Scripture Power

I don't know if this is really blog worthy or not, but it's a big deal for us, so i'm giving it it's own post.

We have been chipping away at our goal of reading the book of Mormon as a family for over a year. 

We got this awesome "Book of Mormon for Latter Day Saint Families" for Christmas in 2016.
We started reading it in January 2017. But we made SLOW progress. We started over more than once and still made SLOW progress. 

Well we really buckled down in 2018. We were reading more nights than not and the kids were helping by reading too. Now that half our kids can read, they like to help.

But then at the end of September of this year, at our Stake conference, our Stake president challenged us to read the book of Mormon by the end of the year. A few weeks later, the prophet, President Nelson, gave the sisters in the church the same challenge. It felt inspired and after listening to General conference, I felt inspired. So we re-doubled our efforts and we really started to make progress reading the Book of Mormon as a family. 

It was amazing to hear the kids retell the stories in their own words, to have them remember details and ask questions. It was incredible to watch as our kids digested the scriptures and figured out real life applications. Our kids are young but it was happening. 

When the Stake President issued the challenge, he also promised blessings and I am telling you- those blessings were evident in our home. We were all thinking about the scriptures and the gospel more often. We were better at saying our prayers and I just know the spirit was there in greater abundance.

And guess what? We finished the Book of Mormon before January 1st, just like we were asked. We finished it tonight- December 31st. But we finished it, nonetheless. 

It was incredibly rewarding as a latter-day saint parent to be able to finish a challenge like this. 

Sadly, this was our first time to make it all the way through the book of Mormon. It wasn't easy. We really had to try and make a conscious effort to make it a priority. Sometimes we would listen on the way to school or on a long drive. Sometimes we let the kids read and it took three times as long. Sometimes we only read a few verses, but we diligently pushed and we were able to complete the challenge and finish the book of Mormon as a family for the very first time. I'm proud of us.
I'm excited to start it again with the kids and I am grateful for the blessings we have felt while working on this challenge. I'm just so very grateful for the gospel and all the blessings that come from living a gospel centered life. 

Now we are ready to start the new year off right!!

Christmas Day

True to form, our kids were up at the crack of dawn. No, not even dawn. It was definitely still dark outside when they woke up and started going through their stockings. They are crazy! But I really can't blame them because I was the same way as a child. I have always loved stockings. It's my favorite part about Christmas. So I love that my kids are so excited to go through their stockings. 

Tanner and Bailey were up first. Then Tucker woke up and eventually Benson woke. 

By the time Benson woke up, it was nearly dawn. So we let the kids start on their presents. 

But before we could do the presents we had first find the Christmas pickle so we could see who got to open the first present. Tanner found the pickle AGAIN. He found it last year too. 

So Tanner got to open the first present. Oh also, this year I set up my tripod so that I could actually be in the pictures and then I set the timer so it would take pictures throughout the morning.

I love that I caught Tanner's face. He was so excited when he opened his game boy. He couldn't stop grinning. It was awesome.

The camera caught a few cute moments during the morning. I definitely loved be able to be present instead of hiding out behind the camera the whole time. 

Another awesome reaction from Tanner when he opened his Harry Potter "Wizard's Chess". 

Bailey was so thrilled about her Easy Bake Oven. She couldn't stop smiling. 

And Tucker with his paw patrol obsession. He was so excited each time he opened a present. He had a very good Christmas. So many smiles from that boy. 

Even Benson loved Tucker's Paw Patrol gifts.  Benson also loved his baby stroller and back pack full of balls. 

The kids got so many great gifts, they were so thrilled. It was a great Christmas morning.

The biggest surprise of course was when the kids opened a small cruise ship christmas tree ornament. There was a note with a picture of our actual cruise ship that said "WE ARE GOING ON A CRUISE". I was able to record their reactions and it was so fun. They are so excited. We aren't going on the cruise until October but we are all so excited!

After we finished with presents, Daddy made breakfast while I cleaned up and gathered our stuff to head to Mtn. Home. 

