The Twelve Days of Christmas (Our Family History)

I am a former Camp Fire kid.  I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade and my family was knocking on doors in a local neighborhood, selling Camp Fire candy.  We met an older gentleman who had just been widowed.  I remember the porch, I don't remember his face, but I will always remember how terribly lonely he was.

Well, this struck a nerve with our little family, and my mom decided to do something about it.  She got the idea to do the 12 Days of Christmas for this gentleman.  And thus, a tradition was born in our family.  Every year for more than 25 years (~1985 to 2010+) my parents and whatever kids were still living at home, did the 12 Days of Christmas for a recent widow, someone who would be alone for Christmas, or someone we admired who needed a little pick-me-up.  And last year, this working mom with two kids, got the courage to try this with her own children -- yes, with a little bit of planning, we have a handmade or small purchased gift with a note from "The Elves" and deliver it after school each day for twelve days.

It has also produced additional family stories.  We've been "caught" very early, like on Day 2 or 3.  We've been "caught" halfway through.  We've had people leave us a gift on the last day of Christmas (nice, but not expected).  We have fallen running between our car and the receiver's house.  We even had a year where we delivered half the gifts to the wrong house -- Ooops!  (That sometimes happens when you have two different drivers, and one doesn't give directions very well & the other doesn't remember numbers -- love you Mom & Dad.)  And now, my mom and I have both had an experience where months later, our unique handmade gifts get us "caught".  My mom uses some unique yarn in her crocheted gifts, and made some sample for a church talent show -- a 12 Day receiver noticed the same yarn as her gifts.  And to my surprise (not), I guess many people don't make handmade candles in Mason jars.  I made some candles as prizes for a church activity, and I too, got caught.

As a mom, this has been a very rewarding experience!  My children who do not lack for toys, food, or clothing are learning to give away that which they have made.  They are learning they don't have to keep everything.  They are learning to make things with their own hands.  They are learning to be surprised, and to give anonymously.  And for the last two days, they have asked why they can't give to a different person each day for 12 Days.

See my next blog for details on this year's 12 Days of Christmas.

Tithing

Tithing is the practice of giving one tenth of your increase.  I am a Latter-Day Saint, so I pay one tenth of my increase to my church.  My church uses the tithes to build more churches & temples, increase the missionary work, repair & support Church historical sites, etc.  The Church has separate donation categories for humanitarian aid and offerings to help the needy.  (See Malachi Chapter 3 for more background on tithes.)  I have met more than one person not of my faith who pay one tenth of their increase to a non-religious charity or multiple charities of their choice.

I've been trying to encourage my son to read chapter books.  He is six years old.  Also, he desperately wants a Nintendo DS, but some weeks he changes that wish to an iPad or "Candle-Fire".  So, about a year ago, I told him I'd pay him $5 for every chapter book he finished.  Until this week, I've only had to pay up once -- and believe me, I've tried.  He has recently read "Diary of a Whimpy Kid" and "Diary of a Whimpy Kid, the Ugly Truth".  So, I went to pay him this evening.

I stopped myself and said, "Here's the $10 I owe you for reading.  If you choose to pay tithing on this, the tithing would be $1.  And $1 is one tenth or 10% of this $10."

He giggled and said, "I'm choosing not to pay tithing.  I will pay tithing AFTER I get my DS."
"Is this what you think Heavenly Father would want you to do?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay."

This caused me a moment of reflection.  He's 6.  How many of us act like 6 year olds?

• Thanks God, for the 100% of everything I have.  After I get what I want, I'll be happy to show You my gratitude and give You back 10%.
• I know I should "give back" to my community.  I'll do that later, after I buy the new TV, and go to Target for $100 worth of stuff, and Costco for $300 worth of stuff.

I am by no means advocating shirking your responsibilities to feed and clothe your family or pay your bills.  But, maybe this year as we approach the holidays & a new year of resolutions, we consider doing a little better and sacrificing a little more.  Let me work on that.

Grand Canyon South Rim Vacation -- Things To Do

Things We Didn't Do

This is a list of things you can do when visiting Northern Arizona or near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  They looked interesting, but we just ran out of time.  So, I'm saving this list for another trip or for your reference.

