Happy Party!

Sometimes when you are the bishop and it is nearing the end of the year you find all your duties overwhelming. Since Greg has been put in as bishop I have noticed two time of the year that are always very overwhelming.  September and December. I don't know why but everyone needs something at that time. Everyone. Greg gets overwhelmed and sometimes I do too. It is hard sometimes to be the bishop's wife. I get to see the burdens placed on his shoulders. I get to see how little decisions people make (for good or bad) make a big difference on the burden Greg carries.

I am grateful to the many people who do perform their callings and support and pray for the bishop and his counselors.  They are blessing to all of our lives. I am also grateful for all the lord has given me and my family. I am grateful for this thanksgiving season. I thought it was going to be hard and lonely but it wasn't. It was a wonderful quiet day. We had dinner just the six of us. The first time in our married life. It was awesome. I hope to repeat it again soon.

Our thankful day began last Sunday. Greg was overwhelmed as I stated before and I was grouchy after a long day. The kids and I decided to give Greg a special day to remember that he is so loved at home.  We had a happy party. With a smiley cake and sweet little smiles the kids decorated the table with. Here are a few examples:

The lord has blessed me with sweet children. I love them so very much! One thing I have learned this year is that with them by my side I will always have a reason to smile. Especially with Greg as my partner. Life is good. Love is good. Family is everything.

Our Thanksgiving in the end did not turn out as we expected it. In a way it turned out better. Although we had planned to spend the weekend in Bismarck at the temple and swimming with the kids it just didn't get to happen. Jacob ended up with the stomach flu Thursday night (thankfully it started at home not before we left for the temple) and we just had a cozy weekend together.  Decorating the tree was a highlight. We even found a job for Jacob. He got to put all the hooks on the new ornaments. It worked for a little while and then his stomach said no more.

 Katherine put all the silver sparkly ornaments in the same spot on the tree. So stinking cute! I didn't even move them this year. I just love my kids the way they are.

 The finished product was great. The tree is wonderful. A little fatter than I anticipated but we squeezed it in the corner and I think it works! We couldn't put it in the usual location. It was so big we couldn't walk around it to get into the front room!