Thumbprint Art and Kleenex

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . . trying to make Joy's new recorder do anything but shriek. I managed to produce a few normal notes, but I'm not sure what I did to achieve that, and the internet videos I checked out didn't add much clarity.

. . . going through lots of Kleenex.

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . making thumbprint art with Joy.

. . . my African violet blooming.

. . . getting stuff done.

. . . working with Phillip to get the last Christmas decorations away.

Photos and Waffle Halves

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . . Anna waking up early from naps.

. . . forgetting to grease the new waffle iron, and ending up with waffle stuck to both halves of it.

. . . catching a cold.

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . playing catch with Phillip and the big kids after dinner.

. . . looking through family photos from the past couple weeks. Good times.

Gifts and Decor

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . . starting to put away the Christmas decorations. It's really fun to see them during the holiday season, but it takes forever to put them up and take them down.

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . Anna cuddles.

. . . my husband liking the birthday gifts I gave him. I like that I know him well enough to give him things he'll enjoy but not necessarily expect.

. . . listening to Phillip play with Daniel while I prepared dinner.

Movies and Daydreams

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . hanging out with my family and watching everyone's favorite movie clips.

And another thing . . .

. . . this evening my sister asked what I would splurge on if I had a bunch of discretionary cash. Since I have most of the kitchen items I need and I don't have a yard for a garden, I said I would go to a nice restaurant with Phillip once or twice a month. I love spending time with my husband and eating really good food.

Christmas and Easter

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . . when Phillip suddenly stopped accompanying a musical number I was singing in church. For some inexplicable reason, the third page of music was missing from his music stand. I handed him my copy and finished the song.

. . . Anna having an epic blowout.

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . wishing friends Merry Christmas at church.

. . . my family enjoying the presents I gave them.

And another thing . . .

. . . in church today, a speaker shared President Hinckley's observation that "There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection." As beautiful and inspiring as the Nativity story is, it only really matters because Jesus came to fulfill His mission thirty-three years later, to make it possible for us to go Home. Christ Himself is the greatest gift of Christmas, and I'm grateful for the matchless gift He gave us that first Easter morning.

Christmas Music

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . . waking up super tired. I stayed up too late wrapping presents. I'm determined to retire by midnight tonight.

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . cuddling Anna.

. . . having a dance party with Joy while Pink Grandma played "Let It Snow" on her piano.

. . . singing with the Hendricksons in their annual Christmas Eve program. The tone is always reverent and the music thrilling.

. . . receiving a beautiful painting from Pink Grandma as a Christmas gift to our family.

. . . eating the best pumpkin pie I think I've ever tasted.

. . . not overcooking the gingerbread this time.

Chips and Vixens

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . . looking at the Candyland game I ordered for my five-year-old daughter, and noticing that they've "updated" the illustrations to include a sultry princess with a "come hither" look on her face. We're talking Barbie meets Bratz meets some vixen from the red light district. Seriously? I'm tempted to return it and search the net for an older version of the game, but tomorrow's Christmas Eve and there's no way a replacement would arrive in time. Still, I'm not sure I want to give my sweet daughter a game which teaches that princesses are skanky supermodels who go ice skating half dressed. Grrrrrr...

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . getting my hair cut. It's nice to have my hair look like a style again.

. . . playing around with my giggly little son.

. . . mixing up another batch of gingerbread dough.

And another thing . . .

. . . Lately I've been thinking about a quote I saw on Pinterest. Part of it reads: "Friends let you have the last chip. . . . Best friends grab the last chip and yell 'Sucker! Haha!'" I often take things too seriously, and this quote reminds me that it's OK if my kids are a bit feisty sometimes. Part of being in a loving family is feeling safe to be a little mischievous or silly now and then.