Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. The kids were up and ready to go at 5:00am. I spent most of Christmas day trying to stay awake, but I failed. Church was beautiful and we had a lovely day together as a family -- nothing better than spending time with my favorite people.

Christmas Eve we keep it simple for dinner . . . a little bit of everything. YUM! Christmas Day was Prime Rib, a first -- it was amazing. Charles made it with a rock-salt crust and everything. I forgot to take pictures of it, I was too tired! But it was lovely meat and he had to use a hammer to remove the salt-crust.
Daniel was the most excited (verbally) of all the kids. He kept yelling, "This is the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!" It was hilarious.




Requested this year were LEGO sets. Harry Potter and Pirates.




They freaked when their wishes came true. :-) Love my children.



Christmas day was spent building LEGO worlds, the kids did it all by themselves. Awesome.


Sammi is building Hogwarts -- it turned out so neat. I forget to take a picture of the finished product . . . I will!

Another magical Christmas has come and gone. It seemed to go by so fast! I really am concerned with how fast life is flashing by. Days and weeks and months just pass without any warning. My children are growing so tall and mature it is starting to scare me. Sammi is up to my nose and I am sure she will pass me up in a matter of a year or so. Daniel is right on her heels. Sammi has already started taking clothes from my closet. It is just so strange to think that soon, very soon, they will be young adults and not children.

Time keeps on slipping into the future . . .

So, now on to 2012 -- the year of great change. Let's make it a good one! Keep moving forward!

Disneyland

We had a great time in Disneyland. It was a fast and furious trip, but it was fun!



We waited at a table for a few hours to watch the fireworks and Fantasmic!


Waiting in line is one of the "joys" of Disneyland. It was the week before Christmas so it was PACKED. We managed to make our way through the crowds and get on everything we wanted to.





We found a "secret" bathroom. It is a single bathroom for families. Sometimes there is a little line, but sometimes there is no line at all and you have a private place to go potty! :-) It is right around the corner from the Mexican food resturant bathroom, which usually has a line out the door.


Waiting for fireworks . . . Sammi showing her new hat. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! :-)

We waited for the parade. The crowds were nuts and you end up standing on top of each other.

Disneyland at night is one of my favorite times. I love the lights and decorations.
William was having a blast, can't you tell? He was a little nervous about going in the big whale.






Matterhorn was pretty fun. I forgot how fast it was and so I went on it. William sat between my legs and held on for dear life. It was a little jarring, but no more than my normal running.


The boys really wanted to go on the teacups . . . not my favorite -- spinning round and round. Daniel and William said it was awesome.




Our first night we stayed at the Candy Cane Inn located just around the corner from D-land. (You can see CaliforniaLand from the hotel).






On Sunday we walked around the outside of the park and looked in. We also went to church in Anaheim. The church building had a locked gate around it -- SAD!! (forgot to take a picture)

On Sunday we just peeked in through the gates . . .













The weather was pretty cool . . . I wore a light jacket the entire time and 3 jackets at night.

William and Daniel sticking their feet in the hot tub at the Candy Cane Inn



Driving, driving . . . lots of driving. Over 2000 miles! (We rented a reliable vehicle for the long drive).
It was super fun! We are happy to be home for Christmas!



I think next time I go to Disneyland I will not be packing an extra 20 pregnant pounds on my gut. By the end of the second day my poor legs had turned purple. (We went from 8am-10:30pm.) I wore my compression sports socks to help with circulation and they really did help, a lot. But when I got to the hotel and took them off, my legs looked crazy! I can walk all day long -- it was the line-standing that got me. Lots and lots of standing. But it was fun and worth it! We had a really great time.

*I was planning on taking more pictures, but the crowds were so nuts, we just had to press through most of the time. If you plan a trip to D-land go in an off-season.

Trip Highlights:

• Stopping at Nan's house (I will post more on that later)




• Driving through from Orem, Utah to Anaheim, California in one day (we left Orem at 11:30am made it to Anaheim at 11:30pm)




• Staying at the Candy Cane Inn. Our first trip to D-land in 2004 (flying down from Alaska for law school) we wanted to stay there, but it was too expensive for our school-days budget (D-land was a gift from my parents). We had such little funds so we stayed at a place called the Penny-Saver with mold growing on the bathtub. (Nasty!) Being able to stay at the Candy Cane Inn 7 years later was a real treat!




• Going to church in the Anaheim first ward. I loved seeing all the diversity, it reminded me of Alaska.




