We enjoyed a lovely meal and then the kids went to town decorating cookies for Santa...1 for Santa, 3 for me...Christina was very artistic in her creations, Thomas was FAST, Grace threw on a TON of jimmies, and Caroline was a very careful decorator. Afterward the children had a fun little gift exchange using this story and we listened to Luke 2 and The Cajun Night Before Christmas. Bro. B. 
served his mission in Louisiana & reading this hilarious book is a Christmas Eve tradition in their family. We laughed until we cried.
We have a tradition of opening the stockings first. Santa leaves a sugar mini cereal box for each child, and the kids have a quick cold cereal breakfast after going through their stockings.
Grace immediately went on pretend stage and rocked out. Caroline barely got a whisper out and was much more shy. As for the gifts, sweet Caroline took forever to carefully unwrap each gift! We had a ball....no tears and lots of grateful hearts.
Wesley has been chewing on his toys. He got 1 front tooth for Christmas and the other is SOOOO close.
We are so very thankful for His gracious hand in our lives. We know that every good thing and every inch of progress in our lives is because of our Savior.
The other day Wayne told me he was having a hard time deciding what to get me for Christmas. My quick response was, "Tack $ on to the spa cert. I have yet to use (from Mother's Day/Wes' birth was the same day)." However after giving this more thought and after putting in yet another 18 hour mommy day, I came home from taking Christina to Activity Days and told Wayne I knew exactly what I wanted for Christmas. He looked hopeful. I said, "I want a nap (I could see the relief on his face and the mental check mark on his gift list)....AND (Wayne's relief turned to a look of defeat) I'd like to wake up to Christmas music playing, a clean house, and happy children getting along with each other." Wayne smiled as if to say, "You silly," but what he did say was, "Why couldn't you have just asked for earrings?" We both had a good laugh.
Our Christmas kitchen has been busy, and being snowed in today, the fun had was yummy indeed. First I gave the Salmon Breakfast Casserole (see "recipes" to the right) a trial run and thankfully it was a hit...something we'll make for special occasions/brunches. Next in the oven was Cousin Sharlene's gingerbread cookies. My aunt Karen hosted a family Christmas party at her home many years ago, and cousin Sharlene brought a big batch of her cookies to share. I haven't had a Christmas season without baking her cookies since I got her recipe. They are FUN! Cousin Shar gave me permission to share...everyone should have a cousin as sweet as Sharlene.!
At church the kids were given a candle and a note listing a Christ-centered New Testament scripture to be read each night in December until Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised at how enthusiastic the kids were to participate! Grace runs to turn out the lights, and they think it's pretty special to read by candlelight.
OK, I'm feeling the spirit of the Christmas season now that I've attended the wreath making party. You have to see it to believe how wonderful it is. My good friend, Allison drove with me and we had a ball. I forgot my camera, but Ellen had hers and took some great pictures (including the one of me & my wreath--see above:)). The program was beautiful, as always. Linda H. writes it every year, and every year I feel compelled to give her a hug when it's done. She's amazing and so generous with her talents! The music was heavenly and I especially loved "Rejoice" from Handel's Messiah sung by a soprano vocalist. When she sang the words, "Rejoice greatly!" I truly felt my heart rejoice with gratitude for Christ and all that He means to me, and when she sang of peace it was piercing. Who can argue that Handel was inspired when he wrote Messiah? I feel closer to Christ every single time I listen to those beautiful scriptures put to music. What a blessing to be so uplifted by these men and women who share their beautiful musical talents (some have been contributing to this program for years).
Next stop...Uncle Dan & Aunt Julee's in VA! What fun we had! They have a beautiful home on a few acres. We enjoyed an amazing Thanksgiving feast with the best rolls I've had since Grandma's last batch. Thurs. evening we visited a family from Pasadena Stake. They have a beautiful home on a farm not far from D&J's. I caught up with a friend I haven't seen in just about 20 years! This is no admission that we're old just yet! It was amazing that after all that time we could pick up and enjoy each others company as if no time had passed. It was a lovely visit and we walked away with a recipe in hand for an amazing pear torte... thanks, Sharon! Friday, Mari & I took the kiddos to see Enchanted. We gave it 2 thumbs up. Having been to NYC many times, our kids loved the setting. Of course when asked their favorite part they all mention the 2 seconds where Pip poops. I loved the whole song and dance sequence in Central Park as well as the "Mary Poppins" clean up spoof. I only wish I had Giselle's sewing skills.
Saturday I got sucked back into the Mum puzzle Julee started...oh my! She must think we're smart or something. It was a doozy, but we love the puzzle tradition. To our surprise, Grace was a great help.
Wesley Brower was a Christmas baby, the second-born son of a farming family in rural Idaho. Over the years, he tended to fall in the shadow of his taller, more athletic, and better looking older brother. Wesley loved to make jokes, but often voiced them quietly, as if saying them only to himself. Still, he almost always wore his trademark smile.
