JANUARY IN REVIEW

January was a great month for us. (This is going to be a long post - I apologize in advance.)

For starters, we were able to do a kick start on our emergency savings buy selling things that we didn't 'need.' Hard to do? Yes, but SO worth it. Then we started working on our first debt to pay off. And while money still does not grow on trees, we were definitely feeling like we got a raise! January 23rd we celebrate 30 days on the program!
I also helped put together the baptism preview fireside for our stake. Each year we learn something and add or take away. This year we had an activity days leader set up a table and a scout leader set up a table full of things that they have done. It was really fun to be able to visit with the children in our stake that will turn 8 this year. The baptisms each month are definitely a highlight of my calling and something that I enjoy going to each month.

Brandon worked throughout the month. He went to Animal Farm, a funny name for training where he learned how to splice fiber optics.
I worked and did a few basketball games. Visiting teaching was a huge highlight for me. It was all about Self Reliance. I printed off a planner for the year. (I am still using it.) The planner had space for to write goals for each area: knowledge, education, and literacy; manage money and resources wisely; spiritual strength; prepare for emergencies and eventualities; physical health; social well-being goals; and emotional well-being goals. Since I was so focused on debt, I had a lot to talk about.


Here is a quote from the lesson:
"Self-reliance means using all of our blessings from Heavenly Father to care for ourselves and our families and to find solutions for our own problems. Each of us has a responsibility to try to avoid problems before they happen and to learn to overcome challenges when they occur."


Faith continued in her piano lessons and excelling in school. She also had activity days. Faith asked Grandma Cindy and Grandma Kelly to come Grandparent's Night. They did a booklet of crossword puzzles in Mrs. Collett's classroom. Then Faith got to ask them about their favorite things, with pictures. For example, when Faith asked what Grandpa Kelly liked to do, he drew a bike. Grandma Cindy drew a grand piano for her hobby. Faith had such a good time, though Miss Kate had to tag along.

Dawson brought Grandma Kathy to Grandparents Night. Their night was based on a book "Harold and the Purple Crayon." The kids colored pictures with a purple crayon. (Dawson now informs me that he hates everything about this book, BTW.)

They concluded their night with juice and a crunch chocolate bar. (Dawson always remembers the most important stuff.)

Kate continued having sicknesses and was at the doctor a few times. She also continued with speech therapy, but started having quite a few disfluencies (meaning stuttering.) This is a problem that all of our children have had. It must be a genetic thing with our genes together. What are the odds?


The kids participated in service club. They went down to our favorite trainer Carol's place, James Barrett Pilates and learned about fitness. I was unable to come, but the kids really enjoyed it. If you want to watch the video, here is a link. Otherwise, here are a few pictures:

Warm up:

Yoga (one of Carol's favorites)


Finishing up:

I went to a baby shower for Tracy thrown by her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

6 days later, my Mom, Robyn, and myself threw her a baby shower. We played a quick matching game on paper with items and candy bars. Then we had a quiz for Tracy where she had to answer newborn questions. If she got the answer wrong, she had to chew a piece of gum (the big kind.) It was shocking how much stuff you don't know. Right, Tracy?

Tracy and I and the pile of presents:

Robyn made these cute blue tissue balls for decorations.


Our desserts included homemade oreo cookies with blue frosting, snickerdoodle blondies, a new favorite recipe), regular and vanilla tootsie rolls (brown and blue), cinnamon rolls with blue frosting, and oreo dipped in white chocolate and sticks with blue frosting decorations as favors. It was amazing!