perfect gift

As much as my Mom denies it, she has the ability to give the perfect gift. I had tears in my eyes when I opened my Christmas present this year and found my grandmother's wedding ring. The diamond had fallen out long ago and my Mom explained that it really wasn't worth much money. To me it is worth so much. I'll take it to the jeweler this month and have my diamond put in the setting. It was a wonderful gift especially on the first Christmas of my entire life without my Grandma.

Our traditional Christmas Eve at the Frederickson's was very peaceful. Eliza was an angel, Cooper and Marcos were shepherds, and Max and Wilson were wisemen. They all took their roles very seriously. The kids also shared piano talents and Wilson bore a sweet, simple testimony. Mom was in charge of the program this year which meant everyone participated or else. We all sang "Guard Him Joseph" to end the night.

The kids all slept well on Christmas Eve, and were lined up on the stairs in their new Christmas pajamas by 8:00 am. With five kids, even limiting Christmas to three gifts apiece can sure add up. I think we had a good balance this year of surprise and excitement, tempered by a little disappointment. Tony and I both agree that a little Christmas disappointment when we were kids was a very good life lesson. Eliza was thrilled with her American girl doll with the matching pajamas. Max was more thrilled with his Power Ranger underwear than his new tool bench. It didn't take Wilson long to get over his disappontment with the "RipStick" skateboard and by the end of the day he was a little more than proficient. Cooper informed us that all his Christmas dreams came true, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa who gave us a pull-up bar, tetherball pole and punching bag. Cooper also got the coolest Trikke bike, which provided the Dad with hours of fun. My always easy to please husband was thrilled with his $8.00 rubics cube and digital remote BBQ thermometer (again from Mom, the Queen of gift giving).

Thursday before Christmas Tony took the boys out of school to go skiing. What a great Dad. They had a beautiful time and Tony said it was the perfect sunny blue-skyed day. Wilson reported that he skied like an Olympian. It was extra fun for the boys because they met the Hainsworths on the hill. I love the idea that snow skiing is an activity for Tony to do with the kids, but I did feel a little left out. Next time I'll go and take my new snowshoes. Marcos can come with me until he gets old enough to join the big kids.

The Friday before Christmas was one of our most memorable ward parties ever. Santa arrived to visit with the kids and when it was Eliza's turn he jumped up to do the Jingle Bell rock with her. Unfortunately, Santa appears to have lost weight and his pants dropped to the ground. It was a while before he noticed, but it didn't phase Santa much. He just pulled his pants back up and motioned for the next kid. We also learned that Marcos is absolutely terrified of Santa. Tony is convinced it is the beard, but I'm not sure.

Saturday before Christmas I tried too hard to make happy Christmas memories and ended up just being grouchy all day. Oakley and Eden were here so we made our gingerbread trains. It involved a lot of frosting in hair, candy in the mouth and general stickiness, but was a more fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon than listening to me complain. That night we had dinner with our friends the Delongs and it turned out to be a very relaxing night. We even watched "Luke 2" together. The highlight of the night was when Oakley announced at dinner right before prayer that when he grows up he is going to be black just like Max, "My penis is going to be black..., my head is going to be black..." We love that Oakley.

After all the gouchiness on Saturday I was very relieved to be in Sacrament meeting on Sunday for a beautiful Christmas program. The spirit was really strong and I could feel peace replacing tension. I have struggled this season with unknown factors stealing my peace, but church turned out to be the perfect antidote (not always the case!) Primary always feels good, even when neither of my counselors were there and the kids were on a major Christmas high. On Sunday night we all got together at Mom and Dad's for a yummy shrimp dinner in honor of Dad's 65th birthday. It was a nice evening. Cam and Jill and Tony and I gave Mom and Dad a Bose radio this year and Tyler, Chelsea, Dustin and Kimberly gave them a laptop. It's nice to be able to give your parents nice gifts, even when they fight it. I was also really touched by Jeff and Stacy's gifts, which were homemade and very thoughtful.

making christmas memories

This has been a good month so far for making memories. The weather has been so beautiful with perfect snow for making snowmen and sledding. It has been magical to wake up every morning to a winter wonderland. Our shopping is all done (the blessing of the internet) so we'll just send out Christmas cards, wrap the gifts and make the Rocky Road.

Last Friday night, Betina, Eden, Mom, Eliza and I had dinner at the Davenport and then went to the Nutcracker Ballet in Spokane. The performance was magical. Mom made it extra special by bringing books explaining the story for the girls. She also reminded me that the first time I saw it in San Diego when I was a little girl, Barishnikov was the main dancer. I wish I had a better memory. It was really a treat to enjoy that night with my little girl, my Mom and our great friends.

