JANUARY

NEW YEAR'S DAY - Day 1 of 2018!  I'm really excited about this year for some reason.  It just feels like it's going to be a good one.  Grandpa Foster was going out to feed cows so the boys, Jed, and I decided to tag along.  I absolutely love the picture below of Dallin outside in his snow clothes.  Since we haven't had much snow at all this was his like his first time outside in it.  He just kept squealing, "Wow!! Wow!!"  Until he fell in the snow and his hands got wet, then it wasn't quite so exciting.

There is a big feed lot down on the island of 4300 East.  It's been there for awhile, but I had never seen it.  The boys liked the tack room.

A few pictures while we were waiting for directions on where to go.  It was very bright outside in a field of bright white snow.  Kasen told me he probably burned his eyeballs out waiting for me to take the pictures.

While Grandpa was loading the hay on the truck, Kasen made a rope out of twine and practiced on Heath.  I remember playing on the big ton bales and climbing up to the top and running across with cousins.  Not a very safe activity when I think about it with a mother's perspective!

It was really fun to go spend the morning feeding cows again.  It's been a long time.  It brought back a lot of memories for me and I know Jed likes to be around the cows.  It's fun to take Kasen and make him work a little bit too.  My dad recently bought quite a few red cows.  I, as I do so many animals, matched them perfectly.

On our way home we spotted two giant moose in the Riverbend subdivision.  It's cool to be able to see moose so often in there, but kinda' scary too when your kids want to go outside and play...

We stopped to see our other grandparents before heading home.  Mostly so the kids could give Grandpa some birthday spankings!  Ava is getting really close to passing Grandpa in height.  And Kasen isn't too far away from catching Grandma!  The kids love seeing their grandparents and we are so thankful they have such good ones!

OUR PROPHET - On January 2nd, our prophet passed away.  He was 90 years old.  He had been the prophet for almost 10 years.  We knew he hadn't been well for quite awhile and hadn't even been able to come to General Conference in October, so with the sadness came a lot of joy for him to move on to the next life!  The thing I loved most about President Monson was how he almost had a sing-song type of voice.  When he spoke it was like listening to a poem or rhyme.  His life was one of pure service and selflessness.  This is one of my favorite quotes from him given in 2017.  His last conference talk was all about the importance of the Book of Mormon and he pleaded with members to gain a testimony of it.  President Monson will be missed on Earth, but I can't imagine the welcome he received on the other side!

Next in line to be the prophet was Russell M. Nelson.  I love that it is common knowledge who will be the next prophet in the LDS church.  There is no campaigning or ulterior motives in play.  The 1st presidency was rearranged and Elder Oaks was called in.  In order of seniority, he will be the prophet after Pres. Nelson.  President Nelson is 93 yrs old.  He is as healthy as they come and I'm excited to sustain him as the prophet at the next conference.  There will also be two new apostles called.  It will be a very exciting spring conference!

WINTER BREAK CONT. - After we got back from the holiday weekend in Eastern Idaho, the kids still had the entire week out of school.  Kinsley had been begging to cut her hair for about a month, so I thought it was a good time for everyone to cute haircuts.  Jed has been telling Kinsley she can absolutely not cut her hair - because he loves it long.  But it was starting to get stringy, and Kinsley has really thin hair so I thought a little cut would help it look nicer and thicken up a bit.  All of Kinsley's friends have short hair and that is why she wanted to cut it shorter.  I understood that (Jed not so much.)  Kinsley finally said, "Mom maybe dad won't let me cut my hair because he is jealous that I even have hair and he doesn't."  Jed overheard and thought it was so funny.  Finally he agreed that she could cut her hair just not above her shoulders.  Ava also got a trim - she wants to keep it long for awhile.  Kasen also got a cut.  Afterward we went next door to the ice cream shop for a treat.

