Christmas Sunday!

The Sunday before Christmas is always one of my favorites. We sing Christmas songs. This year the girls were able to sing a special song with the primary. I love watching them and seeing how excited they are to share their love of music. I love my family. I don't know where my life will be without them. Reflecting on the birth of Christ and the hope that we get from him is what this life is about. He is the reason for the season. 

This is Eric's testimony he shared with Emily.

I know you have heard my testimony, but it continues to change, much like yours has I'm sure!  It continues to grow and strengthen my love for our Savior and our Heavenly Father.  As I pause to reflect on this wonderful Christmas Season, my first as a member, I revel in the pure joy that I have for my Savior and all that he has done for me and will continue to do.  I just read Samuel the Lamanite prophesying of the coming Savior and the sign that will let the people know that he has been born.  How wonderful and difficult it would have been to live at that time.  I would like to think that I would have been on the side of righteousness, but I don't know.  It took me forever to have enough faith to trust in my Heavenly Father and decide to join the church and I wanted to hang on to my vices for so long.  Looking back, I don't know what I was waiting for.  It was all right in front of me and I refused to see it and accept it for what it was, a gift from heaven!  Thankfully I have seen the "light" and I cannot imagine my life with the Gospel in it.  Without the birth and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, more than ever before, I know I would not be able to get where I want to be after this life.  With my family for Eternity!  I know without a doubt that this is the one true church on the Earth today and it is our Savior's church!  He set the path for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father and he had to be the one to do it, the first born, because none of us could do what he did.  I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, who restored Christ's church on the Earth in the Last Dispensation.  I know that my brother, Jesus Christ, Atoned for my sins and yours and he is at the head of his church.  I know thatcher Heavenly Father loves and he knows each and every one of us by name.  What a joy it is to have that knowledge and how wonderful it is to share that with my family.  You are doing a wonderful work and I am so very proud of how much you have grown personally and spiritually.  I am in awe at the work you have set out to do...a work that I will never be able to do.  Because even when I go on a mission with Pollyanna, it will not be the same as what you are doing.

Merry Christmas 2015

Always growing

Savannah sported a toothless smile for most the year finishing off with 8 big girl teeth… While helping mommy cook, Brittlynn check to see if the stove was hot and burnt the top of 4 fingers; Alex(20) Emily(19) Savannah(7) Brittlynn(5)Eric & Polly stopped counting

Family visits

 A round trip visit to family consisted of driving to Las Vegas then flying to Ohio and back again. It was long and exhausting but all the family time was worth it.

Sports

Eric and Alex coached Savannah in soccer in the spring. Brittlynn learned how to swim this summer…Savannah and Brittlynn both decided to play soccer in the fall making our evenings a little more crazy.

A full house

 4…5…and then all 6 in our house for a month.  It made for a very full house but a very happy family, making memories together all in one house again.

School life

Brittlynn can’t get enough of Kindergarten wishing she could stay all day.  Savannah loves second grade and is a much needed asset to her teacher, always helping out.

Blessed through trials

Alex hurt himself snowboard making it impossible to go to basic. After lots of prayers and some miracles he only had a 3-month reporting delay. Extra time with our family together and having big brother back in our home was the greatest blessing ever.

Life changing

After over 10 years of spiritual searching, Eric decided to get baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Emily decided to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

All over the World

Idaho, Japan, Vermont…Idaho is home base…Alex received his first assignment to Kedena AFB I Okinawa, Japan. He will be there for two year. Emily received her mission call to the New Hampshire Manchester mission and is currently in Vermont. She will be gone for 18 months.

It’s been awhile

Pollyanna was hired to teach Seminary (a high school religious class focusing on the old testament) four days before class started.  Trying to balance it all has been an adjustment, but also an unexpected blessing.

Things to look forward to

Talking to Emily on Christmas day, going to the temple as a family. Savannah getting baptized, Eric retiring in the summer and finding a new job, hopefully visiting Alex in Japan are things we look forward to next year.

‘Tis the season

As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas season, we reflect on all that has happened to our family this year. Life is not always easy, sometimes it is hard and unexpected, but as you center your life on Christ you can find peace.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

They call me a Seminary Teacher

In life the thing you work the hardest for you love more than anything. Right before school started this year I did something a little crazy and applied to be a part-time seminary teacher. Looking back if I really known what I was getting into I wouldn't have done it. Luckily I didn't have very much time to think, but went with the impression that I had that I really wanted to do this. I got the job and to say my life has changed is an understatement. Those changes that have come are a blessing that I didn't even know that I wanted...but looking at were I am at know, I know I needed them.

