A Library Card and some Missing Teeth

Describing Abby's excitement on Friday is hard to capture.  She had worked so hard the first half of school to read and read and read and take AR test after AR test to earn her Library Card at school.  She had to earn 25 points to receive her Library card which gives you some sort of special privileges in the school library that I'm not totally aware of.  This was a big, big deal for this girl.  She told me, "Mom, when my teacher gave me my card I had tears of happiness."  I asked her to explain this a little more to me and she told me all about how this was the best day of her life and when her teacher gave her her card, she had tears well up in her eyes.  She is so proud of herself for working so hard.  She had to take many tests because all of the books she was reading.  So it was at least 50 tests that she took on books she had read.  Now she is an awesome reader!  Her goal is to get 50 points by the end of the year.

Also, look how grown up this toothless mouth is looking.  Once those baby teeth start to go, they never look the same again.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I have good feelings about 2016.  We took a break from extra-curricular activities once soccer was over.  The girls have only been doing piano, and even that has been a half effort lately with the holidays.  This month is going to be a bit busier with the kids activities, but I feel like everyone is ready now.  I'm looking forward to having a year full of hope.  Not just hoping for good things for my family and for good things to come, but more like a hope in eternal promises and blessings.  A hope in the Gospel and the teachings of my Savior.  Sometimes when I am feeling down, I can feel almost this tangible feeling of the Spirit encouraging me and helping me.  Having a chronic illness is tiring, frustrating, and sometimes scary.  It can feel very lonely at times.  I miss my old life but I also don't because of how much I have grown and changed.  I can honestly say that we have been blessed beyond measure.  I'm grateful for those moments when I can see that because I don't always.  Here is to a Happy New Year!

Leah's Blessing

Dianna so conveniently has her babies around the holidays so we are all around for the blessing.  Well, I don't think she actually plans it that way, but is sure is nice that we've been able to be at each of her children's blessings.  Little Leah is just the sweetest thing.  I love seeing my family all together in one big group.  We are definitely growing.  My girls feel especially grown up when they get to hold a newborn in a photo.  Abby and Sammie were just beaming.  And we won't be able to travel all the way to Ohio for Charlie's blessing, but that little boy has a special place in my heart.  I'm so excited for Becky and Terry and their journey into parenthood. With everyone else having these little babies, I'm starting to feel a little bit old, but I'm definitely happy with the stage of life I am in right now.

14 Years...and counting.

Joey and I celebrated our anniversary on the 22nd. It's always a little crazy and busy just before Christmas but we managed to slip away to a nice dinner.  It was fun to just talk together and enjoy one another's company.  We found ourselves reminiscing about the wonderful years we have had and counted our blessings.  We recognized how much we have grown and been strengthened.  It is the best part of my life to be on this journey with someone I love and trust so much and that we are journeying together with faith.  I'm so lucky to have married such a wonderful person.  I just like him.

Babies!

One of the highlights of Christmas this year was 2 new babies.  Becky and Terry had little Charlie just before Thanksgiving and Nate and Dianna had sweet little Leah just after.  I could not get enough baby snuggles and I was a very happy Auntie.  The girls loved their new cousins and it added much fun and excitement to our time with family.  There was lots of hand sanitizing and my girls got to experience a little "newborn-ness."

Christmas Break

We spent pretty much the whole Christmas break in Folsom.  We seemed to have a hard time keeping everyone entertained.  Maybe it's because my kids are getting older, or I wasn't feeling that great, or they weren't feeling that great either.  They all caught a Christmas cold.  We did fit in some fun things though.  We took the girls bowling and Dianna came along with her kids.  My girls had never been bowling except for on the Wii.  FYI.  Real bowling is much different and harder than Wii bowling.  The girls did their best and Joey was very busy being a fun Uncle and helping Luke and Noah.  Luke was mostly interested in the ball coming back in the return.

Nate wanted to take everyone on a little hike near the lake.  My kids were all reluctant, but they went.  It was cold and muddy and I sat on a cold rock when I felt like my body needed a rest and waited for everyone on their way back.  It was a beautiful day though and I think in the end everyone had a good time.

My mom had all the grand kids over and they decorated Gingerbread houses.  

I took the girls to get their nails done on Christmas Eve afternoon.

And of course we saw Star Wars.  Loved it.

Abby's Recital

I am teaching 6 piano students now and Abby is one of them.  I held a Christmas recital in December but didn't take any pictures.  After we got home, Abby sat at the piano and did a pose for me.  She wanted to document her first piano recital in some way.  She played "Ode to Joy" and "Jingle Bells."  I was proud of each of my students.  They are all young beginners and they did so well.  For everyone, it was their first recital.

Christmas 2015

The problem with being out of town for almost two weeks at Christmas is that it gets hard to write about all of the things that went on.  When Becky and Terry said that they were going to my parent's for Christmas this year, we thought it would be fun to go up too and be there.  I don't really like a super quiet Christmas.  At least on Christmas Eve.  I'm so used to the boisterous Boyce family gatherings we had on Christmas Eve when I was growing up.  I miss them.  Their new baby, Charlie, is absolutely adorable and we were just in love with him already.
On our way we took a detour to Standford to visit Grandpa Jerry.  He had just had a liver transplant.  We are so grateful for this miracle that can prolong his life.  It is amazing what medicine can do these days.  He is mostly recovering well and he has been in good spirits.  I cry just thinking about what an amazing miracle it has been.

It was a quick visit and we wanted to make it to my parent's in time for the Pebley Family party that we haven't been able to go to for years.  It was at my mom's house this year, so all we had to do was show up on time.  We left the Bay Area at 2:30 and didn't arrive at my parent's until almost 8.  Traffic was terrible.  So, after a long and tiring day of driving we made it in time. In time for some food, singing, and the Nativity.  It was fun to see some of my cousins that I haven't seen in a while and to see how much their kids have grown.  It is sometimes surreal to sit and observe my family doing these same traditions that I did as a little girl.  I remember how childhood felt for me and it boggles my mind sometimes to think of my kids going through those same experiences I went through and also different ones.

On Christmas Eve we sang songs to the guitar.  My girls played the piano and sang.  We laughed, ate Chinese food, and enjoyed being together. We didn't get up too early on Christmas morning,  Probably because as soon as we get to my parent's bedtime is always pushed to a far later time.  It's hard with family coming and going and Joey and I would rather sit and enjoy the company rather than get kids ready for bed.  This year, just like last, the girls asked Santa for 4 things: Something I want, something I need, something I'll wear, and something I'll read.  It helped to not have presents too out of control.  They also have generous grandparents and their stockings were filled with little surprises.  I think the biggest hit for Sammie and Abby were the walkie talkies in their stockings.  They opened their "Sister exchange" gifts on Christmas Eve and the Pajama Elf left some new pj's for everyone.

 I love this time of year and the excitement and also the reverence that I feel.  I've been having a hard time lately dealing with some aspects of my illness that I still have troubles from.  Christmas helps me to keep things in perspective and I felt a gentle encouraging to keep going, things will get better.  I am so incredibly blessed to have these wonderful people in  my life.