Sledding in Winter Park

Chris' friend has a condo in Winter Park that had some available dates over the Christmas holidays.  He booked a night and took the girls on a daddy daughter sledding date.  Sadly, he should have booked time at the sledding hill as well.  They had to come up with some plan B's and C's, but enjoyed their time together.  Christopher is a such a fun dad.

Amy is not a fan of polar bears.

Christmas Day

Oh how we love Christmas Day in the Kline household.  Most of us didn't start rousing from our sleep until around 7 am.  Amy wasn't even that difficult to wake up (one of the few mornings when her sisters will go to wake her up).

This year, instead of having unwrapped Santa gifts, we had "last gifts".  Packages were labeled with "open last" and "open last last".  Not sure it had quite the impact for the girls as they came upstairs and only had stockings to open.  In years past, Santa has been pretty generous, but we've kind of usurped his Christmas morning glory.  It is always a surprise.

I really only took one photo all morning long! But Kristen loved her guitar as her "last gift".  Amy received an Apple watch, and Misha is all set for college this fall with a laptop.

After opening all of our gifts, we settled in for some rest and relaxation for the rest of the morning.

Christmas Eve

We enjoyed a relaxing Christmas Eve, with my meat eaters finally enjoying burgers BBQed on the grill and their homemade pretzel buns.  Next, our gift exchange.

Kristen read to us of Christmas' past from the blog book and finally the girls were happy to bring all of the wrapped gifts up stairs.  Used to be that was the signal for them to go to bed and for parents to finish up Christmas preparations, but Chris and I made sure everything was in place and then headed off to bed ourselves.

Christmas Traditions

I don't think we have had one year of Christmas traditions that exactly matches a previous year.  This year, we went to HuHot for dinner on December 22, followed by a little last-minute Christmas shopping.

Sunday was lovely with just one hour of church, though I do think having all three wards meet in the building at the same time far exceeded the fire code.  We didn't even try to get to the church early for a comfy seat.  We figured there would be so many people already saving seats that we would still end up on the hard chairs.  We were spread out a bit in the back, but for an hour, it was doable.

Misha and Kristen helped me decorate gingerbread cookies, make pretzels and pretzel burger buns, and make cream puffs and pasta for our Christmas dinner.  That is a fun new tradition that we have started.  I am excited that they want to help.  Amy hasn't been feeling stellar since arriving home from Idaho, so she slept for a lot of the afternoon.

It was nice enough in the afternoon that we had the back door to the deck open.

The girls decorated a gingerbread house in the evening.

Work Christmas Party

I don't believe CA Technologies ever had a Christmas party that spouses were invited to attend.  Splunk had a dressy affair at the Kimpton on the 16th Street Mall in Denver.  Chris knew exactly one person before attending the party and came away meeting some key new people.  It was good for him to attend.  We did, unfortunately, miss out on our annual white elephant gift exchange party.   Always a fun time. 

I wore my fancy cruise shoes that Chris picked out for me.  Let's just say they are not really meant for walking long distances.

The Magic of Giving Part One

Recently I was listening to a Dave Ramsay radio talk show where he shared thoughts on getting out of debt with a few goals in mind.  One that I was particularly impressed with was the notion of working to be debt-free and then of growing your income so that you could be 'outrageously generous'.  The idea has stuck in my thoughts.  I am sure outrageously generous means different things to different people, especially those in different circumstances.  But the feeling that builds within your heart when you have that moment and opportunity to be generous grows and floods your heart as though your body is filled with light and bursting with joy.

Along with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' campaign to "Light the World", Chris reached out to our "family" in the Philippines to check on them and their needs, but also to ask a favor:  Would you be interested in identifying some families who need extra help for Christmas? Then we could send you some money that you could use as you think appropriate to buy them things they need and share some Christmas with them!

The response from Armida: Yes Chris there are families here in our ward that need help esp. this coming season. I am thinking of giving them 1/2 cavan of rice. It is a big help for them especially today that the price of rice is getting higher and higher. If it's ok with you.

Chris reached out to his family, friends, and coworkers asking if they would be interested in donating; so many were amazingly generous. Chris continued communicating with Armida over the past couple of weeks. She had originally identified 10 families who were in need of rice for Christmas, and with the generosity of others, she was able to buy rice for 13 families along with a little extra for each family for Christmas. Armida and her family were just so grateful to be a part of the giving.

As our friends kept on giving, we sent more money to Armida. She mentioned a program already in place where they provide meals at an orphanage (which happens to be the same orphanage where our family spent a day serving so many years ago). Armida bought 200 packages of crayons and coloring books to share with the children in the orphanage.

The night before going to the orphanage, Chris texted with Armida where she shared her feelings and impressions: I'd love to share to you the smile from the kids

Chris: Yes, it’s the best smile anywhere. We will always remember those kids. They just want to be loved.

