Must be Love

My husband loves me! He had today off, while I had to work. I wasn't feeling well today since I started getting a cold, so he offered to make me lunch. I was being a bit picky since we didn't have any chicken noodle soup, and I don't like Progresso or Ramen, so this is what he brought me: Ravioli's with oranges, an apple, cherry pie, and pear sparkling cider on the rocks! I don't think I would have been that creative if we were in the opposite situation. Thanks honey!

Spelling

Hailey is really starting to take off with her spelling. Lately, she has started spelling answers to questions that I ask, such as:

Mom: "Hailey, would you like pears with your dinner?"

Hailey: "Y-E-S I do!"

or

Mom: "Who left the coloring book on the floor?"

Hailey: "C-H-A-S-E did."

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone! May we all remember the Savior on this Holy Day, and strive to be more like him!

{Advent Calendar - December 25th}

Jesus was born in the meridian of time, thus giving an ideal vantage point from which to look both backward and forward. For the last 24 days you have stood, as it were, in Bethlehem, gazing in both directions. You have heard the Master's voice in premortal councils. You have seen Him suffer, die and rise again. You have watched Him return triumphant in the clouds of heaven. Now you are ready to focus with great joy on that moment when heaven came down to earth.

Scripture
1 Nephi 11:14-15, 18-21; Luke, 1:30-32, 34-35, 38; Luke 2:1, 3-16

Suggestion
Consider what gift you could give the Savior and determine to give it all year long.

Song
Joy to the World, Hymn #201

{Advent Calendar - December 24th}

Jesus came to Bethlehem a humble babe, born in poverty; but he has promised to return to Earth in majesty. Then Heaven and Earth will be reconciled and the King of Kings will reign.

Scripture
Matthew 24:27, 29-30, 36, 42

Suggestion
Try to live this day as if it were the day of Christ's second coming.

Song
When He Comes Again, Children's Songbook, page 82

Behind

I am SO behind with posts of our daily activities. I'm hoping to have some time soon, but it's a crazy schedule trying to work and get everything made for Christmas. Stay tuned! I'll let you know when you need to scroll down a lot for updates.

{Advent Calendar - December 23rd}

Jesus is no mere figure from the past, captive in the pages of scripture. He lives today! He holds the universe to its course and guides the work of His servants on the earth.

Scripture
D&C 76:19-20, 22-24

Suggestion
Go out with friends singing Christmas carols, but add some hymns about other aspects of Christ's ministry.

Scentsy Giveaway!

A friend of mine, Charissa, is a Scentsy consultant, and she is having a giveaway! Check it out and put your name in for the drawing!

{Advent Calendar - December 22nd}

As the holidays get busier and busier, we become involved in so many things - running errands, attending parties, buying presents, choosing wrapping paper and ribbons. It's easy to become focused on material things. Instead, let's remember where our lives ought to be centered.

Scripture
John 6:35, 10:14, 11:25, 8:12

Suggestion
Go look at Christmas lights and think about where all light really comes from.

Song
The Lord is My Shepherd, Hymn #108

Warren Christmas Party 2008

We had our annual Christmas Party yesterday. What a blast! Last year we had about 36 people in our home, and this year we were up to about 54! If things continue like this, we'll have to buy a bigger house...or go somewhere else! It was an amazing night with lots of fun people, delicious food, a great gift exchange, and tons of memories. Thank you everyone for making it such a fun night!

NOW, before you start looking at the pictures...next year's party will have a theme...UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS! Check out the stores after Christmas...you'll be sure to find some left!

{Advent Calendar - December 21st}

The morning of Christ's resurrection was the brightest morning in all history: a time of transcendent joy following the gloom of the crucifixion. The words of the angel still echo down the centuries undiminished. He is risen. Those words signaled more than the triumph of a God. They proclaimed the victory of life over death. As we celebrate Christmas, we also celebrate the free gift of immortality for all mankind.

Scripture
Matthew 28:1-6, Isaiah 25:8

Suggestion
Read the accounts of the resurrection in the four Gospels and 3 Nephi. Record your feelings in your journal. (Matt. 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20 & 3 Nephi 11)

Song
He is Risen, Hymn #199

{Advent Calendar - December 20th}

Some things are almost too painful to think about. To see our Savior mocked and murdered is one such thing. And yet, through the Scriptures, we should visit Calvary from time to time. We must never forget Jesus died so that we might live and live more abundantly.

