We have arrived...

Just got to Cali and will post pics soon!!! I LOVE it here! Warm Air, Palm Trees, Nice Cars, Shopping, a Pool and Cheescake Factory! What more could I ask for??? A few good friends with me would be the only thing to make it better :)

A bitter-sweet day

When I moved into the New Brighton ward a year and a half ago... I just knew it was too good to be true!! A ward full of sisters my age with little one's like mine, who knew exactly what I was going through in life...because they were too!!! Our ward and the Cranston ward were split today to form three wards (New Brighton Ward, Cranston ward and Chaparal ward).

I am so badly going to miss all the girls that are staying in the New Brighton ward. My husband thought I was nuts as we drove home from church and I cried!!! In his words..." Honey, you can still see all them, they are not moving away." But for me it just wont be the same! I am really going to miss visit teaching the two girls that I wont get to visit anymore! I am going to miss our old Relief Society Presidency and so many other special people that I LOVE to see on sundays! I will miss those fun mothers lounge conversations, and the great discussions in class that we have. There are many of you that I will see often through my "girls night out group" and my "food storage group", but some of you I wont see as much and it's really sad to me!!! The New Brighton ward has AMAZING WOMEN!!! I love all of you guys... PLEASE DON'T BE STRANGERS!!! lets get together for lunch :)

So... with all that said... I am forever greatful to the people that live in my community that will be in my ward still!!! Yeah for great friends around the corner or a few doors down! I would not be able to stop crying if it weren't for you guys! I am also looking forward to meeting some new people from the cranston area and getting to know a few people better!

Sometimes the Lord has a bigger plan for us than we know, but one day... we will look back and say, I AM SO GLAD THAT HAPPENED!!! For now I will have faith! :)

Putting your heart and mind in the correct holiday mode!!!

This morning Bright and Early...5:30. Barry and I woke up to head downtown with some friends. (thanks again for everyone showing up, I know it was early!!!) We served Breakfast to the masses at the Calgary Drop-in and Rehab Center. When we were finished and leaving... all the homeless people there were applauding us and saying thank you and Merry Christmas. It was so touching to see how much they appreciate a simple meal! It makes me realize what we take for granted! That is why I love Christmas... it's a yearly reminder to

-love one another

-help those in need

-count our blessing

-give of our time, talents or money

-value the most important things on this earth...our families

-and most importantly...remember our Savior, who came to the world to sacrifice FOR US!!! He loves us all equally and wants us all to be happy and return to him!!

I am so thankful for this yearly reminder!!! Merry Christmas to all!!!

Scrapbookers Rehab...

Here are some of the pages I have done lately... I am seriously an ADDICT!!!! Do they have a scrapbookers anonamous program?? "Hi, I'm Kathy and I am addicted to scrapbooking!"

Mom's Christmas List

Mom's wishes for Santa

Dear Santa

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes: I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have), and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint-resistant windows, and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes, Mommy!' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, 'Don't eat in the living room,' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the neighbors dog. If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a styrofoam container. If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.Yours Always, MOM...

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests, if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

(: All I want for Christmas is my ONE front tooth :)

TOOTHLESS AND SMILING!!!

Tommy left today, for his Christmas Break with his dad. Boo hoo. I hate having him gone. When 3:30 comes around and I don't have to go to the bus to get him... It makes me feel empty! But... He is looking forward to his trip to texas and after that he will fly to california to meet us. We will spend some time at Grandma and Grandpa's winter home in Palm Springs with friends! Lots of sun and swimming :)

So about the tooth :) I have been meaning to post the story...

So, tommy's front two teeth have been getting loose, but the one on the right was the most ready to come out and started turning slightly gray. This really freaked me out! I am crazy about his teeth because mine are so bad and I want his to be healthy! So on with the story... I wanted it OUT! Tommy, myself and barry had been wiggling it and pulling on it for a few days. Then one night after tommy went to bed... "some friends" ( who shall remain nameless, to protect the innocent :) gave us an idea. So, we went up to tommy's room with needle nose pliers and pulled in out. It took a few tugs, mostly because we couldn't get tommy awake enough to participate! After it was out he cried for about 3 seconds and bled a little :) but then we got him back to sleep. The funniest part is that... in the morning I went in to see what the tooth fairy left him and he was SHOCKED to learn that his tooth was gone! He had no memory of the previous night... and he was glad to find 4 dollars under his pillow :)

The True meaning of Christmas!

I have listened to this story every year since I was a little girl. It is "BY FAR" my favorite Christmas story. If you want to hear the actual story told by Reba, then scroll down to my playlist and click on it (it should be at the very bottom!) She tells it SO WELL!

