2009 Christmas Letter

This has been a banner year for your favorite "S" clan! Every year that we actually finish is a banner year, but there have been some really fun things this year that we’re happy about, foremost the birth of our fourth child Mase. I (Ben) also changed jobs from making websites to making websites, so that change of venue has been fun. Princess was baptized in the spring and we have really enjoyed watching our offspring grow and develop into real little people. Rachel has recovered from the pregnancy and runs the household with grace and beauty, often with one hand tied behind her back. Since this is the season of giving, allow me now to give you an update on each of our children.

Princess (8) loves to read and spell and is currently spell-bound by the Fabelhaven series. She recently made a nativity out of Barbies to help decorate the house, and of course we love it! She is very good about helping her younger brothers with their troubles, playing and even basic daily decisions. Princess is very caring and sympathetic and it is fun to back-seat drive with her as she begins to really navigate her way through life. She is also a real cute one and we’re glad that she is only eight!

G-man (6) is the starting forward for the Fox Hollow Flyers this year as a freshman and although he already has a few scholarship offers, we are trying to focus on his education for now, like reading. He loves to play “Barbies and Transformers” with his sister in a compromise of their favorite toys. G-man is very imaginative and loves to run and play. We’re happy to see him begin to spell and read this year in kindergarten. G-man is a real character and keeps us laughing!

Ikey (2) is a wild man-child. He is taking full advantage of his “terrible twos” stage complete with high-pitched screaming and antics like standing on the pew at church and yelling, “to infinity and beyond!” before jumping into flight like Buzz Lightyear. Speaking of Toy Story, we have literally worn out a DVD and a VHS tape watching those shows repeatedly over the first years of his life. We look forward to taking him to sit on the very front row for the new movie Toy Story 3 !

Mr. Mase (4 months) is a baby, and a cute one too, but at four months he’s already the size of most 2-year-olds! Rachel has to work hard to stay ahead of his feedings and changings and I’m happy to jump in and get some quality snuggle (napping) time whenever I can. We really don’t know what he’s into, besides diapers, so you’ll just have to stop by sometime and check him out!

May the spirit of the season join with the Lord’s blessings this year and next!


Love, The "S" Family

BLOG FART

So, I have been having a blog fart lately. I just don't feel motivated to blog about the happenings around here. It's busy enough just accomplishing the things that we are supossed to do.

Will a list format work?

Christmas decorations
Temple square lights
Princess's choir concert
Get together with friends
Girl's night out
Ward party
Candy making
Visiting Teaching
Shopping - all done!
Need to wrap
Sub for santa
Bread making class
Helping with family
School class parties coming up
Ben YM's night
Court of honors
Church meetings for both of us
Neighbor gifts
Laundry, laundry laundry!
wedding videos
Our side business
The sitcom "Lost" - we're addicted! Hence why we are so tired, no self control!

RANDOM THOUGHT: As I was doing the dishes two days ago, I had a thought. It had been a particularly crazy day. I really wanted to fix a nice dinner and had been preparing it all day. I had to plan it just right because Ben had Young Mens that night and he only had about 20 minutes to eat and then be out the door. Backing up a little bit, I had been cross with the kids all day. It started with waking up really late and doing the crazy morning rush. I was totally wrong and shouldn't have yelled at them.

Ok fast forward, I had talked to Ben so I could time dinner being hot on the table when he arrived. As I was finishing up and expecting him to walk in the door, I get a phone call. It's him and his meeting went late. I was upset and really rude on the phone and hung up. I felt under appectiated because I didn't think that he was thinking of my feelings. In my heart I knew that he wouldn't be late on purpose, but my emotions take over and I feel I want to blame someone.

So, as I was cleaning the kitchen after having a nice dinner without Ben and then looking forward to a night solo with the kids again, I had a thought. And it wasn't just a thought, it was a whisper from the Spirit.

Very clearly I understood that I need to show the emotions that I'm ACTUALLY feelings. I often show anger when really what I'm feeling is disappointment, fear, or frustration. I was mad at the kids when what I should have portrayed was that I was nervous that we weren't going to be to school on time and I knew it was because I woke late. I was taking it out on them. What I should have shown Ben was that I was disappointed that we couldn't sit down as a family and have dinner together and that I miss him!

It will be amazing if I can put what the Spirit prompted me to do and be completely honest in my emotions and interactions.