The week before Christmas and all chaos breaks out!

Last week was a pretty busy week for me. By extension, that means everyone around me too, as I need lots of help for all the stuff that goes on. The Relief Society Progressive dinner came and went on Tuesday. Taya had her big dinner party for Kevin's company that same night and then Grumpy's birthday was next. Same night as the Christmas Concert for Megan, Austin and Rylan. Next was Jaxon's birthday and pizza at Chuck E. Cheese's for him. Our Christmas program for Church was today and I got the surprise of my life. 

We had performed all the songs in the program except the closing song, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Before we sang it, our choir director went to the mike and invited anyone in the congregation who had performed it before to come up and sing with us. One or two people stood up to come up to the choir loft and to my complete surprise, Summer (who was visiting today with Jamie and Rylee) stood up to come forward. Now, my surprise was not because I didn't think she could sing it, I know she can. My surprise was that she wasn't too shy to just come up and perform it with us. Jade was singing soprano in our choir and so Summer went and stood by her and oh my, my mother's heart did swell ten sizes right then. I could have had the strength of ten mothers right then. I was happy to have two of my girls singing with me and I wish it had been all of them. I'll be happy for the two I had today, and Tawna was with me last year for our choir's performance in full. I am blessed to have girls who love music and are willing to put the time in to develop and keep their talents. Then I found out tonight that Taya had to go to her Christmas sunday alone because Kevin was sick, so stayed home with the 2 little girls. I wish she could have come in and been with us today, our soprano section would have loved it too. Summer informed me her visit and participation for the Hallelujah Chorus was my Christmas present. Fine by me. I loved it. The only thing that would make it perfect is if Stacie would put her lovely voice in the mix sometime. I loved the songs we performed this year, the music was beautiful and of course, who doesn't love to sing the Hallelujah Chorus? Christmas music is the best. 

Thanks girls, all of you for all your help, fun times and good talks. Even with all the hectic days lately, I am loving all the time we get to spend together. 

I can only say, for the last few days before Christmas, the elves are getting that happy, tired, coming into the homestretch, contented feeling. We aren't as young as we used to be. 

Speaking of birthdays, I have been remiss in posting the mug shots of those guilty of birthdays this month. Two are belated, and one will be if I don't do it tonight, so here goes:


Happy Birthday Grumpy. I love this man so much, I really can't imagine life without him. I will put down 10 of his most endearing qualities, but I could put down many more.

• His amazing ability to take such good care of me. 
  
• The fact that he is still so hot!
  
• He is so great with all his grandkids. They love him and are excited when he sees them.
  
• Did I mention that he is very patient with me (most of the time)?
  
• I love his work ethic, and that he is such a good example of integrity.
  
• He is so dang smart. I'm a little jealous that he is so intelligent.
  
• Can I just say he is all about the honey-do's? I love that he helps me so much.
  
• He is a really good cook, and will make wonderful dinners on request. (sometimes I don't even have to request.)
  
• I love that he puts himself aside for others almost all the time. For this reason I am glad he can finally fly. He loves it so much.
  
• Most of all I love that he loves me. I know I'm not easy to live with, so I appreciate his dedication to our marriage and to our kids. We are his life, and he is mine.
  

Jaxon turned 7 this week. He is too cute, and oh my can be such a drama queen,(king?) He loves being outside on anything with wheels. I love his imagination. I am so happy he and his brothers are staying with us for a while. It will be great to get to know even more things about him. He is a really good quad rider, and enjoys going anywhere with his Dad. He went elk hunting with him this year, and when his daddy got an elk he wasn't a sissy-la-la about any of it. He had a good party at Chuckie Cheese's and I think will love being 7.


Rylan is our Christmas eve baby, so his birthday is even more special. He is a good boy and I love him. He is very observant, and can tell you about things, especially car things, in great detail. I don't know very many kids who would be entertained with a car, or cycle trader to look at. He loves cars and movies. He is quite the movie buff and loves to watch them all the time. We went to his Christmas program for his school and they sang “Jingle Bell Rock”. He was so funny. I guess they were supposed to dance around on the risers for part of it, and I didn't think he was going to. Finally he rocked out a little and was so cute.

They are all growing up so fast. Okay, I'm falling asleep, so goodnight.