Embrace 2019!

The week between Christmas and New Years was such a nice break for our family. The weather was beautiful and warm and we were able to enjoy some relaxing, simple, carefree days. 

Orson playing hide and seek at the park!

On New Year's Eve some of Michael's co-workers joined us for a fun evening. All three girls managed to stay up until midnight. I couldn't believe it!

New Year's Day I took the girls for a bike ride and we found the Berea College's pig farm. The pigs are adorable. Michael has wanted a pig for a long time and this only made it worse haha!

Michael smoked a turkey that was amazing and we had a nice dinner with our friends the Barnes family before they move to North Carolina (of course we only remember to get a picture of the food. Oops!)

This year will hopefully be a great year full of joy, but there will also be lots of hard work. Michael's dissertation proposal was officially approved before Christmas and he's starting his research this semester! The end is in sight! It will mean lots of busy days for both of us. My goal is to simply embrace it. To take all the moments - the great, the hard, the change, the stability and embrace it.

Promises from a Prophet

During the October General Conference, President Nelson gave an incredible talk to the women of the church. He also issued us four challenges. First, participate in a 10 day fast from social media. Second, read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. Third, attend the temple more regularly. Fourth, participate fully in Relief Society.

As I listened, I knew I wanted to take each of the challenges. I was surprised when Hazel decided she would like to read the Book of Mormon too. So we started reading together each night. It was hard, but a good hard. Some nights it was past Hazel's bed time; other nights I struggled to stay awake while reading. There were conflicts with other activities and just life, but we tried our best to keep reading.

By the last day of the year, we had 20 pages left to finish. Thankfully, it was a beautifully warm day so we left Michael and the other kids at home and escaped to the park to finish up. The Spirit was strong as we read through the final chapters, and I once again felt so strongly that this book is true! I know Hazel loved reading it as well, and she has set her own goal for the new year to read the scriptures for 10 minutes each night.

With the invitation to read President Nelson said:,

"As impossible as that may seem with all you are trying to manage in your life, if you will accept this invitation with full purpose of heart, the Lord will help you find a way to achieve it. And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation."  

As we read, I've truly felt the power of his promise. Miraculously, we were able to accomplish our goal! I have also felt the promised outpouring of the Spirit. The day after we finished a tender prompting came to me as I took a shower. This prompting answered a question I'd pondered in my heart all year. It brought so much comfort and a much, needed reminder that the Lord knows me. He knows what's going on in my life right now. He knows where I struggle and where I excel. He is hastening the teaching of our family which is wonderful and busy and overwhelming all at the same time. 

For the Book of Mormon, for this sweet girl, and for the power of a promise from a Prophet of God, I am eternally thankful.

Boxing Day Photo Shoot

Conrad 15 months

Eliza - 7 1/2

Hazel - 9 1/2

Lenora - almost 5

Orson - 3

A Magical Christmas

We had a wonderful, quiet Christmas at home this year. While we really missed not being with family, it was also so nice not to be traveling. It has been a really busy semester and having time to relax at home together as a family was wonderful. Christmas came a bit early for Michael when he learned all his hard work paid off and his Dissertation proposal was approved! With his research set to begin in the new year, we were all ready to enjoy lots of family time and relaxing.

The Sunday before Christmas Hazel and I sang a duet of "Star Were Gleaming" during Sacrament meeting. Hazel was nervous, but she sang beautifully and did so well. I'm so proud of her!

On Christmas Eve we enjoyed a nice dinner with a couple from church and one of Michael's co-workers. The kids were SO excited for Christmas day! Hazel kept going on about her theory that Santa is actually a wizard and even wrote a note asking hime about it. Lenora kept talking about how she would "wake up and RUSH out to the living room" on Christmas morning. When it was finally time for them to wake up, here's what was waiting for them...

Their reactions were priceless. Is there anything more magical than the Christmas when Santa brings you a bike!?! They were so excited about their new bikes they immediately headed to the basement to ride them since it was still dark outside. 

After they got some riding in and we woke up Daddy it was time to open a few more presents and then enjoy breakfast.

We spent the rest of the day riding bikes, Skyping with family, playing, and enjoying dinner with the missionaries and a sister from the ward. It was a perfect day!

Leading Up to Christmas

So many good and fun things filled our month as we tried to enjoy the Christmas season to it's fullest. Of course we had some traditional Christmas fun - making ornaments, gingerbread houses, the Christmas parade in Richmond, and chocolate peppermint pancakes. 

Conrad quickly learned to climb up to snitch a few bites. 

Wonderful Aunt Jamie got us all an early Christmas present..... They are amazing!

Our ward had a fun Christmas party. Conrad wore a sweater that was my brother Harrison's when he was a baby. It just so happened he had perfected this stink eye face that day and kept doing it every few minutes. I promise he was having fun!

The kids put on a nativity that was really sweet. Hazel narriated, Eliza was the main angel, Lenora was a wise man, and Orson was an adorable sheep. 

The weather has been really warm so it hasn't quite felt like Christmas. We went to the park several times this month. They just put in a new playground and the kids love it!

We also tried to keep our Christmas focused on Christ. Our scripture Advent Calendar this year held a short scripture with a Christmas hymn in each day. We've never included a song before but I really loved it! They brought the Spirit so strongly. 

We also participated in the Light the World initiative by doing simple things to spread Christ's light with others. We made a poster for our local Librarians thanking them for the wonderful programs they host. We took goodies to neighbors and friends. Our ward Relief Society collected items for a women's shelter. The kids picked out a few toys, and Hazel helped fill them. We visited our friend Joanne in the memory care unit and spent time with many of the other residents as well. We sent Christmas cards with handwritten notes and drawings to some of our dear friends/family that might be a bit lonely. Each act seemed to fill us with the light and warmth of Christmas! This is the Christmas proclaimed by the angels when they sang that first Noel, Noel, Noel! Now it's Christmas! Our infant Savior, our Eternal Redeemer, light, love, compassion, forgiveness, and sharing that with others. This truly is Christmas!

I so thankful for this time of year. For the fun and excitement it brings, but especially for the chance to reflect on the life of the Savior and to love, give, and live a little more like He did. Merry Christmas!