A Capicity to Create

I loved this talk when President Uchdtorf gave it. Don't you just instantly recognize it as truth? As someone who has dappled her hands in many projects, and searched for things to be good at creating, I find a lot of peace in the truth that I was "fashioned by an endlessly creative God". Despite how many things I don't excel at creating, the more I rely on the Spirit that greater my 'capacity to create' will be. Last year I tried gardening, and sewing, and baking, and cooking, and even thought I didn't win a prize or set a record, I satisfied part of my desire to create, and to improve.

So on to this year, a new year of creating. What about you. Any creations planned?

Picture Review

David got his wings.

Not really, but almost.

For Christmas I sent David up in the air.

On a tiny little plane .

On a windy day.

With a pilot younger than him,

Who said "Dude" a lot.

Only the first was on purpose.

But he went.

And had a blast.

And admitted that he didn't want to be a pilot.

Phew.

.

Twenty Ten

Wait. It's 2010?

When did that happen? I'm stuck in December, despite my return to work last week. I keep writing 2009 too. My students are loosing their patience. Today one of them even got his papers ready before we sat down to do our reading lesson so that he could name and date his own score sheet. Kind of sweet I suppose . Who would have thought a group of children with Autism would have to learn to be patient with their teacher?

So since it's already double digits in January, I'll spare you the 2009 review and move on the the twenty ten plans....As soon as I make some. For now, enjoy the pics of our last few weeks, because Christmas came and went without a single picture.

December

I missed November. Not literally. I was very present for November. I just missed November here. November was very good to us. And now it's December. And we can't hardly stand it! December. Christmas. Our favorite. family. Here is what we plan on doing:

1. Listening to Christmas music every day.

2. Going to a presentation of Handel's Messiah in St. Augustine.

3. Going Christmas crazy with our lights outside (Our neighbors have no idea what's about to happen!)

4. Finding a perfect tree and decorating it while we wear P.J's.

5. Actually sending the 2 years worth of Christmas cards I've accumulated.

6. Enjoying our paper whites in the living room.

7. The First Presidency Christmas devotional.

8. Enjoying Night of Lights in historic St. Augustine.

9. Seeing more of our wonderful families.

10. Making my mom's caramel corn. Yum.

11. Doorbell ditching some deserving people.

12. Reading the Christmas story from the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

13. Seeing the lights and window displays downtown.

14. Planning and throwing the ward Christmas party. (It's going to be GREAT)!

15. Baking up a storm of goodies.

16. Slowing down, amidst all of this list, to catch up with dear friends, and especially family.


Alright guys, if you're still there....What are your plans? Any traditions that you're carrying on? Or anything new you can't wait to do?

Reminders.

I'm full of reminders. I've started carrying 2 planners. And a notebook to keep up with myself. I have alarms set on my phone for different meetings and places to be. I'm not going to go much deeper into these past few weeks than that. It's been a whole new level of busy around here.

Yesterday however, amidst all of the reminders and alarms and places to be, I got in a quick much needed chat with one of my nieces. My sister in law has just a her fourth little one, and this specific niece I was chatting with has had a difficult time adjusting to life with another baby at home. So I stopped by to spend some time with her. And oh goodness did she have so much to say. And inside of her excited chatter, she taught me quite a lesson. See if you can catch it....

Me: "How's school going? Making any friends?"

Kate: "Oh yes, there is this girl and her name is Tess, well that's not really her name, her name is Tessa, but we call her Tess, and that's okay because my real name is Katherine, but we call me Kate. And she is so nice, and, OH!! Did you know that the 'i' is a letter in the alphabet?! My whole time being little, and I never knew that! (insert little laugh) And Tess is real nice.. (and she continues on for quite a while this way about Tess and school.

REMINDER (to me): There are so many little things to be excited about. So many things to find joy in. 'i' is a letter in the alphabet for heavens sake, and that is exciting!

NC

Here are some of the highlights from our recent trip to Pittsboro NC. This was my first time spending more than a few hours in NC, and I must say, I loved it. We found a letterbox, enjoyed the wedding of David's older brother Jeff, and his bride Cheryl, and had some time to play in Pittsboro (who was having an art market the day we were there). It was a lot of fun, the pictures don't do it justice!

Playing outside the reception:

The happy couple, David's bro Jeff, and our new sis Cheryl.

Letterboxing with the other Goodes (Allison, Doug, Jonathon, and Jillianne)