Women at Christ's birth

Tonight we had our RS Christmas dinner and program. After a delicious meal we headed to the Relief Society room for the yearly Christmas program. The room was beautifully decorated and glowing with Christmas lights. The program chosen was Women at Christ's birth, By: Judith Hoopes Hamilton.

It just so happens that yours truly was asked to play Mary. I am still not sure how they came to the conclusion that I was perfect for this role but I am so glad that they did. Preparing for my little part really threw me into the Christmas Spirit and reinforced even more what this special time of year is all about. Most of all it gave me an even deeper appreciation for my role as a mother. It is truly the greatest role I will ever play. Still the thought of playing Mary made me so nervous. More so than I think I have been in years. I was shaky and my heart was pounding. I thought for sure that I would get up there and immediately start crying and not be able to speak. It didn't help that I spoke last and listened to my friends before me tear up and cry as they spoke. Also before me was the most beautiful piano and violin performance of "O Holy Night", that I have ever heard.

So it was finally my turn and dressed as Mary I walked up to the mic and began to speak. I did tear up and I did fight back tears but I made it through and by the end my nerves were gone and my heart was calm and warm. I love that I was able to share these precious words with my sisters who I love dearly. What a wonderful message it is.


Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Yes, I am Mary; and yes, Jesus is my son. Indeed, blessed am I among women.
My story is an old one, told and retold from before time began, and once
again, here, today, by these women whom I love so well. It is a story of
spirit, rather than history, and it's simple and inspiring truth must and
will be manifest by the Holy spirit rather by the words of men.
I am a woman, much as the women among you, gifted with diving opportunity of
forming a partnership with God in providing a mortal temple for the spirits
of his children. It is a sacred thing, motherhood, whether it concerns the
Christ or any one of the infinitely precious spirits sent to each of you.
Sacred, holy, and beautiful beyond description. For in the pure and
undefiled love of a mother for her child, mankind comes closer to
appreciating the love of God, than at any other time.

Like you, I hoped, dreamed and prayed for the benefit of the child of I
loved. I prepared meals straightened bends and picked childish toys. My
relationship with my child was, in so many ways, no more mystical than that
of you with yours will be. With Him I enjoyed an exulted, sorrowed and
wept, learned and grew. He taught me of life, and of love, of this world
and the next, partly because He was the Christ, mostly because He was a
child.

For to me, His mother, He was, especially in the beginning, often just a
child, reaching, becoming.
It was so true, what Luke said of me, that after the birth of my son, after
the shepherds had come, born witness to the divinity of my babe and then
returned to their flocks, I sat quietly in the soft light and kept all these
things and pondered them in my heart. I knew, and was the only mortal
alive who did know, how I had come to conceive and bear this son of the Most
High. I had been told who He was, and what He was, and what He would become.
And yet, as I look at Him, lying in the manger, He was a child, a tiny baby
needing food, and comfort and care. I did ponder, for many years long and
often, and sometimes painfully; and yet come to a full understanding when I
stood at the foot of His cross.

For on that evening in a lowly manger was born more than a child. There
was born a way of life, the personification of love, the hope of the world
from the beginning until the end of time. I, I, who conceived Him, who
carried Him, cared for Him, and watched Him live and die, give you my solemn
word that He was indeed blameless and pure, that He lived to teach, and died
to save each of us, that He was and is and always will be the Son of God.
I, Mary, know it to be true! Amen.

Santa and a snow day!

For our ward Christmas party this year we had breakfast with Santa. Such a cute idea! Bella was pretty excited that Santa was going to be there.

The first time Bella sat on Santa's lap she was 10 months old and was pretty content to sit and have her picture taken. The next two years after that she wanted nothing to do with him and would just hide behind me. This year little Miss Bella was brave enough to sit on Santa's lap all by herself. I don't think she said a word to him but she was so brave. Everett on the other hand was quite offended that Daddy put him on some strange Grandpa's lap that was wearing a big red suit. He gave Seth a look as to say, "Just what are you thinking Daddy". Then he proceeded to squirm, cry and do everything to get away from Santa. Just about every other kid around Everett's age did the same thing. Poor Santa.

We finally had a good decent snow here in the Boise area! Best thing about it was that Seth was able to enjoy it with us. We made snowmen with the neighborhood kids, pulled the kids around on sleds and had a little family snow fight. We ended the day with some hot cocoa and warm pajamas. Maybe it's just this particular year but I am a serious fan of the snow and hope that we have a lot more before winters end.

