Influential Teachers

Every man and every person who lives in this world wields an influence whether for good or evil. It is not alone what he says, it is not alone what he does it is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she is. It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us.--David O. McKay, Improvement Era, 1966

Bishop and Sister Harman are amazing teachers. I've never known any quite like them. Their influence has touched me as I'm sure they've touched others simply by magnifying their calling. This year Erik had the privilege of having them as his CTR 8 teachers. For Christmas they gave each child in their class a homemade pillow, carefully hand-stitched and sewn.

Bishop Harman was our bishop when we moved into the ward 3 1/2 years ago. Shortly after, he was released and put in the Primary as a teacher with his wife to help. Homework is part of their curriculum and every child earns Cold Stone certificates depending on how many "homeworks" they've handed in. When it is their class's turn for Sharing Time, the class is invited to their home the week before for dinner and to practice. They never miss a baptism. I have been very impressed with their level of commitment and their love of the gospel and for the children in Primary. Having them as teachers has been a blessing for Erik and for me. Thank you Bishop and Sister Harman for your dedication.

A Disney Christmas

So the big morning arrived and I was very excited to share our trip with the kids. As they came down the stairs they giggled with excitement, Ash especially, as they scrutinized the BIG, HUGE present in the middle of the floor.

They unwrapped.

And unwrapped.

And unwrapped some more.

Only to find they had a puzzle to put together.

I finally had to give them some hints to look at all the wrapping paper (mickey mouse and princesses) and the puzzle they've been putting together all month. Oh, then the light came on . . . but only to try and figure out how to make the letters spell MICKEY MOUSE. Can I just say clueless. Kiersten eventually figured out DISNEY but couldn't quite figure the NDAL. Nate finally said, "Disneyland." And then they all looked rather confused. We explained we were going to Disneyland in three weeks only to have Erik say, "Are we going to miss school?"

The big box contained three items: the letters spelling out Disneyland, a countdown calendar to hang on the fridge, and Disney t-shirts (which were wrapped in yet another box).

I had such an enjoyable time shopping this Christmas, wanting to find Disney-related presents. I was very excited when I even found wrapping paper. My Disney finds were t-shirts, water bottles, treat sacks for their Christmas stockings, bouncy balls, drinking cups for the kitchen, Mickey dolls, Disney dollars to spend, Mickey jammies for Kiersten who desperately needed new ones, and princess jammies for Ash who desperately did not need new ones (but they were princess ones and went so well with my themed Christmas buying and she LOVES everything princess right now and they were such a good deal . . . I'm sure if Ty were with me when I bought them he would have talked me out of them, but since he wasn't I got to make the final decision and they came home with me.).

The excitement is mounting with each passing day. I think the realization is finally setting in especially after I took some time to sit down with them at the computer and look at pictures of Disneyland and Sea World (I guess I should mention we are also going to San Diego).

DISNEYLAND, HERE WE COME

Singing with a Choir of Angels

A new tradition I started last year consists of hanging 24 stockings with something to do every day until Christmas stuck inside. Yesterday's stocking was a trip to Salt Lake to listen to the Salt Lake Children's Choir.

Ten years ago we lived in downtown Salt Lake and the director of the children's choir, Ralph Woodward, was in our ward. So that's how we became familiar with the choir. Each year they perform a Christmas concert in the Cathedral of the Madeleine. The acoustics in that building are amazing. This year I wanted to take our kids to see them, and they happened to be doing an abbreviated concert at our old church house. I was excited to expose my kids to some arts and also show them where we used to go to church and where Kiersten was blessed.

The concert was outstanding. But my favorite part was the sing-along by the audience at the end. As the audience sang various Christmas hymns, the choir would supplement. You literally felt like you were singing in a choir of angels. I was glad we went; I have been feeling a little humbug the past couple of weeks, and yesterday was the jolt to my spirit that I needed.

On a side note: as we were driving down South Temple we passed the Cathedral and I mentioned that's where the children's choir normally does their Christmas performance. Kiersten asked if we could go see them there next year. And I said sure. Then I heard Erik whisper to Kiersten rather emphatically, "KIERSTEN! That is a Catholic church!" I smiled to myself and decided I need to educate my kids about other religions.

Samson

That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. --Judges 16:17

Erik is competing in the Elks National "Hoop Shoot" free throw contest this weekend at the district level. He came in first at his elementary school for his age division and now gets to compete against boys his age from other schools around the area. This is a free throw competition to see who can make the most free throws. This morning I told him I was going to cut his hair because I had cut Nate's the night before and his was next. He says, "Can you wait until after Saturday? My hair needs to be long." O BROTHER! Good job on trying to stall the haircut, Erik.

Excitement Mounting

Tomorrow is our annual Leary extended family Christmas party. The tradition is for Uncle Dick to dress up as Santa and for the parents to provide a small gift for him to give the children. This year I came up with a clever idea to give my kids one gift between them which will also help alleviate a small dilemma as to who the gift should go to. This gift is Ligretto, a German card game my younger sister Katie brought home with her from her mission. My kids fell in love the first time they played it and will sit for hours at Grandma's playing over and over. I've never yet played but it's a lot like the game of Speed you play with face cards.

Anyway, the game comes in four suits of different colors, each shrinked wrapped individually. Originally, I was going to give the game to Nate for Christmas mainly because Tyler really dislikes giving gifts to the whole family. I wasn't too keen on the idea just because I could imagine Nate not allowing anyone to play if he really felt like it. So when I remembered I needed gifts for tomorrow's party, an idea was hatched . . . 4 kids, 4 suits, wrap 1 suit for each kid. I am kind of excited for tomorrow to see their reaction. I love surprises and I think this is a great way to share the game they all enjoy.