The Forgotten Carols

Our favorite Christmas tradition is attending Michael McLean's The Forgotten Carols. It's a musical production with a story about those Christmas carols that may have been forgotten about. There's the song that Joseph, Mary, the Innkeeper, the shepherds, the angels, and the Wise Men would have sung if they had a carol to sing about the part they played in the birth of our Savior. It's an amazing production and just gets better for me every year. We attended the show a week and a half ago and loved it, as always! It's just refreshing to slow down from the rush of everything this month and spend a night reminded WHY we celebrate Christmas. The birth of our Savior is a beautiful story, but it's more than that. I know it really happened. I know that Christ came to Earth to live for us, to be an example of selfless love, to suffer, bleed, and die for us. And I know He lives today and will come again. And that knowledge brings me great joy!

One of my favorite songs of all time happens to come from The Forgotten Carols. It's entitled "What I Need"

All I ever wanted, all I ever dreamed of, everything I hoped,

and all the things I prayed for couldn't hold a candle to what I've been given.

I've been given what I need.

A mansion on a hill, a love like in the movies,

perfect little dreams where no one has a problem;
Instead of all those things I thought I really wanted,

I've been given what I need.

Even when I didn't understand, when I thought you had no heart.

Thank for you objecting my demands and always giving me the better part.

All I ever wanted, all I ever dreamed of, everything I hoped,

and all the things I prayed for couldn't hold a candle to what I've been given.

I've been given what I need.

Because I listen to The Forgotten Carols CD every day through out December and often through out the year as well, I get a chance to listen to this song often. And each time I hear it, I'm humbled. I feel so grateful that Heavenly Father hasn't given me a perfect life, that I have trials to face day in and day out. Those trials have given me character and have made me a stronger person.

Particularly this last year, as Wade has been searching for a job, it's been frustrating, yet humbling that he hasn't found one yet. He's been turned down again and again and half the time, it's because they're closing the position after all and aren't going to hire anybody because of the bad economy. What I want is for my husband to land a great job. But what the Lord knows I need is to learn patience and to live according to His will, not mine. So Wade and I will continue fasting and praying, and we'll let you know if and when we have good news to share.

Reed Family Christmas Party

Saturday morning, we had the Reed Family Christmas Party at our house. We had a brunch with Quiche, cinnamon rolls, bacon, fruit, juice, and chocolate milk. So tasty! It was a lot of fun to just hang out as a family.

the cousins playing together
We all agreed it was nice to spread out the family parties because the kids thought it was Christmas morning every time. Here Emily is helping Jon open his Fisher Price Garage from Grandpa and Grandma Reed.

They gave Emily a doctor kit, and she started playing with it right away. She ran into the playroom to get her dolls, so she could give each of them a check-up. Thanks Dad and Claudia for all the wonderful surprises!

Emily and Jake were quite interested in Caleb's new Storm Trooper Helmet. I can't blame them though because it's pretty cool.

Emily had a blast spinning herself on Ramsi's new toy.

Here's Jake and Jonny playing with their new toys and Grandpa Reed enjoying every minute with his grandsons. It was a great party. I was especially excited to see the look on Claudia's face when I gave her 20 home-made cards. I spent a lot of time at my sister's house stamping, cutting, and gluing and having fun doing it. I think she really liked the cards, so that made me happy.

Feelin' Special

I've been feelin' pretty special all week long because of the way my friends and family have helped me celebrate my birthday. So first of all, THANK YOU! My sweet sisters took me out to dinner to Pizza/Pasta Factory a few days prior to my birthday since Margaret would be flying to Ohio the day of my birthday. Ruthanne gave me a scrapbook calendar, with pre-designed pages for each month. I just have to post some pictures on it, and it'll be darling. I'm excited! And Margaret gave me some adhesive tape for scrapbooking. We had such a fun time just talking and laughing. I love my sisters.

