Christmas and New Years 2022

It's  the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

That's right - here's the recap for our Christmas this year! 

* Due to some work conflicts, we switched things up and had our Christmas Eve celebrations in the morning and it went so well!! August, McKendra and the boys came over around 9am and we got the show started with our matching pj's! We took some photos and the family ate on "Christmas Eve Dinner" of muffins, cereals and cinnamon rolls.

 

* After Pictures, we started the AUCTION! This was the first year doing this and it was a huge hit and has already been requested to make it a yearly tradition. We had 26 gifts ranging from a plush blanket to a Gas Gift Card to a Mega size back of Doritos! Mom would place the gift up for auction on the ottoman so everyone could see and then dad would give a riddle (that was oh so clever!) to give a hint on what the gift was. He would then start the bidding and played the auctioneer! Lots of laughs and fun were had! Probably the funniest was when Nathan and Lexi were in a bidding war over make up brushes (of course neither of them knew what it was and thankfully Lexi was the winner! but we all had a good laugh when she opened it and saw that Nathan had almost became the owner of his very own set of brushes - haha). 

 

* After the fun of the Auction, we moved on to yearly tradition of Sibling Gifts! This year we opened it up to be either homemade (preferred) or store bought gifts. I love how everyone take the time to really pick out a special gift for each other. 

 

* After the sibling gifts, August had to get to work and the little boys had to get their naps in. Mom went to rest for a bit and then her and the girls made gingerbread houses together while listening to Christmas music. We had so many treats dropped off and family's that thought of us that we put together a bunch of goodie bags and dad and the girls went to deliver them. That evening, mom stayed home to rest and dad and the rest of the family went out to the Vogt farm to celebrate with the Vogt's! When they got back home, the girls really stepped it up and got Christmas all set up so mom could rest.

 

* Christmas morning we slept in until about 9:30 when August, McKendra and boys arrived. We opened the gifts - where we would say everyone grab your gift from Ben and open it... This way seems to work well and the person can see everyone open their gift. Christmas was on the Sabbath this year and luckily, our church didn't start until 1:30pm so we had plenty of time to open gifts and get ready for church! Since mom still can't sit up for very long, she stayed hone and watched the Sacrament Christmas program from home over Zoom. After church, we just visited as a family and enjoyed each others company. The kids ate on the foods left over from the Christmas Eve Breakfast and we talked with family over the phone throughout the day.

* Of course after Christmas there's still some more celebrations to be had before the end of the year! Mom and Dad celebrated their 28th Wedding Anniversary on the 28th. We took a "rain check" to celebrate later since we were both on liquids AND Dad was home from work sick! Needless to say, not much celebrating went on that day!

* We celebrated August's 26th Birthday on New Year's Eve! He requested a German Chocolate cake and so Aubrie baked him one. McKendra brought over some Beef Stew and homemade bread for his birthday dinner and then we had the cake and ice cream. After celebrating, McKendra took the boys home for bed, the girls got ready to go to the New Years Eve Dance, dad and the boys watched  movie together and mom rested in bed.

* And that's how we wrapped up the Year 2022!

Spiritually Speaking...

* During our Scripture Study together, dad and I tried to identify the Doctrines and Principles and then how to liken the passage to our lives. We read 3rd Nephi 18 and here are our thoughts:

Doctrines & Principles:

• If we always remember, Jesus Christ, we will always have his spirit to be with us
• When we partake of the sacrament, we are showing heavenly father, that we are willing to keep the commandments
• Family prayer brings about blessings
• When we pray, if we have faith that we will receive it will be given to us
• Do not take the sacrament unworthily

Likening to Us:

• Remember the importance of family prayer and the blessings that it brings. I think about when we’re in Ward counsel and we have the closing prayer. We have a quick discussion beforehand about who we need to remember in our prayers and we should do that in our family prayers. Before prayer we can have a discussion about who is in need of blessings right now and maybe who isn’t feeling well. Who’s got this or that and then we remember that in the prayer
• Be more intentional with our sacrament maybe even before church begins we can prepare our hearts and minds on what we want to think about or even thinking about it that morning. I think that also factors into trying to get the kids up earlier and getting them ready and then having that discussion before we go to church versus last second trying to get a tie tied for Nathan and then where are my socks, etc.

* Dad has been feeling the stress and pressure as his last day of work is approaching (Feb 3rd)...One particular day was especially hard and the adversary was working hard to beat him down! Ben offered to give him a blessing and it was powerful, beautiful and very spirit filled! It brought peace, comfort and perspective to both of us. Knowing that the Lord is in our corner and has been orchestrating the perfect job opportunity fills me with so much love and faith! Below are some of the words that Heavenly Father wanted dad to hear!

        - Heavenly Father is adamant that you are not a failure

        - The Lord has set aside a special opportunity that is coming very soon. Plans are in motion for a career that you will love and retire in.

        - The Lord commands that the negative feelings and doubts you've been having to be gone!

        - Rely on your family and rely on your wife to get through these times

        - Your Ancestors are watching over you and protecting you

        - As long as you have faith, you will be protected and the house you own and the lifestyle you live will not perish.

        - Heavenly Father is above all worldly things and nothing is impossible through him.

        - Bless you that you'll be able to get through the next month of work with little stress

        - Bless you with the ability to know where to look and to have your ears open to an opportunity that is coming very, very soon. 

        - Heavenly Father is very, very proud of you

        - Your years on this earth are still plentiful

        - Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are in your corner and they want you to rely on them more

Dad felt so much better after the blessing and knowing that plans are in motion for us, is quite humbling to think about! After the blessing, I set us up an appointment to attend the Temple that day and that was just the perfect ending to the turmoil that dad had been feeling. You can't help but be filled with peace and leave "the world" outside of the temple doors. Bring on 2023!