12.26.2008

Nativity Story




This year, we, as a family decided to "act out" the nativity story. I don't think we have done this in a few years, since usually we don't have enough actors. This year we had enough actors and a very willing director (and assistant).



My nephew, Jimmy, was the director in assigning parts and my mom was in charge of costuming. Jimmy was very insistent about which person needed which part. Following was the casting list:

Angel: Megan
Inn-Keeper: Heather
Shepherds: Jimmy, Jim, Ethan, Camden(although he was a rebellious little shepherd), Ben
Wisemen/women: Grandma and Grandpa (I don't know what happened to the third wiseman. He probably fell off of his camel before he made it to see the baby Jesus.
Mary and Joseph: Amber and Derek
Donkey: Kristin (Jimmy loves Kristin that is why I think she received this highest honor)
Herod: Jared (they rhyme that is probably why he picked Jared)
Baby Jesus: Luke



I think that I got everyone. So, after we were all dressed the story began and we all acted out our parts. Jimmy got very nervous when Mary and Joseph weren't leaving fast enough with the baby Jesus to get away from Herod. (It wasn't our fault, the donkey wasn't moving fast enough). Seriously though, he was very sensitive about this and worried about the baby Jesus (aka his little brother Luke).



It was fun to get all dressed up and witness the childlike innocence and excitement that came from all the little boys who were taking this so seriously.

12.25.2008

Christmas to come. . . .

Lest you are worried about my emotional/mental state from reading the last post. . . don't be. I have had a great Christmas and will post lots of great things about it, along with pictures just as soon as I get them downloaded! Merry Christmas!

People all over the place

There is something about being surrounded by people that makes you feel alone. Has anyone ever had that experience. I think that Holidays are unique in this aspect, or at least make the situation more pronounced. Lets be honest, sometimes family is your own worst enemy. Or, I guess if I am being honest, family is sometimes MY worst enemy or I make it that way. I don't know if that is just because I am so alike my family memebers in some ways, and so different in others or what makes the difference.

This Christmas we have a full house of unique and differing personalities. My parents, my brother Jim and his wife Megan with their three lively boys. Kristin, Jared and their two boys (who are more on the emotional than lively side) Heather, who just had a pretty serious surgery a few days ago and is on who knows what medication. Derek, whose trademark is speaking before he thinks, and me -- enough said. Missing from our home this Christmas is Shawn and his wife Byrdie with their little girl and Daniel who is not to far away from us in the MTC just down the road.

So, lots of different combinations and personalities all trying to be together in the same house and keep some sort of semblance amidst the insanity. Here is a short of example of how easy it is to feel alone with all these people around.

Setting: Kitchen at breakfast time
Characters: All the aforementioned family members
Problem: Personalities
Solution: Compromise




The story unfolds: Amber is working hard, slaving over the hot stove cooking a nice breakfast for her family members. To her, eating is a formality, not really a necessity. While she is cooking she is wondering if she should just let the Captain Crunch that her dad bought for breakfast be enough, but she can't really convince herself of this as she keeps cooking. All around her there are sounds of laughter and toys as her siblings are with their posterity playing with their new treasures from santa. Occasionally a child runs up, rams into her leg and shouts Merry Christmas and then returns to their more exciting adventures. Slowly enter one by one all siblings and offspring of Craig and Sandy Ostler who are spending Christmas morning on Mohawk Avenue. Jim, the carnivorous brother takes it upon himself to cook the sausage, which is an answer to a prayer for Amber who has been thinking of ways to dispose of the disgustingness since 8:00 am.


Derek, volunteers to help with mixing orange juice (two brands were bought to assure that we could see which one we like best) small discussion/argument ensues about the best way to mix frozen concentrate. Sneaky brother #1 aka sausage maker slips more and more butter into hasbrowns and assures Amber that she needs more than a dozen eggs. Cooking continues, and previously made and baked sticky buns are eaten before breakfast is ready to begin.


skip forward 22 minutes Finally, we all sit down at the kitchen table to eat breakfast. 6 minutes later we are ready to bless the food and 3 kids are already crying and two cups of orange juice have been spilled. Once again, Amber remembers why food is just a formality to her. . . it is afterall, just food. However, unlike food, cleanliness is not just a formality but a necessity. She can't seem to find a seat anywhere in the kitchen where there isn't something that is distracting her from eating: #1 -- cupboard doors left open, #2 -- pieces of bread thrown to the floor by a one year old #3 -- loud voices at the table #4 -- dishes that don't match. #5 -- etc. . .

