Happy December!

I have neglected to post much more than doctor info lately. I'm feeling bad about it and need to do better. I can see that I should post more often so that each post is not so long. But, this post, as long as it is, is only a half a week worth of joy. Certainly the rest of the week will be great too.

- We were trying to get to my parents house to have my dad give Chase his patriarchal blessing. There were so many things conflicting with it making our opportunity quite difficult. Chase wanted it before heading out to college (in only a few short weeks) and he wanted his grandpa to do it. While talking with my dad about our choices he offered to come this direction to help us out. We gladly accepted. So they came Saturday, gave the blessing after church, and left Monday morning. We are so grateful for their sacrifice and love for us. THANK YOU Mom and Dad!

- The patriarchal blessing was beautiful. Chase is the first of our children to get his blessing from his grandpa, since all the older boys had received theirs before my dad became a patriarch. All of the younger kids are looking forward to receiving theirs from their grandfather too. We hope to not feel so crunched and out of options when those opportunities come. :) We are THANKFUL for these blessings from the Lord.

- We watched the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional Sunday evening. It was a beautiful devotional. It helps remind us of the reason for this season and we enjoyed the messages and the music. It helps set the tone/mood. THANK YOU to Pres. Monson, Pres. Uchtdorf, and Pres. Eyring.

- LeeAnn and Brian and their children came to visit Sunday evening after the blessing. We had dinner and watched the broadcast together and enjoyed visiting, just like old times. We love family, and missed those who could not be here. We are THANKFUL for family - all of our family.

- The missionaries came over Monday night, with a friend, for family home evening. They showed a movie about Joseph Smith. What a beautiful spirit we felt during that movie and what a delightful evening it became. THANK YOU Elders! THANK YOU to missionaries everywhere who help strengthen individuals and families and share the Good News.

- Today will give me time to finish setting up our Christmas decorations. I love the nativities, the lights, and the snowmen. :) And I love the Christmas music. I love celebrating Christ's birth. THANK YOU Christ and our Heavenly Father!

- We had a RS meeting meeting last night - centered around Christ and Christmas. It felt good to be gathered with so many good women and we did feel of the Spirit of Christmas. Some of us participated in a cookie exchange after the meeting and we brought home a large assortment of cookies. The assortment we brought home looked like a masterpiece. It was fun to see the different kinds of cookies and surely they will taste delicious. We got a recipe booklet for those cookies and I look forward to trying them sometime. THANK YOU sisters!

- We have much to be grateful for. In November we started writing down one thing each day that we are grateful for. We are continuing that thru to the end of December. We write it on a little piece of paper and roll the paper up and put it in a glass vase/jar in our family room so that we can see it often and remind ourselves of our blessings. I think it is helping me to have a more grateful heart and recognize the good that is all around us and the blessings in my life. It helps us see just how much our Heavenly Father loves us and has blessed us. We have some days that we forget, but overall it's been a great thing. We are THANKFUL!

- As I think about the things I have posted here, I realize that they say much about family and faith. My two most favorite things in life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and our lives are blessed as we follow His teachings and participate in the ordinances and covenants that are available to us. Family is our most important possession. The two need each other to allow eternal life and happiness, just like the priesthood and womanhood need each other. One without the other would just would not do. What a wonderful Plan of Happiness! I do feel blessed, and pray that we may live worthy of the blessings that await us. THANKS again, to our Loving Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ!

PS - All of our water problems are fixed and under control! THANK YOU Terry!