It has been another busy yet wonderful week. Chloe is adjusting to our home and is such a sweetheart. (I still can't believe I've gotten attached to a puppy because I said I wouldn't and didn't have time, but she is SO SWEET!) Addison and I are still working on the potty-training with her and so far so good, I guess?! It's a challenge but worth it.
Seems our family has had a great week overall with fun activities, good news, and fun planning. Erika and Jack are busy making new Christmas traditions as they celebrate their first "official" Christmas holiday together. Jack has been busy stringing lights and I mailed all of Erika's Christmas ornaments to them for their first tree. They are both such extreme Disney fans and plan to have a Disney theme tree. Jack's parents gave them an advent calendar which is a tradition in Jack's family and Erika is excited in continuing this tradition. They are both busy working and Erika's busy getting ready for school again in January. I also hope she does well with the weather as this is the first full winter she'll spend in Idaho. BURR!!!! While attending BYU-Idaho she attended summer and fall and came home to SC during winter semester so it will be an adjustment for her. Hope ya'll stay warm, Erika Lindsay--
I love and miss ya'll!
Ethan had a good week in school and working. Some of his friends from USC went to Florence for the weekend so Ethan stayed there. I missed him, especially going to church and Grandmother's for lunch with us, but I'm sure he had fun with his friends. I look forward to his coming home next weekend. Love you, Eeskee!
Addison had a great week with lots of fun activities and was very busy. On Wednesday night she had a youth activity and they made gorgeous gingerbread houses. Then on Friday night the youth had a "Read the Book of Mormon in One Night" activity and they completed it in groups in 3 hours! How incredible is that! There were about 16 youth who attended and 5 or 6 leaders and they had such a great time reading. Addison was really excited about the experience of this activity--we have such awesome youth and youth leaders! These kids are such an inspiration to me--they attend early morning seminary then school and some work part-time jobs as well. Addison does all this and maintains A-B honor roll grades. I'm so proud of her and all her accomplishments. Thank you, Addi, for the example you are to me, I love you so...
I also had a very productive week. Work was good. I felt like I accomplished a good bit and learned some new things. I attended class on Wednesday night and enjoyed the company there. Thursday night I met with a realtor to list the rental house which I hope sells quickly and Joey brought dinner over from Lugoff House of Pizza. He's so sweet and spoils us so! Friday night I accomplished a lot at home and got a lot of decorating and housework done to lighten the load some on Saturday. Then Saturday I shopped a little and then had a date with my sweetheart Saturday night! We went to Beverly Cassady's Med 1 Hospital Christmas party. It was SO FUN! Beverly's home is just gorgeous and decorated so beautifully for the holidays! We danced, ate wonderful food, visited with friends from work, and just had a great time! Joey is always so much fun--I just love him so...Thanks Beverly and Tony for the great party--it was a blast!
Today was also nice. We went to church and I enjoyed Laresa's Relief Society lesson so much. It was on "Come unto Christ" and she used a quote from a previous conference talk that says "I Can Do Hard Things" and ended with another quote and issued the challenge of "When I know who I am I can do anything through Him." She related stories and experiences with the "I can do hard things" goal. She related one particular experience of a trip to Guatamala this year with her husband and climbing the pyramids there. Laresa is afraid of heights and almost did not attempt this feat because of her fear. Instead she kept reminding herself of the goal she'd set for herself and yes, she did a hard thing and was glad afterwards. So many times in life we don't think we can accomplish things because it's hard, it's out of our comfort zone, but we do have the capability to "do hard things." Our Heavenly Father is there for us when we have hard things to do and are faced with great challenges in life. Once we know who we are and make our minds up to do certain things, we can do all things through Him. He knows us, He really knows us and He will see us through. Our Saviour Jesus Christ has endured all challenges and has paid the price so we can get through the hard things. As I've reflected over the challenges I've faced this past year and the many blessings I've been blessed with I've realized that yes, even I, Valencia, can do hard things and I can make it through. It is a good thing and without challenges and hard things we would never know and appreciate happy things. Thank you, Laresa, for such a warm lesson today!
I hope everyone has a happy and safe week this week and as we prepare for this holiday season may we all be more aware of those less fortunate but especially those who are struggling right now. There are many who have had to endure some real hard things this year and some continuing to go through these right now. May we remember more the reason for this Christmas season and keep that spirit in our hearts as we fill our days with busy holiday activities.
Happy December and Happy Holidays to you all!
2 comments:
Thank you for your comments. I was surprised this morning when I got on and read about me. You are so sweet. Thank you. I decided I wanted a little plaque from you that says "I can do hard things". Just to remind me of my year. Thnks again for your sweet comments.
Valencia, I logged on to your blog this morning for the first time in a couple of weeks, and I enjoyed reading updates on your life and children. That Joey sounds almost too good to be true! I also enjoyed your comments on Laresa's lessons; we all need reminders to step out of our comfort zones and "just do it."
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