Ho Ho Ho

Merry
Christmas!

Love,
The Edmonds Family

*sorry for no Christmas card yet- I'm working on it!
think... Happy New Years card.

12-22-98

Ten Years Ago tonight . . .
Aaron and I were getting crazy on the dance floor with our friends and family. Everyone that was important to us was with on us on that special day. It started at 10 am. We met at the San Diego Temple. I remember as we drove through the gates that day, my Dad said "We can still turn around Danielle, it's not too late." I sure am glad I didn't turn around. Marrying Aaron on that day was the best decision I ever made.

After a beautiful sealing in the temple, we drove to my parents house for a luncheon. Then later, to the Mission Viejo Country Club for a gorgeous reception. We ate a delicious dinner ( I think, I was too nervous to taste the food!), ate cake, danced, took many pictures and celebrated a wonderful day. I can really say that I enjoyed myself and was able to relax and have fun. I can never tell my mom how thankful I am for all the work she put into that day. I know it was a crazy time of year- 3 days before Christmas- but she pulled it off and it was a day I will never forget!All day I have been reflecting on the last 10 years. I am so glad that I chose the man that I did. I had no idea at the time what a wonderful husband and father he would be. I hoped and thought that I knew- but I had no idea until we had our first baby and Aaron was heartbroken on that first morning when he had to leave us to go back to work. I remember that for months he tried to come up with some occupation that he could do at home so he could be close to us all day. That was when I knew. He would be a wonderful father.He makes my life happy. He takes care of me and protects me. He protects and provides for our family. He makes me laugh and holds me when I cry. He leads our family with his priesthood and teaches and guides our children. I really feel like we have accomplished a lot in the last 10 years. We have lived in 9 places, been pregnant 5 times, had 4 children, gained 2 college degrees, taken many, many vacations together, cried many tears, laughed more than I can describe-- and we've done it all together. He's seen me at my worst, and still loves me. I can honestly say that we love each other way more today than we did 10 years ago. Kneeling across from each other in the temple- we had no idea the things that would be ahead of us. But I am sure glad that we have walked down this path together, holding hands.We have no idea what the next 10, 20 or 50 years hold for us- but I know that whatever it is, we will be doing it together. And that's all I need to know.Happy Anniversary Aaron! I love you. I have loved you since we met at Ricks College 13 years ago. I can't imagine my life without you. You make my life complete and I am thankful that we are in this together- forever. XOXO (shmily)

A Listening Ear.. or not

I have a child whom I love dearly, but who is not a very good listener. This child is smart and capable, but chooses not to listen. I know that he/she hears me, but makes a choice to ignore my request and do something else. I need some help. I am very frustrated and need a solution. I have tried talking sweetly, yelling, punishing, setting the timer, reward charts, blah, blah, blah,- the list goes on and on.Have any of you read a good book, article or just have some good advice? I really want to take care of this before this becomes a more serious problem- as this child gets older. I am pretty sure my expectations aren't too high, because the other children listen and obey just fine. Please help. Any ideas would be great. Aaron was out of town again today and after a whole day of asking this child over and over and over, the same exact things, I am out of ideas... and patience.

D.D.D.

Aaron and Addie went on a Daddy Daughter Date last week. The boys were off at a friends house playing and he got home from work and wanted to do something fun with the Goose. She was thrilled to have time with just Daddy. She insisted on taking Baby Tootsie and her purse. So off they went. Their agenda for the evening: dinner at Chick-Fil-A and then over to Toys R Us to pick out a girly toy. A short, but sweet night for these two.

Sweet Prayer

Aaron's out of town, so I was putting the boys to bed tonight. Tyler offered to say the prayer and this is how it went:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. Thank you for my family. Thank you for the church. Thank you for animals and creatures that we can enjoy their wonderful things. Thank you for Mommy and Daddy. Thank you for Christmas. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I was watching him while he prayed and he furrows his little eyebrows together and never opens his eyes. He really concentrates and talks slow and clear. It was so sweet and I love watching my boy learn and grow. He's a good boy.

Deck the Halls

This is definitely the best time of the year! We have been busy bees- decking every hall, shelf, window, corner, nook and cranny in our house. I think we have finally finished and we can enjoy the fruits of our labors. I have to say, Aaron has been just as busy as I have. He went all out on the outside lights and it looks great!

Here are a few of my holiday favorites this year:

THE TREE

We started off at the Christmas tree farm to cut down out own tree. As we were wandering around looking at trees we glanced at a price tag- $175 for a 10-11 foot tree!! What the? We've been going there for a couple years, but they were never this expensive. So we let the kids do some rides and took off. This little ride here-- it cost $15.00- what a rip off!

So we ended up here- where our beautiful 10 foot tree cost $79 instead. Love Home Depot!




DECORATIONS
Addie was a big helper while the boys were at school.


Here's Zoodle in his new location for the day.Here's the result of Aaron's many hours outside. I love my mantle-it's so fun to decorate. My favorite, favorite thing are the HANDMADE stocking that Aaron's grandma makes for everyone in the family. They are so precious to me and every year when I get them out, it makes me so thankful that she worked so hard on them. We love you Grandma- thank you, thank you, thank you! (she's a faithful blog reader!)My parents came out tonight and we had a yummy dinner: baked potato soup, homemade bread and green salad. We decorated the tree and then turned off all the house lights and had chocolate chip cookies and candy cane cocoa, while Grammie told stories and we looked at the tree. What a magical night!
CUTE KIDS
Lately I've been obsessed with this little guy. Just can't get enough!

Do you love these jammies? Tonight it was hard to not eat him right up. He's scrumptious.

Okay I guess the rest are cute, too.
(sad that this was the best picture out of many.)
There's so much going on at this time of the year, but I love the feeling I get when we're all home together and the lights are shining and everyone is happy and excited. It's hard to not be thankful and to feel so blessed. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Zoodle

My mom bought us this book set last year. We pulled it out this year, along with the decorations. We read it together a couple nights ago. It is the cutest thing ever! I absolutely love it and so do the kids! The story is that this little elf (an adorable little stuffed elf comes with the book) appears every morning somewhere in the house. Each morning the kids have to find his new "spot." The elf keeps on eye on things all day. Then at night he flies back to Santa and reports. The book explains the elf rules very well: no touching the elf or he loses his magic, the elf doesn't talk but he listens very well, etc. My kids race downstairs in the morning to try to find Zoodle (that's what they named him) and I have found them talking to him- tattling on their siblings or telling him of their good deeds. Jake is a little scared and cautious but still very enthusiastic. Tyler is totally into it. They just about took Addison's head off when she tried to touch him today. Poor girl, they yelled so loud it scared her to death! They thought for sure his magic was gone. but we explained that toddler touching doesn't count, because 2 year olds don't understand like big kids. It worked and they forgave her. Zoodle is serious business around our house.

Here is the link if you're interested. I HIGHLY recommend it. If your kids are little and you're looking for a new tradition, this is perfect. Maybe even wait until after Christmas and you could get it on sale!