Firm Bubbles

 The package got thrown away, so I don't know what these are called, but I bought bubbles for my youngest two children for Christmas that are supposed to be firm enough to not pop as easily as regular bubbles. I thought they'd become like little plastic balls. Unfortunately, they aren't as durable as they suggest. I also thought they'd blow bigger than they do. They are small and become like a very flimsy, super thin plastic. But it is possible to pick them up after they land as long as you let them sit for a few seconds. I picked up one and managed to pick up a second one with it.

Sewn Stuff for Christmas

I had fun sewing a few things for Christmas presents this year. I made outfits out of felt for some little IKEA mice ($1 each). The boy mouse has a secret pocket that can hold a quarter. It's sewn inside the back of his vest. Christmas candy corns barely fit inside the little blue dress pockets. And of course there's a quarter in the green pocket of the red dress. Can you tell I like pockets?!

I also made some felt ornaments with pockets on the front (the hearts and green thing are pockets) for a few of my nieces and tucked little wrapped-up necklaces and earrings for each of them inside. I don't enjoy sewing much, but I really enjoyed making these gifts.

Live Nativity

Last night was the second year we went to our stake's live nativity. It was extremely cold outside. I was glad they had a heater in the stable for the real baby that portrayed Jesus. There were also donkeys (who snuggled to keep warm), goats, chickens, sheep, and a camel. For us humans, they had a couple of barrels fire, hot chocolate, and cookies. This activity definitely brings the story of the birth of Jesus Christ to life and was a joyful way to spend time with family and friends.

Rejoice

What does "rejoice" mean anyway? Joyfully repeat your voice? I think I'll look it up... According to THIS website it means "to feel joy or great delight" or simply, "to be glad." My parents are missionaries in Chile right now and they would say, "regocijarse."

Of late, I've had random, weird, scary, or busy thoughts running through my head in the middle of the night when I'm trying to sleep or just before I wake up, but last night for some reason the following kept playing through my head on repeat:

"The battle between good and evil has already been won. It's up to us to choose which side we want to join."

I wanted to know if someone on this earth said this. So of course I looked it up on the internet. I found the following in multiple places.

“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!” -- attributed to Elder Holland.

I could almost remember hearing Elder Holland say that, but I wasn't sure where or when.

So I looked around on the internet some more. I couldn't find it on lds.org. Finally I found something from a woman who went to a Time Out for Women seminar talk by John Bytheway. I'll quote her below, but THIS is the link.

"John related that he had heard a Jeffrey R Holland quote about the outcome of the world has already been decided, but we need to choose which side we will be on. He wanted to quote it, but first, he wanted to authenticate it.  Unable to find it in his own research, he called Elder Holland’s office.The secretary did not know the quote, but said she would ask Elder Holland. John B. thought that was the end of that. Weeks later he got an email from Elder Holland, acknowledging that he did indeed say what John heard he said and offering to write it and authenticate it for John. And signed the email, “Jeff”.!!!”

And someone else went to the same Time Out for Women and gave a source: Source: John Bytheway, When Times are Tough, (Deseret Book, 2004). I haven't read the book, so I don't know if it tells the story in it, but I'm curious enough to check it out at the library...

The fact is, Jesus Christ died for us and was resurrected. He overcame death and sin. I know this is true and I am very grateful. Because we have been born, we will be resurrected. We all fight personal battles between good and evil. We can choose the winning team and live with Heavenly Father again in eternal glory. This is certainly cause to rejoice.

Christmas Pillow

To fulfill an assignment for a project at school, my son decided to make a pillow. I cut out the fabric, he arranged the squares, he helped stitch them together, he designed and drew the pattern to stitch on top (a sort of spiral), he helped stitch the pattern, he stuffed the pillow, and he helped stitch the pillow closed. He got better at stitching as we went along. He likes it enough that he wants to keep it instead of giving it away as previously planned. I like that a school project motivated me to help him learn to sew by hand.

Ward Happy Christmas

We went to our ward Christmas party tonight. It was a fiesta with Mexican food, an amazing mariachi band with dancers that didn't stay still long enough to get a clear picture, and activities for the children in separate rooms. We had a good time.

Bigger

Tonight, as we drove toward the sunset, passed the lake that caught and reflected the dark blue sky, and gazed out the car window at wisps of clouds and streaks of color and light, I remembered this world is much much bigger than me. Acknowledging that felt important and freeing. It reminded me my problems are relatively small. City living makes it too easy to forget the expanse of the universe and eternity. Driving away from it all was beautiful.

Happy, Foggy Morning

Fog is rare here. Maybe that's why I was happy to see it this morning. 

We frequently experienced fog when we lived in England, Washington and New York. 

Maybe what's really making me happy is memories of other times and other places. 

I'm thankful to be happy now too. 

Sky Lights

Silly Turkey

I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving. We did.

I didn't think I could make a turkey out of candy. My youngest daughter said, "You can do it, Mom. I know you can" and I decided to believe her. I made three of these silly little things just for fun. I realize now I should have connected everything with chocolate frosting.

Independent Scientist

"Can I have a plastic bag?"

"What are you going to do with it?"

 "Fill it with water."

"Only a sandwich bag and you have to keep it in the kitchen or the bathroom."

"Okay."

A few minutes later he showed me this.

It didn't drip water until after he stuck in the fourth pencil. 

He found this experiment on the internet.
I found it HERE.

Face Plant

"Now it's praying like me," he said.

Low

"Now it looks like it's praying," said my son.

I took this picture yesterday afternoon. I haven't been outside this morning.

How is this even possible? 

This snow person has the strongest back I've seen.

You can't really tell from the picture, but it looked like it was crying. 

Droplets fell from it's face to the snow below.

Beauty Enduring

More Snow Fun

Every winter for years, we've sprayed food coloring onto snow. 

I recommend it. The higher the concentration of food coloring to water, the brighter the color. We'll be doing this more than once this year. There's quite the quantity of snow on our flat-topped mailbox after just a couple of days.

Snow Beauty

 My youngest daughter loves the snow and always has.
She spent hours outside today. 

The snow person is only one of her creations. 

I love how she used flowers for the eyes and berries for the mouth. 

Can you believe she found the flowers in the backyard?! 

I guess that's what happens when you have cold days following warm ones. 

Warm Wind to Snow

 All day yesterday, it was very warm and windy. Last night, I was barefoot and didn't need a jacket when I took the above picture.
Most of the leaves blew off the tree in our front yard. 

Today, we have snow.
There's at least a foot in our backyard and it's still coming down. 

The kids are having a great time.

Windy Walk

 Today we saw wild turkeys

 And more yellow leaves.

 Then we crossed the stream, which was not wild at all. 

Zoo Walk

Our local zoo is under major construction right now. It'll be amazing by 2014 and there are obviously still fun things to see, but our family is getting older and I don't think I'll be renewing our annual family pass until then. Today (probably the last really warm day of the year) it was a fabulous place for a walk.
It's a very different experience walking around a zoo without children. 

I'll miss him when my walking buddy starts his new job next week.

Vote Walk

 We walked to our polling location today. And enjoyed every minute of it. 

Beauty in diversity. 

Farm Walk

On a farm walk, you might expect to see calves and turkeys,

 Friendly chickens,

And chickens the same color as friendly cows.

 You might not expect to see views of the mountains,

 Or trees with dark branches and cool leaf colors,

 And trails that lead to expensive homes with swimming pools in their backyard,

And pathways that seem endless with a touch of mystery.

Today I discovered, Wheeler Farm is more than I expected.