and not cause more stress on his vocal chords. He knows not to whisper now and we are both making  progress with not yelling ;)

 

Really though, the therapist was initially unsure she'd be able to help Corbin much and then she brought this cuteness to the table. 3 cheers for dedicated educators! 

Bentonville Square Lights

After our bell ringing, we took advantage of the fact that we were stroller free and still had an hour before baby w needed to eat, so we went over to the square to walk around and enjoy the lights. Of course we had to stop in at Spark for hot cocoa and ice cream, too. It was definitely a "feels like Christmas" evening. 

 

 

Bell Ringers 2016

 

This is such a great cause and as a bonus, we have a lot of fun together. I signed us up for a night shift of bell ringing, this year, so aaron and I could tag team and keep one of us home with the babies. My parents graciously volunteered to keep the babies at their house so we could be together with our big kids. Our shift was only 30 minutes long but these cute little bell ringers spread their Christmas cheer on the Bentonville Walmart like a boss. I told them the story of my grandfather and our gratitude for the Salvation Army like I do, every year, then played Christmas carols on my phone while they rang and sang their little hearts out in the chilly winter air. 

 

Stockings for the Women's Shelter

 

We decided to fill stockings for the Women's Shelter again. Once we had committed, the shelter called back and told us they have doubled the number of residents, this year. I was a little nervous about filling 19 stockings and staying under the budget we decided to spend, but awesome friends and family joined our cause and made this year's donation pretty incredible! Each stocking was stuffed to the muff with several toiletries/personal essentials, makeup, three to five hand picked age appropriate toys, puzzles, cell phone chargers, good chocolate, bath and body works goods, hats, gloves, scarves, fuzzy socks, candy, coupons for free grocery items, and sonic gift cards for every person.  The boys and little girls also got homemade blankets and additional games/toys. 

 

We got to stop in at Bentonville Baking Company and hand pick macaroons and sugar cookies for the residents, and add them to our delivery. 

 

The shelter volunteers were so grateful and loved knowing that these gifts were put together with love and support and hand chosen by fellow women and children the same ages as those in the shelter.  I cannot imagine the courage it must take to pick up and leave everything I have to avoid being traced or followed in order to provide a safe refuge for my family.  These families give up everything to escape domestic violence and abuse and have to start their lives over with nothing temporal to their name.  I'm thankful our community provides a safe and secure place for them to live while they reestabliah peace in their lives.  Contributing to this great work of peacemaking is always a humbling experience we hope to always remember. 

#lighttheworld

December Round Up

The Like every December, we're in hyper speed, this month. Here are a few of the things we're up to.

Christmas Bucket List

 

We are not doing so well at knocking things off our 2016 Christmas Bucket List, this year. We're doing the best we can, and the children can definitely feel the Christmas Spirit this year, so all is well. Most of our traditional service projects are scheduled over the next week and I think we will probably do the majority of our "just for fun" activities over the winter break, when we have more time and less homework.  

We have loved participating in the Light the World initiative, this year. One of the ways we "healed the sick" was to deliver donuts to the NICU nurses who spend their days and nights healing the sick. We are so grateful for the wonderful people who choose careers in health care and public service. 

 

Preschool Gingerbread Party!

I have two new students, and we are having a wildly exciting time in school. Shout out to my parents, who are so kind to watch Sloane (and now baby W as well) during school for me every week. For the past decade, I've always had a little one at home while I taught, and even though it has worked out just fine in the past, I can really make the most of preschool time with only my students to tend to. We decorated gingerbread cookies, acted out a gingerbread story, played two gingerbread shape and pattern match games, read 4 different versions of the Gingerbread Man/Baby/Boy/Mouse, cut out playdough cookie shapes and real cookie shapes, and wooden dramatic play cookie shapes, played musical gingerbread man, did math cookie pattern cards and had a very merry holiday time. These kids fill my heart. I love teaching. What a fun job. 

 

 

 

 

One night, we took a drive to see the Bentonville Heart Lights. This display is a new one for us, and quite a thrill! Very cool. 

 

 

Well Visits

I switched Reese and Quincy to a female pediatrician and snapped this pic right after she told Q she's due for an immunization, but right before she told Reese that she is also due for a shot. It was a traumatic visit and yes, I did have to hold Q down on the table as she was in complete hysterics by the time the needle came out.  On the drive home, she told me "it's basically your fault I won't be able to do any chores tonight. How can I load dishes with only one working arm?" 

 

Chippy/Snoopy (the name depends who you ask) has been up to traditional mischief and holiday merriment. He brought the Barbie house a Christmas tree

 

Wiggles his way into the cookie advent 

 

Add hot water for rainbow magic 

And did a little downhill skiing on the bannister. Soren loves looking for him each day, and doesn't seem to mind that some days, our elf just relocates to a new spot, while other days, he does something funny, like make snow angels in the Christmas sprinkles. 

 

Snow/Ice Day

Yesterday we were "iced in" for most of the day. This never bothers me. I try to have a positive attitude about Aaron being at the church most of the day on Sundays, but wow I really really loved every second having him home on a Sunday! He made waffles with the kids like he used to, kept a blazing fire going, and fed baby W a bottle while I slept for 2.5 hours straight! After catching 15-45 minute spurts whenever I can, a solid stretch was a dream. I love that man and am super grateful for the quality time together the snow day gifted our family.  

We did puzzles, watched a Christmas movie, played in the snow, had hot cocoa, and I cooked up a big pot of white chicken chili and homemade breadsticks. The kids looked so cute all bundled up. 

 

 

 

Crafts with Grandma Lady

Q needed an ugly sweater for the 4th grade party. I rounded up all the Christmas bows and buttons, Lady busted out her hot glue gun, gave Q free reign with fabric markers and glitter puff paint, and voila! Ugly sweater (of old long sleeved shirt, in this case) complete. 

 

My mom brought this fun craft over for the kids to do after dinner last night. We sat around cursing the impossibility of craft foam piece assembly and laughed while we created this cute little villiage. 

 

Cookies with the boys.

 

My generous parents braved an overnight with the children so we could go to the Kansas City Temple. My sweet friend, Virginia attended for the first time and I was grateful for the opportunity to support her, and experience the peace of being in the temple. And of course, I love any opportunity I get to be there with Aaron. We had our first night away in over 2 and a half years! Aaron booked us a nice room at crown centre in KC with an incredible view of the city. We got there at 10pm and headed home after the temple and lunch on Saturday, but we took pics with every giant Christmas tree we could find for the kids to see.

 

 

 

 

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out

 

Father and sons bonding time shooting cans off the back deck. 

 

Christmas Cookies

One of the things we did for light the world initiative is revive a Lawrence Family tradition making cookie advent calendars for some of the children on our street. We made 17 dozen of her famous gingerbread cookie men. It brought back so many childhood memories. Soren and Sloane had fun helping and playing with the dough. Soren puts the ginger in gingerbread. 

 

Aren't the little calendars cute? We passed them out with a poem and the kids love to snip a cookie off each day to count down to Christmas. 
 

We also made a few dozen larger gingerbread cutout cookies for the kids to decorate.