January 2019

January was a big month for Daniel. He was ordained a deacon! In all honesty, this was a big shock to all of us, and took some adjusting to. It is sad to all of a sudden not have him in Primary. In a way, we feel like we lost a year of his life. But we're getting used to the idea, and readjusting our thinking and trying to be patient with the each other. He was just ordained last Sunday. It will be so different to have him passing the sacrament now.

Daniel also participated in the STEM fair this month. He decided to build a cat house for Jack. It took so much work and time and frustration and even tears. But it is a huge success! Jack LOVES it! And Daniel was one of the winners in his class, moving on to the district fair in February.

Scott has been serving as the Deacon Quorum assistant, but was called to be the advisor/Scout Master/YM 2nd Counselor this month. He's excited to be able to participate more, and it's great to have Daniel and his friends in the class now.

We had a very short off-track at the beginning of the month. We enjoyed sleeping in and staying up late. We caught up on the Christmas movies we hadn't watched before Christmas, and played with our Christmas toys. We went to visit Aunt Kathleen one day. And we changed some bedrooms around. Mary moved downstairs, and Peter moved in with Anna. So far, it is working out great.

Scott and I took a Love and Logic parenting class this month too. We learned some great things. I'm trying to remember to celebrate kids' mistakes instead of dread them, to be motivated by love not fear or anger, and to let go of all the things that aren't really in my control. I'm hopeful. Look how cute they all are! They deserve a happy, secure, loving wife and mother, and I can be that for them.