• Spending Sunday walking around the outside gates of D-land. We went and enjoyed the view without any stress. We even rode on the free tram and enjoyed the beauty of the trees and warmth. We also tried to get to the beach on Sunday, but there was no free parking!




• Staying in the Residence Inn Marriot, thanks to my brother and extra travel-points! We got to spend time with my brother and family. The cousins got to play together and jump on beds together. :-) They were really nice rooms, with lots of space and a super nice breakfast.




• Getting to D-land early and walking directly onto Small World. We got there at 7:45 and it made a HUGE difference! Go early and enjoy some time without the major crowds!




• Going on Pirates of the Caribbean. That ride is so great. Charles had been chatting with the people behind us, who were from Austrailia and it was their first time. They ended up riding in front of us on the boat and it was really fun to watch their faces.




• We finally got on Peter Pan's flight -- it was pretty neat! Loved it!




• Watching the fireworks the second night from Fantasyland, right in front of the Tea Cup ride. It was the PERFECT spot! We ended up there because we had just finished the Peter Pan ride.




• At the end of our last day, while getting on the tram, there were some drunk young adults behind us and one girl looked horrible and was moaning and her friends were holding her up. Charles talked to them and asked if she was OK, etc. and asked them to make sure she did not barf on us. They said, "No, no, she is fine." Just a few moments later, she started yacking and it almost flew onto Charles. It was so gross, and rude, and nasty. They ended up 2 rows behind us on the tram and Charles talked to them and asked if any of them had been drinking and who was driving. They all claimed they were fine, laughing it off. Charles explained that he sees the results of drunk-driving everyday and they had better be careful. Who knows what happened to them, but it was a rough ending to a magical day. At least we got to have the discussion with our children about what drugs and alcohol do to people. They got to see the horror first-hand. Though they were rude and gross, the young adults directly in front of them (who were all trying to dodge her barf-path) talked to us for awhile about how repulsive their behavior was. There is still some good in this world.

It all happened so fast. The trip flew by like crazy. Time feels like it is being played with the fast-forward button turned on.

Now on to Christmas . . . !!! Hooray!

Baby Boy has Dilated Kidneys

Yesterday when I went in for my ultrasound, the doctor discovered that the baby has dilated kidneys. Basically, his plumbing is blocked-up and this can cause some issues for the baby. I don't have much time to write now, but wanted to ask if you might add baby boy van Ormer to your prayers.

Best-Case Scenario: the baby will correct his kidney's while still in the womb, or directly after birth -- all will be well and "normal".

Worst-Case Scenarios: the kidneys continue to enlarge and baby would need to be taken out early for surgery, etc. Or the baby would go full-term and need to have surgery after delivery, or another unknown outcome . . .

The doctor really did not have much to offer me yesterday, but we will know more as time goes on. I am scheduled for my first-ever amniocentesis right after Christmas. (Fun stuff!) Nothing better than a big needle in the gut! Oh boy! He just wants to check and make sure everything else is OK with the baby, though all his other measurements and stats looked really good.

Ahhhhh . . . life. You can't go around it, you have to go THROUGH it! :-)

*If you have ever heard of this problem (dilated kidneys), would you share any info you have -- good or bad. Also, if you have had an amniocentesis before, let me know how it was! Thanks!

Fun stuff ahead . . .

What do YOU think the baby is???

I guessed right on the first try! :-)

Knock, Knock . . .

I hate answering the door. Especially when I don't know who it is, and when I am not expecting anyone. More than 90% of the time it is a solicitor trying to pedal their product. I NEVER BUY. EVER. So really, don't bother with our house, I will just say, "Sorry, I'm not interested." I mean I am REALLY not interested! Please go away, sales-people.

I was in the middle of some work I do to help Charles, I was on a roll, moving fast, and then I heard, "KNOCK, KNOCK!" I had to decide whether or not to answer (there have been quite a few packages dropped off lately, and I happily answer the door for packages!). I thought I better check.

*You must understand our street gets A LOT of solicitors, it is crazy and annoying!

I slowly opened the door and saw two familiar nicely dressed ladies, in long black jackets. They had hair done, make-up applied, and they looked lovely and very kind. They had little pamphlets in hand, ready to share. Their lovely appearance caused me to remember how I looked. I had been freezing all day so I was sporting baggy black sweats, Charles' gray over-sized long-sleeve shirt, my make-up was smeared from the day before, and my hair was in a messy pony. I looked terrible. Really terrible. Ridiculously terrible. Have I no pride?

