Mall Scavenger Hunt

Chris and I tried to come up with a fun idea to do with the girls on New Year's Eve day.  Amy opted out of the fun.  We drove to Flat Iron Crossing since it is the only close indoor mall.  Kristen and I teamed up while Chris and Misha made up the other team.

We gave the scavenger hunt a time of 45 minutes when we would meet back by Old Navy and the food court.

Kristen and I completed the hunt within 25 minutes.  We couldn't find a "Coin on Ground", so finally went in to Justice where we explained to two ladies what we were doing and could they please drop a coin on the floor for us.

We had a lot of fun and began to think up additional items to add to our list for another time.

Kristen and Lauren

Kristen had a friend over to hang out with.  She and Lauren usually come up with some creative activities to keep them busy.  Today they couldn't find a shoe box (everything had just gone out with the recycling) for their puppet show, so instead, they came up with a suspended curtain jerry-rigged with string, yarn, fabric scraps, and the banister.

Their play, "Don't Judge" was performed for me and Lauren's sister, Julia.

Zoo Lights

Amy and her friends braved the cold to see the zoo lights.

Mirrors

One of the gifts I have been hinting at for a couple of years now is a wall of mirrors in my exercise room. This year I got them. And I love them.  Chris and I hung them the day after Christmas.

Closer to Christ - Day 15

For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given: 

and the government shall be upon his shoulder: 

and his name shall be called 

Wonderful, 

Counsellor, 

The mighty God, 

The everlasting Father, 

The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Christmas Day

I love when Christmas falls on Sunday simply because church is only one hour.  Our Stake Presidency threw a bit of a wrench in my planning though when they had all three wards combine at 10 am instead of our ward meeting at 9 am.   It meant we would have a few of our Christmas morning traditions before church and then wait until after to open presents.  Turns out we would wait even longer because Amy went to her boyfriend's church at 10:30.  She didn't finish until 11:30 and then they took time to exchange gifts.  So we had a bit of lunch and then settled down to open our presents Christmas afternoon.  I didn't mind though.  I love to draw Christmas out as long as possible.  And my girls have learned over the years to love Christmas as much as I do.

Coming down the stairs Christmas morning.

Opening stockings.  The girls thought to play a joke on Chris when they found a drug test at the dollar store.  We got another drug test as a white elephant and played the joke on Misha as well.  Apparently, they don't like their jokes ruined.

We opened a few gifts before church until 9 am when we stopped to get ready for church.  The service was beautiful and only one hour long!

And then on to the fun.

You know when your gift is marked "Open Last", that it is going to be picture worthy.  And though Misha has been hinting at an Apple Watch for over a year, she never thought she would get one.

I love a surprise.

Later in the afternoon, Amy and Misha pulled out the new game from Chris--Exploding Kittens!

And dinner.  Instead of a turkey this year, I made Chicken Piccata.  It might have been a tad too lemony, but otherwise good.

Christmas Eve

One of our traditions for Christmas Eve is dinner at Olive Garden.  For many years, Olive Garden has not taken reservations or done call-ahead seating.  We learned last year as we waited with Kevin and his family, that they had started doing it.  We just didn't know it in advance sadly.

So, this year, thinking that I would be all on top of things, I called on the 23rd to make a reservation for 5:45 on the 24th.  When we showed up on Christmas Eve, thinking we would get in without a hitch, I was informed that they had lost our reservation.  What!  So we waited around for quite some time even though the hostess said they would get us in as soon as possible (she didn't really mean it, she was just saying it to appease us).  After 45 minutes, Chris asked how much longer and the hostess told him another 20 minutes maybe, "So, you didn't really move us up the list did you?"  She didn't have a good reply and Chris asked to speak to a manager.  The manager had us seated within 5 minutes.  Good thing we like the food.

We returned home to continue our Christmas Eve traditions.  We watched Gentri's video of "O Holy Night."  We had a gift exchange, and then the girls were allowed to bring all the presents up to put them under and next to the tree.  Amy has learned, "I'll organize them and you two bring them upstairs and stack them."  Bringing up the presents is kind of the favorite part.  Two years ago, I bucked the tradition and put some of the presents under the tree.  The girls started counting how many were theirs, so I said I would go back to storing them downstairs.  Apparently, they keep track down there just as much.  After the presents are upstairs, they are off to their rooms so stockings can be filled and Santa can come.  Kristen also left cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer.

Taking Pictures Take 2

I wanted to get some nice pictures of the girls before we headed out for our Christmas Eve dinner.  I was successful with Kristen and Misha.  Amy was too busy getting ready.

