Christmas Eve!

Christmas is almost here! Decorating is done. Cinnamon rolls are made and presents are wrapped. It's been raining and cold. Heather was so bundled up in this picture getting ready to walk the dogs that we laughed at how she's going to be so, so cold in Idaho if she can't handle 50-degree weather. Sariah has been really mellow, and she seemed to like being near the Christmas tree and the presents.  Can't wait for Santa to get here!

Abbey and Jenna and Flying Solo

I took Jenna and Abbey to Disneyland tonight and because they wanted to hang out together, I offered to go solo and let them have their fun together. As they were off playing, I walked the park alone enjoying the beauty of Christmas time at Disneyland. I also rode rides by myself. It was SO fun! It did start raining, and although we had jackets and hats, we got pretty wet. It wasn't too cold so, we kept at it. We returned to the car later that evening soaking wet, but very fulfilled. Disneyland really is the Happiest Place on Earth.

A Pre-owned New Car

It was time to replace Kelly's Element. We waited quite awhile not wanting a car payment and not really having a huge down payment for a car. We needed a car for Heather, and we needed a car that was a little more comfortable for us and our guests (not to mention one with better gas mileage). After going back and forth trying to determine the size of car we needed, whether to buy new or used, and how much we were willing to spend, we found this Mazda CX-9. We had looked at a couple of cars, but either we couldn't trust the owner, or the car wasn't a good fit. This car was so nice, the owner was an engineer at Bowing and seemed very honest, it was in our price range (even though a little over the budget we wanted to set), and although it had a few scratches, it drove so smoothly and comfortably. It seats seven and feels like a luxury car. We financed through our credit union and bypassed the huge downpayment. It will be paid off in about five years, but every time I get in and drive it it makes me so happy. Can't believe we found such a gem.  They retail for $40,000 new which makes me so grateful to have found this four-year-old luxury car at an affordable price.

MCO's Christmas Concert

Michelle and I had fabulous seats tonight for MCO's Christmas Concert. I miss singing, but am happy not to have the stress of rehearsals every week with the girls' busy schedules. It was amazing to attend, and the spirit of Christmas was everywhere. The music was gorgeous as usual, and we just enjoyed every, single moment.

Hamlet

Tonight we went to see Hamlet presented by our high school theater department. The Honors and AP English classes assigned the play for extra credit, but we got a bonus. Not only did our girls get extra credit, we got to see best friends, MacKenzie and Madi, play Hamlet and Polonius. They did a great job! Memorizing Shakespeare is no easy task! Good work ladies!

Light The World

The church had a campaign going this month called, "Light The World." I did well on the first day making cookies for Jenna's coach gift, and as well on day two posting about a family member or ancestor who has left a legacy.  Here is what I said about my dad...

This is my dad on his wedding day. He was working at Autonetics in Anaheim and within two years would begin his career at Hughes Aircraft as an engineer. He worked there until retiring (never met Howard Hughes), and he worked on the Apollo project as well as many other top-level security projects. My dad was an Auburn University graduate who put himself through college. He was and is a southern gentleman and taught me a lot about hard work, manners and loyalty. He went to work every day and sacrificed a lot for his family. He was a track star, played baseball, football and loved playing cards and games. I learned in my adult years that I get my sentimental side from him, and he makes the most of every moment by being with family for special occasions. Now that he's closer in proximity, he comes to church with us each week just to be with us. My children don't know the man he was, but I remember, and I try to share his story so that they know their grandpa better.

First Volleyball Banquet

We attended Jenna's first volleyball banquet tonight. Jenna was a co-captain and presented her coach's award with Jenelle. It was fun to have MacKenzie and Julia on the team with her as well as other friends she's knew in middle school. She made new friend, too. We were proud of the way Jenna held her head high tonight as she was completely overlooked by her coach in terms of her contribution to the team. She wasn't recognized as a captain and when her coach began speaking about Jenna, we didn't even know he was talking about her, and I missed getting a photo of her. He said something about her coming in the gym and getting her shoes on and being ready to work. Nothing about her setting or blocking or her skill on the court. She started every game and played full rotation every single match. She was such a major factor on her team, but she went completely overlooked. That's the way it goes. We talked about it in the car on the way home. She knew she had played well and had contributed. And she plays because of her love of the game, not because of awards or recognition. To sum it up, the parents were annoyed, but Jenna was a superstar. She took it in stride and is looking forward to club season.