The rest of the week was pretty lazy.  I always feel a little guilty when I don't have a ton of activities planned out during the kids off days of school.  It seems like we are so much busier now though that when they have a break it is nice not to have to do anything.  Ava got invited to a service project party.  Every girl brought fleece and tied blankets to donate and watched a movie.  It was girls from the ward.  Jed also got a copy of the Jefferson Star with a story all about he and Jason's run in Las Vegas.  I told him he finally got his 15 seconds of fame.  He said it felt great. :) haha

RESOLUTIONS & GOALS - I had a lot of resolutions for this year.  I felt like the last half of 2017 I kinda slipped into a weird funk and had some really negative emotions surface about circumstances in my life.  Life really is like running a marathon.  I can fully appreciate that metaphor having actually ran a marathon.  I told Jed I just felt like the last while I was stuck in mile 16 and things were just hard!  Motherhood was hard, marriage was hard, going to church was hard, family was hard, etc.  It was really hard to be positive and happy.  Which was equally frustrating, because I look around and I feel very blessed and grateful for my life.  So many have much harder trials and burdens.  This made my feelings even more annoying to me because then I felt guilty or bad or ashamed that I was feeling what I was feeling.  It was like a really bad hamster wheel I couldn't jump off of - or like hitting the wall at mile 16 in a marathon and still having so much more to go.  Right around Thanksgiving time though I really had a desire to pull out of this funk and make some changes in my life that would put me back in a positive place.  I've always been a pretty action-oriented person and it's easy for me to make a game plan and execute it.  So I started making lists and goals and more checklists of things I wanted to accomplish in 2018.  Some were very simple like "sew Kasen's scout patches on his shirt" to "planting a garden" to "planning family service projects each quarter".  It made me really excited for the new year to start!  Maybe we have those muddy times where we just feel stuck so that we can slow down and think about what we really want and what direction we really need to go - or more accurately (in my case) slowing down and having to ask more sincerely in prayer where Heavenly Father really wants me to do and how and why.  Anyway, a long story short: I feel a lot better and much more hopeful and excited about everything again.  That's what I love about resolutions and goals.  I thought I'd ask everyone in the family what one goal they had for 2018 was:

• Jed - develop more patience with everyone :) haha
• Emily - plant and harvest a garden
• Ava - become a vegetarian (after 1 month this has since been ammended to eating less meat)
• Kasen - be more aggressive in basketball
• Kinsley - learn how to play soccer & violin
• Dallin - ??? (it's anyones guess, but I'm assuming it doesn't have anything to do with calming down)

SCHOOL - The kids jumped right back projects when school started.  Kasen had a big one that the entire 3rd grade did.  It was called THE HERITAGE PROJECT.  The had to pick a country to study that they had ancestors from.  They had to interview a family member that was older than them.  They had to write about a family heirloom.  They also had to write about how learning about their heritage made them feel about themselves.  I thought it was a great project because I love family history.  There is something so powerful about knowing where and who you came from.  It (usually) makes you proud.  Kasen did a great job.  He chose to study the country of Germany.  He interviewed his Grandpa Foster and wrote about a clay vase that Grandma Foster that has been passed down for almost 100 years.  It has lots of interesting trinkets pressed into the clay.  There was an open house where parents could come and view the projects.  I was really proud of Kasen's hard work.

Ava had a cool school experience too this month.  In 6th grade they have been learning about immigration and the entire grade particapated in a mock immagration to Ellis Island.  Each kid was given an identity and story.  They had to go through customs, take a test to become an American citizen, etc.  They had to empty out their lockers and bring everything with them in their backpacks.  Ava was Hankelene Ericson from Scandinavia.  She was an artist who was 23 - married and pregnant.  She was coming to America with her husband and they had only $150.  She said it was really fun.  She said some kids got moved up to the front of the immigration line or some got moved back based on where they were coming from.  A lot of kids got "detained" or put in "holding" that was like jail.  I thought it was awesome and sorta wished I could have had such a cool experience in 6th grade.  As much as everyone says that Idaho's education standards are some of the lowest in the nation, I have been very impressed with the public school system here in Ada County since we've been here.  And I have very high standards when it comes to education.