Christmas Cookies Part 1 & 2

Misha made gingerbread dough for us and then, much to everyone's disappointment, we gave most of the decorated cookies away to friends and neighbors.

So, we made more.  We gave some of those away, but indulged with the rest.  Gingerbread and peppermint-flavored frosting is a good mix.

Closer to Christ - Day 14

...surely the thing God enjoys most about being God 

is the thrill of being merciful, 

especially to those who don’t expect it 

and often feel they don’t deserve it.

Jeffrey R Holland

Closer to Christ - Day 13

...however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, 

however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, 

or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, 

I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. 

It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.

Jeffrey R Holland

Closer to Christ - Day 12

You come unto Christ to be yoked with Him and with His power, 

so that you’re not pulling life’s load alone. 

You’re pulling life’s load yoked with the Savior and Redeemer of the world, 

and suddenly your problems, no matter how serious they are, become lighter.

Russell M Nelson

Gingerbread Houses and Tears

Amy and Allie wanted to make and decorate gingerbread houses, but couldn't find a pre-made kit to buy.  Making the dough would require waiting to let the dough chill.  So, they decided to use graham crackers.  They had good intentions, but the graham crackers just didn't cooperate.  There is now a container in the pantry filled with broken graham cracker pieces.

Amy was putting the final touches on her last attempt when it just caved in.  There might have been tears.  The lesson?  Plan ahead and make the dough.

Closer to Christ - Day 11

Look for Christ and you will find him.  

And with him, everything else.

CS Lewis

Star Wars

Chris and I took Misha and Kristen to see the new Star Wars movie.  Amy had to work and went later with Brenton.  We relaxed on the reclining comfy seats.  The theaters are usually freezing cold so I took a blanket as well, but today it was toasty warm and I had to take off my fleece jacket.

The movie was good, not as good as some, but introduced a lot of ideas from the original Star Wars movies.

Closer to Christ - Day 10

Originally posted November 12, 2015

 

"To illustrate that the light which comes from a pure and loving spirit is recognized by others, I share with you an experience of many years ago.

At that time, leaders of the Church met with officials in Jerusalem to work out a lease agreement for land on which the Church’s Jerusalem Center would be built. In order to obtain the permissions needed, the Church had to agree that no proselyting would be undertaken by our members who would occupy the center. After that agreement had been made, one of the Israeli officials, who was well acquainted with the Church and its members, remarked that he knew the Church would honor the no-proselyting agreement. “But,” he said, referring to the students who would attend there, “what are we going to do about the light that is in their eyes?”  May that special light ever shine within us, that it might be recognized and appreciated by others." Thomas S Monson Be An Example and a Light, October 2015

Since General Conference, I have been pondering the phrase, "But...what are we going to do about the light that is in their eyes?"  I am drawn to the idea that believers can be identified by a light which emanates from them.  Janice Kapp Perry wrote a song titled, "His Image in Your Countenance," and I especially love these two lines in the chorus:

Have you received His image in your countenance? 

Does the Light of Christ Shine in your eyes?

Countenance refers to the manner in which a person's face expresses his or her character or to a person's behavior.

Alma 5:14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

I am grateful for this light of Christ; I am especially grateful for the reminder to let it shine, to be an example, and to be a light.

Taking Pictures

I had Kristen and Misha be my models as I tried to get some Christmas tree bokeh pictures.  I still need lots of practice when it comes to photography.

Closer to Christ - Day 9

Originally posted November 19, 2015

My eyes glanced over a post on Facebook days after the UCC shooting in Oregon in October:

The bravest person in America? The 2nd to admit to being a Christian after the UCC shooter murdered the 1st.  Armando Hall

Some words stick in my head and find quiet moments to re-emerge.  That is the case with these twenty words.

For most of us, our faith, our devotion to the Savior will never be tested in such a manner.  But I do not doubt a declaration will be required of us all, and my thoughts have been persistent: Jolayne Kline, what does it mean for YOU to be a Christian and to be willing to stand as a witness for Jesus Christ? 

