December 2024 Round-Up

Hello, busy bees! I hope your December was filled with the love of Christ and the warmth of spending time with loved ones. Here's a round-up of the highlights of our family's month of December.

We started this month by picking up four chicks from a local classified ad. The chicks were already 4 weeks old, so they were more established and hardy, especially since we bought them in the cold month of December. The seller said that three of them would be Easter Eggers and the fourth would be a gray hen. We set the chicks up in our tack room.

For a youth activity, Karson and his youth group were going to walk around some local Christmas lights and invited the children and me to join them. We then asked my mom to join us, and we enjoyed a night of checking out our local Christmas village and lights. My favorite Christmas display was a mini wooden cabin that featured bed warmers, patchwork quilts, a washboard, an antique chest, a twig star ornament, a hearth shotgun, a wicker rocking chair, a crocheted afghan, and a vintage lamp. #pioneerwoman

We also attended a leadership award ceremony for HH. His teacher said that he is a quiet but mighty child. I couldn’t agree more! He also participated in a Pinewood Derby and enjoyed prepping his car with Karson while his siblings watched. Fun enough, he won his derby!

Ro is part of her school's choir, and she sang Christmas songs at a care center, singing her heart out and lighting up the room. With the first snow, Ro made a snowman, a snow deer, and a snow bunny. She’s an artist!

Within my church’s congregation, my calling is as an activity leader for girls ages 8-11. For our activity this month, we had a pizza party, decorated Christmas cookies in the shape of stockings, and made crayon-melted glass ornaments.

With E’s preschool, we visited the Christmas village again and visited Mrs. Claus. She chose E to wear the red nose while we sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. My sister and mom joined us, and my sister used the Light the World giving machine. She gifted a bus pass and chicken to individuals in need.

E was my study partner as I renewed my nursing license this month, completing 30 credit hours of registered nursing continuing education. It felt great to refresh my knowledge and learn new things. I completed the state-required course through Nurse.com.

My mom gave me a train set that we set up around our Christmas tree. My kids were magnets to it, especially 4-year-old E.

At the beginning of the month, we started with 2 horses at our home and ended the month with all of our horses home, plus one. I love having them at our home. Sometimes gates get left open, and the horses find their way to places they shouldn’t be.

We went swimming as a family at our local community indoor pool. Over the past couple of months, we’ve enrolled the boys in swim lessons, and they’ve learned so much. HH is now able to swim in the deep end and jump off the diving board. E is comfortable getting his head and face wet. Ro is doing backflips off the diving board—that’s how she’s doing. #mermaid

We plan to swim a lot this upcoming summer and want them to be safe in the water. We plan to put them in one more month of lessons and then swim together as a family at least once a month at our local community pool.

My sister and her husband were in town for Christmas from Washington, and we enjoyed their visit. At our Christmas Eve party, we enjoyed good food, a nativity reenactment with the young kids, the reading of The Living Christ, and singing "Happy Birthday" to my dad. We visited my family late on Christmas morning and then visited Karson's family that afternoon.

Karson and I are working on a family contribution whiteboard where we will put up chores that are required to keep our home running, along with a paid job list as they help us with our livestock efforts.

We also typed up our family rules, based on the recommendations from Raising Mentally Strong Kids: How to Combine the Power of Neuroscience with Love and Logic to Grow Confident, Kind, Responsible, and Resilient Children and Young Adults. Here they are:

1. Tell the Truth and Be Honest

Honesty is a core value in our family. Always tell the truth, no matter how small or big. Lying makes things worse, and we need to trust each other. If you make a mistake, it's better to be honest and work together.

2. Listen to Parents and Obey the First Time

When Mom or Dad asks you to do something, we expect you to listen and follow through right away. You can always ask "why," but do not say "no" or argue. Obeying the first time makes things run smoothly and keeps everyone safe.

3. Respect Each Other and No Hurting Others

Treat everyone with kindness and respect. This means no yelling, hitting, name-calling, or any hurtful actions. If a sibling says "STOP," you must STOP immediately. Showing respect to others is how we create a loving, peaceful home.

4. Take Care of Your Things and Others’ Property

Take care of your belongings and always ask permission before using someone else’s things. If something gets broken or taken without asking, you are responsible for fixing it. Respect for other people’s property helps avoid conflicts and keeps our home organized.

5. Clean Up After Yourself

When you take something out or make a mess, clean it up when you're done. This includes picking up your toys, putting things away, and helping with family contributions. Being responsible for your space helps keep the home neat and teaches you good habits.

6. Be Kind and Helpful to Each Other

Look for ways to help and be kind to your siblings and family members. Whether it’s sharing, offering to help, or doing something nice without being asked, acts of kindness make everyone feel loved and appreciated. We praise you when you show care and kindness.

7. Ask for Permission Before You Go Somewhere

Always check with Mom or Dad before leaving the house or going anywhere. We need to know where you’re going, who you’re with, and what you’re doing. This keeps you safe and ensures we stay connected.

Near the end of the month, my mom and I took my kids, niece, and nephew bowling. Watching little children bowl is so entertaining. At the end of the month, we had breakfast at my parents' home for my dad’s birthday. We rang the New Year in at home after having dinner at my husband’s grandma's home.

2025 is going to be a good year! Goals are more likely to be achieved when written down—research shows that you are 42% more likely to accomplish your goals if you write them down. So, here are some of mine that I’d like to share:

Physical

• Choreograph an Ori Tahiti Aparima solo and enter my dance group's competition. I would also like to sew my own Aparima dress!
• Memorize the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series.

Intellectual

• Listen to at least 24 audiobooks this year, half of which will be listened to with my children.
• Learn crochet stitches to make a granny square blanket.

Spiritual

• Attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple monthly.
• Read the Doctrine and Covenants with the worldwide Church’s study program, and Volume 1 of Saints: The Standard of Truth 1815–1846.

Social

• Continue holding workout meet-ups with my neighbors and church friends.
• Continue holding ladies' nights with my neighbors and church friends.

Thanks for reading! Remember to be gentle with yourself and know that you are strong in mind, body, and spirit.

Take care,

Breanna