Sunday, December 30, 2007

Sleepless In Seattle

With just a few days till the new year, we have a new grandson. Henry Allen Thompson was born December 27, 2007. He is perfect and even more perfect, he was smaller than his big 10lb brother at birth. Mom, Kaira Fern and baby are doing great. We got the phone call the afternoon of the 26th that they were going to induce Kaira Fern. They started inducement around 5pm and Henry was born at 8:32am. I flew in the night of the 27th and Kaira and Henry came home from the hospital the morning of the 28th, since then we get sleep when we can. Henry is a good baby and not a screamer. He eats every 2 hours and has one long stretch in the early morning hours. Mack is a good big brother, maybe too good. His only problem maybe that he is a little possessive of his little brother. Mack helps get diapers, throws trash away and tells you where things are. He tells you more than where things are, he tells you what things are. He's always pointing out what things are called. We now call him "Captain Obvious". It's great to have a real super hero in the family. I'm here for the week to help with night time feedings and daytime chaos. Today was great I got a three hour nap and Kim and the kids got here and we'll all be here for the week. Three hours is the longest I've slept since I got here. By the time Henry gets fed changed and back to sleep I get about 40 minuets of sleep. I'm not young anymore and really needed the 3 hours today. I'm sure things will get better but no matter how much sleep I get I love being here with my grand babies in Seattle.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Merry Christmas

I have been doing my own survey. I recently listened to a local talk radio show where the topic of discussion was saying "Merry Christmas" as opposed to "Happy Holiday".  I hadn't really thought of it, and must admit, I quiet often say "Happy Holiday" instead of "Merry Christmas".  The main point was, we have taken too much of Christ out of our lives and saying "Happy Holidays" instead "Merry Christmas" is just another subtle way. I now say "Merry Christmas" to everyone. The responses have been interesting. Some smile, look you in the eye and say "Merry Christmas" back. Others maybe smile but don't say anything. The most interesting to me are those that look confused. I want to stop my busy life and talk for a few minuets with those people. It's as though they have forgotten what life is about and they want to be reminded. I think of my son Kyle at those moments. He is serving on a two year mission for our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh area finding and teaching those who are looking for answers. 
So, Merry Christmas from the Porterfield family! May we all remember the joy our Savior, Jesus Christ, has brought to this world.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Christmas Time is Here!

If you know us at all, you know how much we love this time of year. We all get into the fun and festivities. The Christmas music is turned on, the eggnog is poured Thanksgiving night,and we start decorating the house the next day. We love the baking, decorating and fun that goes with the Christmas. We had our annual tree hut this year. I'm not sure the kids look forward to this as much as Kim and I. We drag the kids around until we find the perfect tree. This has been known to take hours. I like to post a child by a tree I like until I decided which tree we want. I've been subjecting my kids to this since they were small. Even when we lived in Missouri and the oldest girls were small, I would have them stay by a tree until we decided. That way no one could buy the trees we were considering. It was tough when we used to cut our own trees, but we covered the area an acre at a time and the older kids stood with farthest away tree. Can you imagine a little four year old girl with rosy cheeks from the cold, telling, "I'm sorry my mom might want that tree. You can't buy that one." I admit, I'm demented. This year we managed to only have to go to one tree lot. Our biggest challenge is reminding Kim the height restriction we have. Once home it's on to decorating, everyone participates, like it or not. Even though some of us complain with all the work, we love every bit of it and wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe the part where I have a melt down just days before Christmas. this year things will be very quiet around our home. Kaira Fern and Tyler are staying home in Washington. they are expecting baby number 2 the week after Christmas. I understand, but you'd think they would be more sensitive to our needs and send Mack for Christmas. Kassey and Will will be staying in Utah. Will has to work and Kassey is due to have their baby the middle of January. Kerin and Cory are with us for Christmas. Yea, somebody loves us. Kerin has always been good at kissing up to her parents. Kyle is serving in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh mission and will be enjoying a white, cold Christmas. With everyone gone that just leaves 8 for Christmas. To some that would be a large group, for our home that's a quiet, intimate group. We will be having our traditional Christmas Eve and there are 25 people expected, so I'll still get my crowed and chaos.


Christmas Music

Christmas time brings choir performances. All the kids at home sing in some type of choir.  For the last few months the kids have had choir practices and last week was the big performing week.  On Thursday the 6th of December, Kody and Karly sang with the Stake youth choir at the San Diego Temple. Kody and another boy from the ward accompanied with their guitars to a few songs. It was great to sit at the Temple and listen to the kids sing.  
On Saturday the 8th, Kloe was a busy girl. We started the morning at the ward Christmas Brunch.  It was just me, Kim and Kloe. Kody was taking the ACT and Karly was home in bed because she didn't feel too good. Kloe had to be there early for choir practice.  The Activities Day girls were to sing with the ward choir as part of the program. As soon as they finished practicing, the brunch started. Kloe ate and then we had to leave to get her to the local Barnes & Noble, where her school choir was performing that morning. She had been practicing for weeks for this performance and knew that we night not make it back in time to sing at the ward brunch, but we were going to give it a try. It's amazing how many things I can get done when I'm only hauling around one kid. She changed her clothes in the car on the way to Barnes & Noble. There was a good turn out and the kids did a great job.
 As soon as they finished we hurried back to the ward, but missed the program. We were sad, but happy we gave it a try. On Sunday the Stake had a special Christmas musical fireside.  All the ward and stake choirs performed. The Kody and Karly sang with the stake youth choir. It was a very nice evening and brought a good Christmas spirit.  We still have one more school ensemble and caroling with in the neighborhood. Is it possible to get too much Christmas music? I don't think so. 
 Tra la la

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Weekend Trip

I missed the first good rain in San Diego in a long time, but I got to enjoy
 a good snow storm in Utah.
  
On Friday the 30th of November, I flew up to Utah to stay with Kerin and Cory and to go to Kassey's baby shower.  It rained here all day Friday, but lightened up just before I left.  Just about an hour after I landed in Salt Lake, it started to snow and I was able to enjoy beautiful snow falling until Saturday night.  I stayed with Kerin and Cory in their new home. 


 Saturday was Kassey's baby shower at Aunt Stacie's.  Kerin did a great job putting on the shower and a big thank you to Stacie for opening her home.
 
 We had fun measuring Kassey's tummy, 
sharing advice, and eating tasty foods.
    After the shower Kassey, Kerin, their husbands and I went out to dinner, on the way home Kerin and Cory took me by Temple Square to see the lights. 


 The lights were wonderful, but the best thing was Santa in his sleigh.  There are carriages that you can hirer to give you rides around downtown Salt Lake.  This time of year it's no big deal to see the drivers dressed up for the season, unless you're a 400lb Santa.
  I'm not sure how he even managed to stay on his seat.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but Santa has definitely eaten too many cookies and I think it's time to change to non-fat milk. Sunday we helped Kassey unpack some boxes in their new place. 
 I still love to move and I get a little rush from organizing a 
new kitchen and linen closet. I know I'm weird.