Super Oliver

Oliver likes Spiderman, Buzz Lightyear, Mr Incredible. He doesn't even know who Mr Incredible is but loves the preview of it on one of our movies. In fact, unless Jordan has been secretly showing Oilver Spiderman clips - he has never seen spiderman either yet somehow he knew when he recieved a hand me down spiderman shirt that it was the most extrodinary piece of clothing he would ever come across. My little boy just loves superheroes. I noticed the trend and decided to try to use the information to help in my efforts to foster a loving, kind, GENTLE relationship with Ben. One night he woke up and came into our room. He seemed like he needed a little comforting so I cozied up with him in our bed and told him a tale of heroism, bravery and courage beyond belief. I told him the tale of.............SUPER OLIVER!!!! I told him one story and then just changed a few details each time I told it. He never seems to tire of this story and often asks me to tell it while making suggestions as to what the villian and crime should be. Oliver was the one who came up with the ideas for the fates of the villians. The story goes like this:

Once upon a time there was a boy named Oliver who was very big and strong.
One day he heard his little brother Ben crying and so he flew over to him to see what was wrong.
He saw that :

(insert one of the following tradgedies)
a crocodile was eating Ben's shirt
aliens were jumping on Ben
a monster was pulling Ben's hair
a mean guy was shouting in Ben's face

So Oliver said "Hey you! Stop hurting my brother!"
Oliver got a rope, tied up the (crocodile, alien, monster, mean guy) and threw him into the ocean.
And then:

(insert one of the following fates for the villian)
sharks ate the (crocodile, alien, monster, mean guy) and went "ha, ha, ha, ha"
pirates came and took the (crocodile, alien, monster, mean guy)

THE END.

Catalina Island

In the Christmas spirit of enjoying being together I wanted to post some of the Catalina photos. We had such a wonderful time with the family members that were there, and we will miss everybody when you are altogether in Seattle! Family and other people really are the things that are the most special about Christmastime.




What a beautiful place!

that's a good-looking bird

Happy Birthday Char

It has been an eventful year for our family and Char has certainly been in the middle of it all.

Some of the highlights have been starting her own successful piano business from scratch, giving birth to little Ben and striving hard to raise two happy wonderful kids while also being a kind loving mother.

Last week when Char found out that one of the blokes in our ward was having a tough time coping as a single parent with his new baby (as per "I'm thankful for my nursing bra" she posted last month) she didn't hesitate to step in and do a few things to help him out. One of the main things she did was taking his little one for a night after he had been struggling which I think was particularly generous given that she knew she had to cope with our own little Ben who is known to cause a lot of sleepless nights himself. I think this is a good example of Char's year - kind and thoughtful for the needs of her own kids and family while also thinking of others.

Another thing that stands out for me was how well Charla endured a very tough pregnancy and birth. In true Char fashion then I don't think it would be a good post without a quote or two -
"all of us have bad luck and good luck. The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps right on going - is the man who is there when the good luck comes - and is ready to receive it."

Our plans to go back to Canada have meant that there are a lot of people here who will sorely miss Char - piano students, friends from playgroup and church friends (many of whom have already shed a few tears about her leaving) and in the midst of this her three boys feel even more lucky and grateful to have her.

So hope you have a great birthday Char and here's to another great year that lies ahead!

What Happened to Scrooge?

On Wednesday night I hosted A Christmas Carol party for the Relief Society.  I think it was one of my favorite parties ever cause we got to act out a couple great scenes, eat plum pudding and roast 'goose', play games - all inspired from one of my very favorite books.  

I think I like it so much because its so well written,  so theatrical, it's set in Victorian England, it's about Christmas, but most of all it's because the story is incredibly beautiful and moving.  

It's about a "tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone, Scrooge, a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!"  who through the spirit of Christmas, is transformed.

He becomes, "as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew"  

Just one of my many favorite quotes:

"I'm sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round ... as a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys ... though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

Love you, 

Mom

Christmas time

I'm so excited for this Christmas! As I look towards the upcoming weeks, my mind is filled with thoughts about home and family. As I finish up school projects, wrap things up and work, say goodbye for now to friends, and prepare for our ward Christmas program, I can't help but think about the warm cozy rug by the fire at home, the Christmas tree, and the cider or hot chocolate we will surely enjoy together. :) It will be wonderful to relax with family after a busy few months for us all. (or relax in Sacramento, Puentes.) I have a lot on my plate right now but by trying to stay centered on the reason behind why we celebrate Christmas, it's putting things in perspective. I love the story shared by President Monson in the First Presidency Christmas devotional. The inspiring tale of the man in the flannel suit at the Atlanta airport in 1970 really moved me. I am reminded of the power, strength, and comfort that comes from being together as a family, at home, and especially during this season. I am also reminded of the incredible love and kindness that we can show towards others.
L

19 YEAR OLD RACHEL!!

WOW!... RACHEL! Your head must still be spinning from everything that's happened this year. Not only high school graduation and starting college, traveling to Vietnam and Chile and welcoming your brother home, slinging bagels at Noahs and throwing a dinner party for 30 and

earning your YW recognition award and raising hundreds of dollars for the orphanage in Vietnam and volunteering dozens of hours in the community and having tons of fun with your friends and loving every minute you get to spend with your nephews  and always telling people about them- including the newest one! , and applying to colleges, earning scholarships and awards and staying in shape by

running and going to mom-daughter book clubs and performing Viva la Vida on your violin in front of 2,000 people and trying to help everyone with their problems and more, much more but still staying cool and collected through it all.
(That explains the photo of the snowman!)

Rachel, in all the busyness and excitement and challenges and tough decisions of your last year at home there was one moment that really stood out for me. It was the Sunday right after prom. You'd been out all night with your friends. You came home at 8 AM and got ready for church. And then you gave a beautiful talk in sacrament meeting about your favorite New Testament scripture story. You told us about the woman at the well. You said how her story shows how one can learn to recognize, then accept and then love the Savior. And then you said how much you loved the scripture from Mark 4:39, "Peace, be Still". Then I understood why you've decided to make good choices and do the things you do.
Rachel, you've had such an amazing year because YOU are amazing. And for that reason I know the next year also has many wonderful things in store for you.
Enjoy your very last day of being 18 and -
Happy Birthday!

Things to be thankful for!

I'm grateful to be here at BYU. Although I wasn't sure if I would like it at first, I've really come to love it. The people here are great, I've made a lot of good friends already. And my classes are challenging but I feel like I'm learning a lot. I look forward to next semester (even though this one is ending and I still need to finish it strong!) and I love being near the mountains and having snow. Oh and I'm thankful that I turn 19 in two days! Anyways, I love all you guys and of course I'm so grateful for family too.