Happy New Year

2020 coming to a close as you would expect. The kids wouldn't do enough chores so we didn't make nachos for New Year's Eve. I didn't get the sparkling cider and apple Shasta into the fridge as early as I planned, either.

I started making Chex Mix and realized I'd used soy sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce. Sigh. Jeremy told me what the internet said about substituting for Worcestershire sauce, including using soy sauce along with other ingredients, and some things that are in Worcestershire sauce. So as he was talking I started throwing in brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, dry mustard, brown sugar, brown sugar, and more brown sugar. It turned out okay and everybody ate some without complaining. Yay! 

That is also like 2020. Even though it's been a rough year, there have been some good things. Doing #GiveThanks helped back in November. Finding ways to #LightTheWorld in December also helped. We've done quite a few fun things as a family this year even if we haven't done much around other people. At least since March. We had good bonding time with family before things shut down and we were able to do some things we wouldn't normally have done after things shut down because of online activities.

So goodbye, 2020. Hello, 2021. I'm sure there will be plenty of the same in 2021. Some tough things and some great things.

Here's a great thing on New Year's Eve. Jeremy got to build a sculpture for a "Yeti Plunge" at Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point (like a polar bear plunge). He hasn't been able to do the amount he normally does for Thanksgiving Point this year so this was fun.

"Is it midnight Yeti?"

 

Another fun thing is that this year I broke my record for number of blog posts. Highest number of blog posts. The highest before this year was in 2014 the year after Lucky was born. 

Happy New Year!

Loony Adventures

Jeremy recently was able to see a new bird- a yellow-billed loon.
 

Actually there were two. 

Nichole and I wanted to see them so he took us to the place where he saw them. We didn't see them. We saw other birds but no yellow-billed loons. Just these loons.

Yesterday we decided to try again. We went to the same place and Jeremy was able to spot one of the loons on the choppy water of the reservoir. Nichole and I got a quick look because it kept diving under the water. Oh well. Jeremy and I watched a bald eagle fly over the water. That was fun.

We stopped at another spot and saw some other birds that may have been a different kind of loon. We couldn't get a good look. And there were these loons.

Jr. Jr. requested another muffin night like we did the end of October. So for dinner we had oatmeal muffins again, Christmas banana muffins, orange craisin muffins, and calzone muffins. There was some dough left over from the calzone muffins so Jr. Jr. and I made some braided rolls. It was fun to do muffin night again.

While we were eating, Lucky asked me to tell stories from my childhood. That went right along with #LightTheWorld for that day. Jeremy and the kids started making our balloon Christmas tree that day as well.

To Light the World today we delivered brownies to my sister. Lucky knocked on the door, ran back to the van, and when my sister answered the door, we sang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." One of her kids then came to the door so we resang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Then her husband came to the door so we resang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Then more of her kids came to the door so we resang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Then my sister came out to her lawn while we stayed at the van and we got to chat for a bit. That was nice.

When we got home, Jeremy and the kids decorated the tree with balloon ornaments and a couple of the kids contributed lightweight ornaments of their own.

For dinner we had a salad bar since it is Radish Night on December 23. It is also National Roots Day which goes right along with radishes.

Lucky read a story to Jet and we continued getting ready for Christmas Day. 

We of course have been keeping up with the real reason for the season with our advent countdown to Christmas scripture study. We have been trying to do service for each other in our family as well as for others. #LightTheWorld for today is about sharing gratitude for gifts God has given. I will say that I am very grateful for #GiveThanks around Thanksgiving. It did help me to get in the right frame of mind for the Christmas season. Even though there have been some frustrating times this December, I've had a better time than some years. I'm grateful we read all of A Christmas Carol this year. I'm grateful we've still been able to do lots of things as a family. I'm grateful we've had some neat experiences in nature. I love nature and I believe Heavenly Father has given me a gift to appreciate the beauty of nature. I am grateful that unlike most years, we haven't really gotten sick this December so far and I think we're close enough to Christmas that it's safe to say we won't be miserable on Christmas. There really are so many things for which to be grateful, the best being the Savior, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas, everyone. And of course in the words of Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol, "God bless us, everyone." He has and I recognize that.

And Here We Go

Things are hard sometimes. Some years are not so great during the Christmas season. Even though there are plenty of stresses, I believe I'm going into this season with a better attitude than some years. I think a lot of that is because of #GiveThanks around Thanksgiving. I am grateful for so many blessings, including the opportunity to #LightTheWorld even in little ways. Sometimes it's ideas based on the printable calendar. Sometimes it's just doing nice things for my children and changing my attitude about serving them.

*I'll note here that I started writing this blog post last night after thinking about it for a while. I was planning on what I would do for Light the World and was going to get the post up so I could do what was on the Light the World calendar for that day. Unfortunately Jet was having a hard time when I handed him off to Jeremy and I realized it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if I do these things according to some schedule. What matters is if I serve. Serving as Jesus did means ministering to those that need it when they need it. That includes my family members. My children are more important than some blog post. So this post is coming later than I was originally planning and that's fine. I currently have a baby sleeping comfortably on my shoulder as I write this and that's better than fine.*

 

We got a good start to our Countdown to Christmas scripture study with everybody participating. Good job, kids. 

