A week of great Christmas festivities!

I am short on time so this may be a shorter post! Of course I tried to sneak preparations for Christmas Day in as much as I could. Still not quite done. Tim and I helped out with many school projects instead of wrapping presents! Owell...But I did watch Zoe so Stephanie could go to the temple this week, then another day I had Zoe and Sophie over for playgroup and we made Christmas sugar cookies and frosted them. I forgot to include those photos in the collage. We got teacher gifts ready and some friend gifts ready for those who aren't the neighborhood. Thursday night Timo and Taran had their choir concert. It was great despite their grumblings that it wasn't going to be very good! Granny and Grandpa were able to come. I helped with Micah's class party, Gwen came with since I had no where to take her. It was fun. Friday we left for Salt Lake around 4 PM. We stayed in a hotel a few blocks from Temple Square that had an indoor pool and full breakfast included. Teresa and my parents came as well. Of course there was some fiasco before but all in all we made it and you will understand when I write: teenagers. We ate dinner at the Wendy's next to the hotel so we could get to Temple Square fast. As it turned out the traffic was horrendous so Teresa came up to drive while my mom, Emily, Tim and I jumped out. We headed over to the Mormon Tabernacle choir concert with guest artists David Archuleta and Michael York. After parking Teresa was awesome and took the kids around to see the lights on Temple Square and the Visitor's Center. Then they went back to the hotel where my dad was hanging out--it was good he didn't come since it was so crowded. The rest of us barely made it inside the Conference Center before 7 PM--if you haven't scanned your ticket before then you lose your seats. The standby line was amazingly long. When we got in people had sat in our section, it was full so we had to sit in another section and the only sections left were the far sides, next to the wall. Despite the terrible seating--we couldn't hear the choir very well and we couldn't even see the men in choir since we were on the far right side--it was amazing. I am not really a fan of David Archuleta, I don't hate him or anything, but he was amazing. He seems very humble and down to earth. Michael York told an awesome story about how the choir was formed...it started with a Welsh immigrant. He also read the Luke 2 account of Christ's birth. We thoroughly enjoyed it, I feel bad for anyone who may not have heard the choir from another spot because it is so amazing! I just love going to the Christmas concert. We walked through the lights and visitor's center on Temple Square on our way home. We just walked home since the weather was fine and the hotel was close enough 5 blocks or so. We took the kids swimming when we got back. In the morning we took them again before we left. Timo had a study group and Taran had to work. He only had enough time to take out the garbages at the school that were the worse. Emily and Gwen made graham cracker houses, Emily made Mordor and Gwen made a zookeeper's house. They decorated them at my cousin Hiedi's where all her sisters congregated as well, my brother Charl and his family and Keith and Amber showed up later. It was fun. On our way out Emily tripped and dropped Gwen's and then I picked up hers to bring and the tower came off. So there were tears. Meanwhile the Tim and the 3 boys went to his parents' to watch the BYU vs UTEP football game in the Nevada Bowl which BYU dominated. Nice to end the season that way. We got the kids fed and ready for bed and then we left Izak in charge of the younger guys--they watched Home Alone. Our new neighbors across the street invited us to go caroling with them so Emily and Taran came--Timo declined and stayed at a friend's. We had a lot of fun and they had a lot of yummy food! Tim and I left so Izak didn't need to be in charge so long. I ran to Smith's for milk and some Christmas shopping. A little closer to being done! We got to bed late, putting away laundry...Today was the Christmas program. It was amazing! The spirit was strong. I taught my class, which I was glad to do since it was about how the prophets had prophesied about Christ's coming from Adam to John the Baptist. I have enjoyed teaching the Old Testament most of this year. It has strengthened my testimony. I hope these young people have learned and gained a testimony of Christ in the Old Testament. Tim and Timo went hometeaching and our hometeachers came. We are all so tired that we napped after they left. Izak actually fell asleep during their visit! I can't believe we have less than a week. My kids are excited! I have some ideas of fun things to do this week. We may get to them or not! It has to be non-stressful, holidays need to be about creating good memories and not forcing it. May you anticipate Christmas with joy and love in your heart! Merry Christmas!

