A Christmas/ New Year Letter ??

Holiday Cheer

The Hubby actually wrote a Christmas Letter this year.... it's still on my computer.  Mommy has a problem with follow through.  It will be included in the next post.

We have had a busy and wonderful Christmas Season.  Church and work Christmas parties, cookie days and sickness... of course.  It wouldn't be Christmas time with out it. 

We decided to read the book of John all month, and were thus able to enjoy not only the birth of our Savior, but his life and his example. The kids have enjoyed it so much we decided to finish the four gospels before returning to the Book of Mormon for our family Scripture study.  It added a wonderful spirit to our Christmas Season. 

Our good friend and close neighbor (literally, on the other side of the wall) and her boyfriend bough gifts for all the kids and we had a wonderful day of games and laughter. We really have been blessed with amazing and wonderful friends in our lives!

 Christmas Day was crazy and wonderful also.  An explosion of wrapping paper and ''stuff" filled the house, Daddy tried to control the chaos to no avail... silly Daddy.  And then we were able to go visit this wonderful lady, my Grandmother.  We have been so blessed to have her close by.  The kids love to go visit with her; reading stories and singing songs and being silly with her.  She will celebrate her 90th birthday this year! 

 New Years was a party at friends, with an "early" ball drop ;) The kids were unimpressed with the ball drop.  We will revisit the count down next year.  Perhaps it will require some good ol' pots and pans on the porch.  Mommy and Daddy have been on a "diet"  trying to get healthy and in shape, It was sort of a "cheat day,"  but still healthy.  We played games and had so much fun just being with friends.  They even bought chips and dip for me because that was something my family did every year growing up.  I'm telling you we have wonderful friends in our lives!!! 

 Our favorite family activity these days though... NERF WARS!  I am pretty sure the adults have more fun than the kids.  Daddy is teaching us how to "Clear" a house and find the bad guy.  We have contests, the bad guy just has to take out one "good guy" before we get the "bad guy."  I'm pretty sure we are ready for anything! :) Although our next door neighbors got bigger guns for Christmas... now we have Nerf envy. But the battles are still so much fun!  There are bullets in everything.  Families are strengthened and maintain through "wholesome" activities.  I am sure NERF wars are wholesome.  The baby is pretty good at it, he runs around the house daily in a diaper with nerf gun in hand.

We have had such a wonderful year.  Homeschooling has been such a great blessing these past two years.  I hope that my children are being edified and enriched.  Daddy has taken a job "off the street" and does more investigating these days.  Which leads to a "normal" work schedule.  A position he has eagerly sought after.  My favorite aspect of this past year has been the ponderizing we have done as a family.  The kids are learning a new scripture every week, it has increased the spirit in our home and lead to invaluable opportunities to teach them the gospel.  How grateful I am for a loving Father in Heaven and Elder Brother who are constantly watching over us and strengthening us.  What a blessing and privilege it is to be a Mother and to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  There is great peace and harmony and joy that come only from following our Savior, from seeking after him, following Him, and doing His will.  May the new year bless each of you and bring a greater desire to follow Him and share his light with everyone around you.  Much Love from US.

Family Fun

"Motherhood is joyful. It is exciting, challenging, and fun; it demands all our best efforts. Motherhood is creation of children and of the homes to nurture them in. Motherhood is partnership with husbands and the Lord. May we all catch a glimmer of the splendor we can create in our own outposts of the kingdom of God."

Petrea Kelly

 

 

 

Here are a few pictures to play some catch up for the Grandparents, whom I neglect too often! :) We miss and Love you Grandpa and Grandma Great!

 

School in our house includes hatching baby chicks! So far we have three hatched and three more breaking through.  We are sooooooo excited.  I will have pictures in a day or two.

 

 

Halloween this year was Narnia themed. E was Susan, H was Peter, L was Lucy and P was Edmond.  They are in love with the series.  It was a fun crazy weekend with cousins and extras too.

 

Pumpkin Carving FHE

 

 

Didn't want to forget the cute elephant.  I thought he would hate the costume, but he loved it! Wore it all night and got really mad at Mom when she tried to remove it for bed time.

 

 

Another School project the kids have finished up. James and the Giant Peach Diorama.  I actually don't ever remember reading this book growing up.  It was really fun to read with the kids. 

This is E's

 

H's Diorama

 

 

One of my best students :)

And here are some pictures from our family vacation this fall.  It was the best family vacation yet!

Thomas Family Mini Reunion.

 

A trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats after some heavy rain.  It was incredible!

 

A hike up the Menan Butte's

 

Visit with the Great Grandparents! H left his shoes behind just so we could go back and see them again. :) Well played H!

 

Our first trip to Lagoon. What a blast!  The kids had so much fun.

 

My parents are serving a Mission in Salt Lake in the Family History Mission.  They live right across the street from the Conference Center.  It was the best view!  We toured different parts of Temple Square every day.