He was a conscientious worker, completing all his farm chores on time and meticulously.
In spite of his quiet nature, Wesley served as a positive influence for his peers.
As often happens when a group of kids get together, somebody would suggest causing some mischief “just for fun.” Wesley invariably provided the voice of better judgment, suggesting an alternative that would still be fun but wouldn’t get anyone in trouble.
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 drew the United States into World War II. Shortly before his 20th birthday, Wesley was drafted into the Army.
He received training as an Infantryman and was assigned to the 8th Infantry Division. Private Brower adjusted well to Army life, demonstrating the same quiet commitment to completing his duties that had marked his life growing up on the farm.
Serving in the Army held its own rewards for Private Brower. In his letters home, he wrote of his new-found passion – his rifle. He had always wanted a rifle, but his mother hated the things and refused to have them on the farm.
Private Brower would spend hours caring for his rifle – carefully cleaning and lubricating it and polishing the stock until it was as smooth as glass. He loved marksmanship training and became an excellent shot.
After the D-day invasion and the initial successes at Normandy, the United States sent multiple divisions into Europe, hoping to quickly rout the German Army.
However, the Germans were firmly entrenched in the Hurtgen Forest in Belgium.
If they gained control of the Hurtgen Valley and its numerous dams, they would be able to flood the entire valley, delaying the American advance by months.
Additionally, the forest terrain was impassable to the Armor units, forcing an infantry battle, which allowed Germans to conserve their scarce petroleum supplies. And so America became engaged in the longest single battle the Army has ever fought - the Battle of Hurtgen Forest.
This battle involved elements of the 8th Infantry Division, including Private Brower’s unit. Soldiers who had been at Omaha Beach as well as Hurtgen Forest later said the latter battle was even bloodier – an even worse nightmare – than Normandy had been.
By Oct. 31, 1944, the Battle for Hurtgen Forest had been raging for nearly six weeks.
Americans continued to test the German lines, gaining ground inch-by-inch, foot-by-foot.
During one of these advances, the platoon leader asked for volunteers to low-crawl up a hill to take out a German machine gun nest.
Private Brower and two other Soldiers stepped forward. The three men began creeping up the hill with Private Brower in the lead. A German sniper, hidden in a well-placed tree stand higher up on the hillside, noticed the team’s advance, selected his target, took careful aim, and fired.
The others spotted the muzzle flash and returned fire immediately, killing the sniper. But it was too late.
The sniper had found his mark, hitting Private Brower between the eyes, killing him instantly.
And so, Wesley Brower died as he had lived, quietly and conscientiously performing his duty.
He joined the numbers of over 24,000 Americans who lost their lives in that battle - largely forgotten, because of the more famous Battle of the Bulge, which began shortly afterwards.
The face of war has changed dramatically since World War II. The war in Iraq does not compare with any previous war – including Vietnam.
The insurgency in Iraq would be more like Vietnam without the North Vietnamese Army.
The experts call today’s style of combat asymmetric warfare because it “includes threats outside the range of conventional warfare that are difficult to respond to in-kind (e.g. a suicide bomber).” – from the Dictionary of Military Terms.
We are not fighting against a foreign nation’s uniformed forces.
The enemy is not clearly defined and there is no single leader at the head of the insurgency who we can kill, capture, or force to surrender that can make the insurgency end.
In many ways, what I experienced in Iraq was different than what was experienced by Veterans of previous wars.
I was not an Infantryman. I have never engaged in trench warfare. I never had to use my weapon to shoot my way out of harm’s way.
Still, for the first time I feel a common bond to these warriors from the past. I know what it is like to have bullets striking all around me.
I have experienced being knocked to the ground - the initial shock and disorientation - from the explosion of powerful rockets. I know what it feels like to move from point A to point B, knowing there is a good chance I might not reach my destination.
And like those who went before me, I know the feeling of pride that comes from answering my nation’s call to duty, the willingness to sacrifice all, if necessary, in my nation’s service.
This is my first Memorial Day since redeploying from Iraq. Because of my experiences, I feel I can finally honor the memory of Private Brower:
Private Second Class Wesley T. Brower, I thank you for your quiet service, for your dedication to duty without thought of glory, and for your willingness to give your life for the welfare of your fellow Soldiers and for your nation’s freedom.
May I honor your sacrifice through my service.
Your nephew,
Stephen Scalf
We named our son, Wesley after Wayne's great uncle Wesley. This photo shows Wesley with his brothers. Wesley was killed in action at the battle of Hurtgen Valley during WWII. Today our thoughts have been with those who are serving and who have served in our military for freedom's sake. Thank you!
(Nephi, Moroni & Enos are on the wall opposite this one).
Today Caroline took initiative and went outside to clean up the leaves Wayne had raked into a nice big pile.
What a big helper Caroline is!
Yesterday I got down on the family room floor with our little camera in hand, and snapped away at one of my favorite subjects, Wesley. He thought the flash was odd and was in a mellow mood, but nevertheless we got a few fun candids.
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