Oh Christmas Tree!

This past Sunday we put on our favorite Christmas music, made some hot cocoa and put up our tree! The kids did a fantastic job helping decorate. I always cherish this time of year! I love experiencing the holidays through our children's eyes. Everything is so magical and exciting to them. I love being a mother more with each passing year and I especially love being their mother. I love you Bella and Everett to the moon and back.

Voila!

*Keep on reading

Thanksgiving 2010

Where do I start? This was definitely one exciting Thanksgiving that will not soon be forgotten. First of all, we had the pleasure of having both Steve and Sharalyn come to town for the occasion. It was so good to see them both.

You would think that we spent the majority of the day feasting and catching up with family. There was plenty of that but something or actually someone was missing. Where in the world was Bill Perry? He was missing all day! Seven hours to be exact.

Mom Perry flew in from AZ that morning. Her plane was to land at 10:30 AM and arrived about 30 minutes prior. Dad Perry left Fruitland at 9:30 AM to pick her up. At about 11:30 AM Mom called Seth asking if he knew if Dad had remembered to come get her. After confirming that he did indeed remember and left the house at 9:30 AM Mom requested that Seth come pick her up because Dad was not there and she had been waiting for almost 2 hours. Seth picked up Steve from downtown Boise and then Mom from the airport and they soon joined us in Fruitland. Dad was still nowhere to be found. No one had heard from him or had a clue where he could be. After several hours passed we called the police, the airport and the local hospitals. None knew of his whereabouts. We all grew more worried by the hour. Crazy stories were being conjured up as to what could have happened. We ate Thanksgiving dinner without him. So where was he? Turns out he spent the ENTIRE day at the airport waiting for Mom. They had been there at the same time and somehow missed each other in passing. He was worried to leave and have Mom arrive with no one there to get her. She was waiting outside and he was waiting inside the whole time. So that's the story. Not some crazy amazing adventure like we were hoping but it was sweet and endearing in it's own right. What a huge sigh of relief when he finally walked through the door.

Dinner was amazing! Janess prepared almost the entire meal by herself. She did a fantastic job! Oh and best of all the day ended with me finding out that I am yet again going to be an AUNT!!! My brother and his wife are expecting their first baby which is due May 20th! I am so excited for them and for my kids to have a young cousin on the Spencer side. What a great day!

Halloween 2010

We had such a fun Halloween this year. Friday night Seth and I went to our friends the Atwood's adult only Halloween costume party. Let me just tell you that Star Idaho is a happening place. The party was so much fun! They had a DJ and a palm reader. It was so fun watching many of our close friends break out of their shells and dance dance dance. Who knew so many men in the ward had some legit break dancing moves. As for our costumes, well I am cheap and didn't want to buy a spendy fancy costume. So Seth wore a sweet blonde 80's rocker wig and a black muscle shirt and I wore a blonde wig with a fun renaissance style mask.

I had this idea in my head that I wanted themed costumes for my kids this year. For some reason pirates kept coming to mind. So, alas me mateys get a look see at me pirate babies. Arghhh!

We took them trunk or treating on Saturday night which was perfect. They got way too much candy and we recycled it by passing it out to trick or treaters the next night.

Grandma bought B and E some cute Halloween pj's.

Ballerina Bella

Bella's ballet class has started up again. Actually, it started back up in September but I am late to blog about it as usual. For a 3 year old she has quite the busy schedule. Preschool, ballet and she is now doing a little holiday show choir. She has always been very social and outgoing so this schedule fits right up her alley. I am amazed at the little lady she is and continues to become. She is our little princess indeed with a little rough and tumble thrown in to keep up with the boys of course.

Pumpkin Patch 2010

This Saturday we took our kids to The Berry Ranch pumpkin patch. They had a great time and are excited to carve the pumpkins that they got. Life has been so busy around here lately that it was nice to have a relaxing day full of quality family time.

School days have begun!

Our 3 year old has started preschool! Back in August, I enrolled Bella in a more traditional preschool that was just fine. However, after being invited to join a preschool co-op I decided I wanted to be more involved in her learning and lets face it I didn't want to pay for preschool. She loved the more traditional school and she now equally loves the co-op. Bella basically can be thrown in any situation and make the best of it. No matter where she is or who she is with she always seems to be having the time of her life. She is quite the little scholar and is just learning so much so fast. We sure do love our Isabella Grace!

They made carmel apples last Wednesday.

Almost the whole class on a field trip to the pumpkin patch.

Our little Boise State Fans!