It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. . .

Not so many years ago we were living in Provo, UT and Joe was attending law school at BYU. We were poor. Logan was 2 and I was pregnant with Miss Madison. I can remember walking down the aisles at Wal-mart trying to decide what I could afford to buy Logan for Christmas. He didn't have many toys, and I thought he would love everything! I would pick up a toy and put it in the basket, only to walk a few steps and see something else that he "needed." I felt so sad that I couldn't buy the things I wanted, and for a good bit I was really feeling sorry for myself. Somehow I luckily realized my silliness and I got angry at Wal-mart and the commercialism of Christmas for making me feel like a little $10 toy was what would make me happy. I put everything I had been contemplating back on the shelf and went over to the art section and bought Logan a pad of construction paper and some colored pencils. He loved his Christmas present that year! 

One nice thing about growing up is realizing that things do not make you happy. This Christmas season I have felt that so, so, much, and I have such a desire to teach our children that concept, but I'm not quite sure how to do that. I want them to have nice things, and I think it is fun to have nice things, but I want them to have nice things without thinking that they deserve or need those things or that those things can make them happy (not to mention that those things usually end up all over the floor and cause contention between me and the children). If you have ideas, let me know. :)

Christmas-time seems like the perfect time to teach kids one way or the other, and we have been really trying to make this time of year focused on the birth, life, and mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ. While it is fun to receive gifts, and wonderful to give gifts, I hope that we can remember that it is not the gift itself that makes us happy. We might, however, find happiness when we sacrifice something to give something meaningful to someone else. We may even feel happy when we receive a gift because we see that as an act of love and thoughtfulness.  

While Santa's name comes up once in a while, we don't really emphasize his role in Christmas. We do put most of the presents under the tree before Christmas morning, but we don't say that they are from Santa. When the kids ask who they are from we answer that the gifts are from us. I think that the stockings are the only thing we really give Santa credit for. A few weeks ago Logan asked me how the first person discovered Santa. I told him to google it, realizing that he would probably come back asking me questions, and thinking that eight year olds were old enough to hear the truth. Sure enough, Logan reported back and asked his questions, and Madison now calls him an "unbeliever." 

 Our reindeer. . .

Logan at his school's parade. Madi was sick walking down the hall and I tried so hard to take a picture of her but she basically ran away from me. 

Brother McGregor at the Seminary party we hosted. 

My Dad is Awesome

Fake Christmas morning. The kids had already pulled and sorted everything out by the time we made it downstairs, so we had them push it under the tree for a picture.

Ammon sitting on my food dehydrator. 

This year we have enjoyed spending quality time driving around looking at lights, visiting Santa's Land, and visiting family. Today we had our early Christmas, and it was perfect! Related to what I've mentioned above, I don't like having a ton of presents around the tree. It feels indulgent and detracts from the meaning of Christmas. Joe knows me well and when we put everything out under the tree he asked me if I felt embarrassed that there was so much under there. I kind of did! The kids came down this morning and sorted and counted all the presents, and after we unwrapped everything I felt a little better--it wasn't that there were so many presents, but that there are so many people! 

The kids all got some small things (coloring items, comforters and sheets for the boys, clothing for the Madi, and a book for each). Logan's big presents were the original 3 Star Wars movies. Madi's big present was a 1.5 gallon fish tank (fish to come after Christmas). Grant's big presents were a Transformer kick-ball and an r2d2 play-doh toy. Ammon got a walker (which I found at Wal-mart for $7!!). Joe spoiled me with a food dehydrator, c.d, and Apples to Apples (and a purse and sewing machine that I picked out. . . looks like I'm the materialistic person here). I got Joe a t.v. and blue-ray disc player. (That in itself is another post, as we have gone 10 years without buying a t.v. and I'm not really sure I want one now--and I'm especially not sure about having it in the living room--but we are going to see how it goes. . .) Oh, my favorite present was an ipod speaker. I already have one, so when I saw it I was kind of thinking "I don't need this. . . how much did you spend on this?" But then he told me that he had to buy toner for work and it came free with the toner, and I was like, "I LOVE it!!" lol!