We wanted to keep all the scriptures we'd be using easily accessible so I thought to put them in our picnic basket. Jeremy made the comment, "Talk about feasting upon the word of Christ." Ha Ha.

One thing we started doing because it can be done virtually is we started watching concerts from Temple Square. "The Christmas Collection Concert Series." It started with a virtual tour of Temple Square and the Christmas lights there since it's closed to visitors right now. Most nights through December 23 they'll have concerts featuring a lot of different groups with pre-recorded pieces. Tonight Jeremy commented while we were all watching together how pleasant it was in our home.

Here's what I wanted to share for "Light The World."

December 2- Hero Highlight "Who represents Christlike love to you? Highlight them on social media." I told the kids this was on the Light The World calendar and Lucky immediately told me of his hero: "Jesus should be all of our favorite." I agree. You can't top Him for Christlike love as that is who he is. Lucky and I talked about how Jesus does recognize when others do service and we watched a video about Jesus pointing out the widow who gave what she had. I'd like to share about a couple who are my heroes. Brother and Sister Ahlborn. From bringing us food when we came home from the hospital with a new baby to inviting us over for Family Home Evening pre-pandemic, bringing us fresh garden produce and home canned goods as well as giving us items for our food storage, they serve.

They gave us apple filling which helped us celebrate Mason Jar Day on November 30 when I used it to make apple strudel. Yumm. Oh, that filling was so good.

The Ahlborns don't just care for our temporal needs, they care for us spiritually as well. They encourage us to watch special messages from the prophet and make suggestions to read articles to supplement our gospel study.

They don't just do this for us, either. I know they are like this with others. It's wonderful to hear their insights on our Sunday Zoom meetings for Sunday School and Priesthood/Relief Society (and Young Women).

While I can't currently get hugs from them, I can feel their love and the love of Christ through their service. Thank you, Ahlborns.

And since this is a post about not only Light the World but about the beginning of December, I will let you know that on December 1 we ate apples for Eat a Red Apple Day and since it was also Rosa Parks Day, I finished watching the Rosa Parks episode of Doctor Who. I fell asleep when we were watching it the other day so it was the perfect day to finish it.

Of course as far as service goes, it's not been just me doing service in our family. Everyone has been finding ways to serve in our home. The other day, Nichole used our Little Women cookbook and made cream puffs from a recipe in it. Good job, Nichole. 

Jr. often takes Jet and gets him to sleep when I'm in the middle of something. That boy has the magic touch. The other day, Jr. Jr. surprised me by doing his homework without complaining while I slept on the couch. Every morning, Lucky collects a mask for his brother as well as himself before they head out the door. Jet brings joy with his laughter and cuteness. Jeremy does so much from grocery shopping to library trips to washing dishes. My family is amazing. I want to recognize that this Christmas season instead of getting overwhelmed and bogged down by some of the hard things of life. 

There will still be hard things, I will still get discouraged from time to time, there will be tears, but if I keep an attitude of gratitude, the positive can outweigh the negative and I can help bring my family closer to the Savior.

(Positive things like Nichole and I getting a new life bird- a long-tailed duck. Bonding time with my daughter... and husband and baby. Woohoo)

Give Thanks

A week ago, President Nelson counseled us to experience "the healing power of gratitude." You can see his message on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints YouTube channel. You can also read the story behind his message on the Church's website.

He invited us to use social media as our own personal gratitude journal for seven days and to thank God in daily prayer. Lately I haven't been feeling very grateful even though I know that there is so much for me to be grateful for. I've been thinking too much of the stresses of life and letting it get to me. President Nelson said, "At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace." I chose to participate in #GiveThanks and since my posts on Facebook and Instagram will get buried over the next little while, I want to share here what was in my "gratitude journal" for the past week. I'll tell you I also loved seeing what other people had to share. So I'll share Jeremy's posts as well.

 

Because it comes up, I will also let you know that for a week the Orem Public Library gave ideas for "No-Stress November," tips and ideas for self-care during these crazy times. Here's a quick overview of what they shared. 1. Create Art, 2. Meditate, 3. Laugh, 4. Go on vacation, 5. Write, 6. Exercise

 

On to my posts about #GiveThanks

 

November 20 (Instagram)

I am grateful for local libraries. I miss going into the libraries (new baby then pandemic. I'm also grateful for my husband, the designated library goer). I also miss the librarians. We've been able to do online activities with both Provo Library and Orem Public Library recently (and over the past several months) and this week I've been enjoying "No-Stress November." Today I "took a mini vacation." It was very mini, but while baby and I were out running errands, we stopped by the lake for just a moment. Baby slept and I took some time to look at a novel my husband is writing. I'm grateful for engaging books and my husband's writing.

(I later made this comment: Another suggestion from Orem Public Library for No-Stress November is to write.)

 

November 20 (Facebook)

I'm grateful my children are grateful.

Lucky: I'm grateful for my family.

Nichole: I'm grateful I can still go to school even though there's a pandemic.

Lucky: I'm grateful for Jesus. I'm also grateful for the disciples. 

Lucky: I'm grateful for toys.

Lucky: I'm grateful for beds.

Jr.: Good friends.

Jr. Jr.: I'm grateful that we have a loving mother who does so much for this family.

 

November 20 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for the peaceful moments.

 

November 21 (Instagram)

I'm thankful for this boy right here. We were recently given some canned goods (I'm also thankful for the people who gave those to us). He helped organize the area to put them in (he's got some skills). I'm thankful for his little brother's help with holding boxes and cans. I'm also thankful for the other kids helping with the baby so we could concentrate on the canned goods.  

 

November 21 (Facebook)

I'm thankful for the good day we had today, ending with the kids saying what they were thankful for.

Jr. Jr.: I'm thankful for my family.

Lucky: I'm thankful for blankets.

Jr.: I'm thankful for the opportunity we have at the end of each day to say what we're thankful for.

Nichole: I'm thankful for books.

 

November 21 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for my wife who is incredibly patient and supportive. I am also grateful for my kids...most of the time. ;)

 

November 22 (Instagram)

I'm grateful for what my family did for me today. My 10-year old sent me to my room so they could prepare a surprise for me. When I came out, I found they had cleared off the table and made Chex Mix which I love. My son wanted to make Mommy happy and got everyone else involved in it.

Later the kids made dinner.

 

November 22 (Facebook)

Both of my sisters are grateful for humor today so I wanted to follow suit. I'm grateful for humor.

Jr.: Ha Ha Ha Ha. Laughter.

Nichole: I'm grateful that Jet is stealing Chex Mix from my cup.

Jr. Jr. I'm grateful that Lucky can dance. And boy, can he dance. 

Lucky: I'm grateful for pillows.

Nichole: I'm grateful that our awesome mom is going to let us play video games today. Just kidding.

Jr.: That's what I'm grateful for.

Our reaction when Daddy brought home chocolate chips.

Watching a movie and dancing to its music while juggling. I'm a multi-tasker.

Yep. They did get to play video games.

And boy, can he dance.

 

November 22 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I love the fact that my wife and I have so much in common both in our upbringing and in our interests. It is not hard for us to find things we enjoy doing together. At the same time I appreciate her honesty and that she is not afraid to tell me when her opinion differs from mine. We are growing together and for that I am grateful.

 

November 23 (Facebook)  

I'm thankful I asked the kids what they were thankful for before they fell asleep.

Lucky: I am thankful for paper... so I can write.

Jr. Jr.: I am thankful that I have a wonderful mother that does so much for this family.

Jr.: My wonderful family.

Nichole: I am thankful when we can have Family Home Evening.

 

November 23 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am blessed with two great sets of parents. There is the one set that raised me, loved me despite my shenanigans, and now treat me like an adult despite some of my decisions. And there is the set I married into, who trusted me with their daughter, made me feel comfortable in their home, and treat me like an adult despite some of my decisions. I know both sets love me, and not just for the grandchildren.

 

November 24/25 (Instagram around midnight)

I'm grateful for my walking buddy. Sometimes he's awake and sometimes he sleeps through our outings. The last tip from Orem Public Library for "No-Stress November" is Exercise. So on a particularly stressful day, this little guy and I went out for a walk where I was able to enjoy a nice view of the lake. It felt so good and really helped. I'm also grateful for The Piano Guys because their music helped calm me as I drove to our walking spot. 

 

November 24 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for nature. It is one of the great stress relievers in my life. Being an introvert often I find relaxation, comfort, and am reenergized by being at home. In reality I also have five kids so home can also be taxing, chaotic, and draining. When that is the case a few hours out in the woods or by a lake away from people usually does the trick.

 

November 25 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for friends. I am grateful for the variety of friends I have. I have friends on the far left and on the far right. I have friends who believe in some incredible conspiracies. I have friends who are atheist and those whose lives revolve around God. I have friends where I am the weirdest person they know, if only they knew some of my other friends! I have friend that are close enough they could be family, and some of my family are my closest friends. I have friends I have never met in person and friends I have not seen in years. I have good friends in other countries whom I worry about when things get bad over there and who worry about me in return when America goes crazy. I have many friends who would and have gone out of their way to help our little family and whom I would return the favor to in a heartbeat. I am grateful for all of you my friends!

 

November 26 (Instagram)

I'm grateful for our gratitude jar. We started writing down things we were grateful for and putting them in the jar before we were counseled to post our gratitude on social media. Recently I was trying to narrow down what I wanted to post and I realized I didn't have to narrow down my list. I was able to write down each thing I was grateful for on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. At least one of the things we're grateful for is humor. 

 

November 26 (Facebook)

I'm grateful that the point of #GiveThanks is not to spam social media but to let gratitude make a difference in our lives. So I missed a couple of days of posting. During that time I had the opportunity to focus on the second part of "the healing power of gratitude." Prayer. The last couple of days I've had some very sincere and personal prayers where I was able to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father (even during stressful times). It reaffirmed to me that He is there, He is aware of what is going on with me, and He cares. I believe this counsel was inspired of God and it has led me to have a very full heart and for that I am grateful. 

 

November 26 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for animals that taste good.