The 24th Day Before Christmas

On the 24th day of Christmas

Cocoa gave to me...

A red and green snowflake potty!

(Fun memories:  Carson woke up first thing, came to our room, and said, "He's good, Dad. He's good. I can't find him anywhere. Get up, Dad! Help me find the elf!" After searching upstairs and down, he casually walked by the bathroom, glanced in, and then sprinted away--half ecstatic/half scared!! The kids spent a lot of time in the bathroom this morning... Carson said, "I just can't stop looking at it! It's so cool!")

The 25th Night Before Christmas

Twas' the 25th night before Christmas,

when all through the Stevens' house

A creature WAS stirring...

about the size of a mouse!

The stocking were hung

by the chimney with care,

But no one was expecting

a magical visitor to appear!

And Papa in his PJ's

and I in my cap,

Had just settled down 

for a long winter's nap--

When out in the kitchen

there rose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed

to see what was the matter.

When, what to my wondering eyes 

should appear,

But a tiny, wee man,

 proudly smiling ear to ear!

He came bearing gifts!

He came with a letter!

It's Santa's secret spy...

Being good all month, we better!

The children, they giggled...

Poor Ky was mystified!

But wise Carson knew the truth...

"It's from Santa!" he cried.

We named our new friend "Cocoa."

We promised not to touch.

We heard he might be silly...

But surely not too much!

Each night he'll report to Santa,

but quickly will return...

We'll love and give and share all month.

This lesson we will learn.

We'll share the fun and mischief...

Enjoy the early morning sights!

This poem has taken way too long to write...

"Merry Christmas to all 

and to all a Good Night!"

McKenna's 12th Birthday Party

I hardly recognize this small women walking around my house these days.  In the last few months, McKenna has sprouted right up–causing Justin and I to scratch our heads as we figure out this new member of our family with suddenly new interests, needs, and emotional outpours. She has taken over my jewelry, hair tools, and nylons... but thankfully, no longer my shoes. (She can't fit in them anymore!)  Reality is setting in that I'm losing my only "little" girl.  No more dolls? No more tea parties? No more princesses? The thought is sickening. She may be ready to move on, but I'm not sure I am! Perhaps, if I had more girls to raise, I wouldn't be mourning her childhood so much... But the truth is, I got just one shot at all things "sugar and spice and everything nice." It's just swords and guns from here on out for me!

Sensing that this would probably be one of my last opportunities to throw her a "themed" party, I wanted to do something super fun and "girly" for her 12th birthday party. She wanted a Hunger Games party, but a party centered around 'weapons' and 'killing' sounded like just another one of my sons' playdates. Just couldn't do it.  I coaxed her into something a little more FABULOUS: A Project Runway Party!  This little fashion reality show is a favorite of both Kenna and mine.  Once I got her on board, we threw this little shin dig together in three days.  That is called "Making It Work, People!" Tim Gunn would be so proud.

Before her party, Kenna's Beehive leader stopped by to officially welcome and introduce McKenna into Young Womens. This made the day even more special.  McKenna has been so excited about Young Womens, that she already knows about the program's history, symbolism, and organization.  I've been really impressed with McKenna's desire to learn about it.

The Goodie Spread

These high-heel cupcakes deserve a close-up... They were a lot of work!

 I was unsure if all of the girls would like this theme...  Aren't we always worried that our party will be a flop? But as soon as the first girls busted through the door, I quickly realized that these girls were ready to party no matter what I had planned! They were struttin' their stuff... dancing... laughing... before things even began. Even though not a single girl had ever seen "Project Runway" before, they were onboard! GLAMAZON MODE was in full effect!

The girls were paired up in teams to create "looks" for each other for a run-way show where a 'Best Designer' and 'Best Model' would be crowned. They were given plastic table cloths, tissue paper, tin foil, tape, and staples. As I was describing the rules, the girls were practically salivating! They couldn't wait to get to designing... I guess it's just part of a girl's DNA or something!

 

 The girls got a little TOO into it... I literally could not get them to stop! I tried my best Tim Gunn impression: "Times up, people. We're going to the runway." But they weren't having it.  What perfectionists!

After much pleading and threatening, I got them to set the scissors down! They were greeted upstairs by our honorary "Guest Judge" (a.k.a. Grandma Stevens)! She was ultra posh and fabulous in every way!! We cued the runway music and the girls worked it like there was no tomorrow–totally playing to the judge. Blowing her kisses... winking at her... it was nothing short of hysterical!

 "Pop that Hip, Kamry!" 

 "You Go, Annaliese!"

Madelyn is feelin' it!

And did we doubt that Kenna could work it?

 Um, no... she is half Stevens and half Luke. 

That equals double HAM blood!! 

Did these fashionistas eat like disciplined super models? Heck NO! All that posin' works up quite an appetite! It reminded me of Chis Farley's famous 'Valley Girl' line from Saturday Night Live:

 "Lay off me! I'm starving!"

