The Reason

Christmas is a time of giving,
but in all my running around trying to get things ready to give -
I almost forgot to give some time to remember the reason for it all.

This season is about a baby boy. It really isn't about anything else.
It's about a baby boy that was born in Bethlehem a long long time ago.

Looking at my little Boston, I realize how miraculous it is -
how undeniably wondrous that a tiny baby boy with tiny fingers and tiny toes came to earth and saved us all. It's incredible how difficult that can be to remember in all the hustle bustle of the season.

Somehow it seems that all the things that are being done to celebrate Christmas can also take you away from the real reason.

So I've decided that my little Boston is going to be my reminder. Every time I look at him, I am going to try to remember that the reason I am celebrating - the reason why I am spending so much time trying to make everything special is because a little baby boy came to earth to save me.

Then the Christmas cookies that don't get frosted, the cards that don't get sent out on time, and the gifts that aren't exactly finished yet - don't seem that big of deal. It's nice to do those things, but it's not the most important thing. The most important thing is to remember Him, feel His incredible love in your life, and give that love and message to others. He gave His life for us.

"Late on a sleepy, star-spangled night, those angels peeled back the sky just like you would tear open a sparkling Christmas present. Then, with light and joy pouring out of Heaven like water through a broken dam, they began to shout and sing the message that baby Jesus had been born. The world had a Savior! The angels called it 'Good News,' and it was." -Larry Libby

Tickle Wars & Christmas Jams

It's not really Christmas until you have matching pajamas.

Blog to you soon,

Strength in Three

Three strong little spirits are growing up in my home right now. A lady in the temple mentioned how lucky we were to adopt three so close together. I quickly agreed, although mentally acknowledged the extent of our struggle in bringing them into our home.

I am so thrilled they have each other. It's so easy to see how they need each other. What one child needs the other supplies. They teach each other lessons that can only be taught by a brother or sister.

I think of how my life would be if I didn't have one of my siblings. What a different life I would have led!? Each sister has brought so much intelligence, beauty, talent, example and friendship into my life. No one could have taken their place. I would have been a completely different person without one of them in my life. How lucky we are to have each other!

People are always asking me, "How many kids are you going to have?"

I don't know. I have no idea.

Seven. Three. Four. Eight. Three.

I'll have as many or as a few as we need.
I think God will tell me in my heart when my family

has all it needs to succeed exactly how He plans it.

For now I am seeing the strength in three... and it's pretty incredible.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

Cookies with my Church Girls!

During this busy time of year, I think every woman needs to make time for girlfriends.

I held a Christmas Cookies with the Chicas event last night. I invited friends from church and we just sat, talked, and ate homemade cookies! Only four ladies were able to attend due to the craziness of the season, but it was almost better that way because I was able to take the time and really chat with my ladies. Most of the ladies in my ward I don't do know as well as I would like. Last night gave me the opportunity. It was a lovely evening getting to know some of my church friends a little better! I only wish it could have lasted longer!

I gave these above little pint sized cookie jars as favors. I thought they turned out cute. I posted the "how to" and a free printable of the tag on NFF if you want an easy gift!

Remember to make some girl-time!

The Lewis Annual Santa's Breakfast Recap

We hosted our annual Santa’s Breakfast this past Saturday!
22 adults
Millions of children
60 pancakes
60 doughnuts
16 servings of Mexican Quiche
24 servings of Chile Cheese Souffle
32 servings of Breakfast Pudding
24 Yogurt Parfaits
And 1 Jolly Old Saint Nic

I couldn't get photographs of all the children! But here are the few I was able to catch!

My Favorite Christmas Ad

This is my favorite Christmas ad. Period.

I am in love with this man and I haven't ever seen his face.

I have seen it in multiple fashion magazines this season and I just sit and stare at it hoping the woman on the other side of the door is as thrilled as I am.

Lady behind the door say YES!

Loving the idea of a romantic Christmas,

Snow Day!

To Ethan's delight, it snowed this past week!

He woke up saying, "It's snowing, Mommy! It's snowing. It's beautiful!"

He couldn't have been more thrilled!
He woke Vienna up and ran outside as soon as I would let him!

He played until his little feet were soaking wet!
We laughed and laughed outside together. I only wish there had been enough white to make a snowman. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Miss Vienna on the other hand...
enjoyed getting dressed up - specifically taking her gloves on and off repeatedly.
(She eventually went to bed in them.)
Yet, refused to go outside in the cold until it was bit warmer. She is quite the adventurer and quite fearless, but the cold stopped her right in her tracks.

What can I say?

She's her mother's daughter.

The quickly-ski-two-black-diamonds-and-then-fly-right-into-the-lodge-for-hot-cocoa type.
And who would want to get those boots wet anyway? :)

Boston supervised from "the lodge" in his walker.
When I take him outside in the cold, his little eyes get real big and he gets this happy surprised expression that seems to say, "Whoa. I can't believe I'm doing this."
Love these three.

Blog to you soon,

A Special Wildlife Channel Christmas Tree Edition

Beautiful little birds sitting on a Christmas Tree.

Expecting nothing.

Completely unaware of their vulnerability.

Ignorance is bliss.
Little do they know (nor the woman who placed them on the tree)

what predators are lying in wait.

And then the toy dinosaur strikes.

And strikes again. And again.

There is little struggle. Just the remains of ignorance.

