My website

Hey everyone, as I get ready for the release of my book in June, I got my new website up here.
Thanks to my friend Brian Kiley for his help (go check Brian out). I need to get a new picture and stuff--I'm still getting it up and running, but I'm kind of excited. So, check it out!

My Sacrifice

Some of you may not know that I am directing Annie at the moment. Of course, that calls for a bald Daddy Warbucks. In my world, that means convincing an 8th grader to be bald. Happily I found an 8th grade boy who could sing, act, and had the confidence and emotional security to shave his head.

Still, even for this delightful child, it was a stretch. So, I promised him that I would shave my head in solidarity. Here we are:

Happily, the girl playing Annie needed no encouragement to dye her hair red!

I have to say that I am enjoying how quickly I am ready in the mornings now.

Some pictures into the New Year

What's been going on lately......

Nursery graduation with the Bishopric boys (all born within 5 months)

They look solemn (like they love sitting still in chairs), but looks can be deceiving!

A lot of Jeffie playing with Zach's football players (using real, but sometimes a little mixed up, football terminology).

Our day off in the "snow" which was predicted to be 2-4 inches and yielded 1". The boys played football in it, and then they all had a very tiny snowball war.

They also put together 75% off gingerbread houses during the day to help keep everyone occupied.

And they "flew" the little boys around to lots of laughs. It was actually a delightfully silly morning. (And, no, the laundry seen didn't stop for snow, even if the rest of Nashville did. I'm still working through it. It doesn't end.)

A pictorial view of our Christmas

Our tree - lights by Mere and decorated by the children

The plates of Christmas cookies made for Toria and Zach's teachers. Bless my dear friend, Catherine's, heart for staying on the phone while I made a lot of them and keeping me sane. (They have a hidden peanut butter middle that makes them delicious but time-consuming!). The older boys obviously don't take cookies to high school teachers (although I did check to make sure and was given very weird looks).

Christmas cards which decorate our door and sides of our bookcases --- we love to get them and hear from friends and family! One day we might be organized enough to send them out ourselves (but don't hold your breath).

Jeffie decorating Santa's sugar cookies

There is actually a cookie under the big pile of sprinkles and colored sugar created by Jeff. That one didn't make the plates for our Christmas caroling goodies!

Jeffie got a train table. And this was his very silly choice of dress later in the morning while playing.

Christmas Eve with Beth and Randy and Mikayla and baby Rowan. So fun!

Christmas Eve in new PJs left by a Christmas Elf on our doorstep.

Jeffie on Christmas morning with Santa's gift (fortunately found on sale b/c Jeffie repeatedly told us this was what Santa was bringing him --- and put together by our oldest who handles directions and assembly with great ease)

Zach with Santa's gift (Titan's Chris Johnson)

Toria - she was happier than she looks!

Spencer (gotta love those half-price Target sales)

David (in his knit cap made for the lower brass in the marching band that he wears 24/7)

A beautiful and very happy morning --- thanks to Grandma Eileen who sends us Christmas money to make it possible!

Changes

I don't really know where to begin. It has been a very emotional six weeks or so. It started a few months ago when President Ostermiller confided to me that he was going to be released at our Stake Conference in December. That was very difficult for me to hear. This man called me to be a bishop, and then, over 4 1/2 years, he turned me into one. It's difficult to explain the impact he left on me. I think I'll try to do that in another post.

Next came my new calling--which meant I'd be released as bishop. Being a bishop is another thing that is difficult to explain in terms of the impact it left. I'll probably write more about this eventually since it's been such a big part of my life.

At the moment, my heart is very full because our bishopric was released today. I am really relieved to only have one calling now and am excited to be able to focus completely on supporting President Abernathy. At the same time, I am going to miss working in the Goodlettsville ward more than I can say.

Our ward has become a very special place to me. It is full of good people and I have been so grateful for the support and sustaining they have given me over the last years.

I am especially grateful for the ward leaders I've been able to serve with--we have some amazing people and serving with them has been such a joy.

I feel a lot of relief and freedom at the moment. I'm excited for our excellent new bishop and his counselors. Of all the happy things, though, there are a few that are sad. The most bittersweet was saying goodbye to my counselors and the other members of the bishopric. They have become my brothers. I love and appreciate them more than I can say. We have laughed and worried and prayed and sometimes wept together now for a long time. They have been there to hold up my arms on more occasions than I can remember.

When someone holds your arms up continually for several years, you get very close to each other. You know each other's strengths and weaknesses, high points and lows. For good or for bad, you are part of each others lives in a consistent, involved, very close way. I've been blessed that for me, it was all good. Jim, Tommi, Joel, and Dan have become such a huge part of my life and I hope they will remain so..

Here's one of my favorite pictures--the bishopric with our matching set of three year olds.

Pictures of the kids to go with our Christmas Email

Our Christmas email promised updated pictures of our kids. It only took me 3 weeks.

These were taken in our yard this fall.

Above -- Jeffrey age 3

Zachary - almost 7 1/2

Victoria - nearing 13

Spencer - 15 in a couple of weeks

David - age 16

Me - included only for my former BYU roommate, Kodie, who requested it.

He's legal!!!!

This morning David passed his driver's test and is officially a licensed driver --- his proud parents are simultaneously overjoyed and terrified.

Also, I meant to post for his 16th birthday a few weeks ago, but attaching a picture was rather daunting for me (Mere). And I thought a birthday post should include a picture, so Braden helped me get it together tonight.

David turned 16 a little over a week ago on November 12th. He celebrated with friends over that weekend. He is excited to drive.

It is a huge blessing to have David as our oldest. He is an excellent example for all of his siblings. He is faithful and obedient (never going over 30mph on our country roads --- the speed limit --- to the dismay of any driver behind him --- and sometimes his father). He is talented intellectually and musically. He has a close group of band friends and is respected by his peers. He is all about Chess Club, Marching Band, the math team, the Indianapolis Colts and the Florida Gators. Most of all, he's just an interesting, fun and very good kid. We are so grateful he's in our family.