2013, and Ringing In

We had awesome highs, and big gratefuls. Wonderful friends, healthy as can be, thriving and thankful for it. A few months were some of the lowest so far. 2013 proved once again that God knows me, loves me, and looks out for me. I learned my limits are beyond where I believed. It humbled me, tested my strength again. I read somewhere about hearts breaking open, and that's what 2013 did. I am open, and will continue to be so in 2014.

I've learned how easily tears come to my eyes as I cherish these years my kids are still so young, as I am continually reminded that time goes faster than I would like. My little miracles - I am a better mother as each year passes, I think. Although the older my kids get, they change the game on me - so I'm trying to be on my toes.

For the first time in a few years I am not listing big goals for a new year. I am not putting 2014 in a box full of wants, desires, goals, job promotions, "drink more water", and so on. 2013 told me not to do that this time. Just move forward - through each day with faith, connection, love, forgiveness, and an open heart and mind. Continue to learn more about myself and those I love. Pray. Courageously live in truth, and don't be shy to show the not-so-pretty parts because sometimes that's where the biggest connections lie. Hope to look back at the "breaking open" of 2013 as truly one of my life's big blessings.

Here are my only few "resolutions" -
* The big one: I will not go to bed each night without having at least 10 minutes face to face, connected time with each person in my family.
* Do things for myself that make me happy, whether it be reading, making my home prettier, alone time, cooking, trying a new recipe, or watching "The Bachelor" and "Downton Abbey".
* Be in touch with the needs of those around me, and serve. I can't always say yes, but when I can, I will.

Moving forward into whatever 2014 has in store, with a truly grateful heart.

Past Few Days

Not much going besides putting toys together, lots of playing, hanging out and movie watching. So nice having Uncle Ryan here for Christmas. Kids scored - he got them some awesome presents. We love him a ton.

 Adam and Tyler finally finished one of Tyler's Santa presents - over 1,000 legos right here:

Star Wars movie night with caramel popcorn. Cole marches around the house with a sword singing Darth Vader's theme - it's awesome.

Adam and I have been lucky enough to go to the movies twice (The Hobbit, and Saving Mr. Banks). We have all our SAG screeners, too, which is great timing with the holidays - lots of movies. Spending New Year's Eve with the Tait family. Ready for a little more celebrating. Thinking about a resolution or two, gonna keep it simple for 2014.

Nativity

From last Sunday. Don't wanna forget the nativity play with our awsome primary kids. In junior primary it was a bit chaotic at times - but organized chaos and well worth it. Shout out to Brooke, my co-director, and April for the costumes. Tyler was the narrator and Audrey an angel:

Senior primary:

Love all these awesome kids, and love that I spend my Sundays with them.

The Big Day

Before:

After:

It's been great so far. Merry Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas to All

Kids tucked in bed trying so hard to fall asleep. Now to play Santa...

Holiday Happenings

 Audrey and I survived Trader Joe's this morning (house is stocked with all sorts of yummy stuff), then got holiday nails:

The lady gave Audrey a snowman and snowflake on her thumbs. She loves them.

Last night our secret elves revealed themselves - such a surprise! We've been sworn to secrecy so they can continue "secret elfing" others. We caught the secret elf bug ourselves and dropped some goodies on doorsteps last weekend. It was so. much. fun. The kids were nervous to knock and run at first, but then loved it - high-fiving each other, laughing once we were safely in our van. It was one of our favorite nights this holiday season for sure.

Tonight Christmas Eve dinner with friends, and Uncle Ryan comes to spend Christmas with us.

If We Sent A Christmas Card

This is pretty darn cute:

Unfortunately we have not sent big mailings of holiday cards for a few years now, maybe one day I'll start again. For now, keeping it simple. (Have loved all the ones we've received in the mail, though.) Maybe tonight we'll Lego ourselves.

Recital Day!

Audrey's dance recital was fantastic! Don't worry, they give us a dvd so I'll upload the dance asap. So proud of her - she was nervous when I dropped her at the stage door, but when she got on stage had a smile on her face and remembered every step. At the end of the recital they dropped a ton of snow on all these cuties, and Santa came.

Tyler was a trooper. His favorite part was me giving him money to buy chips and a Sprite at the snack bar. He gave Audrey her flowers afterward, which was pretty sweet.

She looooved her flowers, and she can't stop talking about how much fun she had.

Afterward a quick dinner for four at Chili's which was quite enjoyable without a certain wiggly two year old.

