Brotherly Love

One of the blessings of being a mom is watching your children love each other. As a parent you teach them how to treat one another and then stand back from a distance and watch. Sometimes things don't go well and you have to intervene. Other times you smile to yourself when you see love in action.

A couple of days ago, Lincoln came into my room and announced that he was going to make a special breakfast for his sister. I was touched as I saw the level of detail that went into it. A foil lined cookie sheet served as a tray. He prepared of feast of frozen pancakes, yogurt, bread and jam, gingerbread cookies, sliced apples and a glass of milk. A clipped poinsettia carefully placed in a pitcher of water was the final touch.

They talked as Rachel ate and Lincoln sampled a few of the delicacies. I folded laundry and smiled to myself as I watched from a distance.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

A Walk in the Snow

Thursday night another snowstorm blew into town. I had been down with the flu for a couple of days, so to get out of the house I offered to go with Mark to run a quick errand. The snow looked almost magical as it floated out of the night sky. The only thing prettier than Christmas lights, are snow covered Christmas lights.

I asked Mark if he would like to go for a romantic walk in the snow. He politely declined out of concern that I was still a little sick. (translation = the Utes were playing in a bowl game) So I invited someone who would never turn me down.....my Rachel.

"Sure!" she said, "I'd love to!" We bundled up and ventured outside. We decided to take the trail that goes around the park. The lights near the swimming pool were all on. It was so bright and beautiful. We held hands and sang "Walking in a Winter Wonderland".

We chatted about typical nine year old things such as new hair styles in her "American Girl" magazine, which boys were chasing her at recess, what she should get Linc for Christmas, how much she likes her teacher, and a new boy in her class that is very, very smart.

Eventually our conversation turned to deeper things such as the true meaning of Christmas, how much she misses her Grandma, people who are less fortunate than us, how grateful she is to be a twin and to have a baby sister. I told her how much I love her and that she is my joy.

Nearly an hour had passed so we headed for home.

"Mom" she said, "Before we go in, let's make snow angels and then take a picture so that we can remember this night"..... and that's exactly what we did.

A Tie and a Jersey

Saturday was Linc's first basketball game. He was so excited! Saturday was also tithing settlement. Due to circumstances beyond our control, they were scheduled within a half hour of each other. The plan was to go to tithing settlement and then straight to the game.

Mark was gone on a church assignment and I was home getting everyone ready. Mark is very strict about how we should dress when meeting with our bishop, even if it is a Saturday afternoon. We have had multiple talks over the years about how our dress reflects our reverence and respect. Rachel and I were in our dresses when Lincoln came down the stairs.

He said, "Mom, do I look ok?" I turned around to see him in his full basketball uniform with a clip on tie stuck to his jersey and his suit coat over the top of it. I simply said, "Linc, I don't think that is going to work". I reminded him about reverence and respect. He reminded me that he was wearing a tie and a coat. "Try again" I said.

Attempt #2 was a little better, a white shirt appeared over the jersey. Attempt #3 included suit pants over the shorts. I finally approved even though basketball shoes don't really go with a suit. Mark came home to pick us up. One disapproving glance was all that was needed. The gym shoes came off, the Sunday shoes went on.

When we sat down with our Bishop, the first thing he did was compliment the twins on how they were dressed. He said how much he appreciated the fact that they would take time to dress up on a Saturday afternoon. I could see Lincoln flinching. Bishop continued to praise them for their reverence and respect. Finally Lincoln couldn't take the guilt anymore. He confessed that his full uniform was on underneath his suit. Bishop lovingly assured Lincoln that there would be other times in life when he would wear a uniform under his suit and that it was ok.

I hope this was one of those little life lessons for Lincoln. I also hope that someday when he is the dad of a nine year old boy, he will remember a clip on tie stuck to a basketball jersey.

Piano Recital

Rachel's piano recital.

Lincoln's piano recital.

The Christmas Season

I love the Christmas season. There is something about this time of year that brings out the best in people. I have noticed this year how kind and courteous strangers have been to me. People are quick to hold doors, offer help to carry things and even driving in heavy traffic has been fine.

I love Christmas traditions. In my family growing up, my mom always made a gingerbread house. Not the kind that comes in a kit like we use today. She would make gingerbread from scratch and then cut it out using a homemade pattern. She would decorate it with green gumdrops and red hots and it always had a little pretzel fence. The final touch would be the shredded coconut snow sprinkled on top. Each year we gather together at mom's house and each grandchild does their own house. Since there are eleven grandchildren now, the dads have to pitch in. I love the memories that we make.

I love delivering small gifts to our neighbors and friends. Last weekend we had a big snow storm on Friday night. We all went downstairs to the family room. We turned on the fireplace, put a movie on and sat together assembling our neighbor gifts. It was about 10:00 when we finished. The snow was still coming down hard when Rachel had the crazy idea to deliver all the gifts. Since it was late, we would just leave them on the doorsteps. We bundled up and loaded everything into the car. Sami slept, Mark drove, I navigated and the twins delivered the gifts. They had a great time running up and down the streets of our neighborhood. It took us longer than we planned due to the snowball fights that kept breaking out, but we finally finished at midnight.

