Tuesday, December 23, 2008

a Follow up on Homemade giflts

I saw these and new everyone deserved a pair!

Morgan's "rough" day

Morgan had a rough day yesterday. I am not fully sure I know the specifics of the "rough"-ness. But is seemed that she was very tender and cried quite easy. By 8pm she was in full blown sobs and explained:

"I have had a rough day. I think it began at Megan's house and I think she must of had crying dust in her house."

And just be heading to bed, Morgan asked "Mom, can you please call Santa and explain I just had a rough day? Tomorrow will be better..."

You can bet I made the call!

The meaning of christmas

This year I was really worried.....worried about how I was going to teach my kids about the true meaning of Christmas. I ran a few ideas past my motherly counselors (Heather and Mom) and they found some holes and issues with my ideas, so I was really worried....
I prayed for an experience that would make it known to my kids the joy of giving to others.
That same week I got a email from the Relief Society pres. and she was asking for donations for a single mother with 3 boys 1 yr old to 6 yrs old. They needed anything and everything.
So Emily and Morgan and I set out around the house to find what we could find...

We each went to the pantry and pulled out about 10 cans of food or misc items. I found some new and like new household items and wrapped them. We had 3 pair of good condition pajamas Jakey had out grown and several sets of mittens/hats. We found some games that were hardly used and all the pieces were there. And then we headed to walmart to find some additional items.
When we were done we had a whole box full of food and wrapped gifts. We dropped off the box on the Relief Society Pres door. I noticed that the other members of the ward were quick to act too, there were 3 other boxes there.

Yesterday I got an email from the Relief Society Pres. with an update: She had received so much and organizing it all, in total of 6 large boxes of food, gifts and toys. When they arrived at the home, the tree was bare underneath and quickly they put the wrapped gifts under the tree. The kids were so excited to see all the goodies! And the food was welcomed.

I was so worried, but I didn't need to be, Silly Sarah... Heavenly Father always answers prayers. We just have to be listening, and we will be led.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Bordom + google = Merry Christmas

We thought in this holiday season, since not everyone can be together we'd let google make it seem like we're much closer than we really are. Here're some of what we could find (Notice Jake is the only one to make it in their respective picture). Sorry Sarah. We tried really hard to find yours but came up short. If you can find it on google maps, I'll update it here :)















Monday, December 15, 2008

A place for Sarah, and Sarah in her place

Christmas came a little early for me now that I got my office. I can't even tell you how nice it is to have a place to work and craft....
I think this goes back to when I was about 8 or 9 and spent hours organizing my "papers" in my little dresser full of papers. It was liberating to organize it all and throw out 2 trash bags full of needless junk. We finally got rid of old college books, Wow, like we were ever going to use those again :)
I thought I could use therapy, for my "love" of organizing, but since it was so fun AND benefited the family, I don't see the need anymore.

Morgan's Family tree project

Well, it took about 4 days to get done, but she did it.
She was so proud to show ALL her aunts and uncles and cousins. We practiced her presentation speech and she wanted to tell why families were so important (missionary moment) and also how much she loved each and every "leaf".

She made one Pyrah tree and one Blattman tree, where there is a heart is where the branches meet and make our family.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Why I like Christmas....

Sometimes I get a weird complex that no one would really like something I make...and I tend to be pretty "homemade" and thrifty when it comes to gifts. Not because I don't like people, but I just love making things and I associate the time and effort with demonstrating my love...ok that is all nice and warm and fuzzy, but sometimes they don't turn out they way I like.

At any rate, I still enjoy it and 90% of the time I think my items are cool...but Christmas time is that time of year that others get to endure my "homemade" gift giving. And I get lots of opportunities to make things.

So briefly, thank you to all who have endured my homemade gift giving, you in essence, have given me a gift by accepting it.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

December PhOtObLog theme

DECK THE HALLS
mark, ge' set, GO!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

***sigh*** we have been busy this week

So we whisked off to Idaho for Thanksgiving and farewell to Chris' folks. We had a great time being with family and see everyone. We made the "Flat Stanleys" of each grandchild on the Pyrah side and they are off on the mission to WI too.

I contributed this master piece for the Thanksgiving feast, I thought he was almost too cute to eat. When we got back I went nuts on holiday decorating and christmas shopping/wrapping. My house is not messy, we just have a lot of memories in the making all at once.
We decorated the tree and put some lights on our scraggily tree out front. It really put us all in the festive mood. Have to say that I even bought a christmas CD to listen to. Of course it doesn't hurt that Michael Buble is singin' the christmas songs.
I almost have all the christmas shopping done and I am so glad! Just a few last minute items left and our family exchange. We all head to walmart and split up in groups. It is fun to see Em and Mo actually save (or should I say even earn)their allowance this month to get ready for this.
Oh and we also had Jacob's 2nd Birthday party tonight. He got the best gift ever and he could not be torn away from it, even for cake and icecream. He is obsessed with Hot Wheels and cars!




I also need to put this picture on of Chris' catch on Wed. He was so proud. This is only 1 picture of the 20 he made me take. The fish measured about 30 inches. I have to say it was HUGE. (and gross, I was gagging the whole time as it oozed and the gushed blood as he tried to filet it....)

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Family tree project

Morgan has a family project due this month. The project is wide open to interpretation. I am looking for a cute 1st grade level idea that would display our family in a creative way. got any great ideas?