"Candy Canes, Counting Days, Kids Who Still Believe . . ."

For my birthday dinner this year, we had a family dinner with all of the cousins and aunts and uncles here in Dallas. It was so fun to get together and eat yummy food on Barbara's beautiful spread. We also decorated cookies afterwards. The kids were THRILLED to say the least! And the kids opened presents from Grandma and Grandpa Allred. Matthew was so excited to receive the Hullabaloo game. If you haven't played this, it's so fun, and kids can easily learn.David's cookies didn't stay decorated for too long.

But he tried really hard.

Corbin was a little overwhelmed with all of the cousin chaos.

Carter was the most dedicated in his decorating skills. He stayed well after the other boys left to play.

This is what happens to Matthew when he gets ahold of sugar.

And for Mom and Dad, these are a few of the projects Matthew has been working on.

He's very proud of his "m's" and his numbers--although there are only "m's" on this particular project.

He loves gluing things right now too.

And purple--his new favorite color.

Our angels. This year, at least one of our friends, and we're guessing more, delivered a pink/purple Christmas tree with gift cards and a present for the boys. It was so thoughtful and the gift card was an answer to a prayer. We won't give all of the details, and this isn't what we expected in any way, but we will say that Heavenly Father has definitely been watching over our little family. Thank you.

Christmas Eve was spent in the company of friends this year. We had the Walden Family and our neighbor, Kianna, over for finger foods. It was a delicious meal and excellent company. We also read the Bible story and opened my gift from Ryan and the boys: a nativity. And I actually guessed this one. I had told Ryan that I wanted to find a nativity before Christmas, as we still do not have one, and I wanted to use some of my birthday money. He kept telling me not to look for one. And then he said I should wait until after Christmas. I still didn't get the hint. I finally said, "You are being awfully grinchy and grouchy about this. A nativity is so important to me. I grew up with the one my dad made, and I really want one." He then spilled the beans on it. Oops! Anyway, it was perfect for Christmas Eve, because as we read the story, we used the figures. I LOVE it! Afterward, Kianna and our family and Ryan's parents looked at Christmas lights in Deerfield--an amazing scheme of lights--EVERYWHERE!! It was wonderful!

On Christmas morning, David woke up around 4 a.m. Fortunately, he stayed in our bed, wiggling around until about 7 a.m. We then opened presents around 7:30. The boys were so excited!

Several gifts were delivered to us by random friends, late on Christmas Eve. Our kids were so spoiled by their generosity and compassion. Thanks again.

The infamous "Rocket Book". Matthew has been so excited for this book!

Koda, our new dinosaur pet. He interacts with you--snoring, roaring, sneezing, making random dinosaur sounds. And you can ride him--all inclusive.

Santa was very good to Matthew this year. Thanks so much for the amazing rocketship table top. To see both boys' faces light up made the Christmas so magical.

Birthday Boy Is 2!!!

We celebrated David's birthday with Ryan's parents on Monday night. It's hard to believe he's already two! He had a great day, and an even better birthday celebration! Ryan made David a red/pink pick-up cake! (Note: I put on the wheels--apparently, they're way off. Does it really matter?!)

David was so excited to blow his candles out. I forgot to buy birthday cake candles, so we used odds/ends found around the house.

Matthew was a little bit excited about the special day. He was being so silly at dinner and Ryan actually caught this on camera--great blackmail for the mission/wedding day. Anyway, we laughed.

The birthday man himself.

He totally understood about the presents. It was kind of amazing--like "Yikes, what have we done?! We've created a monster!" Okay, not really that bad, but he really liked opening his gifts.

And Big Brother had a hard time waiting. Matthew actually helped me wrap most of the gifts, so the dialogue went something like this: "Dabid, can you hurry and open my Wall-E present? I want you to open your Car." Nothing like keeping a secret in the Allred home, huh, Hon?And our traditional gingerbread houses. While Ryan slaved away putting David's garage gift together, we decorated and ate and junked out and made ourselves sick from candy. It was a lot of fun!

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of it because I was covered in goop. But basically, Matthew and Grandma's house went from an A-Frame/Two-Story house to a flat-top/garage to an earthquake. It was so funny! That's what happens when David sees something he wants--ATTACK!!!

