Keeping up on my Goals!

Adin and Mitchell visit with Santa at the Mall.  Adin was  a bit too shy to get much closer than this:)

This is probably the most difficult time of year to keep any goals at all.  Thankfully, most of my goals fit in with the season.  I've been reading my scriptures nearly every day.  I'm already in the middle of 2 Nephi.  This has really helped me stayed spiritually at peace during what is pretty much a stressful time for me.  I have been using my new Droid phone to read the scriptures and track my progress.  It's a great little tool. I am also using it to read a book on Kindle.  I'm reading the classic fairy tales which are fun to read and easy to fit in here and there.  On my bedside table I have A Patriot's History of the United States.  It's amazing, unfortunately it's also very long and will be due back at the library next week.  I'm going to have to give in and buy this one, but it's worthy of my bookshelf.

 

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Me and Elijah on the Roller Coaster at Amazing Jake's!

Stuart and I were able to attend the temple in Mesa last week.  We brought all the kids up with us and they stayed at their Aunt Laurie's house.  We did sealings in the temple, bringing some of my ancestors together forever through the wonderful priesthood power.  What a wonderful feeling that was.  After our temple visit, we took the kids to a fun place called Amazing Jake's.  It is an indoor wonderland. It has lazer tag, rock wall climbing, mini golf, bumper cars, a mini coaster and lots of video games and other stuff.  It also has an all you can eat buffet.  I think that counts as  one of the "local attractions", even though it is in Gilbert.

Chad and Greg's team

Elijah and his teammates with Flat Stanley-who visited for a few weeks.

Flag Football for the boys is going to be over today!  They have their tournament games and then we get to rest until next year.  They have all done well and had fun playing.  On Wednesday they had night games.  Chad and Greg had 2 games to play, but I only let them play 1/2 of the second game as it was bedtime for Elijah.

Mitchell in front of our tree.

Almond Butter Bars, Yummy.

Last night we attended a live children's Nativity that a local family puts on each year in front of their barn, complete with a donkey, alpaca (for the camel) and sheep.  It was beautiful.  I love Christmas time. We also did our first baking yesterday. The famous (or infamous if you are a waistline) Almond butter bars!  We are taking them to a cookie party tonight with Stuart's work associates.  Sunday is Stuart's 41st birthday and his sister is coming with her family to help us celebrate. We are then keeping their 4 kids with us for a few days.  It's going to be a fun week!  I can't wait until Christmas.

Another Busy Week

My days are so busy lately.  Yes, it's December and there's lots to do to prepare for Christmas, but also our home business has been taking up a lot of my time.  I'm still working on my goals though!  I've been using my birthday gift (a Droid cell phone) to read the Book of Mormon each day and I use the Kindle application to read books.  My 1st book for the 39 is "Fairy Tales everyone should read".  I'm also reading "The Patriot's American History", but it is a huge book and will take me a while to read.  I signed up for a free on-line course through BYU's distance learning program.  It's called The American's guide to government.  I've completed the 1st lesson.  I've been really good about reading every day to Adin and sometimes Eli before bed.  I also stayed within my grocery budget last week.  Stuart and I went out to dinner on Friday night with some friends, so that counts for my goal to go on a date with him 2x/month.  I'm working real hard, though not perfectly, at keeping my voice down even when I'm upset.  This is probably my most difficult goal as it requires a change of my character, a change from the way I was raised, a change from how my family has become accustomed to me, but a change that is essential to my happiness and to the improvement of my family.
We set up and decorated our Christmas tree tonight.  It's a wonderful holiday with so many traditions that bind our family, even if it is a bit stressful at times. May it be a blessed holiday for all of us.