Freedom Friday

Great Moments In Unintended Consequences Here is a short video that is pretty clear on why the government should stick to their role and stay out of micromanaging things. I found the comments about the video interesting as well. I know we are all busy but we need to stay vigilant about not letting them become 'Big Brother'. Here's an interesting chart that should wake people up check it out: scariest chart So now go and enjoy your holidays! Seriously, we can change this by not being complacent and letting our leaders know how we feel! Enjoy the holidays and don't forget to remember your country needs a Christmas present of citizens who are 'presently' looking out for it!

Just thinking...

I am very grateful today for my healthy children. Last Friday Timo's friend passed out after running the mile in PE. Timo was there to witness it. They ended up life flighting him to Primary Children's because the local hospital didn't know what to do. It turns out this 16 year old boy had a stroke! They put him into a drug induced coma to operate and remove a blood clot. So far they feel it was successful they are planning on taking him out of it this weekend. I can't stop thinking about him and his family. I know what they want for Christmas! I can't think of anything I want that is more important than what I have already! I am so grateful. I pray this young man will make a full recovery but I know that sometimes God has other plans, that with my finite thinking can't comprehend. I can only trust that his will is what is best for each us. And that he will guide us during our most difficult times. So hug your kid before he goes to school, you never know if he'll come back the same!

Christmas Dance and stuff...

Less than 2 weeks until Christmas...one week of school left for the year 2010! It really is amazing how fast this year has gone! This week was mostly about the Christmas dance Friday. Although it was a casual dance, Taran had put together the group that went together so he was sort of planning it with my help. Being the over responsible person I am and knowing this was Timo and his date's first date I wanted it to be a fun experience I stepped in did more than maybe I should have. So between doing some Christmas present things I was doing stuff for that. They had to have an ugly sweater to wear—the winners won free prom and preference tickets.

So Monday I did my usual helping in Zane and Micah's classes. Tim had stayed home because he wasn't feeling totally regular, if you get my inference there! I ran to the store and got some liquids for him after helping at the school. I had scouts in the afternoon. For family night we drove around and looked at the Christmas lights on the homes in nearby neighborhoods. We found one that rivals the Griswalds in Christmas Vacation—they have Santa on the roof AND a neon Elf or Santa (I couldn't tell) dropping presents from a rocket ship hanging from a wire strung from the lamppost to the house besides a gazillion neon holiday things in the yard and Christmas lights on the house. This was a large, new, fancy house which proves tackiness is prevalent in all social classes. Taran had Madrigal again that night and my parents attended and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Tuesday I went to the temple. That was a really nice experience. I love going during Christmas, it helps me have the true feeling of closeness to our Savior. My friend Stephanie, who had Gwen, took her to a park and stuff so I had some extra time. I was going to go shopping but then thought I can take Gwen shopping but I hate ignoring her when I am on a project. So I finished up a Christmas project I was working on, that was a RELIEF! I felt light and so happy! That night Timo had basketball practice and Emily and Tim went to the last night of Madrigals. They enjoyed it. I had to take Timo with all the kids and then he got a ride home. Tim played basketball with the men that night.

Wednesday I drove the little girls to preschool and then helped my friend Linda who is getting ready to pick up her daughter on her mission in England. She has been battling breast cancer the last four months and now she's battling getting her body back to normal. To top it off she has diabetes and epilepsy! Because of the chemo she has become dehydrated and triggered her body to seize! Anyway, we are all praying she has the health to travel this coming week. I finished helping her in time to get Gwen and Zoe. Usually we have playgroup but I had 2 conflicts so I am doing it next week. Taran watched Gwen while I went to Micah's class to read 3 short Christmas books. I was the mystery reader, it was fun! Then Emily's CTE class invited preschoolers to class that day so they could play games with them etc. Gwen had a lot of fun. I was late picking her up so she road the bus with Emily—I am just lucky the bus driver loves in our neighborhood because I don't think they normally let them. That evening I had 2 meetings, Emily and Timo had a concert at the junior to go to. So I took them and their friends and picked them up and missed one meeting. After my other meeting I went to the store since I hadn't been able to go Tuesday! Timo had his second basketball game at 9 PM.

