Elf Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas Preparations

We cut our tree at a little tree farm down the street.

This morning we woke up to over a foot of snow. It took Rich an hour and a half to shovel himself out of the driveway. We like a white Christmas but this is a little much.

I made cinnamon rolls for some friends and neighbors. My boys loved them too!
Even the birds get a treat. Every day at lunch time, we watch the bird gobble up the seeds. We have chickadees, cardinals, blue jays, and many others.


Yesterday we made our own gingerbread house. Can you tell that the kids have had a little too much sugar?

Presents for Teachers

As we were hurrying out the door for preschool this morning, Carson grabbed a piece of wrapping paper and informed me that he needed to wrap a gift for his preschool teacher. He said "The other kids gave her something and she was so happy." I am embarrassed to say that I didn't have a gift planned for his teacher. When I was a kid only a select few presented the teacher with gifts. I just was not on the ball with this one. Anyway, he set his sights on a used puzzle that was in the pile to go to the Recycling Barn. I looked in the closet and grabbed a unopened puzzle. I also suggested maybe some chocolates. No, Carson wanted to give his teacher that puzzle. So, we wrapped it up. I explained to the teacher how determined he was to give her the used puzzle. I am slightly embarrassed, but Carson was pleased. I guess that's all that matters.

Ice

Here are some pictures of our yard after the ice storm. Luckily, we didn't lose power. Church is cancelled for tomorrow because electricity has not been restored at the church building.

Parable of the Bald Turkey

The sunday before Thanksgiving, I spoke in the Portland Ward. Since I was outside my own ward, I figured I could take a few creative liberties with my talk, which including rounding out the talk with what I would simply call the parable of the bald turkey.

"Earlier in the month, I began thinking of ways I might be able to have our boys become more aware of the blessings they have and to acknowledge them. One morning before work, I worked with them to cut out a pink body shaped like a turkey. Next, we cut out an orange beak! Eyes, mouth, and a pilgrim hat soon followed. The boys happily glued the pieces together, as I told them the details of the project we were undertaking. I told them that everyday they could add a new feather to the turkey. Each time they added a feather, they would think of one thing they were thankful for and write it on the feather. The weeks have gone by, with the 7-year-old being much more interested in the project that the four-year-old who is just beginning to write. Today, fastened to the fridge, the 7-year-olds turkey contains a beautiful full-fanned tail of colorful feathers noting things he is grateful for – including school, family and friends. Fastened adjacent to it, stands the 4-year-old’s bald, colorless turkey – not a feather in sight. I laugh everytime I walk by the fridge."

Don’t be a bald turkey - count our blessings and acknowledge the Lord’s hand in our lives.