Most of all I feel incredibly blessed and loved as the year comes to an end. 2011 has really been amazing in so many ways--we are pushing through and we are stronger and better than we were a year ago! Joe and I have spent much time talking about how grateful and happy we are. I know that our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us, and He has been with us every step of the way. I am excited to see what 2012 has in store for us! 

Christmas Card

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

This year we made Christmas cards. Sort of. Unfortunately only a few family members will get them, but maybe next year I will get around to collecting addresses and printing off 100's of Christmas cards plastered with our beautiful pictures. If you read this blog then you already know what the McGregor's have been up to this past year, but here is a recap (and you can pretend you got a card from us, only you won't have to feel bad about throwing it away after Christmas. If you don't do that, don't worry. . . me either. :).

2011: We had a baby, experienced lice, moved to a new home, hosted family members and friends, celebrated 6 birthdays, visited PA (and hope to make one more trip before 2012), went camping, hosted Thanksgiving, baptized a child, and paid off our second car. During all of this there was some laughing, some crying, much praying, and lots of growing.

Joseph: Is continuing to grow his law practice; this year was much better than last year.  He is teaching early-morning seminary and is on the Boy Scout Committee. He plays basketball on Tuesday nights at the church. He continues to amaze us with everything he knows and does. His favorite Christmas present would be a bigger than 15 inch t.v.

Jennifer: Feels extremely blessed to be able to stay at home with the kids. She stays busy chasing after them, cleaning house, making food, helping friends, and taking forgotten homework to school. She is the first counselor in the Young Women's Presidency and loves working with the Mia Maids. She volunteers in the children's classrooms and was recently asked to head up a special book club for the advanced readers in Logan's class. Her favorite Christmas present would be a clean house without having to actually clean it.

Logan: Turned eight this year and was baptized after Thanksgiving. He is one smart second grader. He is generally a good listener and good helper. He is very sensitive to others' feelings, and is easily saddened when he does something wrong. He dreams of Transformers and Star Wars anything for Christmas.

Madison: Is a six-year old, and a very social first grader. She was also student of the week on the first week of school! New experiences over the past year include getting lice and losing teeth. She says she likes all of the girly toys (barbies, baby dolls, ponies) but then complains that the boys get all the fun toys. Her parents spoil her a little because she is the only girl with three brothers. She asked for girly toys for Christmas, but Santa has a special surprise in store for her.

Grant: One Star-Wars-Loving, Light-Saber-Fighting, Transformers-Dreaming boy. Mom keeps trying to engage him in more age-appropriate shows/toys/internet games including Sesame Street, Disney, etc. It works until the big kids get home. His hearing and speech have improved a TON over the past year, although he is still visiting the speech pathologist once a week. He has also been going to a play group/preschool with some friends from church once a week. For Christmas he would like toys.

Ammon: Entered the world and our family in March, and we can't imagine life without him. We love his smiles, noises, and laughs. He is everyone's favorite baby, and he crawls and cruises all over the house. He says "Mamama" whenever he is distressed, and he lunges for mom when someone else is holding him and she walks by. He loves the stairs (uh oh). He loves his brothers and sisters, even if they are sometimes rough with him. He has two teeth, he sleeps through the night, takes a short nap in the morning and a nice long nap in the afternoon (same time Grant does, which makes a happy mama). His latest achievements include gurgling spit in the back of his throat, howling like a wolf, clapping his hands, and maybe waving (not sure, but I'm gonna' give him credit). For Christmas he would like something to chew on.

