Brandt wanted to give his primary and school teachers as well as Shaun and Lucy at counseling homemade ornaments this year.  We decided on wood burned snowflakes.  They also did an elk head for Shaun.  Bryce did most of the work, but buddy was able to help some.  It makes such a positive difference in Brandt's behaviors when he is able to spend quality time with his dad, so I'm always thankful when those moments happen.  Bryce then got ambitious and decided to make a set of chimes for my mom.  I loved how he used materials that he found out in the barn including leather from reins and horseshoe nails and that he incorporated their brand into it. 

Christmas 2014

We had a busy, but wonderful, Christmas day.  It started in the usual fashion with the kids being super excited to see what Santa brought them.  Buddy has been saying for a couple weeks that kids who are bad only get underwear from Santa, but kids who are a little bad and a little good get underwear and other presents.  Brandt and Kylie were both happy to see that Santa brought them other presents along with their new undies. :)  My parents came over to watch them open gifts and then we had breakfast together.  We spent the evening out at Bryce's mom and dad's where we had a yummy dinner with most of his family as well as Grandma Hemmert and Dan and Linda.  Having family close by to celebrate Christmas with is among our greatest blessings.

Brandt has been going to the Andersen's house once every week or two in order to take guitar lessons from Sheven.  He really likes playing, and I think he also really likes that he gets to hang out with a teenage boy.  Every now and again I'll find him in his bedroom or somewhere trying to strum out a tune, and I love it!  Tonight he decided that he wanted to teach his dad some of what he's been learning and he seemed pretty proud of himself for being able to do just that.  Bryce has had his guitar for a few years, but has never taken time to learn how to play it.  Maybe playing with buddy will give him some extra incentive...

Who is this Guy???

Have any of you had moments in your marriage when you looked at your husband in disbelief and thought, "who is this guy and what happened to the boy I fell in love with and married?"  I would be lying if I said that has never happened in my marriage.  And if I'm being honest, I would have to assume that Bryce has had similar thoughts about me at times.  Lately I've been wondering who Bryce is and what has happened to him in the sixteen years we've been married, and I've caught myself thinking "who is this guy?" more than ever before.

 Who is this guy who works 3 or 4 jobs at different times during the year to support our little family? Who is this guy who pays the bills and balances the check book every month? Who is this guy who can pick up a pencil or a wood burner and create beautiful pieces of art?  Who is this guy who is able to take old wooden floors and make them beautiful?  Who is this guy who can take dirty little rocks and make them into an amazing fireplace or make barn wood and regular boards into a one of a kind entertainment center? Who is this guy who picks up the kids from grandma's and takes care of them whenever I'm working late after he's already worked a full day at his job and done chores at my dad's? Who is this guy who bravely defends our home against evils such as mice and bats? Who is this guy who helps Brandt with his homework without losing his patience?  Who is this guy who loves to snuggle with Kylie and tell her about "Kylie and the Three Bears"?  Who is this guy who gives priesthood blessings to his children and wife when we are struggling or sick and need it the most?  Who is this guy who loves my parents like his own and helps them daily?  Who is this guy who takes the time to take his dad, niece, and nephew hunting every year and makes sure they fill their tags before he worries about his own?  Who is this guy who is ready to help a friend at a moment's notice?  Who is this guy who the youth in our ward look up to and love to hang out with?  Who is this guy who sticks up for his family no matter the cost?  Who is this guy who has dreams of providing a bigger house for his family to grow up in and who is taking action to make it a reality?  Who is this guy who just this week helped his exhausted and extremely overwhelmed wife clean the house (including the kids' room that looked like a tornado had hit it), cook dinner, clear the table, AND do dishes?  Who is this guy who took the afternoon off just to spend a couple of kid-free hours with his wife a couple days ago? Who is this guy who has been taking time out of his busy schedule to do what is necessary to strengthen our marriage and family? Who is this guy who is diligently striving to find his "gentle side" just for me?

So, who is this guy???  This guy is ALL MINE and he's a lot more than the boy I married sixteen years ago.  He's the MAN I love and plan to spend eternity with!

Paris Elementary Christmas Program 2014

Brandt did a great job on his program! We could tell he was nervous because he kept chewing on his fingernails and putting his hands in his pockets, but when it came time to perform he never missed a beat!  He was trying extra hard to be good because Mrs. Peterson promised her class that they could keep their kazoos if they behaved well.  Buddy got to keep his even though he kept pestering his neighbor-he later giggled about that because he didn't get caught. My parents went and watched him during the dress rehearsal and they said he did a great job then, too! Highlights of the night included Grandma and Grandpa Thompson (and Emmalea) coming to watch and playing with Mrs. Heeder's hedgehog, Rosie, afterward-that part wasn't actually planned at all but Brandt disappeared after the program and that is where we finally found him.