12/07/14 Speaking in church and piano recital

12/7/14

Did you get to watch the Christmas Devotional? (It is broadcast Sunday night so we haven't seen it yet but it will be over by the time you read this.)

Another busy week here.  I thought things would get slower and easier with only 2 kids to take care of but it's not!  I think it's even busier because you boys used to help so much.  With rides and helping around the house etc.

Last Sunday Dad and I spoke in Church.  I think it went well.  Tons of people said it was awesome and they loved it. Friends of ours stopped by yesterday and said they missed it but HEARD it was great and were sorry that they had been away.  I mailed the talks to you.  I don't know if they arrived yet or not.  

We were going to go watch Grandpa sing in the Temple choir but Grandma told us not to.  Then at 6 p.m. when it was supposed to start she texted and said, o, there is room, come on over.  We didn't. At that point we were already not dressed and chilling here so we skipped it. I heard it was pretty impressive though.  

The girls have started basketball so they had practices this week and games on Saturday.  Holly scored at least once (I came at 1/2 time and she says she scored 4X before I got there...we are not sure that is a correct #!)  She had a couple nice blocked shot and a score after I got there and then some girl jabbed her in the ribs with her elbows and she sat out the rest of the game.  Her team was losing 12-15 when I arrived.  The game ended about 22-37 or something.  It got super ugly.  So, maybe she did score a lot?!  I dunno!

Katie had 2 baskets and a ton of rebounds and blocks.  She is getting pretty good!  Her team lost 25-27 at a super amazing buzzer shot.  I wished I could have been on the other team to cheer for her it was such a great shot!  Half the gym stood up and cheered and jumped and hollered.  The other half let out a Noooooo, Dang.  O.  Great ending.  If you have to lose.  

Thursday night we went over to Gma and pa's house and had dinner and made a new stocking holder.  I will email a picture of it with my pictures I send you this week.  Dad watched the cowboys game and I worked on my project after dinner.  Dad cut it out for me.

Friday was our piano recital  Dawn Wright decorated the relief society room with stars hanging from the ceiling, star shaped rice crispie treats, star shaped cookies, cupcakes with chocolate stars on top, punch with star shaped ice.  Yes went ALL out.  It was pretty nifty.  There were 9 students and we all played.  (Even me.)  She picked a bad time because only immediate family came from the Clark's, Carnivale, and Wright Family. Except for 1 grandma.  And for us, only the players came.  Dad was in Richfield, Gma and Pa were at the temple. So on the happy side, the crowd was pretty small.  Everyone did really well.  She handed out framed award certificates and she pays the kids .25 each time they do certain things.  So Katie earned like $20 this year and Holly had like $15 (Holly didn't go all summer to lessons). I got a necklace because she doesn't pay me!

We got the text of you on Thursday night at dinner. That was kind of surprising and fun!  Made us feel connected to you for a little while!!!!  

I played at the stake baptism last night.  Our ward was in charge.  Max Harrison and Austin Drew spoke.  I missed you extra because if you'd have been home, you probably would have been one of those speakers!  They did a great job.  I think they are both planning to leave on missions soon.  I'll keep you posted as I hear.  I think Max will be sooner - I heard he was going to graduate in December and then go next year.  I think Austin still in h.s.  Not sure though.

Dad spent Friday and Saturday in Richfield covering 8 boys basketball games.  He broadcast 5 of them (rotating with Devon and Mike) but he wrote all of them and took some pictures himself. Got home very tired last night but still had to "produce" them all for the website so he got to bed about 4 a.m.   I don't know how he keeps those crazy schedules.  

That about sums up our week.  We really enjoy your letters and pictures and I hope you are surviving the cold!!!  

  
Here are a couple of our thoughts for the day from this week:

What distinguishes winners from losers is their ability to

cope with failure and get beyond it. One of the ways they do

that is to concentrate at all times on what they can do not

on what they can't do... The idea is to remember your successes.

--Dr. Bob Butera

Guts are a combination of confidence, courage, conviction,

strength of character, stick-to-itiveness, pugnaciousness,

backbone, and intestinal fortitude. They are mandatory for

anyone who wants to get to and stay at the top.

--D.A. Benton

As always I love you lots and if you need anything PLEASE let me know and I'll try to get it to you!!!  You are doing amazing and I'm so proud of you.  Keep up the good works!  I'm so thankful to the families you are coming in contact with that post pictures of you and send us nice notes about you.  It means a lot.  Tell them thank you for us if you see them!!!

XOXO mom