For Lynae...

Andrew and Rory

Malerie holding Jaydon, Kaitlynn holding Karson

Kaitlynn and Karson

Jaydon 

Karson and his mama

Colin, Kaitlynn, Kayla, and Hailey

Kaitlynn holding Rachel, Malerie holding Jaydon

Karson loves Daddy

Crazy hair Karson

Karson loves Christmas!

Rachel 

Karson in his new Christmas outfit and his daddy 

My favorite one of Karson

For Nicole...

Sorry Nicole, but here are a few ( and I mean few) pictures of Christmas Eve jammies...

Katie Spencer and Karson

 Kaitlynn holding Rachel, Karson, Kayla, Jaydon, Colin, Hailey, Malerie

Kaitlynn and Rachel

1 day till CHRISTmas

(So I wrote this post Christmas Eve and didn't get it posted at Mom's house, so I just wanted to put it here so you'd all see the advent calendar with Jesus in it.  Merry Day after Christmas!)

Tomorrow is Christmas!!!  I'm so excited.  Tonight for the advent we read 3 Nephi 1 and Luke 2.  We sang Joy to the World to commemorate.  I'm super excited for tomorrow!  Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!!!

2 days till CHRISTmas

The good news about today is that I only have 4 hours left of work (tomorrow) and then it's Christmas vacation!! Yay!  Today's advent is Alma 37:37 Counsel with the Lord.  Talk with your Heavenly Father about your day and the things you are grateful for.

3 days till CHRISTmas

Okay so it's like 12:30 in the morning of the 23rd so I guess technically it's 2 days till Christmas, but I haven't gone to bed yet so it's still 3.  I just got back from watching my cousin Lynae's son while they went to see Savior of the World and I just want to say that I think it is so funny when someone is so grateful to you for doing something for them, but really... you got the better end of the deal.  Lynae lives in Alabama and so really the only time I've seen Camden lately is on the web cam.  I hoped he wouldn't freak out since he doesn't really know me, but he was totally cool with the idea!  I guess he's had to get to know everyone again this trip, so what's one more face in the mix, but the others were his grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and I'm just one of his mom's random cousins!!  I hope that he never sees me like that, because I really like the idea of having a relationship with this adorable little boy!  Anyway, let's get on to the advent, so I can get on to bed!!  3 Nephi 12:9:  Make a resolution to be a happier and kinder person.  At first when I read this one, I thought it was kind of funny, but the more I think about it, I really need this one.  At my job, I'm kind of the mean one.  I think it partly comes with the territory, being the manager and all, but I think I could uphold the rules and standards that I am called upon to uphold differently.  I think I could really work on being a nicer person, and not letting mundane things that drive me crazy affect my attitude and demeanor.  I think it's possible to manage and be a peacemaker at the same time, and that is my goal.

4 days till CHRISTmas

Today's advent is Alma 34:17-19:  In your prayers, express thanks to Heavenly Father for the gift of His son.

5 days till CHRISTMAS

So there has been a small change in my advent calendar.  The last five activities were either for super young kids or for families to do together and since I live alone and my family is a bit too far away to help out, I decided to find five different things to do.  Todays is: Helaman 14:2-3,5  Write in your journal what your family Christmas traditions are.  My family's traditions have changed as the family gets older and bigger, but there are things that I'd like to be traditions in my home when I have kids of my own, or just for myself.  One of my favorite traditions is reading The Forgotten Carols and listening to the music with each chapter.  Also I have to watch Meet Me in St. Louis, White Christmas, and Miracle on 34th Street. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a visit to Temple Square.  Going to Christmas Sacrament meeting in my parent's ward is also an important part of my Christmas.  The music is a big part of my Christmas.  I hate that the radio stations play Christmas music the day after Halloween, but I don't mind when I decide to play it on my own.  There are so many songs that I just love and listen to on repeat!!  I love making Christmas treats and eating them!

