The May Crew: 2012

The True Meaning of Christmas

For as long as I can remember, I have loved Christmas and the feeling that the Christmas spirit brings. I love the shopping, the hustling, the music and all the wonder and awe that children have as they look at the lights and decorated trees. I love going to the temple to see all the lights and enjoy that peace that surrounds the temple especially this time of year.

I remember when I was about 12 years old, my Grammy gave all of her children a kneeling Santa. It was more than a decoration - it was a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. I have since tried to find that beautiful statue but to no avail - there are replicas but that original is so beautiful that everything else just doesn't compare. About 5 years ago, keeping in the tradition of giving a special Christmas book each year, my mom gave the boys the book called "Santa and the Christ Child." I have used this book so many times in stories, Christmas cards and talks that I have been asked to give at Christmas time. My favorite line in the story is when Santa asks the boy "Why, why did you come to me?..." "The Child answered, 'To remind you, dear Santa, to remind you, and all the world that Christmas is my birthday...the birthday of the Lord." I just love the message in those 2 sentences. It helps to serve as a reminder to me the true meaning of Christmas.

Breath of Heaven

Maybe it is the time of year or the fact that Hunter is getting ready to leave on his mission but I have been very emotional lately about Mary, mother of our Lord. Knowing of what was going to be coming in His life and the burden He would be asked to carry must have been very daunting and overwhelming. I am sure as time went on that those feeling grew but she knew it was the right thing even though the right thing must have hurt so badly. I love this picture. I see a mother and her baby and the sweet joy that brings. Her love was unconditional and unwavering and in this moment, He was just her baby boy.

I can not even comprehend what that might have been like. I heard a song this morning on the radio that I think is so beautiful and it talks about the struggles and then the comfort the Spirit can bring even if you are scared or overwhelmed. The song is Breath of Heaven and there are many artists but the one that I heard sing it is Amy Grant. I looked at the words and oh my goodness, just beautiful and simple but truly encapsulates all those thoughts and feelings.

Breath of Heaven:

I have traveled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a babe inside

And I wonder what I've done Holy Father,

You have come And chosen me now

to carry Your Son

I am waiting in a silent prayer

I am frightened by the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone

Must I walk this path alone? Be with me now, be with me now

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness for

You are holy

Do you wonder as you watch my face

If a wiser one should have had my place?

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of Your plan

Help me be strong, help me be, help me

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness for

You are holy

Bryson's 15th Birthday

The surprise to Disneyland note for Bryson's birthday

Bryson is 15!! How is it possible that Brian and I have had the pleasure of having this gift in our lives for 15 years. To celebrate, we surprised Bryson with a weekend trip to Disneyland- his favorite place on Earth!

Happy Birthday Bryson!

Bryson completes our family perfectly and is such an important part of our family. He loves his big brothers and from a very early age, he has tried to be just like them. Bryson is so funny and makes us laugh with his jokes, impressions and silly antics all the time. Bryson has an amazing testimony even though it is very tender and he has a hard time expressing it. He shows such diligence in keeping the commandments and many times I am taught by this young man. He also has a tremendous love for those that are in need. He demonstrates that love through his actions to friends, family and sometimes even people he doesn’t know very well. He is very compassionate and an example to me of the pure love of Christ.

Bryson - I hope you always know how much dad and I love you and how special you are to us. From the moment you were born, you have held both our hearts and we would make any sacrifice or give anything for you. We hope you have a great birthday! Love Mom and Dad

Hunter Has Offically Been Called

After the countless times he has sung "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission", Hunter Brian has officially been called to the Utica, New York mission. He reports to the MTC on January 23, 2013 and is so excited. We love him and hope he knows how proud we are of the decision he has made to serve the Lord for the next 24-months.

Grateful Day 30: Gratitude

By definition, gratitude is an "appreciation for benefits received". I often think about the words to the song "Because I Have Been Given Much" and very truly blessed for all the gifts I have been given. I have been given so much. I think about all of the blessings in my life and I am very appreciative for those blessings and benefits. I am thankful for a my family that loves me with all of my short comings and faults. I am grateful for the knowledge of the gospel, for the sacrifices made on my behalf by my Savior, for my testimony and for my eternal family. I am grateful for a husband who honors his priesthood and completes me where I am deficient - especially grateful to him listening to Spirit and taking one class at MCC that I happened to be in. I am even grateful that he pulled my hair to get my attention. I am grateful for my handsome, strong and just plain awesome sons, Hunter, Hayden and Bryson. I recognize that that everything in it is a true gift, a treasure to keep safe and take care of - never take for granted. I want to try to live by the words of "Be Grateful" and demonstrate that gratitude - not just express it. We hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving and carry the spirit of gratitude into the Christmas season.

