Relief Society Dinner

Tonight I went to the Relief Society Christmas dinner.  Grant got to come too because the bishopric was invited.  It was fun to have him there.  Everyone brought different types of finger foods to share.  That was our dinner.  We also had desserts.  I took a platter with some Angel Food cookies and some Chocolates Crinkles.  These are two of my favorites.  We ate dinner and then shared different Christmas traditions we have in our families.  We even sang some Christmas songs.  It was fun and it was good to get to know some of the sisters in the ward better.

Two Priesthood Holders

We now have two priesthood holders in our home.  Brandon was ordained a deacon today.  Next week he will be able to pass the sacrament for the first time.  We are very proud of him!

November 24

We saw this movie today.  The kids loved it!

November 23

Happy Birthday, Brandon!

I can't believe that he is 12 years old!  He had basketball practice today.  He loves basketball!  We were going to take him out to lunch, but he was not feeling the best, so we'll go tomorrow.  He did not want many presents, just money.  He is saving for a Google Nexus 7.  We had family come over tonight to play games.  Brandon loved having his cousins over.  He had a fun day!

November 22

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a nice, relaxing day.  It was just us for Thanksgiving this year.  We went out to eat at Prestwich Farms.  We got right in, it was not very busy.  The food was good and the kids enjoyed all the scones and honey butter that they wanted.  We enjoyed spending the day together.  We put a couple of puzzles together, we watched a little football, and just relaxed.  We are thankful for each other, for friends and family, for the gospel, and for our Savior.

Thank You

This is a cute note that Krista brought home from school.  The left side was a note for me and the right side for Grant.

Funny Boy

Happy Halloween!

A couple of days ago we did take pictures of the kids in their Halloween costumes.

First Full Day

Today was my first full day being in the bishopric.  I had to stay for tithing settlement, so I didn't get home until 7:00 tonight.  It was long, but still pretty good.

The weirdest part was sitting on the stand.  Before whenever I sat on the stand I was always nervous because I only sat up there to give a talk.  Today was the first time I sat there and felt complete calm.  The worst part is not being able to see the speakers' faces.  It does make it harder to pay attention to what they're saying when all you see is their backside. :)

Turkey Report

Brandon finished his book report today.  He had to make a 3D turkey and then write the info for the report on the turkey feathers.  Here is the final product...

The Third Wheel

My kids really like the Diary of a Whimpy Kid books.  On Tuesday, the seventh book came out.

We were at Sam's Club today and saw it.  Alex was so excited!  He's in the cart reading it while we shop.

Thanksgiving Break

I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving break.  The kids have three days off from school, Grant will have Thanksgiving day off of course, but he will also take the next day off as well.  We will NOT be getting up early, we will NOT be doing any shopping, just relaxing and spending time together.  We are going out to eat on Thanksgiving day, just our little family.  We'll spend time doing puzzles, going to the church to play basketball, watching some football, playing games...I can't wait!

Beauty and the Beast

Tonight we went to see Beauty and the Beast.  It was over at the Junior High.  The two girls on the left are both in our ward.  It was fun to see them, they did a great job.  The whole play was very nicely done.  Grant and I took Daniela, she loved it!

My Forever

Lately I have been thinking about Heavenly Father's plan. He sent us here to be tested and to learn to be happy. Our time here on earth won't always be easy. If we think about our time here upon this earth compared to eternity, our earth life is not long. The choices we make now determine how we will live forever. I want to live my life so that Heavenly Father knows that I love Him. I want to give my heart to Him. I want to live with Him forever. I also want to live my life so that my family knows that I love them, that I want to be with them forever. Life isn't easy, but Heavenly Father has given us many things to help us along our way. He gave us: our families, a prophet to lead and guide us, the scriptures, the opportunity to come to church each week, friends who lift us up, repentance, the Holy Ghost and our Savior. I try to make the choice each day to be good, to do good, to serve my Heavenly Father and my family and to be happy. Each day I try to remember...How I live today affects my forever.

November 10

Congratulations Jessica and Alex! It was a fun day going to the Salt Lake temple for their sealing and then to the reception later.

More snow!

November 9

SNOWY DAY!!!

This was still early in the day...

We ended up getting just over 4 inches.

The kids were out for an hour or two shoveling.  They did our house and two neighbors.  Then they did the sidewalks and one other driveway on our whole street.  They even crossed the street and did another neighbor's.  They were excited to serve.  They were excited to surprise people and to make them happy.

November 8

Today I went to an Egyptian funeral for mummified chickens.  They mummified chickens in Brandon's class.  The kids in Brandon's class acted out the parts.  Brandon was one of two oxen.  They had to bring something to pull all of the mummified chickens to the burial spot.  Here he is on the right.  He took a toboggan to school to use to pull the chickens.

Here they are pulling.

They will dig up the chickens in the spring to see how well the chickens are preserved.

This, the Greatest of All Dispensations

Someone posted some highlights from this talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on Facebook.  I saw it and decided to read the whole talk.  Here it is if anyone is interested...This, the Greatest of All Dispensations

With the election results not being what we hoped for and our future uncertain, I thought I would share pieces of this talk...

...we must not be paralyzed just because that event and the events surrounding it are ahead of us somewhere. We cannot stop living life. Indeed, we should live life more fully than we have ever lived it. After all, this is the dispensation of the fulness of times...we must never let fear and the father of fear (Satan himself) divert us from our faith and faithful living. Every person in every era has had to walk by faith into what has always been some uncertainty. This is the plan. Just be faithful. God is in charge. He knows your name and He knows your need...We must go forward. God expects you to have enough faith, determination, and trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. He expects you not simply to face the future; He expects you to embrace and shape the future—to love it, rejoice in it...in a world of tribulation, let’s remember our faith...let’s live life more fully, with more boldness and courage than at any other time...There are evil and sorrow in the world, but there is no evil or harm in Him. He is our Father—a perfect father—and He will help us find refuge from the storm...Live with confidence, optimism, faith, and devotion. Be serious about life’s challenges but not frightened or discouraged by them. Feel the joy of the Saints in the latter days—never crippling anxiety or destructive despair.  

Election Day

Mosiah 29:21-27

X Marks the Spot

The kids wanted me to take a picture of this.  They thought it was pretty cool.

November 2

Daniela babysat today for a lady in the ward.  I thought it was just for her three kids, but there were nine kids there.  Luckily, another girl in the ward was there to help as well.  They were there for about three hours.  I think it was kind of hard, but she had fun.  I'm sure she did a great job and she was paid really well, so she loved it!

November 1

Brandon got his braces off today!  He does have to wear a retainer.  He got a camouflage one.  I surprised him and made him some caramel popcorn!  He really missed popcorn.

October 31

Happy Halloween!  We had a fun day.  I forgot to take pictures of the kids in their costumes.  I plan to have them put their costumes back on in the next couple of days just for a picture.  I'll post it when I do!