We live in one of the most critical periods of all time. The powers of evil are fighting against truth and righteousness, and the battle is reaching a climax. Someday the war between good and evil will be won—a permanent victory for good. But right now each one of you can fight for the right on your own battlefield by making right choices about what you will do and what you won’t do as you learn to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Once you make your decision to do what is right, you don’t have to fight the battle with every temptation that presents itself every day. You simply take a stand and say to yourself, “I will do this; I won’t do that.” And Satan will have to turn elsewhere to find his followers.  Ardeth Kapp "Stand for Truth and Righteousness"  November 1988

 ***

The future of this world has long been declared; the final outcome between good and evil is already known. There is absolutely no question as to who wins because the victory has already been posted on the scoreboard. The only really strange thing in all of this is that we are still down here on the field trying to decide which team’s jersey we want to wear!  Jeffrey R Holland

I take a stand here and now to affirm that I am a Christian.  I testify that Jesus Christ lives, and He is my Savior.  I am so grateful for Him.

I take a stand for modesty, chastity before marriage and fidelity in marriage, clean language, good music, living a healthy life, being honest, and serving others.  I believe in marriage between a man and a woman.  I believe in the family.  I stand in support of the prophet and apostles and know that they are called of God.  I stand on the Lord's side.

Don't Touch!

Misha made pretzels last Sunday and posted this note on her creations:

Wish List Request

I found this note in Amy's room this week after she posted some items to her Amazon wish list:

Can you say FRIGID

It has been pretty cold here for the past couple of days. My Canadian friends and family might say, "Psssshhhh, that's not cold!"

Closer to Christ - Day 8

On that night in Bethlehem there was no room for him in the inn, and this was not the only time during the thirty-three years of his sojourn in mortality that there was no room for him...During his ministry, there were many who made no room for his teachings--no room for the gospel he taught. There was no room for his miracles, for his blessings, no room for the divine truths he spoke, no room for his love or faith. He said to them, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

Even in our day, although two thousand years have passed, there are many who say the same thing that was said on that night in Bethlehem. “There is no room, no room” (see Luke 2:7). We make room for the gifts, but sometimes no room is made for the giver. We have room for the commercialism of Christmas and even pleasure-seeking on the Sabbath day, but there are times when there is not room for worship. Our thoughts are filled with other things--there is no room.  Teaching of the Presidents of the Church: Howard W Hunter

Closer to Christ - Day 7

Let us follow the Son of God in all ways and in all walks of life. Let us make him our exemplar and our guide. We should at every opportunity ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” and then be more courageous to act upon the answer. We must follow Christ, in the best sense of that word. We must be about his work as he was about his Father’s.

Jay M Todd

White Elephant Gift

We attend a fun White Elephant Gift Christmas party that we have been going to for maybe a decade now.  Every year we get a newbie or two that bring a totally great gift that everyone wants to trade for, and then there are the gifts that keep making an appearance or are in hiding to come back in the future.  This year, Eric Morris, created a classic white elephant gift--A Christmas calendar of hunky men and their animals.  And then he found pictures of different men who attend the party year after year and superimposed pictures of their heads on to the calendar.  Chris was June.  Hil-a-ri-ous.  One of the best White Elephant gifts ever!

Pranks on Dad

Misha played a classic joke on Chris on Friday.  At the high school, there is another student with an almost identical car to the girls' car--same color, same year, and a surprisingly similar license plate number.

On Friday, Misha sent this picture to her father:

It took Chris a little bit to figure out that it wasn't the girls' car because of the rust on the dent, but still they got him good.

Finals

I don't suppose I was quite as relieved to have finals week over with as my daughters were, but I was still grateful for this semester to be done.  I am hoping that the Winter/Spring semester is a little easier on us all.

Closer to Christ - Day 6

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; 

for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Closer to Christ - Day 5

Reposted from July 25, 2012

Chris was sitting with a co-worker in McDonalds in Mesa, AZ yesterday afternoon.  They had a little time to spare.  As they sat and talked, the coworker began to complain about his wife, his children and how ungrateful they were, and just how sucky his life was in general.  While Chris sat listening, an older, obviously homeless man shuffled in to McDonalds with a package of Ramen noodles in his hands and proceeded to rummage through the garbage cans.  Apparently Chris wasn't the only person to take note of the gentleman, as another restaurant patron set a cup of soda down on the table next to him.

Finally Chris interrupted his coworker and directed his attention to the homeless man.  "I think we've got it pretty good compared to others."  Chris then got up and went back to the counter to order a Big Mac meal for the man.  He spoke neither English nor Spanish, but happily accepted the meal.  He grabbed a potato chip bag out of the garbage, stuffed the McDonalds bag inside and shuffled out the door.  As Chris returned to his coworker who had watched the whole thing unfold, he remarked that perhaps Chris was right.  Life wasn't so bad.

