Christmas homeschool party

We were able to get together with three other families in the month of December for a holiday party. We painted pine cones, ate a midday breakfast meal together, and did a gift exchange. It was chaotic fun with about 20 children there. I love when we get the chance to get together with other families and play.

Simply Beautiful

I was able to do a session at the Payson temple during the month of December. They had this statue out front and I loved it so much. I hope someday I can get a smaller version of it to display with my other holiday decorations.

Pleasant Grove Santa Visit

Every year we attend the Pleasant Grove Fire Department's Santa visit. This year was an exceptional year (as it always is). This year the doughnuts were super fancy and very delicious. The boys really enjoyed seeing Santa. They were thrilled with the Rescue Bots that he gave to them. We were also especially blessed by a kind stranger who donated stuffed animals to the fire station. Peter and Luke both ended up receiving a super soft puppy dog. It was a pretty great day. We love Grandpa Thomas for making sure this event happens every year.

Christmas blessings

Santa really showered us with fantastic presents this year. We had a marvelous holiday season with lots of time to relax and just enjoy each other. Shopping was completely finished the first week of the month, and we were done with school by the 17th. This year I really simplified and didn't feel pressure to make/do/be if I didn't feel up to it. The low stress really made a difference this year and I'm so glad about that.

On a whim

A few years ago I had a friend take family pictures at her local church building in front of a chalk board. I loved the look, so when we were at the church this past week I took a few pictures of Peter. He is at a fun stage right now. Very helpful, and, for the most part, excellent at doing his schoolwork.

Later that same day, I attempted to get a few more pictures of my boys together. This was just one of the many silly ones we took. Honestly, these two drive each other crazy most days. However, I hope they will develop a lasting friendship that will continue in their adult years.

This picture is especially amazing because in most pictures Luke is always closing his eyes, sucking his thumb, or picking his nose. Seriously, he has some pretty annoying habits - especially when we are trying to take his picture.

Inspirational

I've been thinking a lot about the past few years and how much I've grown because of hard things. I've come to the conclusion that all of our lives are like this quote. Nothing is ever going to be exactly what we think it should be. Yet, happiness still can be found if we determine in our hearts and minds to find it.

I was moved

I read this quote the other day and I really love it:

We don't know it at the time, but depressions are golden opportunities to stop what we are doing and look within. When you fall down and find all your pieces scattered around, you stop breathing for a while. The world stops breathing. Then, little by little, you start rebuilding yourself, and there is always a chance that the new construction will be better than the last.                    -Elif Shafak (Vogue Dec. '15)

Christmas decorating

We love Christmas and we always start decorating the day after Thanksgiving. Every year I have to do some sort of craft. This year we painted pine cones (which we went and found), and I made yarn wrapped trees. It's turning out to be a very lovely Christmas season.

Davis Family Turkey dinner

My family has an annual tradition. We go to dinner on the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving. We go to dinner at Chuck-A-Rama so everyone has plenty of variety, and no one has to wash dishes. It was, once again, fantastic! The boys loved all the attention and it was so nice to be together as a family. We honestly don't get together very often, so it's extra special when we are all together.

My parents 38th anniversary also happened to land on this same night. They have been through a lot of hard things together as a couple. They will be the first to admit that there were some very difficult years, but they are still together and I'm so thankful for that. Now that they don't have any kids left at home, things are the best they have ever been.  They are taking the time to actually be a couple and that is so sweet. They are such a great example to me.

The day we got snow

The boys were so excited and couldn't wait to get out and get a snow man built. Needless to say, we postponed school for an hour or two and the boys made this little guy. They were out there for almost an hour which is a record for them. I was almost wondering what to do with myself with so much free time.