* We went to Nebraska! We left on November 17th and came back home on the 26th - it was awesome! We were able to celebrate Grandma Carlson's 65th Birthday on the 20th, Thanksgiving on the 23rd and lots of other fun with the cousins, shopping, movies, and even a UNL Football game in Lincoln! And best of all.... we were able to see August!! We sure have missed him during his time there!
* We had our Ward Christmas Party on Dec. 2nd and Lexi was awarded the "Most Adorable" Christmas sweater award
* Ben had a campout with the Scouts
* Grandpa's Birthday was on Dec 1st.. while in Nebraska, mom worked on making him a photobook for his gift - it should be arriving soon and we hope he loves it!
* Even though we are going to be gone for Christmas, we decided to at least put up the Christmas tree to be a little bit festive!
* Long hours at work for dad - he works so hard for us!
* Ben had his usual 2 shifts/week at McDonalds
* When we got back from Nebraska, mom came home with a sickness and was in bed for several days
In Our Homeschool This Month...
* Enrichments of singing, scriptures, the Creation, Serving others, Melchizedek, Missionary work, Miracles of Jesus, the Priesthood, building blocks of a testimony and early morning Seminary (for Ben)
* Math: reviewed fractions - multiplying and dividing fraction, Improper fractions and Mixed Numbers, Logic games, story problems, math apps. We also got a new Math book for Nathan and the girls called "Minecraft Math" that has all sorts of story problems and questions weaved into the story of Minecraft - they love it!
* Reading: Daily Read Aloud from Dr. Doolittle, Anne of Green Gables and Percy Jackson along with independent reading, All About Reading lessons for Nathan (we finished level 1 and are into level 2 - yay!!), reviewed sight words from "Sight Words you can See", Open and closed Syllables
* Writing: Novel editing for Ben, learning to address/mail a letter, Letter writing, Journal writing, handwriting practice
* Language Arts: Poetry
* People/Things we Studied:
- Tuan Ngu (an inspiring 9 year old boy who fled Vietnam)
- Paul Revere
- Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (the artist)
- Confucious
- Elizabeth Kenny (one of the founders of Physcial Therapy)
- Ripley's Believe it or Not books
- the Equator
- The country of Syria - we learned about their geography, climate, people, food, their Flag, the capital city, population, famous landmarks, watched a YouTube Video to see actual footage the country and then also listened to their National Anthems. We also learned to bake one of their national cookies - the Barazeh
* Girls went to Art class at the Middle School
* Scouts for Nathan, Activity Days and Dance for the girls
* Library trips - both to Billings and Laurel
* Daily arts and crafts (moreso for the girls)
- They made a miniature McDonald's meal (so cute! don't have a picture tho)
- Lexi created a mini book with story and illustrations
- Lots of drawing - everyday time is devoted to drawing!
- Sewing
- Lot so crafts for the Elves - clothes, shoes, accesories, elaborate houses and set ups
- Created a Twister game and a game of Checkers
- Lots of baking, following directions and halving receipes
* The girls have also been posted videos to their YouTube channel (typically about the Elves!)
Seth Spotlight for the Month...
* Been with Guerro all month - he's been struggling a bit with this companionship but he keeps assuring us that it's nothing he can't get through and nothing that complaining about it will change. We have been very impressed with his optimistic attitude throughout his entire Mission
* Been a slow month regarding Baptisms. In fact, this is the first time in 10 months that he hasn't had a Baptism.. he's hoping that changes soon
* Has had several Zone conferences and mulit zone conferences that he's enjoyed
* Just the usual preaching, teaching and working hard!
* He did help get an investigators dog to the Vet for help
Spiritually Speaking...
A couple of thoughts I'd like to share/remember:
* Today was Fast Sunday and we were all fasting and praying for Aunt Hope that the medication she is on for her MS will cause her lesions to go inactive. All of the kids typically fast from Saturday night until Sunday afternoon (but not necessarily a full 24 hour Fast) but today Aubrie was determined to do a full 24 hour fast in honor of Hope and although it was really hard for her - she did it! We were so proud of her!
* While studying 3rd Nephi 1, I read how the people begin to forget about the signs and wonders that they have (already) seen and heard and they are "less astonished" at further signs and wonders that they are shown/given. I found this very relatable to me! If we don't write down the signs and wonders given to us from God - it is very easy to forget them over time (if even at the time we think it is so significant and influential that we'll NEVER forget!) So what do we need to do? WRITE DOWN SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES! Not only for ourselves to reflect back on BUT also for others to read about and grow from our personal faith and experiences.
* Today during my Fasting, I was praying and reflecting back upon the Conference Talk given back in 2007 by Elder Oaks titled "Good, Better, Best" and it has really touched my heart! What am I giving priority to in my life? What "good" things am I spending time on that are preventing me from "better" or the "best" things? I really liked how he counseled to give top priority to the FAMILY and he listed 6 ways that are "best" to focus on to do this:
1. Family Prayer
2. Family Scriptures
3. Family Home Evening
4. Family Meal Time
5. Family Togetherness
6. Quality One on One time with your children
Some of these we are good on, some we are better on and all can be focused on more for us to become the best at!
No comments:
Post a Comment