December 2024 Part II

 Two friends invited my to do a musical number with them for our stake Christmas devotional. I'm so thankful they asked! I had to work VERY hard to get the piece passable, but I know we shared the Spirit of Jesus' birth and I haven't quite lost all my skills on the violin. Word got out though, and now we are playing at Stake Conference leadership training and I'm doing a different piece for our ward Christmas Sunday. I also felt that it was time the kids performed some type of music for others. I decided on "If I Were There". The three kids and I sang it on Christmas Sunday for our ward. I REALLY love when the Sunday before Christmas is as much Christmas music as possible. I decided if I want that I need to be willing to help out and volunteered to help with our music coordinators vision. I'm no longer Primary Singing Leader and I was definitely missing being able to teach and enjoy Christmas music. These performances help fill that hole a little bit. The only picture I took was our family on Christmas Church Sunday. 

Since July, I have been playing the piano for Primary. Since Halloween, I've been waiting to be sustained and set apart as Primary President in our new ward. That change was made in the middle of December. I'm extra grateful to realize that Heavenly Father always prepares me and provides a way for me to follow His plan. This calling is a lot, but it would have been OVERWHELMING if I had not been quietly observing our Primary from behind the piano for the last 6 months. I'm learning names and serving with some really amazing people, while experiencing small miracles and loving a LOT of new people. With our ward splitting in July, I miss so many people from before. However, I am quickly finding that this new calling will help me continue to enjoy those relationships and continue working with some fantastic people! I'm also incredibly blessed to have the time and emotional space, to serve how I want to. Here's to a new learning experience for our whole family!

Tyler is officially in his "late 30's". To say we are feeling more like 40+ is an understatement! 33+ have definitely been our least favorite stage of life in the physical aspect. We have GOT to get it together. We celebrated with our family's first time at a really great steakhouse, Saltgrass. It was delicious and now we are finding what cuts we like and how to cook them at home. Tyler is also in his bird watching era. He used some spare wood to build two picnic table type houses and picks up a new house whenever the price is right. I got him some feed to put in them and he is a happy camper. Even if the squirrels decide to show up. 

This guy definitely deserves all the good things that come to him! He knows how to make everyone in our home smile. He works his tail off and NEVER gives me attitude, when I give him more attitude than he deserves. He works hard and does his best in all his endeavors. We are so lucky to call him ours!

Happiest of 36 years to Tyler! 

Until next time...