December 2007

Here was Amy's letter to the Benson clan - this pretty much sums up our week...

Hi family!

We hope you all have had a good week despite all the sadness and uncertainty about Shannon. Our prayers are still going up for her every day and we have faith that if it is the Lord's will, she will be healed. We have had a good week despite Paul being gone to San Francisco doing training at Stanford. He liked the area and had a good work week while we got to play all week with Uncle Nate, who gave up a week of bachelorhood to watch kids, do dishes, volunteer at Aaron's school, etc. Really, he did everything a stay-at-home mom would do and I'm afraid we wore him out! But he was a great sport and the kids LOVED having him here. It made the separation from Paul SO much easier. Thanks Nate!

This week Paul is on the road again in San Francisco doing training for Chevron. So we're on our own and planning fun things to make the time go faster, as well as celebrate the season. We're going over to dinner at a friend's house tomorrow, baking treats for neighbors, attending Enrichment, and renting Christmas movies. We'll be fine, but will miss Paul a lot.

Here's the quick rundown of everyone:

Anna has officially learned the word "No!" and uses it every chance she gets. She is also like a mountain goat, climbing onto tables, couches, the piano, etc. She is talking up a storm and loves to look at Santa ornaments and say "Oh Oh Oh!" She let me put a hair band in her hair for a whole 45 seconds last night, which is a recent record. She likes "pretty" things sometimes, but we may have a little rough and tumble tomboy on our hands. She keeps up pretty good with "the bubbas." (the brothers)

Jacob is doing much better in nursery and hasn't been as aggressive to his buddy Matthew for a few weeks, which we are glad to hear. Jacob and Matthew have clashed on occasion, but they both seem to have grown out of it. Jacob wants trains, lots of trains, for Christmas and talks every day about the Polar Express still. He loved going with Uncle Nate last week to the Outlet Mall for story time and a carousel ride. He even got to ride in Nate's "champagne car."

Aaron was just named Student of the Month, which meant he got to have pizza on the stage with Mr. Darrington, the principal, during lunch. His big event this week was shopping at the "Holiday Shop" at school for all of us. He used his allowance money and got us all something for Christmas. They help the kids choose gifts, budget, buy, and wrap the presents. Last year he gave Jacob some stuffed dice (welcome to Vegas!), and Paul a light-up dolphin, so we can hardly wait to see what he has chosen this year.

I am doing quite well for all we have going on. The church auxiliaries are keeping me way busy. I sang at our ward's Young Women in Excellence last week and it went good. I'm also singing and helping with the Enrichment Christmas activity on Thursday. I also was in charge of the primary cookie decorating party last Friday too. Sunday I played the organ and today I accompanied a musical number. I have felt very used and needed this season. How I long for the days in the 7th ward of hearing all my favorites in Sacrament Meeting (Mom and Dad singing "No Room," the orchestra playing in the back of the chapel, Brother Joy leading and singing with gusto, and the Griffin family singing "I heard the bells on Christmas Day.") Those are sweet memories, though it's funny how you don't realize they will become treasured memories at the time. I hope after Christmas we can just have some singing time as a family. I haven't heard Mary's Lullaby yet and I'm missing all of you and your voices! Who is up for a big singalong when we're all together? Maybe even an encore performance of the brother's "reindeer dance?"

Paul is doing dishes right now while I type. What a good boy! I'm going to help him pack for his 4 AM departure. The kids are running wild, so I'd better sign off. If any of you are bored this week (or just feel bad for me), I'd love to chat so that I can have adult interaction. Please give me a call! We'll be fine with good neighbors, Christmas projects, and McDonald's playland down the road. Even so, wish us luck! Love to you all!

Amy and crew

p.s. I LOVED the elf-ed videos of Mom, Dad, Jordan, and Sadie. We all had a good laugh! We see that Christensens sent one too. Can't wait to open it. Bye!