A break and an upcoming break

Ethan spends his Mondays with the missionaries. Today Patrick, who is waiting to leave on his mission and another friend joined them for basketball. Ethan broke his finger. They all traipsed to urgent care for an X-ray and then were sent to the orthopedic doctor. After all that they went back to the gym and switched to soccer. (A hands free sport) 🤦🏽‍♀️

Our weekend was good. Blake and Lilly both came to church with Grace. 

Ethan spoke in the Hamlin ward so he and I got to go to two blocks. After we had delicious soup for dinner.

I was released as ward YW president. It was definitely a sad day. I’ve served in this ward for a little over 4 years and I love those girls. Luckily I got to teach one last lesson. 

School is going great. This is the last week before a few weeks off. The technology learning curve has been steep but I love it.

Tonight is book club. I actually read the book and I loved it so I am looking forward to logging on!

Today Hannah has her anatomy scan. I get to be the secret keeper and order the gender reveal things for their party. I am so excited!!!
 

Trees

We have a tiny tree this year. It’s our only indoor decoration since we are showing the house. 

We had three showings today. Ethan and I went to DS for the last two and walked around tree spotting and pizza eating. 

This morning we went to the temple with Ashley and Andy Gooch. It was super nice. I am going to miss warm winters, a temple 15 minutes away, and Disney Springs.

 

We had a couple of showings today. I went to the little shopping plaza near our house and found an outside table in the shade. It wasn’t too hot or too noisy so I was able to work for a couple of hours.
 

Tonight was the Christmas concert. They were amazing! It was lots of fun to go hear them. Last Christmas concert for this girl, and her dog, and her mom.

Showing

We had 8 appointments today so we all had to be out of the house basically all day. Ethan hung out with the elders. Grace went to school and the gym.

I went to sea world. I love the animals there and was very grateful for God’s many creations as I walked around and took in the sights.

 

 We had to leave for church quite early because we had a house showing. 

Church was good. It was fast and testimony meeting and it ended up that Grace and Ethan and I all bore our testimonies. I always am delighted to hear my children testify of Christ. I sat between the kids and they were each cozied up next to me. I just actively enjoyed the present moment of listening to them signing the carols, sitting near me, sharing smiles or a hand squeeze. Long ago Marcia got me a cute little doll that was a mother with a bunch of kids piled on her. I loved that sweet gift. She said it reminded her of me because each week she watched the kids jockeying for a spot by me on the bench. 

Ethan and I have been watching Hawkeye. It’s a “Christmas movie” and we both enjoy it. 

I also watched a Christmas Prince, pretty silly but I like it anyway, especially that gorgeous horse running in the snow!

Busy day

Last night the elders came over. They helped Ethan put up our Christmas lights. Blake and Lettie came for dinner too. Things did not go as expected food wise but it was okay. I made a cheesecake but who knew it took 10+hours to make one? Somehow the oven ended up on fire and smoked up the whole house. We abandoned our cooking plans for cleaning plans and ordered 4Rivers for dinner.  We ate the cheesecake but it was more the consistency of flan. It was good. This morning it was way better though!

While we had a houseful here Jenna also had a houseful. She is recovering nicely. 

This morning we cleaned. The house went on the market and we have 7 showings set up so far 🤞
 

After the World Cup (US lost) Ethan and I went to the blood drive. It was his first time. The stake did an amazing job decorating and it was fun to see so many friends and visiting with them while waiting and donating. 

Meanwhile Grace and Kaylynn and Lettie went to Epcot for Lettie’s birthday. 

Tonight Grace and Blake and Aldi went to the Ian Aide concert in Tampa. Ethan went to DS with a friend from his mission and I am foraging in the fridge for dinner. 

25 days until Christmas!!

Channel 9 weather report this morning. Florida really shines in the winter!

Penny doing her little miss duties! So cute.

Jenna had her surgery today. Clayton FaceTimed me after and she was awake and alive. Groggy and her neck hurts. They sent a hard nodule to pathology and hopefully that comes back fine and she can just heal now. 

Batman watched the girls and Dani got Darcy. She’s so cute:)

Grace also went to the doctor. She’s been coughing and has had a sore throat since Indy. She got a z pack and hopefully that will be that.