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.