Saturday, December 24, 2011

"All Aboard!" The North Pole Express

The last time I took this train ride was when Nicholas was 5and I was a single mom. Yep, that's 14 years ago.  I have been wanting to take Ella and Aidan on it but it is pricey. This year I saved for it and we did it. I have to admit I had lots of fun. What is not to like with a train ride overlooking beautiful Heber Valley, drinking hot cocoa, eating chocolate chip cookies, singing lots of Christmas carols and of course, the best, seeing the big smiles on your kids' faces the whole time.  I'm glad we did it. 

Photos were taken with my IPhone, hence the blurriness and quality.




 Cheese, anyone?


And yes, Santa!  He wasn't the greatest looking Santa. We just tell the kids Santa has lots of "helpers."

Friday, December 9, 2011

A Missionary Moms Christmas


Dedicated to my missionary son. I feel so honored to know him, be his mother and share this life with him:  Elder Nicholas Shelton, I love you!!

A Missionary Christmas (author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.
The thrill just wasn't there.

No pictures taken with Santa Claus,
My decorating has no flair.

His presents are shoes, shirts, and
ties, two suits and socks...no fun.

I've bought him all white clothes
because...

This year I'm
giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony
stirred.

Our family prays more frequently.
My tears are quick to run.

Abraham seems closer because

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers
gave their sons to war.

Or how the pioneers chose Zion,
their sacrifice was so much more.

My loss will be his presence,
I'll miss his smile a ton

For two years we will pray for him,

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not
looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part
of Him, that makes his soul divine.

The stories and lessons he always heard,
His choice and mine are one.

I'll put my faith in God's hand,
This year, I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter;
I think I finally understand

Christ's birth should be celebrated by
giving Him a hand.

It's because I know Christ lives and
reigns that all his packing's done.

My gift has taken years to make,
This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands,
The sacrifice I'm making.

Who knows the gift I willingly give,
The toll it will be taking.

For He has done it all before
Greater love - there could be none.

For years ago God gave to me,
His only Begotten Son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held,
The hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones 
who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him until all the gathering's done.
My gift has taken years to make.

This year...
I'm giving Christ my son.
I'm a Esme! I found out through TwilightersAnonymous.com. Which Twilight Female Are You? Take the quiz and find out!
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!
You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

Playing Opposites

I have been discussing opposites with the kids lately. Today (Oct. 1 ) we were doing an opposites puzzle and Aidan was doing amazingly well (turned 3, 3 months ago). There was a picture of fire with the word "hot." Here's the conversation: Me - What's the opposite of hot? Aidan - warm. Me - Well, not quite. Okay, fire is hot. What is ice? Aidan - slippery! LOL :)

Aidan - "See, I can do opposites with my toes!" ??