Gift of Warmth... Gift of Joy...

For the last three years we have started prepping for our NICU project in September for delivery right before Christmas.  It's done in honor of Viviana, and for those moms and families that are living out their holidays with the same trials and struggles we had back in '07.  It has been a collaboration and a way for us to give back.  

For us, 2010 brought its own unique challenges...  Unless I was able to get everything 100% donated, there was no way to pull it off.  Sadly, I was just not feelin' it during this year of

reduce & simplify.

My heart turned instead to my brother, Mark, and his family.  I felt a sudden impression and desire that he needed a token of our love and support for him during this difficult journey.  He took a job with a company flying planes... through a war zone.  This means he was on the other side of the world, away from all loved ones for both Thanksgiving and Christmas and into 2011 with his rotations.  Tallie had just learned she was prego with #3... and would be left behind with the two boys during this great time of sacrifice so that Mark could further his career as a pilot in the Captain's Seat since it's increasingly difficult to accomplish that in the states in today's economy.

I wrote an email to Laverty and Menzie families, asking for support in this project.  I thought about what it might feel like to be in his position... and how it might also feel to really know just how loved he is when there is no one close by that really knows him, while also yearning for very basic and simple comforts of home.  

The first thing that came to mind was a quilt... because it could accomplish bringing physical warmth, a treasure to keep, a service aspect involving many, and certainly he could feel the pure love that went into each stitch.  I asked for each family to decorate and personalize their quilt square with their personalities from their family to Mark.  My Mom made sure we could pull it off financially, and I assembled them ... as a gift of love  just for Mark.  It was well-received... miraculously everyone pulled through, and Mark was able to open it on Christmas Eve while skyping with his family.  I included Mark's remarks way below...

from Luke

A big squeeze from Hank

 from the Boston Menzies

 from the Bako Lavertys

 from the California McLaughlins

 from the Utah Menzies

 from the Seattle Lavertys

 from Tallie

 from Dad

 from Florida Menzies

 from Mom & Kelly

 pure love... pure joy... pure grace... pure laughter... 

pure excitement... pure bliss... pure happiness...

Pure & Simple

 Some of Mark's comments....

Realizing it was Christmas Eve while talking with Tallie, I pulled out a package I received last week from Shayla that read, "Open Christmas Eve." I was able to open my Christmas gift with Tallie and Hank while Skyping. (Luke was already sleeping. I know Tallie was a little frustrated that Hank was up past his bedtime but it was nice for me to see his smile and big brown eyes). 

Inside the box there was a card and a note in Shayla's handwriting. I read it out loud while on Skype with Tallie and this is what it said:

We call you Papá, Daddy, Marcos, Mark, son, brother, husband, friend, and uncle. And we ALL wanted you to feel of our great love for you while you are in a far-away land this holiday season.

Whenever you are feeling lonely, vulnerable, home-sick, or even happy and grateful... and you just need a hug from someone who cares and knows your goodness - wrap yourself up in the warmth of this quilt made especially for you and feel the love of all of us that care for you most dearly. We LOVE you, dear Mark!

Tallie, Luke, Hank, Mom, Kelly, Dad, Tami, David, Ben, Susan, Ben, Kathy, Lorea, Mikela, Saioa, Bret, Cat, Tim, Maia, Kincaid, Esme, Terra, Wayne, Becky, Christina, Thomas, Grace, Caroline, Wesley, Curt, Shayla, Brayden, McKenzie, Monson, Alexandra, Isabella, Viviana, Matthew, Heather, Mattie, Reddin, Brett, Emily, Jonas, Makai, Caysa, Kevin, Brooke.

I couldn't finish reading it out loud. A councilor told me once I suffer from Alexithymia, or the inability to express in words one's feelings. I suppose most males do, especially if your last name is Menzie. As I sit here and try to conquer my Alexithymia, I'm looking at the quilt Shayla assembled from your individual, personalized patches. The border she used on the quilt has words on it that read, 

"pure love, pure joy, pure happiness, pure bliss, pure excitement, pure elation, pure & simple."

I think I have overcome my Alexithymia. The only other feeling I would add is a useful Portuguese word that doesn't directly translate into English. "Saudade" can mean to yearn/long for something or someone, or to be homesick or lonely. 

I miss you all. I am so grateful for all of your thoughtful participation in this huge project that Shayla organized. Shayla, I'd love for you to Blog about making it - I'd love to hear how it came together and include detailed photos of the art/handy work from everyone. I've posted the pictures I took of the quilt on my facebook page if anyone would like to see them.

What you all don't know is I was just about to ask Tallie to send me another blanket. It's getting so cold at night and this quilt will be perfectly useful as well as sentimental. 

Thank you so much and Merry Christmas,

Love,

Papá, Daddy, Marcos, Mark, son, brother, husband, friend, and uncle Mark 

PS; One of my favorite things on the quilt is Luke's art and note, "I love it when you play cars and trains with me." Me too Luke!

 Tallie didn't know we made one for her too... until Christmas Morn.

Hers had a vintage feel- made with those fabrics we remember well from the 80's.  I felt like Tallie's part in the deal was equally a sacrifice and decided to make sure she had that same feeling of love and warmth.

A genuine thanks to all who donated time, fabric, funds, and encouragement for this project.  A LOT of late night hours went into both quilts... but it was well worth every minute for the joy & anticipation it brought to all involved.

 backing

 crayon rolls and coloring books for the boys

The mother of all longer-than-ever posts.

