Snow, Christmas Pictures, and a Birthday

We had snow again this week. A bit more than last week. I took Rhaevyn to her last violin lesson on Wednesday. The snowstorm was supposed to arrive by 11am, but it was more like 4:00 pm when it arrived. Chris was pulling into the driveway as I was pulling out, and he assured me that the roads were fine. The snow was coming down pretty good. I have to say that I didn't think the roads were fine about halfway to the lesson. I'm glad I was driving the suburban. The roads were pretty slippery. I had to go up a few hills, and I was so worried I wasn't going to make it up them. Rhaevyn's violin teacher was surprised that we showed up, as most people that afternoon had canceled. She said I must have some serious driving skills. Nope, not I. Driving home was the trickiest part. I fishtailed at one point and bumped a curb with my back tire. Luckily everyone was driving slow and giving cars a lot of space. My jaw was sore by the time I made it home because I was clenching it the whole way home. I think Rhaevyn and I prayed the whole way home too. I realize this probably sounds ridiculous to those who live where it snows a lot, but it hardly ever snows here. No one really is experienced enough to drive in it here. I make every effort, when it does snow, to not go driving. We were truly blessed and watched over:)
 

Thursday and Friday, Chris had off from work. Thursday we went and played with four puppies at the humane society. Oh my goodness they were soooooo cute!! I think Myles would have been happy to take one home, but we all seemed to be drawn to different ones and couldn't agree on just one. I figured that was my clue that  we hadn't found the right one, but it was a fun way to spend an hour and a half of our day. On the way home we dropped Myles off to play at a friend's house.                                                  Friday was a busy day. We were blessed again with a new washing machine. this is our first HE front loader. The other free one we were given is starting to tear up the clothes and not spin all the water out of the clothes. The front loader came with a dryer, but since it is electric and we have gas, we gave it to another family at church who were in need of a new dryer. I'm super excited to get the washing machine installed. The people were getting rid of it because there was a small leak, and they didn't want to wait for the Sears guys to come fix it. Chris said it looks to be leaking where the hose inlet is. The problem seems to be that the fitting was not tightened.  I'm excited to see how much our water bill goes down :) Anyway, Chris and a friend of ours went to pick up the washing machine/dryer Friday morning, and then he took Myles and Aeva up to Ben and Stacey's to help install a pellet stove. We had a bet going that he wouldn't make it back that night. Thank goodness I had chocolate chip cookies waiting for him, because I lost the bet.

 Tonight is the Messiah. Rhaevyn had practice for almost 5 hours yesterday. Poor thing, I could tell her hands and arms were getting tired. The violinists don't get much rest time during the Messiah. Here are a couple of short videos of the performance tonight. If you look closely you can see her in the videos.The videos don't do the music justice. The choir and orchestra were simply amazing!


                                                                                              















Monday night was Family Home Evening and Rhaevyn was in charge.She wanted to go to Ikea.We had hotdogs, ice cream, and did Christmas pictures. I think I slightly embarrassed the kids, but they were good sports about the pictures. At least it gave us something to laugh about when we got home.

 

Before we left Myles, Elsa, and Aeva found their favorite animals:) 

Meg just liked all of them :)

 

 
 Tuesday was Meg's 3rd Birthday. I can't even believe she is three already. She had a banana cupcake with Bavarian cream in the center and buttercream frosting. She ate about a quarter of it, and the rest of us got one bite. Aeva picked out the cupcakes that the rest of us had.

 

 Time to open presents....................
A pretty dress from Oma:

 

 And a Little People Merry-Go-Round that I found in great condition at a vintage shop here in town. I remember playing with one of these when I was little at my Grandmother's house.

 

 

Elsa got a brief lesson in crocheting from Rhaevyn. She sat and did one long chain using white yarn and put it on the Christmas tree. She was so excited about it.

Meg had her 3 year well child check. Everything looks pretty good. She had to do a urine test, which I was so happy she could do in a cup, and a blood test. The lab worker gave her a pretty bandage with a purple bow. She is going to be on iron supplements. Since nothing has changed, and she is a healthy girl, the doctor isn't worried about anything else right now. Pretty clean bill of health for our big 3 year old. And on a side note, I forgot to put a diaper on her Friday night. Usually Chris is the one that gets her ready for bed, but since he wasn't home I put her to bed, but totally forgot diapers. She slept in her big girl undies, and she woke up dry!!!!!! Way to go Meg!

