My first collage...(Thanks Jenny!)

CHRISTMAS MORNING 2009

I spent the afternoon playing with the photo editing program Picnik. The result? My very first photo collage. I am definitely going to have to upgrade to the premium membership once we can afford it. It is so much fun!

 

California Dreamin'

All the streets are brown and the skies are gray, California dreamin' on a winter's day....

I found myself humming this song as I shoveled snow this morning. Amidst the peace of the slowly falling flakes and the quiet of the out of doors I could hear my kids fighting inside. Perhaps screaming is a better word than fighting. No, maybe it was more of a wail.... Anyway,

Suffice it to say that after a week and a half of family time we are, quite frankly, sick of each other.

I know that it's Christmas. I know that I should be grateful that we are together and healthy.

I'm not.

 I have a paper chain in my bedroom that is counting the days until the kids go back to school. Seriously.

I quickly realized that if I didn't get us out of the house today we had a very high probability of ending up on the 5 o'clock news.

"Housewife and mother of six goes crazy and strangles children with a strand of Christmas lights..story at 5"

We took refuge at the West Valley Fitness Center where for a couple of hours we found freedom from our winter parkas and snow boots and my California dream became a reality.

 

We climbed the face of the famous  

San Gabriel Mountains.

 

We were street performers on the

 Santa Monica Pier.

 

 

We reveled in the excitement of rafting on the

 Kern River.

 

 

 

We dipped our toes (and the rest of us) in the

 Pacific Ocean.

 

 

We shopped on

 Rodeo Drive.

 

A three hour vacation. A time to get away and forget daily life. It was just what we needed.

 

When they say super they mean super...

I did not super glue a latex glove to my 4-year-old daughter's head. Not me...

 I braided Kiki's hair last week. And while it turned out gorgeous I ended up with my hands covered in super glue. I spent the day braiding and the evening with my hands soaking in nail polish remover hoping that the acetone would loosen the glue. For the next two days I easily could have been diagnosed with dermatillomania. I picked and picked at my skin until there was not a trace left of that stubborn adhesive.

When it came time to braid Abbi's hair I was bound and determined to not repeat my mistake. After several braids were in place and when I began to notice a lack of feeling in my fingers due to a build up of super glue I had a brilliant idea! I was going to wear latex gloves while I braided in order to protect my hands.

Yes, you know what happened next. I actually super glued a the glove to my darling daughter's head.

  I braided the braid.  I put a tiny drop of glue at the end to hold it. Feeling very smug and very clever I rolled the end of the braid with my gloved hand in order to seal it.

Then I tried to remove my hand. It was stuck. Seriously stuck.

 I did not say a four letter explitive to express my how I was feeling. That would have been crude.

Instead I took my hand out of the glove and left it dangling from sweet Abbi's hair while I tried to figure out what to do.

I pulled. Nothing. I dabbed it with nail polish remover. No luck.

So I cut the majority of the glove off. Now we were down to just a finger. The middle finger.

Great. My four year old was doomed to walk around giving everyone the bird for the forseeable future. Simply unacceptable.

I cut and trimmed until all that was left was a lone circle of latex. How long it will be there is a mystery. I will be sure to let you know when it comes out.

She may be forced into wearing an updo at her senior prom in order to cover it.

My friends, beware, when they say super glue they mean super!!

Christmas Eve Traditions

Every family has their own traditions that define each holiday and make it special. This is Christmas Eve in the Oldroyd house.

After waking up and eating breakfast we immediately open our presents from Papa Jim and Ammie. This year we were most beholden by Cassidy's Sham-WOW. Does Christmas get any better than this?! Kennedy loved her crayon maker, Parker his bike studio, Abbi her Dora bag with built in crayon holder (So great for church), Lexi her MyScene Lexi doll, and Tanner his two batting leg guards. (TWO???) 

In the afternoon we always go see a movie. This year the kids chose Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. 

