December 9, 2018

Today we settled our tithes with our dear bishop.  We do love being in his office and learning about the importance of paying a full tithing.

After church we had our friends over for dinner and games.  We laughed and played together.  We were just so happy.

My dad would have turned 68 this year.  I think about him everyday.  He is always with me.  I l miss him.  I love him.  

December 8, 2018

Today we attended our ward Christmas party.  The activity was preparing service projects for different groups in our community.  The evening was quiet and simple which allowed for the spirit to testify of the importance of Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection.  I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.  Our lives have meaning, purpose and direction.    

 The gym was filled with everyone we love.

 Meg, Andy and I have been practicing a musical number for about a month.

 Of course Santa made an appearance. Molly and Maisie were little darlings.

I agree that this is the most wonderful time of the year.

December 7, 2018

Today we didn't light the world, but we throw a lovely holiday party for the very deserving office team.

I didn't take one picture of my lovely tablescape or Austin's buffet.  But, here are several pictures of the team playing games and enjoying each other.  

(But first, this is the nativity I bought in Murano, Italy.  The tree on the right was broken in six pieces.  I glued a piece each day for a week and it finally stands upright -- although it does lean.  I think it is lovely.)

 Austin gave Oprah's favorite things to his staff.  He even asked Oprah to come.

We do love these ladies.  They make the office the success that it is.  Austin is blessed to have this special team.  Friday night our date was rock climbing in a gym in Prescott.  We haven't climbed for like 15 years, but we did okay.  I think we both weigh the same, but our muscle mass is quite a bit different.  We are old!

December 6, 2018

Today we lit the world by writing thank-you notes to veterans.  We also spent four hours at Sedona Dental Arts and the awesome staff cleaned all our teeth!  No cavities.  

(These two looked darling.)

Party in the breakroom.

December 5, 2018

Today we lit the world by picking up trash at the park.  After school Maisie got a new haircut.

 Then I was the nicest mom ever, and let each of the children decorate a side of our gingerbread house.

 I was so nice the entire time.  Eddie prayed at dinner, "We're grateful that we had such a great time decorating our gingerbread house."  It was a win!  (Best tip, I spent at least an hour cleaning up the mess Thursday morning.)

Nick was a winner and entertained Molly while we played in the sugar mess.  Andy and Meg were sad they missed it while they went for a run.

December 4, 2018

Today we lit the world by recycling three items. 

 We then played in the leaves that finally fell.

 We also baked a gingerbread house.

 These five big kids were reading after dinner.  Maisie is next to Nick.

Day 3

For FHE tonight we joined the #Light the World campaign.  (So that's what I'll be posting this month, not what we did, but how we served.  I'm kind of excited. Well, I might do both.)  Tonight the calendar suggestion was to write a letter to a foreign missionary.  We wrote to Tanner Campbell.  The bigs emailed him, the littles drew pictures (I just sent the picture of them holding their pictures.)  Honestly, it felt good.  I did feel like I was lighting the world just a little bit.  

December 2, 2018

I am failing matching our seasonal clothing this year.  (And I didn't prepare yesterday or awaken early today, so I was so behind getting kids ready.  Ponytails and minimal curls for all.)  This is after church.  Please bless that fact is obvious.

 Andy took this.

 Eddie had to needed playdough for school so we made some.  Andy made Ryan.

 Grandma and Grandpa came for dinner and the devotional.  We loved it.

The message of our prophet is to be covenant makers and keepers, so that we can use the gifts of the Savior.  Others testified of the need for good works and lighting lives of others.  The music was memorable.  Molly sang "Hallelujah" during the closing prayer.