Christmas Tree Advent

Growing up, my Grandma Doris Barnes would regularly make sequined felt Christmas ornaments, stockings, and other Christmas decorations for us. I loved them. I still love them. One of the things she made for us was a Christmas tree advent calendar with pockets that held an ornament for each day leading up to Christmas. I loved watching the tree fill up with ornaments and counting down to Christmas. 

Somewhere along the way, the Christmas tree advent got lost or misplaced. For many years (decades) my mom hasn't had it. It is gone. I was talking with Maureen about how much I loved that particular decoration a couple of months ago, and it occurred to me that I could probably find a kit and make one. 

So, I went looking on the internet and found a kit at Wal-Mart. I was so pleased and ordered it the same day I found it. When it arrived, I jumped right in, not really thinking that I would be able to finish it by Christmas (I think I purchased it the first week of November), but I figured I could use it next year. As I worked, however, and saw it coming together, I decided I wanted it for this year, so I stitched and sequined pretty much every evening, even if only for a short time. I listened to an audio book (or two), watched some pickleball while I worked, and little by little, I was able to finish today, December 4th. 

I had enough ornaments to get started on December 1st, and I am absolutely thrilled with the way it turned out. I am so happy I will have this Christmas tree advent this year and in years to come, reminding me of both my childhood and my Grandma Barnes.

Christmas

It wasn't the most joyful Christmas on record. In fact, from my perspective, it was a very sad Christmas. But rather than give a detailed description of what went wrong, I will say five positive things.

Most of us gathered at Grammy Sue's house for game playing. 

The food was yummy. 

The little children were excited and active and full of Christmas cheer.

The house looked festive.

I got a hippo ornament from Isabella.

Coolness times three

So much good food!

Cora was the driver behind a zoo that cropped up in Grandma Sue's backyard.

The sign above welcomed us all.

It says, "Welcome to our zoon! Home of the wonderful animals listed: flamingo, monkey's, lion's volves, chetta's Jaguar's honey badger's. WE love all animal's but we had a budget."

What I love about this sign is that the whole zoo is make-believe, but realistic enough to realize they can't do it all because of budget restraints.

If it's all make-believe, why not just pretend you've got all the money you need and have the zoo be as big as you'd like?

Christmas Thoughts

Kent and I sing in the ward choir. I love it. The act of singing songs of praise to God and Jesus Christ in a group is powerful. For our Christmas Eve program, we have been preparing a song that runs through my mind at least once a day. The song is called "Shine for Me Again, Star of Bethlehem." 

The lyrics tell a beautiful story of a shepherd boy, a bit player in the big story of the nativity. Here are the lyrics:

The night was long, we traveled far, at times I looked but could not see the star. Yet still it shone, unveiling then, the way to Bethlehem.

My heart held fear 'mid puzzled joy, for I was only a small shepherd boy. And on a hillside soft and green, I head an angel sing. I saw the midnight sky aflame with radiant angels bath in light, holy light, bringing word that Christ was born and beckoning to find Him. Go and find Him.

A sweeter face I ne'er will see than of those loving eyes smiling up at me. I found a King, I found a Friend that night in Bethlehem. 

But life goes on, years beyond one brief night of my youth. Time clouds my vision of truth. And tho' I stumble and fall, I can hear someone call, "Do not despair, your star is still there."

That Christmas night so long ago has filled my life with light because I know that He lives now as He did then, a King in Bethlehem; Whose love never ends. Shine for me again, Star of Bethlehem. 

Over the last couple of months, as the choir has prepared this and other songs for Christmas, I have thought about my own experiences with Christ. As a child and youth, I felt the Spirit testify so strongly of Christ. In Primary, Young Women, at camp, in the temple performing baptisms, and especially as a missionary, I felt Christ with me as a friend. I know the pure faith I had as a young person was real and powerful. I felt his loving eyes smiling down at me. It was easy to believe as I was filled with holy light.

Then life became complicated. Daily challenges have weighed me down. Disappointment, fear, despair, heartache, and sadness have clouded my visions of truth. I have struggled with my faith, with my obedience, and being able to feel Christ's love. I have felt alone and hopeless in a dark world, unable to see or feel the light, so distant from the radiance of holy light. 

Yet though I might wander in the dark, the invitation to "Go and find Him" remains open and real. The Savior himself issued the invitation, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me.” The line in the song, "Do not despair, your star is still there," makes me cry every time we sing it.  Christ, the Light of the World, is still there. He is always there. He is the light and the life of the World. He lives now as he lived then, my friend, my advocate, my comfort and joy. He will guide me; He will bring me out of darkness and despair for He is the Light of the World. He loves me. 

In this Christmas season, I rejoice in the birth of Christ, in his life, example, atonement, and resurrection. I testify of his love and look forward to the moment when his loving eyes will smile on me.