Lack of time has been the biggest adjustment. Had I realized what little time I would have I might have not even tried. I don't like to be over tasked with a lot of things so I keep my life and my girls life low key.  That all changed the moment I started working.

Balancing all of it together has been a challenge. How can I be a wife/mom/teacher...and somewhere in their make dinner, clean the house, exercise, and if I am lucky get enough sleep. Which made me realize how terrible I was about managing my time before I got a job. I had so much time on my hands that I always thought I would have time to do the important stuff a different day.

With all of that I love to teach. There is something about being able to teach in a way that the spirit is guiding and directing you and the end result is far greater than anything that you could have ever imagined or prepared on your own. I love the scriptures and I am so excited to help other to come to love the scriptures.

My personal study has improved 100 fold since I started teaching. I have a better understanding of the old testament. Something I could have never gotten if I hadn't decided to teach. My everyday life is spent doing what matters most...and occupying myself with things that will always invite the spirit. My bishop said it best, I am as close to living my life like a missionary. I live, breath, eat, and sleep the gospel. Which allows me to prepare with a minimum amount of time.

My family has been blessed in so many different ways. The girls want to be seminary teachers when they grow up. Study of the gospel is a priority for everyone in the family. Preparing them for their future starts in the home with the basics. When you use the resources that are given to you as a parent you are empowered with abilities to overcome the bad of this world.

I have some of the most amazing students. I have been blessed to be able to see them through Christ eyes at times. (I am still learning this) I love them and when I am not around them...I miss them. Leaving them is going to be the hardest part of this move. Each class is unique in itself and I learn so much from them. I am humble and grateful for the opportunity I have been given to be called a seminary teacher.

The best job

This school year started out a little crazy with me getting a job teaching seminary. It was something I've always dreamt about but never thought it would happen and the time was always off. Everything hasn't been perfect this year trying to adjust to working, being a mom, and preparing each day for class. I have fallen in love with the youth in my class they are each unique and amazing in their own special way. It's been a great experience and it's helped me focus on the things that matter most. They are each an example and light to me.

Moments to remember!

Life has been a little crazier than normal in our house. When life gets a little crazy and busy then you cherish the little moments together. Last year I had all the way own in the world and maybe ate lunch with Savannah one time. This year I only have one day I can pick up Britt from school and then we spend it with sister eating lunch. Why do we have to loose things sometimes to realize what's most important in life. I love these girls and I am sad my time with them is quickly leaving.

Eric had extra town off from work while Alex was home so the day before thanksgiving he kept the girls home from school and spent the day with them running errands on base. These girls a re a little crazy when it comes to pictures and they love any chance they get at one. Most of all they love spending time with daddy.

These girls love the snow and the first chance they get they are out playing. They have to build a snowman and they love having their picture taken.

Eric spent thanksgiving morning playing a little football so I decided to take the girls sledding. It was just what I needed after a crazy week at work. I was once again reminded of the importance of taking time for the little things...the most important things.

Finding Christ in Christmas

Life gets so busy during the holiday season. If your not careful the real meaning of the season is lost. We have been lucky to live in places were they have crèche exhibits. The girls always love going to the see all of the different nativities. The most enjoyable part was the musical numbers. 

Slowing down and spending time with family is the most important thing you can do. Christ came to earth to help families be together forever. So when everything gets to busy...take time for those who matter most. Warring the same things as mommy is always the best. Of corse snuggle time with daddy makes everything better.

Emily Update

Emily has now been in the mission field for almost 4 months. It is crazy to think how fast time goes by. She is learning a lot and loving her two companions that she has been able to serve with in Maine. Sister Hamilton is current companion and she has determined they were best friends meant to be and have all sorts of plans for life after the mission. She has had the opportunity to help more than one person start on the path of following Christ and enter into the waters of baptism. She is growing in her testimony and loving being able to serve the Lord. Somehow she has managed to have a great time during all of that hard work. Its crazy to think that she is already preparing for Christmas and we will soon be able to talk to her. We miss and pray for her everyday, but love her for the willingness she has to serve. Savannah and Brittlynn love having their big sister on a mission. What an example of light and strength.