It's amazing how quickly time flies these days. My day is over before I feel like I really got anything done. Not to mention I have had one thing or another wrong with me since November. I want this blog to be a priority, it is part of my written history after all. I just need to get my schedule in order. Until then enjoy these pictures of our gingerbread house adventure!
This year we didn't have to wait in any lines or fight any crowds to see Santa although when Millie asked me who the guy dressed up as Santa was I figured the magic was a little lost. Santa visited us at a Christmas party this last Saturday!
This morning I was looking through my old blog books and I couldn't help smile at the pictures of Millie from the Nutcracker of years past. This was her 6th year participating in it and although most of us hate sitting through it year after year it has been fun to watch her grow from this....
I really had every intention of updating this once a week. Last night Adam pulled this blog up and showed me I hadn't posted in a month. What? I thought, I swear it's only been a week or two. Boy time does fly. Especially this time of year.
I feel like I spent the whole month of November sick. It started off with a cold, turned into bronchitis and a sinus infection. I finally broke down and went to the doctor who put me on a 3 medications. I felt better within a couple of days and just when I was feeling almost normal I started getting sick again. This time I had aches and chills to go along with the cough and congestion. I am so happy to be feeling decent again.
Owen was star of the week the first week in November. He was so excited and his teacher puts a lot of time and effort into making them feel special this week. The parents make a poster to display in the class all week and each day they are honored is a special way.
Maybe it's the social media, the state of the economy, the mass confusion all over this nation or maybe people are just plain mean but I felt this election was particularly nasty. Even some of my level headed, smart, responsible friends contributed to the madness. Everyday I got on facebook some one said something that broke my heart or turned my stomach. I feel like we live in a country divided. I stayed out of it best that I could but still there were times I felt my blood boil. Here is the deal. I am a Mormon. I am a republican. I am not a republican because I am a Mormon nor did I vote from Mitt Romney because he is one too. I kind of chuckled at someone who told me they don't confuse their testimony with their political view. I guess because I'm a conservative republican who values life and the sanctity of marriage and the many other things I believe I must be confused. I understand that it must be tough to be a democrat in our predominately red state but I felt that my intelligence was insulted. I voted with my heart but I also voted with my head. And I didn't confuse my testimony with my political opinion either. Probably the hardest thing of this election was the fact that dear, intelligent, loved friends and family made such disparaging remarks about my faith. I don't remember any election that a candidates religion was an issue. I don't have any idea what religion Barrack Obama is nor do I care. Yet, Mormons were being attacked at every angle by people who know, love and interact with Mormons everyday. It made me very, very sad. Some of the things people said were just mean and bitter and wrong. Here is the thing I know though. I am not thrilled with the results but God is in charge. He will bless us if we are following the commandments but if we are not, well, we all know how that goes. We have seen many stories in the bible where cities were destroyed because they hearkened not. I have faith in this country, it is a wonderful place to live. Do I feel like the president we've elected will lead us in the right direction? No. I'm not worried though. I have a lot of faith in this nation but even more, I have faith in God who has a plan. Gordon B Hinckley shared his wise words, "It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future." It's not as bad I think! and if by some chance it turns out to be, I will gladly say I voted for Mitt Romney!
I was sure I would remember the password and everything looks so different but I am happy to say I am back. Last night I was looking through old pictures and unfinished scrapbooks and I was overwhelmed with a deep sadness. Earlier in the day I was talking to my neighbor about how everything has gone digital and how our kids generation are missing out on things in print. As I was looking at my scrapbooks with one or two pages (per year!!) I realized my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids will have nothing to look back on unless I make it happen. I was really good and keeping up this blog and printing it out each year to act as my journal/scrapbook. And then, I wasn't. I think I lost sight of what I was doing it for and how everything else seemed so much more important. I know now that THIS is important. I won't try to catch up but may add little bits and pieces of the important things that have happened to us since March. I will also try to keep up! It's a good excuse to take a break from the daily grind and reflect a little. For today I will leave you with a picture of our little cutie Owen who is STAR of the week at school. He was so excited and helped me make this poster all about him.