Kinsley decided she wanted to be part of the "Kind Kids Club" at her school.  Her teacher is in charge of it.  So during the month of December Kinsley had to do 10 random acts of kindness and then she could become a member.  These were the first four members of the club.  The Kind Kids Club gets to do all sorts of fun projects to help other kids at school feel loved, happy, and safe.  This month they are making giant letter K's and decorating them for the kindergarteners.  Ava also was invited to be in a special club at school.  She was nominated by a teacher.  It's called the "We Dine Together" club.  During one lunch period a week they look for kids that might be sitting alone or look lonely at lunch and they go sit with them.  Ava is the only one of her friends in the club and I know it is so hard to leave your group of friends at lunch.  She has told us some funny "fails" as she calls them, but I'm so proud of her efforts.  I tell my kids at the start of every school year that I don't care if they are popular, I don't care if they are the smartest or the most athletic, I don't care if they are the most stylish - the only thing I care about for that school year is that they give 100% effort in their classes and they are kind and respectful to their classmates and teachers everyday.  I feel like they have done a great job making me proud this year.  And as a side note, Kinsley learned to tie her own shoes this month!!

JANUARY ACTION - Ava and I have been working on a journaling project together where at the end of everyday we write down a moment when we felt peace in Christ that day.  It has been a blessing for me to reflect on "little miracles" that happen everyday that are easy to forget by bedtime.  Two miracles that happened this month were not so little though.  One morning I woke up and drove the kids down to the end of our lane to catch the bus.  I happened to look down and notice I had 1 mile to go before my tank was empty.  1!  The closest gas station is just over two miles away.  I had to work that day and thought if I drove back to the house to look for a gas can I would probably find one but it may be empty and then I'd have even less gas.  So I decided to say a prayer and drive on faith to try and reach the gas station.  My cousin told me once when you are low on gas to swerve back and forth so I was driving like a maniac down the road swerving like crazy.  I had to drive past the high school and through a light even.  Miraculously I made it to the gas station!  I seriously have no idea how.  But it was awesome!  The 2nd miracle happened for my sweet nephew Heath.  He was having some serious health problems and had to come urgently to Boise to have some testing done on his kidneys.  Based on his symptoms we were really anticipating the worst, but after 3 days here they found out that it was something different than what they initially thought and he should be fine after 6-12 months of treatments.  On his first night here before he had a biopsy Kasen and I drove down and took him a goody bag.  My sister was exhausted and Heath was pretty nervous for the next morning.  One thing we found for his goody bag was Flarp - it is a slimy play-do like thing that makes farting noises.  Jeff gave it to the kids once and Kasen though Heath would enjoy it.  He was right on.  Those two boys laughed and laughed playing with that stuff.  We were so glad that everything turned out better than expected for Heath and know it was also another miracle.

Kinsley had to attend a baptism preview this month.  She won't get baptized until next January (2019) because her birthday isn't until the end of December but she is still on the list of kids turning 8 this year.  It is crazy to think about.  She was pretty excited and loves her friends here.  We have also been trying to get back into scripture reading.  We haven't been good/consistent at it since we moved last summer.  We decided to plan a little reward after each book as motivation.  So after we finish 1st Nephi we are going to go bowling as a family because Nephi and his family sailed away to a new land on "rolling" waves in the ocean.  We do pretty good, but some nights the majority of us fall asleep before we finish.  :)

