Um, the first week here was a bad week for me….I honestly can’t remember what we did. I do remember being very grumpy most of the week. No camera, no phone (the battery REALLY died), and just a “million” other things that just had me out of sorts.
THEN came Friday and things started getting better. I had been in a bit of a pickle as to how to tell a family member that I couldn’t attend a very important event in their life because another family member was having a very important event at the same time and I had to choose. LUCKILY….just for me….God sent bad weather. THUS, one event was rescheduled to the day before and I got to go to BOTH!! YEAH!!
So, FRIDAY, I dropped my kids of with my sweet Sis and headed out to attend a Temple session with Ryan’s family.
In our faith we believe in the use of Temples. That they are sacred places where we make sacred covenants with God on the kind of person we will be. There is a point, as an adult, that worthy (living their life right) members can go to the Temple and receive amazing blessings. For some, this is the single most important day of their lives. Ryan’s sister made the choice to go and so it was the first time that ALL of Ryan’s family was able to go to the temple together. Since we believe that families are eternal, it was a very special moment for Ryan’s sister and our family.
Right before we went into the temple I got sudden word that they were possibly canceling schools due to bad weather! I had just a moment before going to in to call around and find someone to take care of the kids if they were getting out. After the session we emerged from the Temple to find the ground lightly covered in snow. I was worried about making it home in time for the kids’ early release but ended up making it just in time.
The weather started getting a bit more worrisome as we headed out that evening to a family party. We drove 40 minutes to my SIL home but knew at about 25 minutes out that we may be spending the night. By the time Ryan got there just a few minutes after us, there was little visibility and his car had slid several times coming into the neighborhood. Since we had a long drive home we ate a quick bite and said our farewells as we headed back out into the snow before the roads were too dangerous to drive on. It was slow going but we made it home safe and sound. Luckily Corben was able to stay behind with his many cousins and had a very fun evening.
We did have another blessing come out of that night…..
Have you seen Dade lately?? He’s actually grown about 3 inches since this picture was taken in November. He’s almost 5’ 10”!! (Actually his dad – who is 5’10” was almost a little shorter than Dade as of the end of this week!)
Anyway, Dade is going through clothes like you wouldn’t believe. The jeans he’s wearing in this picture are now too short. I feel like I’m shopping for new pants and shoes every 2 months! (Okay, I am!) Hearing/seeing my plight, Ryan’s brother went through some of his old clothes and found a stack of shirts, pants, and even coats that fit Dade. I was thrilled and so was Dade. YEAH!!
Saturday, Dade and I headed out in the light snow to see my brother, Jason, graduate from College. I can not even tell you how proud I am of him. He even graduated with honors!! Afterwards we splurged on a big family Chic-fil-a lunch to celebrate. Saturday night was the Schneg family dinner @ Golden Coral. Afterwards we headed home for one last visit with Ryan’s mom before she headed home. The girls LOVED her being there so much and sure let her know it. I headed out with the boys and my brother, for a cold night watching the light show that’s put on near our home. It’s HUGE (3 very large yards on both sides of the street) and lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. It’s one of those where the lights are synced to play with the music. It’s always amazing.
Sunday, my primary kids sang in Sacrament meeting. They did a great job of singing Away in a Manger. I was so proud of them!
Monday meant Christmas break for the boys and No school! I made sure to ruin it right from the start by making them clean all day. Figured since I wasn’t getting a vacation that we’d just balance things around the house by giving them some of my work and I’d take some of their breaks. I mean, that’s only fair, right?
Tuesday was CHRISTMAS for me!! Two very special and loving SIL’s of mine came to my rescue. I have a room that just never seems to get under control. Well, after many hours of rearranging, adding storage bins, and hanging pictures, I’m happy to say it looks WONDERFUL! It was the kindest gift I’ve gotten in a long time. Ryan was thrilled, too! Thank you so so so so much!
Wednesday, the kids and I worked hard on getting our homemade gifts done for the family. It was fun but HARD WORK!!
Thursday, the boys’ dad drove up from out of State to see them. They had a fun day of shopping and going to the movies while I was going crazy at home trying to get paint to dry faster and glue to stick quicker….
With Ryan’s help I was able to finish all the gifts and we headed out to the annual Schneg family Christmas party. It was fun to see the different home made gifts.
The boys gave their cousins the books they wrote themselves, Corben built a tool box all by himself and then he wood burned pictures of tools and his cousin’s name into it,
and we made a really cool & interesting mirror for my niece (it’s magnetic, camouflage, has a butterfly etched into the glass, & is covered with all kinds of cool and unique magnets….definitely one of a kind! – it’s upside down in this picture).
Friday, of course, was Christmas! As you can see, my camera had finally been repaired and returned to me…YEAH! YET, I didn’t get any good pics of Christmas day. And somehow missed the boys opening their presents. Dade got a cool digital camera and I had taken some pictures with that but he has yet to learn that you don’t erase pictures mom took because she takes them with a purpose and doesn’t care that you looked funny in them……
Here’s some I caught of the boys before everyone else got up….don’t you love Dade’s 3-D glasses? He claims they’re the latest fashion at school. I’m so not in the know….
Anyway, here’s Ella coming through the gate. She had on her princess dress she got the night before from Gpa Schneg and was walking like she was coming down the fashion runway or something….
I was frustrated because no one would cooperate and let me get a good pic so I finally gave up….not before I got a few of the Princesses opening up their gifts……
Friday night we sat down as a family and read the last 2 chapters in the Book of Moroni thus finishing our year long effort to read the entire Book of Mormon as a family! I am SO proud of my family! I can not even describe to you how much reading scripture together as a family every night has made a difference in our family. I can’t imagine life without the Spirit it brings into our home. I think we’re starting on the Old Testament next. I’m really excited!
Saturday I headed out to spend my Kohl’s cash and make a few returns. The boys headed out mid-day to spend the weekend with their dad and grandparents.
It’s surprisingly quieter without them here….not quiet….just quieter. Anyway, I have a long to do list ahead of me and I can hear a baby coughing in the background. Better go attend…..
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