Friday, December 23, 2011

Forgotten... ?

Oh now don't let the title worry you, it is not me who is forgotten.
Well, in fact we should worry.. The person I am talking about is Jesus Christ.
I respect people and their choices in religion and non religion, but I would like respect for mine as well.
Now Christmas has become more and more commercialized.
we want this and that... people competing for the best gift to give or receive.
Now I am not saying I am not one of those people.. I LOVE Shiny new toys and presents.
But what I am saying is less and less do we hear about why we celebrate this time of year.
It doesn't matter that the reason is in the name itself.
What Christ came to earth for and died for way back 2000+ years ago are the same reasons today.
He didn't do just for them.. but for us too.
I guess that is why I can't stand seeing people put up signs, or write down X-mas.
They have literally just crossed Christ out of Christmas.
Now maybe it is just me... we all know I have these crazy strong opinions,
but that seems a lot like people are disrespecting my religious beliefs, and many others too.
I also understand there are many religions that don't.
However the big difference is I am not out advertising to the whole world my lack of respect for your religion.
Maybe they don't even mean too.. how many of those that believe write down "Merry X-mas!" in your cards because you in a hurry?
Anyways, I am raising my kids to remember why we celebrate this time of year.
A few years back we had a relief society get together where they introduced me to the Little White Stocking.
How small and precious it seemed, and simple... what could be more simple.
Here is the poem that I received at that same time:

THE WHITE STOCKING

It wasn't that anyone had really been forgotten,
no children had been slighted or made unhappy and
no adult had been left unremembered.
The presents had all been distributed and all the stockings
were beautifully filled, all that is except one;
It was the stocking intended for the child of Bethlehem.
Of all the people belonging at that Christmas gathering,
only he had been forgotten.
Only he had been left out of the festivities.
This didn't seem quite right,
inasmuch as it was His birthday that was being celebrated.
This year, the little white stocking
will be hung in a special place in our home.
On Christmas Eve, we will gather the family together
And each of us will write on a piece of paper,
A gift for Jesus to be placed in the stocking.
It will remain in the stocking
Until next year's Christmas Eve,
When we will reach into the stocking
and pass out the papers from the year before.
We hope that you will enjoy beginning this
Holiday tradition in your home.

We started up this tradition that year and have done it ever since.
It reminds the kids what we celebrate the season for and to be kind to each other.
Not because you won't get your gift from Santa but because Love is the best gift you can give anyone.
It is amazing how much that has helped change their focus.
Oh don't get me wrong, my kids still ask for toys... A LOT of toys,
BUT they also know why we give gifts and that the cost and amount received doesn't matter really.

We also listen to the Forgotten Carols by Michael Mclean.
What a power story and songs to have as a tool to help us remember the real reason for the Christmas season.
I have a few of my favorites that just make me feel better and remind me of the true meaning of the season.
You truly need to listen and everything from the beginning as it is an amazing story that has a stern nurse and crazy old man.
Something for everyone really.
I thought I would end this late night post with a share of one of the songs from The Forgotten Carols.
Check out the other ones as well, but this just goes along with what my little head is not letting me shut down for now.
Here is I Can Not Find My Way. 

Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Coat: A Story of Charity

I LOVE this story.. but the non verbal presentation in this video makes the story hit you and you can't help but want to give to others.
Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Santa Arrives in Style!!

OK first of all I must say that this was the HARDEST secret I have ever had to keep!!
The elementary school that 4 of my kids go to was blessed with a new principal this year.
We are always a little leery when someone new comes in because that means changes and if you have read any of my other posts you know a couple.. ok maybe just one of my kids really don't like change.
Well we really like him!
He is great with all the students and has brought and approved so many wonderful ideas that more and more kids are getting involved with the school activities.
Well at our PAC meeting in October he informs us that he has plans to bring Santa to the school by HELICOPTER!
I guess he use to do it at his old school and the kids loved it so he wanted to do it with ours.
But it had to remain a SURPRISE for them.
Do you have any idea how hard it is NOT to share that kind of exciting news with your kids?
So as a bonus I offered my services to do the photos with Santa after he arrives.
It frees up the teachers to work with the excited kids and I get good experience and possible clients.

So here we are the day of his arrival...
Its a clear but slightly over cast day.
Low to no wind and fresh snow from the night before to create the perfect look.
The kids have just had a very yummy pancake breakfast at the school


and they are lined up out side having no idea WHY they are outside when Santa always just walks into the Gym.
They suspect something but have no idea.
It must be something big because the TV people are there and that is exciting on it's own.


I had arranged for Ben to have the Day off of school so he could help but he first had to go and take a major Chemistry test. He cut it close and as we were waiting he came running across the field.

The minutes tick by...
some are kicking snow..
others are testing the safety rope to see how far they can push it until someone notices...
all wondering what is going to happen.
Then it comes..
faint at first..
then louder..
they all look up and see a helicopter in the distance and think it is cool

It must be headed somewhere exciting.
then they realise it is getting closer..
closer still..
wait a minute it is getting lower too!
Well did you know that almost all kids LOVE Helicopters?
They are excited, this is so cool and then it happens..
Santa leans forward and waves out the front window and kids start SCREAMING!!
Santa is in the HELICOPTER!
It got soo loud!

Then it landed in a cloud of snow and it was hard to see for a minute

As the snow settled everyone watch as one black boot after another stepped out and onto the snow.
Now for even more fun, Santa was not ALONE!!
Who do you think would make such an exciting trip with him?
Why Mrs. Clause of Course!

