Christmas Time is Here!

{Christmas Cards 2011}

I wish my brain wasn't always mush!

I find that my creative energy comes mid day - when I'm still running around getting things done at the homefront and keeping a baby clean, fed and entertained while big brother snoozes for his nap. Oh how I can't wait until they are both on the same nap schedule! :)

Until then, it's go, go, go!!!

(And I feel like a walking zombie!)

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE being busy caring for my children. They are most definitely busy bodies and most days they make me want to pull my hair out but they are the love of my life and I am so grateful for them and all their cuteness! I just feel the need to write things down to preserve memories and I honestly don't have as much time to do it as I used to. But I will find a way! Sleep just seems to be more necessary in this time of my life. Especially with a husband who's about to start his Master's Degree!

On a happy note...it's starting to feel and look like Christmas here. More so if it will snow in the next couple of days like it's predicting it will. I can't wait! Winter here started a few weeks back with darkness starting around 4pm. Not one of my most favorite traits of winter, that's for sure! I miss the sunlight!! And we had heavy fog for days. Now it's just cold, windy and rainy. Days aren't any warmer than the 30's and 40's. I left my kids in the care of a friend for a bit today to run through the hurricane like weather, which was pushing it's way towards us from France, to get some packages mailed off to family and friends in the States. And oh how I'm missing them all! I am getting a bit homesick again. Skype, how I love you so! It truly has been a great thing for us to see and talk to people from afar!

I am so relieved that all the Christmas cards have been written and presents have been shipped. I was losing a lot of sleep (and so was John as he and I stayed up until 1am last night) trying to get so much done in the past few weeks in between tending to a sick Jocelyn, an on-the-go Landon, a potty training Andrew and a homework busy bee Aubrey. NOW I feel I can enjoy the holidays. Thankfully the kids stuff has been bought and made for a while now and all is done except wrapping. I leave that for last minute. Got to keep up with tradition on most things! ;) Who knows...I might surprise myself and get it done earlier but I'm not banking on it.

We have so many wonderful and busy things to look forward in the next 9 days - by the time Christmas arrives! Especially with my brother and his family coming out for a week to spend Christmas with us. The tree is up, Christmas break starts NOW and 4 more days until they arrive! Woo hoo!

And off I go to catch this little guy! Heaven help me...Landon learned to do this amazing trick as well as pull himself to stand along furniture just a few days ago. He's NINE months! We're smelling TROUBLE now! None of our other kids did it this early. I'm sure he's got the notion to stay up to speed with his brother and sisters. Boy do we have our hands busy! Gates are going up pronto!

Meaning of Christmas

{The beautiful tree decorated in the church foyer smelledheavenly! I miss having a real tree for this reason alone!}



I felt true happiness today while being with my family at church! Mind you, I do naturally feel happy but today I felt even more so! Because our car is still in the shop, three of us rode to church with one friend and the other three rode with another friend. So when Jocelyn, Andrew and I arrived, John was sitting in the chapel with Landon and Aubrey was up front awaiting her first Sacrament talk. As we sang some Christmas hymns, it came to my attention that I had all that's near and dear to me right then at that very moment. My husband was by my side, my kids were snuggled up next to us coloring quietly and Aubrey was giving the sweetest talk on what Christmas means to her. I had it all right there in that very room: my family! And I felt even more humbled when I looked over to see John singing Christmas carols with me and the congregation. He doesn't like to openly sing. Or rather, he doesn't think he sounds that good. But he does and nothing sounded sweeter! I honestly didn't want that moment to end. Throughout the week, I have many moments of love with my children and husband but for some reason, I just really wanted to embrase this particular moment just a little bit more than I normally would have. I love the feeling of peace. That things were the way they should be: our family together!

{My boys!}

Thanksgiving and Christmas time happen to be my most favorite holidays to celebrate and be a part of. Not for the food or the gifts. But for the chance to think and reflect a bit more than I usually do throughout the other parts of the year. I'm reminded of all that we have and hold dear. That it's about remembering all that's important. That we shouldn't take life and people for granted. That we have much to be grateful for! And most importantly, the birth of Jesus Christ and all that He does and has done for us!

I thought it would be nice for those that couldn't be here to listen to Aubrey's talk to at least be able to read it. I also wanted to have it written down for keepsakes. And, well, because she's my first child and I'm so very proud of her! :) She did awesome and received lots of wonderful comments afterwards about how well she did.

