December blessings

This month has been such a happy one, with so many blessings for me. I am grateful for good friends that show love. I am also so grateful for my boys. Even though we haven't done our annual traditions, they have still made the month wonderful and full of Christmas cheer. Larry has been remarkable and spoiled me so much. He is willing to go with me to places he wouldn't normally go. He also takes me flying. I love to fly!  It has been a month full of treasured memories and lots of love. 

New Candy Tradition

I connected with a former friend that lived in our neighborhood this past week. She taught me how to make homemade Peanut Butter cups. They are so easy! We have a lovely visit while we worked away. Then, she sent me home with the rest of the ingredients so I could finish off the project. It's been so much fun, and everyone I've given them too has loved them.  

Practicing

I've been trying to get better at doing a French braid. I've tried it a few times on my hair, and then I tried it on little missies' hair this week. I think it's adorable. I love how long her hair is getting to be.  

Temple open house

I've had a note on the calendar to take the boys to the nearby temple open house. I have talked to the boys several times during November and they always told me they didn't want to go. I debated and debated about forcing them to go. The fallout of forcing them to go was annoying, but I'm super glad we went anyway. Peter spent most of the tour walking with other family groups, but that's ok. Luke and I went super slow and enjoyed every moment. I love all the red chairs in the temple! I couldn't resist brushing my hand against the lovely texture. I am really, really, looking forward to going and doing a session there. When Luke and I entered the celestial room he stopped me and said; "I've been here before, Mom. I'm having a deja vu". It was a super special moment that I never want to forget. 

I'm a fast learner

I have been having such a lot of fun learning how to crochet. I have finished four of the dishcloths that are based on this Youtube video. Now, I have a personal teacher (Avis), and I'm also done with the first one that she taught me. It's so much fun and it only take just a few minutes to do one row. It's amazing how a few captured moments every day can turn into a beautiful dishcloth.

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Our annual tradition of Chuck-A-Rama the evening before turkey day did not disappoint. The boys and I had a lot of fun with Uncle Morgan, Aunt Amy, and Larry. I wish I could relive that night....I'm super hungry just thinking about it. My favorite food was the scones and the bleu cheese dressing on my salad. Aunt Amy and I just had to get a picture of us eating a scone so we could send it to our momma. Apparently, scones are not a thing in Missouri. I feel bad for all the native Missourians. 

It was glaringly apparent that both of the boys have grown since last year. They make me feel short. Tonight, they made Aunt Amy feel short too.

Small happinesses

I've been taking the little missy to the library music time. It's been super fun for both of us. After we are done with class we go and play in the activity areas of the library. Sometimes, we even come home with a few books. This book made it home this week. It has been a good reminder for me to dial back on the "wants" and focus on the "needs" of me, Peter, and Luke. It's so tempting, at this time of the year, to disproportionally put out wants ahead of our needs. I am determine to do a better job in December of dialing back on our wants. 

Speaking of "needs". LOL. I couldn't resist picking up six bags of these at my local Walmart. I literally spent $12 last week on just one bag of this Miracle Grow potting soil. I don't think I will ever need to buy more houseplant soil ever again. I just couldn't pass up an over 90% off savings. Thankfully, the GM cashier - Anthony - made sure it would correctly ring up when I checked out. It's being grateful for the little things that I find most enjoyable at this time of the year. 

Adventures

This man right here has opened up a world of fun and adventure for me. He knows how much I love to fly with him. He says that I'm the perfect flight companion because when we fly together his plane has almost perfect balance. On this day we flew to West Wendover for a late lunch, and then enjoyed landing on the Bonneville Salt flats. I'd never been out there before and it was both beautiful and inspirational. I love seeing the wonder of God's creations from the sky. At one point we had to fly over a mountain ridge that was just over 10,000 feet. For some reason, the dusting of snow took my breath away. I wonder if being a angel gives you privileges like I had on this day. 

Counting my blessings

The opening hymn in church today was #241 Count your Blessings. I sat in my favorite spot in the very back (and I mean the very, very back of the chapel) and wrote as fast as I could the blessings that came to my mind. Here is my list:

Music

Fun ward choir (we seriously joke around and have the best time ever)

    for memory sake here is a list of the people in choir now: Brent, Jordan, Kurtt, Larry, Krystal, Chantel,         Marci, Lisa, Deborah, Marie, Shareen, Jeanette, and Lily. Plus, our amazing leader - Marilyn

Friends in my ward

Super soft and comfy bed

Temple

Peter

Luke

Larry

Brandon (he is still such a support to me and a great Dad to Peter and Luke)

Neil & Lisa Harrison (my parents that aren't my parents. They live right across the street)

Garden

Bank Account

Cell phone

Example of Jacquie Kelly

Neil L. Anderson meeting I was able to attend yesterday

Relationship with my Stake Presidency. I actually know them, love them, support them in their callings.

Trying something new

A bit ago I thought I should sit down and learn something new. So, here I am trying this. I've already started and unraveled it 5 times. I figure that if I can actually get an entire dishcloth made I'll have done something really amazing. 

Ring of Fire

This past weekend Larry and I had an adventure. Larry offered to take me to Central Utah to gaze at the Ring of Fire eclipse that happened on Oct 14th. It was the first big trip for Larry's newest plane. Both the plane, and Larry, did an excellent job. It was thrilling to have such a large visual display of the surrounding landscape.  My favorite part was snuggling up together and looking like nerds in our solar glasses. It was absolutely delightful! I also really loved driving into Fillmore to get chicken sandwiches' and onion rings for lunch. Larry and I both LOVE onion rings!

I did something

 

Finally, up to the mountains I go

I've been longing to get up into the mountains for a few weeks now. Larry and I managed to sneak in a hike up Rock Canyon this past Tuesday while the kids were in school. It did not disappoint. The leaves were so vibrant and beautiful! Having the rocky cliffs along the train didn't disappoint either. I'm so thankful I was able to enjoy the fall colors up close and personal this year.