Christmas glimpses and video clips during the month

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A beautiful, busy, full day

We've had an exciting weekend starting with no one at school or work on Friday (which should have meant I got tons of things accomplished--I did get lots done thanks to helpers, but not everything, of course). We helped Ben and Emilie move their whole life into storage that evening, and had an unexpected semi-crisis when the gates of the storage place refused to let us out (we had to basically force our way out after many adventurous and memorable attempts to escape--all of which were captured on their lovely and obviously so useful security camera).

This morning after my favorite bi-monthly gathering of produce , we all got fancy and arrived at the church for Natalie and Christopher to get baptized. Everything went so nicely and I feel so grateful for all of the good people who helped us, like Ben who gave a heartfelt, doctrinal and simple talk about the Holy Ghost, perfect for the twinners, their friends and those who had never before attended a baptism. Darren, the hero dad smoothly baptized each child by immersion without a single foot or hair getting missed, and then proceeded to confirm each child with the Gift of the Holy Ghost, while also being inspired to give them personal blessings to help them in their lives. He had been nervous, but was fine when it came time to perform these ordinances for our oldest children.

After a yummy, quick lunch of beef tortellini soup (Charlie loves zucchini, David loves white tortellini and Andrew loves beef chunks), we then met up with more family (Scott and Abra joined us after her cute new haircut) and went to a Christmas party at the twins' music class. Pure chaos reined with the many children attending, but each of our older two played their piano pieces well and then we just had fun.

When we got back home, we watched the much-antipated-by-Natalie movie "Chariots of Fire." She loves the music and surprisingly she loves to run (when we run together, she always ends up far ahead, though Chris stays right with me). We all enjoyed the movie, except David who was sleeping. We said goodbye to my cousin and his book-sharing wife who needed to find Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. Then we ate chicken fajitas, and some neighbor-bestowed fudge while building castles, blogging and listening to BYU keeping it real.

I love my two oldest kids and want them to feel special if they read this post. I'm so happy about the choices they've been making in their lives. Natalie is helpful and enjoys cleaning, she is considerate of others, happy and playful, she has a pretty voice and loves to practice her music in speed mode many times, she is striving to please others and has an internal goodness to go with her outer beauty, she is intelligent and athletic, and a joy to be around. Christopher is eager and energetic, he is curious and grasps big concepts quickly, he is confident and willing to contribute to intellectual conversations, he has a gifted musical ear and creative abilities, he has a strong concept of right and wrong, he loves learning new things like moving from soccer to football now, and he is so handsome and tender-hearted. I have the best kids!

Bright sunshine, beautiful kids, enjoyable family and friends, and highly antipated events made for a glorious day. Oh, and only a few more days until Christmas. This is a month of much work and then much play--what is there not to love?

And to top it all off, check it out this garden...

Just a little bit of southern joy! :)

Birthday bits

Some birthday pictures

We didn't get tons of pictures because we were busy making, doing and having fun, but here are a few silly ones.

Remembering what matters most

I started posting all of this stuff quite a few days ago--welcome to my December. I LOVE this month, but it is always so busy and quite frantic. How do I decide what is really the most important stuff and what I should just let go of--twin birthdays: we're celebrating, definitely, but putting off the LONG awaited friend party for a couple of weeks; cards: begun, but finding addresses and getting stamps are lower on the priority list; cookies and treat plates for friends and neighbors: begun, with some cookies waiting in the freezer, but on the backburner for a day; presents: mostly found and purchased, with a few wrapped; baptisms for two eight year olds: who should speak about that precious gift they will be receiving (the HOLY GHOST), and is anyone going to let us know about the main talk someone in the stake will be giving?; travel: are we going anywhere or staying home and relaxing this year?; primary thank-yous, a teacher appreciation lesson, a quarterly activity, plans for next year and teaching sharing time for the Stake again; nightly Christmas countdown traditions; a music recital that doesn't feel worth it though the kids have been working hard; neighbor Christmas parties on the same night; whoops, N & I were going to have a girls night of the Nutcracker; any more house decorating since our house looks unfestive outside?; buying a cub scout shirt for our boy to become a part of the pack; does our littlest guy have 5ths disease or what is that rash?; please don't undecorate everything again boys; uggh, no more mud please kiddos; honey, we'll have to postpone that date night or temple night until there's a night that's empty; A, you're always hungry :); a baby shower for a friend; several school events; etc, etc, etc. (I'm sure I missed a few items taking space in my brain).

