At long last

Every time there is a snow flake outside my girls want to go sledding. One of the benefits of having a sloped yard is that they can just go in the front yard and sled. I've told them that when you can't see anymore grass, then you can go sledding. Well after yesterday's snow storm we finally had enough snow to go sledding.

Here are a few things I learned from yesterday's storm.

1. Whitney's school is at the base of a pretty large hill. I almost didn't make it out.

2. I bought snow boots for the wrong kid. I've been to several stores to find boots for Whitney. Turns out hers still fits her. Lindsey's on the other hand don't. Cassidy also needs gloves. Sure wish I would have figured all this out before I finished Christmas shopping. Now I have to rethink some presents.

3. When I bought snow pants a couple of years ago I should have bought neutral colors so that Grant could wear them. I don't think Aaron will let him outside in pink pants.

4. I forgot the joys of piling all of their stuff on for Lindsey to be outside for less than 5 minutes.

5. I love the snow. I really enjoy shoveling, unless it is really heavy. I love being outside after a snow storm. It is very quiet and peaceful.

Whitneyism

Whitney: "Mom, I cheated on my spelling test."
Mom: "What? Why did you cheat on your spelling test?"
Whitney: "I didn't mean to, it just happened."
Mom: "How did you cheat on your spelling test?"
Whitney: "I could see the answers."
Mom: "See the answers? Where they written on the chalkboard?"
Whitney: "No, I just closed my eyes and in my head I could see my paper with all the spelling words on it."
Mom - trying not to laugh: "Honey, that's not cheating. That is just remembering. You must have a photographic memory."

What to do when you worry to much

I am on the verge of tears tonight because of this book. It is seriously an answer to my prayers. I have been looking for a way to deal with Whitney's anxiety. To better understand her and what she is experiencing. Almost every day she has a headache or a stomach ache. She has panic attacks anytime anything new or a change happens. I have been praying to know how to help her.

I was looking for a book for Whitney for Christmas and came across this one. I decided to just check it out of the library instead. It finally came today and I read it with her. While I am reading this book it was like it was describing everything about Whitney. She kept saying, "It's like it knows that you are reading me this book." It even gave an example that said - "Pretend you are afraid of dogs and that you are going to go over to your friends house to play but you don't know if they have a dog." HELLO - we go through this exact scenario that it described every time we go to a friends house. It was incredible. There was nothing in there that she couldn't relate to. It gave her steps and ideas of what to do to deal with her "Worry Bullies." We are going to have "Worry Time" each day for 15 minutes. This is the only time that she can worry about things. One of us will set down with her uninterrupted and talk about what ever is worrying her. At first there will be a lot of things, but eventually the theory is that it will evolve into "Talk Time" because she doesn't have as many worries anymore.

The most exciting thing to me was her reaction to the book. You could see a sense of relief that this happens to other people and that there was a way to deal with it. To understand that her physical pains were being caused by worrying. (Even though I had told her that, it is easier to believe a book.) She is excited to try all of the things that it suggested. Time will tell how it works, but I have a really good feeling about it.

If you or your child is a worrier - please read this book. There are so many good suggestions that would work for adults as well as kids.

Carrots anyone?

Saturday we harvested our carrots from our garden. Crazy that it was the 6th of December and my kids are outside in short sleeves picking stuff out of the garden. I'm not really sure what to do with carrots. I had heard that carrots can over winter, which is why I hadn't harvested them yet. Let's think about it seriously though. Do you really think I am going to put on my boots and my coat and my gloves and go out to the garden dig in the frozen ground in the middle of the winter to get a carrot? No way. So we got them all out - now the problem is I have a ton of carrots and I don't know what to do with them. If anybody is in need of carrots, please let me know - I would love to give some away. Perhaps I will tie a bow around them and start handing them out as Christmas presents. Make up some cute poem about a snowman's nose and there you have it.

Lindsey picked this huge carrot shown above. She was so proud. And of course if you take one person's picture you have to take all of them. So Lindsey picked the carrot, but technically it was in Cassidy's garden. Whitney found a carrot that was made up of lots of carrots twisted together - kind of cool.

Seriously - if anyone knows how to store carrots for a long time, let me know.

An Attitude of Gratitude

I am so grateful that I decided to do these posts this month. We were discussing at church today all the blessings and benefits that come from showing gratitude and saying thank you to someone. The two simple words "Thank You" can be two of the most powerful words in the English language. Showing gratitude each day keeps you humble. Seeing the Lord's hand in your life each and everyday keeps pride away. It keeps you on the right path. I have enjoyed trying to think of something to write each day. I have enjoyed seeing all the many things that the Lord has blessed me with. It has made me happier each day. It has made my burden's light.

This month's posts are probably boring to most - but thanks anyway for reading them.

Rediscovering Christmas

My children are still young enough that they don't remember a lot from year to year. This creates a new and exciting adventure every time they rediscover something about Christmas. Seeing Santa at the end of the Thanksgiving Parade. Seeing Christmas lights. Putting up the Christmas tree - looking at each ornament like it was the first time that they have seen it. Driving down the streets and seeing decorations everywhere. Watching Christmas shows on TV. Pulling out their stockings. The retelling of the story of the birth of Jesus. Singing Christmas carols.

The joy and excitement that is seen on their faces and the laughter and happiness in their voices are somethings that I wish I could capture. I know that these moments aren't going to last. As they get older and remember from year to year it will lose it magic. I am just trying to enjoy these moments while I can.

Black Friday

I am grateful for my in-laws who watched our children for us so that Aaron and I could brave the crowds and go shopping. I don't enjoy crowds so much, but it is all part of the adventure. I don't think we will make a tradition of this, but it was nice to do it once.

Thanksgiving

I am grateful for the sacrifices and hardships that the pilgrams went through to come to America. I am grateful for the Indians that helped them to settle here and teach them. They both suffered much for our nation and for our freedoms which we enjoy today.

Whitney is thankful for . . .

Cassidy is thankful for . . .