Closer to Christ - Day 4

Our families need the peace of God in their lives, and if we can’t or won’t invite the Lord into our lives, then our families become a reflection of our own turmoil. Women are asked to be nurturers to their families, but we must also be firm; we must be the hard rock footings on which our homes can stand. Our families need us to speak peace to them, just as the Lord speaks peace to us. Our homes need to be places where our families and friends want to be, where all who enter our homes can draw strength and courage to face the challenges of living in an increasingly wicked world. Our children need to hear us “talk of Christ, … rejoice in Christ, [and] preach of Christ” (2 Nephi 25:26) so that they may know to what source they can look for the peace that “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Closer to Christ - Day 3

Originally posted on February 10, 2012 

There are days when the angels sing for joy at the presence of an earthly angel.  My heart joined that chorus yesterday.  Misha was at lunch.  One of her classmates did not have lunch and the money in his lunch account was all used up.  Misha quietly moved to the lunch line, purchased a school lunch using her own lunch account, and returned to the table with a lunch tray.  She set the tray down in front of this hungry young man and then returned to eating the lunch I had packed for her.  I can't even begin to express how this touched my heart.  My daughter is an angel.

Closer to Christ - Day 2

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

Closer to Christ - Day 1

I Am a Child of God

additional verses by Jolayne Kline

I am a child of God

I know that he loves me

His spirit dwells within my heart

I'll follow faithfully

I am a child of God

A child of royal birth

I'll seek to know in righteousness

All that my soul is worth

I am a child of God

His son, my Savior, reigns.

He bled and died on Calvary

To show his loved unfeigned.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,

Help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do

To live with Him someday.

Amy is 17

From this moment

to this one

and all the moments in between, life with Amy has been wonderful and full of laughter.  We are so grateful for her sudden entrance in to our lives 17 years ago.  Happy birthday my sweet.

Because she has a mouth full of braces, her favorite birthday treat of caramel apples was a no-go.  She opted instead for the doughnut cake.

Cherry Creek Chorale

I looked and looked for a Christmas activity or musical event to help celebrate this Christmas season and to continue on with a Christmas tradition.  I finally settled on "Gloria" by the Cherry Creek Chorale held at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village.  Some of my children were not thrilled with the choice (nor the manner in which she thought we were celebrating her birthday).  The events fell on the same weekend, and one of the few weekends that we had available to attend.  The music was beautiful, the acoustics in the building was outstanding, and the conductor was entertaining to watch all by himself.

The Christmas Suit

While shopping at Macy's on Black Friday, we happened upon this suit in the men's department and couldn't pass up taking a picture.

On Sunday, our friend Ralph showed up to church wearing the suit! 

The funny part, besides the fact that he was rocking the suit, was the others who showed him the pictures they had taken with their phones of that same suit in Macy's.

First Real Christmas Tree

For our second Christmas together, and after we had moved in to our first townhome, we purchased an artificial Christmas tree from Thanksgiving Point back when they had their fabulous Emporium.  I have loved the tree ever since.  I did not come prelit, but I added lights myself and leave them on from year to year.  It has been a great tree for us and has many more Christmases in it.

This year, Misha and I were walking in to King Soopers and saw the cutest little Christmas trees and took two seconds to decide to buy one.  It claimed a place in the living room.  I had hoped it would smell more pine-y, but love the look of it.

Denver Christmas Parade

At the last minute, Chris, Kristen, and I bundled up and headed off to the Christmas parade in downtown Denver.  We were looking at Google Maps while driving to check the traffic.  Shortly after getting on the freeway, the app showed red or stopped traffic.  We decided to chance it.  Moral of the story:  pay attention to the app!  There was a huge accident that had traffic slowed to a crawl.  Chris used his amazing navigating skills to get us around the accident, not even taking frontage road because it was horribly backed up from the accident as well.

We made it Denver in time for the parade but didn't take in to account the hordes of people.  We ended up standing against a building, some of us standing on tip toes to get a glimpse of the parade.  There was a small pathway in front of us that allowed people to push their way past us from both directions.  It was crazy.  The bonus?  Being packed so tightly helped us to stay warm.

We stopped at Smash Burger and quickly snagged a seat at a counter as others were leaving.  It was packed when we arrived and people just kept on coming!

Amy was hanging out with friends and Misha was home sick with a cold.

Football

Misha commenting on the football game Chris wanted to watch:  "Isn't it just a glorified game of fetch?"

It Came! It Came!

Misha's letter jacket finally arrived.  And she loves it.

And my two Mavericks together.