Armida: This is my first time to be in this kind of giving.

Chris: Fantastic! It's powerful.

Armida: I really love to do this

Chris: You are serving like the Savior would. I hope your family has a wonderful experience.

The magic of modern technology is wonderful as Armida texted while she and her family and the youth from the ward visited the orphanage. She sent pics and short video clips.

Chris: Bravo! I hope you all had a great experience.

Armida: I don't know Chris what is my feeling. I feel sad and happy at the same time.

Chris: I understand. Those kids just want to be loved. It's really sad to see them so lonely.

Armida: I cried when I saw those kids. Thank you for sharing ur blessings to them.

Chris: Thanks to my friends and family for helping. Such blessings. I hope the kids got some joy for Christmas.

Armida: I think so. I saw smile on their face specially when they received the crayons and coloring book. I cried when i heard them singing. You are right they really want to be loved.

Armida's heart was touched so much that she wants to continue giving. She plans to prepare a meal for the native Aeta people living in her area on Christmas Eve.

It is an overwhelming blessing to continue to be a part of lives around the world.

The Magic of Giving Part Two

On December 4th, a friend reposted a post from her sister-in-law on Facebook.

Kara P: Another impactful way to help those in need this holiday season! My wonderful in-laws are living and serving in South Africa for the next several months, helping in so many ways, including working with the St Angela home for disabled children. Read the post for details and a link if you would like to help! Thank you!

Maggie G: In case you are looking for a new, unique and very needy charity to support during this season of giving, my parents (Katie and Gary Parnell) are volunteering with the St Angela Cheshire Home for Disabled Children in Lesotho. As a family we're donating to them for Christmas. I know there are many worthy causes, and there is no pressure, but we’d love your support. The Venmo is G_P... You could give it to me and I’ll send it on to him. We’re doing it this way so that 100% of the money donated goes to the Home.

Read what our parents wrote:

We hear that some of you generous people are thinking of sending Christmas gifts to your wandering parents in Southern Africa.

What would perhaps work better and warm our hearts even more might be to donate to the St Angela Home for Disabled Children. They are in need of "unrestricted" funds to use for staff who have not been paid in months and for unpaid water bills. https://m.facebook.com/St-Angela-Cheshire-Home-For-Disable…/

There are grants that can be applied for, but they almost always specify that their funding cannot be used for salaries or the payment of debts. It would be a nice gesture if the cooks, care givers and others could receive a portion of their back pay before they leave, and regular water will make it so the Home can keep their gardens going (There may be funding available to build a greenhouse, but not to pay for watering it).

We are focusing on sustainability projects in the grants I will apply for. One will be to buy more hens (they have a projected capacity of 1,500). Another will be to install a greenhouse in their large garden area so they can grow vegetables nearly year round to feed the kids and to sell on the market.

I am waiting to see a report on their previous chicken project, but I think the hens cost a little less than $4 each and the greenhouse will come in at less than $4,000. It is easier to get funding from the U.S. Embassy, the Peace Corps Friends of Lesotho, and LDS Humanitarian Services for things like greenhouses and chickens. Nearly impossible to get money for salaries or for payment of debts.

I read this post and then scrolled on.  But you know, the thought of it just wouldn't leave my mind.  I tried to find the original posting a couple of days later, but couldn't see it in my Facebook feed.  And so, I posted a request on Facebook:  Someone in my feed posted last week about their parents serving a mission in Africa and taking donations. I can’t find the post or remember who posted it. Can anyone help me out?

I was grateful that I received a response that led me back to the original post by Kara.  At this same time, Chris was working on sending out information asking for donations for the Philippines.  I talked to him about this post I saw on Facebook.  And then I kept feeling the urgency of responding.  And so I asked if he would Venmo (a method for transferring cash) money for this request.  (Chris has a Venmo account.  I don't).  I was grateful that we were able to respond to the prompting.

This morning Chris received a note on Facebook from a Gary P who searched Chris out.

We tracked you from your photo on Venmo.  We wanted to thank you for the donation you made to the St Angela's Cheshire Home for Disabled Children.  We don't know how you heard about the need there, but we appreciate your responding.  If it's okay with you, we will take part of your donation and repair the water pump that has been broken.  Water is being trucked in.  It is summer in Lesotho and having a functioning water pump will be such a God-send.  You've answered a lot of prayers with your help.  Gary and Katie

Chris responded.

Hi Gary.  You found us.  I'm going to remove your comment from the public feed if you don't mind...So glad the donation came at the right time!  My wife, Jolayne, is friends with Kara and saw her call for help several weeks ago. That plea stirred in Jolayne and she talked about it with me multiple times.  I served a mission in the Philippines and continue to be involved in assisting that part of the world now, so I was very focused elsewhere.  But my wife persisted that this was where we needed to help.  The Spirit works in us for amazing things when we let it.  We wish you and your crew the very best merry Christmas.  Thank you for serving and caring as the Savior would.  That's how you Light the World.

