The Christmas Program

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the program that we have the kids put on every year. There is something very special and a little sac-religious about role playing the birth of our Savior. It helps to bring the spirit of Christmas to your heart. It helps to remind us what this whole crazy season is really about. This year was a good year. The kids were attentive and there was NOOO crying. YEAH!!!

This is a picture of Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus.

Angels we have heard on high!!

Yesterday for our church program we performed an amazing rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High." It was so beautiful. There was a harp, a flute, an organ, and a piano. They were all playing different accompaniments. I thought I would be okay to sing it without being emotional BUT... I didn't. When we were younger my parents would take us Christmas caroling to the widows in the ward and Chelsie and I would always sing the alto to this song. We would try and mess up and laugh and she would always ask to sing this song because it was about her..."in ex (chel sie) dio." It just reminds me of her. So back to church... I really thought I was getting better at not losing it every time I am reminded of her. It has been 18 months! But as I listened to this amazing song. I really felt like she would have been there with me singing the alto part. It was so surreal. It felt like there really were Angels on High singing with us. Just her way, I guess of letting me know she is still here.

Christmas Memories!

I've been sitting here looking at some of my Christmas decorations. I don't have many! I realized that the ones I keep have a real sentimetal value to me. I think it is interesting that Christmas time brings so many memories and most of them I cherish! So I thought I would share some of them with you.

This is a very special piece for me. I am almost "idolistic" when my kids touch or play with it. I remember one Christmas we went to New Mexico to visit my Grandma for christmas. She has since passed away but I remember she had a Santa and Baby Jesus exactly like this one one her coffee table. One morning I got up before everyone else, and she was up sitting on the couch and we sat in the dark with the Christmas tree lights shining and we talked about life and stuff. It was wonderful. She held the little baby Jesus, and she told me how special he was to her and how much He has changed her life. So when I saw the statue in the ceramic store I knew I had to buy it. My Mom and I both painted them together which added another memory. It brings back such good memories.



This decoration has significant meaning behind it. One year my sister Chelsie (who passed away 18 months ago)made this for me. She was probably only 13 or 14 and was so proud of herself. It was probably one of her first crafts she ever made and it took a long time to make. She didn't even wait until Christmas to give it to me. She said, "I am sure you will want to use it this year." And then year after year she would come to my house and just sit by it and watch the lights. If you look really close, at the bottom are little people playing in the snow. I just love it, it makes me remember all the fun times my family and I shared in the snow.



This was the first christmas decoration that we recieved. At our wedding reception someone gave it to us for a gift and I don't even know who it was. But I love it. If you look close you can see the broken twigs from all the loving kids who want to get a closer look.



This is a sweet gift that one of my best friends gave me! Thanks Jen! It was at a time in our lives when we both had no money. We were all going to school and trying to learn how to be mothers. She used to make gifts like this for all the neighbors and didn't even keep one for herself. She has always been generous to everyone around her. It just reminds me of sweet peaceful days.



These are our stockings. I LOVE THEM because they bring back so many memories of my childhood Christmas's. When I was growing up my Mom us each stocking with felt cutouts on them. We each loved the symbol on our stocking. I was a santa. My mom told me that her mom made her stockings just like that too. So I decided that I wanted to make some just like them for my kids. SO I did. They don't look as beautiful and cute as some of the stockings that I have seen but they bring alot of memories back for me.

Isn't it about ...time???

J and I had a great day today. She was in a competition for Ballroom dance. It was so fun to spent time with just her. I am amazed at the interesting things you learn when you are able to spend one on one time with your children. J told me all kinds of things that I didn't know about her. I watched her perform and then we went Christmas shopping. And "fortunately" the roads were completely covered in ice so my 45 min trip took and hour and a half. But we had so much fun singing in the car and talking. It was a great day. When I think back on it, I think if a tv camera were watching us he would have said. Isn't it about ...TIME???

Christmas Celebrations have begun!

So we started December out with of course some treats! (And yes I am 0-1 for days on my no sugar diet!!) But it was so fun! I just love days like this. When everyone is busy making something great. The kids were so proud of their houses. I thought I'd better put them on here.

Too busy to even smile for the picture!

Carefully crafted by J

She wanted Santa to see it so that is why she is so excited to take the picture!

Even the C man got into it!!!

D and Dad's smiley face house!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Dinner with my family!


I want to sit at the kids table!!


Making a big mess and loving it!