Thursday I spent time on the phone getting Gwen's preschool for next year figured out. I am relieved I did and I am really excited about it too. My visiting teachers came over and we had a nice visit. After lunch Gwen and I went on the quest for some ugly sweaters! We finally found some at Savers. Then we bought some things for the dance, royal icing mix, paper plates, candy and soda. The boys and their dates were making graham cracker houses. I got home in time to make soup. One of my visiting teachers gave us a French bread shaped like a candy cane and it was red and green and it was yummy and went well with soup. I also had to make no bake cookies for pack meeting that night as well. Micah got his Wolf rank, or I may have bailed on it! He was so excited that I couldn't change it! After that I got the kids in bed, Tim had EQ meeting. I helped Izak get a white elephant gift ready for school and then I went to some stores partly for Christmas and partly for the dance. I was tired that night and got into bed a little early. Then Taran came in and wanted to talk. He has some girl issues. Too many like him and he wants to be good friends with everyone but he kind of likes one of the girls but he doesn't want to ruin everything...anyway, Tim joined in later and we ended up talking until almost one AM! But hey don't you want your kids to feel like they can talk to you, ANYTIME? I am glad they do even if it means sleep deprivation. Then Gwen comes in at 4:30 AM with a bad dream and her foot hurting. So after I get her to bed I just stay up because I had to make a breakfast casserole for a special brunch the PTA made for the teachers at the school. I noticed when I got up that I had a burning when I went to the bathroom. Yes, I had a bladder/kidney infection. Luckily my doctor was willing to call in a prescription so I didn't need to go in. I had had a small UTI earlier in the week and had it going away but I guess no sleep pushed me over the edge! I didn't feel too bad, thankfully and I was able to get the stuff ready for the dance stuff going on at our house that evening. I spent a bit of the afternoon helping Taran's friends (girls and boys) get their sweaters embellished tackily for the dance! It was fun but pushed the preparations back so when couples started showing up it wasn't ready and Taran had forgotten to tell the kids when to bring—a glue gun and candy. Luckily between all the moms of the boys attending, my mom and neighbors we got it covered. My mom picked up the little kids and Emily (who she picked up earlier in the day from school because she wasn't feeling well and I didn't have time to go get her) and fed them at her house. Most of the moms of the boys from our neighborhood doing the date helped with cooking Papa Murphy's gourmet and regular pizzas, grapes and dessert. My visiting teacher whose daughter was going with Timo actually got the pizza's for me because I was doing these sweaters instead. Tim had gone to Salt Lake City for work was battling traffic to get home and was a great help once he got here. They made graham cracker houses first, we had 2 long tables set up downstairs and chairs around them. We had the pizza upstairs with snacks and grapes and soda. My friend Alison took pictures of all the couples and their creations in front of the Christmas tree in our living room—I hope to get those soon and post them! Taran and some of guys had to sing at a ward party from their Chamber Choir. The teacher forgot to tell the person wanting the kids they wouldn't be able to do it because of the dance and a few other things going on at the high school that night so she begged them to go and 8 of them showed up—no sopranos so one alto switched. Taran said that it was not very good at all,and he was embarrassed because it was McKay and Sue Anne's (Tim's cousin and his wife) ward and he knows he'll see them again! The rest of them went to the first home basketball game after dinner. Then the dance was right after that. Instead of formal pictures it was a photo booth, so that was fun. While they were gone we cleaned up the graham cracker mess and got ready for them to return after the dance. Then we ran out to my mom's with pjs for the kids. She had offered to let them spend the night but I didn't know the kids were coming back to my house or I would have got their pjs ready. Emily ended up coming home with us since she felt like she was getting a UTI—weird huh? She drank tons and had cranberry juice and was fine in the morning. The kids are a lively bunch so I was glad the little kids were at my mom's. Alison had fixed Christmas cookies and ginger snaps and hot cider. We also put out the leftover pizza we had reheated and grapes for them to snack on. Overall I think it was a hit. Once all the girls were taken home we cleaned up, some of Taran's friends came back and helped out a little as well. I was mostly worried about Timo and his date since it was their first date but they were fine and Taran's friends are funny kids so they were entertained as well.