The Importance of Christmas in my Life

by: Aubrey Shields

Good morning, Brothers and Sisters. A few weeks ago, I was asked to give a talk about the importance of Christmas in my life, and my first reaction was, "Wow! How lucky can I get to be assigned a talk the first day in Young Womens!" This is my first time giving a talk in Sacrament, and I am really excited about it, so hopefully it goes well.

About a week ago, my little sister comes up to me with a smile on her face and says, "I'm so excited for Christmas!" I ask her why and she says, "Presents!" as if it were obvious. I explained to her that Christmas isn't all about getting, it's about giving and helping others, so they can have a good Christmas too and to know that people care for them. When I thought she was on the verge of understanding, her eyes widened and said, "We don't get presents?!!" I said, "we do, but that's not what Christmas is all about." My little sister said back, "Oh! (I could tell she was relieved!)...I thought we wouldn't get presents." I tried telling her it wasn't all about getting things and it was about giving and the birth of Jesus Christ.

As I started to think about it, I thought of what would happen if there was no Christmas. A lot of things popped into my head. Christmas is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He atoned for our sins, and died for us on the cross. He ensured that we would be resurrected one day and that we would live again. After we talked, we made some cards for a few of our family members and I finally think the message settled in with my sister. During that time, I think I learned a little something as well. It reminded me that having presents is not what makes Christmas. We would still be very happy during Christmas without a little "Ho Ho Ho" from Santa Clause and presents under the Christmas tree. Sure, those things are fun, but being together as a family, coming together and sharing special times with one another is what makes almost everyone happy during Christmas.

Yesterday, during the ward Christmas party, I had so much fun with my family and I'm sure everyone else had fun as well. I liked the fact that everyone came together to prepare food, setup, clean...so everone would have an enjoyable time. Christmas is a time of year to celebrate and be happy with our family and friends. Things like the Christmas party are one of the ways we can feel the Spirit.

There is a lot to be thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ, and if He was never here, we would not be resurrected or any of these things. Christmas is a time to celebrate these gifts, and be with your loved ones. My Aunt, Uncle and baby Cousin are coming for Christmas so we can be together as a family and have a great time.

I would like to share my testimony with you that I know this church is true, and that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are watching over us and they're there for us. I love my family and I know they love me as well. I am thankful for Christmas and the Spirit and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

To The One I Love...

"Happy Birthday, honey! ;)"

Another year of happy and sad moments (baby born/ moving away from friends)...but I seriously couldn't have done it without my husband by my side! He's amazing and I count myself lucky to be his each and every single day!!! I feel truly blessed!

Some things that I love about him:

1.) He's an amazing father to our four sweet children! I love seeing him read and play and interact with them and how much they love him in return!

2.) He is supportive in all that I do. Especially if he knows it will help me be a better person, he's my personal cheerleader.

3.) Awesome cook!! His breakfast burritos are to die for - among some other favorite dishes! If (and when) he offers to cook, I usually don't turn it down! :) One of our goals is to take cooking lessons together.

4.) He puts up with me reading with the light on at night from time to time. It doesn't appear to bother his sleep any - but if it does, he never complains!

5.) Part of him being happy is making sure that his wife and children are taken care of and are happy too! He's always making sure that I'm okay and he's there for me at the drop of a hat if I need him. However big or small it may be. He knows me and loves me and I couldn't have asked for a truer or better best friend if I tried.

And the list really does goes on and on...:)

xoxo

Happy 31st Birthday John!

I love you sooooooooo much!!

And here's to another year of great memories!!!

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a good Thanksgiving this year. As always, we go around and list all that we are eternally grateful for and blessed to have in our life. Family and friends are always at the top! We definitely have much to be thankful for!

With us being relatively new to a different country still and Thanksgiving not being (obviously) a German holiday, we were perfectly content celebrating alone. But when we found out that some friends from church along with the sister missionaries didn't have any plans for the day, we quickly invited them over! We love our extended family.

