Old Fashioned Christmas

Being the director of a childrens show choir is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I can't explain how proud I am of my kids when they perform to the very best of their ability. Giving a child an audience either brings out the best or the worst in them. Usually, in my experience, if they are prepared it brings out the VERY best.

I also find that having a cute group of kids that are prepared to put on a show gives me (and them) an opportunity to give service. We always do a few practice performances before our real concert. This year we sang at the "Breakfast with Santa" at Harbins, The Bridge Assisted Living Center, and the Grayson Ward Christmas party.

The Breakfast with Santa was a little iffy. Several of my soloists (my daughter included) were unable to attend. But, it was fun and showed us what we needed to work on during our last class.

The Assisted Living Center is always fun. The Grandmas and Grandpas LOVE my kids. They cancel their Wednesday night preacher so that we can come. They love to talk to the kids after they perform. Even though I'm sure they try to be quiet, it's funny to hear their comments during our performance..."I remember her from last time"...."My daughter had beautiful eyes just like that child over there"...."Did I ever tell you that I danced with the fabulous featherettes when I was a child?" It's hilarious. This year Alyssa made some rag dolls to share with them. They were so excited. I met one man who was a paratrooper in WWII. He showed us his metal of honor and everything. Amazing.

The Christmas party was just fun. We got to perform for all of our friends from church. They had a stage set up and everything. So, fun. Several adults came up to me afterward and asked if I taught an adult TaVaci class. They want to sign-up.

Our concert was, as I said in the beginning, the highest high and the lowest low. My kids were awesome. I could not have asked for one more thing from them. I always get a lump in my throat when I listen to them sing. They had a great time and so did I and so did the audience, Perfect. Behind the scenes....STRESS!!! My sound and light people just decided not to show up! Seriously? Sound and light is a big deal. Thank Goodness I have a RockStar husband and super fabulous friends. Mike and Andy were the sound and light crew. Truth be told, they were better then any I've ever had.

Santa comes to our Christmas show every year. He's a busy guy during this season, but he won't schedule any events until he knows when the TaVaci concert is going to be. He's the best.

So, we pulled off a Christmas miracle. I have never been so stressed at a concert before. But, it was so great. The kids were outstanding and I was a very proud parent.

elfs

Every year Santa sends a pair of his elfs to spy on us. Last year they showed up at Halloween! Really? What ever happened to Thanksgiving?

So this year the girls were chomping at the bit to have the elfs show up. We started decorating for Christmas a few days before Thanksgiving, and low and behold, the elfs showed up.

We were informed a few weeks after they arrived that our elves were not very adventurous. Some of their friends elfs were causing all kinds of mischief.

Here are a few pranks our elfs pulled:
-zip line across the kitchen

-zip line from the library to the TV

-hot tub in the basement

-post-it noted the bathroom

-made a hotair ballon out of the TaVaci decorations

-ate Mom's favorite cookies

-hid in the spagetti jar

-toilet papered the bathroom

-playing in Moms make-up

That doesn't sound to boring to me. It is fun to listen to the kids tell the elfs wat they would like for Christmas. Emma Grace got in on it this year as well. She thought it was hilarious to see what they were up to each day. She confided in the elfs that buggy was really in need of some hair bows this year. Logan just follows along with his sisters.

Put the Metal Back!!!

Savannah got her appliance take out and she looks like a teenager! Now she is metaless. She has to wait for her permanent teeth to come in and then she'll give her full braces. She should be completely finished by February 2012.

When she got to school her teacher ahd her smile so that everyone could ooh and ahh. She teasingly said that now she could kiss boys. I'm not really prepared to think about that.

Silly Babies

They feed off of one another.

Thanksgiving.........Oh Christmas Tree

After we ran our 13.1 miles we returned to Dacula to find Mike and my four kids ready to cheer for us. Mike really is something else. He had everything under control.

Thanksgiving dinner was yummy. We then relaxed and made shopping plans for black Friday. (None of which came to fruition, but it's a tradition to scheme) After an evening of hanging out and playing games we went to bed happy, sore, full, and content.

Alyssa won the wishbone wish

We can pose for a picture

Moving after the shot is a different story

Friday we went to the Home Depot and got a Christmas tree

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Saturday we gave my parents their Christmas gift. We went to the Georgia vs. Georgia Tech game in Athens. It was FREEEEEZING!!! But super fun. There's nothing better than a football game in Athens. I think my Mom had the best time. She loves sports. It was fun, but she and I had a hard time keeping up with our husbands on the walk there. We were super sore from our race.