And that about sums up our week. This week's big event..................Aeva turns 16!!!!

December, Here We Are!

Monday thru Wednesday the girls had their finals. Finals are done, turned in, and graded!!!! Sigh of relief! They both did wonderful on their Japanese Advertisement. So super happy for them that they survived their first quarter and did great! All A's and one B. Now to buy books for the next quarter and a bit of rest and relaxation. Although, maybe not total R & R since Rhaevyn is trying to catch up on her Korean, and Aeva will be keeping up on Japanese and doing drawings for her Japanese teacher's class packet for the fall.

Monday was my eye exam. I don't think I can put bifocals off any longer. While the penny pincher in my says I should go for the lined lenses because they are covered 100%, the vain side of me cries out "Nooooooooooooooooo!!!" I  think, although it is a bit pricey, the vain side will win. I just tell myself that my eye doctor says it's better to go with the progressive lens, with no line showing, since this is my first time getting them. 

Tuesday afternoon Rhaevyn helped me highlight my hair. I'd been told that gray highlights were in and people pay for that to be done. I don't necessarily mind the gray, but I like to have a bit of sunshine in my hair. I don't like it getting too dark. Rhaevyn was an excellent assistant with my highlights.
Tuesday evening Rhaevyn and I went to the RS activity. There was singing, solos, and thoughts shared on the perspective of Mary, Joseph, The Shepherds, Angels, The Lamb, etc. We were building a nativity with each little thought/story shared. I had Mary. I shared parts of the song Your Here by Francesca Battistelli. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I love that it is sung from Mary's perspective. If you haven't heard it, feel free to click on the link below. I can't get through it without tears. It was such a wonderful evening and activity.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2xxqRm3Hyg

While Rhaevyn and I were at the RS activity, Myles went to the Portland Raceway to see the Christmas lights and the dog contest. This was right up his alley. He got to pet and hug lots and lots of dogs. There was even hot cocoa. He had fun singing a round with one of the other scout leaders (Christmas is Coming the Goose is getting Fat). She was sweet to let him wear her gloves since he had forgotten to bring his, and she was kind enough to take picture. The RS activity was at her house, so I got to see the pictures she had taken before I left to go home. 

 

We had snow on Thursday which mostly melted by Friday. The kids had a blast Thursday playing in it. These pictures were taken at the very beginning when it started to snow.

 

 

 

 

 

We ventured out Friday afternoon to the Scholastic Book Warehouse Sale. Aeva looks forward to these twice a year, and we took our friend Sister Lee. Her husband had never been and tagged along, which I'm super glad about because when we crossed the river the temperature dropped and the parking lot was a sheet of ice. He's a long haul trucker, experienced in driving in those kind of conditions, so he parked the car for me. When we left he went and got the car and pulled it up to the curb for us. Aeva found two books that she liked. Have I mentioned the girls have started their own book collection for their own personal library? I got two really cute hardback books for the kids: The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home. All the books were 50% off. I scored one of mine for $4.50 because it had a few smudges on the jacket, which I can take off. I was super excited 😊. The littles and I sat down and read our two new books as soon as we got home, and they wanted to read them again once I'd finished.

Friday night I got a date with my best friend (Chris). Yay!! It was so nice to sit and talk. He's been busy with work and I've just been busy getting the kids here and there, so it was nice to just take a moment to breathe. Then last night I had a date with my other best friend (Jill). It had been a month since the last time we had seen, talked, chatted, laughed, and cried together. We're like two clucking hens when we get together because there is always so much to tell each other since the last time we got together. She talked me into getting this zip-up sweatshirt. I loved the color, and she kept telling me it was calling my name. I splurged and felt very happy to score it for $5.41. What a way to end the night 👍 Then we sat in front of my house and talked while eating our one piece of See's candy that we treated ourselves to. I talked her into the eggnog one which is Rhaevyn's favorite.