We hit the road around 10:30 am and arrive in Mtn Home around 1:30. We immediately started opening presents with the cousins, aunts and uncles, and Nanny and Papa.

Aunt Laura was visiting from Japan, Uncle Joseph and Aunt Julieta and their boys were there too. The Allreds were in Utah and Uncle David and Aunt Michelle were in CA.

The kids loved their gifts from Nanny and Papa. 

Benson got a toy shopping cart, 

Tucker got a paw patrol toy, Bailey got a double stroller for her American Girl dolls

And Tanner got some more star wars legos. 

Then the kids opened a gift from Aunt Laura full of all sorts of fun toys and crafts from Japan. So cool. 

Last but not least, Nanny and Papa opened their gift from all of us. They loved their canvas of the grand kids and them in their Christmas pjs. 

We had a delicious dinner of prime rib, rolls, salad and potatoes. It was all delicious and after dinner we just hung out, playing and enjoying each other until bedtime.

I can hardly believe Christmas is over.

I feel this way every year, but it still stinks. I wish it could last more than one day. 

We will be in Mtn. Home for a couple more days before heading back home to enjoy the rest of our break. 

Christmas Eve

We had such a great Christmas Eve this year. We decided to stay home and do Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at our own house and travel to Mtn. Home on Christmas day.
This took so much stress off of me and we just had the best time together. 

Christmas Eve Day we spent some time ringing the Salvation Army bell.
The kids loved it and we raised a lot of money. Something about all those cute kids, it really draws people to the bell and makes them want to open their wallets. The kids were so thrilled when one man gave us a $100 bill. It made their day. 

It was seriously so fun. We sang some Christmas carols, the kids danced around ringing their bells and our short shift really flew by. 

So after kicking off our day by ringing the bell, we went home and decorated some cookies for Santa. I feel like we decorated about a million cookies this holiday season, but we had to leave some cookie for Santa, so this was very important to the kids. 

While we decorated, Dad prepared our Mexican food feast. We enjoyed tamales with rice and beans, bean burritos, chips with salsa and queso and taquitos. It was all so yummy! I love Mexican food for Christmas Eve dinner. Such a fun tradition. 

After dinner, we ran outside to sprinkle our reindeer food all over the yard. 

Benson wasn't really sure what was happening but he eventually caught on and poured his little bottle at his feet. 

Then we came back in and got ready to smash our Gingerbread houses.
This was such a funny event because Benson was very excited before we started. He loves to be included in all things, but his excitement changed to heartbreak very quickly. 

The smashing of the gingerbread houses begins

And Benson's tears begin to flow. He was completely heartbroken at the destruction of our gingerbread houses. It made him so sad. It was actually a little bit comical. 

The big kids were unfazed by Benson's tears and still enjoyed eating the pieces and scrambling to find all the best parts. 

Benson however, kept a close eye on his house and had absolutely no desire to smash his little gingerbread house. We kept trying to hand it to him so he could throw it down and smash it and he would just gently place it back on the ground and guard it. We were cracking up. 

Benson did eventually join in on the eating, but he never did smash his house. 

After the gingerbread house smash and following cleanup, there was a knock at the door.
The kids ran to get the door to find a package from our trusty and dependable "Pajama elves".

They opened to the package to find their Christmas pj's all set and ready for Christmas eve. 

Then the kids got dressed in their pj's, got ready for bed and we said our goodbyes to the elves. 

Then we snuggled up together so I could read them the "Pajama Elves" book before going to bed. 

Benson lasted about 2 pages before he was tired of listening. 

But the big kids and I finished the book and then we tucked the kids into bed and waited for the magic of Christmas Eve. 

It was such a great night. We had so much fun and I really loved not having to stress over anything. We did what we wanted, when we wanted and the kids were so great. It was awesome. 

Now its time for bed, because tomorrow is Christmas morning and all the fun that it entails. 

Merry Christmas!