Just a bit of bragging...(moms can do that)

Last week we attended the St Marys Medical Center Christmas Dinner for the volunteers. There are 60 kids who volunteer at the hospital in all areas. Jeremy works with the lab and the emergency room. He accompanies the Phlembotomists and takes the blood to the lab for them which cuts down on the time it takes to get test results back for the patients. Jeremy has had some neat experiences and some hard ones. He has volunteered to hold infants to keep them still while blood is drawn. He isn't afraid to do that because of the compassion and experience he has learned from helping out with his little brother and sisters.

At the dinner they also gave out 5 awards for outstanding service in different areas. Jeremy was chosen as the winner of the Teamwork Award. We are very proud of him! We were told so many sweet and wonderful things about him from his colleagues and supervisors. We are blessed to have such a great teenager!

(Jeremy receiving his award)

Los Angeles Temple lights

Last Wednesday the Young Men and Young Women leaders at church took the youth to the LA Temple to see the beautiful Christmas lights that are displayed every year. Rich and I went along because there were a lot of kids going, two of them are ours, and we have a Suburban so we could fit a lot.

It is always wonderful to be reminded of the true meaning of the season...

and why we can rejoice in our blessings no matter what our circumstances.

It was the first time some of the kids had been to the LA Temple. They were all very excited to be there.

The boys posed...

and the girls and their leaders posed for many, many pictures. These are only a very few of what was taken at every possible picture spot on the grounds.

The lights were beautiful.

Pictures do not do them justice.

The kids had a fun night. After we walked the grounds hot cocoa and cookies were served and then we did the long, late drive home. We will go again in the next few weeks so that all of our kids can enjoy the lights and being at the temple.