{ December Thinking }

{My sister in law had this made of our family I love love it!! its by 

little September calligraphy nailed it.... don't you think:))} 

Wow I sit here on December 26th, 2016 and think about the crazy year we've had. The fact that another month, another Christmas and another year have passed is crazy. Time flies so fast! and using it wisely for what is important becomes more important every day no matter what stage of life we are in. I'm finding my stage the denial really stage ha ha;) Really I'm this old ....really my kids keep getting older.... really another year went by...... really I'm here. really now. Enjoy every stage that's what were trying to do right and there is good in every stage and making the most of every stage is where its at.

I wonder sometimes if we actually sat and evaluated where were at and truly accounted for the way we act would we still do the things we do? Maybe I'm in a reflection mood seeing as its the end of the year but do we really think about how we come off or what we do? For real.

December has been a long month a lot of things happened that brought me closer to my savior in many ways, but also taught me in the feeling of mourning with those that mourn, in lifting others burdens and wanting to take them away. 

This year has been a year of service for me and learning to have greater compassion and maybe those are the things I needed to learn more about myself. To extend myself and to give more, I don't know but I did learn so much and I truly believe my children have learned life lessons this year that they also will carry with them throughout life. 

There are special people that come into our lives that leave lasting impressions and we have had that this year and have grown to love the examples and blessings they brought into our home and lives.

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Christmas was great fun to have D's parents home from their mission this year and have such a huge gathering of family for Christmas day and make new memories together. 

I love the feeling of peace in all the noise & chaos the feeling that this is heaven being with those you love.... no dysfunction and smoothly getting things done even when there are about 45 of your immediate family in one room, and your still feeling the void of the missing 20 people its truly a blessing to be apart of. No fights, no drama just love and laughter, peace, understanding and more laughter. 

We can't all say that on both sides of our families but its nice when it can happen and truthfully I wish we all that on all sides.

To watch those open the gifts you worked hard on and thought hard about and have meaning and show the love is pure joy. Truly not caring what you receive but truly seeing the joy in others in seeing something that you've all worked on and pulled off secretly .....is what the true Christmas spirit is about to me. 

Seeing the Saviors example in what we do, seeing the joy come to those that are suffering and the joy of family and coming together. 

That's what its about. 

Being wrapped up in each other, 

not ourselves. 

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* DECEMBER HAPPENINGS*

My baby turned 15!! Crazy crazy!! 

 but he is such a joy such a good kid love this boy!

I felt slightly crazy this month but decided to focas on the things that matter and not the frivolous things and in the end it all works out just fine.. Our families and our children know they matter more than anything know they are loved more than life! My friends know I love them and care about them even if they didn't get Christmas cards in time;) or at all...but the moments that matter is the time spent together building memories that last far longer than life here and now....

This awesome all boy ...dislocated his shoulder this month and had to wear a sling for two weeks...while wrestling..... his favorite thing to do:)  he loves to smile...laugh and play jokes and do all gross boy things he also loves kids and helping others and we love him:)

our last santa sitter:(

 Piano recitals for K2 he did awesome! Love this boy!

 What teenagers do on Christmas day;)

 My crew and a photo bomber and some surprised faces:)

 The PJ crew Ray style easy haha

 The cutest little kiddos nativity

 Just a few family on the B side of things:)

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...and that's a wrap I'm going to try to do a post for the new year.... end of year thing.  Blogging is almost so nonexistent these days, but I really love it for journal purposes and looking back and seeing how far we've come. 

{ December Another Year almost Gone}

Seriously where does the time go I can not believe how fast it is flying by speaking of which can you even believe K is going to be 15!! 

Cant. Even. Handle. It. 

How do they grow up so fast? I don't want to stop blogging because I've been doing it forever and its a great place to vent, journal and see my children's progress over the years and I suppose mine and D's too. Its crazy as you get older and realize that this life is actually so short and full of ups and downs and really how we handle them is the real test of life. I'd have to say that my 40th year has been a slightly different one than I pictured.... but a good one and one I won't forget I had opportunities to learn, serve and love that I never would have otherwise had and known I could do. I've watched myself do things that stretched me and tempered me into becoming who I am more and more each day. I've watched my children learn and grow the world lean and grow {increasingly more wicked and disturbing} But I've seen it also help me to strengthen my home and family. I've seen my kids learn to serve others and work on hard things and learn from their mistakes and move on. As we all do.

Moving on... Christmas again! My favorite time of the year! This year the kids have barely asked for anything.... so I'm thinking doing some things together as a family and having experiences instead of gifts is a greater gift in the end...

Went with an antler, plaid theme going this year its a work in progress:)

So lately we have a cheer girl and a basketball boy who is working hard to earn his spot..... practice practice practice .....so they both keep very busy...

 The bball boys won their first tournament this past weekend so fun to watch these boys play

then there's these two cute boys who just keep busy with cubs piano basketball camps and field trips that my animal loving boy loved ....

 we said goodbye to another amazing missionary who spent a lot of time with us and taught us a lot ...were sad to see her go she was pretty amazing

 oh its been awhile we had Halloween in there too:)

.....also planned a successstressful Relief Society  super Saturday

last month too so much work but it was good

-AND thats pretty much what has been happening besides new sidewalks around the house and leveling and preparing the ground and driveway for spring super exciting to get things done and making progress:)

- I did a november health challenge with a facebook group over 4 weeks that was kinda fun just made me more accountable on pretty much all that I do already except no sweets {so I went 4 weeks without hot lips haha I do love my chewy candies all other sugar really isn't a temptation to me but that is my vice.. 

-This month instead of our wrap a book a day countdown we are participating in the #LIGHTtheworld 25 days of service today we picked some families to surprise for our service day it was so fun and my kids enjoyed it too:)

Head over and watch the video if you haven't already its pretty amazing and will bring each of us closer to the real reason for the season bringing us closer to our Savior link here

"Our opportunities to shine are limitless. They surround us each day, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light, as it were, in the lives of those around us—whether they be our own family members, our coworkers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers." —President Thomas S. Monson
#LIGHTtheWORLD

Have a beautiful week & Happy December:)

SO share your

FAVORITE THINGS your loving right now?? 

Favorite Traditions, music new recipes for Christmas?? etc