December begins

 It was a bit shocking to get home from Thanksgiving and have it be December! We usually decorate the house the Sunday after Thanksgiving but here we are putting up our advent calendar that is a train with candy inside, only I hadn't thought to get the candy yet so it was empty. The kids were asking when they could open the train since it was Dec 1 and I kept telling them later. Luckily I found some old Christmas candy in my closet and stuffed some in the first day while hopefully on one was looking and then the next day I had to go out and get candy and fill the train before they came home from school. But, the house got decorated and luckily we had put up the lights the Saturday before we left so that was done and I already had a good amount of planning done for the ward party so that was good. It has been a busy week though as I have tried to finish up my shopping and I got the presents I needed to ship all set and off to the post office and I did my Christmas cards and finished making assignments for the party. 

It was also busy with lots of not normal events too. On Monday I went to the gym and four grocery stores but that evening Josh and I had been invited to attend the Christmas devotional for DC temple workers. It was at the temple on the 7th floor and Elder Andersen would be speaking. At first I didn't think we'd be able to make it but I moved my piano lessons and Emma skipped dance and Lily got a ride home from dance and our ministering brother picked up Curtis from his track practice and Josh left work early so we made it! The traffic was rough but we got there right on time and managed to walk in with President Bracey and President Boyd and we were all escorted to our seats on the stand, or in the choir seats I guess, just to the left of where Elder Andersen and his wife were sitting. The room was filled with temple workers and it felt very special to be sitting where we were. It was so special to be in the temple and the devotional was so nice. It was awesome to sing with everyone--I love singing Christmas carols in large groups--and then the temple president and his wife both spoke, then Sister Andersen. We never really see the wives of the apostles so it was neat to hear from her. She talked about going to the temple when she was 5 to be sealed to her family, except they lived in Florida and the only temple then was in Salt Lake so their journey was kind of difficult (car troubles, they lost their suitcase with their temple clothes, etc) and she expressed her gratitude for how the temple workers greeted them when they finally made it. 

Then Elder Andersen spoke and it was amazing to be in the presence of an apostle. He was literally like 10 feet away from where I was sitting. He spoke with great enthusiasm about the growth of the church and what an exciting time it is to be a member. We have more missionaries right now than the church has ever had before and there will be more baptisms this year than ever before. He said it can be tough when we all have a sad story of someone we know that has left the church but that the big picture shows great growth, prosperity and strength. He went on to talk about all of the new temples and he rattled off their scheduled dedications and which apostle would be dedicating them. While he was speaking I had this very dual feeling of what a normal guy he is and yet, what a special witness of Christ he is. He talked very casually of having meetings with President Nelson and his recent travel schedule and I was uplifted by his optimism and enthusiasm and joy. It was a wonderful evening and I'm glad we made the effort to be there. We talked with a few people after the meeting but we hadn't had dinner yet so we hurried out. They had turned the lights on as a special surprise for everyone (the official lighting ceremony happened Wed) so that was beautiful and then we made it to Five Guys 25 minutes before it closed and had a yummy dinner. We made it home after 11, which only hurt when we had to get up at 5:45 the next morning, but it was worth it. It was a fun date with Josh and a special evening and I'm grateful our kids and friends were supportive and it all worked out. 

Tuesday I went to the dentist and then helped out at the book fair. It was fun and the two hours flew by. Kids are funny and I enjoy being in the school to help out. There are no more copy people anymore and it feels like parents are just not welcome in the school anymore. They redid the office so that there is a guard who greets you and checks your ID and then they let you into the school. I miss the days when Mrs. Walters would greet me and we would chat and I would go make copies or help out in the classroom. I feel a bit kicked out but the book fair was fun. I really enjoyed helping the kids pick out books and count their money and it just felt good to help. 

That night I went to the Relief Society activity and it was nice. There was good food (I ate most of the dip Michelle brought and she kindly sent the rest home with me) and we exchanged socks and I got to talk to Tracie and Michelle and a few other people so that was nice. I used to love getting out of my house and getting a break from my little kids but it feels different now and it can be hard to leave my family, but it was good to go.

Wednesday I took Brandon to see an allergist up in Waldorf. I have been managing his allergies with over the counter medication for about 5 years but wanted to make sure I was doing everything I should be doing to help him. They tested him for all the outside and inside stuff (no food) and it was a painful 15 minutes for him while he reacted and waited for the doctor to come in. I didn't learn anything new; he is very allergic to dust mites and had a small reaction to some pollen/tree stuff and a very mild reaction to dogs. I knew that from his blood test the pediatrician did years ago but it was good to get it confirmed and talk about a treatment plan with the allergist. She recommended shots but we are going to try changing some stuff in his room first and see if that helps because with the medication, he manages just fine and I am not sure driving 40 minutes there and back every week for a shot for years is going to be worth it. But at least now I know and feel like I can make good choices for him. It was fun to spend the morning with my little buddy.

