Good Word Wednesday

A Classic.

Many years ago a little girl, who was wondering about the existence of Santa Claus, wrote this letter to the New York Sun.

Dear Editor:

I am 8-years old. Some of my friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says if you see it in the Sun, it is so. Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

-Virginia O'Hanlow

Dear Virginia:

Your little friends are wrong.

They have been affected by the skepticism of skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little.

In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance, to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in chimneys on Christmas evening to catch Santa Claus, but if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.

Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond.

Is it real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus?

Thank God, he lives and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

-Charles Dana

Editor

The magic of Santa Claus lives on in our home.

Is it in yours, too?

This year I've been asking Santa for another one of these:

Girl. Boy. One of each. Or all of the above. Please?

Pease Porridge Hot - Pease Porridge Cold

Does your two-year old sneak frozen peas for breakfast?

She knows she's not allowed in the freezer and I really ought to discipline; but I think I may be onto something here.

So far, so good, on keeping my goal of a Christmas-focused moment in every day from now until Christmas. How 'bout you?

Saturday was super-crazy busy. Actually the super-crazy busy started with Friday and me cleaning my house top to bottom. Olen and I decided we just aren't making the most of the 12-foot theater screen we installed in the basement two years ago and decided better start later than never. So we had a viewing of 'The Christmas Story' with some of our brothers and sisters and their sweathearts. It was so much fun. The kids played in the toy room and we pulled out the LoveSacs and laughed the night away. I always have to be reminded that getting together doesn't mean braking the bank.

I tried to take pictures, but my camera takes crappy shots without the flash. See what I mean? And the flash would have exposed the cuddling that was going on. So...

Saturday was Porter's first Flag Football Game. They are the Rhinos and play on the the YMCA league, coached by one of our friends. Port was so apprehensive about playing football. (I know, you would think a kid so genetically perfect for the game of football, he'd be all for it, right? But my Shuggie is a gentle giant, most of the time.) He was worried he wouldn't be as good as the other players and he didn't want to tackle anyone. I kept reassuring him that in flag football you don't even touch anyone; plus if he did run into someone I doubt he would be the one to get hurt.

We went to the first practice last week to give it a try and he loved it. He catches great and runs fast and loves being on a team. So, football, here we come.

Hopefully now that Porter is playing, I'll finally understand the game of football. So far, I understand that Porter plays 'center'. It's a start.

Saturday night Olen went with my dad to help load up some gym equipment for my brothers (ok boys, I expect muscles!) and my mom stayed at my house and put my kids to bed and cleaned the kitchen. Aren't mom's the greatest?! I had a work holiday party Saturday night. Good food and good friends. Man, what a good combo.

Sunday was more busy than restful, as usual, but I was truly energized by the speaker's words. Both spoke of having faith and hope. Don't despair, have hope and act with faith. I always forget these simple things.

Olen isn't building houses anymore. We've decided to dedicate all time and effort into growing FibreNew. So instead of a part-time business we're making it full-time. This decision came last week and so far he's booked with appointments. I know this is also a blessing from paying our tithing and fast offerings and of prayer. We're acting with faith. Now is where the don't despair and having hope will really come in handy.

OH! But guess what?! We've got ourselves a Secret Santa. A Secret Santa with really nice handwriting. I am probably just as excited about this as my kids. Oh boy. The first night (Saturday) Porter tried to rush out and see our S.S. but said Rudolph was too fast and he missed him. Don't you wish that kind of logic never ended?

Flashback Friday

A big thanks! for sharing your family traditions with me. I love them!

We finally got the new lights and decorated our Christmas tree last night. It made me remember when we lived in Flagstaff and my family came for Thanksgiving and we went the next day to chop down our Christmas trees. That was my most favorite year. That was the year Porter turned one. Next week he'll be seven...and I think I'll do more remembering about that next week...

Where was I? Oh, right. Remembering. Well as we were all hanging the decorations I made seven years ago, and still use today, I was thinking how quickly the time flies. Seriously, is this year almost over?! I was watching Porter be so helpful and careful as he would hang a bulb and then stand back to see if it was in just the right spot. London, (in her princess dress she's been wearing over her clothes all week) still in her curious phase (she's got a new nickname, btw, George. As in the monkey.) taking off the bulb that Porter just hung to look it over and then try to hang it just like her Poe. I stepped back and watched my little family and thought how all of this will just be another deposit in the memory bank. That's why you gotta make those memories count.

Another memory came from our last Christmas in Flagstaff; it was the last month Porter had his green eyes. Then I needed to pull out his photo album and see them again. Aren't they beautiful. His eyes are brown, now. And still beautiful.

Making Memories Count...

While paused, trying once again to record every detail in my mind, I heard the words to the song we had playing. Judy Garland.

"Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow; hang a shining star upon the highest bough. And have yourself a merry little Christmas, now."

Good Word Wednesday

Traditions! Traditions! (If you read that Fiddler-On-The-Roof-style it sounds pretty awesome in your head. Try it.)

Yesterday got me thinking about all our family's traditions. The holiday ones. My mom and dad were really big on keeping with our family's traditions growing up and now I get to pass those down to my kids. The Christmas Eve p.j.'s, homemade apple cider with the clove-covered orange, caroling, baking and family parties. It seems like the times that our family stops to make time for the traditions to happen, or schedules them in, are the times that I really feel that "Christmas Spirit". So the more traditions, the better.

My Relief Society compiled a list of Christmas traditions from the family's in our ward, and Olen and I have been adopting some of these new traditions into our family. Last year I was really on the ball and planned a Christmas themed activity for every day of December until Christmas Day. This year my time is stretched in other directions and I haven't been able to focus on an every day activity. Saturday the 13th marks the 12-day countdown to Christmas and I'm going to do my best to plan (or pause for) a Christmas inspired event each day. Even if it's just sitting with Porter and talking about how he feels about Christmas.

