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! 

ear infection/a dr. visit i haven't forgotten

I've only taken a child to the doctor for an ear infection once. When Logan was a year old (plus or minus some months) I asked the dr. to take a look at his ears because he was unusually cranky and had been playing with his ear. The dr. looked at me and said something very similar to, "You just have a cranky baby." When I re-mentioned the ear-touching he said something like, "He is discovering something fun and flappy on his body."

For this reason I have never taken a child to the dr. for displaying ear-infection symptoms (and I wait until I know they are really sick to take them in for any other reason, as well). Good thing our dr. friends have told us just to give babies tylenol and wait the ear infection out. So far it has worked.

Today Ammon is unusually cranky and he keeps tugging on his ears.

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

To Joe

You are tricky.

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.

Logan's Baptism

Logan got baptized the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Happily, both grandparents were able to attend. We are grateful for the good example he sets for his brothers and sister. 

For your viewing pleasure I have included every single picture we took that day. 

At least we can laugh, right? 

Letter to Santa

This evening I (Joe) walked into what I thought was the scene in a post-apocalyptic movie. Upon further review, it was actually the boys' room. Realizing that Madison spent the week in that room due to being displaced by her visiting great-grandmother, I issued the following: "If you guys can't keep your room clean, Christmas will be cancelled. Santa Claus will skip our house."

It should be noted that I woke at 2:45 this morning (and worked especially late) to deliver my good in-laws to the airport (who, being rather late to the airport, became visibly frustrated as they watched my car sail right past the proper exit . . . and past the proper parking garage . . . and then past the proper terminal--altogether not a great day for impressing said in-laws). Thus, I was in the mood to proclaim over-reactionary orders.

In response to my decree, Madison's tear ducts spouted forth like someone just turned on a sprinkler system. Then, she hurriedly grabbed a quill and parchment to penn Santa a quick report on my dictatorship. It read:

(Translation:)
My Dad is mean. You should put him on the naughty list. He even said that you will have to skip our house. He does not believe in you.

My work here is done.

Getting Ready

I just put the kids in bed and am getting ready to finish the cleaning before Joe picks up my parents and grandma from the airport. I'm listening to Christmas music and thinking. I don't get a lot of time to do that. 

So for memory's sake, here are some of those thoughts:

I can't wait for everyone to get here and to start celebrating. Fun fun fun!

We are SO blessed. Sometimes I complain, and sometimes I can only see the green grass on the other side.

But: I have a good husband. I have four beautiful, healthy, smart, good children. I grew up in a good house with wonderful parents and I got a good education. I am able to stay home and play with the kids. Joe's work is going well. We live in a great house with modern conveniences that could not have even been dreamed about 100 years ago. I have the gospel and know and understand my purpose in life. We are about to celebrate our Savior's birth and life, and I am SO grateful for His atonement. 

Life is really great. 

While the Family Sleeps

I woke up this morning--well actually Ammon woke me up this morning--at 4:30 a.m. Joe brought him in for me to nurse, and instead of falling back to sleep it was a total "Oh my heck it's almost Thanksgiving, which means it's almost Christmas which means that it's almost the New Year and I have not done everything I wanted to get done!

So I sent off some emails and wrote some lists and I'm starting to feel tired again. I don't know if I will be able to sleep with this racing mind, though. Which means that today I might be tired and less able to actually cross thing off of those lists. 

The house is incredibly quiet. And dark. If I had gone to bed a little earlier last night then 5 a.m. might be a really nice time to get up and get things done and have some alone time. Also if it wasn't Saturday. 

Wonderful Wednesday

You know things are going well if you are excited for Thanksgiving Vacation and a week of kids off of school. 

I surprise myself that I am really excited for next week!! 

It could be that I have some fun activities planned. It could be that my family is coming to visit. It could be that I am getting enough sleep and I feel like we have a little more control over our lives. 

I'm thinking that might make a difference.

Logan is in boy scouts now. It makes for an interesting Wednesday evening as I am trying to get him to scouts, get everyone fed and showered, and get myself ready for and to Young Women's before Joe gets home. I am sure Joe feels overwhelmed when he gets home and there is so much left undone (on most days dinner is ready, kids are ready for bed, and the house is pretty picked up by the time he is home--but Wednesdays have been a little hectic lately).  

Anyway, what I started out saying is that Logan made a super-cool tee-pee for scouts, and his awesome dad set it up in the play area. So Logan got everyone dressed in brown clothes (the most "Indianish outfit he could come up with) and made everyone these cute Indian headbands. Ammon wore his around for a good while (and then he ate it). 

