Happiness

 January  February  March- Spring Break  April- Easter  May- Ethan and Jonah turn 8  June- Ethan and Jonah are Baptized  July-Asher turns 6  August- Family Reunion  September- Elizabeth turned 10!  October  November- trip to Utah December 2012 has been a great year, but we are ready for a new year- 2013- and all it's new adventures, challenges and opportunities!

We only have 3 whole more days until Christmas (ah! I am not done with all that I wanted to do!) so I wanted to share a few pictures of our Christmas Festivities. Here's our Nativity, all set up.  We had Cocoa Puff, Ethan's class pet, over last weekend and Elizabeth put her in a Santa Hat. The kids love having her over. I don't love cleaning out her cage, but I do love that it's only for a weekend!  Here's the Gingerbread House we made- don't mind the rusty pan, it's the only thing I could grab!  This year, we picked up a cute little Gingerbread House kit instead of each doing our own. The kids were sad they didn't each get one, but it made for a lot simpler activity. And Trader Joes has a super cute one too! It even came with the sugar people on the box!  Jonah helping do the roof.  Ethan did the other side of the roof.  The kids at the Mesa Temple seeing the Lights. Notice Jonah's cold expression- I guess he was a ...

The shooting in Connecticut happened almost a  week ago. I was subbing that day and being isolated in my little classroom I had heard nothing until Josh told me about it over the phone when I got home at 3 pm. I was devastated and cried in my room while my kiddos had their after school snack in the kitchen. It was too close to home for me- having spent the whole day at the school/having a 1st grader/knowing loss before and knowing how precious life really is. A few people shared some things online that really helped me, as did prayer and an understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. He loves me. He loves us. He knows what is going on and He is here for us no matter what. And that comforts me. It truly does. I tried to write something about this on Sunday, but I had nothing. Nothing left to give. I was in mourning. I still am a little. But writing makes it just a teensiest better. In fact, a good measure better. Nothing Left to Give I have nothing ...

We loved how our family pictures turned out this year! We met Josh at the location (he was coming from work) and I realized that he still had his beard on! He likes to grow one about this time every year but I had completely forgotten about it! I was worried how the pictures would turn out, but it worked out well! Merry Christmas, Everyone!