Craft time! The kids love our tradition of doing crafts all day!


Thanks giving was great! We had everyone here except one sister and her family. (We missed you T!) We sat down to a great dinner that everyone helps to make. We used the once a year china, which A washed all by hand! And the kids had a great time eating with the goblets and nice napkins. My sister W wanted to have sparkling cider so we toasted to great memories and ate like royalty!!
After dinner while the guys watched football, the moms made crafts with the kids. Oriental trading sells kits for cute crafts that hardly cost any money at all. We let them make them for all their friends christmas presents. They loved it. It was great to spent time with family. I love the holidays!

Skin by Rascal Flatts

Today, I ran across this video and memories came flooding back. When my sister and our family first found out about her cancer all we were worried about was her losing all her hair. It's seems funny now but that was so HUGE. One day she came to my house and showed me this video. We sat and cried. The funny part was she was telling me not to worry and it would be okay. She couldn't stand it when I "lost it" in front of her. I wonder if there will be a day that I don't think about her...

www. youtube.com/watch?v=JhnU9IYTD9c


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhnU9IYTD9c

Can we do this?

I picked this picture because this is how I feel today. Everywhere I turn there is someone that I know and love who is struggling with something. I am a people lover. I feel so much pain for everyone around me. I wish that I could just shut it off sometimes and be numb. I worry for my kids. There is so much to prepare them for in this world. Just like this shark that is waiting to chew them all up into little bits, so is the Adversary! Just waiting to get them. How do we ever make it?! I haven't been blogging lately because I have been reconnected to lots of people from my past and so many are struggling. Blogs are a way to really get into people's lives and feelings. It is so hard to hear all of the sadness. I hope for the best for all of you! I pray for you and I pray for me and my children.

GO BYU!!

I finally get it! I've figured out why men like football! Let me tell you how! I would honestly say that my husband has watched one sport game in our entire married life. And I am pretty sure it is because he didn't have anyone to watch it with. Until now!!! Now that he has our boys to watch with him, he loves it. And I actually love it! It is so cute to see them all jumping up and down when their team scores a basket (I mean a run... I mean ....a touchdown :)) Now, they don't watch every game but they have picked their favorite teams. E loves the Steelers (because he has the whole outfit to wear at the games) C and A love BYU. This fall we went to a BYU game. It was really fun, we all got into it. But after all the hoopla before the game and the first long quarter I was surprised to find out that we could potentially be there for four hours!! Needless to say, I was ready to go. But not the boys, but it worked out, the girls, D and I went to the snowcone shop and we had a good time. Did you know if you buy some ice from the snowcone shop you can add as much "juice" as you want. We tryed all the flavors and mixed all the flavors. It think it was worth the trip!

Bangs!!

Okay! I know what you are thinking... bangs have been in forever! But for me and my "no change" lifestyle, bangs were a big step for me. Thanks to my sister W, who walked me through it and cut them so stylish!!! SO what do you think??? I like the new look. I haven't had bangs for 15 years!

PS Check out Chandler's blog There is a link on mine!

Okay here I am!

I was getting a hard time because there are hardly any pictures of me on this blog. But hey, my family is my life!! So here is one at Newport Beach. I love the Beach!

America the Beautiful!

What??

Okay! SO this post is going to be controversial but oh well, it's my blog so comment as much as you want! I am so annoyed at this election! I do not want to hear anymore about it! And it's not that I am mad at who won or lost. I just can not believe how we as American and Christians get wrapped up in it. It is perfectly normal and almost expected to criticize and critic other people. As far as passing along rumors that you hear that may or may not be true. I just can not stand listening to people on the news analyze and even make fun of these people that are trying to make a difference for our country. Some of the stuff I hear I just want to say, "how do you know that? How do you know what their intentions are? Do you really think that they are trying to hurt our country???" I think the last straw was yesterday, after school my kids came home and I heard them talking. One of them said, " i wouldn't vote for him, he tells lies." Then she went on to tell me what someone had told her at school, which was a lie! It's so hypocritical! Then later that night I was with some 13 year old girls who were talking about the election. One said, "If so and so gets to be president we are all going to die!! He is tricking us like Hitler did. Everyone loved Hitler at first and then he turned on them!!" I am thinking where would she have heard that. Does she even know what Hitler did??
Anyway!!! I am so glad for all the contention is over!! I think it is so sad that we teach our children to not gossip or spread lies but yet we as adults do it every election year! I know those who know me well know that I am guilty of this myself but now I ask the question... Why do we do this?? Let's find the good in others and chose the one that does the most good! I believe that we have a president who will help our country the best that he knows how! God will bless America!!!

