Gingerbread House Tradition

 We decided to make gingerbread houses during the day on New Year's Even because our time before Christmas was so much busier. It was great to have this fun activity to do that day.  The kids think that should be our new traditional day to build the houses.  This year we also decided to make 2 houses because with all the helpers we have one house just gets built way too fast.  This year the kids wanted to do boys vs girls.  It was a very fun afternoon.

 Later that evening as we were all playing games, Jacob realized it was a prime opportunity and seized the moment.  We discovered him prying candy of the house using a butter knife.  Notice the chips all over the counter as well...he is very resourceful when food is involved!

December Moments

 Gideon found me in the RS room after church one week with a very concerned look on his face.  He handed me the bottom of his shoe and said, "I don't know what happened.  It just fell off as I was walking!"  I guess after 4 boys wore the same pair of shoes, they finally gave out.  When we got home I told him to throw the shoes away.  He very seriously replied, "But mom only one shoe is broken. I will just go downstairs to the shoe tote and find another shoe to match this one."

 Partners in crime!  Jacob has hit the "fun" stage of climbing on everything!  He thinks standing on chairs is the ideal location to be.  This time I found him and Sara standing on the chair coloring together.

 Thomas and his friend, Jillian, following the Christmas Choir concert.

 Gideon is becoming a master Lego Creator.

 My favorite Christmas present this year...Sara was potty trained over Christmas vacation!

 Jacob enjoys Thomas' quad practice pad as well.

 1st time on the ice this season.  The day after Christmas and it was 45 degrees outside!  Strangest December since we have moved here.  It's not cold and we have not had any snow yet.  The kids are trying to patiently await the arrival of snow.

 Spring received a Silent Brass for Christmas.  Now she can practice anytime, anywhere and it is "silence" to us!  It is awesome!

Spring and her great friend, Alli, at their Christmas Choir concert.

Christmas 2015

My favorite part of Christmas this year was that we were all home, without any outside activities or distractions, for 2 whole weeks!  Joel was off the entire time from work and we just took advantage of the time to reconnect, refocus our priorities, and enjoy our time together.  We simplified and we loved it.  We played lots of games together.  Josh discovered Mille Borne and it quickly became the game of choice for him.  He was constantly being heard asking, "Does anyone want to play the miles game with me?"  I loved the relaxation and the peace that we felt as a family this season.

 Traditional visit to Kirtland to view over 900 Nativity displays.  The upper room is a favorite for many of the kiddos as they can dress up and enjoy the hands on nativities offered.

 Christmas morning began early, as usual.  Jacob slept through all the festivities and opened his presents much later than the rest of us!

 Lots of Lego Building happening on Christmas morning!

Spring's Project

 Spring decided she wanted to make survival bags for moms with babies in the NICU.  She did this for part of the Good Works value experiences for Personal Progress.  She first cut out and sewed burp rags for the kits.  Then she put in granola bars, hershey kisses, mints, chapstick, lotion, tissues, and a few other goodies in each bag. she included a cute little tag with an uplifting message for the moms.  She is excited to deliver her bags to the NICU; however, she is waiting until 2 specific nurses are both working so she can see them both.  She grew really close to these 2 nurses while Jacob was in the NICU and she wants to see them again.

Spring loves the Personal Progress program.  I have enjoyed working with her, even though she is much faster at it than I am.  She is learning and applying the scriptures and teachings of the Savior to her life as she allows the program to help her become the beloved daughter of our Heavenly Father that she is destined to become.  Love this girl!

15??!!!

Somehow this amazing son of our's turned 15!  My heart is full of gratitude and admiration for this young man.  Our family is blessed by his obedient spirit and his tender, gentle, humble heart.  He carries so much responsibility with ease. I worry about him often because he consistently puts the needs of others before himself, yet he assures me he is not overloaded.  He chose homemade potato soup and rolls for dinner and brownie sundaes for dessert.  Joel and I were able to enjoy lunch with him at Olive Garden a couple weeks later to celebrate his birthday with him.

For his birthday this year he received the sheet music from Paul Cardall's "40 Hymns in 40 Days" from Grandma & Grandpa Powell.  As soon as he opened it he sat down at the piano and began playing the first song and played through the first 44 pages without stopping.  What a spirit it brings into our home.

