What has kept me up at night

I'm not sure what it is, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS. A couple of months ago I got called to be the Primary Chorister in our ward(my FAVORITE calling). I knew that the Primary was in charge of an evening for a Nativity, so immediately I started planning. I started out just putting the program together, and I think I really started to make the Primary President nervous, because I tend to go ALL OUT!:)

So for the last week this has been on my mind constantly, and for the last three nights, I have gotten 4 to 5 hours a night of sleep. I have been up making signs and a folder for myself, thinking and thinking again of whatever would help this go smoothly. It was set up as a medley, so there was really no stopping, we went from one song to another, and the kids had to be ready for their part.

Of course if anyone has heard Payton sing, I had to have him sing a solo. He sang the first verse of, "When Joseph went to Bethlehem", and the Shepherds sang the 2nd, and he sang the third. Well when it came to his part, he had to get to the microphone that was on the stage, and Joanne (our pianist) played the introduction, and then started playing the song, well I don't think she noticed Payton didn't start with her, but he jumped right in and sung, 'When Joseph' real fast to catch up. I was so proud, he has a beautiful voice, he counts really well, and really has a feel for music.

I had a cute 3(Breele), 5(Jara), and 6(Ethan) year old sing Silent Night, and everyone that had parts were so good, they knew exactly when to come in, and it was just perfect. The spirit was so strong, and I honestly can say I know good music is so important in our children's lives, and I KNOW that it will and can strengthen testimony, because my heart is burning tonight.

I am sick I didn't take picture of the stage, so if ANYONE took any kind of pictures I want some please, and I wish I had someone video it. We had an awesome manger that Cam (my brother-law) made, and a stable on the stage, and a big star above the manger. While the children sang, "Picture a Christmas", the angels, wise men, shepherds, Joseph and Mary all came out on stage as we sang about them.

Major CATCHUP

ok, this is going to be LoNNNg........... so be prepared! As many of you know, our lap top hit the dust, and I lost lots of pictures from it, I'm still hoping and praying my brother-in-law may be able to save it. So now I have decided that I am going to keep up on my blogs, because a lot of those pictures are on this blog. Here is a recap of our last month or so...........We had Thanksgiving at my mom and dad's and every year I decorate my mom's house for Christmas for her, cause I love to do it. This year, Michelle and I were at Roberts, and Michelle saw a cowboy Christmas tree, and we both loved it.(my mom is a total cowgirl) We called my mom up and asked her if she wanted to do a cowboy Christmas theme. She loved it, and couldn't believe we were letting her do it. Here is her finished Christmas tree, and yes there is my mom's cowboy boot in the tree.
and her banister

Thanksgiving was so nice, we spent it at my mom's and some of mom's brother's(Richard, Bob, Brian, Greg). Mom always loves to get the quartet stuff out and play, I'm glad my cello that I bought and used once got used by Bob this year. I stick to the violin, so much easier:)

Me, Brigham, and GRANDPA JOHNSON, what a handsome guy he is!

Payton played tackle football this year, and it was so much fun for him, but by the time November hit, I was so ready to be done. (his practices were Tues, Wed, and Thurs 5:30-7:30, and games on Saturday). I asked him on his last week, if he was ready for it to end, and he said, "No way, I love football!" He did really well. His team was really big, two more kids, and they would have split it, so he only played defense. He is a perfectionist, and always had his eye on the ball.

This is a picture at his last game, his team won the championship!!!

Here is his first trophy, he is so proud of it!

The night before Halloween, Payton did not have a costume, so guess what mom did til 2 in the morning! He just never could pick, and I guess I was kind of hoping maybe he'd choose to be a football player:) I told him that I would paint a skeleton on his black ninja clothes, and he liked it. I started to paint it, and like I said, "Payton is a perfectionist", he was critiquing me like crazy, "um, mom.... the skeleton's ribs are supposed to get smaller towards the bottom.....um, mom....do you know how many bones to paint.... um, mom...." I finally sent him to bed. In the morning, I got him up, and I looked him in the eye, and I said, "Payton, I was up til 2 am painting, and I don't care if you think this is the ugliest costume in the world, after you see it, the only words I want to hear are, 'I love it'. " He looked at it, gave me a hug, and said, "thanks mom, I love it." I think he enjoyed wearing it especially after getting his face painted!

Marcus wanted to be spiderman, I just couldn't get myself to buy a spiderman costume when Bryson had one he could wear, but with no mask, so I asked him if I could paint his face, and he loved it. I decided to dress up at the last minute, because Marcus said he really wanted to see dad and mom dress up, I'll have to work on John next year:)

Brigham was a puppy in the morning, and a dinosaur at night, he hated the puppy ears!

Brig's 1st birthday pics I never got up, or did I? Actually I think I did steal this pic off of Michelle's blog and post it......oh well, he's so darn cute no one will mind.

Some of his cousins, he was really unsure the whole night

Payton gave me the idea for his cake.