Saturday Taran had a singing gig that morning at 9 AM. He had Tim drive him since he was so tired. He got a ride back. Tim, Emily and I went to my mom's and helped her out. Emily helped with Christmas stuff inside and Tim and I raked leaves and bagged them with Izak's help and then we helped with lights in her yard. Then we came home and I put lights on my bushes and one tree—I am ready for snow because it helps it look so Christmasy! We have had lots of rain instead. I feel like we are having a northern California winter! Taran and his friend made t-shirts for their Dodgeball team. They did pretty good but missed the ward Christmas party. Our ward Christmas party was after lunch, it was service activity. We made blocks (over 500), put together, hygiene kits, newborn kits, school kits, and about 6 other different stations that I didn't get to helping. I was over the newborn kits, then I went and helped with the blocks after that. They had yummy sugar cookies and gingerbread men & women cookies, and Clementines for refreshments. It was fun and organized and a great experience! I know they spent A LOT of time on preparing for it and you could tell but it was the best activity in my experience! Taran had work and then 2 singing gigs. Timo had another friend's 16th birthday party, this was for a girl and it was a surprise. He had a blast.

Today was church and I didn't sub or teach my class but got to sit with Tim in Sunday School. Sacrament Meeting was so great, the speakers were terrific. The lessons were equally as good. Tonight is our stake Choirside,which we are excited to go to. Tim calls it battle of the ward choirs! I love Christmas music and this will be a great event to attend.

We have Taran and Timo's choir concert this week, it should be excellent. Friday is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert with David Archuleta, we are very excited about that! Fun times still to come and a great Christmas season to be had! Hopefully you are feeling the love! If not read last week's post at the end. It may help you as it has so many of us, including me!

Deck the Halls and all that ...

Wow! Where did this year go? Is it because I have a child graduating from high school life is speeding up?

Monday Tim and Timo stayed home. Tim actually went to the doctor and found out he had a sinus infection. Taran got all his BYU application stuff done--that he could do. I had scouts that afternoon. We finished decorating our tree downstairs for Family Night. Taran also read us the book I Believe in Santa Claus which shows the religious correlation between our Christmas traditions and Christ.

Tuesday I watched my friend Stephanie's daughter (Gwen's friend) Zoe while she went to the temple. Timo was still home and Emily hurt her finger at school so I called the doctors and got an appointment for that afternoon. Timo has a virus--what I guessed but he hurt when he coughed so I had to make sure. Emily didn't break her finger the doctor buddy taped it and it's doing better. Tim dropped off Taran's transcript to BYU at lunch. Taran had madrigal feast preparations, work and interviews with the bishop and stake president for BYU. He ended up going to work last because of a weird thing happened to his car door. So I went with him that night to work to help him get done sooner. The first room I went in to get the garbage the ceiling had caved in and was dripping water all over. We got the stuff cleared away from danger and Taran got a hold of the principal. We are sure that was no coincidence! Tim played basketball that night at the church.

Wednesday Tim took me early to my mom's so I could take her to have cataract surgery on her other eye. We had to be there at 6:30 AM! So I took my Christmas cards and got a lot of them done while I waited and later at her house. I stayed all day until Tim was done working then he came and got me. She seemed to do even better this time and last time was just fine. I enjoyed visiting with my dad too. When I got home I got the little boys ready for the Madrigal Feast. Teresa picked us up and we went over to the high school. This is an amazing event the Chamber and A Capella choirs do every Christmas. They serve delicious dinner and sing Christmas songs and do a little skit that is usually funny. The little boys enjoyed throwing pennies at the beggars. Taran was part of the royal court. I really thought they did a great job. Meanwhile Tim just had Gwen to put to bed and Timo home. Emily had young women and they went caroling to the neighbors for Pennies for Peace. Emily's idea, I must brag! She did it last year with her friends and suggested it to their Beehive leaders and presidency. They collected $85 dollars in an hour! Not bad!

Thursday Timo felt better and went back. Emily stayed home sick--not too sick just tummy trouble in the night. I ran errands including getting money turned into a cashier's check. That afternoon I helped with dinner prep for madrigal. I actually enjoyed it. The kids and other adults were great to work with. Tim came at 6 PM to do the actual dinner. He stayed until 9 PM since he was the only man. It was suppose to be until 8 PM but hardly anyone showed up at 8 PM to relieve them. Timo got to go to Madrigal with the priests for Young Men, they enjoyed it!