Even as I'm sitting here typing up this silly list of things to do, woe is me, I'm so busy, I know I'm grappling with how to reconcile the way I really want my family to feel during this month. I want our activities each day to feel different, special, not just another task on our list. I want us to have family memories of serving someone, of making a difference, of helping more people feel the love of that special baby whose birth the celebration is supposed to be about. I want others to know that the Savior loves them and I want it confirmed to my children as we're giving and making and sharing. It is too easy to be materialistic and caught up in all of the politically correct "holidays." How can I really focus our life to center around what I know matters more than parties, presents, glitz, weather, friends and even family fun?



We thoroughly enjoyed our Thanksgiving days and say thank you to anyone who shared even a quick hello with us during a beloved holiday and family birthdays. Family and friends are what make life enjoyable and we feel very blessed!

Here are the few pics that we got, though I'm sure there are better ones out there; I'm sad that certain sisters, etc were avoiding the camera, but I had some vanity too.

Costa Rica

Here are a few pictures from my man's latest work adventure. While the pics are beautiful, there aren't many since he was working 15 hour days for 11 of those days. He did get to see the temple since it was just down the street, and he took some pics of the spectacular hotel that was difficult to enjoy alone.

This last one was a walk down the street looking into someone's yard. There were some expansive properties in this area with varying degrees of home size and age.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country with very friendly people, stable government ("No army since 1948!" the locals proudly proclaim), and a fairly good economy. It was not built on slave labor in the colonial period, so the populace is much more equal than other Latin American countries. The people there are very big into eco-tourism, with 25% of the country as national parks. We're sure we weren't getting the full story from the unhappy citizens who weren't spouting the party line, but it did seem beautiful from the pictures and Darren says the country is very nice compared to other ones he's visited.

__________________

Darren here. I have to add to this post an interesting occurance from the trip. One day as I exited the warehouse I choked over one of the most horrible smells I'd ever smelled. I asked what it was and my host casually mentioned that it's a slaughterhouse on the other side of the industrial park and when the wind blows from that direction occasionally we get the smell. Then he told me to cheer up because "on the other side of our factory is a Jelly Belly factory, so we get to smell popcorn or fruit just as often." (Quote possibly paraphrased or mistranslated!)

A family project

This project began with an idea from an ingenious guy

who then carried it out with a few supplies, powerful tools, ....playful kids,

excited helpers,
and learners,
to become our own little rotation system for some food!

Dressing up

For Halloween, someone decided this would be a cute costume--maybe he's a pumpkin? We had a fairy fashioned straight from ideas in her head and favorite dress-up items (it worked well enough)

We had a youthful Obi Wan jedi in our midst (such interesting boots and light saber)Super Why arrived with his power to read (certain books, at least) And this clown had a difficult time not eating his nose (once we let go of his hands, he grabbed the nose again) This unusual couple claimed to be Malysian artifacts (someday they will embarrass their kids)

We all had fun with a few festivities, and we love our friendly neighborhood and the great weather to walk around and spend time with friends.

My Baby Sis is a Teenager....

These are a few of the great pics I have of Suzie through the years.

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Suzie P 10/27/08We know it's a lot of pictures, but we have a lot of great memories and it was too hard to choose which to post, so we put them all! A happy birthday to a sweet, beautiful, good, happy TEENAGER who also happens to be a wonderful sister and beloved aunt too!


I'm sorry that I'm inconsistent and don't say happy birthday to everyone and that I didn't do this on your day, Suz! It's a busy life! :)

"I don't know [a title] yet."