Joel and I decided to give him a different gift this year.  We told him that Joel would take him to see the new Star Wars movie over Christmas break.  I wish I had my camera ready when he heard this.  His eyes were so big and his smile filled his face.  It was awesome to see such joy come from such a simple gift.

Thomas loves seminary.  He is up and going every morning with a smile and enthusiasm.  I can count the number of times on my thumbs that he has mentioned being tired and it was following a long week of late night concerts.  They are studying the Old Testament this year in Seminary.  To receive credit they only need to read certain chapters throughout the Old Testament, not the entire book.  He told us he wanted to read the entire book and he is right on track. He loves to learn at school regardless of the subject.  Music continues to be his favorite language.  He has begun earning money for accompanying different musicians in competitions.  As he shares things he is learning at school, from piano lessons, from things he has read, from seminary, etc I am overcome with the impression that he has been blessed with an incredible mind that will allow him to be an amazing servant in God's kingdom.

Time is moving so quickly now and I want to freeze it.  I know the next 3 1/2 years of high school will go by so quickly and then it will be time to tell him farewell as he heads to serve a mission and bring others to Christ. I am not ready for that time to come and I am not ready for the speed at which time is moving.  I want to be sure I remember to savor the time we have with him still in our home.  We love you, Thomas!

Conductor in Training

Thomas is the accompanist for the Middle School and High School Choirs. He also sings in the Men's Chorus and the Concert Choir on acapella pieces.  Their first High School concert was in November.  Following the short intermission the principal announced intermission would extend for a few minutes longer as technical difficulties were being worked out.  There was a buzz amongst the students. Then Thomas walked to the stage and apologized for the delay and announced that the concert would resume momentarily.  A few minutes later he led the Women's Chorus on stage and announced the pieces they would be singing.  He sat down at the piano and the women sang beautifully.  Then he conducted them through a couple acapella pieces and finished with their last song with him at the piano.  The evening continued flawlessly.  The remaining choirs performed.  He conducted the acapella pieces instead of singing with them.  He asked a couple Seniors to stand in and conduct on the pieces when he needed to play the piano.  It was a marvelous evening and it was inspiring to watch a group of High School students carry on the show in the absence of their Choir teacher.  These are marvelous young men and women led and taught by an incredible teacher that has truly inspired them and helped them become more than they ever thought they could be.

Following the concert we learned what happened. The Choir teacher had some health concerns during the first part of the performance.  During intermission he began having chest pains which led into a panic attack.  EMT's were called and he was seen by them.  He convinced them to let him stay but they told him he could NOT get back on stage.  Mr. Campagna, the choir teacher, said to Mr. Monroe, the Band Director, "Find Thomas.  Tell him I need him to be sure the concert continues."  Mr. Campagna watched from the back of the auditorium.  During the closing number the EMT's took him to the hospital. He said it was the hardest and yet, most rewarding, time in his career to see his students step up and finish.  It was a night we will always remember.

A few weeks later I received an email from Thomas' Orchestra teacher with this picture.  She explained the following to me:

At the beginning of class this day there were many students that needed instruments repaired.  There is only one of her and the repairs were taking so long.  She asked the students to pull out their music and practice while she was repairing some instruments. A few moments later she heard them all playing in unison.  She looked up to see Thomas at the front of the room conducting the group through one of their pieces in preparation for their concert.  All the students were engaged and playing.  She told me, "The respect these students have for Thomas is unheralded.  For a freshmen to stand up in front of 60 students, many of which are Juniors and Seniors, and lead is unprecedented.  Most people go their whole life without conducting an orchestra so I had to snap this picture for Thomas.  I have a feeling this won't be the only time he conducts an orchestra!"

I'm so grateful for the music program in Ohio.  It is the greatest and this is exactly where our family is supposed to be at this point in our life.

Updated Pics

Josh...7 years old

 Sam...10 years old

 Thomas...15 years old

Thomas' New Tutor

Jacob loves when the older kids get home from school.  He makes his way to them and expects to be held regardless of what they are doing.  He often plucks the strings of Spring's cello as she is trying to practice or wants her to hold him while she is working on the computer.  One afternoon he decided to help Thomas with his math homework.  I love the bond they share and the patience and attention they give to their younger siblings.