christmas wish list

My Christmas elves . . .

Sophia: "Anna, if you give me a Diamond Castle Barbie for Christmas, I'll give YOU a Diamond Castle Barbie for Christmas . . . if you give me one."
Anna: "Can I have a pet cicada?"
Clara: What's red, furry, and is called "Mo-mo"?
Chris: Something found at Costco
Rachel: What could I possibly want? I feel so blessed. And then, the other day I took the girls to Borders. My senses were attacked by shiny book art, book smell, coffee smell, smooth covers and unwrinkled pages just begging to be turned. {Not to mention the Twilight display dead center.} I'll be making that list right now . . . .

Santa's coming!

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
(Robert Frost)

(For more of our October family photo shoot, head over here.)

Thirty

Friday, Dec 5, was my thirtieth birthday! In a way, I've felt 30 for a long time, so I say--bring it on!

I was grateful for the gift of sunshine all week. And for darling children who were as excited for my birthday as they are for theirs. {The chocolate cake with homemade ganache at Macaroni Grill might've had something to do with it.} I had a fabulous date with my four loves at the Grill, a tradition that started in '99 when Chris & I were engaged. I usually go with one of my favorites but branched out to the mushroom ravioli this year--yum! {Thanks Anna-Marie for the suggestion.}

Later my one true love swept me away for a date of Christmas lights in the big cit-ay. I could choose among three exciting new movies . . . and I chose to see Twilight. Again. I sort of loved it. {Yes, do judge. I'm ready for it.}

It was a perfect birthday, complete with my favorite confections. And yet another gift of birthday bon bons--lovely macadamia nut chocolates to remind me of good things to come in the spring . . . .

{I ask you, can a girl have too much chocolate?}

So, thanks for all the birthday wishes! It was the perfect beginning to a new decade in this blessed life!

The Nutcracker

I love, love my life as mommy of little girls. Today I took the girls to their first Nutcracker production. A sweet little Eastside company put on a very magical show.

Anna whispered "Look Mommy, the mice! The tree! The snowflakes! Mother Ginger!" throughout the entire performance. But, she wouldn't let me talk to her. She sat on the edge of her seat with eyes fixed on the stage. During intermission she asked, "When is the play going to start again?" every few seconds.
Sophia's little body wiggled in time to the music, but she also only had eyes for the ballerinas. In fact, both girls toes were tapping . . . which, since they dance to the Nutcracker music every day, isn't surprising.
Their favorite part was Mother Ginger {and someday, if I'm really brave, I'll post a video of ME as Mother Ginger--a favorite little activity in our house!}.

The best part was meeting The Prince after the performance! He was very sweet. {Look at Sophia's face . . . !}

Love Fest

What would life be like without good girlfriends? I escape once a month for a night out with these ladies.

Back in June we decided that our girls' nights out just weren't long enough, so we had a good old-fashioned sleepover. {You can read all the juicy details here.}

Tonight was our grand fete to celebrate 2 years of monthly GNOs {and 7+ years of friendship}. Maggiano's + talking + shopping + Christmas lights + Cheesecake Factory + just a bit more talking = a perfect evening. The girls were sweet to celebrate my last night in my twenties.
I can't think of a more supportive, dedicated, funny group of girls. I love you guys!

Come What May, and Love It!

Sixteen years ago, my family moved into the Bonneville 1st Ward in SLC from the "mission field" (Kansas City). In some ways, it was like coming home. Our families & ancestors are Utah peeps. In other ways, it was oh-so-strange. Such as, when Elder Wirthlin showed up in our home ward & we learned it was his ward and that he lived two streets away. (Who knew that later we'd end up in President Hinckley's stake & see him at a sacrament mtg? Who, indeed.)

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin: What a wonderful, gentle man. When I met him I was struck by his kindly, kindly eyes. And that he was short. I've really loved his last couple of conference talks (read here and here). I came across this picture of him with President Monson and love it. (Great article, too.)

Simple Gifts

I love listening to this CD every November. One of my favorite songs on here is this Shaker hymn:

'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free
'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

What "simple gifts" are you grateful for today?