Thanksgiving and time with Daddy!

We are so happy to be getting over our sickness! Nothing makes you feel better about life than being well.

Today I had parent/teacher conferences with Lily and Ryan's teachers. They are very loved by their teachers and they were all so impressed with them. Miss Debby and Miss Anissa said Lily has so much depth to her, is kind and thoughtful. They love that she's the only one who knows nursery rhymes in the class (and she helps recite them) and can tell she's very intelligent. Ryan's teachers say he is such a joy to have in the class and they love when he just starts laughing. They were amazed he knows all his letters, upper and lower case, and can count to 14 and identifies most numbers to 10. I left feeling grateful for these sweet children in my home and happy that the good things we are trying to do at home are apparent when they are at school.

We have been working on Samaritan's Purse shoebox Christmas gifts to children around the world. They kids picked out toys, we sent a picture of our family, the kids drew pictures, and we wrote some notes. Lily wanted to include in the note, "do you know about Jesus? I want you to know about Him. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I want you to know about it too." What a wonderful little missionary and I pray that whoever reads that note will be inspired to learn more about the church.

The kids have been so interested in Star Wars lately. After seeing some pictures in the Star Wars music book they began asking so many questions. We got some books from the library and the kids like to study the pictures, listen to the stories over and over, and talk about it. Ryan said, "Darin and Devin will be so impressed that we are learning all about Star Wars." It was actually nice for me to read these books too so I could understand the full story. It's kind of fun how and Darin and Devin are pretty excited and think we are doing a great job parenting.

Playing with the Star Wars cookie cutters. 

Lily traced the cookie cutters then drew the rest by looking at the cutters. I thought these looked pretty good!

Jeff found out that he was nominated to be Duke MBA class president by the 150 people in his class! He is so excited and feels very honored since the other candidates were great people too and hard to compete with. He knew he'd be okay with whatever happened, but he did really want to be president. I'm thrilled for him and this will be a neat opportunity to get to know his class and the faculty even better. Heavenly Father is sure blessing us in small, and yet big for us, ways.

Tuesday I decided to try and spend time individually with the Young Women I teach. I took Sydney to get donuts and later met at the park with Megan and we talked while the kids played. It was so wonderful to have some alone time and hear how they are and the kids did great. At Dunkin' Donuts there was a woman decorating the tree and she let the kids help. Then she even wrapped up a couple ornaments for them to get home. At the park Megan pushed the kids on the swing or helped them on other things and we still got a chance to talk. At the grocery store the Salvation Army bell ringer let all 3 kids ring the bell and there was one penny left on the horsey ride for them. The kids had fun seeing all the new Star Wars toys and hot wheels cars. Once home they played Star Wars with the cookie cutters, traced them and made pictures, and then got ready for bed. We read scriptures, books, played a little more,  I sang to Lily and then Ryan told me goodnight and shut his door. I then texted some other girls and set up more times this week to see them.

I felt totally supported by Heavenly Father for trying to serve and do His will. I know He wants me to spend time with His youth and when I tried to do that He opened up doors for me and blessed me in pretty remarkable ways. We had such a great day and it went by so fast. The kids did wonderful and I felt so good and happy to be doing good things. Jeff had a wonderful day at work with admissions coming out of nowhere and some more tomorrow. At the end of a day like today, all I have to say is, "God is good."

I was able to see Katie on Wednesday for ice cream. We had a nice visit and the kids played and did a great job. Before that the kids played at Blake's house while I went to a doctor appointment. I'm so grateful for wonderful friends who watch my kids (all 3) and allow me some time to have a break or go to appointments. Jeff came home Wednesday night and it was so fun to have him there and spend time with us. The kids just love being around him and he brings such a fun energy to our house.

Thursday--Thanksgiving! Jeff worked on rolls and the kids helped. I kept listening to what they were doing but Jeff reminded me that he had it under control and to trust him. I had to stop listening because I always have my ideas of how it should be done and when I stepped in to help Jeff while he took work calls I felt like I didn't know how to cook because I hadn't been doing it my way from the start. I learned I am a bit of a controlling cook. But the rolls turned out delicious and I was reminded there is more than one way of cooking and it doesn't always need to be exactly like the recipe says or exact measurements. Jeff is the yin to my yang, I'm very glad for his relaxed and much more calm attitude.