Summary: I often think about how great stories always have some conflict. The story wouldn't be good unless it pulled elements from the basic plot diagram. In life we have many little conflicts and resolutions. I feel like this year of the McGregor story has been a good one. We have had struggles, but we are getting through them. . . successfully and happily. I know that Heavenly Father is aware and looking out for us, and we have felt His love. We know He has a plan for us, and that the trials we have are there to teach us and to make us better people. We feel extremely blessed for all that we have--a nice, warm place to live, four healthy, smart, and beautiful children, everything we need, and the gospel in our lives. We hope this year finds you all doing well, and may 2012 be the best year yet!

Love,

Joseph, Jennifer, Logan, Madison, Grant, and Ammon

Identity Crises

Some of you may or may not be surprised to know that I began my college career as an Interior Design major. This was no easy feat. I applied LATE to the 3-year program at Ricks College (then a 2 year college, now you might know it as BYU-Idaho). That's right, I applied late to a program that only accepted 25 students a year, and I got in. I'm pretty proud of this.

I lasted two semesters before I chickened out and went to China to teach English and came back knowing that my true passion was reading and writing.

"What can you learn in 2 semesters?" you ask. Well, I learned how to draft on a drafting table (and all that it entails--rules, dimensions, arrangements, blueprinting, etc), how to use a light table, how to make layout boards, and I studied different types of architecture and design, fabrics and textures.

"Why did you quit?" you ask. I was pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. But it took a LOT of time. The Ricks curfew at that time was 11:00 during the week and 12:00 a.m. on the weekends. The buildings closed at 10:00 (I think). But the people in my program had a special pass saying that we did not have to obey that curfew and that we could stay in our building all hours of the night. I stayed up working on projects all hours of the day on too many occasions to count. I kid you not. All my roommates were dating and playing and having fun. I hated college and was an emotional wreck. I got permission to take a break from the program to go to China and decided a year later that I would be a happier person if I did something else.

If you came to my house now you might think that either it was a good thing I decided to do something else or that maybe I should have stuck with it and gotten some fashion sense.

Here comes the identity crises part of my thinking. It's Christmas time and we've got our little decorations up. Nothing special, but I think they are cute. And then I start seeing all these trees and decorations that look like they belong in a fancy department store and I start thinking I need to borrow their style.

Then I get home and start looking at what I have. . . mostly hand-me-down decorations and things the kids have made. Many of them are things my grandmother had and made and passed down to me. And what I have bought definitely does not look department-store style. So I start thinking obviously this is what I like. And it means something to me. So I just need to go with it and stop trying to be someone else. 


So I started looking on-line for things that might by my style. And here's the thing:

It completely took me by surprise.

I think I have become a vintage/country/nostalgic/shabby chic style of decor girl.

I'll tell you why this is borderline shocking. When I was taking Interior Design classes, that was the style I least liked. My roommates would tease me because I swore that raffia would be forever banned at my house. Back then I loved the clean, sparse, modern look. I went to China and bought all this Chinese art and thought that someday everything in my house would be Asian-looking (it mostly still is because that is what I have, and I do like it still). I disliked the old-looking stlyes because I grew up in a 100+ year old home in the middle of the country and I wanted to get as far away from that look as possible.

Yet here I am, embracing it.

Now for my scientific reasoning. About 6-7 years ago I started to be infatuated with the Dust Bowl and  WWII eras (especially the home-front aspects). I read everything (non-fiction and fiction) I could get my hands on that had to do with the 1930's-1950's. I've researched fashion, music, furniture, and cars. Call me crazy, but something about that time period is romantic to me.

Another thought I've had is that modern-simple decor kind of dictates that you go with form and function, meaning that you only have things that are beautiful and serve a purpose. You don't just have stuff to have it and display, if that makes sense. So in this way, the two styles of decor are similar to me. The things I have (specifically Christmas decor) retain meaning and purpose for me.

Maybe I am gaining appreciation for my childhood home.

