There is a quote: "LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORMS TO PASS.... IT'S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN."
With 12 children and 5 adopted from Russia, we have had challenges and trials along with our joys. We have decided that we must
learn how to "dance in the rain." We must notice and acknowledge the joys and miracles in our lives.
They exist daily -- we just need to make sure we do not miss them!! This blog is to remind us of these miracles and joys!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

DECEMBER 24, 2012 -- BENJAMIN'S BIRTHDAY #14


BENJAMIN'S BIRTHDAY #14
December 24, 2012

When Benjamin was turning 12, which is the magic age in our family to be allowed a sleepover, he and his buddy came up with the plan that they would have a "party" on Dec. 23rd that would last until midnight and then at midnight Benjamin would be old enough for a sleep over and then Bates could just stay the night!  What clever boys we have!!!  This year, Dec. 23rd was a Sunday and we don't watch movies or play electronics on Sunday.  Bates was such a great friend that he came and they read and talked and hung out until midnight and then they pulled out the Pokemon and went at it until 4am!!!!
 Well, this tradition has now stuck 3 years in a row and we love it!!!
Benjamin's birthday meals included:  
TACOS for breakfast
Pizza for lunch
and a cake
 Birthday Pizza!!!

Which doubled as a cake!  Dad made the cake and it was 
accidently poured into a small baking pan rather then the 
required 9x13.  The cake rose beyond it capabilities and as it was pulled out of the oven the doughy center sloshed and dumped and we then had a 
birthday crater.  That is OK -- Ben awaits a new cake and the pizza worked well for candles!  
 

Mason always wants a turn at blowing out the candles so it has been tradition now for over a year that when anyone has a birthday, we sing to him and let him blow!  We know we spoil him and someday we will have to explain that you really only get 1 birthday each year!  But until he expects presents for himself each time, we won't worry! :)

 

























DECEMBER 24, 2012 -- MISSION PAPERS SUBMITTED!

MISSION PAPERS SUBMITTED
DECEMBER 24, 2012


We are so excited to find out when and where Hyrum will 
serve his volunteer 2-year mission!

Hyrum played in the bowl game with BYU in San Diego, CA so he 
didn't arrive home until Saturday, Dec. 22nd.  The next day, Sunday, he 
had his final interview with our stake president, President Bradford.
Mission papers were finished off and our bishop hit the "submit" button which sent them to the stake president for his final review!
Missionaries are able to submit their papers 120 days prior to their availability date.  For Hyrum that wasn't until actually December 26th -- the last day of finals is April 26th, 2012.
President Bradford tried to submit them on that Sunday, but they wouldn't go through yet.  He let us know that on the morning of December 24th, the "submit button" connected and Hyrum's papers were submitted!
We are guessing that his call will arrive the week of January 7th, 2013!
We are all excited!  Each family member has made a guess of a state in the USA and a country of where they think Hyrum will go!!!