Decorating Day

About 10 or 11 years ago when I was teaching preschool one of the little girls came to school one day and said to me " Teacher Candy, guess what I have in my back pack? I have Christmas". I said "Is it a present? Is it cookies for me? What kind of Christmas could you have in your back pack?" She then taught me a lesson I have never forgotten. She pulled out of her back pack a toy nativity set. She said "See this is Christmas and I carry it with me wherever I go!" I wanted to carry Christmas with me so since that time I have collected nativity sets. They have come to be the best part of my Christmas decorating. I have several that are kid friendly and some very special ones that have stories all their own. Today as I was trying to get everything unpacked and decorated Autumn was under foot and instead of getting frustrated with her (my new goal -give away frustration to the Lord and love the ones I'm frustrated with) I suddenly remembered the little girl in my preschool class. I love how the Lord put that in my mind to help me love. I said Autumn lets go get Christmas and you can help me. She was occupied until we left to go get the kids from school and I got all the decorating done (except the tree of course, that will be Saturday). When I got home this evening I could tell that the wise men and shepherds and Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus had been moved and loved all evening long. I love this holiday the most of all because Christ came as a small baby and it is the small ones who teach me life's most precious lessons.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving day we spent at David's parent's home at the beach. The food was delicious as always and it was great fun to see everyone. It was nice to meet Ashleigh's boyfriend's mom. She was visiting from Wyoming so it was nice to get to know her a little better. Paul is such a nice young man and was excited to share his mom with all of us! Thank you Paul. I left Thursday early evening and David and the kids stayed the night. They had fun one more day at the beach and I flew out of Portland for Orange County early, early Friday morning. I went to visit my mom and family. My step dad had the opportunity to go through the temple for the first time Saturday. Papa John is a favorite at our house and to see him in the temple was so special. My favorite part was being there with so many of my family members. My sisters, mom, nephews and their wives. I think that is the most family I've been with at the temple ever. The Newport Beach Temple is quite different that the Portland Temple. It is very small. But its beauty made up for the small size. I was so glad to get to watch Papa John as he did this most important thing for himself. It will be nice to have him get to go through now as children get married and boys leave on their missions. Thank you Papa John for your great example in our lives of patience and endurance. I spent some time with Kelly and Melissa, my sisters and that was wonderful. I love Oregon and my home but I do miss the time with my sisters. When David got home he put up the Christmas lights. I guess it snowed here a little while he was doing so. He had sent everyone to bed and when Autumn woke up the next morning she said "Daddy, it was Christmas night and you ruined it, it snowed out and you made us fell asleep". I can hardly wait to hear what she says when she finds out Santa is going to eat all the cookies and milk we leave out for him! All in all it was a great weekend!!!

Happy Birthday Autumn

On Friday November 21, 2003 at 3:13pm Autumn Melenaite Weitzel came into the world weighing 10lbs 5 oz. and was 22 inches long. Today, four years later she continues to amaze us. She weighs 38lbs and is 42 inches tall. What a big girl! Autumn has always been a happy girl and constantly says the funniest things. A few days ago Chad was taking her upstairs to bed and she would not go so I told him "just pick her up and carry her" as he did, she said "don't break me, I'm a collectible". Yesterday while driving all the kids to school she said "why is the world so soggy?" what she meant was why was it so foggy. When I dropped Chad off at school Tuesday he was planning on going to the dance after school and being the cute mom I am I said "now don't be making out with any girls". When he got out Autumn said "I wish there was no such things as girls so Chad wouldn't have to worry about making out". I said "but you are a girl" and she said "oh, yeah you're right". This morning she woke me up by getting in my bed saying "good morning it's me the birthday girl". She told me the other day that she was so tired of being three because three was so boring! I am so glad that Heavenly Father sent her last to our family. There is a part of everyone's personalities within her.

Blessings

Tonight for Family Home Evening we will be writing down the things that we are thankful for. This is a tradition that we have had so this year will be no exception. We try to list at least 10 things and that can be hard for the younger children. (and most times for the older ones). I have been thinking all day of the things that I want on my list.

1. I am thankful for the trials that have come into my life. I would not have learned the things that I needed to any other way.
2. I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who answers my prayers through the people in my life.
3. I am thankful for my girls boyfriends (and husband) who put up with all of us on our Sunday crazy dinner nights.
4. I am thankful for the children in my life. Not only my own but all of the ones I get to associate with through church, music things and school. They teach me to laugh at myself and not take myself to seriously.
5. I am thankful that I have had children.
6. I am thankful Autumn will be 4 on Wednesday and that she still thinks she is the "baby".
7. I am thankful for the rain.
8. I am really thankful for the beautiful earth and how it is blessing Paige's life right now.
9. I am thankful for my husband who puts up with all we do and say. He is a saint and should be knighted by the Queen for what he lives with on a daily basis. (Actually we aren't that bad, we just give him a bad time all the time.)
10. I am thankful for forever families.

I have entered the world of cyberspace

I can not believe it has taken me this long to finally get on board and blog. I have been intimidated for a long time by the whole computer thing. But I want to link up with family and friends and start journaling better about our day to day goings on. I hope that I can find this whole blog spot again after Toshia leaves my house. Thank you by the way Toshia for helping me. Now if I can just put my pictures in and figure out the whole music thing. I love this!!!!