I remember when my younger sister was born a man in our ward died.  He had been a bishop - Bishop Welch.  I don't really remember him but I remember being in sacrament meeting and my dad bearing his testimony about how it is hard to be so happy sometimes when others are so sad.  That a new life brings so much hope and that death can bring so much hope too.  It didn't really make sense to me at all.  Why would death make you feel hope?  How could you feel sad and happy at the same time?  I was only probably about 8 at the time.  Some lessons in life make a lot more sense with time.  I remember feeling so desperately sad when my grandma's died and so happy they could be reunited with their spouses at the same time.  It is really easy to feel sad for others.  It sometimes makes you feel guilty when things go really well for you and you are really happy.  We had to come to Eastern Idaho for a funeral of a fellow classmate.  Adam Anderson played football with Jed.  He was in our grade.  Adam was one of my really good friends.  We became really close during our junior and senior year.  I loved hanging out with Adam because he was always happy and laughing.  He never put any pressure on me to be more than friends.  He was just a fun guy.  My friend Shalee and I hung out with a group of people that included Adam pretty much everyday from our senior year until I left on my mission.  It is crazy how you can have such good friends like that and then life takes you different directions and you lose touch.  I haven't talked to Adam since I left on my mission.  But it was still devasting to hear he had been killed in an avalanche.  He had a wife and three young kids.  He had done many amazing things in life.  It just didn't seem fair for his life to be over quite so soon.  When we found out when the funeral was Jed immediately took work off so we could go.  John & Coleen watched our kids and Ava stayed with Tresa so she wouldn't miss school.  The funeral was very good as far as funerals go.  We felt so sad.  We saw so many friends we haven't seen for a really long time.  It almost felt wrong to be happy to see everybody under the circumstances, but thinking about Adam he would have been smiling like crazy thinking that he brought so many Rigby-ites together again.  Death is so sad but it spurs us to be better so we can be ready when it's our time to go.  Because you never know when.  Death gives us hope to deal with the sorrow knowing we can see those people again.  All of this is easy for me to say but the truth is I can't even imagine what his wife and kids will have to endure.  It breaks my heart still.

Adam's death really punched me in the face as far as emotions go.  I felt like I had a mini mid-life crisis/nervous breakdown or whatever you want to call it.  I'm so thankful Jed helped me through everything I was feeling and let me talk through it all without judgement.  I'm so thankful for him and the support he is to me.  We have tried harder to enjoy the messes and spend more quality time with each other and the kids.  One day our kids decided to build "nests" and there was stuff everywhere.  They spend so much time preparing for their game that by the time they get to playing they are sick of their game!  I liked seeing how each one built their nests.  Kinsley put stuffed animals in hers and sat on them for I swear an hour straight. :)  Ava had books all lined up in her nest of course.  We have some really great little cuckoo birds. 

DALLIN - None is more cuckoo than the littlest one!  Dallin is so much fun and so much work at the same time.  He still goes and goes nonstop.  His new things to say are "WOW" and "AH-HAH!"  He loves teasing and laughing and has recently gained a deep love for the carwash.  :)  He never stops making us laugh - unless he is punching us in the face which actually happens frequently.  He is 20 months old this month!

We were all set to head back to Eastern Idaho for our nephew Josh's wedding when of course the sickness plague hit our house.  Dallin got pink-eye and Kinsley had an ear infection.  Jeff and Tresa came to my rescue while Jed was away at a conference because Kinsley wouldn't stop screaming.  Kasen had gotten the worst cough from a basketball teammate.  It was super good timing and so much fun!  :/.  Ava went to work drawing pictures for everyone to help them feel better.  This is the picture she drew for Dallin.

 

We were so disappointed we couldn't go and support Josh and Carli and the Berry bunch. We heard it was an amazing wedding and reception and are very excited for their new adventure together.

LIGHT THE WORLD

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints started an initiative to "LIGHT THE WORLD" in December for the last two years.  Each day in December, leading up to Christmas, there was an attribute of the Savior for us to try to emulate to become more like Him.  The hope is that as we try to become more like Him we will spread His light throughout the world and make it a brighter place for everyone.  We had great plans to do each action or service each day, but we didn't always get it done.  But throughout the month we did each #lighttheworld, just not on the exact day.  Here is how we decided to LIGHT THE WORLD this December...

