Christmas Memories

We had a wonderful Christmas.  I hope Ya’ll had a wonderful day also.

We enjoyed a nice quiet Christmas Eve just us, as a family.  It was really nice.

We were able to keep up with our traditions.

Cookie Baking

Stories and Songs

The Christmas Story

A few gifts to each other

and a special gift for Jesus.

A little closer look at the journaling for those of you who forgot your glasses.

This year our ornaments went as followed:

Tess: The most adorable owl to represent her first birthday.

Isaac: A key because he really holds the key to all our hearts.

Stella: A bird because I had to let her fly this year when she started Kindergarten.

Jex: A white snowflake to represent his baptism year.

This year, I decided to give one to Jonathan.  It said, “Joy to the World”, because he is has brought so much joy to my world.

We started a new tradition this year.  We have always done something similar but this year I think I finally got it right.

We talked about it being the Savior’s birthday and explained how we can’t give him new shoes for Christmas, but we could buy new shoes for someone who needs them.  We could also try to be better at obeying a commandment.  Then we thought long and hard.  We each wrote down something we wanted to work on this year on a 3x5 card.  We placed the card in the box and wrapped it all up.  We plan to open it next Christmas Eve and then do it all again.  Hopefully we will have made some improvement or progress with our goal.

Then it was time for PJ’s and Santa to start working his magic.

The kids left Santa cookies, and the reindeer carrots.  I think Santa was extra nice this year.

When the kids woke up, they found an envelope tied to the tree from Santa.

They couldn’t wait to see what was inside.

Santa is sending the Swenson’s on a little weekend getaway; to a hotel with a waterpark inside.

The kids, including mom and dad are pumped.

In keeping with tradition the kids received four presents each from mom and dad.

Something to wear

Something to read

Something you want

and Something you need

Grandmas and Grandpas always throw a few gifts in there too, and we are so thankful for that.  It helps us feel a little more at home.  We miss them.  The kids even got a few gifts from a Adopted grandparents out here.  We truly are blessed.

By the end of it the kids make out with a haul.  Mom and dad are left with a mess; but lots of smiles on little ones faces.

I remember feeling the let down when I was a child when there was no more gifts under the tree; and then…

I remembered my Stocking.

Tess was pretty excited about her stocking too:

treats, bows and jewelry.

What more could a girl want?

We hope your Christmas as just as Marvelous.

…a little eye candy for you.

2 scrapbook pages of our Christmas Eve.

 

Merry Merry to you.

Are you excited?  My kids are bouncing off the walls.  I think we are going to have to use some Benadryl. (he he)

We are almost ready.  We just finished the cookie making.  I hope Santa likes them. (wink wink)

I wish there was a way and means to send this little greeting to all of you.

I hope Santa finds you and yours tonight.

Keep reading to see just how big our littlest one has gotten.

Beauty Queen

This little chick loves to dress up.

She loves jewelry and always wants a necklace on.

We can finally put her hair in piggies.

  

She rules the roost around here.

I think because we are all so smitten with her.

I am so excited to share Christmas with her this year. 

I am thankful for the last 14 months we have shared with her.

P.S.  I recently posted about a article that I read about Christmas and forgot to include the link.  Here it is.

P.P.S.  I finally caught up 365. I did a little re-vamping, my original plan just was not working for me.  Enjoy a few of my favorite things.

Character and Virtue

Jonathan and I went on a date the other night.  While we were out, we began talking about our children.  It seems our conversation always turns to that.  Jex was the meat of our talk that night.  Jonathan related feelings he has about him.  He shared with me thoughts and small promptings that he has had, that have revealed just how special Jex is.  Through personal revelation from God we have become to understand our children.  It is so important to understand not only who they are now, but who they were before they came to live with us.

This made me think about the Characteristics that Jex was born with, and how many have been developed because of the family that he was born to.  As a  mother, am I nurturing the divine characteristics that he came to earth with.  Am I teaching him how to use them?  Am I showing him the way to harness them and use them at just the right time.

