2015 Christmas Family Movie

Year after year we make our Christmas family movie. Sometimes -- often -- it can be stressful. But when it's all done, the kids love it and watch it over and over and over and over again. So...it's worth it. THIS year we had some lighting issues and some of our cast members weren't as compliant, but the movie got done and we have loved it!

Merry Christmas

and a most Happy Holidays

Goodness and Wheels

I love Christmas. It's an exciting time. I love giving gifts...it's my love language...or service. I'm confused because to me giving gifts can be service. So who knows what I am, but I love to give gifts. Boom. There you have it. And I start thinking about people and what I want to do for them starting around July. There are 2 main reasons to think Christmas in July.

1. I get excited and it makes me happy.

2. Because if I can get things done earlier, than there's no rush at the end. I get to enjoy the season and feel the spirit of the season so much more. And that makes me happy.

So, back in July, I was thinking about our kidlets. Callie. I knew she'd been enjoying scooters. Though she had never asked for one, I thought she would love it. Micah. He needed a bike. I regret that we didn't get Callie on a bike sooner and didn't want to make that mistake again. I was looking at a Strider Bike. Sammy. This wasn't a Christmas thought, but since we're talking about wheels, we've been wanting to get her a bike that costs roughly $4,500. But that purchase would require a lot more thought and planning.

Fast forward.

November: I went to Savers looking for a large mirror. As I walked around, I saw a scooter for $4.99! Are you kidding me?! Immediately that sucker was purchased and hidden in the garage. It was a little scuffed up, but it worked great. Yes, I tested it out in the store to make sure. I'm just kind of thrilled about the amazing deal and for whoever decided to donate it instead of trashing it...and donating it to really the only second-hand store I go to! (I have a thing about Good Will and only go to Savers in this area. That's another topic though)

December: I was very determined to get Micah a Strider bike. A new bike store opened by our house and I even talked to the guy about it. I was ready. Then our car needed about $700 in repairs. Regrettably, I went back to the store and told him I wouldn't be ordering a bike. I was so sad. On Christmas Eve my friend, Christine, sent me a text. "Will you be home later tonight? We have something we want to drop off." I was expecting a plate of cookies or some other Christmas treat, but what did I see when I opened the door?! A wrapped up Strider Bike! I was floored. Marcus and I were speechless, just staring at each other wide eyed!

January: Today we received another delivery. You guessed it. Sammy's new BIKE! WHAT? Well, new to us anyway. Years ago I was contacted by a publisher and asked to read a book and write a review. For the Love of Aimee was written by Julie Matsushima, Aimee's grandmother, and touched my heart. Aimee is so much like Sammy I felt like much of what she wrote were words from my own heart. Years later, Julie and I met. We used Sweatin' for Sammy to raise awareness and money for an all accessible park being built in San Jose, a project that Julie is heading up through the Rotary Club of San Jose. Julie had bought the bike for Aimee, and since Aimee doesn't use it anymore...she thought of Sammy. Her son just drove down from Modesto and delivered it! The bike, new, is roughly $4,500. Used, they could get at least 1/2. It's old, but it's in good shape. They gave this to us. Gifted it over to another little girl who will use it just like Aimee did. And I'm...just so grateful. I'm looking forward to our family walks together, where Sammy can ride along...not just sit in her wheelchair.

These pictures are from a couple years ago. Callie and I went to Sammy's class for a party and Callie was able to push Sammy on the bike and LOVED it! The new bike doesn't have this high back on it. It will fit her size just perfectly! I can't wait to use her new bike with her in it...pictures will certainly be coming in the near future.

Here's the thing. We can get good deals all over the place. If I went to the store and was given free bikes, that would be awesome. But it means so much more when there is love and friendship behind it. My heart is so full of love and gratitude for our friends, but also for people in general. There is so much good in the world, and I'm lucky to be a recipient of that goodness. I hope that I can be the source of that goodness for others too.

Life is so so good.

"We Need A Little Christmas" 2014

Here is our annual family Christmas movie. The kids had a lot of fun doing it. Merry Christmas!

A Night with Santa

We had our annual Christmas Party at church a couple weeks ago. It was a great evening, of course. But by the time we actually got up to Santa, Sammy was tired and hungry (upset), Micah was antsy (upset), and Callie was sick of waiting and wanted to just be with friends (upset). So these are our stellar pictures. We started with one on one. Callie got her time with Santa, and then I jumped in and asked if we could just get a group shot. I think I surprised Santa. I mean, what mom will take the Santa experience away from her children?

This mama, that's who.

We needed to get some dinner, and quite frankly, my kids aren't super excited about Santa Claus anyway. So, there you have it.

 Later that evening, the Primary children were asked to come up and sing. Callie sat next to Sammy on the stage, and it was pretty adorable to see them up there, I have to say.

Each year the Primary kids generally participate in a small nativity. This year, a video was prepared, and it was pretty cute. The kids were able to choose their favorite person in the nativity and why. They dressed up as that person and a picture was taken. All those pictures were then put into a video set to music. It was pretty cute.

Callie chose Mary "because she was righteous."

Sammy chose to be a shepherd "because they were humble."

Micah also chose to be a shepherd, because "I get to hold a stick."
(He really said that.)

Then they finished the night with another song.

It was a really nice evening, and this year, being that our Christmas party was so early in the month, it was really nice. I wasn't yet in the rush of things and we were able to just sit back, relax, have fun, talk to friends, have a great dinner, and hear about the Savior through the innocence of our children.