New Years Eve 2020

Well, we didn't go bowling but hopefully we can go next week when it's not as crowded. COVID is still hanging around. We did have a nice dinner and played a few games. 

Happy New Year

 2021

Let's make it a good year! 

Colby lost two teeth this month! 

Nice photo bomb Colby! 

Best of 2020!

I will try to choose only one or two pictures for each month! I'm thankful for all the happy memories from 2020. I know there will be lots more in the new year.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH 

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER 

DECEMBER

Happy New Year

2021

Ready or not, here we come!

The Lord blesses those who want to improve...

Please remember tomorrow, and all the days after that, that the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive to the best of their ability to acquire them. If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is there to help you keep going. If you fall, summon His strength. Call out like Alma, “O Jesus, … have mercy on me.” He will help you get back up. He will help you repent, repair, fix whatever you have to fix, and keep going. Soon enough you will have the success you seek.

"Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You" | Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2016 General Conference

Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, ...

Alma 36:18

Fear not; I will help thee...

He wants to bless us. A rewarding, abundant, and eternal life is the very object of His merciful plan for His children! It is a plan predicated on the truth “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard?” Isaiah cried.

“[God] giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. …

“… They that wait upon [Him] shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. …

“For … the Lord … God will hold [their] right hand, saying unto [them], Fear not; I will help thee.”

~Isaiah 40:28, 29, 31

Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You  

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland | April 2016

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/04/tomorrow-the-lord-will-do-wonders-among-you?lang=eng

Magical Christmas Eve...

One of things that brings me the most joy is preparing for Christmas or any family gathering. I try to choose thoughtful gifts and maybe make a gift from the heart. It's my love language to my family. Everything from yesterday exceeded my expectations. Tim and I had a prayer before Mark and his family arrived, and asked that we would an extra measure of the Spirit, and everyone would feel loved. I hope everyone felt that.

We had a wonderful dinner. Mark made homemade chicken stock, and boy did it make the chicken and noodles taste richer. Tiff brought a cheesecake and shared a sliver with us! I made melting snowman cupcakes and the boys enjoyed them.

After dinner we had the nativity pageant. I imagined earlier in the day Cash reading the Christmas story, which he did. That was one of my favorite moments of the night, I was proud of Cash. Grey was a darling wiseman, Colby a strong shepherd, beautiful Tiffani as Mary, and handsome Mark as Joseph. Grandpa was an angel! I really loved pausing for a moment to think of Jesus.

Grahm was watching Sheriff Callie is Grandpa's office. He will be back next year! 

I don't know how he had time, but Santa stopped by for a quick visit while we were opening gifts.

Cash!

Last year I made stuffed toys for the 

boys from their original drawings.

This year I made everyone reading pillows and I got a book to go with them. They have pockets for the books. I also got mini reading lights. They were fun to make.

Colby loves his new keyboard! It will much better to practice on than the small one that Grandpa loaned him. 

We got to talk to Christopher all the way from the Philippines. He and Maja also had a magical Christmas Eve near the ocean. We miss him terribly but are thankful he's successful and happy.

Chris sent gifts for all of us, he has always been so thoughtful, and it was nice would could thank him during our phone call. Thanks again Chris!

This past year has been difficult in many ways with COVID but I'm grateful we can spend time with our family. Family is the best gift. We love them so much. I'm shutting the door on 2020 and looking forward to a new year.