Family Gatherings and a Tangent

Hello everyone! I just thought I'd make a little post since two of the kids are sleeping, Jake's out playing basketball, and I haven't written here for awhile.

Thanksgiving was lots of fun! My parents and brother came and we enjoyed the day with Grandma and Grandpa Simmonds, Dan and Kristy, and all of Dan's family. They are so funny! My parents stayed through the weekend and we had a small birthday party for Mercedes. You should have heard Christina when she saw the doll my dad bought Mercedes. She was ecstatic! All her squealing and the animation as she exclaimed "Preautiful! Spencer, come and see!" And patted the doll's head through its package.

We just returned from our ward Christmas party. Each family was supposed to bring a gift in a jar. We ate soup, salad, and cake. I made my peanut butter bunt cake all topped with peanut butter glaze and drizzled with melted chocolate. I am proud to say that it was one of the very first deserts cut and eaten entirely. Honestly, I was just glad it was eaten. I was beginning to gain a complex. Every time I make something for a ward party, I come home with 98 percent of it. If Jake makes something, it's gobbled up! What's that all about?!

After dinner, we listened to the story of Penny's Christmas Jar, sang carols, watched the children do the story of the Nativity - Mercedes was a "moo cow" with Tessa - and Santa came too. (Of course). In the end, every family was able to pick a jar to take home. It was a good evening, except I did something I was a little embarrassed about - which is most certainly not easy for me.

There is an older gentleman in the ward named Garth Leishman. He is so sweet. The second Sunday we were her, I had Mercedes and Christina at church all by myself. It had been a crazy day, and Christina had finely fallen asleep in my arms. When church was over, I had to get Mercedes from nursery, but with no free hands I was a little worried about what to do. Bro. Leishman took Christina in his arms and just held her for me, rocking her to keep her a sleep. It was wonderful help. (We have amazing people in our ward family).

So anyway, back to the embarrassment. I was helping clean up after the Christmas party. Just clearing tables with some of the other people and Bro. Leishman came over to change the garbage bags out. Ellis, one of Jake's scouts, and I helped him and went back to clearing tables. Then I turned around and saw Bro. Leishman switching out another garbage sack. Instantly, I'm thinking "Oh, there's Garth again." But what came out of my mouth was "Man, you're all over those garbage bags Leish! Garth. Brother. Leishman. Sorry" as my voice stuttered, fading with the realization that just out of respect, I never call him anything but Brother Leishman, except in my head - then he's just Garth.

When I said it, his face lit up with a huge grin. Maybe it was some nickname he had growing up. Maybe he thought my mumbling was funny. I don't know. What I do know is I've got to be more careful about respecting my elders.

Oh, and I read the Twilight series in nine days. After 2444 pages, my brain is mush. Absolute mush!