The nice ladies were Jehovah's Witnesses -- very common missionaries around our parts, because our neighbors are members. These particular ladies were back for a second round, because I accepted their material the first time, out of respect. I greatly respect and appreciate our neighbors (who are Jehovah's Witnesses) and their beliefs, they are the BEST kind of people. I have a lot I could learn from them. We live side-by-side in harmony with our different beliefs, and we look after each other. They are the kindest people. They even wanted to cut down a huge barrier of bushes between our house, so we were not blocked off from each other. How cute is that? Now instead of a huge bush-barrier, there is a beautiful flower garden that divides our yards. It is kind of symbolic.

Anyhow, I was SO embarrassed in front of these formal ladies. I was not setting a very good example of my faith by the way I appeared -- sloppy and unkempt. The T.V. was on (playing a squawking Donald Duck) and William was in their line-of-sight, intensely playing the Nintendo DS. My house was not clean, it did not smell good (I normally have a candle going), and I just felt so sheepish standing in front of these ladies who were so well put-together -- while I was at my very worst. I am telling you, nasty. I was gross.

The ladies knew that I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (they had been here before), and discussing religion in my condition of mega-sloppy seemed so uncomfortable to me. I was ashamed, really. They were kind, they offered me more reading material, and being the nice person I am -- I took it. I sure hope I am not getting their hopes up -- because I am afraid I will never stray from my faith, and the faith of my ancestors. I would cease to exist without the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am nothing without it. It is my life. It is who I am. Converting me to another faith is an impossibility. Sorry nice ladies.

I suppose I should not take their material, maybe someone else would want it? But I am too nice to decline. However, after sifting through some of their pages, it just makes me that much more grateful for what I know. I am so grateful to have the complete truth, and not just little pieces of it. It is in my very nature to want to know everything. I am a question-asker, a truth-seeker, a deep-thinker. Nothing but the whole-truth would satisfy my appetite for knowledge and light. I am so very grateful to have the fullness of the Gospel of Christ, I would never have peace any other way!

However, I LOVE those of other faiths. I love it when people believe in something. I love it when people believe in God and Jesus Christ. I love to see people of other faiths living good clean lives, of righteousness, and joy. It makes me happy. There is something special when people have faith, when people believe.

I wish I could have been a better example to these good ladies. I hate to think of them walking away, not having a good impression of members of the LDS church -- because of my slothfulness of appearance. I hope, somehow, they could see past my baggy sweatpants and dripping mascara . . . I hope that my "light within" was able to shine past my poor physical presentation. I tried to be extra smiley, kind, and polite -- maybe they didn't notice my messiness? Not likely, but I can hope! :-)

They said they would like to come back again sometime . . . maybe it is time to start pulling myself together during the day, just in case! I guess you never really know who might be knocking on that door . . . and when you will make your first and lasting impression! I tell you what, I felt ashamed all day. I can do better than frump.

Rocky Road No-Bake Cookies

NO - BAKE ROCKY ROAD COOKIES

2 c. sugar

1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter

1/2 c. evaporated milk

1 c. marshmallows

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

3 c. quick cooking oats

1/2 c. chopped nuts

In saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, butter and evaporated milk. Bring mixture to boil; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in marshmallows and vanilla. Add oats and nuts. Stir until combined. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper lined baking sheets. Let cookies cool. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

*These cookies are SO easy and SO yummy. WAY better then the normal no-bake. Add extra marshmallows to make them even better. Oh, and I skipped the nuts, but I am sure they would be yummy, too.

-----------------------------------

As you have noticed, I have posted a lot about sugar, lately. Well . . . I have been hungry! My two favorite things have been meat and sugar -- I am guessing I will have a chubby (meaty), sweet (sugary), baby. :-) (Don't worry, I shove my vegetables down, too.) And I was right, my pants don't fit anymore. Well, they "fit" but I can't sit down. Bring on the stretch pants!

Only 6 more days and I find out if this cherub is a boy, or a girl, baby. Most of my family believes it is a girl, but my dad thinks it is a boy. Me . . . I have no idea. Not a clue. Only a few more days of suspense! The kids are freaking out, they REALLY want to know! (So does mommy!) It is nice to prepare mentally for one or the other. Boy or girl, it is kind of life-changing, ya know?

Thursday is the day. I'll post the update then. :-)

Enjoy the cookies! Yum.

I am a STAR!

Deep within each of us a star shines. It is the light that, when it finally breaks through the fog and haze of self-doubt, causes each of us to know that he or she is a child of God and is special.