Halloween - 2012

One of our family's favorite holidays is Halloween. Halloween is full of different activities and it is the kick-off to the holiday season. We love dressing up. Our family always decides on a theme and we dress to that theme. This year was no different - the boys decided on Super Heroes. Brian was Superman, Hunter was Spiderman, Hayden was Captain America, Bryson was Ironman and I was Wonderwoman. I love watching them get ready and take on their character. There was pumpkin carving, trunk-or-treating and our annual family Halloween party.

We had a lot of fun and made some "haunting"memories together.

Pumpkin Carving - 2012

Trunk-or-Treat - 2012

Annual Halloween Party - 2012

Grateful Day 29: Hugs & Kisses

All my love - from here to the moon and back

As I am pondering today what I am grateful for, I can't help but to think back to when our boy's were little. I remember holding them and kissing them as much as I could. I remember when they got a little older, their little arms around my neck when they were scared, hurt, sad or just needing a hug. I remember them learning to give kisses and blow kisses. I remember when they learned to say "love you" back when I said it to them. I remember their little feet running to greet Brian or I upon our return home and their little faces just beaming. (Yep, the tears are flowing...)

Some things never change - my boys still give the best hugs and kisses only now they also recognize when I need a hug or "love". They end every phone call, text or evening with an "I love you" or "Love you too" even if they are with their friends. And instead of kisses, they give "winks". And I couldn't ask for more. I am so grateful to be a mom and to have this joyous experience of raising my beautiful boys. I adore them and I hope they know that their love and encouragement as well as the memories we share are by far one of my greatest treasures.

Grateful Day 28: Employment/Schooling

I think that one of the biggest things in my life that I take for granted is the careers that both Brian and I are fortunate to have as well as the opportunity to go to school. After being a stay at home mom for 12 years, returning to the work force was scary to say the least. But a wonderful manager at University of Phoenix was able to see the things I do as a stay-at-home mom and how they translated into the business world. She called me a Domestic Engineer which I thought was so wonderful. After working at University of Phoenix for 4 years, I was offered an opportunity at the Boeing Company, which was ideal because at the time Brian also worked here. I have been with Boeing for 6 years now and feel incredibly fortunate to have the career that I do.

Brian has an awesome job as well that he started in November of 2010 after being with Boeing for 7 years and then laid off due to military cut-backs. The back story to his new job opportunity is one that really built and solidified my testimony in tender mercies and that Heavenly Father is aware of me even for small and simple things. He was laid off for approximately 4 months. I LOVED working with Brian - spending so much time together was amazing and I never once took that for granted. Not having him here was incredibly difficult and I was heartbroken. I remembered one morning feeling sorry for myself because Brian and our boys were all asleep and going to be staying home because the boys were doing online school. I remember thinking that the only reason I had returned to the work force was because I was so lonely when Bryson went to school and the school said I could not accompany him to 1st grade (true story). Anyway - I remember feeling very upset and crying on my way into work. As I approached my building, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the Spirit and reminded once again that Heavenly Father was aware of my sadness but ever so gently, He reminded me that I was the only one at that time providing for my family. Without the job that I was begrudging so much, we would not have health insurance which we absolutely can not be without. From that moment on, I have really tried to fill my heart with gratitude for my job even though the circumstances are not the same. I am also so grateful for Brian's job. He LOVES what he does and could not be more happy doing what he is doing.

While I worked at University of Phoenix, I completed my bachelor's degree which was such a huge accomplishment for me because I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to finish. Upon my new employment at Boeing, I started my MBA-HRM degree and finished that about 2 years later. After finishing my Masters, I decided to do a 2nd Masters in Adult Education so when the opportunity arises or I retire, I will be credentialed to teach in an online environment. I completed that Masters last March. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to complete my degrees and realize that I am very fortunate for those options. Our jobs and my degrees are truly a few more of the treasures in my life that I am grateful for and continue to be humbled by the love of my Heavenly Father.