Merry Christmas!

We did not get Christmas cards out this year! It has been a crazy season and something had to slide, so I chose Christmas cards. We had a wonderful Christmas. Although we were blessed to have many presents under the tree, that isn't what I will remember and I hope it isn't what the kids will remember. I hope they will remember the times we spent together as a family . I hope they will remember the Savior.

So in place of my traditional Christmas letter, I wanted to take a minute and write of my feelings of Christ today. For of all my blessings, and great moments of the past year, what is most important to me, is my family, faith and beliefs. I take so much time on this blog recounting the silly, humorous day to day happenings. While humor and lightheartedness has a big part in my life, it isn't my entire life. At the end of the day, I want to leave no doubt in the minds of my children and friends that I have deep feelings about many things, especially Jesus Christ.

My thoughts often turn toward my Savior during December, but a lesson in church today made me realize how much I need to think of Christ during the rest of the year. I haven't written down my testimony about my Savior in a long time, and as this is my journal of sorts I wanted to take the opportunity to do so today.

I know He lives. Although I have not seen him with my earthly eyes, I have no doubt of His existence and presence in my life. I know He came to earth and walked the dusty roads teaching and blessing the lives of all who crossed his path. I know He freely chose to sacrifice his perfect life for my imperfect one. I know because of this great sacrifice, I can not only live forever but have the opportunity to live with my Savior and my Heavenly Father again-- More importantly, I can do so with my family.

I have no doubt of Christ's compassion. I know His suffering in Gethsemane wasn't only for my sins, but for all the hardships, trials, doubts, struggles and pain I would go through. I know His atonement makes it possible for him to have true empathy for me in whatever situation I find myself. There have been many times I have found peace in difficult circumstances. I know that peace has come from Him who has gone through all. There is no earthly reason during the darkest times, I have found comfort. That reason comes from above.

I know my Savior is profoundly aware of me personally, not just generally. I know I can increase my relationship with Him through study of His words and thoughtful prayer. I know I take for granted so many things in my life, many times, the most important things. I fall short so much of the time. But because of my Savior, even when I fall short, all is not lost. He brings hope.

So as this Christmas season draws to a close, I wanted to take a minute and declare my testimony of Jesus Christ. That perhaps in the months ahead, as life gets hectic and problems arise, I can reflect back on these words and refocus on what truly is important. I think the greatest gift of the Christmas season isn't something beautifully wrapped under a tree; but it's in each positive step we make in our life, that brings us closer to Him whose birth we celebrate. I hope I take advantage of this great gift throughout each month of the coming year.

Christmas Traditions!

Last Sunday we made Christmas sugar cookies. This is one of our favorite traditions as a family. Cassie and Josh were having fun making each one of theirs unique. My favorite part during the experience was when Cassie said, "Look, we are all getting along!" Everyone paused around the table and then we started laughing. I am not sure what it says about our family when the "getting along" part is so rare that it is actually noticed.

We also had a memorable week playing games, watching old home movies, attending the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU, eating at our favorite restaurant Brick Oven, seeing the lights at Thanksgiving point, attending an extended family Christmas party and a BYU basketball game! It's been fun to have our family together so much this week. Some of the kids had a hard time leaving their friends for family time, but hopefully everyone felt it was worthwhile in the end.

Happy Birthday Ryan!!

Ryan turned 18 a few days ago. Good grief, I'm not that old! He enjoyed getting an ipod touch and I thought that would be the highlight of his night until four of his friends showed up to surprise him. Ryan has always been blessed with such great friends. As a parent, good friends for your teenagers is so important, and I am grateful of the caliber of friends he associates with. He has always had more friends that are girls than guys. Who can blame him with all these beautiful young women. It was fun to hear the giggles and laughs as they visited. Thanks to Keslee, Michelle, Heather and Beth who made his birthday so memorable.

I wrote a poem for him, and it made me cry writing it, but the best reward was seeing him get a bit choked up and being the recipient of one of his big bear hugs. Once again I get a gift on someone else's birthday. Hugs from teenagers are far too rare, especially for sappy mom's.

Happy 18th Birthday Ryan

I can't believe the day has finally arrived;
My oldest child turned 18 and I survived!
As I think back through the past many years,
many memories bring smiles and happy tears.

I remember the early days of jaundice and lights;
It seemed to last forever till I could hold my baby tight.
Then there was his early love of water and sprints to the bath;
Little did I know years of being a swimmer, lay in his path.

Who knew that the terrible twos could be so dramatic,
vomiting on demand became very problematic.
(Although it did get me out of a ticket once)
He wanted his first artistic talents to last awhile;
so using permanent markers became his style.

Then an interest in science began when he was four or five--
surprising experiments appeared frequently, which he contrived.
He loved Bill Nye, the science guy, whom he idolized,
and soon started wearing lab coats and red bow ties as his disguise.

His stature increased so quickly and it seemed it would not stop.
At 12 he passed his mom up despite how she would hop.
His brain grew with his body and he loved absorbing facts;
He kept us on our toes, every truth to be exact.

During the teenage years, some people feared his size;
But little did they know, a gentle giant would arise.
His heart has always been as large as his mind and frame;
A fact anyone who knows him, would readily acclaim.

His faith and knowledge of the scriptures is so profound;
We have learned from his example and knowledge all around.
Many times, walking into his room, you might pause for a bit,
And notice he is on his knees praying instead of in a sit.

His hard work and studious efforts for years on end,
paid off in a full tuition scholarship, for which we all commend.
His has been frugal in his spending, saving half of what he earns;
With eyes on an LDS mission, always been a chief concern.

So happy wonderful birthday, to this great big son of mine;
He has and always will, make this mom proud and sublime.
Dreading the time he will leave this house he has called home;
To go and make his way, and a life all his own.

Although the tears fall quickly, contemplating that day,
I will treasure these months ahead as memories to replay.
I love you Ryan, for who you are and who you will be;
and for the fact you'll always have a big bear hug, just for me.

Preference 2010

At the early part of December, Ryan attended the Preference Dance at Pleasant Grove High School. His sweet friend Beth asked him. Don't they look great? Beth's mom made her beautiful dress and she looks gorgeous. They had a great time.