Do you REMEMBER.......

Okay raise your hand if you remember this childhood game. The Saturday after Halloween my kids played so good together. I didn't hear them fight all day!! When I went upstairs to check on them I found out what they were doing and it brought back this memory! Remember the CANDY STORE????? After Halloween. you would organize all your candy and barter your brothers and sisters for the GOOD ones!! It was so fun, almost as fun as trick or treating!! My kids thought of it without me even giving them the idea. Check out their stores. Aren't they creative using dollhouses for shelves. Sometimes I wish we could go back to those childhood days just to enjoy them a little more.

Childhood Memories

E's candy store (Isn't he organized)

We have located the Reese's hoarder!!!!

J trying her skills at being a store clerk! Her sign reads "I hate Tootsie Rolls so don't even try to trade"

D has a little candy left to sell! (He either ate it or got swindled out of it:))


C's store is open for business!


Look really close and see what is available in M's store!! (She ate most of it already!)

What is this holiday?

So... does any one else ever think about is strange holiday that we celebrate, year after year? I was thinking about it and I think it is so humorous. Here we are good parents and mothers, monitoring our children's health and well being but one day a year we drive them around to other people's house and encourage them to fill up an entire bag of candy to devour in pretty much one day!!! Does that seem odd to any else!? Then the best is the famous "TRUNK OR TREAT"! Thisway we can fill up an entire bag of candy in half the time and then still have time to go to other people's house to get more. And the funny thing is that I actually catch myself getting competitive. "Hurry! Just go to this house and then run over to this house and I will meet you over there. RUN!! There are more kids coming!" Then after this exhausting excersise, we come home and dump out our (notice I am included) candy to find 5 full bags of candy that I would never let my kids buy!! What are we thinking?! O'well, I guess I will start my no sugar diet after Halloween..I mean Thanksgiving.. Christmas??!!

Trick or Treat!

Charlie Brown

Isn't she a cute witch!!!

The steeler fans!! (Thanks Aunt Heidi)

Sir D (He is not willing to wear a full on costume, just the hat!)

Newport Beach!

These are the suckers that we brought home for them. They were in heaven!

Have you ever been to a theme park without a stroller???

A over looking the Newport Beach!

Ode to my sister "S"!

The days were growing long and I needed a break
But alas my five kids someone would need to take.
Along came my sister who was willing to try,
A long four day week with 8 kids and sigh.
She is 8 months pregnant to give her all the say,
I wondered if she'd make it clear up to the day!
Thankfully, for all of us she made it through
And my kids enjoyed her fun loving company too.
She was sent straight from Heaven, and A agrees
we had such a great time so we're down on our knees
Thank you S and T you've done it again!
Being a lifesaver, sister and friend!

Okay, I am not a poet but seriously we had such a good time and just the break I needed to reflect and refocus. S watched all the kids and I knew they were in good hands so I didn't even worry. We went to Newport Beach for one of A's conferences. (Probably the last for a long time, since there will be no money for the company to afford it:))

Normal is so overrated!

Is this Normal??

I thought you would like a timeline of our mornings here at the Serr household.
6:55 - Wake up all of the kids and CARRY them downstairs for scripture study

7:00- Scriptures! The following is an example of what you might hear:
Dad: would anyone like to say the prayer this morning?
J: (whine) Dad why do we have to have scripture study. My friend's family doesn't have scripture study!
C:nubbio thubbianks! (He learned ubbi dubb language and just CANNOT let it die!)
E: AHHHHHHHHH! ( He loves to yell for no apparent reason)
M: No Dad! I can't pray when I am sleeping!
Dad: Okay, Mom will you say it?

Dad: So, does anybody remember what we learned about yesterday?
(Silence) Hello is anyone awake?
E: (kicking M under the table)
J: Dad. why do we have to have scriptures at the table, I would remember better if we were on the couch!
M: somebody keeps kicking me!
E: (Snicker)
C: Wubbie Lubbiearned Aubbibout Jubbiesus!

OKAY YOU GET THE IDEA!

7:20: Breakfast
Mom: what would you like for breakfast?
J: Nothing! I hate breakfast!
C: Wubbiaffles!
E: Pancakes!
M: eggs!
Mom: okay, well here is your cold cereal.