Scripture
Matthew 27:28-30, Luke 23:33-34, Mark 15:29-32

Suggestion
Read the accounts of the crucifixion in the four Gospels and then write your feelings in your journal.

Song
There is a Green Hill Far Away, Hymn # 194

{Advent Calendar - December 19th}

The greatest victory of all time was not won on a battlefield but in a quiet hillside garden. We cannot fully understand the cost of that triumph, but as Christmas draws near, we should at least try.

Scripture
Matthew 26:39; D&C 19:16-19

Suggestion
Accept the gift of forgiveness. Pray to Heavenly Father about some weakness and ask for help in repenting of it.

Song
How Great Thou Art, Hymn #86

{Advent Calendar - December 18th}

We all have storms in our lives; storms of fear, anger and regret; storms at home, work and at school. The Master's hand can calm all our tempers.

Scripture
Matthew 8:23-26

Suggestion
Be a calming influence today. Try extra hard to control your temper.

Song
Master, the Tempest is Raging, Hymn #105

Christmas Stockings

I wish this was a post about some really awesomly cool stockings that I just finished making, but that is certainly not the case today. Eric and I have decided to take away Rion and Hailey's Christmas Stockings this year, due to the lack of responsibility we have seen over the passed several months.

It all came to a head yesterday when they were supposed to clean up the living room. Now, it wasn't exactly THAT dirty, so we didn't think this was going to be much of an issue. Alas. When confronted about it about 1/2 hour later, Rion instantly started saying that Hailey wasn't helping and Hailey was saying that she already did half the work. This is a typical argument that has risen recently which basically means that neither one has done anything. That was verified by simply looking at the living room. Not only that, but on the way to the living room from our bedroom, we noticed that the loft (which was cleaned the night before) was once again the center of a war zone. Needless to say, we were done!

I'm not incredibly proud of going to drastic measures. Not only did we take away the stockings this Christmas, but we told them that if they don't keep the house clean and take care of things they play with, then we'd continue taking away parts of Christmas. And, they can't play with friends or watch movies the rest of the week.

So, is this too harsh? Has anyone else used any tried-and-true tactics to instill responsibility in children? I've even tried cleaning up with them and showing them how it needs to look, especially over the last month or so, but this doesn't seem to be helping them to realize they shouldn't be letting it get that dirty in the first place. Help!

{Advent Calendar - December 17th}

Have you ever wished you could be baptized again and start over fresh? When we repent of our sins and partake of the sacrament worthily, we renew our covenants and are clean.

Scripture
3 Nephi 18:1-11

Suggestion
As you partake of the Sacrament, make a special effort to think about the Savior.

Song
While of These Emblems We Partake, Hymn #173

Mmmmm, Warmth

I love hot pads! I sit in my room at the desk every day, all day, working. It gets awfully cold this time of year since it is right in front of a non-insulated window. (dual pane - yes...energy efficient - hardly!) Yesterday I was searching for something to keep me warm, since the blanket was just not working. Genius! How about the hot pad? I tried setting it on my lap, but have found that sitting on it is the best. Weird, huh?

{Advent Calendar - December 16th}

Jesus came to lift our burdens. One of the heaviest burdens we carry is that of hate. In teaching us to forgive, the Lord set us free.

Scripture
Matthew 18:21-22, 6:14-15, 3 Nephi 12:44

Suggestion
Try to forgive someone who has wronged you. If appropriate go to him today and be reconciled.

Song
Did You Think to Pray, Hymn #140

{Advent Calendar - December 15th}

Turmoil and strife, combat and competition - our world is full of the consequences of man. But the Savior told us how to try to succeed, through peace on earth and good will toward men.

Scripture
John 14:15, Matthew 7:12, Mark 10:43-44, John 13:34-35

Suggestion
Today tell someone that you love them. Express love for the Lord in your prayers.

Song
Love One Another, Hymn #308

Gingerbread Houses

Our kids just ADORE the Labbees! They live diagonal behind us and down the street just a little bit. It's just about daily that all of our kids play together, so we thought it would be fun to have the whole family over to make gingerbread houses. Of course, I didn't actually get the gingerbread made, so we used graham crackers. This actually worked out better, though, because now all of the kids got to do their own.

It was certainly a work in progress. Next year we will have to buy more graham crackers so the houses could have more supports. They didn't exactly stand up very long, but the kids thought they tasted fabulous! Here are the results.