We LOVED being in down town Salt Lake.  We walked to the Capitol Building, hiked Ensign Peak, explored the Mall, the Splash pads and many more wonderful things.  We are anxious to return.  E says she will live there some day!  I Loved running up the street to Ensign peak in the morning. About 45 minutes up and 15 down!  haha I am not a strong hill runner!  What a view!  It is so filled with the history of the church and the spirit of the Lords work; it's hard not to enjoy it.

 

Our most recent family hike, Reflections Lake.

E was enjoying friends at her old school Halloween Party.

Even though they don't look like they are enjoying it, they really had fun. I promise!

 

 



Patience is A Virtue I lack

Elizabeth. Oh Elizabeth. She's growing faster than I can keep up with her. This past week we revisited with the eye Doctor, Dr. Keen.  He's responsible for the vision therapy in Eagle River and the Valley, he's wonderful!  In just the past few months, Elizabeth's eye has gotten stronger, to the point they have revised her eye glass prescription. The reading and comprehension program she started is helping her to catch up with where her peers are supposed to be.  And after Stake Conference today we practiced her solo. Next week in church she gets to sing her very first solo. "If the Savior Stood Beside Me."  I am hoping to sneak a video.  She's so nervous, but she has a powerful voice when she really sings.  I am excited for her, and nervous.  

As I said earlier it was Stake Conference today.  For Latter Day Saints that means we gather as a Stake, all members of the Wasilla Alaska Stake, to hear counsel from our local leaders.  Since we have grown so much, the conference is televised to all the local chapels.  Two hours of counsel and guidance, it's like a mini general conference.  The only problem is, it's two hours of televised church with Five kids under the age of 9.(By myself, spouses schedule doesn't allow him to come with us anymore, I don't appreciate shift work right now.)  Sitting through one hour of sacrament meeting quietly is a lot for them. Now it's two hours with out being able to look forward to primary or nursery!  So I pack a bag with books and paper and coloring crayons or pens.  This works very well for the older kids most of the time. The baby is at that age of freedom, he just wants to run and play! So I brought some crackers and a bottle.  (I never bring food to church! I hate it! So much mess and so much fuss from the older kids!!!)  But two hours required added measures.  I arrive 45 minutes early, so I can make sure we have a good seat. (So it becomes almost three hours!!)  As the meeting starts, the children ask if it's almost time to go home.  (OH this is gonna be a great meeting!) Technical difficulties didn't even allow us the opportunity to sing or pray before it started... chaos! 

And when someone is speaking (Brother Ramirez, now a bishop, one of my favorite speakers, my kids always remember what he speaks about!) about something I am sure I need to hear, the kids get louder and more obnoxious! I silently pray for help, that they will be quieter, that I will be able to hear.  I ask the Lord why it's so hard?!  Why go?! Every mother asks this question I am sure!  I know it's not about me, I know attending every week is strengthening my kids and I don't really want to be anywhere else on the Sabbath.  I don't want to dump my kids off and go by myself (They hold a Saturday night session for just adults, which I was able to attend thanks to my wonderful sister in law.). They will get older and they will soon sit quietly, so quietly I will wonder if they are actually listening. What are we supposed to learn? Why if I know it's gonna be hard do I still get stressed out? Why don't I expect it? Why am I ready to pull my hair out?! Why do I want to cry?!  

My kids are fantastic during church normally, really I have to give them some credit.  I can leave with the baby and I know they will sit quietly and behave.  But today was just the perfect storm.  I will miss the crazy, all mothers tell me this, and I am sure I will.  I just wish the guilty feeling of disturbing everyone around us would go away.  I wouldn't care so much if it wasn't affecting other people. Maybe I am just embarrassed for myself, that I haven't taught my kids how to behave.  Perhaps it's all really selfish of me, expecting perfection from five kids under the age of 9.  

For now I am going to bake in my kitchen (my calming center).  

I love being a mother, I love my children, and I love the blessing of going to church each week.  We are so blessed to live in this free country! Motherhood is hard, but I wouldn't give it up for anything.  It is my life's greatest work. And with the Lord's help I will survive, and so will my kids. 

Love you all! Hope you had a wonderful Sabbath! 

Conference weekend

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year!  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we gather all over the world to watch and listen to the leaders of our church.  They speak to us the words of the Lord himself.  Their mission is to watch, to warn and to witness of the divinity of Christ.  They speak to us about things that we are facing now in the world, about things that will be happening in the not so distant future and they encourage and uplift us.  I am filled with the spirit of the Lord.  I feel as did the Nephites in the Book of Mormon; as they sat at the risen Christ's feet, I do not want it to end, I want to sit at their feet and continue to be filled.  I want to feel this overabundance of the spirit every day. 

