MERRY CHRISTMAS WEEK!  

  Our family has been so richly blessed this year with good health, warm and comfortable homes, good jobs, the ability to keep our shelves and refrigerators well-stocked, great schools, and amazing friends.  We should never forget that these blessings are gifts from a loving (and patient) Heavenly Father.  And, of course, His greatest gift to us is the gift of our Savior, His Atonement, and for me, personally, the motivation to be better, to be more kind, and to do better, to take the time to serve and help others.  I am so thankful for each one of you! You are our greatest JOY❤

 SO MANY DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS TO CELEBRATE! 

 MAX was born on December 19th, 23 years ago.  One thing I love to remember about Max is that initially, the doctor told Kim and Chris they were having a girl, so they decided they were going to name "her" Olivia.  Earlier, on the day he was born, I was doing some shopping at the Base Exchange (we lived in Tucson) and thinking to myself, "Wouldn't it be a fun surprise if Kim had a boy?" and "Wouldn't it be even better if she named him Max?"  So, I was really elated when Chris called later that evening to tell me "Max" had arrived!  The little outfit I bought for Olivia happened to be blue so it was perfect for Max.  We have loved him from Day 1.  He has brought endless smiles and laughter into our lives.  We are so blessed to have him in our family!   

 He spent his birthday with Amelia (whom I got to meet via Facetime this week).  The semester is over for him so he will be heading back to Chicago tomorrow.

  

     ❤  ❤  ❤

BLYTHE is celebrating her birthday TODAY!  I love to think about the time I was supposed to be babysitting the kids - I think Blythe was maybe 9 or 10ish, and I took her to her cheerleading practice, but then the car wouldn't start when it was time to come home.   

  I tried calling AAA, but they weren't very hopeful that they could help us anytime soon. We started to walk home, but then it got cold, and it was getting dark, and we weren't super close to their house, so we walked back to the car, and Blythe reminded me that we needed to say a prayer.  So, we did, and within minutes, a police car pulled up.  The officer was answering a call at a home we were parked in front of.  I explained our situation, and he apologized but said he didn't think he could help us.  A few seconds later, he came back and said he could take us home, and as I remember, Blythe was in Heaven - She talked to him the entire time we were in the car - he probably got a lot more information than he was ever hoping for.  

My Dad always loved when Blythe came to visit.  He nicknamed her "Trouble," and she reciprocated by calling him Trouble.  We definitely had double the trouble with those two.😁

 Blythe has given us so many fun moments (many of them recorded). She is an excellent student and an amazing daughter, granddaughter, sister, and friend.  

  

 One of my favorite Blythe videos 😂

I had a really lovely birthday yesterday.  We had a lazy morning and then took Sendai to Scheels, which is always an adventure.  We went out to dinner last night, and I had the best Salmon in Colorado Springs.  I know most of you don't enjoy fish, but I had it often growing up and have always enjoyed it, and Bonefish Grill has the best - yes, Chris - it is maple butter bourbon glazed 😋.  Also, got phone calls from Max, Spencer, Adam, Kim, Kate, Mike, and Ruthie in the afternoon, and text messages from Grant, Blythe, and Josh.  THANKS!

  I can't leave this week behind and not think about my Mom.  Her birthday is December 26th, and we always celebrate with a piece of cherry pie because that was her favorite.  

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS 🎵

Monday, we were able to attend BEN'S 2nd Grade Christmas program at his school. Angella said he was really nervous about performing, and didn't think he wanted to go, but she talked him into it, and once he got to school, he was really excited to be with his friends.  He knew all of the songs and looked so cute in his winter scarf - 

JAKE also participated in his school's Holiday program.

  It seems our family is full of stars!  🌟🌟🌟

  

For the past couple of years, Adam and his family have participated in the Bob Telamosse Christmas Giveaway.  I had heard about it for years, but didn't know too much about how much was involved. In 1983, the event began as a hoax. Someone ran an ad in the Gazette Telegraph saying Bob's business was giving away free food. When people come to his business, Bob explained the mistake and had them come back the next day and provided them with food from his own resources.  The event grew the next year and the next and the next.  When it grew into the thousands, SafeChild took over.  The Giveaway has continued for 42 years, helping thousands of less fortunate people have good clothing, gifts, and toys for Christmas. 

Adam, Cory, and the kids are able to help those who come find just what they need for Christmas.  Love how you are "lighting the World" ❤

  I love all of the lights at Christmas and Kate, Jonathan, and Sayre were able to go to the Lights at the Lake in Iowa City this past week.  

I think my favorite is the corn stalk! 😀

SUNDAY SELFIES

Kate said Jonathan played a trombone solo of What Child is This, as part of their Christmas program in Church today. I wish we could have been there.  I'm sure it was beautiful!

Angella is excused from Sunday Selfies today because both she and Ben have not been feeling well - Ben had a fever all week, and Angella had some dental work done 😟 

However, we did get to see Eilis this afternoon.  I made some Christmas stockings for her and Jake (her boyfriend), and she came by after Church to pick them up.

 They both love playing the guitar, so she picked out some "musical" fabric.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK, AND A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS! REMEMBER OUR SAVIOR AND ALL THAT HE HAS DONE FOR US. BE KIND, AND CONTINUE TO LIGHT THE WORLD! ❤