6 days till CHRISTmas

Today was my favorite Sunday of the year!!  I got to go to my ward and see the Christmas program and hear a fabulous Young Women's lesson (Thanks Cori!!) and then I headed south for Mom and Dad's ward Christmas program.  It's one of my favorite Sundays to go back because there is always a really great turn out of people I haven't seen in a long time and the Christmas program is a lot the same year to year, so it's comfortable.  I sat in the congregation and mouthed along!  Todays advent was made possible by the fact that it was the Ward Christmas program.  It is Matthew 22:34-40. Jesus Christ taught us to love our neighbors.  Do something nice for a neighbor.  During Sacrament meeting, I found myself wedged between two of my favorite families, that both have small children and 3 out of 4 parents in the choir.  I got to help entertain their children during the program and after it was over one of the moms came and apologized and I told her it wasn't necessary because I LOVE IT!!  It makes me feel important when the parents trust me to sit by their kids and the kids like me enough to let me sit with them.  At one point I had two of the daughters (one from each family) sitting on my lap and it was awesome!!  So thanks to Abby and Holly for giving me the opportunity to do something nice for your families and thanks to my Heavenly Father for letting me find a place to live in such an AMAZING ward!!  I love you guys!!

7 days till CHRISTmas

Today's advent is 3 Nephi 17:21-24. Jesus Christ blessed little children because He loved them.  Show you love for a brother, sister, or friend by sharing a toy or helping them in some way.  Since I'm not a small child who can share my toys... today I am watching my sisters kids while she finishes up her Christmas shopping.  It's a fun day when you get to play with a 7 year old and a 5 year old.  I've played Hide and Seek and Wii with them.  It really takes me back to being a kid.

8 days till CHRISTmas

I can't believe we're down to almost one week!!  It's so fun to count down.  I told a girl at work that I wanted to make a red and green Christmas chain, but it wasn't worth it to me to start in December because it's only 25 days.  I told her I was going to make it this week and count down till next Christmas.  She thinks I'm nuts...probably true!!  Today's advent is 3 Nephi 23:1:  Jesus Christ commanded the Nephites to study the words of Isaiah.  Read Isaiah 53:3-5 and think about the Atonement.  I love this scripture.  When I was on my mission I memorized it and it's one of the few I can still quote.  I remember hearing a quote from someone that said something to the effect of no one would care about the baby in a manger if it hadn't been for the cross.  Not exactly but you get the gist.  Without the Atonement, Jesus Christ would have been just another baby born.  His whole mission, his work was to bring about the Atonement so the Plan of Salvation could continue.  I love 3 Nephi 27:13-14 which reads "Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I gave given unto you-- that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.  And my Father sent me that I might be lifted upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether thy be good or whether they be evil..."  I'm so grateful for the baby in the manger that became the man in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross.  I'm grateful that He knew His role and wasn't afraid to come down and accomplish it.  I'm so grateful that He loves me enough to let me come back to live with Him again.  I'm so thankful that I have the gospel which Christ gave.  God lives and He loves us and He proved it by giving us His son.  "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine son."

10 and then 9 days till CHRISTmas

Today I need to post 2 advents because last night was girls night and I got home after midnight.  We got together and made Christmas treats.  YUMMY!!  Yesterday's advent was: 3 Nephi 12:16 Jesus asked us to be examples to those around us.  Set an example of service by helping with the dishes or cleaning or other chores at home.  I don't know who I'm being an example to, but at least my house is clean now.  At least for a little while until I mess it up again.  I've discovered I'm really good at that.

Today I had a rather productive day.  I got off work early and had a primp day.  I got a haircut and a pedicure and then headed down town to meet Mom and Dad for the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert, which unfortunately we missed due to some bad planning and worse traffic.  We ended up walking around on Temple Square and seeing some stuff in the Visitor's Centers.  Not a bad evening, though it was too cold and I'm thinking of putting in a request to Mac Wilberg and Mac Christensen to have the Christmas concert in July next year.  I think that will be best for all involved!  Anyway, today's advent is  D&C 19:38-39:  Jesus Christ asks us to pray always.  Carry a prayer in your heart today, thanking Heavenly Father for your blessings.  I think this is a good reminder and it is really helpful to get through a stressful day.

11 days till CHRISTmas

Today was a super stressful day!!  Everyone at work was cranky (probably because I was), guests were being stupid and I was just so glad when it was over!!  Tonights advent is 3 Nephi 18:21:  Jesus Christ taught us to pray with our families.  Help your family remember to have family prayer today.  Since I live alone, I consider myself my own family.  I used to really struggle with prayer.  I'd always forget to say my prayers in the morning and night ones weren't much better.  Since I've been in the thumb society I've been motivated to remember and now I do a lot better with it.  Things are definitely better when I remember to pray.  I can't imagine what today would have been like without it.  Good thing I don't have to find out!!

