Easter

Our Easter was memorable- We did the things we normally do to celebrate Easter, and added some new things. Some things went just fine, and others didn't go so well.

This (and the following instructions on her blog) is what one of our added things was supposed to look like. But instead it grew mold. I didn't even bother with the pictures of that.

I tested gravity to make sure all laws still applied.


They do.

This is a resurrection cookie that we make every year. I had a hard time finding the recipe. So I got off to a rough start. I added everything in the wrong order- and started mixing at the wrong time. But after the kids went up stairs I did a quick re-do of the dough and we put them in the oven overnight just like we were supposed to.

The idea is that in the morning when you open the oven, the tomb- the cookies are supposed to be hollow, empty inside. But not this year!

So after that- we all just laughed and finished our Easter prep ... our family was speaking and doing some of the music in Sacrament meeting. I don't think I have ever been so thankful for late 2:00 church. We enjoyed a simple Easter brunch with my Mom and then finished our preparations.

Savanna sang All Creatures of Our God and King and it was beautiful. I don't say that just because I am her mother. It really was beautiful. I just sat and took it all in- afraid to blink or shed a tear for fear I would miss a note.

Jack gave a most heartfelt talk and testimony about Christ. I love that he took it so seriously and had it prepared a head of time. I am thankful for his devotion.

Luke played his own version of As I have loved You on the piano. He sat down that week and taught himself by ear chords to go along with the melody in his mind. I am thankful he agreed to play and when it was time he willingly got up and played.

And Tucker helped by being semi-reverent. He sat part of the time down in the pews with my Mom, and part of the time with us up on the stand.


I cried through most of my talk- and Jay spoke with ease. We all felt relieved to have it over, but also very thankful to have been able to speak on Easter. We were asked a few weeks ago, and it gave us ample time to ponder what we felt like we needed to study and speak about.

We subbed out a traditional Easter dinner for simple appetizers. It was a great end to a beautiful day.

Retro- Thanksgiving

Wishing you a most wonderful holiday! In honor of today's celebration I give you a vintage post from here.

15 years

Jay,

There is nobody else I would rather share a spoon and a pint of ice cream with.
A toast: To many more years of sharing this.

Truly yours,
Alisa

All we need is love

I am helping all of the kids at church sing Love One Another, today as well as I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus.

I love both of these songs- they touch my heart. We are doing simple sign language with each song. I think about the words a little differently, "be gentle and loving" in "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus" because of the simple signs that were taught.

I wish you a happy valentines day- a day for love-

SPT- my new pearls

Me and Luke- (with a blue mustache!)
Me wearing my Christmas necklace made by Luke.

I was making some things for Christmas and I had all of my white buttons spread out on our studio table. There are all kinds of buttons in all shades of white. Pearly, creamy, off white, bright white, teddy bears etc. Most of them came from both of my Grandmothers and some of my Mom's. I came in later to clean up and thought to myself- "wow- I sure did use up a lot of buttons today." It was also pretty late so I did not put much thought into it. I just scooped up what was left and put them back in my button jar.

Christmas morning there was an extra package under the tree for me. From Luke.
I was so surprised to pull out a beautiful "pearl" necklace.

So that was where all the buttons had gone.

I think that this may be one of my favorite presents I have ever received. I love it. And not just in the way a parent is supposed to love a present their child made. I really do love it. I love the length. I love that it's on an elastic cord. I love the order the buttons were strung on. I love that it is so "multi-generational." Both of my Grandmothers buttons, some of my mom's made by my son. I don't think I could have designed or asked him to make me something that I would have liked better.

I think the other thing that I loved, was that it was totally unexpected. I usually don't like surprises. The anticipation leading up to opening something does me in. I don't love looking at an unopened gift. It doesn't thrill me to wonder and dream about what might be inside. But when something is totally a surprise and unexpected- that is a thrill.
Luke had already put a present under the tree. Something he had made at school. So this extra present really did surprise me.
I think I can learn to like surprises.

caroling date

I was thinking back on this night and how excited Tucker was to go out with me. I was invited to go caroling to an assisted living center over the holidays. I told Tucker he could be my date, and go sing with me. But then we ended up going through dinner and our evening routine and getting him ready for bed. When it was time to go, Jack and Savanna were tired, Jay still was not feeling well, so I figured I would be going by myself.

Not so. He remembered. We hurriedly got him dressed and off we went to go caroling. He loved it. He danced and ran and visited with all the residents of the care center. He rode on their scooters and tried to sing the carols.



The two memories of this night that I will carry with me:
Tucker's complete and total excitement to go with me and the grin from ear to ear.
The residents (and Tucker) shaking their keys for bells when we sang "Jingle Bells."