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"I feel sorry for this brother to the amount of five dollars; how much do you all feel sorry?" - Joseph Smith

This quote is from a story where Joseph Smith was with a group of saints and it was brought up about another man they all knew who was in dire circumstances.  People kept saying that they felt so bad for him.  Then Joseph said the above - reminding them that actions speak louder than words.  The Savior didn't just feel bad for others, but he went out and freely gave.  So for today we went to the store and bought some canned food to donate and dropped it in the Eagle Food Bank box at the library.

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"The only joy that is comparable with the joy of the one receiving the help is the glow that seems to emanate from the one who has given so unselfishly of his time and strength to quietly help someone in need." - Elder Robert L. Simpson

Day 2 we bought two cases of bottled water while at the grocery store and put it in the collection bin by the exit doors also for the Eagle Food Bank.

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"One of the greatest accomplisments in this world would be that of lifting human hearts.  Blessed are they who are kind and considerate of the feelings of other people." - Richard L. Evans

Day 3 was a Sunday and Kasen and Kinsley went and sang some Christmas songs at a nearby resthome for the residents.  They had been practising for a few weeks from friends from the ward.  Kasen wanted to look his best so he made himself a little lapel pin with Christmas ribbon.  

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"We are touched when we see the suffering and great needs of those halfway around the world, but we may fail to see there is a person who needs our friendship sitting right next to us in class." - Bonnie L. Oscarson

Jed helped me think of a small, fun neighbor gift to take to those that live around us and others in the ward that have reached out in friendship since we've moved in.  We got packs of sugar cookie mix and Kinsley helped me attach a note that said "Thankful for SWEET neighbors like you - Merry Christmas".  We delivered them on Christmas Eve and the kids all took turns going to the door with us as we dropped them off to wish our neighbors Merry Christmas.

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"If we truly honor our parents, we will seek to emulate their best characteristics and to fulfill their highest aspirations for us.  No gift purchased from a store can begin to match in value to parents some simple, sincere words of appreciation." - Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

This is a pretty awkward photo, but all on their own the kids woke us up on Day 5 with hot cocoa and toast and hugs and kisses.  It was the best surprise.  Jed also sent messages to his parents and I mailed my parents a card to express gratitude for them.

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"Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life." - Pres. Thomas S. Monson

Everyone decided to work on this in their individual day wherever they were.  This picture is from my work - some of the babies in the infant room.  It is easy to judge other people's situations or decisions.  When I first started working I would think certain things about other employees or parents that brought their kids in.  A lot of the time it was very judgmental.  The harder thing to do is to not judge someone, but instead show them Christlike love.  Because we really can't know where they are coming from entirely.  As a family we decided that the world's way is to belittle, make fun of, laugh at, and judge other people.  To be like Christ we really have to work on this one everyday.

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"When we realize just how precious children are, we will not find it difficult to follow the pattern of the Master in our association with them." - Pres. Thomas S. Monson

We spent the night playing games together instead of turning on the tv!

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"Think what this admonition alone would do in your neighborhood and mine, in the communities in which you and your children live, in the nations which make up our great global family." - Pres. Howard W. Hunter

This is a hard one - like not judging people.  It is easier to hold a grudge when someone does you wrong, I think.  We each thought of someone we could forgive.  For Ava it was someone in her class that had said something mean about her art.  For me it was letting go of bad feelings towards a friend from Chicago.  This friend had really done something that hurt my feelings and has affected the way I interact with people ever since. It has caused me to build walls and not really let very many "friends" get to know me.  I thought I had let it go, but out of the blue one morning my phone notified me that I had a private message on facebook.  When I got on I was shocked to see a msg from this girl apologizing to me.  My first response was to ignore her and never respond.  Which I did for about a month - not entirely on purpose.  But one day I thought about it again and had another thought to reply and tell her how much she had hurt me and that she had indeed offended me really bad!  And that she was really a horrible person.  But then the Spirit just told me that the only person that understood how I had really felt already knew and He would forgive so I should forgive.  So I did.  And I literally pictured myself taking those negative feelings and crumpling them up like a paper and throwing them into a fire.  And then I pictured the ashes floating up and away on the wind far away from me.  It was very cathartic.

