Reasons to celebrate:

I have been alive for seventeen years and counting. I was privileged to spend time with the people I care about most. My Laurel leaders came over bearing gifts in the morning, I had lunch with my parents, and my two best friends took me for manicures and made breakfast for dinner. We celebrated and laughed and did what teenage girls do...talk about boys, of course. I also got to talk on the phone to some of my closest friends and my grandparents, who are serving a mission in Australia! My grandma has been keeping an eye out on missionaries because she wants to set me up with all them. She advised me to keep out of trouble with boys, but I don't think that will be much of an issue, considering I have survived seventeen years without kissing one. That is quite an accomplishment if you ask me.

I swear, I will be ready for Christmas by Thanksgiving next year...Max and I did all of our gift shopping in one day, but came out successful, so it wasn't all bad. I continued my tradition of attending Christmas Eve Mass, this year with my dad, Grace, and the lovely Cutler family. It is always an awesome experience; I love seeing how other people worship. We stand together and sing about the Savior, not to mention, everything is more fun at midnight!

Christmas was different this year. I didn't really want anything, besides the usual socks and underwear, so opening gifts was nothing special. Or so I thought... 

My parents made a shocking discovery last October when the mission age change was announced. Us four oldest kids are very close in age and thus have overlapping mission dates. And honestly, as soon as Max leaves, it's a domino effect. We will never be around at the same time, ever. So in light of this news, we are going on a cruise! I cannot wait, I tell you. Other highlights of Christmas Day include grapefruit for breakfast, scones at Nana and Papa's, a long nap, and just spending time with family. My nana put together Journal Jars for all the older grandkids so we can start recording our life history. I love how invested she is in genealogy and family history, and hope to continue that. I think I will use her prompts on this blog occasionally. Merry Christmas!

A Classy Christmas

Hello, Holidays

Christmastime truly is the most wonderful time of the year and I had an amazing opportunities this weekend to kick December off with a bang. 

Sunday was the annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Spencer invited me to come with his family! We were able to ride the carts in underground tunnels beneath the temple and Conference Center. I saw Elder Scott and Elder Christofferson and Spencer shook hands with Elder Perry. The devotional was beautiful. I especially liked President Uchtdorf's talk about graciously receiving, but they were all excellent. The choir and orchestra performed an incredible rendition of What Child is This that I can't stop listening to. I cannot think of a better way to get into the Christmas spirit than listening to inspired music and messages about our Savior, and it was a once in a lifetime experience to attend at the Conference Center.

Afterwards, Spencer's sweet mom introduced me to Sister Elaine S. Dalton. What an amazing woman. In two minutes, she made me feel like the most special girl on the planet. An elite daughter of God. I fell in love with the atmosphere of all these incredibly accomplished, righteous, and humble brothers and sisters of mine. I hope to be like them one day as I strive to emulate the example of the Savior. I'm thankful that I was able to spend a day of worship listening to the messages given by our prophets with some of the greatest people I know!