Well, it is a new year and time for setting new goals. Keeping this updated would be one of mine. Our holidays were very low key and quiet. It was just the four of us at home and while we missed spending time with our extended family it was nice to be together. We had a few teaching moments in the middle of all the Christmas concerts and firesides. We were Cedar City one afternoon right after a big snow storm, the roads were awful, there was easily a foot of snow on the ground. As we were driving to our destination we passed a car that was stuck, we couldn't tell if they were trying to come or go from their home, but they were not getting very far when we drove by. We circled back around the block, found a place to pull off the road. The kids and I piled out of the car and went to go help. She was trying to get up her driveway in her little Prius, I'm sure that it drove her nuts that we were in a Suburban. :) As we were clearing snow out of the way a college student pulled up and grabbed the snow shovel and pitched in and we soon had her up in the driveway. The guy stayed and manned the shovel and cleared the rest of her drive for her and the kids and I got back in the car and headed on our way. The reason this story was a teaching moment was twofold; first she had several stickers on her car to indicate that she did not believe in our Heavenly Father or our Savior, and second as we were leaving she didn't even look at us or say thank you, she was totally uncomfortable with the help the whole time that we were there. We talked about all of this on our way home, and the fact that she didn't believe in her Father in Heaven, but he loved her enough that he sent 4 angels to help her that afternoon. As Christmas drew closer we realized how truly blessed we were to live where we live, and to be surrounded by friends who love us.

The high lights of the last month include Richard helping us put in our bricks for our wood burning stove, you're the best. The little elves who helped Santa at our house. We went to St. George and got to spend some time with mom and Julie. We were sad that we did not get so spend more time with Russ, Mindy, Amy and all of the cousins, maybe some time soon. Matt is going to school to get his CDL and then look out 'cause he'll be on the road.