December 6th-12th

Aubrey and I worked out together to a video three times this week.  It was awesome.  Honestly, between recovering from Covid last month and then working like a crazy girl with my little business since then, workouts have not been happening.  I am glad I had/made the time.  I am also glad Aub and I did it together.

When she was making her pro and con list about staying home for Liahona this semester, one of the cons was that she and I would not be happy together.  I can't remember how she worded it...maybe "not getting along" or "driving each other crazy" or "arguing too much" or "Mom and I killing each other off".  However, when I read that, I 100% agreed with that con.  It was a true concern.  We both have pretty strong personalities, and we hadn't truly reached that friend portion of our mother daughter relationship yet.

I am glad to report that overall we have done amazingly well together.  We have loved working out at Mission Fitness all through the summer and fall.  We have enjoyed sharing parts of our day throughout each day.  She will tell me what's going on in her classes.  I can tell her what I'm learning in my business.  We take Target trips or run over to Gram and Gramp's together.  We have become better friends.  I love it, and I love her!

Here are a few other things from our week told mostly by pictures:

We had Gram and Gramp over on Sunday to join us for our FHE activity: making gingerbread houses.  I purchased a few from Walmart.  Parker and Tanner chose one that was pre-built.  Aubrey and I shared one that had interlocking pieces.  Poor Bri, Gram and Grandpa had these small guys that were collapsing in on themselves!  Whoops.  

We all enjoyed visiting while working on our projects.  I felt badly because I could tell my mom didn't feel well.  The boys are pretty sure they are gangsters too, and it made for some interesting/confusing conversations.  Their words of the week were "cu" and "dawg."  For example, "okay cuh, I see how you are," or "bye dawg."  I think Tanner said something like, "What about me, cuh?" to Parker.  Grandpa said, "Who is Meeka?"  We all busted up laughing.  I'm right with you Grandpa.  It's confusing.  In a month or two, they will have new slang words.

Aub has been a bright light this Christmas.  When we reached December 6th and the tree STILL was not up, she dragged it out of the laundry room and took matters into her own hands.  Park and Tanner spent about 10-15 minutes getting boxes out of the attic, and they have checked their Christmas duties off the list.  Aubrey helped Brian with lights.  She and I decorated the house.  The boys--NADA.  I want to sternly say to both of them, "Step It Up, Cu,"  but I don't know if it's worth the fight.

Bri, Aub and I all wrapped presents last Sunday as well.

We got Grandma and Grandpa Gwilliam's Christmas gift sent as well.  Yea!!!  Huge relief to know that is heading their way.  We made a sweet book with a few pictures and our testimonies.  We also sent a piece of granite, kind of like the one above.  It is stone from the Lubbock Texas Temple.  I hope when they see their granite, they will think of their family in West Texas and our love for the gospel.  We are so grateful for them, and the faith they built in their home as Brian was growing up and now as grandparents.  I enjoyed reading what each kiddo and Brian wrote in the book. 

The boys had three days off due to re-testing at their school.  They had already passed the tests.  They helped Brian with some yard work.  

This tree in our backyard is so ugly and grows like a weed.  I am grateful they cut it back.

This picture cracks me up.  Aubrey has had a roller coaster of moods the past couple of weeks.  Aaaah, hormones.  Welcome to the next 25 years of your life Aub-Daub.  We went on a cold, late night walk and talk just after she came out of her room like this, and I snapped the picture.  We walked and talked and laughed together.  We enjoyed the Christmas lights.  It was great for both of us. 

Football is winding down.  We went to the pep rally this week, and I was a little teary for Parker thinking it could be his last.  (They won their game so I think there will be another next week though!)  On Fridays I think he mostly skips out on his classes and goes to friend's houses.  It's hard during this Zoom school year for teachers or parents to keep everyone in line.  His grades are good and he is a respectful son...so I'm just gonna go with it at this point.

His best friends...Harper Terry (#20) and Cole Brannan (#55)

I am so glad Breena was able to come over and hang out w/ Aub all day on Saturday.  They exchanged gifts, played volleyball and basketball, made videos, and looked at Christmas lights.

Tanner had a basketball game in Seminole--just over an hour away.  I am glad Brian and I were able to go.  

I had to take this from far away because Tanner is NOT about pictures...or anything that my call attention to himself.  Honestly, I'm glad he is acknowledging he has parents by coming to say hi after his game.  In Middle School, I am pretty sure he wanted everyone to think he was hatched from an egg.  

We enjoyed watching him play.

That is a wrap!!