Friday Gwen and I ran errands. I am looking for a white nativity--no gold on it. I think I may have to make one. Timo had another birthday party that night. They went to a tumbling place in Provo. This was for a girl. He had fun and on his way home he asked a girl to the Christmas dance--brave boy! He will be in Taran's group since most of his friends are old enough yet. Taran had to sing at a Costco work party after madrigal! They earn money at these gigs--whatever people want to donate. Tim and I decided to go see Tangled in 3D that night since we didn't have anything! I already saw it but I knew he really wanted to see it since he already saw HP. It was amazing in #D and I think he really liked it as well. Unfortunately we had to go to the late show since the earlier one was sold out.

Saturday was chores and then Tim helped me with scouts, we did a compass course. He is awesome to help me out! I got called to substitute so I worked on that a little. I made homemade soup, apple sauce and bread for dinner! My friend gave me this easy recipe for applesauce. You peel and cut apples--I use my apple corer from Pampered Chef then I peel. Put the apples in a pot with water barely covering it. Boil until soft. Then drain half of water off. Then add Red Hot Candies as you mash it. Done! Add some whipping cream for a dessert feel--yummy! After dinner I took Emily and the younger kids to a live Nativity in Alpine. It was a great experience. They had a 'Bethlehem' set up with a market and animals--the kids fed the camels and then a live baby with 'Mary' and 'Joseph' Tim was really tired so he stayed home. Taran had another night of madrigal. Timo was helping Teresa at her school. Tim finished the 2nd Hunger games book and has been telling me about them--I am afraid the violence might be too much for me.

Today was Fast Sunday and testimony meeting. Timo got to bless the sacrament and Tim and Taran were up there with him--a ward tradition. That was pretty cool and the testimonies were great, mostly deacons who have been reading the Book of Mormon for a special 80 day challenge. AWESOME! Subbing was fine. Sharing time was great with stories of prophets foretelling the birthday of Jesus and singing Primary Christmas songs! Great spirit in those songs!

My friend posted this on facebook from her friend and I want to share this thought:

"I love long lines at Christmas!! This time of year reminds me that most
everyone waiting in line is not thinking of themselves, or buying for
themselves...this special time of year where all of those long lines
mean that everyone ahead of me ...in line is thinking of others and trying
to make someone else happy on Christmas morning. I always look for the very longest line (drives my husband crazy) and happily stand in that line during the Christmas holidays!! As I wait, I count my blessings, I think about all the people ahead of me and how they are thinking of others, and how blessed we are to have this special time of year...to remember others who have blessed our lives and to take this opportunity to thank them. I think the Savior must think of Christmas lines in that same way. The longer the line the more others are thinking of others and giving of themselves." Debbie Blair

So instead of complaining or being annoyed, take the high road!:) Merry Christmas and make it meaningful!

Zane's birthday and Thanksgiving...

This week the kids only had school Monday and Tuesday so that was nice! Monday I went and helped out in Zane and Micah's classes. I went and got Gwen afterward. I picked her up from my moms and we went to Hobby Lobby to look for something I was doing for Christmas. I had no luck with that but it was worth the trip since Gwen made me stop in front their large ceramic Nativity they have on display. The pieces are around her size. She just loved looking at the Nativity. It touched my heart. She didn't care about anything else in the whole store. She said, “Mommy, maybe some day we can get one of those.” I said,” That would be cool.” The pieces range from $150 dollars to $400 each. So that day won't be too soon. I had scouts that afternoon and the Zane and Micah had piano. That night for family night we tried to take the kids "yearly pictures". We haven't had time to see how they actually turned out. Hopefully some will work!

Tuesday I suppose to watch Zoe so Stephanie could go to the temple but there was a huge storm coming and they were headed to Idaho so they decided to leave that morning and beat the storm. So Gwen and I were able to do some shopping and go to the post office. We were home in time for lunch! That night Tim and Emily went to the Music Man at the high school and they both enjoyed it. Tim and Timo went to the church and played basketball. Taran and his friends were doing weird things with dress ups. Izak and Micah had their friends Jack and Blake come over for a little movie night and they watched Shaun The Sheep episodes. It was fun to hear them laughing! Later that night Tim and I were putting up a sign for Zane's birthday and the power went out. Tim turned on our gas fireplace in the basement and made sure all the kids had enough blankets. He called the power company and they said it would be back on by 3 AM—it was almost 4 AM because it woke up Tim and he had to go around turning off lights. BTW the huge storm they predicted was a bust here in the valley but north of us got it pretty good.