I hope that this story touches your heart and makes you want to open your heart to another this holiday season!

The Christmas Guest

It happened one day near December's end, two neighbors called on an old friend. And they found his shop so meager and lean made gay with thousand bows of green. And Conrad was sitting with face a-shine, when he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine And he said "Old friends, at dawn today,When the cock was crowing the night away The Lord appeared in a dream to me and said "I'm coming your guest to be." So I've been busy with feet astir and strewing my shop with branches of fir. The table is spread and the kettle is shined. and over the rafters the holly is twined. Now I'll wait for my Lord to appear and listen closely so I will hear his step as He nears my humble place. And I'll open the door and look on His face.

So his friends went home and left Conrad alone for this was the happiest day he had known, For long since, his family had passed away and Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day. But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas Guest, This Christmas would be the dearest and best. So he listened with only joy in his heart and with every sound he would rise with a start, and look for the Lord to be at his door, Like the vision he had had a few hours before. So he ran to the window after hearing a sound But all he could see on the snow covered ground was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn and all of his clothes were ragged and worn. But Conrad was touched and he went to the door and he said, "You know, your feet must be frozen and sore. I have some shoes in my shop for you and a coat that will keep you warmer too." So with grateful heart the man went away but Conrad noticed the time of day and wondered what made the Lord so late And how much longer he'd have to wait. When he heard a knock, he ran to the door, But it was only a stranger once more. A bent old lady with a shawl of black with a bundle of kindling piled on her back. She asked for only a place to rest but that was reserved for Conrad's Great Guest. But her voice seemed to plead "Don't send me away,Let me rest for awhile on Christmas Day", So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup and told her to sit at the table and sup. But after she left he was filled with dismay For he saw that the hours were slipping away and the Lord hadn't come as he said he would. Then Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood. When out of the stillness he heard a cry “Please help me and tell me where am I?" So again he opened his friendly door and stood disappointed as twice before. It was only a child who’d wandered away And was lost from her family on Christmas Day. Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad But he knew he should make the little girl glad. So he called her in and he wiped her tears and quieted all her childish fears. Then he led her back to her home once more but as he entered his own darkened door he knew the Lord was not coming today, For the hours of Christmas had passed away. So he went to his room and knelt down to pray And he said "Dear Lord, why did you delay? What kept you from coming to call on me? For I wanted so much your face to see.” When soft in the silence a voice he heard."Lift up your head for I kept my word. Three times my shadow crossed your floor, and three times I came to your lonely door. I was the beggar with bruised, cold feetAnd I was the woman you gave something to eat. I was the child on the homeless street. Three times I knocked, and three times I came in. And each time I found the warmth of a friend. Of all the gifts, love is the best.

And I was honored to be your Christmas Guest.

SING, SING, SING!!

Let me start by saying...

My son is NOT a singer!!! Whenever the primary sings in church, he stands up there and smiles at me or giggles! It's so sad. I want him to sing! The only song he LIKES to sing... is Book of Mormon Stories! We, he had his school Christmas concert the other night and sang his heart out!! He was just about the happiest kid up there! It was Probably because Barry and I made sure to be on the FRONT ROW in the very CENTER!!! His face just lit right up when he walked in and saw us right away, in the front! He sang two cute songs... Toy land and I'm mailing myself to you. I have to put the first verse of the second song up here, cause it's just too cute... and tommy LOVES to sing it!

I'm gonna wrap myself in paper

I'm gonna daub myself with glue

Stick some stamps on the top of my head

I'm gonna mail myself to you

I still believe!!!

***Caution, Not suitable for children , or children at heart, under the age of 8***

When I was 8 years old, my mother took me in her room alone and explained to me that Santa was not real. I was SOOO upset! I actually thought she was lying to me. I just knew I had seen rudolfs red nose up in the sky one Christmas Eve night!!! After a while of convincing... I finally believed her, but very sadly I might say. I think a part of my "childhood magic" died that day :(

Later she explained to me that Santa can live in us, as we do for others during the holidays. I really believe that is true! I know that a lot of people feel like Santa is a Comercialized thing... But I think Santa exemplifies all things good. Santa is loving, charitable, fair, honost, hard working, JOLLY, and so much more. He is everything we all want to teach our children to be. I like to think of Santa as being Christlike, and I think we are all better people when we still believe!! Believe that we are all capable of having those same qualities. Believe that we will all benefit from Faith and Hope. Believe that if we keep that "childhood magic" in our lives, that we will go farther and be happier... Why not!!!

Here are my kids with santa :)

-Tommy told him he wanted Bakugans ( yes, got that the other day!) and a Star Wars Helmet ( got that too!) I'm just doing the pick-up and delivery for santa... He has so many kids to worry about!

