It was Mariah’s birthday this week!  Seventeen!  She is such a beautiful young lady, I can’t even say I’m surprised that she’s that old.  She works hard at everything: school, sports, and her spirituality.  We feel so blessed to have her and to have had her for seventeen years!  Coincidentally, our new ward had Young Women in Excellence on the night of her birthday and asked her to take a few minutes to talk about how the Personal Progress program had impacted her life.  I thought it was a beautiful thing to experience on her birthday as she talked about how she used to get angry very easily and often, but the Personal Progress program had helped her to look at that and really change.  I marveled that just a few weeks ago, her cross country coach had admired her specifically for her ability to never get mad.  I’ve watched her grow and know she really has made that a real change in her life.  I’m so happy for her and all the good in her life.

Mariah also played in a lot of basketball games this week!  They had their first game onTuesday and played three games this weekend in a tournament.  She’s been starting Varsity and though her team has been losing, she’s still trying hard to have a good time.  As one of the team captains, she has to set a good example you know!

Cali and Chey had a good week, too.  Practices for Springville Rec basketball started this week with their favorite coach (Kevin B.)!  And they had their first Bantam game this week on Saturday. They won it handily 21 to 7.  Both Cali and Chey scored.  They had a great time.

Bethany also started basketball practice this week with me as coach!  We both had colds this week, but we made it through our practices nonetheless, and had a good time.

Benjmain had karate (as did Beth when she was well enough on Thursday) and had friends up to play and continues to play a lot of Minecraft.  He loves to build and "Make-It Monday" is his favorite day of the school week.

Since the months changed to December, Friday saw me at the kitchen table getting some accounting done.  I couldn't help thinking that it was a lovely place to get to work!

We are continuing to enjoy our new house.  Kevin gets his steps in on the trail above our house and he's been able to do some conference calls from home in the privacy of his new office.  We are definitely settling in!