The Jonas Brothers

I would not call myself a fan of the Jonas Brothers. Nor could I tell you their individual names or a song that they sing. However I do know who they are and understand that there are many little girls who would be very jealous of me this day.

I've heard that the Jonas Brothers live nearby but really had no idea where. Once while Seth and I were at the movies there was one of them in our movie, but we didn't actually see him. However today (Christmas Eve) I was working at Walgreen's when I heard a gasp from one of the teenage girls I was checking out. She said "oh my gosh did you just see that" and I said "no, what happened" she then replied the "Jonas Brothers are in here". Amidst the crazy day that it was and I tell you it was crazy busy, I kept an eye out to see if it were true. I heard whispers among the customers and then I saw one of them. I asked him if he needed help finding anything to which he replied "no thanks." But it doesn't end there. I was the actual person who checked them out at the register. It was really strange standing there with the two of them (yes I know they were missing one more) and their dad/grandpa(I wasn't sure which). We talked about the white Christmas we were having and misc other things. I just pretended I had no idea who they were which was probably best. When it came time to pay I knew it was them for sure because he pulled out a huge wad of 100 dollar bills. I guess that famous people do actually live in the real world.

So that's my celebrity experience for Christmas Eve. So does that now make us best friends? I think so :)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, we hope everyone enjoys this special time of year we have to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Drink lots of Nog eat loads of cookies and enjoy one an others company.

Santa

This is the first year we have taken Abby to see Santa and Brigham too I suppose. We were a little worried that she wouldn't want to sit with him, that she would cry or throw a fit. So we did a little preparatory work telling her about going to see Santa and having Santa's all around the house helped too. Not to mention her new found addiction to the movie The Polar Express, she watches it all the time and loves to see Santa.

So when I found out they were having Santa at work we decided to give it a shot not to mention that it was free. To our great surprise, Abby did wonderful. She was mildly hesitant at first but that was over quickly and she hopped right up on his lap. She was stroking his beard, asking what color his hat, boots, beard, etc. were. She gave him a big hug and said "I love you Santa." It was great. She really wouldn't leave him alone; every time another kid went to sit on his lap she wanted to go too and when there wasn't she was right back there bombarding him with questions.

Brigham was his perfect little self. He didn't care who was holding him. He just sat there like a good little kid. The whole experience was great. Now Abby keeps asking when Santa is coming to our house.

The Pictures are a little grainy since I had to scan them in but overall they turned out pretty good for a Walgreen's photo shoot. Briggs and Santa
Abby asking Santa about his glasses

Attempting to get Abby to look at the camera and not Santa Finally she looks but without a smile of course.The pair of them with Old Saint Nick.

What is your name?

The other day I took Abby into work with me to pick up a few things. This is the conversation that ensued from one of my coworkers and Abby...

Patty said: What is your name?

Abby Said: Jesus.

After much laughter...

Patty Said: What is your name?

Abby said: Santa.

What a funny little girl.

Working Girl

As most of you know our circumstances in life are not the best right now. Seth has been out of a job for over a month and despite his relentless attempts to find something it seems that nothing is panning out. Thus a few weeks ago I was shopping in the old Walgreen's I used to work at over 5 years ago, and to my surprise, the same manager worked there. We got to talking and he asked if I needed a job. I was not exactly looking at that point but I said maybe. He told me he didn't have anything at his store but he would let me know if something came up. Less than 1 week later he called me because he did have an opening in his store and he wanted me to take it. It was a tough decision. The pay isn't great and I would have to leave the kids, something that I really didn't want to do. But at this point I can't turn down money. The store is really close to where I am currently living and so I again have joined the working world. My first official day was December 5th and the ensuing first week was really though. I worked close to 35 hours in the first 4 days. Honestly it could be worse. The hardest part is being away from Abby and Briggs for so long, its like leaving my heart at home. Despite pumping at work ( which is awesome :( ) I am still starting to loose my milk. I miss my family all day, I missed Abby's first #2 potty, and I miss Brigham's little face, since he changes so much every day. But at this point I count my blessings. We have a roof over our head (thanks to my dad and Cindy) and food to eat. Seth has been a trooper taking care of the kids, looking for jobs and being a great husband. So that is why if you call, I don't answer and it takes me days to do anything anymore. By the time my day ends I just want to crawl into bed and sleep.

