We are getting close to the big day. The month of December is painfully filled with activities for the kids. I'm so grateful that some of our traditions are so entrenched, they happen despite the extracurricular craziness. I've also discovered two secrets to a successful Christmas. Focus a lot of effort on Sundays. The first week of December we went straight from church to the Nativity exhibit in Spokane. It was beautiful. My favorite room was the one Andrea had organized: "the Life of the Savior." There were pictures of the Savior with artifacts such as sandals, a crown of thorns, a pot of clay. She had borrowed Grandpa's big copper pot to represent washing the disciples feet and the symbolism made me cry. I know my Grandpa would have been touched. We watched the nativity movie in the car to and from Spokane and we were all in tears by the time it ended. We finished the night at the Bishop's house for the Christmas broadcast from Salt Lake at what the kids call the "Peppermint ice Cream Fireside."
Last Sunday we were asked to speak in the Potlatch Idaho Branch. Tony, Wilson and I spoke and then we again attended the Nativity display in Moscow. My favorite creche was the one Betina dontated. She'd purchased it in Ethiopia from the orphanage where Ivy was. Again, the symbolism was so sweet. After the Nativity display we went to visit some of Tony's patients. One man we visited had lost his health, his family, his ability to work and drive and was suffering from a lot of pain. We talked to the kids about what we could do for him and Max suggested we get him a Christmas tree. I'm going to trust that it is inspiration from a 5 year old boy and follow through. Another of Tony's patients invited us in for hot chocolate and cookies and we spent the afternoon playing with their pet mouse, "Whiskers". It feels very cozy snuggling a baby mouse and sipping cocoa, even I must admit.
The second success we've had this Christmas has been our gift to each of the kids: a date alone with Mom and Dad. Only Cooper and Max have had their dates, but so far it has been my favorite part of the month. One on one it is easy to remember how much I like my kids. It's just when they are all together in a chaotic mass that I sometimes forget.
Tonight was the kids program at school. I led the 5th graders in "Santa You're Too Fat." Very cute. It brought tears to my eyes to end the program with the teachers, students and parents joining together to sing Silent Night. Reason #543, 999 that I love St John.
Tony squeezed in a raquetball tournament this month but got his butt kicked by his nemesis. He had a great time anyway and it turned out to be a cheap date.
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