1. The Grand Canyon Deer Farm, a petting zoo & gift shop in Williams, AZ.  For more info, call (928) 635-4073 or www.deerfarm.com
2. Bearizona, a drive-thru wild animal park in Williams, AZ.  For more info, www.bearizona.com
3. Walnut Canyon National Monument, near Flagstaff, AZ.  For more info, http://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm
4. Montezuma Well, part of Montezuma Castle National Monument in Camp Verde, AZ.  For more info, http://www.nps.gov/moca/montezuma-well.htm
5. Tuzigoot National Monument, near Clarkdale, AZ.  For more info, http://www.nps.gov/tuzi/index.htm

Things We Did Do

1. Route 66 Zipline Ride, high flying family adventure over Williams, AZ.  Price is $12 per person, buy 3 or more and Mom rides free.  Must be about 4' tall to ride.  Weight limit is 450 lbs per pair of riders.  Hotels currently have coupons for $2 off per ticket.
2. Grand Canyon Railway
3. Grand Canyon Village Historic District
4. 
   

The Real World

The world, doctors, scientists, etc. criticize parents for letting their kids watch too much TV.  Well, tonight I paused the TV to coordinate 4th of July plans via Facebook with a friend who's phone has been stolen and via cell phone with my husband.  In the meantime, I directed my children (now 6.5 and 3 yrs. old) to get their pajamas on and brush their teeth.  Obviously, they don't have my full attention, but this is reality folks.  Mom is often trying to do three things at once.

Here's what happens when you turn off the TV for 30 minutes:

1. one child argues that they don't want to brush their teeth
2. another child refuses to close the curtain on the front window while you sit in your pajamas
3. Mom yells at the top of her lungs because she is trying to accomplish three things at once and neither child is listening -- and should be quite capable of completing the tasks as requested before the 2nd Coming
4. rough housing causes the female child to break the male child's plastic sunglasses, causing tears in both parties
5. he tells her she is never going to get any new sunglasses ever again as punishment, causing tears in the female child
6. rough housing causes her to hit her head on the wall, again causing tears
7. hugs all around
8. Mom finishes "coordinating" between the two men on phone & Facebook
9. he brings his Leapster into the bathroom "paused" so he can brush his teeth, Mom moves it out and reminds them electronics and water don't mix -- and there is a strict "no non-bath toys" in the bathroom policy
10. female child is SHOWN how to squeeze toothpaste from the tube after claiming she can't do it
11. female child walks by said Leapster and turns it off, causing tears in male child
12. female child after apologizing, then decides to hop like a bunny while squeezing between the door and the male child, ends up hitting the male child on the chin with her hard head, causing tears in BOTH parties, and a bloody nose in the male child
13. hugs all around
14. teeth somehow get brushed
15. both children disappear while Mom cleans toothpaste off the sink (husband has complained abt said issue recently), and suddenly there's crying heard from the other room
16. post-interrogation reports indicate male child hit female child, but only after she poked him in the eye
17. Mom lectures male child on not hitting, lectures female child about LEAVING HER BROTHER ALONE after multiple incidents this evening
18. Bedtime prayers are skipped, Mom considers this a "risk reduction decision"
19. after Mom told him to put the Leapster away & there were more tears, she concedes to let him play Leapster in his bed for 10 minutes, because she's had it for one day
20. one bed gets made
21. She's in bed
22. Timer goes off, Mom retrieves Leapster
23. Goodnight

PLEASE, OH PLEASE, I hope the TV never breaks!  Counter to public opinion we have conclusive evidence that it is to the benefit and welfare of the children if they are parked in front of the TV, mesmerized, not moving.  IT IS SIMPLY SAFER FOR EVERYONE.  ;)

P.S. Husband comes home and claims this only happens when he leaves the house.

For My Friends Who Are Losing Their Hearing

Just picked this up from Kaiser ---

Nine Rules To Follow For Family & Friends of Hearing Impaired

1. Try not to speak from another room.
2. Try not to speak with your back to the person with the hearing deficit.
3. Try to speak more slowly.
4. Try to speak distinctly.
5. Try not to speak in competition with other sounds (TV, radio, running water, etc.)
6. Try to get the attention of the person with the hearing deficit before speaking. (Do not start speaking while the person is concentrating on something else.)
7. Try to speak face-to-face.
8. Try to remove obstructions while speaking (hand in front of face, cigarette in mouth, food in mouth, etc.)
9. Remember to be patient ....

Notice that none of these are to yell, shout, and treat them like idiots.  Basically, remember your manners and act like what you have to say is important enough for them to hear.  So, take the time to effectively communicate that information.

On the phone, when people can't hear me, I'm now in the habit of saying, "I'm sorry, my fault, sometimes I speak too fast."

On a funny note, the audiologist told me that my worst hearing is in the same decibel range where most men speak.  (So, maybe I truly have selective hearing.)

