Quick tidbits

So little time to blog. . .some random memories that I don't want to forget:

• "Emily farts a lot Dad. She just farted like ten times." Hyrum casually reported this to me as he was hanging Christmas tree ornaments on the tree.
• Watching Hyrum hanging the ornaments (voluntarily, of his own accord, with nobody helping him) was awesome. He was having such a peaceful, fun time.
• Anna's rat died. One of them. Patricia asked her if she wanted to help me dispose of the body to say her last goodbyes. In her matter of fact voice, Anna responded: "What would I want to say to a dead rat?" And a couple of breaths later, "Dad, can I get a snake now?" Let's just say that Anna is not terribly attached to her pets.
• FHE ended rather poorly, but this was a blessing in disguise. I sent the kids to bed early (not in a yelling voice, mind you). But their dissapointment, and my desire to make things right before they went to sleep precipitated some nice talks that needed to happen. The night ended well and we are a better family because of us working through our relationships.
• John and Reed start Jr. Jazz this week. That'll be fun.
• Lizzie is just so funny. I could just watch her all day. She just talks to herself, plays with animals, sings, sings, and sings some more. Such a joy to have.
• Jacob and Emily are too cute. Jacob looks exactly like Britton (his cousin) when he was a baby. Emily looks like all our other kids when they were babies. They are fascinated by the Christmas tree lights.
  
• Thanks to some kind neighbors, we have a new (to us) tree that's seven feet tall and has lights. It's way better than our four feet tall one we've used for the past number of years. I like it a lot.
  
• Can't wait to make fudge for Christmas.
• Loving BYU basketball. Cummard and Fredette are my two favorite players on the team this year.
• I don't even want to think about the loss to Utah. . .
• Work, schmerk. . .
• Gave a talk recently highlighting 5 ways to support your spouse: personal prayer, personal scripture study, magnify your calling, take her to the temple, and meet her needs first. Perhaps I'll blog more in-depth on that at another time.
• Thanksgiving kickball game was a blast. Great memories.
• Feeling so grateful to the Lord for our blessings.