Christmas Eve Confessions

My sixth grader still believes in Santa. How did that happen? and does that make me a bad mom?

A Santa Story

Warning: Santa Spoiler Alert!

On the way to Randy's aunt's funeral last spring, we passed this house. Randy slowed just a bit and said, "That's where we used to live." It's still the same color as it was when he lived there. His family had a dairy farm, but that's long gone now. He was 11 years old when his family moved from this house - the same age as Tanner is now. Then, Randy told me a story about that house:

"My dad worked at a sugar factory; he was one of their maintenance men. We had decided to have Christmas before Dad left for work Christmas day. Kevin, Kyle, and I decided to milk cows at 3:00 in the morning so that Dad could sleep longer and we'd have Christmas together before he went to work.

We were just about done with chores. We only had three or four cows left when Kevin and Kyle sent me back to the house. The only problem was I couldn't get in; the door was locked. I ran back to the barn and told Kevin and Kyle. The didn't believe me, but Kyle went back to the house with me anyway. This time, the door wasn't locked, so my brothers were obviously right all along. I went back to bed and as I lay there, I heard the wind chimes that hung outside the front door. I knew for certain that Santa was there; he'd hit his head on the chimes. For a long time afterwards, I knew there was a Santa."

Come to find out when Randy came in from the barn the first time, his mom - who had been up doing Santa business - was getting ready to unlock the door and saw him coming. She just sat on the step until Randy ran back to the barn, and then she unlocked the door. After Randy was back in bed, his mom and dad were getting the presents out. They had hid them all on the front porch and as they were coming in or out, one of them hit their head on those chimes.

I realize that the front porch in the picture above is exposed to the elements. Randy said it used to be enclosed.

I love this story that he remembers about Christmas. In fact, his mother remembers it just as well, and I'd heard the story many times before we drove past the house. Hopefully, some of you have memories just as vivid of when you knew there was a Santa.

Merry Christmas 2010

I managed to get around to sending Christmas cards this  year, and instead of sending a letter, I gave a blog address. If I had sent a letter, this is what it might have said:

We are celebrating one year in our new home. It's been a great year. We were busy with projects and are glad for winter so we can quit working outside.

McKay is our busy 4-year-old. He loves preschool, friends, and TicTacs. His favorite pal is Tanner and his favorite job is helping Daddy.

Kilee is in 3rd grade and loves all things girlish. Between piano lessons, activity days, and dance, she doesn't have a whole lot of free time. She's developed a love of reading this year and just finished the first Harry Potter. She's still as sweet as ever. She loves being with her friends and hates unloading the dishwasher.

Tanner is in 6th grade. He loves having a good time at whatever it is he's doing. The best parts of his day involve basketball before school, football during morning recess, and PE. He is doing well on the piano, but wants the world to know he greatly dislikes it. He's an outstanding baseball player, and if he wants to play baseball, he'll figure out how to like the piano.

Braxton is in 8th grade and such a teenager. He loves band (he's a drummer). He ran track last spring and then decided to try wrestling this fall. He did okay for a new guy. Our goal for 2011 is to earn his Eagle. Okay, my goal for 2011 is for him to earn his Eagle. Scarily, he's almost old enough to take driver's ed!

Randy is still the education administrator at the juvenile correction center and is enjoying his job (mostly). When he's not at work, he spends a lot of time with his two oldest boys taking them fishing, shooting, and going on over-nighters with their scout troop. When he finds any free time, he works on projects around our house and takes me on dates.

I am still at BYU-Idaho and love teaching there. When I'm not teaching, I'm a mom. I don't have any hobbies because it takes all my time and energy to keep up with four kids.  I find that I spend a lot of time in my car with my kiddos, but I am enjoying the chauffer stage of my life.

We have had the opportunity to reconnect with many friends in Eastern Idaho and for that we are grateful. We are healthy, happy, and employed. We make it a point to find the blessings in each day. We hope our Christmas message find each of you healthy and happy.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

62 and 3/4"

Last week, we measured Tanner. He is officially 62 and 3/4 inches tall. 5 feet, 2 and 3/4 inches. For some of you, that may seem short.

For the rest of us (me) who are only 61 and 3/4 inches tall, it means that the 11-year-old is now taller than his mother...by one inch. Tanner thinks I am now his PLP (personal leaning post).

Luckily, I still have the teenager by one inch.

How long do you think that will last?