Santa Float 2013

Seeing Santa when he goes out with the firefighters has become one of the boys' favorite Christmas traditions. They were SO excited to have their chat with the big guy last night, and Kinley made sure our other Santa tradition held up for at least one more year (crying on his lap).

Journey to the North Pole

Jeff's parents got us a groupon for the Journey to the North Pole. His mom said she would keep Kinley so we could go with the three older kids last night. We didn't tell the kids where we were going until we got there. They were super excited for the adventure.

Frosty was even there!

On the boat....

Santa was out on a dock. He read off all the names on the good list, thankfully, Mason, Cooper, and Shiloh were all made the cut.

Having some fun while (I) Crystyne went to the restroom.

New Decorations

I was able to go to a friends house yesterday and make these two cute decorations for Christmas. I love how they turned out and am so glad I finished them both so I can display them for the rest of the Christmas season.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 11, New Testament Class

Choice 4: 1 John 1-3. That Ye May Have Fellowship with Us and with God

      

      1.      Read 1 John 1:1-4. Describe in writing John’s desire for those he wrote to.

John’s desire is for those he wrote to to have fellowship with the saints and with God.  He also wanted them to have eternal life and to have their joy full.

Study the following scripture references and then list what these verses teach about how we can come to know God better and have greater joy and fellowship with God:

·         1 John 1:8-10: Admit our sins and repent of them so our Father in Heaven can forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

·         1 John 2:3-6: Keep his commandments. When we do this, God’s love for us becomes more perfect.

·         1 John 2:9-11; 3:11-19: Love your brother; lay down your life for your brother just as the Savior laid down his life for you. Have compassion for your brother, serve him, and give him what he needs.

·         1 John 2:15-17: Refrain from loving the things of this world.

·         1 John 2:20-21, 27: Recognize truth when you hear it and don’t deny it.

·         1 John 3:4-6: Abide in Christ, as you do you will be able to resist sin.

      2.      Choose one of the ways to have greater joy and fellowship with God as you described it above, and write a paragraph explaining how you can better implement those principles in your life.

I have never struggled with committing large sins. I know I commit smaller sins on a daily basis and I know that admitting them and repenting of them is something I struggle with. I have been trying to do a better job of saying sorry to my spouse, my kids, and others around me when I do something to hurt them. I have been trying to also do a better job of repenting to my Father in Heaven for the sins I commit. I know there is room for improvement though. So, I am going to recommit to admitting my sins and repenting of them so my Father in Heaven can forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

Student Choice Assignment, Week 10, New Testament Class

Choice 1: James 1. “Be Ye Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only”

       1.      Read James 1 and respond in writing to the following items.

·         What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?

“Ask of God” (5), “ask in faith” (6), “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (19), and “Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (21)

·         How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?

When we “ask in faith” we should not waverer in our faith like the waves of the sea when they are driven and tossed with the wind.

·         How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?

These two verses both talk about not being able to serve two masters; you either serve the Lord or serve the devil. They relate to James 1:8 because when you try to please two masters, you will never be fully converted to either one. You have to choose who you will serve and do so with unwavering faith.

·         From James 1:13-15, 19-27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We know that God cannot tempt us, but we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own lust and become enticed to sin. Be slow to speak, slow to anger, be both hearers and does of the word of God, doers of righteousness and doers of the gospel by having unwavering faith and serving others.

·         Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22

My husband is always willing to serve others and will drop everything to go help. He does this without complaining or having a bad attitude. When he servers others, he is a good example to our children of being a hearer of the word and also a doer of the word and he takes the time to explain to our children why he is serving, why it is important for him to serve, and who he is ultimately serving.

       2.      Read the institute student manual commentary for James 1:5-6, “If Any of You Lack Wisdom” (p. 409). Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915-1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact…upon mankind than any other” scripture.

These verses led to the opening of the heavens in modern times.

All of us search for truth at some time in our lives.

We need to turn to God in order to gain eternal truths and eternal life.

It's Beginning to look a lot like

CHRISTMAS!

We have tried to keep to our tradition of setting up for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. We were able to keep with that tradition this year. Jeff and I are not big on the whole black Friday shopping, so we set up all our Christmas decorations while everyone else is recuperating from their midnight dashes, or as was the case this year, their Thanksgiving night dashes. I think that is SO wrong for store to open their doors on Thanksgiving just to try and earn an extra buck. Lame. Stepping off my soap box now.

I have made a lot of new Christmas decorations over the last year or so and am starting to really love to decorate for Christmas. I think I might try to convince Jeff that we need to decorate a few weeks before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy everything a bit longer. 

Next weekend I am going to be making a few more Christmas decorations that I am really excited about. I will post pictures of them once they are completed.

Thanksgiving

We have always gone to Jeff's maternal grandparents house for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has become too much work for his grandparents, so we have offered to host Thanksgiving every year from now on (unless of course if someone else wants to have it at their house one year). This was the first year we had Thanksgiving at out house and the first time Jeff and I have cooked a turkey. Jeff was pretty nervous about it, but the bird came out pretty tasty.

November Happenings

We have had a very good month and have a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful to have a pretty handy husband who chose to install our new microwave and dishwasher for us, saving us over $250!

I am thankful for the simple things in life, like being able to eat dinner as a family every night. I am thankful that Jeff's work schedule allows him to be home with us 99.9% of the evenings to eat dinner with us.

Do you see that? That there. That chip on Kinley's shoulder. I wonder why she has a chip on her shoulder. Serioulsy, she is fed, bathed, attended to, and loved. What more could she ask for? What is she so upset for?

 

I am thankful that Kinley is learning new things every day, but I kinda sorta wish Cooper would not have taught her this:

Home made cookies are the best, especially when you leave some to lick off later.

I am thankful that this little girl's hair is finally beginning to grow.

I am thankful that Shiloh likes to help me with my craft projects.

Shiloh got this fun princess castle tent for her birthday. I am thankful for older brothers who are willing to read to her so I only have to read 58,472 books a day instead of 58, 474 books. 

I AM thankful she loves to read so much.

"Give me five"

This boy got a new church shirt and tie because he put the other one in his mouth. So why did he need a new one? He had gum in his mouth which got on his shirt and we couldn't get all of it out, even with using all the tricks to getting gum out. He has also earned himself no gum at church for a while.

 

I just love her.

I am thankful that these two girls get a long and love to take baths together.