Okay, I am having fun with Photoshop these days. I just learned how to sharpen photos. See if you can tell the difference between these two.

Last night, Doug and I sang for the Relief Society Christmas Party. It was a beautiful program about Mary's feelings about her part in the Savior's birth. We also had Spencer and Michaela perform in a quartet with Doug and I. They are becoming real performers. Because we started them singing in front of others so early, they have no stage fright.

Tomorrow, I fly to Utah for the Annual Bookclub Christmas celebration. In December we don't read a book, each of the 14 members finds a Christmas thought or story to share. As well we make or buy small thoughtful gifts. Better than Christmas morning for many of us. So peaceful to sit in the comfort of these amazing women.

Story People Quote of the Day:

There are angels everywhere you can imagine. I saw one hiding in the closet in our bedroom once & I invited her out, but she said she was waiting for a friend thank you just the same & next time I looked she was gone.

Enough for now...love to all.

Each night before we go to bed there is a request from Michaela for "Snuggle Time." This consists of 15 minutes or so with Spence and Michaela basically piled on top of me watching some kid friendly show before bedtime. If we are late and it can't happen--life is unbearable. I am grateful that my 9 and 10 year old still seek the comfort of my arms. I am already beginning to see the beginnings of separation. It happens so slowly--the first time your child turns their cheek when you try to kiss them goodbye at school. When your child doesn't want you to bear your testimony because you might cry and embarrass her. I sure they come back after the teen years but for now I need to hold them tight and bank these moments for what is surely to come.

Story People Quote of the Day:

We lay there & looked up at the night sky & she told me about stars called blue squares & red swirls & I told her I'd never heard of them. Of course not, she said, the really important stuff they never tell you. You have to imagine it on your own.

Enough for now...Love to all.

What a busy weekend. On Friday, we had our company Christmas Party. From there I went directly to a Christmas Party for the Achievement Day girls. Next day, the kids went with Steve to the LA Auto Show while Doug and I slipped off for a movie. We saw "Deja Vu" with Denzel Washington. Pretty good and the best thing about it was that it was not animated. That is the first adult movie Doug and I have seen since we have been in California.

Later that night was our Ward Christmas Party. I did the costumes for the Nativity and Doug was the Narrator. We are scheduled to sing for the Relief Society Christmas Party tomorrow. This ward is keeping us very busy.

Then yesterday afternoon, we went with our good friends, the MacAuliff Sisters to a mexican Rancho Christmas Open House. They had crafts and storytelling. The most interesting thing for me was this huge 150 year old fig tree (actually two trees grown together). The trunk is close to 6 feet in diameter and the roots are thick and topside. Makes for very interesting photos. This is Sister Frank MacAuliffe. Honestly, these three sisters need their own sitcom. They are all three docents at the Rancho and know all the details. These women are spiritual and physical giants.

Last night Spencer and I went to visit Karen Smith in our ward. I wanted to take her a couple of Christmas stories and see her house decorated. Karen is gifted with ceramics and porcelain and has somewhere between 300-400 Santa's of all shapes and varieties. Spencer could have stayed for hours.

I don't know how long we will have this California experience but the Lord is blessing us with meaningful friendships and experiences.

Story People Quote of the Day:

Being Good
I've always thought death was a lot like Christmas, he said. I can't wait to find out if being good the whole time was worth it.

Enough for now...Love to all.