Grant is a Champion

Grant was nominated for a "I am a Champion" award by his Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Clegg.  Ms. Clegg nominated Grant for his love to learn and willing to always do hard things.  We were so proud of Grant.  He has done really well in school and really does love to learn.  Kyle was able to go to the  award ceremony.  I had to miss it because I am working this month. Lame! 

He got a really nice certificate and a $5 gift certificate to a frozen yogurt shop.

A Thanksgiving Craft

I made this "thanks" banner at a Relief Society activity.  I actually added brown binding to the edges of the flags because I didn't like the raw edges.  The funny thing about this banner is I actually made the banner at home.  I went to the Relief Society night to socialize.  I ended up helping a few sisters who had never sewn anything before.  I spent two hours helping and visiting.  It was wonderful.  I came home and whipped this banner up in less than an hour.  I love how it turned out. 

The Final Stretch

I have almost survived!  I only have one more week left of work.  I am so glad!  I have loved being a professional again, but I am ready to be home with my kids again.  I really miss them a ton.  Being a mom is a full time job, but then when you add work it is intense.  I have a new found respect for working moms.  I am grateful for a husband who has a good job and is able to support us so I can stay home.

Life of Pi

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4214.Life_of_Pi" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Life of Pi" border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320562005m/4214.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4214.Life_of_Pi">Life of Pi</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/811.Yann_Martel">Yann Martel</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/773861505">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I knew this book was different before I even picked it up.  I don't know if I just had lowered expectations or if I was just in the mood for something different, but I loved this book.<br>I love biology and psychology so I found the first part of the book fascinating.  I found the story completely believable.  <br>Now you can say I am narrow minded, but I didn't see a whole lot of symbolism in the story and the story didn't bring me closer to God.  However, the story did remind me of humans' innate ability to survive no matter our circumstances.<br>I didn't think the alternate ending Pi gives to the Japanese investigators  frustrating and wish the author would have just left that part out. <br>Overall, I thought the author did a fabulous job telling a story of a boy stranded on a life boat in the ocean for 227 days!<br>No swearing and no sex.  Some violence.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2251204-kelly">View all my reviews</a>

Girls' Night Out

In November a few ladies in the ward got together for dinner.  The night started out by almost literally getting hit by a car.  We were driving down the state highway when a deer ran out in front of us.  Jenalee saw the deer, but the car next to us did not and hit the deer.  They tried to swerve and avoid the deer nearly running us off the road.  We pulled to the side of the road to get our bearings.  Auna told us we shouldn't get out of the car  because the highway is a busy road and we could get hit. Jenalee got out of the car and later swore she didn't her Auna say not to.  

The driver of the car was very distraught about hitting the deer.  His kids were sobbing and very upset. While everyone was looking at the damage the deer caused to the vehicle another car came down the road and almost hit the deer.  They swerved and almost hit Auna, Jenalee, and the driver of the other car.  

We were very lucky no one got seriously hurt.  We learned no one should stop on a busy highway unless absolutely necessary.  It is very dangerous.  

We were so grateful nothing serious happened and were able to enjoy the rest of the evening.  When I say enjoy I really mean laugh for the next four hours straight.  It was so much fun!  I can't tell you all the stupid stuff we laughed over, but it felt so good.  I haven't laughed that hard for so long.  I felt like I was a silly teenager all over again. 

After dinner we went to a new out door shopping mall that reminds me a lot of The Gateway in SLC.  It isn't finished yet, but so far is really cool.  There were some neat water fountains and lights around the walkways.  We decided to take our picture to remember the evening.

 

Now for those of you who know me aren't surprised at all to find another picture with my mouth wide open.  My mom will be so proud.

But let me explain why.  So, Wendi is on my left and she is standing right next to the outdoor fire lamp and she is telling the person taking our picture to hurry up because her arm is on fire.  The lady on her left is also chuckling, but she somehow managed to close her mouth when she laughed.  I should also mention there were about four pictures taken and this was the best one.

From left to right: Seri, Kathy, Jenalee, Brandi, Me, Wendi, Brandy, Auna

We can't wait to do it again.  It was so much fun!

Christmas Tree

Grant when we picked out our Christmas tree.

"Christmas Means A Little Bit More"

I love the holidays! I love the spirit of the season.  It seems like everyone is a little kinder, more generous, and more Christ-like.

One of my favorite things to do is shop for people.  I usually think about a person and what I want to buy him/her for months!  I like to shop around and do some research about different items.  Buying a gift is a lengthy process.  For example, I have my brother this year and I thought of something I wanted to buy for him back in September.  I have thought of other things, but I really like this one particular item.  I have done some research and know exactly what one I want to buy.  I have been watching for sales this weekend to see if I can get a good price, but if I don't I will buy it any way.  I hope he will like it, but more importantly I hope he knows how much thought I put into the gift.

Speaking of "thought" I don't like the phrase "it's the thought that counts" because if someone really thought about a gift it wouldn't be something lame or something a person doesn't like.

I have been accused of being difficult to shop for.  I don't really think I am difficult to shop for.  The problem is I don't care so much about material items as much as I care about the thought.  I would rather have one very meaningful gift than 100 thoughtless ones. 

I don't like going to the stores around Christmas time because stores are covered in thoughtless gifts.  Thoughtless gifts often pre wrapped that won't mean a thing to the person receiving it.  Notice that after Christmas all those thoughtless gifts will be on clearance, why?  Because no one really wants or needs them.

As a child I remember wanting gifts and wanting to open presents.  I was excited for Santa to come.  I was excited to see what was in all those fancy packages.  As a young child Christmas came from a store.

However, like the Grinch figured out in the famous Dr. Suess story, "maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more."  I too have figured out Christmas doesn't come from the store.

Looking back on past Christmas's the ones I remember the most are the ones where the gift giving meant something.  There have been a few years where I have bought or made a fabulous gift for someone.  I remember how I felt giving it and how much the person loved and appreciated it.  

I also remember a few Christmas's when someone has bought me something very special.  The gift meant more to me than anything else in the world.  I knew they had spent a lot of time and effort (not money) into the gift.  I knew they loved me and wanted me to have something special.

I don't always get the best gifts, but I really try.  I enjoy making things homemade.  I often make calendars for a few certain people.  I know they appreciate them.  I enjoy making them.  It takes me a while making sure everything is just so. 

Gift giving has been a small sore spot between Kyle and I.  Kyle's family had all the gifts come from Santa.  My family had just a few things come from Santa.  This may sound selfish, but I like the credit of picking out something amazing.  I don't want Santa to get all the credit.  I want my children to know I love them because I spent time and money picking out a gift special for them. 

Sometimes I also feel like Kyle and I just buy things to fill a certain quota.  It bugs me.  I like gifts to mean something.  I don't like to just buy stuff because I have to be fair.  

I will be honest I have been a little grumpy lately because I am stressed about gifts.  I don't like it.  I want the happy feeling I get when I buy gifts.  I want to feel the  true meaning of Christmas.  With that I wish you all a wonderful shopping season!  Best wishes in your gift giving endeavors!