The stockings are like the ones we had growing up, the bear on the right is something my grandmother sent (looks old), the sleigh on the left was given to us, and the jar of ball-ornaments were just extras I had and dropped into a glass vase. My favorite thing on the fire-mantel is a little man sledding--I think it was my great-grandmother's, so pretty old and possibly from another country. There is a hand-written price on the bottom. The pail on the right filled with stuffed Christmas animals (she made?) was also passed down from my grandmother. It looks hand-painted.

The angel on top was another item passed down from my grandma. I think she made it, too. After I decided what my tree-style was I looked up pictures on-line and had the kids make gingerbread and orange ornaments to help it look like it was the style I was going for. :) The angels were given to us by my grandfather Goss shortly before he passed away. 

My grandma made this Nativity set, and it is the one we used to do the Christmas Eve nativity when I was little. The mouse was also passed down to us. 

I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head, but I think I covered the basics. So we aren't fancy, and our decor is eclectic and simple. But I will embrace it.

2011: Here We Come!

But first: 2010

We had a great Christmas dinner at church, and of course the kids got to see Santa.

GRANT: surprisingly, not a bit worried about sitting on Santa's lap. I think it helps to have a big brother and sister. His Christmas wish: Popcorn. Yeah, I don't think he gets it yet; he just likes how we laugh when he says that is what he wants for Christmas. Mom's Christmas wish for Grant: tell me when he has to go poop.

LOGAN: took his visit with Santa very seriously this year. He wrote up his list, folded it up, tucked it in his pocket, and right before taking his turn on Santa's lap took it back out to make sure he had it memorized.

MADISON: Sat on Santa's lap. Not overly excited or nervous, just following protocol.


We also went to Santa Land in Richardson, TX (it's free!). The kids got to go in some little workshops, get a cookie from Mrs. Clause's bakery, get Rudolph noses, and go for a ride in the sleigh. It was a fun night, and we loved the chilly air outside (maybe 35ish degrees).





For Christmas we decided to just stay home and continue some family traditions--you know, Nativity on Christmas Eve, open a few presents early, Christmas in the morning kind of thing. We told the kids they couldn't wake us up until 6:00 a.m. They didn't wake up until 7:30!





Christmas was wonderful. The kids were happy. I got Joe some dress shoes and President Monson's biography. My favorite gift was a soft, warm robe. I also got some socks and earrings from the kids. We watched movies and played games and ate and listened to Christmas music. The kids couldn't believe that we would let them stay in their jammies all day; Logan was the only one who did. Grant ate all the candy he could get his hands on. I beat Joe in checkers (Grant's gift to Logan). Then Joe obliterated me twice in a row, and I decided we could never play checkers again. Joe's sister and husband came over for dinner, and we enjoyed playing a few games with them--which I also lost. Ah well.




I am a little reluctant to share this next story, but as this is kind of a journal for me, and because it is wonderful, here goes:

A few days before Christmas we were getting things going in the morning and I noticed a red bag by our front door. It was a huge bag full of toys for the kids--definitely more than we had planned on giving them for Christmas. I took it to our room and took everything out one-by-one and just cried. On the one hand, I felt like there were so many people who needed this gift more than we did; on the other hand, it was very touching to feel like someone--some family--was thinking of us and somehow knew that things have been a little tight. The presents were EXACTLY what the kids had been asking for--Star Wars action people and even a ship for Logan, play pets for Madison, and something I didn't even know existed for Grant. We really have no idea who it could have been, but they must have known our children fairly well to know what they had requested for Christmas (except for Grant, who as I mentioned, only requested popcorn). Anyway, it's been on my mind a lot, and I know it will be a Christmas story we will remember and share every year. We definitely want to be able to pay it forward in the future. So, if you read this and it's you: Thank you for your generous gift!



Time flies. I don't know where it goes. But I am grateful for a New Year. New opportunities, new chances, new goals, new baby, new experiences, a new chance to be better. I have no idea where we will be in a year from now, but here's to 2011!!