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"We can't do everything for everyone everywhere, but we can do something for someone somewhere." - Elder Richard L. Evans

Our cousins came to town and so Ava went with them to do some baptisms for the dead at the temple.  It may not seem like too big of a deal, but for someone who has been waiting and waiting it means more than anything.

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"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high." - Elder Richard G. Scott

I love this description of scriptures as "packets of light".  That sounds so cool.  In this same talk Elder Scott says reading our scriptures is more important than school, work, eating, sleeping, etc.  It is pretty profound.  Since we moved we have not been fantastic at reading our scriptures regularly.  There are so many promises made to us about reading our scriptures and being blessed.  Why do we make it so hard to receive blessings? 

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"Go and bring in those people now on the plains, and attend strictly to those things which we call temporal,... otherwise your faith will be in vain." - Pres. Brigham Young

Kinsley had made a list of people to invite to her birthday party.  I knew four of the girls from church, but didn't know the rest.  The day of her birthday was the last day of school before winter break and they were having a party in class.  I figured since it was Kinsley's birthday I would go help.  While I was there I met a nice mom who had a daughter in the class named Lily.  I didn't recognize that name as one that Kinsley had made a birthday invitation for.  Before the class party had ended I whispered to Kinsley if she thought it would be a good idea to invite Lily to her birthday party.  She said sure.  So I told the mom that Kinsley was having some friends over (I didn't mention it was a bday party) and we'd love to have Lily come to.  She was so excited about it.  She said because Lily had some learning disabilities she didn't get invited to many playdates.  The next day Lily came to the party.  The girls had a great time and Kinsley was very nice to include Lily in all the games.  When Lily's mom came to pick her up she said thank you about 3x.  She said that when they adopted Lily from China she was the oldest girl in the school because no one wanted a girl that was different.  As a mother I know how much your heart aches when your kids don't get invited or included.  Kinsley has always been the girl that is kind to everyone.  She didn't even hesitate when I asked her if we should invite Lily - she just said Sure!  The quote above is when there was a group of Saints that got caught in a snowstorm on their way to SLC.  Brigham Young sent a rescue party to go bring them to SLC.  They didn't know any of the people they were sent to rescue.  It's pretty easy to reach out to people that are just like us - it's harder to reach out to a stranger or someone that may be different.  Everyone wants to feel special.

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"No matter what we have suffered, He is the source of healing." - Jean B. Bingham

Our cousin Heath had a weird health issue come up where his blood vessels in his legs started leaking.  It is pretty uncommon and my sister sent some pictures and videos.  Kasen was a little shaken by it.  He really likes his cousin Heath.  He made him a card to help him not feel so sad or scared.  Kasen is a very tender-hearted boy.  I think it is a special gift.  Compassion is right up there with charity.

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"Let us be friendly.  Let us be helpful.  Let us live the Golden Rule.  Let us be neighbors of whom it might be said, "He or she was the best neighbor I ever had." - Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

As we were picking out a few things for the kids to give their teachers for Christmas they mentioned they wanted to give the bus driver something.  My first thought was "how many people do I have to get gifts to?!"  But then I thought, "Well the bus driver does take them to and from school almost everyday safely.  I remember how annoying the kids on my bus route were, so he probably really does deserve a thank you!"  We didn't do anything expensive or fancy - just a little tin box from the dollar store with some candy inside.  It reminded me that it doesn't take much effort to express appreciation to others that cross paths with me - even if it is their job.  Christ appreciates every good thing that people do for others.