Once again, she feels alone. . . . not alone when it comes to the physical nature of it, but rather alone in personality. Is there nobody else in this crazy family of mine who is as crazy as me. I guess not. Maybe not being able to eat or sit still unless dishes match and cupboard doors are left open isn't normal and I will always be alone in this. I guess only time will tell. I think tomorrow I will skip breakfast, or at least just have neat little dish of boring oatmeal with a little bit of brown sugar and a matching mug filled with orange juice (the kind you buy already mixed). And yes, I will most likely be eating my breakfast alone in all senses of the word, unless by some strange turn of fate I miraculously wake up to someone making me breakfast exactly the same way I would do it. Nope, I'll just eat alone, and be totally okay with that.

12.18.2008

Happy Birthday Mom!




Reasons why my mom is cooler than your mom:

1 -- She wears tapered pants and still looks cute
2-- She worries about wearing tapered pants
3 -- People think she is my dad's daughter instead of his wife (I can't figure out who that really reflects more on my mom or my dad. . . either way, she should take it as a compliment)
4 -- She can organize clutter better than anyone I have ever known. She should write a book "How to Organize Stuff you don't need, but want to keep anyway"
5 -- She has never died her hair and it is still really dark 54 years later.
6 -- She has a hard time keeping secrets.
7 -- She loves to do anything "active"
8 -- Sometimes she has weird tan lines from working in the yard, and yet she is the most modest person I know.
9 -- Food is more about presentation than taste to her (which explains why she thinks that Tofu is a food)
10 -- She loves Sir. James Gallaway. I would put a song or something on my blog, but none of you would ever visit again.


11 -- She has the biggest blue eyes and only wears mascara on Sundays. . . why would you need it any other day?
12 -- She never judges others. I have never heard her say something derogatory about another person.
13 -- She probably won't read this or make a comment on this blog, because she forgets her password. :)
14 -- She is my mom, which makes her cool by default.

Honestly mom, the list could go on and on, but you taught me early to bed, early to rise and I should have been asleep a long time ago. I love you!

12.17.2008

Christmas Creations


I think I am ready to give Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory a run for their money. . . . if anyone wants to hire me out I have break from the 19th-4th. Oh, and I have my food handlers permit so don't worry!

Here they are all "bagged up" and ready to deliver!

More Thanksgiving Program Pictures



Here are a few still shots from our Thanksgiving Program.
This is one of the teachers I teach with. . . yes, I look like a giant next to her. She will probably kill me for posting this picture! Robin-- you are great!
The "Little Indian Girls"
The Wild Native Boys
Cute little class. . . I took this picture on timer and I think we did a pretty good job!

Los Angeles


For Thanksgiving I went to Los Angeles to spend the week with my brother, sister-in-law and cute nephews. I was hoping for really nice, warm weather. . . it was warmer than Utah, but not so warm. It was such a nice break, and very relaxing. I didn't even get asked once about my social life (because my brother already has to hear about it without asking) and nobody in my extended family told me I was "next" (to get married). I think it was a good choice to opt for the non-traditional Thanksgiving. Megan prepared a great meal and it was just perfect. I met up with one of my friends from Provo who has moved to the Huntington Beach area and that was fun too! I decided though, that CA isn't really the place for me. Well, at least LA. Sorry Jim and Megan. I'll come visit (lots), but don't think I could live there!

Jimmy was REALLY excited about his layered jello and sweet potato loaded with brown sugar.
I went to the LA temple while I was there. It was beautiful, both inside and out.
We went to the "mammoth museum"
We wandered around UCLA's campus after riding the bus up to campus. It kind of made me miss being in school.

A little late, but cute. . . .

We had a Thanksgiving program at school and all of the kids dressed up like Pilgrims and Indians. They sang some really cute songs and were so excited. I have some video's but I am not quite sure if they will upload. I will try. I obviously was leading them music, or playing the piano so I didn't exactly get great video footage. I know this is a little bit late, but worth posting.

12.11.2008

Spring Break vs. Run a Marathon . . . . Maybe I could do both!

Amber's Thought Process:

"Hmmm, I finally have some free time tonight to sit down and do something because 3 of my piano students canceled. I finished my book last night, way to late when I should have been sleeping. That is okay. It was a good book, and I still got up to go running at 5:00. Well, actually I got up at 4:48, and I was running by 5. I am impressed with myself. I wonder if being impressed with myself is like being prideful? probably not. I will ask my dad next time I talk to him. Maybe I should call him. No, I should probably make dinner first. Or, I could just eat some of that great bread that I got from my principal as our yearly Christmas gift. I wonder if I will ever work for someplace that actually has a "real" Christmas party, like the kind you can dress up for and just look cute. . . and have real food. . . oh ya, and real bonuses. However, I do love this bread, so I guess it could be worse. Plus, we are doing the Nebo School District Healthy Lifestyles Challenge maybe I will win a free pair of new running shoes from that. I could use some new shoes to run the marathon. Oh, I should get online and sign up for the marathon while I am thinking about it, plus I have time.