Our days are just now beginning to feel like the kind of weather I associate with going back to school. Subconsciously, I have put off getting a back to school picture until the weather was right.



Along with "cooler" weather (I think the relative humidity had dropped at the time these pics were taken, bringing 50 degree nights), often comes cracking skin and lips for some of us as our three year old is modeling subtly.



He loves to be in this spot and even tries climbing up from the table into his chair. He was playing peek-a-boo with his bowl when I took this pic.



We have great times together. I love his personality and his willingness to entertain himself, still coming back for some holding time. I have begun to worry (again) about his development and verbal abilities. He seems to understand us, he will follow directions often, and he has his own way of conveying things, with nods of his head, pointing, and saying his babbly words, but when I compare him to peers or his own siblings, he seems behind in his development. Our doctor says he's fine, but I do see frustration and tantrums around the corner if he doesn't increase his verbal abilities more rapidly.

What a bunch of characters.

None of them were willing to share that sweet pleasing smile that warms a mommy's heart, but at least they were willing to look away from the ducks long enough for me to get a picture!

On a different note, I just wanted to give a quick shout out to the Adamz family on their tall "little" 9 pounder Issac Joshua. Hopefully pics will be forthcoming as soon as they actually get to cuddle with the little guy and his excited big brother. I was really hoping that Shan and I would not have yet another link of empathy in life experiences, but I'm (almost) as glad as she is that she was able to make it through another roller-coaster delivery and keep them both as unscathed as possible. C-sections have their purpose and I have been very grateful for the lives that have been saved by them (four of whom are pictured above)!

Practically jumping

Our little garden is full of plants that seem to be jumping out of the soil overnight. We get so excited each time we see a new little sprout emerging--so far this seems to be the best garden we've ever had and we're hopeful that we'll continue to learn more and be able to plant more as we learn. We've got tomatoes--who knows if they'll ever set fruit, but they look nice, bell peppers, bush beans--the few that survived the first bug feast, red leaf lettuce, spinach, radishes, green onion, cauliflower, many peas, some basil, maybe a bok choy, maybe a cabbage (they're too small to be a definite ID), and hopefully our carrots and parsley will one day sprout. We know it's weird for a us to be posting about our gardening excitement, especially when most people are cleaning up their harvest, but we have to share our fun with someone....




We're still waiting for more sprouting and growing too--maybe the bugs ate some seeds?

Speaking of sprouting and jumping, we had some fun watching this guy learn recently....

Soon it was a jumping party...


One family member preferred to be present, but engrossed in a book instead.... :)

>

Beautiful people in a small world

I feel the need to share a couple of stories for those few who haven't heard them, but I haven't had time to do either of them justice.
Back when we lived in Provo, we had some friends in our ward named the Kendricks. They were unique, fun people whom everyone loved to be around. Christopher (his wife calls him Chup--maybe because she has a brother also named Christopher and a brother-in-law named Christian) was a compelling personality who I still watch for in movies. Courtney and I worked together in a Relief Society calling, and I couldn't get enough of her upbeat, energetic attitude to every endeavor. She was filled with a Christlike compassion for those around her. She was open about things and shared her experiences of being recently sealed in the temple and her then-unfulfilled desire to have a baby to help others open up and to show that we all have trials, even if they're not necessarily visible. We both moved out of the ward, and I lost track of her and many others. A while ago, I happened upon her blog (as I have stumbled upon many friends blogs) and giggled a little as her personality jumped off the screen, as if we were still sitting in a RS Board Meeting (or something). I felt a bit of nostalgia, just as I feel whenever I think of friends I never hang out with anymore. So I checked in to see how she was coping with pregnancy and finally getting that sweet baby she had dreamed of for years. Anyway, when I learned of an accident that had occurred with one of her sisters, I began reading her sister Stephanie's blog. They are both artistically talented bloggers that draw you in to their world. Now comes the heart-wrenching part of the story. (Sorry that none of the you-tube and Today show links work anymore).


