Christmas 2023
Sperry & Mason got MARRIED
Sperry & Mason's wedding and reception was in one word... "Magistical"!!! (family fav movie quotes collection.)
Big thank you for all the love kindness and support as we share our joy! Sperry said she loved everything about the day. I loved how everyone was dancing! We got to hug friends that we have known between 2-25 years! It was nice to taco, churro, and feel soooo loved. So grateful for weddings that remind us LOVE lifts us all. (I promise that more picts are coming...)
When you get the best Christmas Present on 12/28/23. Our daughter Sperry being married and sealed to her man Mason Stamps was the best present. It was such a memorable, beautiful and miracle filled day at the Los Angeles, California Temple. One of the cutest things was when Mason came to pick up Sperry for the temple. He came in and saw her in her wedding dress for the first time. He couldn't stop looking at her and hugging her. One of the cutest things was after the ceremony, Sperry and I were in the bride's room alone together. I asked if she wanted to brush her hair, or refresh a little makeup. She just said, "No, it's ok. I want to quickly add a ribbon in my hair and get back to being with my husband." Isn't that the best thing ever said from a Bride. She wanted to be together. During their dance at the reception they were so happy, they shared a few tears... and made me so happy I shared a few tears too. I'm so thankful for them and for this day, I wanted to share a few things that came to me while love runs deep.
What a sealing feels like for me... you start with two separate pieces of string. One string for each person. Marriage ties 2 ends together, as one long string. God ties the other side to make it a circle. But there can be more within God's temple marriage. There is a sealing power helps the couple become more than a circle of string... a sealing holds the power to allow a twist in the middle, forming the eternity symbol. The power to twist within the days of life and the power to grow closer together and to God. The power to seal the couple as a family, now within my family.
Our family is now complete with our kids' spouses: Mason, Emma, and Kamryn blessing us with their gifts in our lives. One last thing I wanted to record/share. As Sperry and Mason were being married and connecting a new branch to our family tree, I felt in my heart the little sweet message, "heaven is here". It brought tears to my eyes as I felt my dad and my sister leading a line of loved ones who have died and now live in heaven. Grandpa's, Greats, Great-great grandparents. All whom have died, but come for the big days in our lives. From one of my favorite songs, "If you could hie to Kolob", the lyrics repeat, "there is no end". And it was so fun celebrating with these two totally in love darling couple who treat each other with such sweet tenderness and gentle teasing. I love them.
We were able to have the WHOLE family together for Christmas. It was wonderful having time ttogether. We had our tradition of fondue for Christmas Eve dinner, watched movies and played games... and of course our family tradition of going on adventures! I'll share one really funny thing that happened. I got a new game so we could all play and get to know each other better. The Game was "Do you know me?" I thought that it sounded simple enough: answering questions about ourselves with the question from a deck of cards, what could happen? We started to notice some of the cards were not really something you would tell your family. Some of the questions that made the rest of us squirm, Carter had no problem in answering... well, because Carter is an open book. Basically we learned a lot more about each other and we learned some things we hope we can unlearn. I learned that there are 17+ games and to look for the game's rating in small print on the box. It was hilarious, when the kids realized I had unknowingly bought a game that turned into "wait... don't answer this card, Carter!!" LOL!
Our annual chess tournament ended with brother against brother match. After a fierce competition of brother vs brother between Jacob and Carter, it was Carter who won the chocolate orange. It seemed like the longest game and it was intense. I never have played chess, so I buy my own white chocolate orange and usually eat it a week before everyone comes out. Mom's can be sneaky that way.
We watched movies like Light between the Ocean... which was intense.
We went to the beach two days in a row: once at sunset for a fireside, and once more during the day and playing within the waves. We ate sushi, and of course we had to get fish & chips from Andrias.
For our adventure this year, we got Dim Sum and then drove to Los Angeles' Union railroad Station. It was incredible with beautiful architecture, tiles and ceiling beams. Across the street was Olivera Street, an open air market with Mexican shops. We watched people dance at a park (Scott and I tried to dance, but honestly it always turns into me directing us in swing dancing.) We walked the shops and Sperry guessed right, I'd be buying a Mexican blanket... I love those things!! It was so much.
December 8, 2023
This little poem I wrote a few years ago reminds me that Christ is with us all year long. As we get to know Christ, we have additional power given to us to get through life. Christ has made all the difference in my life. Christ is the author of all hope, lasting happiness, and peace. What a beautiful time of year to stop, look upward and see all the stars that are created to help light our way.