On Thursday morning, I woke up to Emily and Jon (with help from daddy) singing "Happy Birthday" to me. Then Wade made us all Fruit Smoothies for breakfast. Mmmm! And later when I checked my email/blog, I saw that Wade had surprised me with the beautiful post prior to this one. I cried as a I read it. It was incredibly thoughtful, and I feel lucky to have Wade as my husband. I was also so happy to read all of your sweet comments on my blog and receive emails, texts, letters in the mail, and phone calls. It brightened my whole week. :) Thank you.

When I returned home from grocery shopping at noon, Wade had a bouquet of flowers, a pork burrito from Cafe Rio for us to share, and a homemade chocolate cake waiting for me, again another surprise. It was wonderful! Thanks so much honey. That night, I blew out my candles and we enjoyed cake and ice-cream as a family.

Friday morning, Melissa Sevy and I drove to Syracuse together to visit Suzanne, Matt, and Ali Miller, the children with Down Syndrome we used to nanny for. Their mother recently lost her battle with cancer and passed away. She was such an incredible woman. Their dad is trying his best to raise these 3 children with special needs, by himself. They have a few nannies to help, but without her mother's positive influence, I'm afraid Suzanne has put on a lot of weight and just doesn't seem quite as happy. It breaks my heart, and I'm grateful Melissa and I could make that trip and spend some time with them. I still love them and feel an undeniable connection with each of them. The whole drive, Melissa and I discussed what an amazing experience it was to care for these children for all those years. It really prepared me for motherhood in more than just getting practice at bathing, feeding, and changing diapers. I learned about sacrifice, patience, and unconditional love, the kind they showed me.
That night, I had a Girls Night Out Birthday Party. It was such a blast! This is me with a big cheeser on my face because I'm thrilled Kim brought an Oreo ice-cream cake. Wahoo! Thanks again, Kim.

I blew out my one candle in just one breath. Proud of me? (We didn't want to ruin this beautiful cake by putting 26 whole candles in it.)

My new friend, Christine Gibb, and one of my old and dear friends, Becky Bruso. They look and act so much alike, it's uncanny.

da girls...watching Mama Mia and just relaxin'. The party started at 6pm, and we didn't even start the movie until 8pm, because we were having such a good time talking. L to R: Becky, Ruthanne, Kristine, Traci, Alix, Kim, Darci, and Kristal on the floor. I took this real quick in the dark, so I didn't realize until now that the picture cut off Cynthia. I still love you, friend. And Michelle was there, but needed to go home after we had dinner, to feed her baby. Thanks again everyone for coming! What an awesome night! I might just make it a tradition. ;)

After the party, Wade snapped a picture of me with the flowers I received from my mom and dad and from him. Can you tell I'm a little tired? But yet I can't stop smiling. What a happy week!

Happy Birthday Catherine!

Before I get started on the mushy stuff, I just want to wish my favorite person in the world, Catherine, HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY!!

Catherine's First Photo!

Catherine at about 1 year old. I just love that happy smile!

I can definitely see where our kids get their cuteness!

Now, since you are 26 years old, you get 26 of the innumerable things I love about you! (In no particular order)

1. Just you...because you are my best friend!

2. The fact that you love me

3. Your beautiful smile

4. Your passion for life

5. Your love of all people, especially children with special needs

6. The way you teach and interact with Emily and Jonathan

7. Your love of the Gospel

8. Your testimony of Christ's atonement and the restoration of His Church

9. Your postive attitude

10. Your spunk

11. Your joyful heart

12. Your tight hugs when I get home from work

13. Your unfailing support of me and my pursuits

14. The way you keep our home clean and organized

15. Your soft kisses

16. Your love of music

17. Your angelic singing voice

18. Your ability to plan

19. Your boundless energy

20. The way you go out of your way to serve others

21. Your ability to make friends with strangers

22. Your ability to make others feel happy and loved

23. Your yummy dinners

24. Your emerald eyes

25. Your generosity

26. The way that you love me

Bonus...an original poem (sort of):

26 Years

26 years are but a few

of the many years ahead of you.

I love you, Catherine!