Wednesday was Zane's 7th birthday! WOW! How did that happening? My little boy is a kid and almost a big kid! He loved his batmobile and extra batman and bad guys, he also got How to Train Your Dragon on DVD and a How to Train Your Dragon t-shirt. Not much but he wanted to go to build a bear for that birthday so we had to be frugal. Granny took him to Target to pick his present and he wanted lunch there as well—Pizza Hut Pizza! He got a couple more Batman toys. In the afternoon, he played with his friend Brian. Emily and her friend Tiffany went and saw HP 7 part 1. Yes, Emily had already seen it but Tiffany couldn't go the other time so I dropped them off and picked them up later. Then we took him to the mall to Build a Bear, he chose a black bear and a Broncos football uniform. It'd in the collage. Then he wanted to go to McDonald's and play and eat a Happy Meal. That was fun. I ran to Blockbuster right by it and got Toy Story 3, The Prince of Persia and Barbie in A Christmas Carol. I didn't really see the Barbie show. But Gwen liked it. I cried in Toy Story, what a cute show! The Prince of Persia was interesting, I think I might have been too tired to watch it. But I liked it more than AVATAR.

Thursday was Thanksgiving but the neighborhood annual Turkey Bowl was canceled since it was very cold. They ended up in the gym at the church. My college friend Dwayne Achee and his family came by for a visit—they came here from California, rough week to be here! We had a great visit, we love their family! His wife Janis and I have the same aunt and uncle but we are not blood related! Small world! Their oldest son and Taran hit off, Benji plays songs by Muse on the piano and Taran played the bass. That's pretty much what they did the whole visit! After they left we went to my mom's for dinner. The food was great and we had a lot of fun. Some played guitar hero, rampage, Lego star wars, watched football, A Muppet Christmas Carol and sang carols around the piano.

Friday I helped my mom with a wedding luncheon for a girl in her ward whose mother died when she was younger and the dad needed help with all the wedding stuff so my mom helped organize the neighbors—this girl is graduating in December so she is super busy! I left in time to get home and help get to Amy's for our Pew family Thanksgiving dinner! Taran had to do some work on the Madrigal stuff and left early to be able to come to Amy's. That was lots of fun. Erick and Liz were down from Idaho so that made it extra special. The day was a little warmer so the kids played football at the park by Amy's. Then once it got dark they settled in. Later the adults minus Tim's parents and Nate went to a 10 year commemoration for Keith and Nancy Johnson who were Tim's cousin and his wife. They died in a car crash 10 years ago on Thanksgiving. It was great to see how their kids are doing. They have overcome many challenges to be where they are today! It was great to hear stories about Keith and Nancy. Nancy sister has done some amazing things for the kids by compiling all of Nancy's letters and things like that. It was a great evening and made me so grateful that I know life continues after this life and that if we are sealed in the temple and keep our covenants we can be together forever. It also made me feel grateful to be associated with so many awesome people in this extended family! We got back late. Poor Nate had to hold down the fort while we were gone so long. Tim and I watched Prince of Persia after we got home.

Saturday was the BYU vs Utah football game, rivals. Tim went to his parents' with Taran, Izak, Micah and Zane. My mom invited Emily, Gwen and I to see Tangled with her , my dad and sister. She took Timo suit shopping for his birthday and they found a nice suit he likes and then she took him to Iggy's sports grill which he enjoyed. We met my mom, dad and Teresa at the theater. The movie was fantastic! I would like to see it in 3D but Gwen won't wear the glasses so I felt it wasn't worth the money if she wouldn't be able to really see it. Afterward Emily, Gwen and I went to the mall to do some necessary shopping and a little Christmas shopping. We ate the eatery. On our way home we stopped at TJ Maxx and Ross. Emily almost fainted! I guess Gwen is used to shopping trips with me! She was a true trooper. When I got home I worked on laundry! Tim found out he was teaching Elder's Q the next day and was trying to get that done.

Today we woke up to a foot of snow. Tim got to try out the snowblower his parents passed onto us when they bought a new self propelled one! Tim, Timo and Gwen stayed home from church. Timo slept so Tim knew Gwen couldn't be left with him by herself! I came home after my Primary class. Tim went hometeaching today, our hometeachers came and Taran went hometeaching too. Last Sunday in November! Friday Tim got out the Christmas decor and so finally today the kids did the big tree in the living room, Gwen got her own tree decorated, the little boys got some of theirs done. Gwen started on the downstairs tree. I will decorate the top now and let her do the bottom tomorrow! We had our devotional on the Holy Ghost by Taran. He did a good job!

