Thursday, December 31, 2020

2020 A World In Commotion


The best way I can describe the world in 2020, is commotion and calamity.  We entered the year thick in the Impeachment trial of President Trump.  It was one thing after the next from there:

-The Chinese threatened war with the US. 
-Coronavirus was released in Wuhan, China and became a global pandemic. 
-We were asked to quarantine in our homes.
-The economy plummeted while suicide rates skyrocketed.
-Toilet paper and disinfectant wipes were difficult to come by.
-Schools were shut down.  Children were forced to learn online.
-Church was canceled.  We studied scripture in families and were given special permission to participate in the sacrament at home.  Temples were closed.
-We couldn’t enter public places without wearing a mask.
-Rioting in the streets broke out due to the death of George Floyd, an African American who was killed by a white police officer. 
-There were many natural disasters; wild fires, tornados, hurricanes, a "Firenado" in California, earthquakes, a locust plague in Africa, murder hornets from China.
-There was a massive explosion in Beruit, Lebanon, airplane crashes, the assassination of a top Iranian General (and terrorist) with threats of retaliation.  
-Mainstream media spewed"fake news."  They intentionally hid stories that were not in line with their ideology or that would disparage then candidate Joe Biden.
-The Presidential election was emotionally draining. Our country became even more deeply divided, and a political puppet, Joe Biden won the election. 
-There was suspicion of rampant fraud in the election. 
 
Our family faced additional challenges:  

-Because airlines were shut down and then functioning at lower capacity, Ben's company nearly lost funding.  A few pay checks were late in coming and if things don't improve, he may be looking for new employment in 6 months.
-My sales slowed considerably.  Labs across the country are focused on testing for Covid-19.  Selling their used equipment is the last thing on their minds.  
-A wild fire broke out to the south of us.  Strong winds blew it north and it threatened the homes in our neighborhood.  We were evacuated.
-I broke my foot/sprained my ankle.
-Holly had MCL surgery and is still recovering.
-Ben and I both became infected with Coronavirus.  
-We were scammed.
-We faced additional financial hardship due to some unexpected legal battles over custody.
-The transmission in our car went out, an additional financial burden.  

Phew, it was one crazy year!  Could this be the beginning of the end??  Time will tell.  

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Third Christmas

 Got the girls back today, yay!

Holly loves mugs!!
Especially her new ones!

Alyssa is hand knitting a very soft, cute blanket.


Update:  Alyssa finished her blanket!

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Second Christmas

On Christmas night we got Ayzha, Tiago and Reyn and opened more presents.  

Reyn always has the best reactions!

Roller skates!!


Umm...you got us kids chewable Tylenol?
No sillies, open the box.  

First Christmas

Santa brought Q a mountain bike
so he can ride with Tiago and dad.





Christmas dinner at my dad's was wonderful.
We got to know Jennifer and her children a bit better.
They might become my brothers and sisters some day.
Qyntn is really good at crossing his eyes!

Alyssa and Holly spent Christmas with their dad.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

I loved Christmas Eve this year, it was super chill.  Karen and Grant and the kids came for a delicious, simple dinner.  We played "fluff ball," watched "Christmas Vacation," then spent a sweet moment remembering our Savior as we watched "The Christ Child."  Qyntn opened his pajamas, and after we got him to settle down and go to sleep, Ben and I watched a show about the birth place of Jesus Christ.  It was a low key, no fuss, no hassle evening.  




These stinky cuties
got to gnaw on the turkey bone.



I love this image


Family!


My mom's birthday was on December 23rd so our tradition has been to have our family party on the 23rd.  For the past two years the party has started at her graveside where we sing happy birthday and a Christmas song or two.  We also play the present game which is our favorite!  This year all the siblings were together.  Why didn't we snap a sibling photo???

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Friends!

I love that the girls have made some good friends. Alyssa's friends come over all the time!  

Matching pjs for these cute girls!

Holly created this cute snow
dinosaur with her sweet friend Alyssa.


Cookies, Chocolates & Gingerbread Houses

Tiago was very proud of his chocolate pineapples!

Making chocolates seemed to be
 their favorite activity this year.

Sugar cookie decorating, also fun!



This year we used Pop Tarts
for our gingerbread houses.


On the First Day of Christmas...

12 days ago I found a gift on our front porch.  Someone had chosen me for the 12 Days of Christmas!  I was so excited!  

Day after day the presents kept coming.  Each present represented a different gift we receive from the Savior, based in scripture.  I loved every one!  After a few days I became curious to know who I should thank.  One night Alyssa and I spent 2 hours in a stake out to no avail.  Some gifts were left in the morning, some at night,  so it was impossible to predict when they might be delivered.  I decided to put some cameras on the porch to see if I could figure out who it was, but they were super tricky...


There were some clues that made me think that it might be Ben, but a few of the times a gift was delivered he was sitting right next to me so I determined it couldn't be him.  It was super fun trying to figure out who this mysterious person was. Turns out I was right all along, Ben had recruited Holly to help, which threw me off his scent.  It was so incredibly sweet of them and made this Christmas season even more fun!



Merry Covid Christmas!

 


Saturday, December 19, 2020

We Did It!

At the beginning of the year we made a goal get get out of debt (excluding our mortgage) this year.  We did it!  This week we made our last payment on Ben's student loan!  

We had to overcome lots of unexpected obstacles to make it happen this year but we stuck with it.  We have always been taught to pay our tithing, live within our means, stay out of debt and save for a rainy day.  We feel good about the first three, now we just need to work on our savings and food storage.  

Saturday, December 5, 2020

Christ Will Help You Through It!

Kids, I want you to know that you will go through many difficult times in your life.  If you turn to the Savior, He will help you get through them.

During one of the most difficult times in my life, I would close my eyes and see this image and then try to place all my focus on Jesus. When I allowed thoughts of all the ugly, turbulent things I was dealing with to overtake my mind I began to sink.  When my focus was on Christ I felt peace and hope.  This image has a special place in my heart.


Just after my second divorce, (in two years) I attended the Women's General Session of General Conference with a friend at her Stake Center.  At that time I felt scared and weighed down wondering how I would support my 2 beautiful 3 year old daughters and what my future would hold.  We stood to sing the rest hymn  "How Firm A Foundation."  As we started to sing the 3rd verse, I felt as if the Lord was speaking the words directly to my heart.  FEAR NOT.  I AM WITH THEE be not DISMAYED.  I AM THY GOD and will still GIVE THEE AID.  I'll STRENGTHEN thee, HELP thee and cause thee to stand UPHELD by MY righteous OMNIPOTENT HAND!  Tears streamed down my face as I felt enveloped and strengthened by HIS love.  It's still my favorite hymn.

Christ will always be there for you!