Both Stephanie and Christian are improving, but are still dealing with a long recovery. Courtney and her family have been coping with the chaos of this experience so beautifully. She once wrote a post about things that are "Of Good Report", and she has taken that idea to a new level by sharing her daily musings and her testimony of God's love and His hand in our lives. They are both beautiful gals inside and out, and I hope to emulate a little of their joy in the daily beauty of life and their abilities to share it with others.



Here is another story of some friends from our days in MBA school. This bittersweet entry comes from a strong soul named Crystal, the wife of a pure-hearted man named Matt Budge.

"Dear Friends and Family,

Matthew Neil Budge passed away peacefully last night, Wednesday September 24, at 10:20pm. He was attended by his parents, his aunt (a nurse), and me.



I have realized for a while that this particular entry would fall to me. The time to think has not helped at all in knowing what to say. Do I say goodbye or do I ask for help to staunch the bleeding of this mortal wound? They say the heart will heal, with time. There may come a point when this interior pain moves from stabbing, to throbbing, to aching, to intermittent, to an occasional twinge. I hope so. I have a feeling my heart will heal into a new one entirely. The old one goes with Matt.



And yet… the sun came up this morning and the mountains flushed rose. Their flanks are a riot of orange, greens, and reds. Autumn makes itself known today in color and light and that wonderful brisk hint of chill that is more of a smell than a feeling. This has been my favorite time of year since Matt and I were married twelve Octobers ago and made our first home in the shadows of these very mountains, rich with fall. What years they have been! That first spring brought our son Nathanael, ten weeks premature and determined to make his mark on the world. His dad could hold that baby in his cupped hands. The following year we welcomed Sariah in the summertime and her sunshine blessed our life. Her dad said having a daughter made him want to be a better man. Another year brought Bekah in February, our sweetheart just before Valentine's. Her dad aptly named her Joy. Rachel joined us in the chill of winter. Her dad named her Dawn for the light that crested the mountains the Sabbath morning of her birth, and for her mama. In gratitude we welcomed Hannah just after Thanksgiving, the fulfillment of the Lord's promises and the apple of her Daddy's eye. A year ago last spring came Caleb, known to us in a dream years prior. His dad had dreamed our family and knew Caleb was coming, last to join us. At his birth the doctors said I would have no more children. One year later, to the day, the doctors said Matt would not live out the year.



Today feels a little like Christmas. I woke this morning between two wiggly daughters, with two more in the room and two sons joining shortly. We talked and cried and laughed and snuggled and had cold cereal with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins… in our PJs. Today feels like a holiday where the time is not measured 2 o clock, 3 o clock, time for homework, time for bed… somehow holiday time is not measured at all. Today we eat and sleep and talk and plan and play and remember. It seems Matt is simply resting somewhere after lunch while the children run outside and I catch up on the computer. There is a sense of peace and a strong presence of love. He is not far.



Soon I will need to face the coming decades of my life. But not yet. For now we cling to the warmth of family and the love of our Matthew. Of the few things I know, one is that our marriage did not end last night with his breathing. We are sealed, bonded in an eternal unit unbreakable by the frailties of mortality. He loves me, and with a broken heart, I surely love him. Our children belong to us through ties this world cannot touch. As certainly as the sun rose this morning to touch the mountains and my heart, we will rise one morning reunited past time and into eternity, in joy and inseparable.



Thank you all for your love, your kindness, and especially your prayers. We have witnessed many miracles and I am profoundly grateful for your faith that has made them possible. Please join us Sunday evening for a viewing 6-8pm, and Monday morning 8:30-9:30am, with a 10am funeral at the Lehi 34th ward chapel, and grave dedication following at the Lehi City Cemetery, Utah. Your continued faith, prayers, support and love mean more than I can say. Please pray for our children.

With love,

Crystal Budge (and Matt)"



If you read this entry with a few tears, then we're just having a good cry together. Give those with whom you share your life a tight squeeze, a heartfelt "I love you" and a grateful prayer to our Father in Heaven for the beautiful people who make this world a better place.

For Grandma on her birthday

One of my goals for this blog has been to eventually write inspiring words that uplift anyone's day while they're reading. However, since I get writer's block everytime I sit down to blog, I decided to post a few pictures to appease grandma, instead.