Saturday in Athens

It was fun.

New Years Resolution......I Did it!

So, I made a news year resolution to run a half marathon of Thanksgiving day. I told my Young Women, my family, and my friends. But, I didn't write it in my journal because truth is, I didn't want generations of my posterity to call me a quitter if I failed.

Well, never fear posterity, Granny Baugh is no quitter!

In January I downloaded a free training schedule for a half marathon. However, as I could not run the first weeks order, I filed that one away and downloaded a 5K training schedule. It was much more appropriate for my fitness level. I really was impressed with my self, not to toot my own horn, but I had my doubts.

I hit a huge stumbling block in May. I inflamed my IT band. No running for two months. Lots of physical therapy and anti inflamatorys. Bummer. I felt pretty good the first of August and started training again. It was frustrationg that I had to back up several weeks on my program. But, I am a woman of firm resolve, and I have a husband who I love to prove wrong. So, I was back in the saddle again.

I have to pause for a moment here to say that while Mike kind of giggled at me in the beginning, he was my biggest supporter in the end. I think he was really proud of me.

As my miles grew longer I felt more and more confident that I could indeed accomplish my goal.

My Mom and Dad came out for Thanksgiving. My Mom was running the race with me. We had agreed before hand that we would each run our own race and meet up at the finish line.

Mike was the man. He had Thanksgiving dinner under control. He made the turkey, potatoes, and all the fixings. He stayed at home with the kids.

My Dad drove us to Turner Field. We left in plenty of time, but somebody stalled on the off ramp and traffic was backed up for miles on I85. Runners were getting out of their cars on the freeway. We chose not to follow suit. As soon as we exited and could see where we were supposed to go, we hopped out of the car. It was total chaos. I have never seen so many people. We couldn't even see the starting line. By the time we navagated our way to the start all of the heats had began and the 5k was lining up. We pushed and shoved our way to the front. Finally I was on my way. I couldn't find my Mom, but I figured she was a big girl and could find her way. I was just starting to jog up the first hill when I heard her yell my name. We were glad to see each other to know that we had both made it. She then set me free. She told me to go run my race. So, I did. I took off and felt really good until about mile 6. It was at this point that I realized that in our frantic frenzy we had not warmed up at all. This was what caused all the IT issues before. I pulled up and stretched as best as I could, but I knew that I would pay the price for the next couple of months.

No Pain No Gain.

On I went. I felt great (except the hip). I was not winded. I was in shape. I was ready. I finished at 2 hours and 21 minutes. I felt so much personal pride. I had done it. I had worked for 10 months to be ready for this day. Surely the world would stop and everyone would sing my praises. Nope. Nobody I knew even saw me finish. My Dad was nowhere to be found. my husband and kids were at home waiting for the phone call that said I made it. No choir sang. No poster was hung with my name on it. But, I did it. I accepted my medal. I cried silent tears of accomplishment. I hung out by myself for about an hour until I found my Dad.

My Mom's finish was a little more like what I had envisioned. My Dad and I were anxiously watching for her to come over the hill to the finish line. When she was within earshot she heard us cheering her name. As she crossed the line my Dad was snapping pictures, the announcer praised her over the loud speaker and let everyone know that "Jeanne Larsen had come all the way from Utah to run with us today." She accepted her medal and found her family waiting for her.

All in all it was a great experience. I will deffinately do it again. I have several I want to run. They have a half marathon at Disney World! Oh yeah, sign me up.

I have no idea who this guy is, but what an inspiration. Can you imagine running 13 miles like that?

BytheWay

As part of my Stake calling I got to help plan a youth fireside. The keynote speaker was John Bytheway. They were only going to invite the 14-18 year old youth and their friends. They soon realized that because the fireside was to be held the weekend before Thanksgiving, the numbers were not going to be what they hoped for. So, they decided to invite the 12-13 year olds. Well, my Nan was just a month away from fitting that description, so I decided to invite her as well. I'm so glad I did. Brother Bytheway doew a fantastic job relating to the youth and teaching them the gospel at the same time.

Savannah REALLY enjoyed it. After it was over she wanted to go meet him. Here's the photographic evidence.