7:30 Getting ready for school
(Mom goes up stairs to see how things are coming along after making 3 lunches)
Mom: What are you doing E? The bus is coming in 15 minutes!
E:(sitting on his bed looking at his rock collection in his underwear!) I'm just waking up my legs!
J: Mom will you fix my hair?
C: (Spontaneous outburst)
M: can I wear my tinkerbell costume today?

7:40 Still frantic and still getting ready for school
C: (Singing at the top of his lungs some random song)
J:(somes downstairs with completely drenched hair)
Mom: J what happened to all your curls that we spend all night last night putting in?
J: they just looked all bumpy and wiggly!
Mom: M! what happened to your ponytails?
M: I don't like them, they make me scitch!
E: (no where to be found)

7:50 The bus is here!!
C: Bubbiye Mubbiom! Iubbi Lubbiove Yubbiou!
J: Oh mom I need a sack and some money for school today! Did you sign my homework?
E: (comes down stairs with everything done in 15 seconds flat)
M: Is tomorrow a school day too?

7:51 Peace and quiet
(Mom collapses on the floor)
D: Mom I am hungry!

My Amazing Mom!

Today I was thinking about my Mom. She is on a trip for a week, and it just makes me realize how much I talk to her because now she is not available. I really love living close to her and my Dad. I feel like the older I get, the more I see how amazing she is. Sometimes my Mom will talk about her Mom (my Grandma) and how much she misses her, and I realize that I don't know how I would get through my life without her. Especially because I know the realities of losing someone, and I know someday I will have to deal with that. So now I savor every minute I get with my Mom. Here are my top ten favorite memories with my Mom:
1 - Going to Education Week with her and sharing our inner most spiritual thoughts.
2- Seeing her do her Cyril Call face when she didn't like something.
3- Her homemade gifts she makes every year for Christmas for all of her grand kids.
4- The Pie fights we had when we were little. (I might add that she was ruthless)
5- Watching my kids build relationships with her as she takes them on their "dates".
6- Watching my Dad flirt with her and her saying "N!!"
7- Watching her teach herself new hobbies her whole life and now she pretty much knows how to do everything!!!
8- Calling her when I am at my whits end always hanging up feeling better. She's a great listener.
9- Raising our kids together. Seriously, you have no idea how fun this is!!
10- Last but not least, realizing ALL the things I have learned from her that will help me "throughout the eternities" .
I love you Mom!

PS This was the Mexican Birthday party we had for my Mom's Birthday. Don't worry Mom I won't tell how old you are! :) My kids love doing things for her, she is the best Grandma!

Our birthday fiesta!!

Columbus Day!!!

Did you know that today is a holiday? Well, it is for bank workers, postman, and garbage men. Well, luckily my hubby is one of those! We really needed a day off with all that is going on. Life is so stressful for A right now (economy crashing = really, really stressed out clients). It was fun to just be together and not think about the crazy state of our world. I hope we all make it through this crash. I wonder if this is what the prophets have been warning us about. It doesn't not look good, nor does it look good for the future. But I guess that it is the same cycle we have seen so many times in the BOM. Peace + posperity to greed + pride to disaster+ humility. I guess we need to be humbled sometimes. I don't know about you but I feel pretty humble right now!

Sick Days!

Are sick days really that awful? We have had strep at our house and I have to say, I have rather enjoyed it!:) My kids ALL took a nap together! Does that ever happen? PS I tried to photshop out the laundry, but come on everyone does it, right?!

Our Fall snowman!

This poor little guy only lasted about 5 hours! He sure brought a lot of happiness in his short life span!

Is it winter yet???

WINTER IS HERE!!

It is October 11 and it is snowing! But it was a good day to find out which kids need new gloves, hats, and snowpants. They had fun

Why can't we just get along????

Today I was thinking about my kids and wondering why they just can't seem to get along. So I decided to go back and dig up some photos of some of the times they did get along. Just for my own sanity today. I did find 3 which I have shared with you. Itdoes bring back fun memories for me just to remind myself that deep down they do love each other. I hardly remember fighting with my own brothers and sisters but we did. So hopefully they will love each other as much as I love my family!(when they are older) :) I just need to remember that "We do not remember days, we remember moments"!

At least they are getting along!!!

I know, I know D is in a leotard!! BUT the important thing is that they decided to dress him up together (laughing their heads off)! D doesn't know what is so funny!