Tragic news

Today we received an email from a friend who told us about a tragedy that has struck some other dear friends. We met them when my kids were all of 8 and under and lived a block a part for 9 years. Their kids were the same age as mine and so we did a bunch of things together. Three of her 5 and three of mine were all best friends. (Jason and Daniel, Jade and Lauren and Alex and Jonathan) They went to a soccer meet down in Orange County on Nov 23rd and returned to find their house in ashes. It was an electrical fire and they lost everything they owned except what they had with them at the meet and in the car at that time. Can you imagine? I can't. I am just heartsick about it.

Melissa, the friend who told me about it said that the community has been incredible at helping them out and seeing that they got back on their feet and had a good Christmas. Their homeowners is paying for their house rental and they are in a house that is bigger than the one they owned. LOL. She said they don't have a hard line phone anymore and I don't have their cell numbers so she is getting them for me.

I am so grateful for the roof over my head and the dishes in my sink and the pile of laundry awaiting me in the mud room. I will try to realize what a blessing these things are more often.

Celebrating at Disneyland

Thanks Nana!

Thanks Nana for the cute outfit you gave me for Christmas! I look so cute in it!

Lets get to know each other better....

Sometimes even when you live with someone, you don't know them very well. I thought it might be fun to see if we could learn more about each other. How about answering the following questions:

1) what is your most memorable Christmas and why?

2) what is your most memorable Christmas gift and why?

I'll answer both first. My most memorable Christmas was the one when I arrived home from my mission. Lewis and I had called off our wedding but they were unable to change my travel plans due to the holiday. So I arrived to share the holidays with all of you and opening gifts such as "matching towels". Lewis do you remember that? LOL.

My most memorable Christmas gift wasn't an official gift, it was my perception of a gift. Lauren was due to be born on Valentines Day of 1989. She instead was born on December 14th. She had trouble controlling her body temp and so they kept her trying to get her fattened up and they gave her to Lewis and I on Christmas Eve to take home.

I can't wait to read all of your answers.

What are you doing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and who are you spending it with?

Christmas Eve will find us in the company of the Lamberts. They have graciously invited us to their home to share their prime rib. Mmmmm. We are excited about their invitation and opportunity to be with family. Christmas day we will be alone and just relaxing and enjoying each other. The day after Lewis, Caitlin and Jonathan will be headed to Palmdale for a quick visit.

Shelley explained that on Christmas Eve their tradition is to have/cook what ever foods their kids associate with Christmas. She asked me to provide what ever foods my kids associate with the day. When we talked I thought, hmmmm I don't think they associate with the holiday. I was wrong. Both Jon and Dan want "turkey". We always have turkey on Thanksgiving and a honeybaked ham for Christmas. But they said that it isn't Christmas to them without "turkey". Caitlin said its Grandma's holiday jello. Lauren said its "rolls". Lewis didn't seem to have an opinion but after much thought, what came to me was Grandma's slush. I was introduced to it the Christmas I came home from my mission and several times since then and when I get slush, I know its Christmas. What do your kids associate with the holiday?

Snow

So I previously mentioned it has been snowing since 3pm yesterday which makes for some deep snow. Jason was out shoveling it off the driveway and Paisley was out playing in it. I went out for a little bit, but I only own the $1 gloves from target so my fingers didn't last long. Paisley thinks it is so fun to say snow and to play in it. This snow storm ended up getting our ward Christmas party that was supposed to be tonight canceled! Bummer!

Maplan Christmas Party

Last night was Jason's work Christmas party. It was held out at the country club which is a couple miles outside of town. Usually it is no big deal to drive out there but since 3pm yesterday it has been snowing so it was a little more tricky to drive out there. Neither of us had been there before so that was fun. The food was very good. There was music and and drawing for prizes. We didn't win any of the prizes but we did win the center piece! That makes 2 years in a row for us now!! We had so much fun. Some of our very nice friends watched Paisley for us so we were able to attend childless. She had a lot of fun playing with her friends and having her first pajama party. I think we all had a very fun night.

It's Magic!

Well the Magic Eraser certainly lives up to its name! The crayon magically disappeared from my wall with very little scrubbing. I cleaned most of it, but since Paisley was the one who put it there she had her fair share of cleaning. She thought it was a lot of fun and screamed when we told her that was enough. I'm glad she likes to clean, because I see a lot of that in her future!

Any Tips?

Any tips for getting this very orange crayon off my very blue wall? As you probably can guess Paisley did this drawing. She actually did 2. One on each side of the television. We tried to scrub it with hot water and that didn't work. I don't want to repaint our basement, so anybody have any other ideas? I'm pretty sure Rebecca has experience with this.