Blog to you soon,

SLC, Thanksgiving, Christmas Trees, and Family Photos

I generally don't consider my blog a journal. I think of it more as a place where I tell jokes only I find humorous as well as brag to the world about how fabulous my children are unabashedly. I also like to include tidbits of politics I think people will find helpful, as well as the occasional inspirational thought. (I do feel we have a responsibility to uplift each other in this sometimes dreary world.) Yet, in the spirit of giving and more importantly the ridiculous amount of photos I have taken, I thought I would give you the rundown of all that has been going on here the past few weeks...

First, as earlier discussed, we flew to Utah to seal and bless our dear Boston.

It went great. More details may or may not follow.
Yet in my haste to make the travel plans, I'd forgotten to figure in the never-ending power of Nana Pinky (aka "Sandra Anderson Living") and the trouble she can cause me as a mother.
Now the kiddos want pancakes that look like this every morning...
Can you blame them?
Who would want whole wheat 7 grain toast anymore when you have tasted the goodness of chocolate chip teddy bear pancakes with a side of Trix? Honestly, I want some too.
And no, Vienna is not an alien. Her hair routine includes night caps to keep her hair hydrated and untangled. I opted for her to continue wearing it at breakfast time due to the high probability of syrup ending up in her hair. Luckily, she LOVES hats and insists on putting it on prior to going to bed. There have been many a night where she has refused to go to bed until we found her hat - a small price for her beauty and my beauty sleep.

Prior to leaving to SLC, I hosted our annual Harvest Soup Party with some dear friends...
It was so lovely. I can think of nothing better than inviting friends over to bring food for you. Can't wait for next year.

In Utah, we had two fabulous and early Thanksgiving dinners. One hosted by Annie & Sandra Anderson Living and another by Granny Lewis. They were both just spectacular. It was such good food and even better company.

Since we already had all our home favorites, I felt no need to slave over my own Thanksgiving on the actual holiday. Not that I would know anything about it, but Boston Market has a decent Thanksgiving menu for only 17 dollars.We decorated for Christmas on Thanksgiving. I would love to tell you, it's because I was naturally filled with the Christmas spirit and just couldn't wait, but that would be a lie. In reality, the cleaning ladies were coming the next day and the thought of having to sweep up all the enormous amounts of tiny dot glitter on the floor like I did last year filled me with such Christmas gusto that nothing could have stopped that 12 foot tree from going up.

And so it was done.
Putting up Christmas, basically consisted of Vienna destroying every box or ornament she came in contact with while Ethan drank unmentionable amounts of hot chocolate - in between box sleigh rides by Daddy of course. Even Boston had a turn.

I will post photos of the tree soon. My main tree is still not quite finished, but I'm excited about it. Last year, I hated my tree. This year I went with a Gift of the Magi meets Peacocks theme and I'm in love. Don't worry, I know how ugly that sounds.

Prior to the Christmas decorating festivities that morning, I tried to get a Christmas card family photo done in the bathroom using the mirror. The reason that sentence sounds ridiculous is because it is. Due the pending and then failed adoption, I didn't book a photographer for our family Christmas card photo. So I thought we could do it ourselves in the kids bathroom. I know - why not just learn how to use the camera self-timer? Below are the results.

I don't know if there will be a family photo in the card this year.

Consider our Christmas card photo officially pending. That's all I have time for right now, my babies are awake!

Blog to you soon,

Together Forever

Families can be together forever.

We flew to Salt Lake this past weekend to seal and bless our little Boston to our family. Our religion believes families are eternal and do not end after death. You are together forever throughout the eternities. This doctrine gives me more peace than you would know. It helps me to know that no matter what happens in this life - no matter what trial or heartache we encounter as a family - the storybook ending will be beautiful. We will all end up together in heaven holding hands as a family as long as I do what is right.

It was a gorgeous day. Boston stared up at us with his big eyes as we placed his tiny hand in ours and sealed him to us forever. Ethan & Vienna were adorable in the sealing room. It wasn't too long ago that we were there kneeling across the alter sealing them to our little family. I think Ethan remembered. After the short ceremony, we held Ethan, Vienna, and Boston in our arms and stared in the parallel reflecting mirrors in the temple. They seem to go on for eternity. Standing there, surrounded by those we hold dear, we felt so much love for our Heavenly Father and His never ending love for us. It was a sacred and beautiful day. I am a lucky lady. Afterwards, we went outside and my sister Annie took photographs of us on the temple grounds. I didn't even notice the cold because we were having so much fun! I will post more about the trip soon!

Blog to you soon,

Twelve Gifts of SLC Travel

On our Twelfth hundred trip to Utah,

my True love packed for me...

Twelve dozen wet wipes,
Eleven Nemo fruit snacks,

Ten Elmo Movies,

Nine ounces of Bendaryl,

Eight new iphone games,

Seven extra diapers,

Six packs of crayons,

Five doses of ibuprofen,

Four baby bottles,

Three strollers,

Two curious toddlers,

And a Graco carrier with a baby!

B is for Boston

Lee's Ojito Update

We received great news from Lee's doctors recently. They are taking Lee down to only a couple eye medications two times a day! This is a long way from where we were in June and July and August...and well, September too. :) His blindness in the eye can only be fixed with a cornea transplant, but his pain is basically all but gone and the eye is getting closer and closer to being suitable for transplant. If the parasite does not return within the month than they are taking Lee off all medications. He will have to go two to three months without any sign of recurrences medication-free and then they will begin the steps for him to receive a cornea transplant next year! This is much much sooner than expected. We are quite happy. Just thought I'd spread the good news on the blog since most recently my phone is more likely to be in a toybox somewhere than anywhere I would have put it.