Six Christmas' in the Making...

Finally, after celebrating his first five Christmas' with any random stocking I could round up, Asher was able to join the rest of the Beeson Family with the rank and file Christmas stocking.  I did purchase the kit the year Asher was born, but it's just taken me six Christmas' to finally get it completed.  Welcome to the club, Asher!

"Beary" Christmas...

Each Christmas American Heritage collects bears to donate to a children's shelter.  The students are supposed to raise money (i.e., Mom comes up with the idea, spends a lot of time completing the project while the kids stand on the sideline providing minimal help) to purchase the bears.  On the last day of school before Christmas break, the children form "hugging" lines.  As each bear is taken from the collection area, it is passed down the line of students that are forming a chain from the school to the delivery vehicles.  Each child hugs the bear so that when the children at the shelter receive the bear, they are told how many children have hugged the bear and how much love it has for them.

To raise money, the boys called family members and took orders for cookies.  We had an all-day cookie baking experience.  The boys earned enough money to buy eight bears to donate.  Next year's project will involve more child labor and less Mom labor for sure.  

In the Quiet....

As I was trudging up the stairs last night, anxious to crawl into my bed, I heard the voice of a 7 year old quietly say, "Mom?"  At this hour of the night, when he should have been asleep at least an hour ago, I am not overjoyed to hear my name called.  His answer makes me feel guilty for my earlier annoyance.  "Mom, when it's quiet like this and I'm laying in my bed, I can feel the Spirit.  When I feel the Spirit, it always makes me think of my family.  When I think about our family, I always think of you first."

Happy 12th...

The chance to get out of the daily home life with children is absolutely necessary for husband and wife.  Whenever Scott and I get out on our own, it doesn't take like to be reminded of why it is that we love each other so much.  We were able to take a cruise to celebrate our 12th anniversary.  The cruise was to the Bahamas, so I was looking forward to some sun and warm temperatures.