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"There is no end to what the world has to offer, so it is critical that we learn to recognize when we have enough.  If we are not careful, we will begin to chase after the temporal more than the spiritual." - Elder Michael John U. Teh

This Light the World challenge came at the perfect time.  Day 14 was the day Jed and I drove home from Las Vegas after the WSTR competition.  When Jed had won I was so excited.  Winning $42,000 is not a small thing.  Jed was also excited, but one of the first things he said to me was, "Well if we would have been 2 seconds faster we would have won $145,000."  I'd be lying if I said I hadn't already thought of that - not in an irritated way towards Jed - but I think it's pretty natural (if you are competitive) to immediately look at things like that.  It made me realize that it can be so easy to become obsessed with money and making money or winning money.  Getting money can quickly control your whole life if you let it.  As Jed and I talked about it we realized that it would be much more enjoyable to be grateful for the incredible experience that had just occurred than getting too caught up in "if only." 

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"A disciple is willing to bear other people's burdens and to comfort those who need comfort.  Often Heavenly Father will meet the needs of others through you." - For The Strength of Youth

Jed's new calling in our ward is to take care of a special needs boy named Keen.  Keen has a combo of Downs Syndrome and autism.  He is very hard to keep contained.  He hits a lot.  He doesn't speak.  It is definitely not a calling that you get excited about.  Jed has expressed his frustrations, but he hasn't complained.  Jed is such a good example to me of compassion and being merciful. 

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"As we do what He would have us do for His Father's children, the Lord considers it kindness to Him, and we will feel closer to Him as we feel His love and His approval.  In time we will become like Him and will think of the Judgment Day with happy anticipation." - Pres. Henry B. Eyring

We loaded up a bag of Dallin and Kinsley's clothes that they have grown out of and took them to DI.  Jed and I both went through our clothes and did the same. 

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"We know from experience that joy comes when we are blessed with unity... In those gatherings, which God has designed for us, lies our great opportunity.  We can pray and work for the unity that will bring us joy and multiply our power to serve." - Pres. Henry B. Eyring

One of our favorite things to do is to attend our Manwaring FHE.  It isn't every month, but it is pretty consistent.  This month we did our annual Christmas Story play.  My aunt and uncle really get into it and make it a fun, exciting thing.  I'm sure they have lots of things they could be doing other than hosting nieces and nephews and their kids over, but they always act like it is such a treat for them.  Like we are the ones doing them a favor.  I really appreciate that.  I'm sure our Manwaring ancestors are smiling when they see us gathering together.

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"May God help us to be a little kinder, showing forth greater forbearance, to be more forgiving, more willing to walk the second mile, to reach down and lift up those who may have sinned but have brought forth the fruits of repentance, to lay aside old grudges and nurture them no more." - Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

Kinsley sneaked into our room one evening and took a picture of Jed and I in discussion.  We weren't fighting, but we weren't agreeing on a decision that needed to be made.  I think this picture fits with Day 18.  Marriage requires a lot of forgiveness.  Sometimes we show forgiveness by forgiving, but I think we also show forgiveness by being respectful, changing, trying to see things from another person's perspective, choosing to see the good and not the bad in a person, sacrificing our time for another person when we don't want to... I think one of the biggest ways a wife can forgive in a marriage is holding her tongue when her spouse can never seem to put his dirty clothes in the hamper. It is amazing how the clothes can be piled up right next to the hamper, but it is virtually impossible to lift the lid and put them in the hamper.  I mean, I've heard some husbands do that and I can imagine it would get annoying. :) In marriage I've realized there are seasons when being married is easier than other times.  It is not hard to see another person's flaws after many years of living with them.  It is easy to forgive someone once, but it is hard to forgive continually.  I'm thankful for marriage and for a husband that has forgiven and has to continually forgive me of all the things I get wrong or the shortcomings I have. 

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"With God's help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances... It is sunshine when clouds block the light." - Elder Marvin J. Ashton

I love when I catch moments like this with my camera.  It reminds me that life is good!  I don't remember what was happening or why they were all cuddled up on one chair or why Kasen has his coat on.  But I know that when I look at this picture of this moment, those three were happy and that makes me so happy.  There is a lot to be sad or mad about in this world.  But I think heaven is so happy when we take the time to be happy.  When we choose to be happy - or exceedingly glad.  It isn't always easy, but I read once it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. 

