No more excuses

Okee-dokee people. You're all going to need to check out this handy little chart. Memorize it.

Note: It's rated PG-16, Tay. Sorry. Better luck next year.

Did the Eagles get together again?

Because it's been freezing over here all day! SNOW IN TEXAS!!!!!! How 'bout them apples?

So I guess that's one big fat check mark in the "Christmas 2009 Rules" column.

Though, I just found out the Pee-Yay'ers will get Sam and K, too. Ugh! Are you kidding me?! I missed them last year due to the big Nor'Easter that blew through and canceled their flight:( Lame! But next week I will have Zach and Ty, and that is something to make the Pee-Yay'ers drool indeed. Eat your heart out, people!

Also too? I wrapped the Christmas Eve presents today and remembered why I love the Kilgore Family Christmas Tradition Book. The number one rule is that only family gifts are wrapped. Santa brings everything in it's au naturale state. And that is a good thing. Because I hate wrapping with a fiery, fiery passion.

Also, also too? Today I was thinking of Dad's old robe. He had the best black velour robe with orange'ish stripes. He would come out Christmas morning looking like he'd only gotten about an hour of sleep (which is probably accurate) wearing that robe. You knew when you saw that robe that it was CHRISTMAS! Dad, why did you let Chrysta talk you into a new robe, huh??

Open letter to Deb, Lylla, Sara and Bird

Dear sisters,

I am so thrilled for you that you are spending this blessed holiday wrapped in the warmth of one another's company. It makes the cockles of my heart fuzzy and gooey to know how you will laugh, sing, and watch Twilight together. To know that tomorrow evening you will lounge at 6 Mine Rd. on carpet that should be pink in a room that should have pink Charlie-brown-esque wallpaper on it and eat non-nut products...well, my JOY knows no bounds.

But here's the deal. I don't want to hear about it! At least, I don't want to hear about it until AFTER it's all over and done with. If Deb and Sara show up in matching side ponys - I don't want to know. If Lylla appears in a yellow jumpsuit singing fish songs with Taylor - I don't want to know. If Bird's ear holes have gotten even bigger and she's tattooier - I don't want to know.

Until later.

Okay?

Later.

So, you know. Have fun. Smush your faces together for facebook profile shots (don't forget the gang signs). Paint each others fingernails. Walk around Candy Lane together. Pick up some breakfast at the Pantry. Heck, have pillow fights and sing Pat Benatar into hairbrushes for all I care!  I'm sooooo over it.

Lovingly,

Anna

(and probably Christy, Chrysta and Nicole if they're being honest)

P.S. Merry Christmas. I probably should have said that first.

Don't you just love the people?

Miles wearing Cam's costume from the holiday play at school (which was fabulous and featured a song called "Turkey Tango." Classic.).

I just like Sophie's hair in this shot.

Cameron cut out these individual triangles of paper, taped them to his knuckles, and called himself Wolverine. His imagination blows my mind on a daily basis.

This is the kids and Cousin Brandon on the tramp at Grape Grandma's house. They were abusing Brandon, per the usual. I'm only putting this up because Brandon likes to be "talked about on the internet." B - you are awesome. Danielle was busy helping with Thanksgiving dinner or something...

This little girl just turned two. And she's REEEEEEALLY good at being 2.

(Don't you love the boots with this outfit? We love hand-me-downs from our fashionable friends!)

Chase and a few guys from Elder's Quorum (or their wives, I should say) made these Christmas goodie plates for some people at church. After he was done he said, "You know what's funny, though? When people see these they're going to say, 'Boy, Anna worked hard!'" And he was right. When I dropped these off someone did say that! I corrected her, though! Anyone who KNOWS me knows the crafty/cutesy genes went straight to Lylla and Chrysta. I got nothin'.

OK, clearly Sophie is over-represented here, but how could I resist? This picture shows all of her sides perfectly. High heels, cellie, baby and Superman Hat. Nevermind that she's missing clothes. I had just dumped her in the sink after spilling milkshake everywhere. This is how I found her after I finished cleaning up the kitchen. I guess she thought, "Hey. I should get dressed. This should do it."

Bonus points to those who recognize the title of this blog!

Peace

So I have this little sign on my mantle. It's red and glittery and says, "Peace." And sometimes, in the middle of my whirlwind days of husband, kids, home, church, gym, PTA, shopping, Christmas partying, VT'ing, friending, cookie exchanging, etc....well that sign is downright confusing.

"What peace?!" I chuckle to myself as I whip through the house grabbing shoes, coats, kids and plates of cookies. "Where is that lovely, glowey holidayness that is supposed to be infusing my every waking moment during the month of December?"

And then, when I sit down to read my scriptures or listen to inspired words from our leaders, or just put on some good old Mormon Tabernacle Choir, that's when my spirit remembers.

The only peace of this season, in fact, the only true peace in this life comes from one source. There is no way to buy it, you can't create it with scrapbook paper and mod podge, and you won't find it at Walmart. (What?! I thought you could find everything at Walmart!!! GASP!) The peace that lasts, the peace that is meaningful can only come through believing in our Savior, whose birth I am celebrating this season.

I know His condescension to Earth was and is for my behalf. I know that through His humble upbringing and ministry He is able to understand me completely. As he suffered the pains of Gethsemane and the cross, He descended below all of us for the purpose of lifting us. The King of Kings left His heavenly home and came to an imperfect world to offer us a better way.

The Prince of Peace, he is called. And that He is. I hope you are all able to enjoy peace this season (whatever and whomever you celebrate), and throughout the coming year.

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