I decided to do my nails Sunday morning. Pretty happy with how they turned out since I did the sparkly red freehand. There is just something about having your nails done. Plus I feel all Christmasy now.
Here I am: nails done, new sweatshirt, and a bit of sunshine in my hair.

Last Saturday we (everyone except Aeva)went to the Humane Society just to look at dogs We were going to check out this really cute one named Cody, which Myles and Chris had already seen. I called him Mr. Chang because he looked like he had this little long mustache that you see Chinese men sporting from long ago. Unfortunately, he had just gotten adopted. Myles was in tears because he really fell in love with him. He had printed out Cody's picture, hung it on the wall, had him as our wallpaper on the computer. You get the picture. Tuesday I took all the kids over again to look at the dogs, and there was a Maltipoo that was super happy and cute. Myles wanted to have the whole family go the next day to pet and play with her, but she got adopted that night. No one wanted to tell Myles, and we hoped he'd forget. He brought it up the next day, and I had to break the news to him. Poor guy was in tears again. I have to say, I think I'm breaking down. I'm finding it hard to remain strong in my stand against having a dog. I'll admit, I'm really not a dog person, but I think a dog might be good therapy for some of my kiddos. We just need the perfect one that we all love to fall into our laps for a great price, and by that I mean free. Sometimes I think, "Is my world turning upside down??" Because just last night everyone thought it would be a good idea to have a prayer, being specific about the dog dilemma. It is saying something when we are all in agreement. It was serious business.............we gathered around in a circle, holding hands, and I was voted the prayer giver since I seem to have so many specific requirements for getting a dog. I'm laughing and shaking my head at the same time.

Yesterday, Aeva and the second counselor in the YW presidency did a piano duet of Pachelbel's Cannon in D while the YW sang The First Noel. It sounded so beautiful together. It was a joy to see Aeva really enjoying playing the piano.


We've been enjoying our tradition of Christmas movies. Everyone gets excited to decide which movie to watch next. I think I've found two more to add to our collection: The Bishop's Wife and Winter Thaw. If you want to watch the second one, here is a link. (in case you don't get the BYU channel). It is such a sweet story. The kids really enjoyed it. It is based on a Leo Tolstoy's short story.

http://www.byutv.org/watch/59ca5e75-b7e9-4139-8c4a-45c17ef02166/winter-thaw-winter-thaw
And with that, I end this post. I love this time of year. I love the wonder and contentment of the kids just laying by the Christmas tree in the dark with the lights going. I love the Spirit that can be felt. Wishing you all a very blessed week.

Our Week in Review

 It was like Christmas this morning for Elsa. We looked through some clothes that I had packed away that Rhaevyn and Aeva had worn. She was excited to inherit a pair of warm pajamas, three dresses, one skirt, and one sweater. She decided on this purple dress and white sweater for church today. And to make the day even better, her sweet friend at church was wearing a purple dress and black shoes too. They were twinners! I got the opportunity to sit with Elsa's Primary class (7-8 year olds) today because we couldn't locate their teacher. So, it was me just asking them a bunch of questions and talking with them during their class time. Her cute little friend, Mari, said one thing she was super excited about for her birthday was that her turning nine meant Elsa would be turning 8 and they would be in Activity Days together. I thought that was the sweetest thing ever!

 Love my little chatterbox :)

I love this picture because my little Meg decided she needed to be in the picture too.

 Here are most of my kiddos. Myles is sporting his new sweater, which has a great story behind it.
I found it at a second hand shop here in town. I'm always on the look out for a nice sweater for him. I took him in to try it on because he has sensory issues, and I had to make sure it would work before I went and bought it. He kept telling me that he was being "honest" and really liked it when he tried it on. So, I bought if for $3, which I was so excited about because it looked brand new. I got it home, washed it, dried it, and he put it on straight from the dryer. He wouldn't take it off for almost four days. I had to promise that I'd wash it and have it ready to wear by the next morning. The funny thing is he later admitted that when he had tried it on at the store he really didn't like it, but could see how much I liked it on him. He's glad he said he liked it though, because now he truly loves it as you can tell.