This is the garage portion.

My house. It's a little bare on the sides. Matthew & David ate everything else by this point. Imagine!

And who needs blackmail when I do it to myself??! I had zero make-up on and was lounging in the pjs. What a picture! 'Tis life--right, Grammy!

"A Twinkle In His Eye"

As Christmas is almost upon us, we find much excitement in the air around our home. Particularly, our Matthew is thrilled about the holiday and all of the things to go with it. And although, Matthew and David have been extremely sick with RSV and pneumonia and crupe and ear infections, etc. . . . so much is still happening. I've found myself many days pausing to reflect on our year of trial and growth, and I've found myself thanking Heavenly Father for these sweet little bundles I get to stay home with each day. On the floor you will see a broken handle lock and a pajama shirt. In the middle of the night, Matthew went to our laundry room, removed his pj's and dressed himself in this (below). Every day he asks me, "Can I wear my Star Wars shirt and airplane shirt to bed?" Most days, I respond "yes", but sometimes it's in the wash. This NEVER stops Matthew from seeking it out. And the outfit is NOT complete without jeans--oh yes, they're so comfortable to sleep in--not at all!

Santa. We've never really pushed the whole Santa idea. But as Matthew is getting older, he is getting more and more into this figure. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know he's a child, but it bothers me that the birth of our Savior would compete with this imaginary, even worldly figure. And I'm sure several people are reading this, thinking I'm over the top, but I seriously hate how out of control people get over the holiday. I love to give and enjoy seeing my children open their gifts on Christmas day, but I hate the commercialism. Does that make sense? Anyway, Matthew apparently loved Santa. The photographer took some shots of him whispering in Santa's ear and laughing with him. He did give us those, but I'm too lazy to scan them in. And Matthew also delivered a note to the man in red. (I stayed home with David while Ryan took Matthew to the church breakfast.)

Projects. This is a boy who loves to create. We have done a cooking project or craft everyday. Although, I have not taken pictures of everything. Mostly, we've done just really basic things and googled some things on the internet. Upcoming projects include cookies, gingerbread house decorating, candies, carmel corn, more light looking, snowflakes, and possibly more internet stuff if I can muster the energy. Anyway, Matthew's really enjoyed it.

The other night, actually it was the night before my birthday, I came home from enrichment to find Matthew screaming in his bed. Ryan said he had given him a blessing, but he was complaining that his ear hurt. I pulled him out of bed and held him on the couch. I held him for several hours trying to soothe the pain, giving him some Motrin and an antibiotic, but nothing to cure within that short of a time. What a healing experience this was for me, though.

Matthew's and my relationship has been so back and forth lately. We've really been struggling with his behavior and compliance. Anyway, as we lay there, I took the opportunity to indulge myself in his sweetness, to count his freckles, to hear his little heart's desires, his prayers, his thoughts, his divine characteristics, and individual personality. I had the chance to fall in love with him all over again. He was coughing so hard and he came close to vomitting. When he burped he told me, "Excuse me" even though he was in such intense pain. He said, "Thank you, Mommy, for letting me wear my favorite shirt." "Baby Alec came out of Gabi's tummy and I want to play with him when I visit him." "Sing 'Baby of Mine', Mommy." "Oh, our David is so cute, Mom." "I'm gonna bring her a rocketship, cause I love her." "I want to talk to you about something else too, about space and about rockets and planets and satellites . . ." We had so many little conversations that may not seem to mean anything, but when you add them up, my heart is overwhelmed. I have so much love for this little child of God. He is special. He is amazing. And he is mine. Matthew has blessed our home in so many ways. His little mind is so sharp and complex.

I cried when I heard the doctor diagnose the RSV and pneumonia for David. My mind went back to late March of this year and last year. I thought about making another long stay in the hospital. Matthew immediately came over and told me, "Don't cry, Mommy. I love you so much that I'm gonna draw you a rocketship. It will be okay."