I was wondering if I could ask a favor, dear reader? Since I have twelve days to fill, could you please share with me your family's favorite tradition on this very merry Good Word Wednesday? Trying new traditions is one of my favorite things. In fact, I think it will be one of our new traditions.

I'll start. Getting family pictures is a must-do for Christmastime. We've used Life Happens Studios for the past three years because they are genius. You may have already seen this gem, and up above are favorites that highlight my sweet lambs. And...we got our Christmas cards back yesterday! I designed them myself and, well, I think they turned out pretty spiffy. Maybe you'll see one in a mailbox near you! Could you be so lucky? Yes. You could. Just give me your address.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?!

We didn't decorate the tree last night. When Olen lugged in my Christmas decorations from the garage, we unpacked and plugged in the lights to find that only one strand from last year worked. Bummer. So we had to postpone our tree-lighting and decorating to tonight (hopefully). I just need to squeeze a trip to the grocery into my day somehow to pick up the new lights.

After we ditched the dud light bulbs we carried on with our traditional Christmas movie and dinner night (we have a couple: with 'The Christmas Story it's meatloaf and with It's A Wonderful Life it's homemade apple cider). Last night was spaghetti and Elf. That movie is a modern-day classic. But you can't watch it without the spaghetti. Hold the maple syrup.

This weekend was nonstop. Here's how it started. Saturday morning we left a little later than Olen wanted to (but right when I thought we would. Have I ever mentioned how much I am not a morning person?) for our Christmas Tree hunt.

London got a little car sick on the way up. Down the Bush Highway. You know that stretch of wavy road by Usery Pass to Saguaro Lake? Gets me every time, too. So we had to stop and take a breather a couple times. Olen and Porter spotted some mountain lion and elk tracks and it's good to take breathers once in a while anyways.

I had to go so bad (44 ouncer of rootbeer bad), but hate to use the pit-stop potties, so since we were pretty much in the middle of no where I decided to take my chances with a secluded bush. Just as I found the perfect spot, I hear Olen from the car "Love, a Jeep!" So I stop in my tracks and down this no-where dirt road comes a Jeep full of tourists. The announcer was saying over the speakers "To the right we have more of the same rock formations..." I didn't want to also hear "...and to the left we have nature calling..." So I high-tailed it back to the car and said "Let's just stop at the Dairy Queen in Payson."

We had the best weather. It was perfect. I packed the snow clothes and boots just in case, but didn't even need the sweaters. We stopped at a creek to do a little crawdad fishing, but couldn't find any, so the guys ate all the bait (jerky). Olen found some ripe prickly pear and said it was good and that we would like it. I knew what it was, (duh, lived here my whole life - I know cactus.) and I've tasted prickly pear jelly, but I should have known better when Olen said he would pass and let us all have a try. It must be an acquired taste?

We stopped at a spot that looked just right and after a little walking around we found our tree.

We loaded up our spruce and headed for home. Well, actually, Olen wanted to make stopping in Payson for lunch part of our tradition. I just wanted a strawberry shake, but he and Porter talked me into Chinese food. The guys wanted to go in and sit down to eat. I was so not wanting to go in to any place but the shower, but I was out numbered and hungry. The first place looked like it was closed down, so we went to this little dive of a restaurant called (remember this name so you never go there) Wok Express. This was no Panda Express. Well, let's just say I wish I would have held out for my shake. Porter and London loved it, so all's well that ends well. Next year, we're packing a picnic.

We're setting up the tree this evening for FHE. Now it can be officially Christmastime.

Flashback Friday

Last year Olen and I took our kids and my two youngest sisters, Aubrey and Olivia, to ride the Polar Express. You have to get your tickets early. Like June. But it is so worth it. We told them that we were taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Then surprised them by pulling up to the Grand Canyon Railway station and boarded the huffing and puffing train dressed in their jams. Slippers, robes and all.

We drank hot cocoa and ate cookies while the story of The Polar Express was read and the train chugged along. The Conductor came in our car to announce that we would shortly be arriving at the North Pole and may get a visit from a jolly elf. Santa came aboard after singing a few holiday carols and gave each child a large bell. I keep Porter's and London's bells safe in my sock drawer tied with a red silk ribbon. I hear them jingle every time I open it.

London and Aubrey.

(Well, if my daughter doesn't look like me; she at least looks like my side of the family. Right?)

So excited to climb aboard. And a little chilly.

Olivia helps London see the pictures. Such friendly crew.

Porter and Aubrey hear their bells ring.

This is absolutely my most favorite time of the year. So, the budget's a little leaner than in the past, but really that's made things even more special. We celebrate Christ's birth and feel the Spirit of the Season more sincerely.

Service. Family. Love. Giving. Friends. Tradition. Sacrifice. Meaning.

P.S. We're cutting down our tree tomorrow! I am sooo excited. Even if it turns out to be a Charlie Brown twig, I love getting our very own tree. Or twig.

Good Word Wednesday

(you know, I really love these days)

Today my good word is

this guy.

He's pretty much my best friend in the whole wide world and I'm pretty much head over heels for him. He makes me laugh, hugs me when I cry, sings primary songs with me when I wake up with a bad dream and always holds my hand.

I just can't help love'n this man of mine.

I bet you've got someone special, too.

What is it that makes your heart go pitter-patter?

What makes your special someone special?

Share the love.

What do you do when you're out at the thrift and your two-year-old points to a pair of boots and says

"Mommy! Red boots!"

You get 'em.