Relief Society Christmas Dinner

This evening was our ward Relief Society Christmas Dinner at the Covey's house. The food was catered by Marvellous Catering and was delicious! There was some music and lots of talking. I sat with Maureen Ogles, Corene Jensen, and a couple other neighbors. Jeri Covey had a big basket of funny Christmas headwear, but no one had anything on their heads when I arrived. I put on a Christmas tree and encouraged others to put on something too. I was only successful in convincing a couple other women. Andrea Blad put on a huge Christmas hat which I wished I had seen before I put on the Christmas tree. I liked hers better. Janie Rasmussen arrived and I was not at all surprised to see she also put on a Christmas tree. Great minds think alike. Jessica McDonald also put on a headband. It was truly a delightful evening.

Celebration of Christmas

Having driven all the way home from California yesterday, we were in plenty of time to enjoy today's A Celebration of Christmas at BYU. This yearly performance of choirs and the orchestra at BYU is a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season. The music is always fantastic and festive. We attended with Mom, two sets of DeMartinis, the Johnsens, Dalzens, and Girards. It was terrific!

We should have taken a picture, but didn't.

Christmas Breakfast Roll

Yesterday early evening, Aaron dropped off a Christmas breakfast roll Cammie made for us. Merlynn made these cinnamon rolls for neighbors as Kent was growing up and are a Barrus Family tradition. We do crepes for our traditional Christmas breakfast, so I don’t make the breakfast rolls. But we do love to eat them and I should make them from time to time. Today we gleefully devoured the roll Cammie made for us, grateful she has carried on the tradition. Yum! Yum!
 

Christmas Eve Silliness

 

Christmas silliness in the time of Covid.

Christmas Adam

Working puts a crimp in my life. All the things I’ve been available to do whenever we wanted to do them must now be rearranged because I’m at work. Christmas Eve is one of those days. We have gathered with the DeMartinis in the morning for breakfast and presents, then with the Barri in the evening for dinner, nativity, and white elephant gift exchange. But I work tomorrow (why be open on Christmas Eve?!) so breakfast doesn’t work. Instead, we gathered at Christopher and Tysen’s house for breakfast for dinner and presents today, Christmas Adam. I tasked Kent and the kids with preparing monkey bread and loading the car and told them to not wait for me. I worked in Heber today didn’t get on the road until 5:30, so I knew I would be late for the 6:00 start time.

 

Dinner/breakfast was delicious. Being together was wonderful. Christmas excitement was magical. Having Mom gone was sad sad. Brandt received a Snuggie and Blythe received a bullet journal. Mikayla and I distributed family photobooks. We were all happy to be together. And Christmas is only two sleeps away!

Lights and Bites

It’s Christmastime which means home, streets, and businesses are brightly lit, and wandering around looking at them is a thing. We met up with DeMartinis this evening at Riverwoods, to bask in the glow of lights and see advertised ice sculptures. Santa was going to be there, too. It wasn’t terribly cold, the lights were beautiful, and the company was entertaining. Brick, Rowen, and Collin jumped around on park benches, fountains, and decorative rocks, doing parkour. The babies ran around and the adults talked and laughed amidst the craziness.

 

We all felt we needed a treat. Last year we went to Waffle Love after seeing the lights, and it turns out that Waffle Love is now in the Riverwoods. So convenient. Or not. We went in and saw that there was one person working there. The place was already packed with people and Tysen heard someone complain they had been waiting over 30 minutes to get their waffles. Thinking about what was in my fridge (having shopped on Friday), I suggested we all adjourn to our house and have waffles there. I had berries, peaches, whipped cream, cookie butter, and Nutella. What more could anyone want? Mikayla stopped by her house to get some additional waffle makers, and Eugene and Sharae stopped at Day’s for hot chocolate. I whipped up batter and baked, everyone visited, the children ran around wildly, and again, the adults talked and laughed amidst the craziness. We had waffles well before we would have had them at Waffle Love, and have decided that next year, we’ll plan on having everyone come and will prepare in advance so it will be even a shorter wait.

December Christmas Pictures

Each year, as I do a photobook of the children for their birth mothers, I get to December and I don't have any pictures. I have to finish the books well before Christmas so that I can them printed and mailed, but that means I haven't taken pictures yet. Usually we go to the DeMartini Family Christmas party and have a picture with Santa and a funny picture from the Christmas photobooth, but that wasn't happening until later, so I needed something. This evening, I had the kids put on funny headwear and stand in front of the tree. A couple of pictures later, I was able to finish this year's photobooks and get them ordered. Here are the silly photos.

Two sets of antlers make Brandt look like a very floppy reindeer.

Two Christmas trees on top of Brandt's head.

He wanted to camouflage behind the real tree.

I can hardly see him.