Ice Storm

As you may know from the new there is a major ice storm "wreaking havoc" in the Midwest and east coast. Kansas is lucky enough to be the dead center of the Midwest so we are getting pounded with the storm. I took these pictures in my backyard this morning. Jason said on his slow drive to work there were tree branches and bushes down all over the place. All of our trees are luckily still standing right now. I thought it was really pretty how the ice encased every single branch and blade of grass. Our whole yard is flooded and Jason said all the streets are flooded with little islands where the road is visible. Last night on the news they said we were going to get an inch of ice and the storm is supposed to continue on with another on the way. Oh the adventures we will have with new weather we've never experienced!

Hello, check out Santa visit to SLO 2nd ward primary and Nathan birtday pics from SB zoo on the smith blog.

Lewis's new calling!

Well, just before we sat down for Sacrament, the 2nd counselor in the Stake Presidency grabbed both Lewis and I to extend Lewis a calling. He is now the Assistant Ward Clerk in charge of finances. A friend of ours sitting in front of us, after Lewis was sustained joked that "once a clerk always a clerk". Another brother heard that and said "yes you only get released when you die" to which the first gentleman said "not even then, they have clerks on the other side too". LOL.

Just need to thank Shelley for her wonderful support

As I said earlier, me and mine are trying to eat healthier. I am trying to lose weight, Caitlin is too. Not sure if anyone else if dieting. Jon and Daniel are going along very unethusiastically. LOL. I made extra lean pork tenderloin for dinner with steamed veggies and brown rice (I burned the rice). The pork and veggies were delicious. My rice was still hard after most of the chicken broth had been absorbed so after consulting my "weight loss authority = Shelley) I added more liquid and put it back on the stove, only to forget about it and burn it. Yikes, it tasted good but was just hard, such a waste. Sigh. I bought a bunch of fresh fruit for the kids to eat when they are in munch mode instead of junk and have told them no junk is allowed in the house. I am cooking with splenda and splenda brown sugar as well as no sodium flavorings (Mrs Dash). It should be interesting. Caitlin ate her pork and a few veggies, noone else ate more than a taste of everything. Guess they will be more enthusiastic about breakfast? Lauren just got home from work so we will see how she likes it.

Recipe- Chocolate Mint Squares

Shelley emailed me for the recipe of the Chocolate Mint Square and so I thought since it was typed up, I could easily copy and paste is here. Enjoy!

6 tablespoons butter (not margarine)
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoon plus 1 tsp. milk divided
1 tsp vanilla extract

Line 8 inch square pan with foil, extending foil over edges. In small saucepan over low heat, melt butter; add cocoa. Cook, stirring constantly, just until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; add powdered sugar, 3 tbsp. milk and vanilla. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is melted and glossy. Spread half the mixture into prepared pan. refrigerate. Meanwhile prepare mint filling; spread over chocolate layer. Refrigerate 10 minutes. To remaining chocolate mixture in sauce pan add 1 tsp. milk. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until smooth. spread quickly over filling. Refrigerate until firm. Use foil to lift candy out of pan; peel off foil. Cut candy into square. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

Mint Filling
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
3-5 drops green food coloring

In small mixing bowl, beat all ingredients until smooth. Add 2-3 tbsp milk if needed for spreading consistency.

I'm a Bakin' Fool

As I get ready for December visiting I have been baking since Monday! We have many people on our list to give goodie plates to so I thought while I was making treats for my visiting teaching ladies I would make a ton and get the goodie plates out of the way.

In this picture I have Andes mint cookies, caramel candy bars, and cocoa kiss cookies

Here we have peppermint pattie brownies, chocolate mint fudge squares and chocolate and caramel covered pretzels with an assortment of toppings.

It has been a lot of fun to make so many treats, but I'm glad I'm pretty much done. Now I just need to make up the plates and make a beautiful presentation and we'll be good to go!