(just as a reference point, during this point in my thought process I am now on the computer with like 5 different windows open. I am SO good at multi-tasking.....back to my thoughts)

I am really excited to run this marathon, but I am kind of worried that it is going to snow in April. It snows in April all the time. It usually snows during Spring Break, which is why I have to leave Utah for Spring Break this year. Oh no, what if the race is during Spring Break. I can't stay here and run a race for Spring Break! Calm down self (yes, I talk to myself) I won't get all worked up about until I check (open one of 5 windows to District Calendar. . . compare dates). What!? It is at the same time as Spring Break, maybe I could just find a place to go with a marathon and run somewhere else, like San Diego or something. I can't not run a marathon. Well, I guess technically I could do anything I want. Lame. I am going to have to think some more about this. For now I will go eat some bread. If I really train the right way for this or any other marathon I won't be able to eat like this, so I guess I will enjoy it now."

The End (of Amber's thoughts -- at least for a few seconds)

So, what should I do?! I have already had a "Spring Break in Utah --- enjoying the history that surrounds us" vacation once. Truly, I don't need that again. I will be so jealous if everyone takes off on spring break to do fun things and I stay here to run 26.2 miles alone. I didn't go anywhere last year (for different reasons, that are no longer relevant either) and I could totally kick myself. I know! Maybe everyone should come to Utah for Spring Break and then I can still run. . . still not too convincing huh! The first person to find me a race to run the week/weekend of April 18th wins and I come to visit them.

12.08.2008

3 words!

Let It Snow!

12.07.2008

Looking Back. . . . . Looking Forward

Oftentimes in life I get paralyzed by too often, looking back on where I have been rather than looking forward to what is ahead. This has been especially true with the Holiday season in full swing. There is something about the Holidays being here that seem to effect my ability to reason and look at things logically (or at least I like to use that as an excuse). I think that some amount of reflection can be positive and encourage or help one to recognize where growth has occurred. However, I seem to sit on the extreme side of the fence. So, today I decided that instead of thinking "Last Christmas I was. . . " or "December last year was better because. . ." I decided to take my reminiscing and turn it into something of a more positive nature. Well, at least that is the goal.

For instance, 10 years ago, I was a student doing study abroad in Jerusalem. I can either look back and say "Oh my goodness. . .I am so old now, what have I done with my life. I am not dating anyone. I don't read my scriptures as often as I did back then. I don't even talk to half of my friends that I had 10 years ago. . . " The list could go on and on. Or, I can say "10 years ago I never would have thought that I would have a successful career (yes, I am considering teaching a career). I wouldn't have guessed that I would own a home, that is now beautifully decorated for Christmas. I could have only hoped to have made all the new friends that I now have, who are scattered across the country. 10 years has brought its challenges and lots of blessings to go with."

Now, before you think I have all the answers. . . . I don't. This is a constant battle for me. Someday, hopefully soon, I will master this art of

learning from the past
living for today
and
hoping for tomorrow

I am sure it is a work in progress.

One thing can be sure. I am way cuter now than I was 10 years ago and that has got to count for something. I do miss this place, and would go back in a heartbeat. Someday!





The Center at Night

Looking at the center from below
Shopping with mom and the girls for none other than olive-wood.
Part of the family, at Christmas. . . I love the Jazz shirt and classic haircuts.
By the garden tomb, probably on a Sabbath day since we are all dressed up.
Looking into the auditorium from the balcony
All dressed up. . . I think I'll stick with my current wardrobe.
Dome of the Rock -- Kristin, what are you doing?
Fountains outside the center. I love these girls and hope they all see this blog posting. . . . .you better make a comment! :)

12.02.2008

I miss this guy. . . .


I miss him! Somehow, when your world is falling apart your little brother can tell you that it is going to be okay and you actually believe him. Funny how my mom tries to tell me that and I just get upset. I got an email from Daniel today, and he is doing great in the MTC. I think it was probably a good thing that I was not "home" for Thanksgiving because it wouldn't have been the same without him. I don't know if it is just becuase he is the baby of the family or what, but I think that all of us are kind of struggling with him being gone. Christmas will definitely be different this year. Maybe we wil just drive by the MTC and sing him songs at the top of our lungs or something. Either that or go to the temple every day, all day during the Christmas break until we make it into the same session. That is kind of cheating. . . we might just have to settle for sending a great package.

Here are the top 5 things I miss about Daniel:

* His crazy lingo (honestly who says "kaloo, kalay oh fraptuous day!" -- he does)
* The way he would sneak up on me and scare me EVERY TIME!
* How he would fall asleep anywhere at anytime
* His smile
* Him calling to see when I was going to come "save" him from mom and dad. (true mom)
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