I do not share this to say, "Hey, look at us!"  I want you to know that we are truly the Savior's hands on earth.  And when the Spirit prompts, and we listen and then take action, marvelous things happen.  The magic of giving continues to spread throughout the world.

Finals for Misha

Ahhhh the dreaded finals week.  It is hard to convince a student to double down on the studying when they are already so burned out, but Misha's studying and hard work during the semester and at finals paid off.  And the good news, the school doesn't make the seniors take finals in the spring.

Misha also has time off from work throughout the vacation and no seminary.  Just what she needed.

A Part in The Play

Kristen left her audition for the the middle school play thinking that she had completely bombed it.  Seems as though every time she has to audition, she is also fighting a cold.  As she hopped in to the car, there might have been some tears shed.

A couple of days later when the parts were announced, Kristen was so thrilled to find that she had been cast as Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and that her best friend, Maggie, would be Juliet...and there was much rejoicing in the land.

Concerts and Flights

Amy's flight home from Rexburg was scheduled at the same time as Kristen's Christmas concert.  Chris went with Kristen to her concert, Misha stayed home to study, and I drove to the airport to pick up Miss Amy.  Even though she was just home three weeks ago, I was excited to see her. I didn't get to spend as much time with her since Chris and I were traveling and then Amy and I were sick with the stomach flu right before she left to go back to Rexburg,  It is so nice to have her home for the holidays.

BYU Applications

Amy applied to BYU as a transfer student and Misha applied as a new Freshman.  Either way, there was a lot of writing, proofing, encouraging, and nagging involved.  The applications were due December 15 and Amy got hers done a couple of weeks ago.  Misha hit the "send" button earlier in the week.  Whew.  That was just as hard on the parents.

BYU sends the announcements in late February.  So we are crossing our fingers both girls get in.

Colorado Symphony

We don't always make it to the symphony every year for "A Colorado Christmas", but when we do, it is an evening full of beautiful, fantastic music.  The symphony starts at 6 pm, so we never usually have enough time to get dinner before the performance.  We made a quick stop at Starbucks for some snacks to tide us over until we could get dinner after the show.

We walked up the 16th Street Mall looking for the Christkindl Market, unfortunately we turned right up the street and should have gone to the left.  We didn't have enough time to go back down the street before the market would have closed so instead stopped at Hacienda Colorado for a very late dinner.  Yummy but late. (And apparently the market wasn't even open now that I look at the website).

We made a quick stop at the Capitol Building before leaving Denver.

A Bestie Birthday

Amy's best friend, Liz, celebrated Amy in high style on her birthday.  So grateful since we couldn't be with Amy on her special day.  Liz drove up from Utah on Monday evening to surprise Amy (though Amy might have had a bit of a hint that something was up when Liz turned off her Location Sharing).

Liz decorated Amy's apartment with balloons and streamers.  What a fun surprise!

On Tuesday,  the girls had a pretty chill morning but spent the afternoon in Idaho Falls with Alexa and Alyssa getting their nails done, hanging out at Target, and enjoying dinner at Texas Roadhouse.

A few friends stopped by later in the evening to wish Amy happy birthday.  Thanks Liz for making Amy's day so great.

Happy 19th Amy

Happy birthday to my Amy girl.  I love the woman you are becoming.  Thanks for being such an awesome daughter and big sister.  We miss having you home for your birthday, but we will celebrate next week!

Thanking the Mail Delivery Guy

Our Random Act of Kindness for today is to leave a thank you note for our mail carrier.  Kristen and I left a little Starbucks love as well.

Random Acts of Kindness for December

So far for our Random Acts of Kindness, we have donated a gift to a local charity, Kristen candy cane bombed the church parking lot, Misha taped coins to a vending machine at school, and Chris took hot cocoa to the guys working on replacing our gutters on a cold wintry day.

All-State and Honor Choir

This girl auditioned for and was selected for both Honor Choir within the school district and All-State Choir.  She is pretty excited for the opportunity.

Lava Hot Springs

What do you do when it is so cold in Rexburg?  Head to Lava Hot Springs with your roommates.

Christmas Lights

Chris and Kristen added lights to the trees out front and I was surprised that she even convinced Chris to add some lights to the front of the house.

Christmas Fun

We used to take the girls to the Longmont Christmas Light Parade all the time when they were younger.

Last Night

Ten Years Ago

Fifteen Years Ago

Sitting on Daddy's shoulders was always a highlight.

We stopped for dinner at Chili's after the parade and then visited the St. Vrain Christmas Walk in Firestone.  One neighborhood has created a fun new tradition where they decorate their back yards and the walkway between homes.  We didn't come upon any carolers tonight, but did enjoy some hot chocolate and cider.