2016 :: week 52

December 18

Sunday was a cold day. Some of us were hoping church would be cancelled (🙋), but once we got to church we were glad it wasn't. Sacrament meeting was particularly moving. The music was especially good. The Sacrament Hymn was "As Now We Take the Sacrament," and the third verse really touched me.

As now we praise thy name with song, The blessings of this day Will linger in our thankful hearts, And silently we pray For courage to accept thy will, To listen and obey. We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full. We'll walk thy chosen way.

I needed the reminder that going to church helps sustain me as I go about the business of my life during the week. We arrived at church at the same time as my dad and he helped the big kids walk in while I carried Elliott and our church bag.

December 19

Elliott had a case of the Mondays. He has cut seven teeth in the past three months, with an eighth about to cut through any day now. So pretty much any time he is grumpy I blame his teeth.

December 20

Tuesday afternoon the classrooms at OP-C had their Winter Parties. I went to help out at Will's. It was Polar Express Day and the kids got to wear their pajamas.

December 21

Lauren didn't have preschool starting Wednesday and Will only had a half day. By bedtime they were getting a little stir-crazy and I was getting a little worried about the next fourteen days.

December 22

Thursday night we went to IKEA to pick up a few things. I've been wanting to go for awhile but wanted Anthony to come with me. It has been great having Anthony back in town again this week!

December 23

Friday Anthony got off work a few hours early and we made our annual trek to Crown Center and Union Station. After the cold weather we had over the weekend and at the beginning of the week it felt almost warm at 48 degrees. The kids climbed on the toys next to the Mayor's Christmas Tree, then we walked on the Link to Union Station. We checked out the trains and had fun walking around. Elliott loved the lights. We walked back to Crown Center and got Peppermint Potholes at Sheridan's. We ran into a few friends and even gave a ride home to a member of our ward who had been waiting over half an hour.

December 24

We spent Christmas Eve morning tidying up and putting the finishing touches on our neighbor gifts. After lunch we delivered them and had a little free time. We decided to make a quick visit to the zoo. Our zoo membership is a combined Christmas gift for Will and Lauren from Nana and Papa, so it seemed appropriate. We didn't see as many animals as usual (surprise, surprise), but still had a fun time. For the first time ever we saw the Gigi the cheetah roaming around--usually she's just lounging in the sun.