-Kyla just wants to be loved :) and of course play with santa's hat!!

Do good girls always get their way????

Kyla found one of her christmas gift already and has been "in love" ever since.

I have decided to just let her play with it... in the box.

Kids say the darndest things!!

The other day I was telling tommy about something I had heard happened here is Calgary(which is rear). A man was trying to break into cars to steal Christmas Gifts. Well, Police showed up and chased him down. I guess in the process of running, the guy injured a few people! So when I told tommy about this story, he said, "I wish I was there, I would kick him in the nuts!!!" Wow, I was flabbergasted! Does my kid even know what nuts are??? So I asked him... Yep, he does! Thats scary, where did he hear that word? Well, what can you do??? I got a good laugh out of it! Then I explained that it's probably not nice to say that word and then tried with all my might to convince him that he would probably not been able to get the chance to kick the guys nuts before the guy hurt him! But lets just say my son thinks he is invincible and can outrun, outfight, outsmart and outtrick ANYONE!!! I hope we never have to see if he really could! YIKES...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARRY!!!

Big 30 today :)

I love you forever!!!

This years Christmas Letter...

To those of you who don't get a hard copy... Here is this years Christmas Letter.
To Friends and Family-

This will be the first year of many Christmas letters. I tried very hard to force Barry to write this letter. He is so much better at writing than I am. But he is also very good at getting his way. That is something I will have to work on!

We have had a very fantastic year! We settled into our new home in Auburn Bay and love it! Also, we welcomed our little girl Kyla into the family in Feb. She is so much fun and keeps ME busy! Barry is just CRAZY about her…as I knew he would be! And Tommy continues to remind me that she is HIS baby, because he prayed for her! Here is a peek into our lives this year…

Barry- Ambitious, Funny, Lovable, Amazing and the love of my LIFE!
As always, Barry is up to his ears in Golf Course Life! Not that he complains… He loves his job and is forever grateful that we moved to Calgary! He just loves working alongside his dad (no surprise there) and is very excited that his brother Brian is moving up to join the business. The three of them are like triplets, I can’t even keep them apart! Two of our courses, Silverwing and Boulder Creek, are up and running. The third, The Legacy Club- Our johnny miller signiture course, will begin groundbreaking soon… and Barry never has enough to say about this. TRUST ME! He is sooo excited!!!


Kathy- Happy, Creative, Loving, Supportive, and often times…Exhausted!
I have been lucky to spend this entire year on maternity leave, Yeah!! It’s been such a blessing. I have really taken this whole “homemaker” thing and run with it! (I hope that sentence made sense!) I’ve had fun baking treats, making more elaborate meals, scrapbooking and making crafts. I know, BORING!! But it’s nice to be home with my kids, so I can watch them grow! I also received a new calling in church this year. Relief Society Instructor… I know scary! I was too… but it’s been a huge blessing and now I LOVE IT!

Tommy- Athletic, Funny, Playful, Smart, Friendly, and so much like ME!
Tommy started grade 1 this year and I’m not gonna lie… He’s not too fond of school, to put it LIGHTLY. One day when I asked him why, he said, “Because they don’t do lightsabers at school.” My thoughts where, “Right, why didn’t they think of that?” 6 yr old boys can be quite funny, I just love it! Tommy has started playing basketball this fall and Barry is his coach! For a mom that has never missed a single T-ball game, soccer game or swimming lesson… I have to admit, I have only been able to make it to one game so far! Pretty sad really! I have tried. Tommy is having so much fun in our new home and has a handful of boys to play with right on our street! He’s growing so fast and I’m not quite ready for that… I love this kid!

Kyla- Adorable, Sweet, Curious, Smart(at least I think so) and we could never imagine life without her!.
The list goes on! It’s been so much fun having a little girl! I LOVED being the mom of a boy and didn’t know if I knew what to do with a girl! I guess it just came natural! She is such a funny little girl! Whether its pinching (and she pinches HARD) or pulling on her daddy’s ears, she always keeps us wondering what’s going on in that little head of hers! And Little is right. She is just about 10 months and about 14 ½ Lbs. That’s REALLY SMALL! But don’t think that’s gonna stop her. She’s been walking while holding furniture for a few weeks now and has started climbing up the stairs (SCARY!) I have to be constantly aware of where she is and what she’s playing with…Like spreading the flour all over the kitchen! She really likes to do that!

Hopefully I can get Barry to write this letter next year! It will be much more funny! We hope this letter finds you well. We miss you all and hope you stay in touch! Have a wonderful holiday season!

The Ehlerts