Sometimes They Listen

Granny and I finished my daughter's life book earlier this week.  Her life book describes how she was adopted and became a part of our eternal family.  Her book describes Dad and I getting married in the temple, adopting her brother, and having more love for another child.  Then, how she came to us and was sealed in the temple and received a baby blessing.  Granny had a chance to read it to her a couple of times before leaving town, and we've read it to her at least once.

So today, she hasn't been listening, and has been in a little bit of trouble today.  Our family had a fun day, but we were very ready for it to be bedtime tonight.  She gave me a kiss and hug, then started to walk away.
As she did, she put her hand on the bed post and very slowly said, "I was born, so I could go to the temple with you."
"What was that?"
She looks at me with a smile and with more confidence says, "I was born, so I could go to the temple with you.  And you are a princess."
"Come here ...   come here."  As I held her on my lap, "I am very glad you were born."
"Yeah." (with a smile)
"And I think you're pretty wonderful."
"Yeah." (more smiles)
And before she escapes, "And even when I'm angry because you're disobedient, I will ALWAYS love you."
"Can I go now?"
"Yep, go to bed."

They Say the Darndest Things!

So today was jam packed!

1. U6 Soccer Game
2. Family Day at my office -- open house for employees to show their families around
3. Fontana Library -- We have a 1st grade paper, presentation, and poster on the Opossum due November 9th.  What a beautiful library!!!
4. Target -- original intent was birthday present shopping & bike helmets, but also picked up Thanksgiving decor, Halloween on clearance, and some Christmas shirts
5. Shakey's for a little friend's birthday party

Remember, she's now 2.5 years old and he's 6 years old.

In the course of the day,

@1.  She called out, "Mommy, move your bum!!"  (She was sitting in my chair, while I jumped and paced at the edge of the soccer field.)

@1.  I told him he might have to get muddy playing goalie, but don't worry, I brought a change of clothes.  He said, "I'm not watching the mud, I'm watching the ball!!"  GOOD KID.

@2.  She spotted the filtered water faucet, like ours at home.  She exclaimed, "THAT'S FOR BABY FEEDERS!!"

@2.  "Kids, see Mommy's magnet collection?"  Mistake.  Commented to a co-worker, "Notice how I have all of those in just the right spot."  Response, "Yep, and Monday we'll see you putting them all back." .....
          "Hey kids, this is my space!"  .........
                        "Okay, time to go."   ..........    
                                      He says, "But we have to clean up."  Me, "Don't worry I'll do it later."

@2.  He pointed at a picture I took of the ocean, now hanging in my office, "Is that the ocean I almost drowned in?"  "No, you almost drowned in the our bathtub, not in the ocean."

@3.  As the elevator moved, she sighed, "I did it!"  (She's had this issue with elevators.)

@3.  Yesterday, after school we headed to the "LI-BERRY".  He's asleep, she's chattering.  "Is that the li-berry?  Is this the li-berry?  Is that the li-berry?"  "Sweetie, we have a long drive I will show you the library."  Well, the library was closed when we got there.  YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD STOLEN HER DOLLY!!!  She REALLY took those locked doors personally.  Glad we made it there today.

@3.  Mom and Dad read childrens' stories to each other while our children played a computer game (its okay, they don't get any at home).  And for the first time, I actually considered buying an iPad for them.

@3.  They have children's restrooms with small kid-size toilets -- THANK YOU (But adult-sized sinks, I still had to sit my 2 yr old on the sink to wash her hands).  My 6 yr old thought the toilets were too small.  He exclaim with disgust, "Why do librarians have to have such small toilets?????"

@3.  "Oooo, that's a scary book."  He was pointing at a book in the children's section titled, Zombies in America.  Great!  Remind me to bring the blindfolds to the library next time.

@4.  Bike helmets.  Well, let's just say that we have now PROVEN that both our children have large heads.

@4.  Which bike helmet does she want?  The kitty.  No, Dora the Explorer.  No, the boys one.  No, the princesses.  NOT the Minnie Mouse one.  I WANT DORA!

@4.  In the gift bag aisle, he says, "Where does this go?  Shouldn't we put it back?"  Mom, "I didn't get it down.  I do not want to clean up the whole store!"  "Okay, but I'm going to put it here, because I WANT to clean up the whole store."  (Unfortunately, this is a result of nurture, not nature.  I have no one to blame but myself.)

@5.  An older, baby-sitting friend offered to take her to play the arcade games.  I said she had to wait.  Man!  I got the lowered eyebrow, "MOTHER!" look.  Fine, go!  Mercy!  I give!  You DID eat more vegetables than your brother.

@5.  She pointed at the drain in the bathroom floor, "There's fishies down there!"

@Home Again. She sees the toy spoon on the floor, and like any good little church lady says, "Oh!  I still have to make that dinner."