12 days till CHRISTmas

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... oh wait, wrong activity.  Although I must put in that my mom found this adorable board book that takes the 12 days of Christmas song and incorporates a tiny baby sleeping peacefully.  I don't really remember the rest of the days except ten cows a mooing, but I thought it was brilliant.  Todays advent is D&C 35:26 Jesus Christ wants us to be happy.  Make a list of blessings that make you happy and hang the list in your bedroom.  A lot of things make me happy so I'll just list a few here:  Hot cocoa when it's cold outside; slippers; Church; U of U football (when they win); a clean house; hanging out with family and friends; knowing the Atonement can save me in my weakness (not in my sin, but in my weakness); President Monson and really all of the General Authorities; my calling; a beautiful sunset; Skype... this list could go on and on so for now I'll add a nice warm bed and head in that direction!!  Good Night!

13 days till CHRISTmas

Today was one of those awesome Sundays.  I went to church and felt the Spirit then I Skyped with my cousin Lynae for an hour plus, then off to a Stake Family Christmas fireside where again I felt the Spirit.  Have I ever mentioned that I love the Christmas season?  Todays advent is D&C 76:22-24:  Even though Jesus was born two thousand years ago, He has appeared to prophets of this dispensation.  As a family, read and discuss today's assigned scripture.  I love this scripture.  Since I had to memorize the Living Christ for my Faith value project and this scripture is part of that, I can recite it, and it's even better when I think of it in the context of the Living Christ statement.  Jesus Christ lives and He loves us!!  How great is that!  Prophets are real and Heavenly Father has provided us a living one to help us in our day.  Doesn't get any better than that, now does it?

14 days till CHRISTmas

Today marks the 2 week mark till Christmas and I'm excited... though I have acknowledged that time is going by way too fast and I know it'll be over before I know it!  Today at work, I hung all the paper snowflakes that my friend helped me cut out, and hung stockings on my curtain wall above the counter.  It's so cute now.  I just kept staring out into the lobby with a smile on my face, because Christmas has come to Arctic Circle.  I'm extremely pleased about how it turned out.  In other news, I got to go out to dinner tonight with my adorable cousin Landon and his adorable fiance, Hailee.  They are my favorite people to hang out with.  They are just so sweet!! I love that Hailee will soon be my cousin in law and then we will be family!!!!!!  :)  

Tonights advent is 3 Nephi 12:9 Jesus Christ promised to bless peacemakers.  Sing a reverent Primary song to help bring greater peace to your home.  My favorite favorite reverent Primary song is Reverence is Love, so I sang that and I did feel more peace.  I love this season.  It's so nice to be able to remember Jesus every day (of course I should be doing that anyway).

15 days till CHRISTmas

Can anyone else believe that Christmas is 15 days away!! CRAZY!!  This year I got a $100 gift card from work in lieu of the dumb Christmas party.  I bought me a DVD and The Christmas Family Songbook and a new Wii game!! I didn't wait for Christmas for any of them, and I am seriously addicted to the Wii game... you are all so lucky I'm blogging!!!  Anyway... today's advent is D&C 33:11-12:  Jesus taught the principles of His gospel.  Memorize and recite the fourth Article of Faith.  Since I already have it memorized I just quietly recited it to myself.  It reminded me of an activity we did a few months ago for Young Womens.  We got the achievement day girls together and Holly set up the gym with different activities for us to teach them the Articles of Faith.  For the fourth one, she had stairs with each of the four principles written on them, and once they had said the article of faith and climbed each stair representing the principle, they got to jump off the stairs into a love sac.  It was awesome to see how many of them learned this article of faith, because they got to fly off the stairs into the cushy arms of a giant love sac!!  The principles of the gospel are important, and I'm glad that through following Jesus Christ and obeying the principles, we can go home to Heavenly Father.

16 days till CHRISTmas

Todays advent is: 3 Nephi 27:7:  Jesus told His disciples to call the Church in His name.  Sing "The Church of Jesus Christ."  This one seems a little silly, but I did it, sitting all alone in my house.  I was talking with a friend today about how grateful we are that Jesus Christ is leading the church and that He has control over who He calls to lead it, because we are quite impressed by the leaders of the Church.  It's nice to know that we belong to the true church.

17 days till CHRISTmas

Today's advent is: 3 Nephi 27:29:  Jesus Christ promised that Heavenly Father will answer our prayers.  Write in your journal about a time when He answered one of your prayers.  One that happened recently was a few weeks ago I was struggling to memorize The Living Christ for my Faith project for Young Womens.  I was having a hard time remembering what I had already memorized and so I said a quick prayer that Heavenly Father would enlighten my mind and when I closed the prayer, I began to focus more easily and by the time I put it down I had remembered all that I had previously memorized and had also memorized 3 additional paragraphs.  I know that our Heavenly Father helps us even in the small stuff.  Even if it seems mundane and meaningless to the world, it is important to Him and I am so grateful for that.