In October, Brayden was able to participate in our 

Stake-Wide Arrow of Light Ceremony as a 'Brave' ... he makes a cute little American Indian boy, I might add.  Our packs sure know how to properly reward these boys-- very cool ceremony to take part in.  In the 

Stake Primary Presidency, we share the organizing and 

carrying-out of this very detailed ceremony... the highest rank in Cub Scouting.

There are seven rays on the Arrow of Light.  Brayden's speaking part was:  "The first Ray represents wisdom.  Having wisdom does not mean that a person is smarter than others, it means that he uses what he knows to live a better life."

The Akela & little Brave, Brayden

In December, Brayden was one of the leads in his school play.  

He enjoyed playing the part of "Papa Way" in the junior production of 

Once on This Island. (Never heard of it?  Neither had I).

Basically he was the devil... can you tell?  He did a great job.  

Hmmmm.... should we be concerned?

 and now he has several girl followers that declare their 'like' and 'love' for him.

Brayden's pretty cool "I am" poem for his 8th grade 

Language Arts class.  Did you know he's full of football and truth? 

McKenzie has become quite the little mother.  

She mothers the little girls when I'm not home, when I AM home, 

right under my nose, AND as loudly as she can yell across the house.  

Let's just say she has MAD SKILLS and mostly... it's really a blessing.  

Sometimes I hear my own words echoed one- nano-second after I utter them.  She is learning to control and apply these great skills.  Including: cooking, cleaning, babysitting, sewing, disciplining, hair-dressing, first-aid go-to girl, dressing the girls, nurturing, with the added non-bonus of biggest mess-maker, and of course, antagonizing them any chance she gets.   

 We certainly count our blessings with McKenzie as the 2nd mother in this house.

In November & December, McKenzie, 

Alexandra, & Isabella took part in a singing group for the holidays known as the Kid Karolers.  Our RS President was kind enough to invite our girls to participate free of charge given our crazy year.  

They had four performances... McKenzie was the announcer and Alexandra & Isabella had a heart-warming little number they did in a quartet.  Videos at the end below. 

Monson beaming... from earning Honor Roll in November.  Like he's always said, "I only missed three... that is, NUMBER three."  

He's a lovable smarty and really knows how to apply himself 

and go the extra mile in his GATE program and fifth grade class.  

In the Fall, he wrote the most amazing poem... 

if you can squint for long enough to read it, it's truly impressive.  

We asked him who he paid to write that for him or what website 

he copied it from.  He was offended.  It's authentic Monson.  Love it.

Alexandra always has a crafty project or assignment which means break out the hot glue gun.  Even though it's hard to tell.... this is actually a turkey-- decorated to her personality; so of course it had flowers and frill.  

And this assignment Alexandra brought home was to 

decorate a paper doll like herself.  I think we hit it spot-on.  

At the end of October, Alexandra wanted to once again 

donate her hair to locks of love.  It seems like it just barely 

grew back out from her last donation, and off it came again.   

She feels great knowing she's helping another little girl who

can't grow an insanely lovely thick mane like hers.  She was

adamant that she get a short bob.  NOW. Snappy Pants.

Alexandra adores her Ama... and writes her letters 

the old-fashioned way.  Through the mail.  

Check out her pretty cool horses... with princesses afloat.

 ...and she also included something for K-Man.  A fire truck, of course.

Student of the week time for Alexandra in December, 

which earned her a spot on the school's pyramid of success 

for determination.  

She has a phenomenal teacher... we couldn't be happier with Mrs. Lock.  

And of course, the feeling is very mutual-- she adores Alexandra.

Isabella loading the dishwasher by herself for the first time in September.  Awesome-- it makes sense to me!  I helped her put them in the other way, and now she's a regular part of our job rotations with the bigger kids.  

 Isabella Daisy being honored as 

Student of the Week for personal best, earning her a block on the pyramid of success in November. 

Mrs. Duff wrote:  "Isabella earned a place on the pyramid of success 

for always doing everything at her personal best.  She works hard, focuses, and 

gives forth tremendous effort to master taught skills and 

complete work of great quality.  She is eager to learn."

Izzie came home from school one day in September declaring that she needed to write a 'letter' to her new friend.  Her friend is a boy.  His name is Ben.  Here's her picture that she actually bravely delivered the following day:

Kindergarten "Holiday" Performance

Isabella sang a cute little medley of songs, one in sign language, was in a quartet singing Rudolph, which ended with a slideshow of all the AM kinder classes.  I didn't bring my good camera.  I sat way in the back.  Bad momma.

AND, I really dislike that a 'Holiday' Performance can't/won't even include the slightest mention of Christ and the reason for the season anyway.  Wouldn't want to offend anyone now, would we.  Dislike.

December in Kindergarten = Polar Express Parade.

This event that Isabella participated in is really a bunch of parents competing to make the most original, over-the-top, outrageous, and authentic "mine is better than yours" train for their Kindergartner to 'wear' in a parade around the school.  Every year, at least one kid ends up in tears because 

it's so decked-out and heavy, he can't bear to walk one more step.  

Or, we always have the one kid who loses wheels and gadgets from her 'train-float' along the route and breaks down in tears. Not Izzie.

Because this was our 2nd year at this school with a Kindergartner, we learned the first year with Alexandra, and then stored this good 'ole babe away for a whole year... then resurrected it in December for Isabella.  It was a sad little train.. didn't want to even hold its shape.  But she had a train and we even changed the name for her from the Lexie Express to the Izzie Express.  It wasn't a 'float' worthy of the Rose Parade, but it was pink.  And there was glitter and bling.  AND, it made it without any casualties.  For my Izzie, that's all that mattered.