Christmas has come and gone....

And I'm sure you are all waiting for an update!



Cameron had a blast. Santa came, we even set out milk and cookies for him on Christmas Eve. Cameron loved digging into his stocking and finding all of the goodies. He then opened each and everyone of his presents, my presents, Cole's presents and even grandmas presents. He was a present opening fool. He loved everything, I don't think he has played favorites with anything! A little while after opening presents here at our home Christmas morning we went to my mom's for more Christmas. He continued working on his paper tearing skills, and by the end of the day he was a master! He got more presents at my moms house.....Then we went to Cole's parents for dinner, where he was able to practice ripping into presents even more! The child was spoiled, Cole and I were spoiled and we had a wonderful day with our families.

By the end of the day on December 26th I had almost all of our Christmas decor down and put away. I know I know I'm a party pooper, but I am thankful I did because we had another terrible weekend and it was one less thing for me to worry about. The good news is things are looking up, now that it's Wednesday and we are through most of the terribleness (is that even a word?), I hope!

Next week Cole starts his fourth term of school! I do believe he is looking forward to that and is excited that he no longer has to drive all the way to Grants Pass for class, they have moved his core welding class to the Table Rock campus in White City. Thank Goodness!

I have started reading again! I have to do something to take my mind off of the terribleness in our lives and this is one way for me to escape!

Cole's sister Mandi will be in town today, we are looking forward to seeing her.

I have been spending some time working on the Miss Rogue Valley Scholarship Program Board of Directors. I have enjoyed the project that have been handed over to me. The Pageant is this Saturday, January 3rd at 7 pm at the Crater Auditorium. Tickets will be sold at the door for any of you interested in coming. Also we are still looking for one more princess age 6 - 12. For more information please contact me by leaving a comment and I will answer any questions!

That's all Folks!

Naps

This picture was taken on a late afternoon trip to Albertson's. That afternoon, Cameron, decided he didn't need a nap....he cried and played....cried and played.....and played even more in his crib for close to an hour before we decided he could come out. I remember trying to muster up my strict mom voice to tell him that if he threw even one fit he'd be back in bed. Well we escaped with out fits but here's a picture to prove that my munchkin wears himself out and still needs his afternoon naps.

Cameron December 2008

The Christmas Pageant

I received this in an email last week, it was cute and touching. Don't we all feel like this sometimes? As I strive to keep Christmas centered on the true reason for the holiday I pray that the rest of you will find peace in the true meaning of Christmas too....and hope this puts a smile on your face like it did mine!

THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

My husband and I had been happily married (most of the time) for five years but hadn't been blessed with a baby. I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if he would give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with His word as my guide.

God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son.

The next year God blessed us with another son.

The following year, He blessed us with yet another son.

The year after that we were blessed with a daughter.

My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had four children, and the oldest was only four years old. I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it. As a minister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella."

I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs. I was off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him.

I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks.

I tried to be understanding... when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs.

When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess.

In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children. While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother - I didn't even come close... I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God.

I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too.

Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife."

My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant. My daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man. This was their moment to shine.

My five -year- old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes." But he was nervous and said, "The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes."

My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes."

A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wing.

I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying,"Mama-mama."

Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as the wise men arrived.

My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur."

The congregation dissolved into laughter and the pageant got a standing ovation. "I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," laughed the pastor, wiping tears from his eyes. "For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of gold, common sense and fur."

"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin.

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.

Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher .

Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.

Had no army, yet kings feared Him.

He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

Sealed for all of Time and Eternity

On December 23, 2006, just six weeks after Cameron was born, our family was sealed in the Medford, Oregon LDS Temple for time and eternity. I remember the day like it was yesterday. The spirit Cole and I felt was more than we could have imagined and so hard to explain. I felt comfort in knowing that the "one" I had chosen was going to be mine forever. I also felt comfort in knowing that Cameron (and any other children we may have) will be with us in the eternities, as well.

I was terrified that Cameron was going to cry while in the temple. He didn't, it was as if he could feel the importance of day and the specialness of the temple. Every time we see the temple Cameron says baby, we have told him that he was in the temple with us when he was a baby. It's so sweet to see the recognition come over his face when he see the beauty of the temple.

This day will always be a very special day for me. Cole will never give me a greater gift than the gift he gave me this day two years ago. I am so thankful for the knowledge we have and continue to gain through personal prayer and revelation. I am thankful for the temple and the peace that is felt there. I am thankful for the gospel and the many blessings my family has received through study, prayer, and faith. I look forward to the future knowing that no matter what happens I have a loving Heavenly Father who will always be there for me as long as I let him in.

A Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Either, although I live wrapping presents!!
2. Real tree or Artificial? We have an artificial tree, I would love to have a real one next year...it will depend on where we are though.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving normally, but we all know the reasoning behind why I didn't this year.....
4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Day
5. Do you like Egg Nog? No
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I really like the porcelain dolls my grandma gave me every year.....I also cherish the hope chest my mom and step-dad bought for me
7. Hardest person to buy for? Cole
8. Easiest person to buy for? Cameron
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I love it and wish I could keep it up all year
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither this year :(
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't think of one
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Emily and I were just talking about this. I don't have one....isn't that sad?
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I feel like it. Normally in November, though.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? English Toffee
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, this year we have blue lights.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? probably....
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open one Christmas eve and the rest Christmas day
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? the hustle and bustle of it all
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't have a favorite...this year we went with blue
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? We've always had turkey and all the trimmings
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? That's a hard one....nothing really.....a rice cooker would be nice.

Congratulations, Amanda!

I have two younger sisters. Amanda is 3 years younger than me and Emily is 6 years younger than me. I adore my sisters and am so glad that as we've gotten older we've been able to grow post the sibling rivalry and into friendship. I cherish the relationships I have with my sister. Cameron is lucky to have such amazing aunts.

This last weekend Mike, Amanda's boyfriend of three years proposed to her. She said yes ans is thrilled to be able to settle down with her prince charming. No date is set, yet, but nonetheless she is excited.

Amanda I am thrilled for you. I wish for you a loving and caring marriage with good communication and lots of great memories. I really am happy for you and I hope you know that I love you.

Congratulations, Amanda!

more baking and decorations.....

I spent two half days baking this week. I made English toffee (on the cookie sheets), Pecan Balls (in the orange container) and macaroons (in the blue container) the first day........And 6 dozen press down sugar cookies on the second day.
Central Point had a snow day on Thursday so my little sister Emily came over and helped bake the cookies. As you can see Cameron still loves to help in the kitchen, I hope and pray he never grows out of that! Cole likes to help too, this time he helped eat the dough!

Here are the pictures of our living room all decked out, I did give in and put up my miniature tree. Cole likes it because it doesn't take up too much space and I like it because it was far away from the rat/mouse closet. Please ignore the weights that are sitting on shelf waiting to be picked up on January 1st when I start my biggest loser cardio dvd again.

Cameron loves the Christmas decorations.

There you have it, Christmas in the Henderson household.

Our Mental Illness

Here is some information pertaining to the disorders Cole suffers from:

Bipolar disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Seasonal affective disorder

Cole's bipolar is bipolar 1. With bipolar 1 you cycle more frequently going from very depressed to mania in a matter of minutes several times a year rather than a few times a year with bipolar 2. Adding in the seasonal affective disorder makes matters worse by inducing more depression. the obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD just make the bipolar harder to treat causing increased anxiety and unrealistic doubts and fears.

We are blessed to have found a great psychiatrist. Although finding a treatment has been hard and trying on us all she has been patient with both Cole and I and for that I am thankful. The disorders Cole has are chronic and we will constantly be monitoring his medication and once the right fit is found he will feel better, although he will probably switch medications every couple of years as new medicine is developed and new treatment found.

Please don't think that this is a cry for sympathy, I know that most of you don't know Cole well enough to have known what I have been talking around for the last couple of months. Is it hard to see my husband hurt and sad, yes! Is it trying, yes! Do I want to give up, sometimes! BUT, I knew of Cole's disorders when I married him and I still married him. I have never once regretted that decision. What we have gone through has made me who I am and I know that we will both continue to grow through these trials. Each new medication is a trial; each new episode is a trial. I am more than ever thankful for my wonderful family, both my side and Cole's,for the listening ears they provide for each of us. I am also grateful for my Father in Heaven who also listens, who know what we are going through and who provides comfort and relief when it's needed.

Just Us

I was going to post pictures of our house all dressed up for Christmas. BUT the camera is in the car and we are experiencing freezing temperatures here in good ole' Southern Oregon!
So I guess a family update will have to suffice.

Cole is doing really well. I feel like our prayers have been answered and we are out of our limbo/downhill state. I see an end coming, not for good but at least some relief. For those of you who don't know Cole suffers from Bipolar, Seasonal Affective Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Please see tomorrows post for more information on these mental illnesses. In the meantime, he is doing great (I'm almost scared to say it....we've had a really bad fall/winter and I don't want to jinx it). In fact he's made such a turn around on the new doses of medication that the psychiatrist was thrilled and felt comfortable taking time off for the holidays.He finishes his third term of school last week. This last term was a huge challenge and I am so proud of him for sticking it out and making it through. He is looking forward to a couple of weeks off with Cameron and I.

Cameron has been practicing his new words....ALL THE TIME! It's almost as if he could sense that we were thinking about taking him in....he says baby, apple, ouch, and dog all the time...over and over and over again! He's pretty darn cute and is definantly the joy in my days. He's still obsessed with trains and now he's also obsessed with Santa and anything Christmas for that matter calling it all oho, oho (grandma tried to teach him ho ho ho....he does oho oho oho).