As we started the day preparing the pies and turkey, I looked at our dining room table and felt it was desperately needing some color and decoration for our dinner with friends. The walls throughout our home are nothing but plain and white and it drives me crazy with the lack of personality. Another reason I strongly look forward to the day we have our own home again...so we can completely personalize it like we want it. I decided to walk down to the nearby grocery store: Rewe. I found some nice brown napkins and a bright orange vase with a fall colored bouquet of flowers. And I also snatched up some red apple scented candles to add to the look. It wasn't much but I thought it looked nice on our tan table cloth as well as with our new pottery pieces from our anniversary. I have to add that the walk to the store was a wonderful break! :)

The day started off with the kids coloring and helping me make jello molds. Aubrey made some paper cranes to go on the kitchen table - she's so cute! And then the kids were engrossed with some Mario Cart on the Wii. Landon slept, ate and played. He's usual! :) By the time our friends came over, we had most of the things in the kitchen finished for our dinner so we took our kids down to the playground to run off some energy and have some fun! John in the mean time stayed behind to finish the remaining dishes. He LOVES to cook - and I let him any chance I get. I love to cook as well but a break is always welcomed after a long day with the kids.

We had the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, stuffing, homemade mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans with bacon, rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, and these amazing pumpkin whoopie pies that my friend made. Drinks were sparkling cider, soda and egg nog. Everything was delicious! And so were all the foods we snacked on all day long! I'm so glad we only pig out once or twice a year like this. So much food!! Oh, and for the record, Landon LOVES pumpkin pie. And whipped cream. Not sure in which order! :) What a fun night! We had an amazing time with some pretty awesome people!

Family and friends that live afar where greatly missed! We thought of you all and look forward to the day that we can be with you again! xoxoxo

White Wings

Because atttending any NBA games this season is impossible - and more impossible with us living in Germany - we went to go watch our friend play on the European Hanau Basketball team called White Wings. It was SO much fun and I'm pretty sure John would agree. He loves anything basketball!

Some other youth from our church and their parents came to the game also. Aubrey ran off and rooted for the team with her friend and some noise makers. Jocelyn and Andrew had a good ol time climbing up this wooden structure attached to the wall. Easy entertainment...but a little scary for their mama to watch. I stood close by just in case. Otherwise, we were watching the game and rooting for the team from the bleachers. Andrew was sad we couldn't get the mascots attention - he really wanted to say hi to the Beaver. Maybe next time we go to a home game we'll make that happen. And Landon surprisingly did very well. Just sat with John and I and watched everyone around him. He's such a good baby!!

I do have to say though that it was hard not to chant, "Let's go Blazers, let's go!!" :) For years, we got used to that phrase when watching Portland play.

Instead, we chanted, "Let's go White Wings, let's go!!"

And they played really well - it was a fun game to watch. I don't remember the final score but let's just say they pretty much creamed the other team!

A special thanks to our friends for getting us tickets to come watch the game! You guys are awesome! :)

{Our friend #6}

{Group shot - minus Jocelyn...I think she was climbing the wall again. LOL}

A Tiny Peek of Christmas in Germany

One of two things. I really needed a break from the kids. It doesn't happen nearly as often as I'd like or should get so I was ALL about going with a friend today on the train to downtown Frankfurt. I need to do this more often!!! I love my kids immensely but I deserve some alone time every once in a good while! You now, once a week? :) The other thing is I needed (or wanted) to find some German Christmas cards. My friend knows her way around the town better than I do at the moment so she was able to walk me through a few really neat card shops and craft stores and kid toy shops. SO many cute things! I can't wait to go back down there.

So not only did I find some cute German Christmas cards, but I also spotted the beginnings of the Frankfurt Chrismas Market coming to life. Wow was that awesome! They were hammering away on almost every corner or street down there. So many people bustling around getting things ready for the holiday season. I can not WAIT to experience my first Christmas here in Germany! Especially with my brother, sister-in-law and their adorable daughter coming out to pay us a visit! This is going to be so much fun!

I was able to take a few snapshots while down there today. I really can't wait to go back! And I must say, after the first few months of living here...I'm really starting to love it! The first few months were a little rocky. Not that it's horrible here by any means, but I missed home. The list was long at first: family & friends, familiar places and stores (TARGET). I think I was going through a bit of a culture shock. I'm thankfully now over that. It's for sure going to be a sad day when we move away! And it's a good thing we still have a few more years left to be here and take it all in before we do have to leave. What a beautiful country...I'm so thankful for this once in a lifetime experience! :)