Tis the Season

I was walking through Target, Old Navy, and later the mall yesterday, doing some shopping with my parents for the upcoming event of the year that is called Christmas.  I know I have one husband and five kids but yesterday I felt the weight of one husband and five kids.  I really felt the heavy task of shopping for the family and trying to gain a grasp on what the kids need and try to satisfy some wants.  I have already told the kids that after spending so much on sports and other activities that they are involved in that Christmas is going to be simple. 
I have really good kids and they didn't put up a fuss.  But as the holiday gets closer I am feeling the need and want to make it great with surprises and cringe with the daunting task of making sure everyone has the equal amount of gifts and then I wonder, "is it enough?"   I have had a few conversations with fellow moms and find it interesting that they feel that they need to get everything on their kids wish lists.  It is foreign to me to think that some kids actually expect to get what they ask for, knowing that it is well over a $100 gift or more.  Yes, this is a magical time with Santa and the anticipation of Christmas morning, but if some teenagers really feel they 'deserve' the latest electronics and designer clothing, what kind of person are we shaping for society?
I am not judging anybody, I just hope this helps those moms out there that are feeling what I am feeling. I am especially emotional this year with my oldest turning 18 next week and I am ok with getting old, but I keep asking myself, "Have I done my job? Have I prepared him enough?" Life as a mom is bittersweet. Here is to a happy Christmas season.
 I just came across this blog post by Kristen Welch called 10 Things Our Kids Don't Need This Christmas. 
Take a look, it made me feel better.

Responsibility

This is one of my runners.  I love all of my runners.   I got a good picture of this runner, this past week at our running camp.  This girl never complains and does every workout with a smile on her face.   I just happened upon this inspirational quote a few weeks ago and it really struck home for me in all aspects of my life.  How often do we make excuses for things undone.  I think once you become an adult or a parent, you start to realize that there is nobody to blame for jobs undone. 

Book Winner

DRUM ROLLLL The winner of the Nancy Naomi Book is Sean and Dixie.  I will be emailing you.  Thank you cousins for commenting and I love hearing from you.

Nancy Naomi Alexander Tracy II

I have received many contacts from my post about my fourth Great-Grandmother Nancy Naomi Alexander Tracy.  It has been fun connecting with distant cousins and hearing from them.  One in particular has her own family history blog and shared a love story about Nancy's son Henry and how he met his wife.  After reading her post I thought I better share a bit more on Nancy Naomi and even do a give away.   Below is a story taken from Nancy's writings about the  Nauvoo Temple.

"About the last of May, previous to our departure from Nauvoo, I was aroused from my slumbers one night, hearing such heavenly music as I had never heard before. Everything was so still and quiet when it burst upon my ear that I could not imagine where it came from. I got up and looked out of the window. The moon shone bright as I looked over at the temple from whence the sound came. There on the roof of the building heavenly bands of music had congregated and were playing most beautifully. The music was exquisite! And we had to leave all this; the temple, our homes, and the pleasant surroundings and bid farewell. It was to your tents, 0 Israel."
"At another time fire caught in the roof of the temple. How it caught, I never knew, but for a while it seemed that the house would be destroyed. Men, women, and children came out and formed a bucket brigade. The walls were drained and finally they went with wagons and barrels to the river for water and at last succeeded in putting out the flames. The damage was considerable. It seemed that if the evil powers could not harass the people one way, they would do it in another." 

I am giving away this lovely hardbound book.  It contains Nancy's full autobiography.  If you would like to win one, leave a comment and I will choose a winner on November 1, 2013.  We still have copies that you can purchase for the price of printing ($20). Or if you would like a pdf of the autobiography, email and I will send you one.

Anxious

Right now my heart rate has slowed a bit but I have really been battling the anxiety lately.  I am gearing up to run the Red Rock Relay in Park City.  I will be running with some fun mom's from my church and spending the weekend with other runners.  I get anxious every time I have to leave my home and family.  Anxiety can be debilitating for me, so much that I can't think straight or function.  I have to remind myself to breath and relax. My biggest fear is dying and leaving my family here to fend for themselves.  I am not afraid of actually dying because I know that there is life after death.  I just don't want to leave my kids.  So I can't die for another 20 years.  Sometimes, I always go to worse case scenario.  I still have to pack and get the house in order before I leave this afternoon.  But I can't bring myself to do it.  So I will sit here and write about it.  

Hangin With The Cross Girls

I have not blogged for a very long time.  Summer hit and well it is just crazy having all five kids home all day.  Plus, I was up early every morning and greeted over 20 teenage girls and Cross Country practice.  So I have been hanging with the cross girls.  We only have a few more weeks of practice and I am not sure what I am going to do without my daily dose of these fun girls.  

Old Farm Ward Young Men Video