Some days are hard

"It is not the design of heaven that we be rescued from all difficult situations. Rather, it is the system that we grow up & learn to handle them. The sense of being overwhelmed is very much a part of the journey. It is accepting our lot and moving forward with what the Lord has asked of us that we discover that the Holy Ghost enjoys our company, angels feel constrained to join us, and the heavens open to our vision."

Joseph McConkie
BYU Devotional
Dec 12, 2006

Precious gifts

When I was dating Richard I accidentally ran across a drawing he was doing of my family. I've posted a picture of it previously. I was enamored. I can barely draw a recognizable stick figure.

I've always wanted an artistic sketch of my young children. Guess what my mother-in-law gave us for Christmas?
I'll treasure it forever. I think it's absolutely amazing! I told her, "I can't freeze my kids, but you did!" She drew group portraits like this for 7 of her 8 childrern (the youngest doesn't have kids yet). That's 28 grandkids! While she was in the middle of them, they got a mission call to Indianapolois, Indiana. They only gave them 12 days to prepare to leave!

She also gave me portaits she had done of my three kids previously.

Christmas all wrapped up

Christmas Eve

Cookies, hot chocolate & a gift for Santa

Amber making Santa's hot (or lukewarm) chocolate

Kate preparing the reindeer food

We've needed curtains on our angle top windows in our living room for 4+ years, but I've never been willing to buy them or make them, so Rich is learning to sew.

Amber's letter to Santa appeared very lengthy, but it had detailed

drawings of the two items she wanted.

Kate was in the Nutcracker ballet.

The photos of Amber's Christmas Recital for her Tavaci (singing group)

didn't turn out, but the videos are cute.