Red Envelope 1-23

Last year we started a new thing for our family. Every day through December we open a red envelope. Inside is something for our family to do to prepare and enjoy the season. Some things are big, some are little. Some days we go somewhere other times we stay at home.

This year so far: (and I will update this list through out the month) Some of these may end up having their own post, and some might not.

Day 1- Go to the lego store and make Holiday Lego wreaths
Day 2-Light new Christmas Candles and read two stories from Julie's blog of her Christmas devotional
Day 3- Go listen to Christmas Choir Music (Savanna's show choir)
Day 4- Go take photos with Santa and cousins
Day 5- Go to the Creche Exhibit (Nativity exhibit at church)
Day 6- Have rootbeer floats and watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional
Day 7- Yell up the chimney to Santa
Day 8- Put out more Christmas decorations, set up Christmas tree and eat Christmas Candy
Day 9- Read a christmas book by candlelight and tree lights
Day 10- Get out Christmas dishes
Day 11- Drink hot cocoa during morning devotional, Eat Christmas lunch at school instead of packing one from home
Day 12- Watch a holiday movie + Santa Jammies Surprise!
Day 13- Go look at Christmas lights (Chesapeake and Nichols Hills) It will take us more than one night to go look at lights!
Day 14- wave to Santa at the mall and add any other wishes!
Day 15- Write Christmas Cards to Teachers.
Day 16- Receive ornaments for everyone's trees
Day 17- Go watch the Nutcracker at school-
Day 18- Add ornaments to the big tree (pics tomorrow)
Day 19- Accidental red envelope- We were going to make cinnamon ornaments from Julies blog, for our families little tree, but I did not have any applesauce- (we will do it next week) So we ended up watching the Polar Express (twice!) and Jack and Savanna go to share holiday fun with their friends! (once again, friends save the day!)
Day 20-Enjoy the last Sabbath before Christmas! Plan out lists for siblings of things we need to acquire to make/finish gifts. And this.
Day 21- Our Caroling Party!
Day 22- Go to Barnes and Noble (just like then)
Day 23- Work on sibling gifts

Red Envelope # 12 +extra!

Today's Red envelope was watching a Holiday movie together. Plus we had a "surprise" visit from one of Santa's helpers. Savanna looked outside and saw that there were pj's on the porch!


What a surprise!! The kids kept asking and wondering when the "santa jammies"would get dropped off. And it finally happened tonight! Perfect timing for watching a movie together dontcha think?



When we lived in Oregon, Santa started delivering jammies to us on Christmas Eve- they would magically appear out of nowhere, just in time to get ready for bed... I think it must have been from hanging around our friends the Barnetts so much. They always got "Santa jammies" delivered on Christmas Eve, and Santa must have figured we were part of their family so why not go ahead and keep the tradition going with the Spear family. After we moved to Oklahoma, Santa continued to drop off jammies on Christmas Eve. But a strange thing happened when we moved to the house we are in now. The jammies came early. As early as Thanksgiving weekend some years. I think that Santa new how much this mommy doesn't like waiting for surprises. Plus isn't it more fun to get to see the kids all tubbed and scrubbed and snugged in their cute jammies throughout all the holidays?! I think so.

Red Envelope- December 7th

Yelling up the chimney to Santa.

I have fond memories of making a Christmas wish list and then yelling up the chimney my list with my brother and sisters.
The idea is that the smoke from the fire carries your wishes all the way to the North Pole.

It was fun to watch Tucker tonight. He was not sure at first. I called out, youngest to oldest, Tucker you go first. He walked to the fireplace then quickly walked away and said "no." We asked if Luke should go first and show him what to do. He quickly agreed that would be good.
So Luke went first.

He was quick. Only one wish- Lego Indian Jones

After watching Luke- Tucker was confident.



He yelled up- "all Thomas the train things" then yelled up his name. It was the best he has prounced his name yet. It did not sound the least bit like lo mein or domain, because he did not say his first and middle name. Just his first and last. It sounded kind of like "ta-beer."

Then there is Jack- he felt like he was a pro and started rattling off his wish list.



Legos star wars Indiana Jones, or pretty much any other type that "would suit me best." "Especially any that would be hard for me to save up for."

Then Savanna went ahead ... you know you have to let your wishes be known.

Who would say no to letting Santa know what you want? Pretty normal 12 year old stuff was on her list.

It is always fun to hear what the kids want. It is fun to hear if it differs from what they told the mall Santa the week before. Its even way more fun to compare these two list ideas to the several more that will change day after day over the next few weeks up until the night before Christmas. It sure keeps that Santa on his toes!

Red Envelope- December 6th

Tonight we watched and listened to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. The music was fantastic. I absolutely love when the Motab sings with the orchestra.



It captivates all of us- even the most jittery of our bunch.


