December Days with the People I Love

 December 2025

For the past year, I’ve helped care for my mom two days a week. As of January, I’m stepping back from that role. I’ll be shifting gears to help with Kaide instead when Erin starts nursing school. We don’t yet know what that schedule will look like, but I’m excited for her—and I know Kaide and I will have plenty of fun days ahead. 

We have had beautiful weather this month. It has been unseasonably warm with very little wind, and my mom and I have been able to get out of the house quite a bit. We've gone on walks, drives, to Hobby Lobby, and to the mall. She loved looking at all of the pretty Christmas decorations inside stores and out in the neighborhoods. I loved the outings too. It made our days go by faster and gave us some interesting things to see.

I seriously LOVE this December weather. Warm, sunny, windless days=bliss.

Brian was able to go to California to be with his parents for several days in early December. Bruce, Kyle and Sarah were there as well. They were able to enjoy visiting all together and also were able to get lots of big and small projects done around the house. 

Bruce & Kyle

Bri and Kyle

Joyce & Bri

Jerry woodworking in the garage.

We didn't plan it this way, but when Brian was out of town, our friend, Alma Merriman, came in to town for a few days. She stayed at our house, and she and I had a few fun filled days together. On Thursday, we went to the Merry Mojo Christmas concert at the Wagner Noel and were so impressed. Permian High School's orchestra, band, and choir groups put on a phenomenal show. Braddock performed with the band (euphonium) and Hudson (cello) with the orchestra, which made it even more special.

On Friday, we visited my mom. To be honest, this was the main reason Alma made the trip. She was one of my mom's sweet caregivers, and she dearly loves her. Alma says she thinks they must have been friends in the preexistence, and I believe her. They have a beautiful bond. We ran a few errands and picked up food for a yummy dinner...which Alma made for me. (insert face palm) She is one of the most giving people I know. Luckily, Tanner and family were able to come over for dinner because there was a ton. It was also really fun to all visit together. 

Alma reserved Saturday morning to care for my mom. For lunch, my dad took me, Alma, and Julie Proctor (another former caregiver) to Rosas for lunch. On Saturday afternoon, Alma went to Cathy Bonifay's choir concert while I decorated for the ward Christmas party, and Saturday night we enjoyed the ward party. Then, bright and early on Sunday morning, I took her back to the airport to head home to Pennsylvania. It was a quick trip, but I loved seeing her again. We made use of those 2 1/2 days!

I think one can tell from this picture that my mom is loved. Lft-rt: Alma, Mom, me, & Julie

The ward party was nice and especially nice when it was over! The RS activities committee was asked to be in charge of it, and I am currently the counselor in the RS presidency over activities. The committee did an outstanding job of planning and making it all happen. These events are so. much. work. There were beautiful table decorations, good food, lots of desserts, a hot chocolate bar, a small musical program, lots of visiting, and a visit from Santa. Bishop Bird agreed that organizations other than Relief Society would take care of clean up. My favorite part was not staying until the bitter end of a very long day to clean up afterwards.

It was Kaide's first time visiting Santa. He stood in line for about 10 seconds, slipped closer to observe, and then cut in front of everyone for a turn. It was so innocent and pretty cute. He did it so fast that Erin hadn't even made it to the line yet, so 15 minutes later, he had another turn. 

Tanner took a turn also.

Aubrey filled her last few weeks of the semester with friend outings, temple trips, volleyball, working out, ward activities, and finals. I think this picture is from an evening in SLC shopping and looking at the Christmas lights.

Katie, Aubrey Gwilliam, Charlotte Erickson, Macey, Hannah Turner, Hannah

Brinley and two other students from her cohort had the opportunity to present their research at a conference in HAWAII!!!! So she and Derek spent part of their December enjoying the island life. I'm so jealous. One day I hope to make it to Hawaii...my dream vacation. They loved having a week there to relax and explore. They especially loved the Polynesian Cultural Center. 

Also, a big congratulation to Derek for graduating from BYU in December. He and Brinley will both walk the stage in April.

Parker offhandedly mentioned a cool hat he received after doing a modeling job on campus. What? You are supposed to tell your mother these things. They make her feel proud that other people also think her son is handsome. He said he was very uncomfortable the whole time. Ha! When I expressed a desire to see the video, he couldn't find it anymore, but he found a thread with a few screenshots. Kind of cool.

Top left

Top left

Park is wearing the navy shirt.

Bottom right...please ignore the mustache...this mama is not a fan...it was no shave November

As far as what has been keeping me personally busy this month, I made some Santa bags. some personalized shirts and sold several of my bracelets. I've been doing lots of online shopping (bless that invention) and wrapping of gifts. I've enjoyed lunches with friends and family, my monthly book club, and working out with Britney 3x a week.

For friend/neighbor gifts, we did Christmas puzzles or cinnamon rolls. We added a cute ornament for Erin Noel's family and Derek's family.

Our college kids' turnaround from Thanksgiving to Christmas break came fast, and it was so nice having them home again. This picture was from a family lunch (aka Taco Villa Monday on Wednesday at Fuddruckers). It was especially nice that my mom was able to join. After lunch, my dad took her for a walk around the mall while the young adults visited and watched their children play on the indoor playground.

Another bonus about having this handsome boy home from college is that he is a worker. I looked out the kitchen window and noticed him finishing up the leaves that Brian had been working on. I about cried tears of joy. He also asked me several times over the break what he could do to help. He made my day everytime!

He and Brian also worked on reroofing a little storage building we have out back. 

Park got lots of playing in also though. He was a good buddy to Kaide.

Tanner and Parker also went golfing or to the range a few times over the break. Brian hooked them up with an early Christmas present: golf lesson's w/ Mike Winfrey. Mike is probably Brian's best friend, and he was an All-American golfer at Texas Tech back in the day. Brian and the boys enjoyed the afternoon.

Aubrey came home a few days after Parker and had her wisdom teeth taken out right away. So, she has her very own blog post, which you can see here. After recovering from oral surgery, she hung out with Charlotte, (girl) Parker, and Maci quite a bit. She also left her wallet at the Odessa College gym one day and had to replace her driver's license, BYU ID, and dorm key. 

My dad snapped this picture of us at church. The original was not very flattering of me or Britney (humped back, bellies out-trust me!)  Luckily, he went with a Christmas AI trend and came up with this cute photo. 

Brit, Mom, me

We were able to have FHE as a family a couple of times. (We missed Bryn and Derek who spent Christmas with the Atkinsons in Delta, Utah.) Duck, Duck, Goose is still reigning as the current FHE activity of choice.

A few days before Christmas, we enjoyed bowling with the Bird cousins. We invited the extended family, but they were the only ones who made it. We took advantage of the "spend $10 at the snack bar and get two free games" special. It was fun to snack on pizza and drinks, visit with cousins, and enjoy bowling. 

Grandpa stopped, by after his lunch with Kerry and Nathan, to say hello to the group.

Parker, Kaide, Erin, Braddock, Hud, Ella, Char, Aubrey, Tanner & me

As we head into Christmas week, I’m realizing how much I appreciate this slower season of life. There’s still plenty going on—family coming and going, church activities, visits with friends—but it feels calmer than the years filled with sports, concerts, and packed calendars. I’ve loved the extra time for walks, simple outings, and being together without rushing to the next thing. The first few weeks of December were full in all the right ways, and I’m grateful for it.