Merry Christmas!

and just for fun:

They're done!

Here are the wood boards Joe made for Logan's room (with a little help from my dad and yours truly). I think they look so great!  I can't wait for Logan to open them and then to hang them in his room! I haven't decided if I will lay them out like this, or split it into two arrangements.  What do you think?

A Christmas Tale

We've been getting ready for Christmas: attending Christmas parties, sitting on Santa's lap, ice skating, building gingerbread houses (from a kit).  But most importantly, we've been trying to teach our children about Christ's entrance into the world.  We do that by telling it as a story, learning songs, looking at pictures, watching the LDS Nativity, tomorrow we'll do THE skit.  The kids are catching on. They both know, for instance, that an inn is a hotel, that shepherds take care of sheep, and that the sign was a big star in the sky.  Today we read a picture book about the birth of Christ. When Logan saw the star shining brightly in the sky, he commented, "Look mom, there's the sign that Jesus was born." I kinda' started to feel emotional at my 5-year-old's simple testimony.  Then he said, "But mom, who's holding the sign." Stop, What?(me) "It's a star." (Logan) "Yeah, I see the star, but who's holding it?" Um, (me) "Heavenly Father put the star in sky so everyone would know Jesus was born." (Logan) "Yeah, but you said it's a sign.  Who's holding it?"  

Merry Christmas ya'll!  In trying to keep up with laundry, I failed to send out Christmas cards to everyone this year.  May we all feel Christ's love this holiday and throughout the new year.

Joe's firm party for the kids. He had a nice dress-uppy one that night that I got to go to (all dressed up!) but we failed to take pics. They all (happily) sat on Santa's lap, and they printed out pics, but we don't have a scanner.  Sorry.

Madison hated it.

Logan loved it.  We loved the walker.

Logan and the Hairy Nevus

The SURGERY story:

Logan had surgery in November to have an umbilical hernia repaired (new belly pics to come). While his surgeon (Dr. Stallion) was fixing Logan, he noticed the birthmark Logan has on his left hip and suggested (after the surgery, of course) that he have it removed ASAP, as it was likely to one day be cancerous.  Obviously, we knew about the birthmark since day 1 of Logan's life and had heard the opinion of the 5 doctors we have had in the past 5 years.  We had been told to measure it every year, which we've been doing, and it has grown about .5 cm per year. Never had anyone suggested we remove it. Plus, Dr. Stallion warned that if it got much bigger (which also means thicker), we would most likely need to do a skin graft. Too bad he didn't just do it at the same time as the bellybutton.

Since we've used up our health insurance deductible (baby+surgery 1=$$$), we decided to go ahead and get it done before the new year (=free).  Lucky Logan has been a good sport about wearing hospital gowns and blowing in the "space-man" mask.  Waking up from surgery is no fun, although recovery was much easier this time (no muscles were touched). He even went to school the next day--his request. We'll take off the bandage tomorrow and see his "new" hip.

It's been hard for me to explain to him why he needs to have these things done.  I have a funny fingernail, and I never understood why my parents and doctor asked me if I wanted to have it removed and replaced with a fake fingernail.  Of course now I know it was so that I wouldn't feel different--isn't that what we parents worry about for our kids? I want Logan to understand that we love him and his body just the way he is--funny belly-button or large birthmark. I'm pretty sure I care more about it than he does. (OK, funny story: a few days after removing the bandages from his "new" bellybutton, he came home from school with some exciting news: some other kids in his class had surgery too!--their bellybuttons didn't poke out either! I laughed and explained that most people's bellybuttons were like that.) Anyway, he's been a good sport.  I overheard him explaining to Madison what surgery was like... the gas mask, the doctor cutting the skin, waking up.  Madison has been begging me to not let the doctor give her surgery. I, too, hope our surgery days are done.

We tried to keep the pics modest.  We had to say goodbye to his birthmark.  I will miss it.