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So, remember the smell from Thanksgiving. Well, it wasn't gas. Nope, it was a dead field mouse up in the rafters. We had one night were we did everything we could think of to find out what the smell was. Chris and I decided the next night he'd either have to go under the house to investigate or up in the rafters. He chose the rafters first and found the culprit of the stench. So thankful it was just that. Poor Chris had to really try and not lose his lunch while disposing of it. Now the smell is gone!!!!! Hooray!!!
We are on the hunt for a new dentist. Poor Rhaevyn left the dentist office in tears on Thursday, and Mama Bear had been riled up!! At least they definitely know why we won't be patients there anymore. I didn't mince words. Nobody makes my Rheavyn cry :(
This is finals week! I think the girls are most excited for their Japanese final and want to sit in on each other's Japanese class to see how their advertisement goes. They can have note cards, but the advertisement has to be 25 sentences. I know Rhavyn is doing an advertisement for Manga.
Sad news..................Rhaevyn has decided to stop taking violin lessons. I know Aeva got to a point with piano where she was just burnt out and needed a break. It was sad at the time, but I see now that there was wisdom in it for her. She came back with an actual love to play the piano, and she is more dedicated at leanring to play piano music until it's flawless. So, I'm trying to keep that perspective with Rhaevyn. The orchestra she is in performed a little Christmas concert on Friday at a 55+ community. It was lots of fun, and there was a sing along at the end. I think the couple sitting next to us got a kick out of how jubilantly Elsa sang. At the end Rhaevyn turned in her sheet music for Handel's Messiah. She decided that she just didn't feel like she knew it well enough to play on the 18th. The lead violinist and violist both hugged her and begged her to come and play what she could and air bow what she didn't know. They told her they had been doing this for over 25 years and that is why they know it so well; when they had played it for the first few years they were horrible and got lost most of the time while playing. They expressed to her just how much they needed her there. I'm pleased to say that she ran back and got her sheet music and will finish up with Handel's Messiah :)

These aren't the best pictures, but Rhaevyn is in the first row of violinists (middle) sitting to the right of the lead violinist.

 You can see her in this one, although she didn't want her picture taken.

 And here are a couple of snippets of the orchestra from Friday's performance. It is hard to get actual video footage of Rhaevyn playing the violin, as she gets nervous and self conscious. Chris tried to get some footage where there was a lot of violins playing.

Until the next update I bid you all a wonderful week :)

It has been a while since I last posted. What can I say??? Life has been busy.....
The girls have been busily working on their final English Essay, which basically accounts for 90% of their grade. Rhaevyn is preparing for the Christmas program with the orchestra she plays in. Aeva was asked by her Japanese teacher to help illustrate her next packet for the Fall Japanese class. The younger kids and I are plugging along on schooling and drum roll please...............

Meg is officially potty trained!!!!!!!

I dropped off the last three quilts the day I attended the Remembrance Ceremony at the hospital. I am so glad I went. I met some really nice people who share the same grief. I can't really put my feelings into words of what a relief it was to be among people that wear a very uncomfortable coat much like i do, and it's really hard to explain I guess unless your reality is that of losing a baby. I think it was just what I needed.
This is the quilt that my visiting teacher had done, and I just had the easy part of sewing on the binding.

Myles did a science experiment on elements and leavening. Best part is that we got to eat the science experiment when he was done. 

I'm sure so much more has happened since I last posted, but I can't seem to think what I'm forgetting.


This morning after a breakfast of plain, and banana, pancakes we scooped up the leaves off the back cement patio and then brought the Christmas tree. We put some Christmas music on, set up the tree, and decorated the tree.

 Myles wanted this angel bunny on the tree this year to feel like our little one was a part of all the celebration.

 Myles worked on setting up the train around tree.

 Aeva was tuckered out after decorating the tree.

And now it's time to start Thanksgiving dinner. We had everything on hold because the gas company had to come out and check a possible leak. Thankfully it is nothing catastrophic and should be an easy fix. The kids are happy we can still cook mashed potatoes. This has proved to be an exciting Thanksgiving :)
From our family to all of yours....................we hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.