I hope so.  I am now more aware of each of my children’s characteristics.  As a mother, I hope to help show them they way; in a way the our Heavenly Father would want me to.  A virtuous way.

So…

when I got to go on a school field trip with this little guy without any other kids; I took full advantage of getting to know this little guy all over again.

I was not surprised when he wanted to snuggle, hug and kiss me all day.  He is known for being very loving.  It was nice to have time for that without any interruptions.  I also love that he is not embarrassed to show affection.  What a wonderful trait to have.

We snuggled up on the bus together and enjoyed catching up.

I also watched as he made sure that they kids were listening, and staying where the teacher had asked them too.

At one point, one of the boys who happens to be Jex’s really good friend left the line and was messing around.  We were about to the load the bus, and this little boy would have been left behind.  Jex insisted that we get out of line and get him to come with us.  This is one of those times as a mother I get a little nervous.  He is so worried about others that sometimes he doesn’t think about the consequence.  I love this about him, but had he stepped out of line he would have also gotten in trouble.  I explained that finding or telling an adult is the best solution.  I was able to guide his friend back in to line and on the bus.  This is the perfect example of allowing our children to share their greatest characteristics, but help them know how to use them.  I think God does this with us as adults.  He often gives me subtle reminders to harness in some of my characteristics, and other times he gives me warm feeling when I use one in an appropriate way.

During our field trip, we were able to go to The State Capitol.  It was so neat to see all the rooms, and hear about what each one is for.

Jex had some great questions and soaked up a whole bunch of knowledge.

Did you know there are three really expensive chandeliers in the Arkansas State Capitol?

  

Did you know that it is a replica of the White House?

Did you know that it has bronze doors on the front?

   

These bronze doors weigh 1000 pounds each, cost $10, 000 each, and were purchased from Tiffany’s in NYC.  Each day the doors are shined to keep them looking like they did the day that they were installed.  How would you like that for a job? 

“What do you do for a living?”

“um, I shine the doors at the state capitol; inside and out.”

We also went to McDonalds for lunch.  That was interesting to say the least.  75 kids, 3 teachers, and many parents in one McDonalds.  I think this was Jex’s favorite part.  He had a Mighty kids meal, but was still hungry.  I had to order him more fries.  I ordered a large and he ate the whole thing.  He is such a good eater these days.  I love that he is trying hard to be better at eating his food.  As a baby  and toddler we could not get him to eat anything that wasn’t his few favorite foods.  Now, he eats whatever I make for dinner, and is trying new things in the lunch room.

Then it was on to the Fish and Game museum.  It was neat to hear about the animals in Arkansas.  The tour guide spoke to the kids about mammals.  He asked, “there are 4 characteristics of mammals,  does anyone know them.”  Jex raised his hand and was called on.  Then he leaned over and told me the rest.  He knew them all.  He also knew them in a manner that I would not have taught him.  For example, he said, “mammals give a live birth.”  I would have told him that they don’t lay eggs, they carry the baby in their tummy.  This was obvious to me that he had read this information somewhere.  Another one of his beautiful characteristics.  He loves to read, and he remembers what he reads.  He loves to learn new things.

It was a wonderful day for me to catch up and reflect on this little boy.  It helped me stop and think about how I mother him.  It caused me to reflect on what I can do better, and give myself a pat on the back for what I have done right.  …and I think it is important to do that every now and again.

When time allows I hope to make my scrapbook pages as I blog.  Here is what I made this morning.

  

On my mind…

When I think about this month, I try to think about all the memories and traditions that we uphold.  I feel like my mind is always multi-tasking.  Wrapping, mailing, buying, spending time, giving hugs, snuggles, kisses and time.  As a mother, we multi-task all the time but, Christmas just seems to make it worse.

I recently read an article, it can be found here.  I wish that I would have read it before the holidays started.  It certainly helped change the way I feel about all we try to squeeze in this month.  So often I find myself just rushing so I can just get it done.  When really I should be taking my time enjoying the things I choose to do.