Last night we had a special Christmas dinner at our church for all the women. The food was wonderful and it was great to see so many friends. Following the dinner was a beautiful program. It was about the Savior's birth seen through the eyes of women such as the innkeeper's wife, the shepherd's wife and others. Rachel was there with me because she was singing as part of the program. On the way home she said, "Mom I just have a warm feeling inside when I think about Jesus".

A warm feeling inside. That pretty much says it all.

Thank Heaven for Little Boys

I grew up in a family of five daughters. My dad was the only male besides our dog, Rags. My mom also has four sisters and no brothers. Needless to say, we had no idea about little boys.

When my sister Jenny had a son, we were thrilled. My sisters and I came to the hospital to see our new nephew. Although we arrived at different times, we all did the same thing... we peeked in his little diaper to see for ourselves that we really had a boy in the family.

When Lincoln was born I entered a new and wonderful world. When he was little, I was introduced to trucks, trains, Rescue Heroes and Buzz Lightyear.

A few days ago I went upstairs to clean the bathroom and there were at least fifty army men set up around the tub. Each one strategically placed. I didn't have the heart to move them.

My life is filled with all things sports. I willingly watch the Red Sox. I know the players, their positions and some of their stats. I love little league. I feel the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat right along with Linc. In the fall I sit through hours and hours of football practice. I worry when the opposing team has big kids and I cheer when Lincoln makes a good tackle. Tomorrow, basketball begins. I know the rules and I understand "screens" and "picks". I recognize most of the Jazz players and I can usually tell you their win / loss record.

The best day of Lincoln's month is when the Sports Illustrated for Kids arrives in the mail. I love his daily (sometimes hourly) sportscasts. You name the team and player and Lincoln usually knows something about him.

Two years ago I was put in as the wolf den leader in cub scouts. When I first got the manual it seemed so overwhelming. Now I can tell you about achievements, badges, arrow points, pack meetings and cub country.

I love the person Lincoln is and the glimpses I see of the man he will become. I respect him. He is smart and funny. Having a twin sister has helped him be sensitive and kind to girls. He compliments Rachel and holds doors for us. He lets me kiss the freckles on his nose and he asks to sit on my lap at church.

Lincoln has brought out things in me that I did not know were there. I am grateful to be his mom. Thank heaven for little boys.

Miracles Happen

A few days ago, a couple of friends came by to visit. They brought with them a special gift for Samantha's room. It is a simple white and pink frame with silver letters that say "miracles happen". When I opened it my eyes filled with tears. It is hanging by her crib and every time I look at it I can't help but feel so grateful for the miracle that has come to us this year.

There is something about rocking a baby to sleep that is good for the soul. A little patch of heaven came with Samantha. The four of us have fallen in love with her. She has a way of bringing out the best in us.

We love her smile and the way she "talks" to us with gentle aahhhs and oohhhs. We cheer when she burps and we argue over who gets to hold her. We adore her hairy ears and her tiny feet. Lincoln takes daily pictures of her and Rachel is her second mom. Mark and I tuck her in her bed at night and wonder how we got so lucky.

With grateful and happy hearts we thank the Lord each night. We know that miracles do indeed happen.

Too busy?

We have had a busy December already. Last weekend we had two Christmas parties and Samantha's blessing. Saturday morning the first big snowstorm of the season hit. We had so much to do to get ready for the party at our house on Saturday night.

We trekked to Costco twice and Macey's once. The house was messy, the baby needed to be fed, the Christmas lights went out, everyone was hungry, the walks needed to be shoveled again and we were pressed for time.

The twins had been outside playing in the snow for a while. Lincoln came in cold and wet. I was drying him off when Rachel opened the door and said happily, "Hey mom, do you want to build a snowman with me?" I started to say "I can't" but I looked at her red nose and cheeks and sweet smile. My heart told me that I would regret passing up an opportunity like that so I put on my coat and gloves and followed my daughter to the front yard.

We had a great weekend surrounded by family and friends but the most meaningful half hour to me, was the one spent with Rachel on a snowy Saturday.

Favorite Things

I missed Oprah's "Favorite Things" program this year. I usually try to catch it. Watching from my TV at home, I wish that I could be in her audience. It is fun to see everyday people showered with treats, clothes, gadgets and other gifts. It got me thinking......what are my favorite things? I have thought it over the past few days and these are the "things" that made my list:

Long summer days and starry nights

The smell of freshly cut grass

Popsicles on the porch swing with my two favorite nine year olds

Fireworks on the 4th of July

Good morning kisses from my sweetheart, Mark

Lemonade stands

The miracle that is Samantha

Piano and dance recitals

Disneyland

Leading the music in primary

Watching old episodes of "Little House" with my Rachel

The crack of the baseball hitting the bat when Lincoln is up

Pancakes on Saturday morning

Homemade Valentines

A game of Frisbee with my old, gray dog

Outstanding teachers that help mold and shape young minds

The last mile of a long run

Family prayer

Shopping with my mom

Christmas lights

A clean, organized house

Long talks with old friends

After school snacks while hearing about a day in the life of two 4th graders

It's funny how the best things in life don't come wrapped in fancy paper with bows. They come in the simplicity of living. When you stop and think about it, the sweetest things in life aren't things.