I am chugging along. Some days are easier than others. I am looking forward to January when the holidays are behind us and I can refocus my energy on weight-loss and health! I have taken up cross-stitching, I love it and have some big plans....hopefully I will finish my first big project in the next couple of months!

There you have it another short update on the Henderson's. I had big dreams of sending out Christmas cards but the half finished cards are sitting on my dresser and I have no desire to finish them! Sorry!

an old picture

This picture is my favorite picture of Cameron. It was taken a week after he was born. I found it among some other picture that I was sure were lost, I wanted to share.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

Am I a terrible person if I don't put up a Christmas tree this year?

We keep all of our Christmas decorations in a closet in our garage. Well, this last summer, while I was having a garage sale I discovered a mouse/rat in this closet. I promptly had Cole set out some bait, and he ate it all. Then I had him set out some more bait, that was all eaten, too. Then it started to smell he/she dies somewhere in my garage. I hadn't had the nerve to open the closet door until the day after Thanksgiving, I was going to decorate with the rest of the world. RIGHT! I pulled the door open with all of the courage I would open up which wasn't enough because as soon as I saw the damage the door went flying shut and I was out out of the garage. No, the mouse/rat wasn't dead in front of the door but there were several things destroyed and proof in the form of dropping everywhere!

I was able to put most of our decorations into tubs last year, thank goodness. But the tree didn't fit, go figure, and I am not brave enough to survey the damage.

I think we will be tree-less. I've hung the stockings though, that counts, right?

Loving and Caring for Each Other

I read an amazing talk last Sunday by Richard N. Williams. He spoke at the 2006 BYU Womens Conference. Loving and Caring for Each Other brought much needed insight to me about my marriage. One thing Cole mentions on a semi-regular basis is that I get angry too quickly. This is something that I recognize as a problem and am more than willing to change it, but how?

This talk helped me to understand not only why I should abolish the anger but how to abolish the anger.

My favorite quote from this talk was originally said by President Hinckley:

"Selfishness is a destructive, gnawing, corrosive element in the lives of most of us. It lies at the root of much of the tension between parents and children.

"I am satisfied that a happy marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one’s companion. Selfishness so often is the basis of money problems. . . . Selfishness is at the root of adultery, the breaking of solemn and sacred covenants. . . . Selfishness is the antithesis of love."

I have this tendency to become very selfish when my needs aren't met. The most recent occurrence of my selfish behavior happened one Sunday morning as I was showering before waking Cameron up for church. Cole was having a very hard time and had been the whole weekend. I remember thinking why me? He hasn't helped me with such and such and he didn't do this or he did that. It was that same that the high council speaker spoke on such matters. He reminded me that I should let it go, it doesn't matter what he did or didn't do, if I hold that grudge I am worse than he is for not taking out the trash or for sleeping most of the day.

I am so thankful for personal revelation, I am thankful for those that prayerfully study and prepare talks so that we can learn and better ourselves. I am thankful for such a wonderful husband, even more thankful for the trials we endure together.

Our week in photos!

Cameron and I made some cookies on Saturday. By Sunday afternoon the whole 2 1/2 dozen were gone, and I am proud to say I am not to blame for this! Everyone loved our press-down sugar cookies except for me. For some reason they didn't taste as good as I remember them tasting, thank goodness! Cameron enjoyed pressing the sugar coated glass down on top of the spoonfuls of dough, in this picture he is redistributing the sprinkles.

On Friday we attempted a family photo shoot. This is my favorite pictures, however I can't send it in our Christmas cards because....all of our eyes are closed!!!!! I think this year will be another picture of JUST Cameron.

I set up my beautiful nativity Saturday night. I love love love my nativity and would keep it up all year if Cole would let me! Maybe he will, he seems to like it as much as I do this year. I was concerned about Cameron picking up the pieces and "dropping" them, so far he hasn't bothered them. I have the nativity sitting in our entry way. We did decorate a little more, but we haven't put up our tree yet.

We hope our friends and family are enjoying the holiday season that is upon us. We love you!

The Medford Oregon LDS Temple

Some of you have probably noticed the new picture I have on my side bar.

The picture (for those of you who don't know) is of the Medford, OR Temple. I am blessed to live just seconds from the Temple. Sometimes when we go for an evening drive we drive right by it. Cameron loves to drive by it and is always in awe. Just yesterday, we drove by and parked for a few minutes to admire the beauty. When we came home he saw a picture of the Temple that I took last winter when it snowed. He carried that picture around for several minutes before he noticed another picture of the Temple. It amazes me that at his age he recognizes how special the Temple is. Sometimes I wonder if he remembers being in the Temple with Cole and I when he was only 6 weeks old (that post is coming in just a couple of weeks....).

I just had to share. It's moments like these that I have to take a step back and recollect myself, isn't it funny how our kids do that to us. I am grateful to have such an innocent spirit in our home, grateful for the teaching moments and humbled by the affection.