Happy Endings

We have been so blessed. Derek got a job offer at Serengeti Law on Friday! The day before my birthday in October, he was laid off from Mosaic Homes (the real estate market dropped and they downsized big time). After more than 2 months of worry and prayers, it's starting to feel like Christmas again at our house. He starts January 16th, so things might be tight for awhile yet as we try to rebuild our savings and food storage (what a testimony I have of this one!), but we are so grateful for this early Christmas present. We've had the opportunity to think a lot about how it's more blessed to give than receive, but sometimes it's your turn to be the recipient. We are humbled and amazed at the generosity of so many anonymous givers, so many prayers on our behalf, so many concerned faces in our new ward. I have learned from a talk by Elder Maxwell that as we learn to receive at Christmas time, we practice receiving the love and sacrifice of our Savior. How grateful I am for this holiday season, for our happy ending and for the beautiful beginning that the Savior's birth was. Merry Christmas Eve!

All I want for Christmas

Ellie had been so sweet, saying that there were too many things to choose from and she'd be happy with whatever Santa brought. Don't you love it? But yesterday she realized what she really wanted. Just a treasure chest full of gold and silver. :) Think Santa has one of those in his sack for me, too?

Bathing Beauties

It's been awhile since these three had a bath together. Showers are much quicker, but much less fun. They had a great time being silly and posing for their mother. I was pretty pleased with the results. They would've stayed in there all day, I think. Now, why don't they smile like that for family pictures??!

Santa Train

Saturday we drove 30 min. to North Bend and rode a real live train to see Santa in Snoqualmie (3 mile ride). It was VERY, VERY cold. We're talking blustery snowy freezing cold. I think it hovered around 30 degrees. I'd spent my birthday money in October on these tickets, though, and it's been sold out for ages. It had been highly recommended and I wanted to do it. BRRRRRR... did I mention how cold it was? We stood outside the depot until the train came, then boarded the unheated rickety old train and got off to stand in line AGAIN at the other depot to see Santa. It had a few space heaters, but again... it was mostly outdoor. Santa was incredibly patient and great (and INSIDE!!). The kids liked that part a lot. Then we went to find the refreshments - little lumps of cookies that had been cooked on an old boxcar. Sounds charming, but they weren't fresh or very good and the hot cocoa was really weak and nearly cold. We sat in a cold boxcar on folding metal chairs until it was time to wait in line to get back on the old train. Then we sat in the train while every child in our car yelled and blew the whistle Santa gave them. It didn't phase Derek, but I was ready to abandon ship (train?) and find another way home. Finally we got back to North Bend in as much of a blizzard as Seattle gets. Traffic was stopped on the freeway, it took forever to get warm in the car, Carver was cranky from missing his nap and needing dinner, Grace was grumpy from being in the front pack for about 3 hours straight and then buckled back in her car seat. All in all, it was not quite what I'd had in mind! A lot of it was because it was so dang cold and I don't think I have fun doing ANYTHING when I'm frozen. But the idea of the Santa Train is great and I think the kids had fun, which is what matters more than anything.

Elf fun

Have you seen this site? It's pretty silly, but we got a kick out of it. Check us out as elves! http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1140546407