Well I finally did it. I have been making Jewelry for a couple of years. Mostly just for fun or for gifts. But now I have created a blog where people can go and see what I have made and if they like what they see they can order it in pretty much any color they like. Check it out. www.kristas-kreations.blogspot.com

I am Woman...Hear Me Roar!
As a young girl you might have looked at me as a tom boy. I was always playing sports and trying to keep up with them. I was never the prissy type. Well as a teenager I still was always wanting to do what the boys were able to do. Scouts always did way more adventurous stuff then us girls and I was always asking our high school coach if I could play football. Alas, my ambitions were never taken seriously.

Today I proved that I, a WOMAN, can do anything a man can do ( and better I might add). I noticed a van stuck coming out of an icy alley way today. It was a middle aged woman driving with her 8 year old daughter in the back. I went over to see if I might be able to help. The wheels were stuck in really deep icy holes which were only made worse every time she decided to lay on the gas. I told her to not press the gas until I got the van rocking and then she could press the gas slowly. It took a few tries, but I was able to push that van out of the alley. Me....alone....with my woman muscles. Amazed? I am since it took a MAN and myself to push my van out of the same situation only 2 days before.

Just had to brag ;)

Twas the Night Before Christmas....

and there was a knock at the door. It was a delivery van from my Anthony's work. The delivery guys said that Santa had called Anthony and asked if he would deliver a surprise to Sydney and Haylie. You see, it was too big to fit in Santa's sleigh. This is what Santa got for the girls this year. They will be keeping this until they go to college, cuz I am never putting up another one! ( or paying for another one!!!!!)

I have a feeling our house is going to become sleepover central!

Christmas Spirit.
Most years I feel a bit out of Christmas spirit due to not having my family around. I usually try to keep busy making someone's Christmas cheery. Well as our little family began this Christmas season, Sydney asked me a simple but profound question. " What is the Christmas spirit and how do we know when we are feeling it?"

I tried to give her examples and explain that it is not just the feeling we have at Christmas time, but rather the feeling we should have all year when we give service to others. She seemed content with the answer.

Today as we were at Walmart picking up some last minute groceries for Christmas dinner, we saw the salvation army " Bell Ringer" at the door. He was an older gentleman. He had a less than perfect winter coat on and a pair of gloves and a stocking hat....you know, the stretchy kind. Keep in mind, it was only a positive 2 degrees out.....very cold and windy. Sydney and Haylie looked at the man and then looked at me. We all had the same thought . Haylie said that the poor old man didn't look very warm. With that we went straight to the glove and hat section where we picked out a warm scarf to give him. It was not much, but it would at least cover his face when that frigged air blows at him.

As we left the store, we put a few coins into his collection basket and then pulled out the scarf and presented it to him. He looked confused for a moment. Then I told him that the girls wanted to get it for him to help block the wind. He thanked us and wished us the warmest Merry Christmas we have ever heard. Waking back to the car was not as cold as when we came in and Sydney turned to me and said, " mommy....I feel it. I feel the Christmas spirit. I felt it when we first saw the man. I knew I wanted to help him." I told her that we need to feel that all year round....That desire to help others. And then in return we feel the Saviors love.

What a wonderful Christmas lesson we have learned this year.

Snow Fun

It was finally warm enough today ( 19 degrees) to let the kids out to play in the freshly fallen snow. Even Tui was willing to let me bundle him up to let him out. The kids made snow angles and went sledding down the hill in our back yard. I remember being that age and not minding the cold....but after a few pictures, I headed back inside for some hot cocoa. The kids played and played until their scarves and hats and gloves were completely covered and frozen.

Kissing Friends

As part time work, I babysit a few of my friends kids. One of these children is a girl about the same age as my son, Tui. She is a cute little girl with curly hair and long eyelashes. When we go to the store together, people ask me if they are twins or say " what cute twins". I have gotten tired of explaining that she is not that I now say yes or " thanks" to the compliment. What I find absolutely adorable is how well these two get along. They sing together...they dance together. Sometimes they just make noises at each other until they are both laughing uncontrollably. They have also began kissing each other. Mostly when they are apologizing for something or when one of them is sad about something. It is so adorable!

No Way , No How!
I am very pleased to hear that there are a bunch of people and organizations that are backing up the Mormons and the others who fought to defend traditional Family values in California. There was an article in the New York Times that spoke out against the threatening nature and actions of those in California who are targeting Mormons. I am grateful to those who are not of our faith, who are still willing to stand with us of similar beliefs, to preserve the Family and to stand against those who would morally corrupt this nation.

I took this link off another friends web site. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-12-07-iowagaymarriage_N.htm . I think that it is a warning that we are not out of the woods. We, here in Iowa, will need to fight just as those in California did. Heck....if they can do it in a state that is so filled with " worldly" ideals, then why can't we, here in the quiet Midwest, put up the same fight. I have never had to write letters to legislators or to our state representatives, but I have a feeling I am going to have to start doing it. Petitions people.....we, as " the people" can not vote on issues until they have been voted on by legislature, but that doesn't mean we can not take a stand now. Change legislatures mind before they have a chance to think twice about it. If they know they are going to face opposition from the voters, then they will be less likely to even discuss changing laws and amendments. Am I wrong?

Has anyone done this before? Written letters to government officials? Started petitions? Anyone know where to start?

Story Time.

Well, I have been in my new calling for 3 months and so far I am loving it. Not that I didn't love being Primary President. My heart will always be in primary. But now as Enrichment Leader, I have the opportunity to get to know and serve my fellow sisters. I have a wonderful committee that has helped me transition from primary to Relief Society.

This months activity was a Christmas story time and sing along. We would read a story and then sing a Christmas carol....then another story....song....story, etc. I read one that was entitled " the Twelve Days of Christmas". It was not the traditional 12 days story...it is hilarious. Let me know if you would like a copy. Then a couple of other sisters read a story as well. Each was heart warming and a quiet reminder to our souls of how we should be feeling....not only at this time of year, but all year round.

Then we made neat little cards. Amy( our R.S. pres.) found a book that showed you all kids of patterns to make with ink and your fingers. It was fun to see how many things you can make with just your fingerprint.

Thank you to everyone who came and made it a special evening!

Oh Christmas Tree...

As I was preparing for this Christmas season, I had mentioned to Anthony that I would like to have a big tree all decorated in co-ordinating colors. Like all blue and white, or red and golds. I wanted to have a classy Christmas. But alas, I was convinced otherwise. We stuck with the old 7-footer and all the ornaments we have collected over the years. The kids picked out their traditional new ornament from the store to put on the tree which fit right in with the other mish-moshy ornaments we own.

Then as I was watching and helping the kids decorate, my mood had changed. I realized that I don't need to look or feel classy. All I needed was right there in our small living room. My husband and my three children....singing Christmas songs and smiling and helping one another to bring joy into our home. I am truly grateful for the wake-up call! Christmas is not about how it looks...but rather how it feels.

Here is my favorite part of the whole night. Tui has only heard " Jingle Bells" twice and has already been singing it all over the house. Sorry the lighting is bad.