Christmas 2014

It is funny how times and seasons in our lives change.  I remember a Christmas when Corban was 2 and Kjerstin was 6 months old.  I had time that December to sit and read Christmas stories and to sit and play Christmas music on the piano.  At the beginning of this month, I was talking to a friend who was reminding me to cut back on the non-essential things.  She gave some examples.  The things she said had already been cut from my list and more.  It is a reminder that many of the things we associate with Christmas are not really Christmas.  And with that let me give you the run down of who, what, where, when, and why of our busy family and lives.

The highlight of the year was Bridger completing his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation this year.  The conferment ceremony was in Anaheim, CA in September.  We took the opportunity to take the kids to Disneyland.  It was fun to be in southern California where Bridger and I spent our honeymoon 15 years ago.  It was fun to see the areas I knew from my mission. Brynna got to spend her 10th birthday on an airplane.  It was nice to get away from Bridger’s work, my church responsibilities, and the kids school activities for a little time together.  

Bridger moved his office from Omaha to Lincoln and is now managing nationwide farm and ranch claims.  I am still the relief society president for our local congregation.  

Corban (14) is a freshman in high school.  He took journalism this last semester and will now be able to help with the school newspaper.  He is on the school bowling team and in computer club.  Don’t forget early morning seminary!  He is one busy kid!  

Kjerstin (12) is in 7th grade at the middle school.  She is in show choir.  She was an assistant director for the community play the Missoula Childrens Theater put on this summer (which Corban and Brynna were in). Kjerstin completed a gingerbread display she designed, built and decorated on her own for a young women’s project. She is very studious. She is my right hand helping out.  

Brynna (10) is playing basketball again.  She loves helping her dad in the yard.  She is my animal lover and was so excited to ride a horse at Thanksgiving this year.  She is learning Nebraska history this year. Being from Idaho, she is chartering new ground here for our family.  Maybe she will make us true Nebraskans after all.

Daven (7) is in first grade.  He likes to talk A LOT.  He has tried soccer and basketball this year.  He is a really good reader, and is even better at giving me hugs.

Gideon (4) started preschool this year at the elementary school.  He loves being big enough to go to school like all his siblings.  He is so active and school helps him learn to slow down a little bit.  That is good, because I don’t think I can keep up!  I thought I would have more time to myself with him being in school 4 days a week, but somehow the opposite has happened.  It must be the season of life we are in right now.  It is busy, but we are blessed and happy.  We wish you all our love and hope you are enjoying whatever season of life you may be in!

January 19, 2014

I had a good chat with my little (wiser) sister this week.  We don't get to chat often these days.  She asked me about my goals.  I said I didn't set any because I wasn't sure what I could complete.  She told me about an article she read about a lady who was in a serious car accident.  She woke up on the ride to the hospital in the ambulance.  She first realized she was still alive.  Then several things were on her mind.  When she recuperated and returned home, she found the envelope with her goals written on it.  She opened the envelope and none of the things that really mattered (the things she was thinking about on her ambulance ride) were on her list.  I have thus decided I will make my own ambulance ride list and have it for goals. 
Corban is taking a cooking class this quarter.  His life is forever evolved to realize brownies are actually a cookie!  Who knew!  He now wants to try chocolate chip cookie bars.  You can make anything a bar!  It opens a whole new world! (He doesn't realize he has had them and didn't even know it!  Shhhh!)
Gideon stood up on the bench today in church and shook his booty while saying that aloud.  He is a character that little boy! 
Brynna is playing basketball right now.  The sheer delight on her face as she runs down the court is like a kid splashing in a pool on a hot day.  She is loving it! It makes the basketball chauffeur Saturdays worth it!
Daven's teacher tried to teach the kids about Martin Luther King Jr. Day by giving all the girls a Hershey kiss and making the boys sit and watch them eat it.  After she gave them all M&M's.  She said the kids didn't really get it.  Lesson, chocolate is the world's great equalizer.  J/K  Happy Martin Luther King Day!

I didn't make Christmas treats for neighbors, I didn't make Christmas treats at all really.  I didn't get a letter sent out. Yet Christmas came all the same!  I enjoyed reading all the letters and cards we received.  I wrote this and figured I would post it to the blog at least.  Happy New Year!

While 13 is supposed to be an unlucky number, 2013 was a good year for our family. 

Bridger was able to complete his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation this year.  It is a course of 8 college level classes that he has studied for in his free time (haha) to complete.  In our kids’ terms, it means we will be able to go to Disneyland this September for his commencement ceremony.  We are all very excited about this!

I (Cindy) was called as relief society president (leader of the women’s organization in our church) for our local congregation here in Nebraska.  It has become a big portion of all of our lives as everyone in the family has had to pick up the slack of what I don’t have time for anymore.  We went to Idaho for a stint over the summer.  It was nice to see family and friends and get away from the rigors of normal life.  I don’t have much time to read.  I have less time to exercise.  But I like the quote,” Motherhood, it was what you were given time for.”  Giving to them and to others seems to define who I am right now.

Corban went to scout camp for the first time this year and while there, ate a taco for the first time, and actually liked it!  He is in 8^th grade at the middle school and will start at the high school next year.  He is the deacons quorum president.  He still loves jumping on our trampoline close to 365 days a year in any type of weather.

Kjerstin started 6^th grade this year at the middle school.  She tried out for the show choir and made it. She has enjoyed it a lot.  She takes pride in her grades, and loves to learn and have fun.

Brynna is in 3rd grade.  She got braces this year, and will soon start basketball.  She has a developing testimony.  One of the things she asked for this year for Christmas was to be more Christlike. 

Daven is in kindergarten and got new glasses for school this year.  He has wavered between wanting to go and wanting to stay home with Mom.  He is still super duper talkative.  He has told us stories about his “other” family in China, but he recently told me I am his favorite Mom. For him, that is saying something!   

Gideon is very busy as always.  I enjoy staying home with him to hear the funny and cute things he says to me daily.  He keeps me on my toes.  He is the apple of his siblings eyes as well.  They all love him. 

Here is a Christmas message that spoke to me as I am often late, in the relief society and wonder when I will get my own act together.  May each of you feel your own worth in our Heavenly Father’s eyes and our hearts. 

http://segullah.org/daily-special/sabbath-revival-and-the-soul-felt-its-worth/