Brighams Blessing

Sunday December 6Th, 2009 we blessed our sweet little Brigham Mason. The outfit he wore my mom, Brigham's Grandma Jody, got him for the special occasion. He looked so cute in it, I don't think the pictures really do it justice. Our friends and family came and it was nice to have so many people there who love Briggs. As I have said many times before, Brigham's not really a fusser (is that even a word?) However the moment Seth began to bless him he began to cry and whine through the whole thing. Despite that, Seth gave him a very beautiful blessing and managed to concentrate on what he was saying. As soon as he was finished, Brigham stopped crying and was fine. The little stinker. My dad and Abby.

Who is bigger?

Sometimes it feels as though I have a toddler rather than a 3 month old!

Mr. Smiles

Brigham is such a good boy. You can pretty much do anything and he will smile. He rarely fusses and is all around wonderful. Even when I am dead tired in the middle of the night I cannot resist squeezing his cheeks and kissing all over him.

This is Briggs, in a rare fussy moment. He has a really bad bobble head since I am also trying to video at the same time. I just like it because I think his noises are so cute.

This is our little smiling man don't you just want to squeeze him?

Before and After

Abby has needed her hair cut again for awhile now. But, I just have not wanted to spend the money. However the other day she was crying because her hair kept poking her and and thus I caved in. Much better. This was her third haircut and she did much better this time. I am afraid however that while Abby's first haircut was around two years old, Brigham's will be at about 3 months old!The Shagster Much nicer

The Peacegiver

All of those who know me, know that I am an avid reader. I pretty much inhale everything that strikes my fancy, and in most cases I read the book twice. Generally I read books that are more for entertainment purposes, not too intense but have a good story line. From time to time I read books that are more for mental stimulation or serve a more spiritual purpose.

I have just completed reading The Peacegiver by James Ferrell for the 3rd time. This book is absolutely amazing. It really is thought provoking and makes me reflect on things in my life. Essentially its a long parable about a man who is struggling in his personal relationships, how he finds healing through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and finds about who he really is by connecting to biblical stories such as the story of Abigail and David or Jonah and the whale. Every time I read it I come to a new understanding of myself and who I am and also gain a greater appreciation for the scriptures.

The relationship that is in trouble in this book is that of a husband and wife, but I think that this refers to any relationships fathers, sons, sisters, brothers pretty much anyone that you may find a strain with.

Here are a few bullet points I pulled out of the book...

• "There are ways to be right on the surface and entirely mistake beneath"


• "Being mistreated is the most important condition of mortality, for eternity itself depends upon how we view those who mistreat us"


• A war begins when you start seeking revenge in your heart.


• "We sin when our hearts are sinful, no matter what we do on the surface"


• In context of the story of Abigail and David..."Abigail asked for forgiveness not because she need to be forgiven but because David needed to forgive"


• When you think to yourself how something can be possible why not think "why is it impossible"


• Do we ever flee to Tarshish and run from the Lord as Jonah did?


• "Love and Salvation are gifts"


• "You discover love by learning to love others"


• "By choosing to engage in sinful acts our hearts become sinful"


• In Gethsemane Christ overcame the captivity of our hearts.


• "No weapon is as devastating to a home then a heart that has stopped loving"


• "The failing to receive an apology is something that needs repenting of as fully as failing to give one"

OK so that was more than a few, and there are so many more things in this book that are great. If you have read it I would like to hear your thoughts, if you have not I recommend it to you because it will change you and your perception of the people around you.