Gingerbread Shots

We had a great time up until Cole fell off his chair and spilled sprinkles all over the floor. Good times! But glad we fit in this yearly tradition. Now I'm making some treats and have opted for Bridget Jones Diary and Pride and Prejudice - Adam is working late after all.

Last Day!

These two were so excited for the last day of school before winter break. It's Pajama Day, they have class parties, and they're buying school lunch - what could beat that day?!

I had my last day at Ladybug Music 'til after the New Year. Adam's finishing up on a new Nickelodeon pilot. He's been working super late. Last night I put the kids to bed and watched Love Actually - such a great holiday movie. I put together this gingerbread village gifted by our secret elves. (Do you check my blog secret elves? If so, thank you!) Kids will decorate them afterschool today. Audrey has Sydney coming over, too. Elves also gifted us all these awesome twisty crayons. Eight packs of crayons for the 8th day of Christmas!

Don't think this is what the elves had in mind when they dropped them at our door step. This kid!

Our tree is stuffed underneath with presents from grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Gonna watch Elf tonight and make some holiday treats. Can't wait for all five of us to be off, and spend time just us.

I Die.

Oh my gosh, seriously is there anything cuter?! I complained when I had to pay a bunch for this costume for Audrey's dance recital, but dang it's adorable.

These girls! Only missing one. Tap dance to Elvis's "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me". Recital this weekend.

Temple Lights

A Christmas tradition - Los Angeles Temple lights with the Encino girls and our families. The Lows came this year, too, and Grandma and Grandpa Tait, Mike and Danny. Crazy crowded tonight, but fun to spend time with some of our favorite people.

Be Gone Humbug

Our bug took two more down! Tyler and I had the stomach flu all day yesterday. Kind of a bummer - made me miss the Ladybug Music holiday brunch, our church Christmas party, and a Skype date with east coast family. Tried not to be too bah-humbug about it, but it was a downer. Made sure we watched favorite holiday movies while stuck on the couch. Fingers crossed this bug has left our house!

The church party ended up a daddy-daughter date for Adam and Audrey. Sad we missed him sing. These two look pretty cute together.

Sure hope we're on the mend - need to catch up on Christmas shopping. Oh, and our Secret Santa (or elves, as they call themselves) are still dropping us goodies. Amazing and such fun! Making sure we do some good ourselves this week.

Acts of Kindness

Someone Secret Santa'd us this wreath last night. Rang the door bell and ran, it was left on our doorstep. Amazing! I love it, and it's got my wheels turning - who did it, and how can we pay it forward?

This morning I was all ready to Christmas shop with Cole thinking he was finally healthy, when he threw up everywhere! Poor thing, but it was a mess. I was down to my last baby wipe (one of the items we were gonna pick up on our outing), sent out a text to my girlfriends who live close by to see if anyone could drop off a pack of wipes today since I might not be leaving the house with the sickie. Within minutes three mini-vans pulled up and Amber, Brooke, and Tina all came to my rescue at the same time! Seriously I have the best friends in the world. I sure hope I am as generous with them as they are with me - a good reminder to make sure I am! Acts of kindness are inspiring and contagious. So glad we're catching the spirit early this season, plenty of time to give back some of what we've already received, with grateful, humble, and happy hearts.

Sick!

A day that was supposed to be Christmas shopping, groceries, and friends has turned into a sick day for these two. Audrey has a fever, Cole his first stomach flu. Good times! Cleaning, laundry, and caretaking. Hope the bug stops here.Watching Tinkerbell:

Lights!

There's a neighborhood near us that goes all out with Christmas decor. Seriously unbelievable, lights everywhere. Thanks to Amber for organizing a night to walk the neighborhood with these wonderful families - hot chocolate and candy canes, too.

These amazing decorations were in people's driveways!

Best shot of five of us:

Ready for more holiday fun!

Super Readers

It's awards week! Both Tyler and Audrey worked hard to reach their goals. Assembly x 2, and Cole was a trooper.

Wedding Shots

A few photos I don't wanna lose from Mikey and Veronica's wedding this past October. Such a fun day!

Love these four! Silly kids.

Adam and his brothers (plus Mikey's best friend). Veronica looked beautiful!

Add in the sisters:

All the Taits! So fun when we're all together. Love having married into a big family.

Monday Night Superheroes

Or super-nerds. Either way, this was our comfy view tonight: