December

December is one of the craziest but best month of the year. We got back from Thanksgiving just in time for Colvin to be sick again, sleeping is that boy’s biggest nemesis. He hates to sleep but if he does not sleep his body will shut down on him.

The theme for my December was choosing joy. When life and schedules are crazy just choose joy. Note to self; when kids come home from school on the war path there is a reason, sometimes you just have to get on the battlefield and figure it out.  Per choosing joy, take small bites. I wrapped gifts for one hour a day. Did it take me all month to get everything wrapped YES but did I get it done YES.

I got to totally fan girl it out. One of my favorite authors of all time is Sarah Eden. One of my all-time favorite books is Courting Miss Landcaster (the 2^nd in the series). The Sarah Eden team made a movie of the 1^st book, Seeking Persephone. I have been stocking her Facebook page to see if it will come to a movie theater near me. It did!! I got Greg and I Tickets then a few ladies from the ward came too. The movie was just as good as the book! I got to meet Sarah Eden, like girl screaming HAAAA.

The only school holiday concert we had this year was Azalyn. It really hit me this year that I only have a few left. CRY!  Talking about the school I helped at their “Holiday Shop” the whole week before Christmas.  The shop did great, however we needed double the stuff we had. Ok, funny school story. Denali got student of the month, so Greg came. The game they played was having the kids stack boxes (big, tall boxes) the student team that won went against the parents. Guess who volunteered, Greg, he won Denali’s team. They even gave Greg’s team an extra box. Greg was also able to go to Biz town with both boys. They loved having their dad there.

This year we all made it to the Surprise holiday party. There was zip line, bull riding, bounce house and the end bubbles. We were not able to walk the light due to the fact Azalyn got soaking wet in the bubbles. We went back and made an evening out of walking the lights. It was really cool and with less people we were able to take more pictures. We met Greg after work at the mesa lights. We did not stay long but enough to enjoy the lights and feel the spirit. We did not follow the crowd to the visiting center. I promised the kids I would take them during the brake.

Greg and I went to a friend’s wedding. We were seated by the only other Mormon couple and had a blast. They invited us to their ward party. Bad me not following the spirit story. The lady invited us to her ward party because she was in charge of it. On the day of the party all my plans fell through. I had thought all day to call her and ask if I could help. Did I NOPE! When we went there that night, she could have really used some help. All her help had abandoned her. I helped her during the party. In case I am ever in charge of a ward party I was going to borrow her idea. She set up 3 rooms like a journey; first you decorated cookies. Blessing story; only 2 people brought cookies (5 or 6 had signed up) there was no way there should have been enough cookies, and we had extras at the end. The 2^nd room was decorating ornaments, then the 3^rd room nativity creche’s and then Santa was at the end, next to a nativity.  We are all glad we went. We had our ward party too, when your friend is in charge you get to help. I said the opening prayer, Greg had a talking part. Colvin and Azalyn sang in the primary the last time they will sing together, and Denali had a part with the young men. Here is a time that I did follow the spirit. Greg and I were asked to sub in primary. The lesson was about the articles of faith. I printed out articles of faith cards, I had the thought to print out a few extras and I did. On Sunday they combine 2 classes and I had just enough cards for both classes.

This year there have not been a ton of new good movies. However, Zootopia 2 came out, and we went to the drive in. They are just cute stories.  We went out shooting a few times. Now is the perfect time, not hot and not a lot of people. I just love being out in the sun. I made Christmas candy because of traditions, sugar makes me sick. Another tradition is neighbor gifs; the kids and I took one afternoon and did them all. I love the feeling of giving gives us, but Satan will try everything to make it miserable.  The last thing that we squeezed in was driving around looking at lights. We got it done on Christmas Eve.

Let’s talk about goals: I wanted to read 100 books this year. I was not sure I was going to make it but thanks to cute fast Christmas books I ended at 111. There were no repeats and no previous books. Next year I want to reread a few of my favorite books. Now there are things that sometimes work out but not as you were planning. We really wanted to see the light ATV parade this year. We missed then leaving and then did not read the map correctly so missed them. We ended up at the park, and it was such a fun night playing around.

The life of a stay at home mom is fun. Everyone asks what do you do all day and you are so lucky you can take a day off when ever you want. (eye roll please) I had a rough night, I was cramping and my stomach hurt, thanks to sugar. On my “Sick” day I cleaned out 2 cupboards and went shopping for an hour because I might be sick, but my family still needs to eat. I did take a 30 min bath why doing all my “phone” stuff, paying bills and responding to emails. There are times that I get to do fun things. I went to a holiday book exchange. We read A Christmas Carol, we brought 3 gifts for past present and future.

AD for saving millions of lives: Progesto Cream. During the holiday brake I did a pump per person.

Greg worked the 26^th The kids and I got clean up and packed because on the 27^th we left for rocky point Mexico. There is just a different feeling to a different country no matter how close to home you are. It is only 4 hours from our house, but it is a drive with nothing. The really cool thing about Rocky point is the beach has a ton of shells. We went to one beach that was just shells.  It was kind of cold, I would like to go back when it is warmer. Blessing: Azalyn’s swimsuit did not get packed. Greg had to run to Wal-Mart, he called worried saying there was nothing. I said pray, he came home with the perfect beach outfit. A pair of shorts so sand does not get up her butt and a swim shirt. Everywhere we ate I got fish, sea food right by the ocean is the best. Note to future self, bring more food that was the biggest expense.

Mom and Dad did their farewell on zoom. They are both nervous to be leaving family, but I cannot wait for the blessings we will receive.

Sad Sad news, moment of silence. George fell in the pool and there was no recovery. I even took him apart when we got home but there is no way to pull off his screen safely.  He was starting to die, and the water was his final straw. For now, I am using Greg's and physical books. Good thing my birthday is soon.

We all stayed up this year. We set an alarm for 12 but forgot to set a count down timer. It was very anticlimactic at 12, but then we were all in bed by 12:30. 2025 was so much better than 2024. I cannot wait to see what 2026 holds.