CHRISTMAS

Christmas was great this year. Last Christmas I was on my mission. It was hard being away from home but being back this year makes it even more special. The only down fall was Logan wasn't here. The highlight of Christmas was definitely when we got to Skype him. Its awesome to see how much he has grown and how amazing his testimony is. He is a great example to me! 

We have so many traditions its always so fun every year. I think thats why the anticipation is too much sometimes. Waiting all year to only get to do these fun things once is so sad. But then again it makes it more enjoyable. 

Every Christmas eve we get to open one present..its always pj's. This Christmas Eve we all got together. We ate Chinese food like every Christmas Eve and read the nativity story. I got all the kids these pop guns from Cabelas and got them "redneck hats". It was so cute to see them run around so excited. We talked about our new goals for the year and what we were most grateful for this past year. It is always fun with family. On Christmas day we normally record ourselves walking down the stairs early in the morning. We have done it ever since we were little but now that everyone is so old we are planning on changing the tradition till we have little kids of our own. 

On Christmas morning we wake up and have a big breakfast. Grits, eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, and biscuits. Its so yummy. We then mosey on over to the family room and open up presents. I will say it is ten times more special when there is little children around, there is something so magical about their innocence and ability to Believe.  Its nice having this time together though (all of us single). It wont last forever so we are taking advantage of it. Needless to say this Christmas was so much fun. 

XOXO, Becca

GIVING THANKS

Thanksgiving for our family includes.... turkey, crappy table settings, a packed house full of family, thankful hearts, and lots of food!  I have never been a fan of the food that is served on Thanksgiving but I fully enjoy the time I get to spend with my family. I always take advantage of any opportunity to create memories. 

This year I was especially grateful. I had the opportunity to serve a mission in California. It was one of the greatest trials for me and continues to be everyday. I was released from my mission due to a sickness. Doctors still aren't sure what it is but they believe it is Lyme disease. Don't get me wrong though..  It was also a great blessing. I had the chance to learn so much. I learned how to love more deeply, have a sincere appreciation for Jesus Christ and what he did for me, be kind, serve others with a full heart, and above all I learned that we are never alone.. Heavenly Father NEVER leaves us alone especially in times of sadness or trial. There wasn't one time where I didn't feel like their was someone with me. Even when my thoughts were clouded with doubts or fear the light would always shine and my fear was dispelled. I met people that changed my life and created friendships that will last a lifetime. 

So with all of this...how could someone focus on the difficult times when so much good came from it? My goal this year has been to count my blessings and I was tested to see if I would actually do it. There were times where I wanted to give up. There were times of tears and frustration but I am so proud of myself for coming out of this trial counting my blessing still and sticking with my goal. I am not perfect in any manner and still have so much to learn but I am still going and cant wait to learn more. I really do love Thanksgiving and the opportunity to reflect on what I am grateful for. I have a family that I love dearly. I have a Father in Heaven who loves me. I have a house over my head and food on the table...what more could I ask for? 

XOXO, Becca

Baby its Cold Outside..

These kids...

I cant tell you how much I love these kids. They are my favorite. How excited they get when they find out they can have a sleep over with me and Sarah is awesome. I feel so cool when they are around. Lizzy and Alex ended up sleeping in my bed, which was totally fine with me because I have a king size bed. The crazy thing is.. they both ended up squeezing next to me..  Alex ended up getting jealous of Lizzy being closer to me then him and stuck him self right between us which left me falling off the bed. I couldn't even be frustrated about not getting any sleep because they are so cute and innocent. Lizzy also woke up at 1:30am so of course I woke up with her. She cuddled close to me and grabbed my face with her little hands. She then starts to giggle. At that point my heart began to melt and I couldn't help but have my desire to have a family of my own one day grow big inside me. Daniel and Jacob slept in the room next to us, they enjoyed not having to share a bed with Lizzy and Alex. We also got to decorate my little Christmas tree. Alex was thrilled and put on almost all the ornaments by himself. He is so cute about little things like that.

Family

 The big thing about my family is they are amazing. Not only was I blessed with two selfless parents who even when they had nothing they gave us everything, I was also blessed with amazing siblings who love each other more then any other siblings I have ever met. Through thick and thin... we have all stuck together. We don't always get along but we love each other more and more every single day.

Halloween

There are a lot of things that rub me the wrong way about Halloween but I will say the amount of  creativity that comes with this holiday is amazing. Humans are amazing. Also the ability my sister has to do makeup is amazing. Her inspiration for this look was a "dead biker chick". She is fun to have around. I am glad she is so willing to let our creative minds come together to make something beautiful.