It was a really fun afternoon... Totally worth the work and expense! McKenna's growing up too fast to not enjoy every second of her. She is such a unique, fun girl. I am so grateful that this girl is in my life!

When the last girl left, I sighed a breath of relief, thinking the party was "over." Boy, was I wrong. My sweet friend tended my boys during the party (best thing I did), and those boys were NOT HAPPY to miss all the fun!! When they got home, they too wanted some design action! They disappeared downstairs and reappeared about an hour later--totally Project Runwayed up:

This video captures a bit of Carson's modeling talent! ENJOY!

Race for Kace

Last July, a little boy from our previous ward was in a car accident and sustained a serious spinal cord injury. He is currently paralyzed from the neck down and fighting to regain the ability to breathe on his own. We knew this sweet boy well. When I think of Kace, I see his cute, little face staring back at me as I taught Sharing Time. He was Kyler's buddy and played on a few of Ky's sport teams. His mom, Suzanne, has been the most incredible baseball coach to both McKenna and Kyler for several years now as well as McKenna's Achievement Day Leader. Suzanne has a special gift for working with youth, and her efforts have blessed both my children's lives. Watching their family experience this unthinkable trial has been so humbling. I honestly cannot imagine any trial being harder than the one they are facing. Though this accident happened almost four months ago, I still cry almost daily when I think of Kace. I only have to look at Kyler and imagine him in Kace's place to feel just a brief, momentary piece of Suzanne's pain. As I listened to General Conference today, most talks made me think of the Prestwich family. In fact, almost every small hiccup or hardship in my day makes me think of the Prestwich family. I compare every trial to theirs now--realizing that ours are so small. I can drive an extra 10 minutes around all the Ammon construction... What a small trial.  My kids can make new friends in a new neighborhood... What a small trial.  We may feel lost right now--not knowing where we belong--where we will be in three months--or where we should raise our family... but what a small trial!

My children's school organized a 5K race to raise funds for the Prestwich family. We were thrilled to do anything to help. We ALL decided to run. Even Justin... Even Ashton!

A look at the group heading out. It's too bad that I didn't get a picture of the school principal. He ran the race in a gorilla suit--a promise he made if they raised over $2,000! What a fun principal! It was touching to feel our community's unity and support for one little boy. 

A few weeks before the race, I decided that I wanted to run it.  I began running each day--trying to build my endurance. I prepared and felt ready. However, when the actual race began, I had not accounted for how hard it was to push Ashton in a stroller. He's no lightweight. At first, Justin and I took turns pushing him, but then, all of a sudden and without warning, Justin just took off and left me and the little boys on our own. I couldn't believe it! Carson was running way in front of me and took off down a wrong road. I had no choice but to follow him all the way back to the school. So, I was only able to run about half of the race. I was kind of mad at Justin for ditching me when I was the one who actually wanted to run this race... but...

what a small trial, right? 

Not worth being mad for more than about five minutes!

Here is Justin, Kenna, and Ky finishing the race. 

They all ran the entire way! 

Afterwards, fire trucks sprayed off everyone. 

My kids thought this was just about the coolest thing ever! 

McKenna with a bunch of her girlfriends, including Kace's sister and cousins. 

This race brought in $19,750!! What a touching and memorable day for our family and everyone involved. Though we mourn for the Prestwich family everyday and wish we could undo what is done, we are thankful for the many lessons this trial is teaching us each day... to recognize the beauty and joy in our lives, to remember our covenants to bear one another's burdens, to have faith in our Heavenly Father's plan and timing, and to love one another more than we did before. 

Just an Autumn Afternoon

Well, hello my four blog readers! It's been a long time!  After we moved last March, I suddenly lost all desire to blog.  I'm not sure why.  It may have been that I got too far behind... It may have been that my parents hopped on the technology bandwagon and I can share photos with them in other ways... It may have been that I didn't need to anymore. 2011 was a hard year, and I think blogging was therapy for me in a way... helped me see my blessed life that was sometimes hiding under a bunch of ugly stress.  I'm not really sure why I lost the desire to blog... and I'm not really sure I want to again... but I happened to take a bunch of cute photos yesterday, and just felt like they should be documented somewhere.

So here they are!

With this wonderful four-day weekend, our little family found ourselves... free. We are NEVER free. We're always running, hurrying, to the next football game or through the next assignment. We were a little perplexed with what to do with "Time!" Much to my children's confusion, I announced that we were going to go on a "Fall Walk." There weren't really sure what that was or how fun that would be, but they obliged me. Growing up, my family would drive through the hills of Pocatello each year just to see the changing leaves. Although I recognize that fall is simply the introduction to a very, very long winter, fall always feels magical and sentimental to me! We grabbed jackets and a football and spent hours at a nearby park--simply enjoying fall. 

We came home with rosy cheeks and noses and COVERED in bits of leaves... evidence of a wonderful afternoon!