We are taking the time to slow down and enjoy.  What have I been up to lately?

Today, I am still in my PJ’s.  I have been playing and snuggling with Isaac all day. 

I chose not to deep clean my house this week, and make treats instead.

We had a great night of fondue and laughter.

We drove around to look at the lights together and buy gifts for each other.

I had a great girls night out with some of my girlfriends.  It was like happy medicine.  We laughed and laughed.

I am thankful that my kids are realizing that Christmas really isn’t about a day.  It is about the feeling that you feel for a whole month.  I remember loving that feeling when I was a child.  I remember one Christmas in particular that the magic of the holiday was so strong.  I remember it starting for me on Thanksgiving day, and each day after that was wonderful.  I remember making decorations for my room, going sledding, and helping deliver treats for our neighbors.

Now, as a mother, I realize how much work that was for my parents.  I have begun to understand their sacrifice a little more.

When I begin to get overwhelmed, I seem to get a little anxious.  I have found a good prayer helps me organize my thoughts and helps the anxiety go away.

Right now, I am enjoying Isaac so much.  Even though he can throw fits with the best of them, I have begun to understand that he is animated in everything he does.  His fits are a little over the top, but that means that his love, smiles, and excitement are too.

He gets excited about the smallest things.

When he is excited, his face just lights up. 

He also says the funniest things.

Yesterday when I asked him if he loved his family he said, “Yes, I love you mommy.”  I said, “do you love Jex?”  He said, “No, He kind of stinks.”  (I had been teasing Jex the other morning that he had bad breath. I think Isaac heard me.)

One evening he was crying in his bed.  I went in his room and asked him what was wrong.  He said, “my bed.”  I said, “what is wrong with your bed?”  He replied, “it is freakin me out.”

I have really been enjoying my Christmas lights.  It has been fun having them on the bushes this year.  I love walking outside at night and seeing them. 

I also enjoy my wreath that I gave a little facelift.  Isn’t it fun.

…and the wreaths on m windows.

I love coming home to our home at Christmas.  I also love walking into our home at Christmas.

My entry way table makes me smile.  I am so glad that I decided to hang this Merry Christmas Banner here.

 

I have been worried that I am going to gain 20 pounds over the holidays with all the yummy treats.  AHHH!!  I did however find a treadmill at the goodwill this week for $65.  It felt so good to climb on it and go for a run yesterday.

When my mind is swimming there is nothing better then a nice run.

 

Over Thanksgiving, Jonathan and I slept in Tessa’s room with her while our company was here.  Our plan was for him to sleep on an air mattress on the floor while I slept in Stella’s twin size bed.  We were so tired the first night that we just ended up sleeping together in a twin size bed. 

Now that is love.  For the rest of the weekend we snuggled up in a twin size bed.  I have never been more comfy.  King size beds are not for me.  After 11 1/2 years I still like to snuggle.

Tessa and I have been sick for 3 weeks.  I am sick of being sick.  I am thankful for my loving husband who has to be a doctor at work and one at home.  He helped take care of me all day on Sunday. Now today, I still don’t feel  100% and he can prescribe something for me.  There is so much to be thankful for.  I hate being sick, but I am blessed.

…and that is what is on my mind.

Preview for Dana

I got to photograph one of my favorite families this week.

Aren’t they so cute.

This little couple is still so in love.

That is what I love about them.  It is important to love the person you married; and show it.  They are a great example of that.

They also have two beautiful boys.

This little guy is one of Isaac’s good buddies.  Isn’t his hair such a great color.

This one is so sweet, and loves dinosaurs more then life itself.  He can tell you just about any thing you want to know about dinosaurs. You should also know that one of these cows is one of his best friends.

I have used this location for several photo shoots lately.  They happen to live here.

It was fun to photograph them in their element.

Thanks for the great morning, and for being yourself through the whole shoot.

I love when the majority of the photos show the great personality of a family and how much they love each other.