I made sweet potatoes and Sarah and Ron made the rest and it was a great meal. The kids had fun with their aunts and uncles and even Michael came home from BYU. Jeff's other wish besides eating delicious food and pies all day was to play games, which he got to do. And I got a nap so we all won. It was a snowy and cold day, but the roads were clear and we made it there and back safely. Lily had drawn pictures for everyone and then she and Ryan gave them their school pictures, which they all enjoyed. It's always so nice being with family and the kids have such a great time interacting and joking and being held and just having nice moments with so many family members who love them.

Friday I had the neighbors over to play and Lily, Taryn, and Leah played so great together. They colored and then played with some princess/my little pony/dancer magnets and that kept them occupied for a long time. I was sorry they had to go because they were doing so well. But at the last minute I got an appointment for the doctor and Kenna was able to come babysit. My rib has been hurting so much from coughing a few weeks ago. It turns out it's not broken, but will take about 2 months to heal. It hurst to breathe deep, pick up kids, raise my arms, sneeze, and it's feeling kind of debilitating. I will say it was nice to know I can't do anything to damage it more though and it will just take time. I was in and out of there with an x-ray in 1 hour, I was very impressed! Lily had fun with Kenna and they did a treasure hunt with baked cookies at the end. She was a fun babysitter and when Lily had the choice to play somewhere else or stay home with Kenna, she wanted to stay home.

Jeff came home a little early while the boys still slept and I took Sierra for hot chocolate. As great as the kids did with my visits, it was nice to have one on one time and not be watching kids from the corner of my eye. Before I left, Lily and I brought up the Christmas decorations and when I got home from being out Jeff was busy decorating with the kids. Christmas really is a magical time of year and seeing the lights and ornaments, tree, and nativity instantly put me in a happy and nostalgic mind frame. It was nice to just sit on the couch with the only the lights of the tree.

I like our Star Wars/Christmas themed windows.

"Ball!" Max was thrilled with the circle shaped ornaments. He often sleeps with them in his crib. 

I think Lily caught Jeff dancing in the kitchen. 

When your kids ask you to kiss for the camera, you can't say no. 

Saturday Jeff was able to spend quite a bit of time with us, which was wonderful, it felt like a real Saturday! He had class but then he played out in the snow with the kids (they made sleds out of little swimming pools). After naps we went to the toy store and then Cafe Rio. We bought sleds for Lily and Ryan and they were so excited...that was the main thing they wanted for Christmas and they got it  early!

We don't want any snow on that grass, so I guess we better shovel it off. 

Still shoveling. 

Now we're sweeping and using the dustpan. 

And now there's sledding in a swimming pool, down a really tiny slope.

Max braved a few runs down.  

Everywhere you go there's Star Wars stuff. No wonder the kids are so enthralled with it. 

Max was attacking the storm trooper. 

Having fun shopping. 

Ryan was a big helper to Jeff. Jeff had been sick so  he's stocking up on goods. 

Whenever we go to Toys R Us the kids always have to spend a long time driving their cars. 

Jeff made some makeshift carnival games. 

The kids were happy to help wash dishes. 

Sunday Jeff taught two lessons. His Sunday School class only had two girls in it, but it was a nice lesson he said, but then he got to teach Lily's class. He taught on tithing and due to his past experience has learned that you have lots of activities on the back burner. He said it was a really fun lesson and the kids had a great time and another dad sat in on the class and made some nice contributions. The favorite activity was the coin drop into a jar. And now Ryan and Max are obsessed with it too so we have coins all over our floor.

We stayed after church for choir because they desperately need voices. I enjoyed singing, but it was pretty tricky with the kids. Ryan was running laps and laughing really loud. We'll have to see if I keep coming since they definitely need more men than women.

After naps at home we had dinner (I was so proud of myself for making lasagna Saturday night so I just had to pop it in the oven on Sunday, and then I even made homemade breadsticks, it was a yummy meal) and then family home evening. We actually haven't had family home evening for awhile so it was good to get back in the habit again. Lily taught us about tithing and did a great job.