When the music was being performed and we were listening or singing along, that was the only time I could hear what was going on. I am sure the the words spoken were inspiring- but the music is what I was able to hear. Just beautiful. Another wondrous way to start off the Christmas season.

It's Christmas-

Yesterday was our Church nativity exhibit. Once again- I failed to invite others. I was so caught up in my own families events and comings and goings that I did not ask anyone else to come. I felt a little like I did after hearing The Mormon Tabernacle Choir- and wished that I would have invited every single person I know. (so be warned- next year- everyone I know will get a personal invite!)


I love attending this. It helps me to receive the Christmas spirit. It keeps me focused in the right direction. I love seeing my kids enjoy it.



I loved Tucker's enthusiasm about every nativity. I loved how he "got" what it was all about. We started watching a short video of the Nativity and Tucker exclaimed "It's baby Jesus! Not baby Moses, but baby Jesus Christ!"



I loved how enthusiastic Luke and Savanna were to find our Nativity's and how excited they were when they were found.


I love how excited Luke was to help clean up once the Nativity exhibit was over. I love how he begged to stay to help. I am thankful for Julie letting him stay with her and teaching him lessons about service. I love that she encouraged his desire to help.


I love Tucker's and Luke's excitement of having our nativity's home. I love how the boys got theirs all set up before bed last night. I love that they started playing with them this morning.


I love how after watching the 4 short movies about Christmas that our kids are putting on their own "Nativity." With each one playing their own specific part full of their on theatrics and drama. I sincerely hope that the arguing that takes place between the four of them will not totally diminish the spirit or their intent.

our day thus far in photos- the big picture

Our Easter Weekend

Very long post- lots of photos- I guess you could call this a Grandparent post- something that family would want to see, but maybe not others...

*crazy maniac shopping for shoes for everyday wear not just for Easter Sunday-(but finding sunday shoes would have been nice too)

*easter egg run- (you know, kind of like the land run, except you grab eggs instead of land-and it seems to be just as competitive)

kids with their registration bracelets for the "egg run"

* helicopter dropping eggs from the sky and how wind whipped we were and how Tucker was so afraid.




*How some of our kids did not get any eggs because there were just so many kids and their parents (it probably did not help that most kids are more aggressive than ours)




*How Tucker describes the helicopter and the eggs

*A great friend dropping off a darling gift for one of the kids baskets- just in the nick of time!

*Saturday last minute fast shopping for things for the baskets (it was the only alone moment that I had to do it!)

*Pizza dinner with friends and getting home late

*staying up with the kids to make easter cookies

*staying up later to find pants, shirts, skirts from neglected laundry piles and ironing them

*staying up way later and preparing surprises for after church then having fun creative time after all the work was done

*creating things while listening to the house shaking thunder

*going to bed just as Jay was getting up to finish preparing for his speaking assignment

*waking up and enjoying our morning all together as a family

*opening the oven to find the Easter cookies


*breakfast by candlelight

See the Easter cookies on the plates?
(I was surprised with all the storms and humidity that they turned out so well and did not fall- they really did turn out hollow!)

*not worrying about taking any photos before church


*attending church with Jay to the Ward that he was speaking in and how totally quiet it was-(it was a student ward- no other kids there but ours) and having church in the cafeteria

*thoroughly enjoying watching Tucker sit up on the stand with Jay and only having to manage Luke sitting next to me (Savanna and Jack sitting just fine as usual)




*hearing Tucker sweetly say Amen, then again in a growling voice

*listening to a wonderful talk about what we give our time to, and relating it to Easter-and Christ and his Atonement

*getting to hear Jay's testimony about Resurrection and the assurance that we will all live together after this earthly life


*coming home and checking to see if the Easter bunny had been here
(Our first year to do this - I love, love love, having the Easter bunny come after church! So thankful someone shared this tradition with me!)

*circling the block one more time- silly us, left the doors locked, so we had to unlock the back door and leave a carrot for the bunny

*Luke running in to check and yelling that yes indeed the bunny had been to our house

*Luke finding half eaten carrots by the back door

*Everyone being excited about their baskets



*Tucker getting so excited to see what all this was about- and running around the room to check out what was in everyone's basket









*Tucker getting one piece of candy in each egg- he loved the jelly beans!





*long naps for the youngest and oldest kids

*Jack realizing that he had "Peanut Butter Jelly and a Baseball bat"- (Reeses egg, jelly beans, and the bat)
*candlelight dinner

*followed by me dropping the camera in the sink

* followed by a fire during candlight dinner from a linen napkin being discarded onto a candle-

*Jay fixes camera so I can take photos of Luke sneaking into photos of me and my mom

*photos of me and my mom with my arm trying to keep Luke out of the photo



*end of the day snuggles with the youngest one and a long sleep