This was truly an amazing event.
The kids crowded around the visitors as they watched the helicopter take flight again.
Santa was here to stay.

He hugged the kids as they walked into the school to where he would be seated for the next few hours as over 140 family groups of siblings came to have their picture taken with him.

Mrs. Claus stayed for about half the photos but as the Elves like to play and get side tracked really easy and the reindeer needed food she had to head back Home but Santa Stayed to finish out the day.
It was really a day worth Cherishing.
Who knew that Santa could be so cool and I am sure the reindeer enjoyed the extra rest they got for the up coming trip they will be taking in one week.
Check out the local news broadcast about the event and Hope you Holiday is just as exciting.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Christmas Concert 2011

So we had our school Christmas Concert (yes they still call it a Christmas Concert) this past week and I thought I would post the highlights from my crew here for all of you that could not make it.
So please grab a snack and enjoy (in order) Sam, Tommy, Matt, Jordan and Josh in a musical Christmas :)

 








Thursday, December 15, 2011

Twilight, The Kitty

So back in July we brought home 3 little kitties from my brothers house.
One was to be my sisters, but she decided that she was unable to care for the little one until her oldest cat passes.
One was to be mine but he got out one night and found the sweetest teenage girls and kept following them. they brought him back but he just loved her. After she fell in love too she called her mom and he went to a new home Happy.
The last one was for Cloe so she had a friend that would grow with her as the older cats we have are not fond of her trying to get them to dress-up or do tea parties. He was named Sir Climbsalot when we got him but she changed it to Twilight... I suspect some influence from her brothers there but his 1 white whisker and 4 strands of white hair on his chest made it so the name fit.
He has quickly grown to be one of the family members and just so darn loved.


He always wants to be arond the action and who didn't want this cute ball of fur purring around them?


He even tried to go to school with the kids on their first day back... I had both a sad kitty and kids when I did the Mommy ogre thing and said no.


He is now almost 6 months old and getting huge... he reminds me of the children's books, Clifford the Big Red Dog... we will have Twilight, the Huge Black Cat.
We have been trying to set up our Christmas tree for almost 2 weeks now and he LOVES it....
Yep Loves it so much that he has broken it. He is so big and heavy that when he climbed the tree he toppled it over and snapped the legs to the stand.
Now I love the kitty, but I think he has hung around my boys too much because he is starting to not listen to me.
We have a few things we are going to try and convince hm that the tree is not for climbing, but in the meantime when you come to visit and you see wires nails from the wall to the tree and no decorations on it.. know that we love our kitty we really do.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Sam's Articles

So today's post is not really mine... Just sharing what Sam wrote for the school newspaper.
Please enjoy these 2 pieces of Sam's Work.
I know I did.

Top 10 Christmas movies according to Harwin students         
Written by Sam Lybbert

With the Christmas break coming up soon I wanted to make a list of movies I wanted Harwin students to check out. I turned it into a survey and these are the top 10 results starting with number 10.

10. The Santa Clause Series

9. Nightmare Before Christmas (This is the one I thought would be number 1!)

8. The Muppet Christmas Carol

7. Elf

6. The Night before Christmas

5. The Polar Express tied with Charlie Brown Christmas (I thought Polar Express would outrank Charlie Brown Christmas!)

4. Snow/Santa Buddies

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

2. Shrek the Halls (This one was winning when I got to the 1st grade class, so I thought it would win or tie with Nightmare Before Christmas!)

1. Home Alone Series

This list surprised me a little but it is still a great list. As a special note to my sister I also recommend checking out Barbie’s a Perfect Christmas, she really loves it. Have a Happy Holiday Season and good movie watching.

 

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Arthur Christmas Movie Review
Written By Sam Lybbert
Did you know that the average size of the elf is 26 inches? Or how about that Santa delivers 2 billion presents in one night? You can find out these things and other stuff when you watch Arthur Christmas. This movie is about Arthur who is one of Santa’s sons who is awkward but lovable. He ends up going on an epic adventure trying to deliver a present that gets left behind. I feel that it is an awesome movie that shows even the clumsiest person can be a hero and everyone should watch it. While you are watching the movie, be on the lookout for these and other fun stuff: narwhals, C.N. tower, a satellite, and an apple core.
I give this movie 4.5 smiley face people out of 5.  AAAAD
Also currently playing at Famous Players 6 Theater
Happy Feet 2, Puss In Boots, The Muppets, Twilight; Breaking Dawn Part 1
Coming this month:
The Adventures of Tintin, Alvin and The Chipmunks; Chipwrecked!,
We Bought a Zoo
And if you are looking for a little something different to munch on while watching the movie I recommend checking out the MiniMelt machine, little dots of
ice-cream goodness.

 

 



Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Little Drummer Boy

My friend Erin posted on her facebook this morning a video of a young man from Winnipeg singing littler drummer boy.
We clicked on before the kids went to school as a fun way to get the day going.
Well I was expecting a homemade video of an average singer and we could listen and watch once and be on our way...
To our very amazing surprise it was AWESOME!
The kids replayed it so many times that they were almost laste for school.
So I went and paid to have the song added to our Christmas playlist and will surprise them with it when they get home.
Supporting great up and coming talent is important and this guy is worth supporting.
So without anymore from me I present to you one delightful version of Little Drummer Boy.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

A Gift to the World


So tonight we enjoyed a Great potluck at the church that lead up to watching the First Presidencies Christmas Devontional.
It was during that always amazing presentation that they shared this beautiful video and I wanted to share it with all of my friends and family as well.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Season.