The hour before we arrive at Uncle Dennis's house for our evening festivities is always a hard one. Everybody is SOOO wound up and excited. This year we filled our time with our new favorite game, Walgreen's Scavenger hunt! Dave makes up the challenges and the rest of us play along. We stuck toilet plungers to the ground and tried to pull them off, found the most expensive item, and the item with the most pieces.

The celebration at Dennis's house begins with dinner. Then we act out the Christmas story while Grandpa Macbeth reads from Luke 2. 

Finally, the time that the kids have been waiting all day for arrives. PINATA! Each child gets a turn swinging at the pinata. We start with the youngest and move on to the oldest. Once the loot has been freed from its' paper mache captivity and scooped up by as many as 20 children we head home for a night of restless sleep and big dreams for Christmas day.

 

 

 

Shoot me now...

 What does a frog on a diet drink? Diet Croak!

The kids found this CD: Joke Master for Kids at the library. Silly me...I let them check it out. On my card. They love it. They have played it over and over.

Shoot me now!

Behold the Electric Can Opener!

Until this month I had never owned an electric can opener. In spite of my love affair with remote controls, garage door openers, computers, and microwaves I have always used a manual can opener. Finally, for my birthday this year I caved to the advancements of modern society and upgraded my hand held model to the plug-in model.

My children, who can connect to the internet before they are three, are fascinated. A raucous fighting match breaks out each time a can needs opened.

"It's my turn!"

"I called it!"

In spite of who actually gets to open the can the entire family gathers around to watch the process. One month into our ownership each successful opening is met with the "Oooh's" and "Aaah's" that my generation saved for fax machines and digital cameras.

Maybe next year I can really impress them with a record player!

Can Santa Be Black?

We went to see Santa today. As soon as we got there the questions started...

 "How does Santa know if you're bad?"

"Why isn't Santa a girl?"

"Can Santa be black?"

This,dear children is my answer...

Dear Oldroyd Children, Dear Girls, Dear Boys,
Once a storywriter caught me bringing you toys.
The year he spied me opening my sack,
My skin was white, my boots were black.
You probably know how that story goes . . .
I laid a finger aside my nose?
All these years, needlessly,
Children without a chimney worry.

I can pass through keyholes, windows and locks,
Apartment buildings, hospitals, tents, and vacant lots.
One year I used a wheelchair in place of my sleigh,
Once I was blind and had to feel my way.
My skin has been black, white, yellow, red, brown;
My eyes have been slanted, crossed, and round. .
You may not believe all this is true,
But that's okay, Oldroyd kids, 'cause . . .
I believe in you.

Let It Snow

 While Dave cheered on the Utes at the Huntsman Center the kids and I made our own blizzard of paper snowflakes. We used templates from papersnowflakes.com. The kids were amazed with their creations. They were even more amazed that after we made our own ice crystals I let them tape them to the walls thus ensuring that whether the weather brings snow or not we will have a white Christmas

Every Day Deserves A Chance

I admit it...I was worried. The day did not start well. By 8 am I was watching the clock and wondering how I could possibly find the strength to make through fourteen more hours.

As I knelt and said my morning prayers the Spirit reminded me of a scripture in Psalms, "This is a day which the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it."

This is a day the Lord made? Wedding days, birthdays, glorious summer days....okay. But this day? Really?  Suddenly the veil was lifted just enough that I understood that yes, the Lord had made this day and it was my challenge to learn to rejoice in it. Not after it was over, not when things started to go my way, but in the hard, frustrating heart of the day.

I said alot of prayers yesterday, but the day turned out splendidly.

In the morning Dave made a breakfast of "puffy pancakes", bacon, and homemade hashbrowns. The pancakes turned out beautifully and Dave beamed with pride as he announced that his "cookbook worthy" feast was ready for the eating.

We attended church and not a single tear was shed during the entire three-hour block. (Notice that I didn't mention anything about yelling)

 

In the afternoon we decorated gingerbread men which we promptly  devoured in our homemade blanket forts set up in the entryway.  