On Saturday morning, my friends in St John had a shower to welcome Marcos. It is always humbling to be the center of attention (even for me). I really appreciated the sacrifice of time everyone gave. Instead of gifts for Marcos, everyone brought donations for children in orphanages. Betina took some of them to Ethiopia with her (Ivy is on her way home!) and the rest we will get to Guatemala. Marcos, as usual, was the perfect charming baby and his cuteness always takes my breath away.

Today we started with breakfast and a movie at the Garland theatre. Nothing is more fun than soda, popcorn and licorice for breakfast. After the movie, we ran a few errands and then took the kids to the roller rink. It was flashback time for Tony who recovered his childhood skating skills very quickly. He spent a lot of time at his Aunt LaRue's skating rink in Idaho Falls when he was a kid, and man, has he got the moves. The kids were a little nervous at first and wanted their roller blades, but soon they were skating like true children of the 80's on four wheels. My favorite sight was Max in the middle of Cooper and Wilson, skating for all he was worth. Sadly, I think Eliza inherited my balancing abilities and clung to the wall most of the time. Still, she had a smile on her face the whole time. The kids can't wait to do it again.

Marcos is now up on all fours. He is scooting to get whatever he wants, and has a developed a shriek worthy of a fifth child trying to be heard.

Maxwell's verbal skills are keeping us in stitches. For starters, he talks nonstop, at church, at storytime, anywhere there is an audience. Last week, Callie took the kids to get some donuts at the store. Cooper picked out a package of powdered white ones. Max shook his head and reported, "I can't eat those. They are white and I am black." He requested his own package of chocolate fudge donuts. It didn't work, but it was a good try. Another day he checked Marcos' diaper: "He's not poopy Mom, just watery!" The funniest part of Max's communication is his facial expression. He is so entertaining right now, but is really bored with me at home. He will start preschool one day a week after the holidays.

This week I've been feeling like something is stealing my peace and am trying to pinpoint what it would be. I have so much to be grateful for, and things are going so well. I've tried really hard to reduce and simplify and keep focused on the family, but it feels like there is a piece missing this Christmas. I'm glad to have Primary to look forward to every week, and am convinced I will figure it out.

signed, sealed, delivered --I'm yours

Here is a short list of "firsts" that Marcos experienced on or before December 1st

first teeth
first snow
first haircut (at home)
first birthday

Saturday was Marcos' birthday and the day we sealed him to our family in the Spokane temple. The ceremony was very short (maybe even considered a drive-by) but we didn't need long to officially recognize what we've known from the beginning--he's ours. He looked so sweet in his little white outfit. I hope my kids can always remember how it feels in the temple, as it is a pretty unique experience for them to be there. After the sealing Tony gave him a father's blessing. He blessed him that he will feel connected to both his birth heritage and his adoptive heritage. He also blessed him that he will be a unifying force between his brothers and sister. I see the effects of that blessing every day.

After the sealing we all went to lunch (Mexican food was the closest we could come to Guatemalean cuisine and it just doesn't compare). Tony's parents came from St George through a terrible storm and were in Spokane for less than 24 hours. It meant so much to us that they would make that sacrifice to be there. We were thankful to my parents for hosting them in Spokane as well. One little bonus of their trip was that we had a mini Christmas together after the sealing before they flew out. It was fun for them to be there when the kids opened their gifts. Eliza was thrilled with her sparkly pink shirt, Max with his football sweatshirt and both the boys truly needed new sweatshirts. The wall plaque she had made for us was exactly my taste. Grandma sure started our Christmas out fun this year.

To celebrate Marcos ""first" achievements, Eliza also lost her first tooth. That silly tooth fairy forgot to come the first night, so we sent a note to her the second night. Lucky for her, she showed up and left the hefty sum of .55 cents and a handwritten apology. Eliza was thrilled.

On Sunday we invited several families for dinner and then watched the Christmas broadcast from Salt Lake together. It was nice to be together with our "St John family" all snuggled in by the fire eating brownies and peppermint ice cream. On Monday I took the kids to the beautiful creche exhibit in Spokane. I wish I could have spent more time enjoying the amazing display of literally hundreds of nativity scenes. We had family home evening treat at Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dale's house to meet their new grandson. As usual, Aunt Nancy is the family bungee cord--she keeps us all together and I really love her.

Yesterday the kids and I made gingergbread cookies (and a huge mess). Today I was blowing bubbles for Max and Marcos and they were erupting in big belly laughs. I wish that I could package the sound of the laughter and the smell of the cookies, and give it for Christmas this year. I would call it "essence of Christmas" and it would be a guarenteed hit.

Christmas with five kids is going to be our best ever.