James new email

Dear Family, How are you all doing? I am doing really well. Our zone is working really hard. Being a zone leader has been such a rewarding time of service. My new companion, Elder Asbury, always remembers to pray for the zone members. That has inspired me to do likewise. In last October's General Conference, President Iring spoke along the same lines that if we are in service, to pray for the people in whom we serve. I know that to be true. Lately as we have been praying and serving the zone, our charity and happiness has grown tremendously. Last week, we reached a zone high of 15 people in the baptismal pool. Sadly, everyone has agency and as of last night we have 8 in the baptismal pool. We had one of the most spiritual meetings of my life yesterday as we attended Zone Leader Council. At Zone Leader Council, all 18 Zone Leaders from the 9 zones in the mission, with the Assistants to the President, meet in the high council room and discuss matters of the mission with President and Sister Nielson. It was so wonderful to be apart of such a meeting, I am reminded of the scripture... Alma 52:9 - "... Moroni and Teancum and many of the chief captains held a council of war-- ..." The meeting we held really was just that. We discussed our english class, key indicators, baptismal invitations, the commitment patter, the teaching method, and many other wonderful things. My companion and I on thursday will create our zone vision and than present it to the districts. President Garn is a powerful man. He renewed my love of the Lord and this work. I have enjoyed so much at going outside and talking to as many people as I can. What a wonderful feeling to talk with a brother or sister of God. The feeling is really something hard to describe, but I promise it will always remain in your heart. I know you all probably are asked for referrals all the time; but I know that if we all ponder and prayerfully select a family to refer the missionaries to, we will feel that same joy and will see a big miracle happen within our homes and the lives of our brethern. This church is true. The experience I have obtained and been shown have strengthened that testimony. In Taiwan, men are expected to serve in the military. Our new member, brother Liu has been preparing and contemplating serving the Lord. In taiwan, the mind set is to army, school, that serve a mission. President Nielson, retaught the teachings of the prophets that every young man 18-19 start to prepare and go to serve a full time mission of 2 years. We met with him last night and shared this with him, as well as invite him to pray and find for himself. I know that God will answer his prayers. He has had a testimony of prayer for quite some time. I promise all of you, as we obediently obey the Lord's chosen servants, they will not lead us astray. We can receive the comforting peace that comes from the Spirit witnessing we have done what the Lord has desired. SO! MIRACLES! We went on exchanges with Elder Cai (District Leader) and spent most of monday at a hospital serving or myself doing followups. Monday night though, was soooooooooooooooooo much fun. We talked to a ton of people. (Yesterday, President Nielson taught us that, if you are worthy, you do your morning studies, and are desirous, the Spirit will talk to you. They will not be your thoughts, but the Spirit.) We had two experiences with that. We went into a big apartment complex that we can actually tract in! and were contacting families. On our way out, a Brother Su waved at us, and both Elder Cai and I flipped a 180 and were talking with him. We talked for about 20 min and he has some of the most pure desire ever to know the existance of God. He set up for Saturday at 10am. Later that night, we were contraveling (contacting and traveling at the same time. I made it up.) home I said hello and waved to a high school boy. He waved back and flashed a awesome smile. So I flipped a U-turn and we contacted him and he set up too! It is in the small things we do, where the Spirit will guide us and lead us into the lives of the prepared. I know that the Spirit is the master teacher. All we ever desire to learn and know can be ours if we ask in faith. Moroni 7:26 I love you all and hope you all this festive season will have the Lord's peace in your hearts! Be strong and follow your leaders and parents! Love Elder Whelchel P.S. BE strong!

Maybe I have it right this time. So, Stefanie sent us a box of chocolate that she and Jason got in Germany. It took about two weeks to come and I had just about decided it was lost when it came. She sent a variety of kinds - one bar had chili peppers in it, one was milk chocolate, one was milk chocolate with a dark chocolate filling. Brad and Taryn enjoyed the straws which made milk either strawberry or chocolate. The hearts were yummy milk chocolate. We had a lot of fun tasting the different kinds. Thanks, Stef and Jason for the treat and the very fun experience!

Snowwwwwwwwww

Alright, so its up on Pinevalley Mountain and not in our back yard, it is still very cool to see and very beautiful. Its been really cold here. We have ice on the windshields every morning. This is a real adjustment for us so cal transplants. Jon and Caitlin had NEVER seen frost or ice like this before. I forget that they were really little when we lived in Pennsylvania. Coats are a must in the mornings and at night but layered shirts or a sweater make do during the day.

We had a wonderful birthday/anniversary visit with Grandma and Grandpa and the Lambert children. We all enjoyed cake and ice cream as well as Jolie's funny antics.

Roxy recently had to go to the vet. It seems she had a case of "swimmers ear". Hmmm not quite sure how that happened. She hates water. He said the infection was pretty bad and that her eardrum was VERY inflamed but he thought the antibiotic should kick in before it perforates. I sure hope so. He gave her a shot that night and she gets ear drops now morning and night.

I have been keeping James missionary profile on his mission website updated and had great fun recently hearing from two of his former companions. Then while working on that, it occurred to me that my own misison might have a website and they did. I have since found two of my old companions and been in touch with them. I love the INTERNET!!!

Extreme Gingerbread House Making!

This is what a six hour gingerbread house project looks like!

Yesterday a friend of mine invited me and a couple of girls in the ward over to make gingerbread houses. I should have known that this was going to be a lot more extensive than the typical gingerbread house. This project took 6 hours in total (we did it in two 3 hour segments) It was a lot of fun to make and good bonding time with some friends. It was sad to be away from Jason and Paisley for most of the day, but fun to have friends that would include me in such a special project! I'm going to go back today and pick it up. I haven't decided if I'm going to let Jason and Paisley pick on the candy or not.

Christmas is in the Air

Christmas is coming. Yay... Well anyways here is a useful tool for the countdown 'till Christmas


http://mysite.verizon.net/vze201j5/countdown.htm

Friday Night Dance Party

Happy Birthday and such

I'd like to say Happy Birthday to Lewis and all the other December Brithday's. Also, Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad tomorrow!! I hope you all have fun celebrations for your special day!!