Joe's practice is going soooo much better than it was a year ago. We even decided that is was probably safe to start giving the kids a small allowance so they can practice paying tithing and saving money. My parents did allowance $1 per year per month, and we decided that that was a good system and decided to copy the idea. As you can see, Ammon really appreciated his dollar. The kids are excited about paying tithing and saving 40% of their money. They also enjoyed going to Half-Priced Books over the weekend and spending their money. :)

Can you see Grant's nose? We have no idea what happened. One day he took a nap in my room. I went up to change into shorts right before getting the kids off of the school bus and Grant was starting to wake up. Usually, if he is not awake, I just go outside and greet the kids when they step off the bus, but this time I asked him if he wanted to go out with me. He said a sleepy "ya" but didn't get up. As I was standing by the curb I heard a wail and saw Grant by the front door crying. I waved for him to come out, but had to hurry and cross the road to get the kids. When we came inside he was laying on the floor and throwing an I-just-woke-up tantrum. His nose was red the rest of the day, and I'm guessing it was a rug-burn (which he just picked and made bleed while I wrote this down). 

I put up a pretty big framed white board and bulletin board in the kitchen a few weeks ago. They are practical and fun and they even look ok, too. Anyway, last night during dinner Grant did something that riled Madison up. She got up and wrote this very insulting phrase on the white board. In case you can't read it, it says, "Grant scribbles." We thought that was pretty hilarious. Grant got upset and started yelling that he does NOT scribble. Logan started saying helpful things like, "Madi, you used to scribble when you were 3." and "Grant actually colors better than you did when you were 3." and "Madi, why don't you help him to learn how to color better instead of making fun of him?" The truth is that Grant is a very good colorer for being 3 years old (probably because he sees big brother and sister). He stays in the lines and colors very nicely. I think maybe she was talking about how he draws. . . ?

So yeah, I'm excited for Thanksgiving. I am thankful for these four babies that Heavenly Father trusted me with, and I can't wait to spend hours and hours with them next week. I'm serious!!

A Package and some Thank You's

The kids got a package in the mail from their Great-Grandma Evie. She emailed me a few days ago and told me that she was sending us some old art supplies that she had in one of her closets. I was expecting dried-out markers, but knew that the kids wouldn't care. . . they LOVE mail--especially packages. It was a kid's dream come true! There were books, paper, crayons, markers (not dried out!), more crayons and markers, paint, googly eyes, and Christmas-themed toys--just to name a few. The kids looked at the huge box of crayons in amazement, "Mom! Look how long and sharp they are!!!" (Ours are all broken in little pieces with the wrappers pulled off. And markers that actually write? Nonexistent at our house.)

I got up too many times to count last night with a sick Grantee and a mad-to-be-woken-up Ammon, so I was kind of disappointed surprised when everyone got up even earlier than they usually do (today it was before 6:00). So I told everyone to get ready for school and trudged downstairs to make banana muffins for breakfast. When I called everyone down to eat, this is what I was greeted with:

Written exactly the same except for backwards letters, it reads:

The Best one ever.

Thanckyou for the 

prezents Grat gradmu they 

are very fun i like them a lot 

you brot lots uv them.

I will give you sum prezents 

sumtim or on chrismis eavy.

I Just cant wate for ckrismis it 

is cuming fast

i cant wate to put the

deckrashons.

oring porpol red

thancks.

I Love You.

(Mady)

Dear Grandma Evy,

thank you for

the presents.

My favorite one

was markers

and stickers

and cards.

(from Logan)

As soon as the kids left for school, Grant eagerly pulled out the paint and came up with this. Not bad, huh?

I was a pretty happy mama that the kiddos showed so much gratitude for their surprise package--I will definitely be sending these thank you letters to my grandma tomorrow. If you are wondering about the names in parenthesis. . . that is what we have been doing on our turkey feathers each morning so we know who wrote what. I guess they think that is how we sign our names on things, lol!

Little Moments Like That

Can't say this is the best picture of Grant, but the story behind it is pretty good. On Sunday morning he spent over half an hour insisting that he did not need help with his buttons. He finally, and proudly, walked into our bedroom and said, "Well that was easy." 

Dad helped him get the buttons right and then Grant tucked in his shirt. . . all the way into his underwear. 

Joe made me this Turkey four years ago when I was the Primary chorister, and we've been using it every November since then. Everyone gets a feather to write on during breakfast. It has been fun, funny, and sweet to see what everyone is thankful for. Today, for instance, Logan wrote "awsomness" (sic)--probably the one we laughed hardest at, Grant's was "Sheeps, cows, and animals." Madison wrote "Little Elm," Joe wrote "digital scripture tools" (new seminary teacher talking),  and mine was "sleep!"Some other favorites include "hot chocolate on rainy days" (Grant), "healing from sick" (Logan), "good friends" (Madi), and "Mommy" (Joe). I find myself thinking throughout the day about all the blessings we have. I love this time of year, and we truly have been greatly blessed by our Heavenly Father.