Davids Thoughts on giving, love and leukemia

Today as we celebrate Christ’s birth, I can’t help but reflect on what the Savior of the world has done for me in my life.  The times that I felt he helped me are countless. One that stands out in my mind quickly goes back to a Christmas when I was 10 years old.  My family had hit a hard year and it was that Christmas that I really first felt and started to understood the Christmas spirit. My family was served by many other people, to ensure that my brothers and sisters and I had a Christmas. My siblings probably could recall the facts better than I. What I recall is that over the Christmas week 29 years ago, there were multiple other families that dropped gifts off at our house anonymously. As a kid it was fun to get the gifts.

As I have grown older and created a family of my own, April and I decided to pass it forward, so every year for Christmas we anonymously secret Santa different people, for fun.  The miracle for me wasn’t getting the extra gifts 29 years ago for Christmas. The miracle is that the person that did those Secret Santas for my family 29 years ago, taught me the true meaning of Christmas.  To be observant and watch for those in need and to love others as he would of loved him. Each year, my kids love buying for strangers and then taking them to strangers houses and knocking at the door and then running to the bushes as fast as we can.  I love the memories of hiding in a dark bush with my daughters, huffing and puffing, but trying to be quiet so no one hears us as they answer the doors. However the best gift are the moments, after we have left the presents on the door and we are driving away, the air in the car is still and quiet.  There is a warmth and a peace that makes the night a sacred experience for my family. All the kids feel the spirit of Christ and know that they are on his mission to serve and uplift others.

I am grateful for the people that left gifts on my families door 29 years ago. Some of them are probably no longer on this earth and the actual present is long forgotten. What is remembered is the lesson they so very clearly taught me.  Hard times come upon all of us, but when they do, the savior will be there through other people to help you. You will eventually be healed. And then when you are healed, it is then time for you to go help someone else.

Five days ago when Lane was diagnosed with Leukemia.  I thought, He is a boy that is always laughing and joking. Every time I would go to his house, I would see him at the doorstep, greeting us.  

When the news broke that he had Leukemia. I am not sure if he comprehended it and the challenges that lie ahead for him.  I personally cried when I heard the news, because I thought about the challenges that happened to my family when I was 10. My heart broke for Lane. He has already been through a lot.  I am confident that there will be a day and time, it could be 1 year, 10 years or 29 years from now where Lane will be healed. He will then be the one that will see someone in need and go help him.  It is then, we will stand in aww and wonder with amazement, and be able to confess that we know that Christ lives…

I know that Christ lives and loves each one of us.  

I love your family and am grateful to be part of it.

Merry Christmas,

November 2018

I've decided that I wear a lot of different hats as a mom. Soccer mom, band mom, volleyball mom, cheer mom... Well I think I wore all those hats this months and will continue to wear them for several months or perhaps even years to come. 

Carmen was selected for All County Band this year. It's an honor to be selected. They spend an entire day learning music that they saw for the first time that morning and then performed a concert that evening. It's a big lesson in sight reading. The concert was great! 

Aliza worked super hard to get her round off/back handspring and did it!! She is amazing. Every time I watch her tumble, she makes it look so easy, like anyone could do. But I've seen the months and months of practice it takes to grasp one of these skills. 

And I attended several soccer games for both Dallin and Charlotte. I don't have any pictures of them playing, because it was probably the coldest season I've ever sat through. I was too cold to move from my chair during the games. David coached Dallin's team and they both loved it. David has such a natural ability to always make things fun, yet teach skills at the same time. 

Aliza's most anticipated birthday ever, finally arrived. She turned 12!! We didn't do too much to celebrate other than presents and cake. She had just had her cheer placements  and barely dodged her last primary sacrament meeting presentation. 

She's such a beauty and has the kindest heart. She fights for what she knows is right. She works hard and sets goals for herself.  She quiet, yet a deep thinker. And she's happiest when she's cheering. 

David serves on the high council at church and had to speak in the Waynesboro ward one Sunday. This is the ward I grew up in and my family still attends. So I decided to tag along. My sister was even there! And my mom, sister and I all matched, so we had to take a picture. 

November felt like the month of the Temple for me. I went in Brazil, then I went to the Philadelphia temple with some great ladies from my ward. And then later in the month David and I took Aliza to the Columbia Ohio one for her first trip to the temple.  It's always amazing to be at the temple, but being there with two of my daughters felt pretty special. 

Aliza played the prelude music in church one Sunday before Sacrament meeting. It was beautiful and I loved watching her share one of her talents. 

Since David has been home a whole lot these past few months, he's been able to really lend a hand around the house. He does the dishes every night after dinner, he helps drive kids to their various activities and he even helps with homework. He made these sight word flash cards for Dallin and was helping him practice. It's been a huge adjustment to have him home, but I could really get used this. It will be hard when he returns back to work after school is done. 

Yes, he's six and he still comes in our bed in the middle of the night. But I can't resist his cuteness!

I posted earlier about our front yard makeover. Here's a finished picture. It's not the best picture, but you get an idea. 

We hottest Thanksgiving at our house this year. We had a big turnout! I didn't take a single picture, but I stole this one from my aunt. It's my grandpa petting Koda. I never imagined him being a dog person, but he took a real liking to Koda. 

My parents had a football party for the UVA/Virginia Tech game, since we are divided family. It was super fun to be together for such a big game. And it was a devastating loss for UVA when they lost due to a fumble in overtime. I guess the 15 year streak of losing to VT will continue on for another year. We'll get 'em next year for sure! 

 I think every post has to include a picture of Koda. He loves me the most! 

Our ward had a persona progress night to celebrate all the things the Young women have accomplished for Personal Progress. Each girl prepared a table with things that represent themselves. 

Aliza's was full of cheer stuff, of course. She has only been in YW for two weeks, so she really hasn't gotten into personal progress yet. 

Carmen had volleyball stuff, and her clarinet. She also included a poster that she had been working on for one of her value experiences. I think the glue may still have been wet on it! 

And lastly we took a drive over the Stuanton to drive through the Gypsy Hill Park Christmas lights. This replica of the Washington DC temple was built by my dad in, I think, 1988. I remember him building it in our basement. It has appeared at the park lights every year since then. I didn't realize that it was still around, but once I learned it was, I knew I wanted to take the kids the see it. 

And driving to Staunton warrants a visit to Wright's Dairy Rite for dinner! It's an old diner where you still order your dinner from a phone at your table.