Christmas Parties

Saturday morning, we went to the Neighborhood Christmas Party at our church. We invited our neighbors, Trent and Alix, and their kids. Here, their daughter, Juliet, is decorating cookies with Jon after we had breakfast. We were having a lot of fun until...Santa came...
...then Emily was not so happy... ...and neither was Jonny!
After Santa left, the kids were themselves again, running around the gym and having a great time! Jon and Addie kept holding hands and running together.
Afterwards, we had the Stoney Family Christmas Party at Wade's mom's home in South Jordan. We had lunch and then decorated cookies together.

Isn't it pretty, mom?
Jon loved opening his gifts and was especially excited about some little animals his grandpa and grandma gave him.

Emily was thrilled to receive a new baby doll with a matching diaper bag and blanket with the words, "Made especially for Emily by Grandma Stoney" embroidered on it. It was a sweet gift.

Before we all opened gifts from mom and Keith, mom read us all a story and then talked about the tradition we started this year as a family. Instead of giving each other gifts at Christmas, we're all going to use the money we would have spent and donate it to a family or cause of our choice. Then we write about our experience and put it a white envelope and set it on the tree to help us remember that special experience during the season. I'm really excited to continue this tradition year after year to help me remember how blessed I am. It really feels good to help someone in need. Thanks mom and Keith for the idea and for the wonderful party!

Build-A-Bear

My cousin, Carolynn convinced me that Emily needed a Build-A-Bear, and since they are only $10 right now, and I had a $5 off coupon (thanks Kim!), I decided to do it. When we got there, Jon fell in love with the puppy dogs, so Carolynn insisted he build one, too, and she would pay for it as a Christmas gift to me.

We had never been there, but it really is a fun process where the kids get to help build the bear along the way. Here Emily is pushing the peddle with her foot that makes this machine shoot cotton into her bear's body, so it can be soft and fluffy.

And then she picked out a heart to be put inside of her bear.

Then they gave their bear and dog a bath, scrubbing it's fur and everything.

Then Emily picked out a Snow White costume for her bear to wear and Jon picked out a Utes t-shirt for his dog to wear.
Thanks mommy and Carolynn. I can't wait till Christmas when I get to play with my bear!

Let is snow! Let it snow! Let is snow!

Being a St. George girl all my life where snow is uncommon, I always get excited with the first snowfall here in Salt Lake. :) Before heading to Emily's preschool party last Monday, we had to stop and enjoy the falling snowflakes. The kids were so cute sticking their tongues out and trying to catch snowflakes in their mouth.

Then this morning, I woke up and looked out the window and this is what I saw. Our backyard was covered in beautiful white powder!
And this is the street we live on, a winter wonderland. Isn't it just gorgeous? Later this morning, we drank hot chocolate and watched Joy to the World as a family. Emily was quite concerned that the Innkeeper wouldn't let baby Jesus stay there. She looked at us and exclaimed, "We need to find a place for Him!" That's a powerful thought coming from a 3 year-old. It's true-we ALL need to find a place in our lives for Him. :)

Reality Check

Just in case you ever thought my house is always clean and that my children are always happy, and that I am always a sexy lady (well that part is true)...haha...I want to steal Jodi's idea and give you a Reality Check of my life.


1. I recorded The Office tonight, but I am patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for Wade to finish a final test at school, so that we can watch it together when he gets home. What's bad is that I'm tempted to watch it without him and act like I didn't!


2. While Wade's been up studying for his finals, I've been reading Breaking Dawn every night this week (oh my gosh, I can't even put it down!). Because I've been up so late, I've slept through my alarm 4 days in a row and haven't worked out a bit. And that cookie dough I keep sneaking into isn't helping my guilt either!


3. The kids and I ate cereal and yogurt for dinner twice this week. It's hard to be motivated to cook a nice, hot meal when Wade's gone. I'm going to be so glad when he finishes his last final next week, and I can cook Salmon and Rice or Spinach Lasagna for the whole family again. (I promise I'll send that recipe soon, Janese)
4. More of this needs to happen at our house. I put the kids to bed without brushing their teeth more than I would like to admit. Sometimes it's just such a hassle because they want to do it themselves, and we both know I have to help them, so the brushing is effective, and they're not just sucking the toothpaste off their toothbrush. :) When Wade's home, it happens. But at least we always read stories and have family prayer. That I am very proud of.