Here We Come a Wassailing

The Stovalls invited our culdesac families to their home for wassailing, treats, and carol singing with chimes. We love our neighbors and it was a delight to be with the Atkinsons, the Stovalls, and Sam Oyler. The wassail was hot and sweet, the cookies and munchies were tasty, and the company was the best. Our chime playing needs some practice before we take our show on the road, but it was fun to play and sing together. We are truly blessed by our wonderful neighbors.

Blythe and Emmet

Me and Blythe and Emmet

Emmet loves me so much he peed not once but twice when I talked to him.

Brandt took my phone and proceeded to take many selfies.

  

Not a selfie, but still silly

 

 

Christmas Day

 Happily, Blythe did not wake us at 5:00am. She couldn't, however, hold off longer than 7:00am when she came into our bedroom and joyfully proclaimed, "Merry Christmas! We went downstairs for our requisite by the tree Christmas picture, and then opened presents.

Some weeks ago, I ordered the kids phones. Some would say, "It's about time!" Others might say, "Why?!" I'm still sort of the in the latter camp, but realized the kids wants to be in touch with friends and able to call and text us without borrowing someone else's phone. I imagine they were both probably the only kids at Centennial Middle School and Timpview High School without one. So I caved and ordered Gabb phones. These are not smartphones; they have no internet access, so no apps and no access to porn in the palm of their hands. I'm hopeful we can avoid many of the pitfalls of comparison on social media. Anyway. I was excited to see their excitement. 

I had also asked them for a list of things they wanted for Christmas, mostly because others had asked what they might like. Brandt's list was very short.

1. New Spy School Book
2. Money
3. Karambit MTech Black Fixed Blade Knife Set
4. More books

As with most things, Blythe was a bit more wordy (she is a writer, after all).

5$ Robux Gift Card

I think it's a bit unfair that Brandt spent like 100 dollars on a game and a video editor and I can’t use my OWN money to buy Robux ONCE? It makes Roblox more fun and I only want to buy Robux once. To buy the Royale High gamepasses and some diamonds and some clothes/hair for my avatar. And that's it. Nothing more. Not ever again. And it's my OWN money. I know that you guys say that some people get addicted but if I only want it once and only get it once I can’t really get addicted. And i’ve wanted Robux for 2 years. Brandt found the video editor, did some research and then bought it in like a week? 

A Phone

I can think of a lot of circumstances where a phone would be great. I could text you guys and tell you where I am, or if I’m having an emergency and need to vent, I can call Lily or David and calm down. Or if I’m being kidnapped or something bad happened like somebody got hurt, I can always call 911 and you guys. And the only apps I really want is a paint by number game to make fantasy backgrounds that I can use, texting, calling, notes, google, wattpad, camera, marco polo, pinterest, venmo (for Janie) and a snapchat app that only gives you the filters, which is the only thing I use anyways. 

Nail Polish

I know this seems weird but I want some new bottles of nail polish. Preferably in these colors: Emerald green, white, orange, yellow, lavender and the normal clear nail strengthening stuff. 

LED lights

I know this is even weirder but LED lights are amazing and beautiful and Sabby has some in her room and it's the first I’ll mess with when I go to their house haha

Hair Chalk Brush

Just seemed fun and interesting and It’s a cheaper option than dying my hair and all I need to do is run the brush through my hair and boom! Done >=3 Easy peasy lemon squeezy. And it's washable. 

Boots

I need some new boots and this is preferably what I would like: Knee or mid-calf boots, with fur on the inside. Black or chocolate brown. Maybe a tiny heel but small and tiny so I can feel fashionable but comfortable and so I don’t trip XD

CeraVe

I’m out and I need some more haha

Neither child got everything they wanted. Brandt did get the new Spy School book, and a couple others, but he did not get money or knives. Blythe did not get Robux or the type of phone she wanted with all the apps, and she didn't get boots because last year's still fit her. But they got other things, and I think they were happy. 

If not, too bad.

Speaking of bad, this isn't a brilliant picture of us. Cute tree though.

A published author

New deodorant for our frequently smelly boy.

I know it was his favorite gift!

After presents, a delicious crepe breakfast, and some serious lounging around and snoozing on the couch, we loaded nosh in the car and headed to Grandma Sue's house for general Christmas cheer. We ate and talked and played lots of games, including a full family charades extravaganza. Everyone participated, including Cora and Lyla. We did some prep work with the two of them, taking them aside and helping them figure out how to act out things like "salt and pepper," "skunk," and "angel." It was a riotous good time, and so fun to have everyone participating. As adults, we also played a new game called Think in Sync which had us all roaring with laughter, too. It was a pleasure and delight to be together, eating, laughing, and strengthening our relationships.

I love Christmas, the feeling of love and closeness of family. I love celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, which is really what Christmas is all about. I am grateful for his willingness to come to earth as a babe, grow, teach, offer a perfect example, then atone and die for us. Here's to many a merry Christmases!