That evening Lily had her band concert and it went pretty well. Jazz band didn't play with them this year so it was just concert band and symphonic so it was over pretty quickly. We were all able to go and support her and I enjoyed that even though it meant all the kids missed their church activities. Lily has really enjoyed being in symphonic band this year and I'm glad she's having a good experience with music.

  

Thursday morning I took soup to Michelle to help feed missionaries and Brandon had play practice and the girls had dance and Curtis had his first indoor track meet. They have to go all the way up to D.C. and so he didn't get home until 11pm. I am not loving this sport; cross country was much better. He is enjoying staying active though and he and Josh have gotten quite competitive with their running so there are benefits but I would rather next year he try out for basketball. The rec league for his age is on Sundays so he couldn't play this year and I know he misses it. I also got a lot done around the house (finally) and taught some piano lesson and it was a good, productive day. 

Friday I went a ministering visit with my companion to a lady who can't hear well or speak well. It was kind of emotionally exhausting (I also am not very good with older people--a definite weakness of mine) but we smiled and talked as much as we could and hopefully she felt uplifted and loved. Then I went to the post office and no one was in there and the worker was so nice; he even helped me put stamps on all my cards. We live in a nice community and other than getting flicked off by a driver the other day who didn't know how to properly merge so he got really mad at me, I have felt joy in the kindness of those around me, down to the Target employee helping an older gentleman with his bags in a very patient and kind way. The girls had a dress rehearsal for their Caliente Christmas show and we had talked about going out that night to do something fun but we were all so tired and just needed to relax so we had a late dinner and watched Elf while having peppermint milkshakes and popcorn. I really just love being with my family.

Saturday the girls had Nutcracker dress rehearsal and Brandon had his first basketball game and I played the piano for a baptism. I did get annoyed when I got home and no one had practiced the piano or done their cleaning jobs yet so I had to crack the whip a bit and then Lily went to a gingerbread house decorating party with her dance friends and we had dinner and the rest of us watched The Santa Clause. I had wanted to go out and do something but it is tough when we have to drop kids off and pick them up at certain times; I am starting to get excited for Lily to be able to drive. We will have to figure out the car situation but it will be nice for nights when she goes out and we won't have to take her. 

Sunday was busy with music! I accompanied a special number and also played a duet with Vera in sacrament meeting then rehearsed another one after church. I love playing duets and no one really likes to play with me except the Wiest girls so that's how we spend some of their lessons and it is so fun. I told Rachael we had two prepared if she would like any special numbers for church so this week Vera and I played and next week Petra and I will play. Then I got asked to accompany three other numbers so even though I didn't get to plan the music for Christmas this year in sacrament meeting (which I have totally missed!) at least I got to participate some. Then after church Leisa had invited me to come with her to the Cosmic Symphony concert. It was free and right after church so we hustled down there and got there a few minutes late and it was pretty full so we had to sit in the very front row. It was rather awkward but at least we made it in. There was a flute choir which was awesome and I loved their Messiah in 5 minutes piece, a brass quintet which was also awesome, some great symphony pieces and then they had two singers, one of whom was Emma's chorus teacher, who also used to be my friend. She left the church and ditched me at the same time, which was hurtful and I tried to not let it bother me but I recently got upset over an interaction she had with Emma at school so needless to say it was very awkward being right in front of her during her songs. I don't think she likes me very much and that makes me sad but that's kind of the story of my life right now; I just have to be my best self and if people don't like me, I can't let it bother me like I used to. I've been told I am intimidating and judgmental and so I get it that people don't want to be my friend if that's how they see me but I'm so grateful for those who see me for who I really am and love me for it; such a gift. Anyway, the music was fun and I loved when they played Sleigh Ride and we saw the Hendersons and it was a lovely way to spend a December afternoon, especially since both of our husbands were busy with church stuff. It got me thinking about how much I loved being in band in high school and maybe in a year or two I will look into what it takes to be a part of the symphony. I would love to play the clarinet again and be a part of making that kind of music. 

We got home and Lily and Josh had made dinner, which was amazing, and then we had a great scripture study and we read some Christmas stories and it was a lovely evening. This upcoming week is all about Nutcracker and we have two concerts and Josh is out of town for a couple of days and I'm going to start baking and prepping food for my piano recital and two parties next week. Tis' the season!