Each of us was sent to earth to be a "star" -- to be someone special. Some never really come to fully believe that. Thus their light remains hidden by the midst and clouds of inferior feelings and the lack of faith in themselves and in God.

But there is a special place for each of us in our Heavenly Father's plan. We are not in competition with anyone else but only with oursleves. When we come to know that we are special, that does not disqualify anyone else from the same distinction. For all the sons and daughters of God are special.

-George Durrant, 1976.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately. It seems as if someone is trying to tell me something . . . the theme of "being special" seems to keep popping up, right in front of me. I used to have the same feelings about being special as the boy Dash in The Incredibles:

Helen: Dashiell Robert Parr, you are an incredibly competitive boy, and a bit of a show-off. The last thing you need is temptation.
Dash: You always say 'Do your best', but you don't really mean it. Why can't I do the best that I can do?
Helen: Right now, honey, the world just wants us to fit in, and to fit in, we gotta be like everyone else.
Dash: But Dad always said our powers were nothing to be ashamed of, our powers made us special.
Helen: Everyone's special, Dash.
Dash: [muttering] Which is another way of saying no one is.

If everyone is special, that means no one is . . . right??

I used to feel that way. How can everyone be special?? How can I be special?

But now that I am a mother of 3 children (soon to be 4), I can easily see how each and every one of my children are indeed "special". They are each unique, and wonderful, and they have their own individual talents and abilities -- abilities they seem to have been sent to earth with. I adore each one of them. I stand in awe of what they can do. I marvel at their being alive, and them just being them. It is clear to me that they are special. They are special to me. They are my little "stars". I love to watch them shine.

As a mother it makes it MUCH EASIER to see how each and every one of God's children are special and unique, with their own set of talents and abilities. We are all very special to God. We are His. We are His children. We are special just because we are who we are. We are special because we exist. We are special because we were made special . . . no running from it! Why hide under a cloud of self-gloom when God wants to see us shine?!

I will be the first to admit that it is often self-doubt that keeps me from being the best I can be. I admit that my insecurities, and imperfections -- can keep me from shining as brightly as I can. But it does not have to be that way. Self-doubt can only exist if I LET IT. If I really want to, I could wake-up in the morning, jump out of bed and say, "TA-DA! Here I am world!" I do not have to commence in doing something heroic, Earth-changing, or stage-worthy, to be special -- I just have to be happy to be alive, grateful to live another day, and thrilled to be ME! I believe good will naturally flow from such an attitude.

I am special. I am unique. I am talented. I don't have to proove anything to anyone in order to feel, or to be special. I don't even have to keep up with anyone else. I just have to be me.

God made me. I am His. I am special. I am a star.

And so are you!!

A Letter FROM Santa . . .

Click on the image to make it larger.

(I had to type over some of the words, the letter got ripped.)

I found this letter underneath my bedroom door. . . A letter from Santa! Wow! I am lucky!

I just HAD to share it and also preserve it for the future.

Awesome.

Just Thinking . . .

Do what you can

With what you have

Where you are

-Roosevelt

And I would add . . .Then be happy about it. :-)

I spent some of my time today looking through images of beautiful homes, decorations, and craft ideas. Before I knew it, I started to think about all of the things I wish I had and things that I wish I could create. But of course, all of these things take money and time . . . and a willingness to give money and time to these endeavors. (I am not talking about small crafts/ideas I mean BIG ones!) There are just so many wonderful ideas out there!

But, right now, we have bigger fish to fry -- bigger goals to accomplish. I have to keep my eye on those goals, or I will get sidetracked. Being happy in the meantime is a good idea, too. :-) I tend to feel restless . . . excited for things to come. But I am TRYING to just enjoy the NOW with what I have, where I am. It is hard when I know SO MUCH WILL CHANGE very, very soon!

The year 2012 will bring great change into our lives:

-A new baby (and all that entails)

-A new house, or new home addition (2 bedroom home will be tight . . .)

-A new living arrangement: My parents will come to live with us long-term, starting in the summer (Yeah, I am a lucky girl to have my awesome parents with our family)

-A new car (we have a 5 passenger car for a soon-to-be 6 passenger family)

-A new Kindergartner

-A new President of the United States (if all goes well)

-A new Hobbit movie :-)

BIG CHANGES.

2012 will be one very interesting year.

I look forward to it and all of the education I will surely gain!

Patience is NOT one of my virtues. But I can't do anything about these big changes now, except wait . . . happily, of course. :-)