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"Readjusting our desires to give highest priority to the things of eternity is not easy.  We are all tempted to desire that worldly quartet of property, prominence, pride, and power.  We might desire these, but we should not fix them as our highest priorities." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Ava took this picture one night as we were driving past the temple.  It was such an incredible picture and goes so perfect with Day 20.  Focusing on the temple keeps everything else in life in perspective.  I'm so thankful that when I die my family continues to be mine.  The covenants I've made in the temple are the greatest blessings. 

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"We have a responsibility to extend help as well as hope to the hungry, to the homeless, and to the downtrodden both at home and abroad." - Pres. Thomas S. Monson

Tresa and Jeff had the kids over for their annual sugar cookie making and decorating party.  I'm not even kidding when I say these are hands down the best sugar cookies ever.  They make them for Santa and I know Santa is so dang happy every year to eat them. 

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"Each of our Christlike deeds may share only a pinpoint of light, but added together they begin to make a significant difference." - Susann W. Tanner

Ava decided to do a little secret service for two of her friends that had birthdays in December.  She made them cookies and cut out paper hearts.  She thought of all the qualities that she admired about them.  Then she wrote them down on the hearts and decorated them.  We delivered them ninja-style at night in the dark.  The kids even dressed in all black.  They helped Ava tape the hearts to the door and leave the cookies with a Happy Birthday note.  Ava was adamant that it all be anonymous so they wouldn't know it was her.  It was a really sweet gesture and I was proud of her that she was thinking of others.

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"Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand, and watch over them with tenderness." - Joseph Smith

Kasen and Kinsley sang at another resthome for seniors.  There were more residents at this one.  At the end Kinsley and her friends were running to each person and telling them Merry Christmas.  I told Kasen it would be really nice if he walked around and did the same.  He really didn't want to.  He is so shy and this is totally out of his comfort zone.  I only told him once and I was pretty sure he wouldn't do it.  But then after a few minutes he walked over to a lady and stuck his hand out.  The first few people he was very close to tears, but he got braver and was even wishing them a Merry Christmas by the time he got halfway around the room.  I told him afterward how proud I was of him and how I'm sure that the adults there were so happy.  Even though an adult care facility isn't prison, I'm sure the adults there feel like it is sometimes. 

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"Can you detect that if we do not pray in our families always they may not be blessed - or at least not so fully?  If we truly love our families we will constantly pray for them and with them.  I know of no single activity that has more potential for unifying our families and bringing more love and diving direction into our homes than consistent, fervent family prayer." - Elder John H. Groberg

Dallin has started folding his hands when we say prayers.  It doesn't last the whole time and we have yet to get him to sit still, but it is a start.  I remember teaching adults on my mission how to say a prayer for the first time in their lives.  I love seeing little children pray and acknowledging the most amazing truth that God is there and praying is how we can communicate with Him.

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"Live in such a way that people who know you but don't know Christ will want to know Christ because they know you." - Author Unknown

Christmas lights have always been one of my favorite things about Christmas.  They shine in the darkness and make you feel not quite so cold when you see them.  My goal this next year is to let my light shine more and to teach my children to let their lights shine in this world.  We each have something special inside of us that no one else has.  I love thinking about that.  It is easy to feel small and insignificant in this world, but even if our light brightens just a few people in our lifetime it makes a difference.  We may never know or see it, but Heavenly Father sees it.  I have been told quite a few times in my life that "You just have a light about you."  I have always taken that as one of the highest compliments.  It makes me want to try harder, speak kinder, smile more, complain less, be more faithful, listen to the Holy Ghost more intently, laugh more, be grateful, and repent and try harder to be more like Jesus Christ.  I am not perfect - not even close - and I feel like there are a lot more days when I have more of a storm cloud about me than a light.  So in 2018 I'm going to try a little harder to be more like a Christmas light for myself, and for my family, and for those around me and shine baby shine!