I heard encouragement from Elder Holland: "God Bless You {Mothers}. You are doing better than you think you are." The whole talk was a tribute to the divine calling of Mother.  I couldn't resist sending my own Mother a message of thanks for all she did for me.

From Sister Neill F Marriott; "He takes us as we are- and makes us more than we ever imagined." and "It will all work out."   From Elder Lawrence "What lack I yet?"  Ask the Lord what it is that keeps us from progressing.  He will answer us very personally, one thing at a time.  I can't wait to kneel at my bedside and sincerely ask the Lord "What lack I yet?"

The Lord is always aware of our desires, of our concerns, questions, frustrations and our heartaches.  He lovingly encourages us and then pushes us to do better. Lately I have been struggling with a few things and was feeling like the answers and personal revelation weren't coming.  Today I received answer to one of my questions and guidance for the other.  When we seek for revelation or counsel from the Lord, we must be ready and willing to ACT, or He will not answer.  I have been desiring to do better, but wasn't willing to do the work to actually be better.   "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Motherhood is a divine role and I want to be worthy of the calling to be a Mother in Zion.  I want to truly emulate the love that the Savior has for us.  I want to give my all. I know the most important thing I will ever do, is to be a righteous wife and mother. 

I have learned so much today and anxiously look forward with excitement to tomorrow morning.  Our house was full today, seven kids, six adults and although there was a bit of noise at times, I was able to sit and be filled.  My older kids are really learning to appreciate the sacred and wonderful weekend that General Conference can offer.  We required a bit of Conference bingo for the afternoon session, and Conference Notebooks to write and draw in, but all was well.  And while they draw pictures of the prophet and his words I know they are hearing them and hoping they will remember them.  Can't wait for Monday night!! Conference Collage Time :) 

We Miss You Grandparents!!  We will be posting pictures soon.... don't give up on me yet!

Wraping up Summer

With a morning frost on the grass and garden, I believe Fall is here. 

This summer has been amazing! Warm and full of adventure.  The cold weather must be due to the fact that our President is here for the "Climate Change Conference."  A hearty "Welcome to Alaska!"

 

Back to Our Family...

We had the pleasure of going flying with Grandpa and Grandma last week.  It was the most beautiful day.  We finished up homeschool and went out to Scott Rd., to Moffit's field.  What a view!  And we have pretty amazing stunt-flying Grandparents.  The kids were loving it, but not quite as much as the open fields to run and roll in... Sorry Grandpa.

 

 

Actually Calvin was the most enthralled with the planes.

That and Grandma's lunch.

 

Grandpa had to make some adjustments to the biplane, it was worth the wait. 

 

 

End of Summer Reading Program at IDEA. Henry and Lydia were top readers in their grade, and I missed at least half of Henry's reading minutes.  He's a voracious reader, I love it.

The reading program partnered with Bricks for Kids.  They were able to build their own Lego men/women and a merry-go-round that ran off of a battery pack. 

So I didn't grow up with Lego's, and I haven't gotten any for my kids either.  I was amazed at how able they were at following directions and building working models.  Especially Lydia, she kept getting irritated at me for helping.  It was a great day! Guess I will have to invest in some Legos.

 

 

 

Our next great adventure was Hiking in Eklutna.  I have only been out there one other time, last summer.  It was beautiful! There's a hiking trail up to Twin Peaks, about 2.8 miles to the top.  There was supposedly a look out half a mile up the trail... 2.3 miles later... we found the bench and the view was well worth it.  Next year we are planning on hiking up to the top and into the bowl.  There's supposed to be amazing blueberries up there.  (Not many people want to hike the three miles to get the blueberries and then haul them down)

 

 

Our best friends showed us a great spot up in Hatchers Pass for picking blueberries.  We went twice and found the mother load :)  It was a very successful pick.  Daddy even got to go with us!

 

 

Other berry picking was less "fruitful".. But we were taught a new way to "pick" raspberries by our youngest.  Skip the middle man!

 

And these are the fruits of our labor! 

17 quarts of Jam

Rhubarb Blueberry

Raspberry

Raspberry Rhubarb

Rhubarb Cherry

Rhubarb Lemon

For now... More to come :)

 

More summer time adventures.. we hiked the Butte nearly every week.  Next summer we are planning bigger and better adventures. Maybe some winter hikes too... Summer time we will miss you! 

 

My baby isn't so much a baby!! UGH!

What a ham!

 

 

 

 

My successful Hunter!!

He went out to get a Moose, the Lord provided a Caribou.  Which we accepted gratefully.

And the next week a friend got a moose, too much meet for his family, so he gave us a leg and some ribs.  We didn't have room in the freezer for a full moose and caribou.. thus the mass jam making.  But now we have both.  The Lord blesses us with miracles daily and we are ever grateful for his hand in our lives. 

 

There are great blueberries up in Denali too I guess :)

Fresh Blueberry oatmeal for the hunters.