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/