Check -out Reality Check

Ever have a mini reality check, you know something that makes stop and reflect on your own circumstances....

Holly and I had run to get a few groceries last night. We walked the aisles and quickly grabbed what we needed and headed to the till. As we finished  unloading our items onto the belt, I noticed another mom unloading her groceries behind me.

This mom looked vaguely familiar, I'm sure our kids have attended activities in the community together....I noticed that she was trying to add up her groceries as she placed them on the belt, placing the most essential items first and telling her kids that some things were maybes...

As I gave her a friendly smile, she said "My power's been out since Thursday...they gave me $50 bucks to get just the essentials" "Oh, That's tough " I say.... It was then that I noticed she had a emergency  government voucher in her hand.... "I hope things get better for you quickly" was all I could think to say.....{I wish I had done more}

As I got in the car, I had an instant reality check....
We are blessed and blessings have nothing to do with our bank balance....

{Money has been increasingly tight for us...Now I don't mean digging in the couch cushions or selling one of the rug rats, broke, I just mean we have  had to realign our priorities, cut out my daily spa treatments and fire my personal yoga instructor :).(Now you now why I've let myself go)}

I realized many things in the minutes that followed driving home.....

I am blessed to live in a country that can provide emergency help if I was in dire need

I am blessed to belong to a church that can provide for temporal needs if necessary

But more, I realized....
We are able to provide for the needs for our family....Sometimes re-evaluating our the definition of NEED is necessary.

I am grateful for the principle of tithing....math wise it doesn't always make since, but when we pay our tithing our needs are always met. It honestly never ceases to amaze me. When people ask "how we survive?" I always say, " tithing"

In a relief society lesson a while ago I heard the phrase "Enough is as good as a feast" which continues to stick with me.

When you think you have it rough...somebody is suffering more. The best thing to do when we feel down-trodden is serve others.

The worth of a soul is never quantified by a bank balance or processions, I hope the struggling mom behind me, somehow knows that.

I am grateful for that mini reality check in the grocery store.....especially as we head into Christmas.

Jazz. Hot Chocolate. Friends = AWESOME

Friday night I was sitting with a bunch of friends, in a coffee shop, sipping a fancy hot chocolate and listening to a dear friend sing jazz and Christmas standards with her amazing jazz quartet......yes, I live a blessed and charmed life. Friends. Hot Chocolate. Music. All soothing to my soul.....

We were indoctrinated with Jazz and all things music growing up....every single happy memory I have as a child involved music. Watching my dad direct the marching band at football half time, listening to my mom play hymns as she woke us up on a Sunday morning, listening to my dad captivate an audience of students and peers as he taught the intricate rhythms of jazz percussion, mom taking us to Les Mis for the first time in LA.....I learned early the power of music. The spirit of peace music brings. I learned early to seek good music to calm and sooth and provide clarity.

When Mom could no longer share her gift of Music, I mourned as hands that once glided, could no longer find middle C. And now as my dad who could once read a symphony score in his sleep, struggles to remember my name, what day it is, or his grandchildren I mourn once again....

But their love and legacy of music remain.....

So as I sat among dear friends, sipping hot chocolate, listening to music my parents taught me to love, I felt gratitude, gratitude for dear friends who are family and also happen to be insanely musically inclined and peace, peace that is still possible when you live my crazy life :)

Thanks Swing Set for soothing the soul :)

2010....

Snowballs Chance

So I came across this idea on line for a "snowball fight in a bucket". Every site was sold-out, so I thought I could make that. White felt, large cup to make a circle, black and orange scraps, batting and rice.....

Perfect homemade gift for Dallyn (sorry girls, as I am sure this will be rather annoying :)

So I wasted most of the evening making these (dinner, what dinner). But I think they turned out great for my second sewing project. Happy aiming Dallyn :)

Sewing Insanity

This was delievered to my door about a week ago...Apparently its a sewing machine. My first in my 19 years of marriage. I swore I would never own one, cause that would require me to sew. Something I said I would never do....But I did mention to the Superman several weeks ago that I could make this really cool thing on Pinterest if had a sewing machine....I guess he took that as a dare and surprised me with this as a late birthday, early Christmas present.....

Nothing to fancy, but I was scared to touch it. My past experiences with sewing machines have not ever been positive, my mother usually taking over after I jammed her fancy machine for the tenth time in an hour (no I would never do such a thing on purpose, would I?). So for several days I stared at my machine like a monkey doing a math problem....Then Holly decided to help me....

"You know mom, you could read the instructions" ..."But that's what I had you for"....She had the thing threaded, and running in ten minutes. And in an hour had made a make-up bag, lined and with a ZIPPER.....she actually paid attention in Home Ec....

It will take me months to work up to a zipper.

Today was my first attempt with the machine....

Felt Piggy Banks....

Don't look to close...but it will do for a first attempt

Hey Holly,  maybe I could sew your Grad Dress....what????

Momma-Bird Nest Charm's

So I'm still perfecting these...but I think this is what all the "momma's" in my life are going to get for Christmas......

Bird's nest necklaces.....glass beads and wire and patience....

I love the symbolism behind these....We all have people and children in our lives that we help, love, nourish and protect....Perfect. Gift. for so many people in my life :)

Sweet Serenade

We answered a knock at the door tonight....A family in our ward serenaded our us with

 "Love One Another"

and handed us a cookie puzzle.

We love you guys too!

Sunday: Singing, Santa & Sunsets

Today was our ward's primary presentation. I Know The Scriptures Are True was the theme for 2011. Last week I realized that this would be the last year a Kramer participated in the Primary Presentation....Dallyn moves up to Young Mens soon. He can't wait, I am a little sad to see the primary stage of our life end....

I love our primary, my favourite is the primary songs, the kids sang their hearts out today. Dallyn was also showing off his new church duds and looked so grown-up.

Notice the little owie on Dallyn's cheek....Alex threw a "For The Strength of Youth" book at him...aw my perfect children....I think you missed the point of the book Alex....you might want to read it again, eh?

As soon as the Superman finished at church, he slipped on his Santa suit and headed to the Wal-Mart kids Christmas party....

The kids reactions are always priceless.

The joy this little guy showed as he leaped on Santa lap was contagious and made it all worth it.

No joy.....This kid was forced :)

Tonight's sunset...I heart sunsets!!!!

Today was a beautiful day. :)