It's been such a rock bottom week in many ways, and yet, I've felt the love of the Lord the entire time. When I wondered how we were going to pay for prescriptions, as we already emptied our pockets a few times this month with medicines and medical bills, the doctor gave us $300-400 worth of samples of meds. Feeling a little frazzled with the long routine of breathing treatments--extended from 6 minutes to 30 minutes, four times a day due to the increase to 4 steroids, and other administration of meds by myself, my visiting teacher brought our family dinner. She didn't call. She just showed up. We've received so many answers to prayers. I know it's a growing period for our family right now, which like the quote above says, "requires a little bit of stretching, discomfort and pain," but things are going to be all right.

Our Miracle

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

"Nicodemus was bewildered and asked: 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?'

"Jesus explained that He was talking about being born spiritually. He said:

"'Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

"'That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.'"
-John 3:4-6

Words cannot begin to express how full my heart is.

Our family has been praying for missionary opportunities lately. A couple of months ago, I had the prompting to leave our home early to pick up Matthew from school. I fought the prompting because I felt like I had too much to do. But after the third time, I left.

On the way out of the door, I met our downstair's neighbors. He immediately started telling me about his wife's stay of 12 weeks in the hospital, the death of their first baby, and the possibility of losing their second. He also bore his testimony to me about Christ and prayer. Further, he told me that even though people said their first baby wasn't theirs because she died within a day of birth, he felt like she was still theirs. I then, had the chance to bear my testimony to him.

Ryan and I began serving this family by taking him dinner once a week and just checking up on him. Each time, we had the chance to bear testimony of the power of the Savior. We also felt prompted to share a video on eternal families with him.

A few weeks later, I saw the missionaries at church. I felt prompted to give them our gate code and invite them to talk to our neighbor.

Low and behold, they came that week and knocked. Unfortunately, Stacey had just had the baby and come home from her 16-week stay in the hospital, but she was extremely infected and really sick. So . . . they were unable to visit with them, and rescheduled for a later date.

They felt prompted to continue knocking throughout the complex. They knocked on the neighbor's door, right across our hall. We had met this girl one time in passing up the stairs.

They met with her a few times and invited her to church. She came. She started coming each week. We began having the discussions in our home three times a week.

After 4, maybe 5 weeks of attending church and finishing the missionary discussions, Kianna Peri Nassersharif was baptized. She will be comfirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this Sunday, December 07, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

My heart is so full of the love for Kianna and for the Lord. His hand was guiding everything along. She had a firm desire to seek out truth. The missionaries were dilligent in following their promptings, and we also followed the promptings of the Spirit. The journey and transformation has been amazing, and we are excited to continue to see her progress. But to see Ryan baptize her last night brought tears to my eyes. She's a wonderful young woman and we welcome her in!

Turkey Day

We have had so much going on over the past little while! Our nephew, Alec Steven McLeish, was born on Saturday, November 22 around 9 a.m. at 7 lb. 8 oz. Gabi did AMAZING--seriously! She has the best birthing experience I have yet heard of! :D) And their little bundle is beautiful!!! Welcome to our family, Baby Alec! We already have so much love for you!

And our actual Turkey Day--

Ryan played in his parents' ward Turkey Bowl and I chased the kids around. Matthew rode his bike and David watched Grandpa Allred fly his airplane.

We had dinner at my In-Laws' and it was delicious!!! Thank you! Thank you! Ryan's favorite part of the meal was my mashed potatoes. His personal helping had 1/2 cup of salt. You should ask him for the recipe--to die for!

Shea & Jessica also came into town, so it was nice to have extra family for the event.

And as tradition goes, we put up our Christmas tree. I LOVE this! My tree can still use a few more bells and whistles so to speak, but even if we had nothing to put on it but lights, I love Christmas trees!

And Barbara decided to do a few crafts with the boys. Matthew loves his new costumes!

And of course, our life would not be complete without all of Matthew's sillyness and tricks!

We had a GREAT holiday! As far as Black Friday goes, I did NOT go to one store the entire day!!! Yea for me! I hate shopping the crowds! Instead, I sent Ryan to get a few groceries--mostly treats for our movie. Then, we took the kids to see Bolt in 3D. We had a really fun time! We also celebrated Shea's birthday with Ryan's parents, Dallin, and Stephanie and Baby Corbin. It was a lot of fun!