5. I get stressed really easy. I think about my two sisters all the time and worry about them because they're so stressed with life, but I get the same way. Sometimes I have so much going on, that I'm in my "go" mode, racing around the house, trying to accomplish what I need to. And then I often spill something or forget something later. I think I just need to slow down.


6. I haven't swept the kitchen and wood floors in over a week. It's a good thing you're coming for dinner on Sunday, Elaine, to celebrate Warren and Wade being done with school, because it gives me an excuse to sweep and mop and maybe vacuume, too. We'll see...


7. I attended Enrichment last night where we ate a fantastic dinner and listened to an amazing program (I even got to be a part of it and sing a musical number). But then, I didn't want to go home. Is that awful? I helped clean up afterwards just so that I could continue to visit and hang out with these cool older ladies. Because I serve in the primary, I don't get to know some of these other women as well. The night before in practicing for my musical number, it was the same thing, 30 minutes of practice, and another HOUR of just talking with these two awesome girls from my ward. I knew the longer I stayed at the church, the more likely the kids would be asleep in their beds when I got home, and that Wade would have already done the dishes, so that I didn't have to.

8. I secretly laugh when Jon cries like this. He's just so dang dramatic (you better not be thinking "just like his mom!") He's such a sensitive little guy, and he comes to me crying all the time over the littlest thing, like when Emily takes his toy horse or if his yogurt is all gone, and he wants more. It's pretty funny, until it goes on and on...then it's just obnoxious.

Twilight

I finally saw Twilight on Friday. I went with my cousin, Britni, and we both loved it! For the last year, my friends and family have been telling me I have to read Twilight. I finally read it a few months ago and I couldn't put it down because it was such an exciting read! However, right after I finished reading it, Wade and I discovered the show, The Office, so every night, we would watch one or two shows of season 1-4 to catch up. Hil-ar-i-ous by the way if you've never seen it! So it took me longer to read New Moon and Eclipse because I only read while the kids were taking their afternoon nap. Plus neither book is quite as thrilling as Twilight, when Bella first discovers she's in love with a vampire and another vampire is trying to kill her. That's intense.

I just started reading Breaking Dawn and so far, I really like it. Anyway, I don't know if I've ever seen a movie as good as the book, but Twilight came awful close because it was so amazing! And when asked the next day if I thought Edward was smokin hot, my response was, "I think WADE is smokin hot, but yes Edward is pretty good-looking." Wade was happy to hear that I'm more in love with him than an actor. ;)

Gingerbread Men

Last Tuesday, I met up with Traci, Tavi, and Brynn so that our kids could attend a special story time at the library and decorate gingerbread men afterwards. Brynn brought her newborn twins, and we were all so excited to see them!spreading the frosting and adding candy to the gingerbread men

Jon's messy face: proof that he did more than just decorate his cookie! Emily saying "cheese" and showing me her finished gingerbread man
Emily and Etta reading a story together
Little friends holding hands: Eston, Elle, Emily, Etta, and Sammie

(and Jonny running away from me...yes, it's true, that's how I've been able to keep the pounds off...chasing after him!)

Talk of babies

With many of my friends being pregnant or having had a baby lately (or two babies in Brynn and Darcy's case), there's been a lot of talk about babies in our home. Emily is obsessed with babies!

Whether she's carrying her baby doll around the house...

nursing her baby...

or stuffing a baby doll up her shirt and telling me she's going to have a little tiny baby soon...it's just funny how much my little girl loves babies! She's even started asking us when we're going to have another baby.

So you can imagine how happy Emily was to find out we were going to visit our friends, Carlos and Janese, and their baby boy, Orden. We drove down to Provo a couple weeks ago and brought some homemade Spinach Lasagna for all of us for dinner, and then we all admired little Orden. What a cutie!
My baby boy, who's now 20 months old, is hardly a baby anymore and was climbing on top of the furniture and running around the house...because that's what he does best. :)

It was fun to see Wade holding a newborn again and both of my kids so intrigued by this little one. Thanks Carlos and Janese for such a nice evening and for sharing your son with us for a little bit. We really enjoyed it.