Since it's been almost a month now, but it felt cooler that day than it does today, I decided these were true to the everlasting summer here. These pictures are all compliments of Emilie, the photographer extraordinaire. The silly jumping events are thanks to Ben's encouragement. Thanks to you both (and Charlie) for the fun day and the great pics!

Pics of the Philippines

Now that he will be arriving home shortly, I feel okay about posting details about Mr. Debonair and his trip. Before any of you think think this is our chance to show off, I'll just let you know that neither of us hoped for or expected him to travel like this--he's not a consultant (though we have sympathy for anyone who is, we also don't get that kind of pay)! While traveling around the world could be great fun, it's not so hot when you're alone, leaving your wife and four crazy kids to fend for themselves, you have to deal with post-9/11 security, super-long flights, extreme jetlag and a high intensity work situation. For everything un-enjoyable about it, he has had some great experiences and I'm sure it makes a good impression on foreigners to interact with the King of Geography himself! This trip was longer than some, so he met up with some members in the branch in Makati and had a Saturday adventure, which is here for your viewing pleasure....

I've been doing an audit in a factory in the Philippines. This first picture is the sunrise view from breakfast on the 31st floor of my hotel. You can see Laguna Lake.

We went to Taal Volcano, which is a huge ancient caldera with a big lake in it. There is a cone island in the middle of the lake which is a more recent rebirth of the volcano. It too has erupted and created a lake crater filled with poisonous sulferous water. Then surprisingly, another small island has risen in the smaller lake. Of course the Philippines are islands themselves, which means I went to visit an island in a lake in an island in a lake in an island in the ocean. Cool! We took a boat across the lake and rode horses to the top of the cone island. It was fantastic.
There are more pics and video down below the alliterate post. Mr. D posted it earlier, but I didn't want to advertise the fact that my other half was on the other side of world (paranoia for blog stalkers, ya know). Sorry I just didn't want to cut and paste it all into a new post...

A little bit alliterate...

Ah, there's nothing like a bit of fresh homemade salsa to zing up a blah meal. Chef de Cuisine Christopher helped whip up a batch today, and we were pleased with the results. He often seems more willing to consume the concoctions he helps create. The other three were a little more willing to eat the remade meal after a healthy dollop of our condiment was atop their plates also.

On a different subject, Articulate Andrew explained that he is going to be an "instruction worker" when he grows up. He also informed us that "etern-ifinty" was the hugest number ever.

A Non-Nonchalant Natalie had a difficult time not telling every person she saw today about a real medal she received today from a Chinese class she took last Spring--her twin brother also received one, but his emotions were less chalant than hers.

We all survived when a Dilligent David ditched dishes on the floor, as he climbed the table once more, refused to sleep when we would have preferred, and worried his mama with a mid grade fever. He is still the sweetest 18 month old on the planet even as he nears those twos.

Existential Emily is living one day at a time and hoping that her shortcomings will shortly be less short. Debonair Darren is discussing lakes, islands and oceans-- a post-topic on that is forthcoming, perhaps.

Philippines trip

I've been doing an audit in a factory my company runs in the Philippines. This first picture is the sunrise view from breakfast on the 31st floor of my hotel. You can see Laguna Lake.Since it is a two week audit, I took advantage of the chance to tour on Saturday with some friends. We went to Taal Volcano, which is a huge ancient caldera with a big lake in it. There is a cone island in the middle of the lake which is a more recent rebirth of the volcano. It too has erupted and created a lake crater filled with poisonous sulferous water. Then surprisingly, another small island has risen in the smaller lake. Of course the Philippines are islands themselves, which means I went to visit an island in a lake in an island in a lake in an island in the ocean. Cool! We took a boat across the lake and rode horses to the top of the cone island. It was fantastic.

This girl MaryJoy was my mountain "guide." She was only 9 years old, but was very experienced with the horse named Patricia. She wanted to say Hi to N and C, but got shy when the camera was rolling.