Bedtime Fun

Amelia usually goes to bed pretty easily. Of course, like any parent, my goal is to have her start to wind down and enjoy some quiet, snuggle time with her daddy and I before bed. In reality, she can occasionally get quite boisterous, and excitable. On this particular night, she decided it was time for a pillow fight. I have to say, it was lovely to hear her giggle, as she swung the pillow round at her daddy. She was also very excited to wear her new nightie, and loved spinning round and round in it.

A Very Special Family...and a Very Special Man!

When my husband Matthew and I got together, it was like finally becoming part of a family that I already knew and loved. I didn't need to "meet the parents", his father, Rickie, was my bishop and had helped support me through difficult moments, I'd served with his mum, Janice, on the Relief Society board at church, had walked with his Aunt Belinda and Uncle Randy during early morning walks, and had even been to his grandmother's home for Sunday lunch. You could say, the only Rawe I didn't really know, was the one that would make me an official "numbered" member of the Rawe clan (although he did teach one of my classes at church when I first moved there).

Let me explain what I mean by being "numbered" - as a form of keeping a family record, each member of the Rawe family was given a number, starting with Matthew's grandparents, who both shared number 1, following them, each of their children were numbered, in the order of birth, then spouses were given a number as they married into the family. The numbering continues as grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are born and so forth. It's quite a fun system, and I can tell you that today the numbers exceed 110.

Anyway, the real reason for this post is to celebrate the life of a wonderful man. Last week, Matthew's grandfather, (number 1) passed away.

He was a great man, and welcomed me into the family with open arms, I still remember the first Thanksgiving dinner I shared with Matthew's family, just before we were married. Grandpa was there and told me how happy he was that I was going to be a part of the family (after all, his wife Beverly had also been from English descent). He told me that I should let him know if Matthew ever gave me any trouble. When passing down words of wisdom, grandpa always referred to Matthew and other boys in the family as "big-son", a memory that will be treasured by my husband.

The first photo in this post was taken when Amelia was about 6 months old, the first time she met her great-grandpa. The other photo's were taken in July of last year (2010), when we visited California for a few days, the last time Amelia and I saw him.

I am so grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel, and that I know that families are indeed eternal. I am especially thankful to have been adopted into such a fabulous one. How blessed I am.

We love you Grandpa Rawe, 'til we meet again!

"Sing Me A Song Mr. Piano Man..."

This is what I saw from my kitchen one evening last week. As I cleaned up the dishes after dinner , I glanced over to the "music room" and noticed that Amelia had climbed up on the piano bench and was happily "plinking" the keys and singing out loud to her favorite songs found in the children's songbook.

The photo below is actually taken of Amelia's reflection in the piano...I love trying different angles with the camera and really liked how this pic turned out.

Although I sometimes miss being able to play piano without the interruption of little hands (and even though I could spend hours cleaning the tiny smudgy handprints on the black lacquered finish), I am excited to share my love of music with my daughter. Music is one of the most important things in my life, it is calming, uplifting and inspiring. I may not be anything close to a concert pianist, but I am grateful for this talent that brings me so much happiness, and also allows me to share something special with Amelia and my family.

Another reason this was such a special sight for me, is because I have many memories of my Nana sitting with me at the piano as I learned to play the songs out of the "Sing With Me" children's songbook. Of course I was older than Amelia at the time, but I can't help wondering if she was as happy watching me as I am watching my girl!

Thank you mum for always working hard so that I could develop this talent - I love you!

Amelia graduates to Primary

On the first Sunday in January the children in our church ward between ages 3-11 years old all shuffle up into another class. This year Amelia moved up from Nursery into the Sunbeam class (the 3 year olds). We have two Sunbeam classes in our ward, one of which I teach. Amelia just happens to be in my class. She was so very excited to be moving up from nursery (which she loved), into her momma's class.

I was a little nervous as to how it would be having her in my class, since I'm her mum and all, but so far, it has been going pretty well (a few pouty moments but nothing too challenging). I have six cute little Sunbeams in all, and am excited to be able to teach them throughout the next year.

Of course, I had to take photo's of Amelia on the day she moved up into Primary, it was so funny to see her with all of the bigger kids, although a little scary to think about how fast she is growing up!

Father Christmas Came To Our House!

Although we didn't end up having time to put the lights up on the house, Matthew and Amelia did decorate outside a little, by adding our two reindeer, along with lights in both of our little trees, it was a pretty sight.

I am happy to say that I finished my candy before the eleventh hour this year, it's a lot of work, but worth it to know that a special tradition is being continued, not to mention how delicious it is and how great it is to share.

On to Christmas Eve, the three of us stayed home together, so I decided to make my mother-in-law's fried chicken, it turned out great...here's Amelia waiting for her plate.


After dinner, it was time to open just one present...

" PJ's" of course!

Amelia was very excited about her Tinkerbell PJ's, that came with a matching robe. She also got Tinkerbell slippers, no more cold toes.

After a drive around the neighbourhood to see all of the Christmas lights - and what a wonderful sight that was...Amelia and I prepared a special plate for Father Christmas, comprising of cookies and a carrot for his reindeer. Here she is writing the note.

Finally it was time for bed, and this girl was so very excited!

Luckily for us, she did settle down quite well and ended up falling asleep pretty quickly.

How beautiful the living room looked with all of the presents wrapped and under the tree.

Our darling 3 year old was up bright and early, around 6:15 am, I suppose it could have been worse. "It's time to wake up, momma!" she said.

Daddy helped her open her presents, she got some lovely things, including a ladybird pillow pet from Grandma and Grandpa Rawe (she had really wanted one of these).

She also got a beautiful doll from Nana and Papa that she has named "Lulu".

Grandma Judy and Grandpa Gordon got her a fun cheerleader dress up outfit, complete with matching shoes and pom-poms.

Another favourite dress up outfit, Jessie from Toy Story.

Father Christmas left her measuring cups just like mummy's, she loves to help me bake.

She put her cheerleading outfit on right away.

Ah...one of the favourite's from Father Christmas...Hungry, Hungry Hippo's game.

Snuggle time with daddy and the pillow pet.

We ended up having our Christmas dinner on Sunday, of course, we had English Christmas Crackers...Amelia got a set of screwdrivers in hers and daddy got a pearl necklace, so they switched. I'm so glad I am able to incorporate my traditions.

It wouldn't be Christmas without mince pies, another English favourite. Although Matthew wasn't interested in trying one, Amelia did. I think she mainly ate the squirty cream on top and left the pie. Personally, I really enjoyed them.

Just chilling, in front of the TV, wearing her pearls.

This is Jingle, my boss Darren and his family bought this for Amelia. He comes with a book and as you read the book, Jingle joins in with various sounds...he has become a family favourite too.

Another tradition we have is exchanging ornaments, Amelia got a glass bird, that she calls her "chicken", it is perhaps not so childlike and quite vintage looking, but I thought she might appreciate it when she's older, plus it's a reminder for her to always spread her wings and fly! Unfortunately, I haven't taken photo's of my ornament or Matthew's yet. Mine was a lovely, multi-coloured glass ball. Matthew got a Boston Celtic's 2010 Holiday ball.

Look at those precious hands, cradling her "chicken".

It may have been quiet, but we had a lovely Christmas. The only thing that would have made it even better would have been to have more family close by, but you were all in our hearts.

As we enter a new year, we hope your family is blessed.

Here's to 2011!!!