 Finally, Dave and Cassidy dressed in the formal wear and sang with the Utah Civic Light Opera at the Cathedral of the Madeline. I was so proud of them!

  

Traffic will snarral.

Friends will forget.

Things will get lost.

And still this day deserves chance. 

  

               

Remembering Christ at Christmas

I admit it. I love to shop and wrap beautiful packages. I love the parties and the decorations. But this year I found myself feeling a little lost. A little empty inside. If I feel this way than surely, my beautiful children who are so much closer to the Savior than I, must be feeling it too. And so I decided to change up our nightly scripture readings. Instead of plowing headlong through the Book of Mormon like we always do we are going to read a scripture and do an activity that will refocus our attention on the reason for the season. Wish us luck!

1.  Read John 1:1-14.  Have the kids do the "dance of lights" with flashlights and all of the lights turned out!

2. Read Luke 1:5-25  Sing the first verse of "God rest ye merry gentlemen"

3. Eat a candy cane and read the story behind this traditional candy.

4.  Read Luke 1:26-56  Sing the first verse of "Joy to the world"

5. Make really great, original snowflakes with help from papersnowflakes.com. Remember that Christ came to save each of us indivually and that though, like the snowflakes, we are all different He loves us each the same

6. Read Matthew 1:18-25. Sing "Silent night"

7. Purchase 12 dozen eggs and deliver them to the Road Home. (Eggs are their most needed food item.) Remeber the Savior's teachings on loving one another. 

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:or I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, [even] these least, ye did it unto me." Matthew 25:34-40

8. Read Luke 2:1-7 Sing "Away in a manger"

9. Read the acrostic poem "Christmas"

C is for the Christ childwho was born nearly 2,000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem.

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." Luke 1:31

H is for the HOPE that Jesus brings to all who believe in Him and trust Him with their salvation.

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2

I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

R is for resurrection of Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was both man and God, died on the cross for all of our sins, and then was raised from the dead (resurrected) and is now sitting at the right hand of God in heaven.

"For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

I is for Israel who God chose to bring forth the promised saviour of the world.

"Of this man's seed hath God according to [his] promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:" Acts 13:23

S is for the salvation that Jesus offers to all who are willing to confess their sin, believe in Him, and confess their belief in Jesus with their mouth.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16

T is for the empty tomb on Easter morning.

" He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." Matthew 28:6,7

M is for the mercy God has shown the world by sending His only Son to suffer for our sins and bridge the gap between man and God.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

A is for our AWESOME GOD who lovesus all unconditionally.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

S is for the shining light that Jesus brought
to the world!

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

 10. Read Matthew 2:1-23 Sing "The Little Drummer Boy"

11. Read

Twas the night before Jesus Came

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

copyright © 1993 Bethany Farms, Carrollton, IL

 

 

12. Read Luke 2 and act out the nativity story.

Scripture Geek

I admit it. I am a scripture geek. While other people scrapbook or sew or garden I cross reference, research, write, and memorize. Nothing is as exciting to me as scripture study. I have filled notebooks with observations and hundreds of flash cards with questions to be answered. As a way of satisfying my own hunger for knowledge I have decided to post some of my notes on my blog. I would love to hear about what you are studying and learning as well. My first post will be on Genesis Chapter 3. (Satan's Four Step Plan of Temptation) It is never too early to get a head start on next year's curriculum! (See I told you...total geek!) Look under the scripture study heading if you are interested.

A Penny For Your Thoughts...

Most of us are familiar with the old adage, "A penny for your thoughts". And most days that is exactly what my thoughts are worth: one cent, a copper farthing, one one-hundredth of a dollar. Not much. But the great thing about pennies is that while individually they are deemed virtually worthless if you collect alot of them they can add up to a great amount, a treasure worth holding on to. And so it is with my days. I do not accomplish much of any import or interest during each individual twenty-four hour period. But it is my prayer that after time, and taken collectively, my experiences will amount to a wisdom worth holding on to.