Crazy week ahead, Taran needs to finish applying for BYU—there has been trouble applying and because of Thanksgiving he had to wait until tomorrow to talk to someone about the problem. Taran is busy every night with Madrigal Feast starting Wednesday. I hope Timo gets feeling better his classes are so demanding he doesn't want to miss them. He feels a little better after sleeping most of the day.

Have a fabulous week and try to enjoy this holiday season! I really am in shock that it is upon us, I have been living some what in a daze since I have been sick most of November! Hopefully I can get totally better soon too so I can have that great feeling of love, joy and fulfillment that I get from the season! I do love it!

Freedom Friday

This article is almost a year old but still holds some great thoughts...
Local Solutions to Common Dilemmas

By David Kretzmann on January 19th, 2010

Do people sometimes forget that we are all individuals with common goals, diverse circumstances, and unique perspectives? In many situations this is the case. The more governments, both local and national, expand in size and scope, the more politics become a game of winning and losing rather than representation of the people, providing individual freedom and choice, and encouraging local solutions and creativity. The world faces no shortages of problems, but the solution does not, as often believed, lie in continued centralized power of government, but increased freedom on a local level.

As centralized representatives are empowered with more responsibilities, their ability to directly and effectively represent their constituency decreases. Certainly it is more difficult to directly represent 200 million people than it is to represent 100 people. Such power maintained by a select few opens the door to lobbyists, special interests, and privileged groups who seek to grab a portion of that extraordinary power in order to gain an unnatural advantage over fellow individuals. In 2008 alone, 14,808 lobbyists contributed $3.3 billion to government. In such a scenario, who receives more direct treatment, the 14,808 lobbyists or 14,808 individual citizens? A large government is easily influenced not by individual citizens, but by large and privileged groups with the means to essentially bribe those in control, thus decreasing the power of individuals over our government. Central policies simply can’t represent the unique needs of local communities, towns, and counties.

As governments centralize and expand in power, the power and freedom of individuals decreases. It is not necessary to increase our individual abilities through a complex system managed by far-off politicians. In fact, all that is necessary is a simple concept that is commonly blurred or forgotten: freedom. Freedom is the only “system” that sees all individuals as naturally equal; freedom is based on individual, not central, power, and recognizes that we, the people, can solve our dilemmas free of constraint, force, and coercion. Freedom provides individuals the opportunity to keep the full fruits of their labor and appropriate their money to where they see fit, whether it be to the elderly, those in need of food, or any other service. The element of choice lies with the individual, not with the power of others. Simply put, when focusing on local solutions, individuals maintain far greater freedom and influence of participation, activism, and travel (voting with their feet), than they have in a strongly centralized system.

Individuals carry the greatest initiative, responsibility, and obligation over government in their counties, towns, communities, and neighborhoods. Things would appear much differently today if individual people, rather than federal officials and bureaucrats, were the driving force behind environmental, medical, and other policies. Chances are that many communities would oppose the opening of a nearby coalmine and would work together, as individuals, to find a cleaner, sustainable energy source. People will certainly feel a greater sense of charity and responsibility if they see or know people in their town who need but can’t afford health care. People are simply connected to something that they personally understand, see, and love, and will work together to protect and improve such a place. This is a basic world where solutions are based not on conflict and political gain, but community involvement and cooperation.

A locally managed government created to represent and serve the people fully can only function with an informed and active public. To do my own part in bringing this about, I developed Freedom Chatter in March 2009 with the slogan, “Involve, Interact, Inform.” Freedom Chatter is an ongoing project of mine with the objective to bring together a community of contributors and excited individuals eager to analyze all areas of business, economics, and public policy. Freedom Chatter recognizes the inherent qualities of human nature to be creative, diverse, and develop original ideas; it is unreasonable to expect everyone to subscribe to one viewpoint or ideology, whether it is on a local or national scale. By acknowledging the power and creativity each one of us carries locally as individuals and utilizing our ability to interact and inform, a rebirth in freedom, prosperity, and happiness is well within reach.