Gifts

We started a "new to us" tradition last year. On Christmas Eve we write down what Gift to the Savior we are giving for the new year. We then place the paper on our tree. The kids have been really great with what they want to do to improve themselves and be more like the Savior. We decided to give a gift to the kids to keep in their room to remind them about their gift. They loved the pictures of the Savior. Brayden said it was his favorite gift, he just loved it. If we can only keep him thinking this way when he is a teenager. Carter said it made him calm down when he was mad and went and looked at the picture. I thought that was sweet. Ellie said that her gift to the Savior would be "to smile at people." We asked her why she was going to do that and she said "I like Jesus and I follow His ways." Seriously. How many 3 year olds say that? Her Nursery teachers must be awesome!

Each FHE night we are going to quickly talk about how we are doing on our gift. I like that. It will help me be reminded of what I need to work on.

I love traditions.

Freeze Again.

We have hit the phase again where we wish that time could stand still. The eleven year old who hasn't hit the teenage angst and can actually help watch the kids. The almost 9 year old who is still sweet and fun. The silly 7 year old who is content to work hard in his room with a big Lego set. And the 3 year old who can play with others and still be a cute little funny girl. Why do they have to grow up? The problem is they haven't ever asked my permission to do so.