Raylee's Preschool Christmas Program

Last night Raylee girl performed in her preschool Christmas program. She has been singing up a storm in our house, which has included lots of Christmas songs and Happy Birthday to Jesus. Yesterday, while, having lunch she told me that baby Jesus was born in a manger and his mommy, Mary, rode on a donkey. I just love that her school teaches her such wonderful gospel teachings on top of the academic learning. In fact, the past couple of months she has been reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, Pledge to the Christian flag ("I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands; one brotherhood uniting Christians everywhere in service and love") and the Pledge to the Bible ("I pledge to the Bible, God's Holy word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God."). She says them word for word and in her cute little New Jersey accent voice. It makes me laugh every time I hear her recite these pledges, but I am so proud of her hard work at school and her love for learning. She was such a star during the Christmas program...so cute singing loud and with all the fun actions to go with it.

After the program, they served all the families dinner and then Santa Clause came. It was such a fun night and a great way to start our Christmas week.

Payson Happenings

A couple weeks ago I got called to be the Relief Society Activity coordinator (aka person in charge of enrichment nights) in my ward. Not only was I new to this calling and a little overwhelmed, but then told I had about 3 weeks to pull-off the annual Christmas party. Holy moly I was not cut out for this and starting to feel the stress and pressure. I don't know a ton of people in my ward...well not names anyway so I was a little out of my comfort zone as I started making calls to see who would be willing to help with food, decorations, musical numbers, the program, etc. This is why I love my church though...every single person I talked to was not only willing but happily willing to help. I also feel so thankful to have made some awesome friends here in Payson who I quickly put to work. Seriously, they rocked when it came to the decor...the ultimate party planners...lucky me:)

I really wanted the focus of our Christmas program to be about how special women are...especially to our Savior, Jesus Christ. I think we often feel like we are ordinary women doing ordinary things everyday...especially in the world's view. However, God and Jesus Christ see us as extraordinary women doing extraordinary things and I wanted each woman to know just how special they are. So, as I racked my brain and the internet for ideas for a program that fit with what i kept feeling needed to be the focus I came across this program titled, "The Women Who Knew Jesus". It could not have been more perfect. It was simple but spiritual and uplifting. The program depicted six different women from Jesus' time that knew him personally or indirectly, but had all been affected by his birth. The women included Elizabeth-mother of John, the mother of Joseph, the mother of Mary, the wife of a shepherd, the wife of the innkeeper and Mary. I was able to find women in the ward who were willing to read their written part and dress-up like the women in Jesus' time...they all did such a fantastic job. We had a special musical number in between each woman's part and I could not have been more happy with how it turned out.

Since the program was centered during Jesus' birth I wanted our dinner to be similar food as what they might have eaten back then...with a little modern twist. We had hummus and pita bread/chips, mixed nuts, couscous, chicken salad with grapes, greek style salad, fruit and dip and thanks to my amazing mother-in-law some amazing desserts. To be honest, I was a little nervous about how the food would be, but it was seriously so delish and everyone that volunteered to bring stuff did...thank goodness because we had quite a bit more women come than was expected.

Seriously the program would not have been what it was without the amazing decor...it set the mood and tone for the night. The pics, my camera and lack of photography skills do not give it justice. We used different nativity set as the centerpieces for each table. We had lights and trees throughout the cultural hall to make it feel rustic, but elegant. Thanks to my awesome husband, dad, father-in-law and the young men in our ward we were able to borrow and set-up this massive house-like nativity scene as our backdrop for the women speaking...to say it was amazing is a big understatement. The night went so well and I have had such sweet and sincere compliments. There is no way I take credit for all that was done. So many helping hands, which included my parents and in-laws, made it happen. I have never felt so loved and supported as I did that night and I feel so very blessed to have such amazing family and friends. They are the reason my life is happy:)

I can honestly say, now that the party is over, that I feel very lucky to have this calling. It has really challenged me in a way I am not used to, it has given. me a new appreciation and love for my ward and for all those that make ward activities wonderful. It has shown me how much my family cares for me and are willing to be a support no matter what it takes to get them there. I have found and gained new friendships that have made my transition here in Payson much much easier. For all of these reasons and many more I am thankful:)

I guess I should also mention that Brett got called to be the Young Men's President...back to the calling he loves and lives for. These Payson boys have a lot to learn from a man that has so much good to teach them.

Even though our weeks seem crazy and hectic we still manage to find the time to enjoy our downright chilly weather...even if it is just jumping on the trampoline in the freezing snow.

Anniversary Getaway

This past weekend, Brett and I finally got to celebrate our anniversary that was back in the beginning of November. A couple of months ago LivingSocial had a deal for a two night stay at the School House Inn Bed and Breakfast down in Bisbee, AZ. I normally wouldn't have thought twice about it, but I had a couple of friends actually stay at the inn and thought the whole southern AZ experience was kind of fun...and right up Brett's alley. So, I booked it but, with all the crazy stuff we had going on in November, Brett and I couldn't get away until this first weekend in December. I was kind of bummed to check the weather reports earlier in the week to find out it was supposed to be raining and super cold the whole weekend down there...oh well, now that we live in Payson a little cold weather wasn't going to stop us.

We dropped the kids off with the Flaherty's and headed to Benson, AZ Friday afternoon. We stopped at Kartchner Caverns (which both Brett and I have never seen) and took the Big Room tour. It was pretty crazy down there and a whole lot warmer than outside...about 75* with 99% humidity in the cave. After our tour we headed to Bisbee for the night. The School House Inn was actually an old school house and we got to stay in the "Writing Room". It was totally decked out in old vintage school house decor.

The next morning we had reservations for the Queen Mine's Tour, which is a train ride into one of Bisbee's oldest coal mines. It was so cold that day, especially in the coal mine, but thankfully no rain or snow. We then drove to Tombstone, AZ...aka the town too tough to die. People are all decked out in old vintage western wear and have shootouts and everything. It was definitely a sight to see. That night we headed into Sierra Vista for a little shopping where Brett picked up his Christmas present...a pair of cowboy boots. Yep my hubby has gone hick all the way...this trip was totally planned with him in mind.

Sunday we decided to take our time and do a little more sight-seeing, so we drove down to Douglas, AZ which is right on the border of Mexico...not much to see, but now we can say we have been there. We then made our way back to Mesa to pick up the kids and back up to Payson. It was certainly an interesting trip and one I can now check off my list of places to see. It was kind of fun to learn about AZ history and visit towns I have never been to before. The best part was just getting a couple of relaxing days away with Brett...no kids, no work, no stress...just the two of us hanging out...it was refreshing.