Chad and I celebrated our seventh anniversary by taking an 15 hour trip from San Francisco waking up in the UK. The jet lagged with three kids we collected 3 car seats, 3 boxes, 6 pieces of luggage, a stroller a little worse for wear and a pack’n’play. We had three luggage trolleys to help us get from luggage carosouls to rental car pick up. It was absolutely impossible! I took one look outside on my way to collect the car and was overwhelmed. So we stood up the rental car and cancelled it later and made our way to the taxi center. We were in line for the two next cabs. The first was a nice older gentleman, the second was horrible! He yelled and complained about putting boxes in his cab so we put them all up in the first one, then he yelled and complained at Chad for the 20 minute ride to our temporary housing.

Chad and I soon discovered that our phones didn’t work after all, that the cabbies wouldn’t take a credit card and that we were definitely in a foreign country. It is funny how your view of things changes when you look at it as your new home instead of just a tourist visit.

By pure providence the lady managing our temporary housing lives just across the road and greeted us. She told the taxi driver where he could take Chad to get some cash. For the remainder of the day we tried to keep our eyes open and I tried not to cry. Not the best of anniversaries–but hopefully it is the beginning of something wonderful.

Eden and Alden were trying to sleep, and Jasher was making it hard by screaming. I heard Eden singing him a lullaby. I think it was loosely based on the Beatles’ Blackbird, which I sing to her some nights. She said, “Blackbird singin’ all day. / Blackbird singin’ all night. / Blackbird please be quiet / because we’re trying to sleep.”

I caved. Friends and family have been adopting an “Elf On The Shelf” for a few years now with glowing reviews. Chad and I seem to be very minimalist when it comes to encouraging emphasis on the-man-up-north and his helpers because:

1. After getting lots of presents as a child from Santa one year Chad questioned why his parents didn’t get him anything.
2. Childhood is confusing enough as it is without bringing in magic.
3. Parenthood is challenging enough as it is without having to remember to to help a little elf get back from Santa every night and perch in a new place. The commute is a real drag!
4. We do not want things to deemphasize the gift of the Savior to us from our Heavenly Father.

Nevertheless I get giddy to no end when I see Santa! So why not allow that magic to brighten our kids life?

So I have done some reconnaissance about Christmas Elf customs and habits. Many elves are mischievious and tricky–making little messes and pulling silly pranks.

Our Elf is a little different. She brought us “Snow Donuts” on her arrival. She has laid out clothes, cleaned up messes for us, read stories to toy animals, set up our Nativity scene, hung ornaments, etc. She even did the dishes for me once!!! Our little Elf finds little ways to serve our family. She is very kind and a great example to the kids of the little things they can do on their own to serve eachother. Every morning the kids have been tickled to see the nice things our little visitor has done for us and with out fail Alden chimes in a big “Thank you Elf!”

Our elf helps us be more focused on giving then getting. And even the days that are a little hectic and frustrating she returns with a glad heart and a helpful spirit. She never theatens our kids that they are going to get coal. Even if they were acting naughty they will always get gifts. We, the parents, just may not be as pleased about it. She answers the tough days with more helping and kindness and is unconditionally giving, She battles the bad with good instead of fueling it with negativity. I really like this gal!

Our little elf has been a welcomed addition by all!