Yes, I am just now writing about Christmas

Wow how time flies! I can't believe that it is almost the end of January. I just wanted to share some things about our Christmas. It was our year to stay in Spokane and this year we had my mom come and spend Christmas with us. What a treat! Christmas eve was amazing. Dave made our traditional prime rib dinner and with gramdma Madge's homemade rolls the dinner was a huge success!! We went and looked at Christmas lights around Spokane and found one house that had amazing lights and was set to music. We then came home and read about the birth of Christ and then watched the annual Christmas slide show. It was a great night. Then Christmas morning, Zach decided it was a good idea to wake everyone up at 8 am. That was early for us!! We were able to make breakfast for Grandma and then opened presents. It was a smaller Christmas this year but the joy of being together made it special. We went and played volleyball with some friends from the ward and then had our good friends (the Jarvis's) over for homemade soup and played games the rest of the night. Christmas is always such a magical time and is always a great time to reflect on the important things in life. I am so grateful to have a wonderful family and friends in my life. I am most grateful for the knowledge of my Savior...for His birth , His life, and His love.

Updates

Jacob turned 12 a couple of weeks ago and received the Aaronic Priesthood. Our home is full of the power of the priesthood! What a blessing!


We are in the Christmas spirit! We decorated the tree on Sunday. We always get a fresh tree and the smell is divine!

Even Sammy had fun exploring. Dave and Kelsie were having a little too much fun posing for the camera!

Football Season

It is a bitter sweet moment when football season is over for my kids. We love going to the games and watching Jacob play. But at the smae time football consumes our life to the point that nothing else gets done. Jacob's Mead team had a great season! They were undefeated until the play-offs and then lost the game that would have put them in the running for 1st place. They ended up winning 3rd place in the 6th grade division. He has played with this team for 4 years. Next year will be their last season together. Great job Jacob!!

My baby girl is 16!

So I have really been in a reminscent mood with my little girl turning 16. It really does seem like yesterday that she was running around the house in her diapers following Zach. I am so grateful to have Kelsie around. She has grown into such a wonderful young woman. She is such a light to our lives! We had a party for her and I am amazed at how many good friends she has surrounding her! As part of her party, we had everyone wear the most things that represented Kelsie. (ie her favorite colors, favorite things) It was so fun to see what everyone came up with! Needless to say almost everyone wore basketball shorts!! For the prize the top winner got a poster size picture signed by Kelsie for her biggest fan!! Happy Birthday Kelsie!

Updates

I have realized that I have been horrible at keeping up to date on my life through my blog. Blame it on my obsession with facebook or just laziness. I don't know. Life here is crazy busy. Fall usually is in the Barnes family.




We have always been a football family with all the boys involved with a team. But this year only Jacob is left playing football and is loving it! He is a very talented player and he has a great team and coaches! He has played with his team now since we first moved here in 2005. They have come a long way!! They are undefeated so far this year with one more game this Saturday.(they did have one game which they tied 0-0. No overtime in the little leagues)

Caleb decided to try Cross Country this year. Running?? Who would have thought? But he is having a great time. It is great to hear him say "We ONLY had to run 8 miles today, that was an easy day!" Caleb's goal is to letter this year as a freshman. He is getting closer and closer to his goal! He has beat his PR each meet!

Through much thought and a really tough decision, Zach switched over to cross country from football mid-season. He is a good runner and has done great at the meets! He actually lettered at the invitational in Richland!



Kelsie is usually playing volleyball this time of year but decided to focus on school. She has some issues with high school volleyball. (And I am not forcing her to do anything she doesn't want to do) TEeNaGeRs!! She is taking two AP classes this year and has the OCD in her that if she gets a "B" it might be the end of the world! She is very competitive when it comes to most things but we are finding it is especailly true with school work. Maybe all those lectures on getting the most out of school actually stuck!




Dave has been so busy with work. He has been traveling quite a bit which is not always easy. The first few trips were a nice break but now both he and I are ready for him to stay home for a while!!! He has mostly been in the eastern part of the country. But there have been so many places I couldn't even start to name them.Needless to say we have all missed him being home!

I have just been trying to keep up with everyone's schedule. I am teaching piano again this year and have 14 students. I love to teach and the kids are doing great! I love being a mom and I am still well aware that I only have so much time left with my kids at home! They are so much fun and add light and much laughter to the house! So there is a quick update to what is happening around here.

Zach

It really is a strange feeling to know that my oldest is now 17. Especially when I know that I was just 17 when I got married. Time is flying by very fast!

Zach has grown from being a silly boy to a great young man. He is a great example to his siblings and to his friends. He has had to make some hard decisions and has had to stand up for what he believes. I am so proud of the person he has become! I am also very proud to be his mom! Happy Birthday Zach! I love you!

Faith Not Shaken

Sometimes we feel that our life is falling apart around us. I have felt this lately. I have tried to figure out my thoughts and what I am feeling inside through this storm that is passing through my life. My thoughts are constantly brought back to my Savior. I am realizing that because of the way I have been living my life, the covenants I have taken upon myself and the testimony I have of my Savior, I have been so blessed so that my faith cannot be shaken. I am thankful for this. I have more of a desire to do those things I know can continue to bless my life and the lives of my children. Reading from the scriptures, praying, and keeping the commandments are some of those important things. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much! I know this and I know that He knows me personally and that He is aware of my heartache and I know that His spirit is there to comfort, bless and guide.