18 days till CHRISTmas

Today's advent is D&C 25:12:  With family or friends sing Christmas songs about Jesus!! I live alone, so I sang to myself.  I love the Primary Songs about Christmas.  The Nativity song is my favorite!

19 days till CHRISTmas

Okay so let me start with a Happy Birthday shout out to my 30 year old "little" brother!! Love you Todd!  I finally got my Christmas tree up today.  I don't know why it took me so long, but now I'll have to leave it up till February to make it worth it...
Todays advent is: D&C 21:1, 4-5:  Our prophet tells us what Jesus Christ wants us to do.  Read a talk given by the prophet in the last conference. I chose The Three R's of Choice from the Priesthood session.  He emphasized how important it is for us to make choices that will keep us on the path to Heavenly Father, rather than justifying our way to a different path- one that leads somewhere else.  I'm grateful we have a living prophet today who helps us to make the right choice and stay on the path back home.

20 days till CHRISTmas

Let me start by saying I can't believe it's less than three weeks till Christmas.  Better get my Christmas tree up!!  Today's advent was John 13:34-35:  We show that we want to follow Jesus Christ when we love other people.  Show your love by helping someone today.  It's sometimes hard for me to get out of my comfort zone and help others, but I've found that when I do, I am the one being blessed.  Today in Sacrament Meeting one of my favorite families sat next to me.  They have three kids and the middle daughter just loves me!!  She is sometimes a handful, but I just love her!  I know it's hard for her mom, when she's being irreverent, but I like to think I can try to help a little.  During the Sacrament, I was reading in the Book of Mormon, and she grabbed her scriptures to be like me.  She was entertained for all of 2 minutes, but you have to take those minutes whenever you can get them.  I hope Abby knows that her kids are not a burden and I love them all!!  If it's helpful at all for me to sit by them, I'm thrilled to do it.  If not, I'm sorry that I contribute to Sarah's irreverence, but she's just so cute!!  Anyway, this season I hope I can find more ways to show people my love!

21 days till CHRISTmas

Today's advent says:  Mark 10:13-14 Jesus showed that children are very important to Him.  In your personal prayer, tell Heavenly Father about your day and the things that made you happy.  Now remember this was a little kids advent calendar, but it's kind of fun when you read in the scriptures that we need to become like little children.  I think it's important for everyone to kneel down and tell Heavenly Father about things that make us happy.

22 days till CHRISTmas

Todays advent calendar was 3 Nephi 12:6:  Jesus Christ taught that we will be blessed for seeking righteousness.  Spend ten minutes reading scriptures or scripture stories.  I have been reading the Old Testament this year so I started with that and then finished up in the Book of Mormon.

CHRISTmas Advent Calendar --24 and 23 days till CHRISTmas!!

Last Christmas I felt like the season went by much too fast and it was over before I realized it had started.  This year I don't want that to happen, so I was trying to figure out how I could appreciate the Christmas season.  I found this kind of silly "little kid" advent calendar online, but what I liked about it was each day you read a scripture and then do an activity that goes along with the scripture.  After the activity is completed you add a puzzle piece to the Nativity, ending with Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.

 I had so much fun every day thinking about the things I was thankful for in November, I thought my December installment would be my adventures with the activities on my advent calendar.  Each day I'll post the calendar with the puzzle pieces and you can all count down with me.  I forgot yesterday was December 1st, since I was up so late doing month end the night before and so was asleep on my living room floor by 6:30 pm, so I had to do two today.  The first one was D&C 1:37: Jesus counseled Latter-day Saints to study His commandments.  Think of one commandment you keep and one blessing that you enjoy.  I chose tithing as the commandment I keep and the blessing I enjoy is being able to pay all my bills and still have money to live somewhat comfortably.  The second one was 3 Nephi 18:6-7:  Jesus asked His followers to always remember Him, especially when partaking of the sacrament.  Write in  your journal how you feel about the Savior.  Since my blog is kind of my online journal, I'll write it here.  I am in awe!  I cannot believe that the Son of God loves me enough that He would "descend from his throne divine, to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine" but He does.  He loves me in all circumstances and I am so grateful.  Jesus Christ's Atonement provided me the way to go home!  He is my advocate with the Father, who also loves me.  It is a blessing to know the Savior and to feel His love for me every day.