2025- Week 52(Dec 22- Dec 28)

Scott and Malia hosted their annual Christmas Adam Party this week. This year they served enchiladas that were so good but I only ate a little to try to avoid my usual stomach ache. We exchanged White Elephant gifts and the coveted gift this year was a tshirt Ashtyn made with photos of Jeff on it that said Jeffrey Star at the top. It was supposed to be a play on the real Jeffree Star ha ha. Everyone loved it and wanted it. We brought some Shanker socks with a picture of a golfer getting mad on the course on them and then a set of portable lunch accessories- condiment cups and a silverware set. I have tried to bring things that people might actually use instead of just junk that will take up space ha ha. We played the money game and this year Scott gave everyone $6 for a grand total pot of $144. All three of our kids were in the final three at the end but then Porter ended up winning. We were all glad that a child actually won this year instead of an adult like the last several years. The new rule is that you can't win back to back years so Jeff could not have won this year because he was last years winner. Westin and Luke were both there which was so fun. All the kids got socks with magnetic hands that would hold hands if you stood next to each other. It was awesome and it is always the best night. 

We got to have Westin and Ashtyn with us for Christmas. So all the kids slept over on Christmas Eve. We had our traditional dinner of ribs, green beans, salad and rolls. Then we went to Christmas in Color. They lengthened it this year so it was a 45 minute experience and the line to get in was not nearly as long which was awesome. They gave us all 3D glasses that made the lights look psychedelic but only Westin wore them the whole time. When we got home we opened pj's. Westin and Ashtyn bought their own, and then we watched the Chosen Christmas Special called The Shepherds. It was so beautiful and brought the spirit so strong. Afterwards we watched our traditional Christmas Vacation and I did not love destroying the perfect spirit we felt with that movie. Jeff agreed that maybe in the future we watch that a different day and let Christ prevail on Christmas like he should. I actually listened to the John Bytheway podcast earlier in the day when I was cooking dinner. They had interviewed Bonnie Cordon and she talked about the three levels of Christmas. Level One is Santa, Level Two is Baby Jesus and Level Three is Atonement Jesus. We want to try to stay in Level 2 and 3 but it can be so hard. 

Christmas morning I woke up early to start breakfast- egg casserole and cinnamon rolls. Everyone got up around 8:15. We opened presents. Some of the favorite gifts were: Jeff- Bose Headphones, Amanda- Hand painted sign that says "Indeed a house is a little church" which is a quote that Whitney heard by St. John Chrysostom and thought I would love. I do love it. She had Rylee Kelley paint it for me. Ashtyn- , Whitney- A Bondi Brush and Ethan- Money(per his request). We were so spoiled as usual. Afterwards we went to Nana and Papa's for lunch to be with the Shaw's. I got the game Blank Space and the book Persuasion from Paul which I love. We gave Nana and Papa a gag gift in addition to the gift cards we all went in on to Ruth Chris Restaurant. I made a handprint of Jeff's out of salt dough and painted it to look like Santa Claus. Then I put Jeff's 50th Christmas- 594 months old on it. Ha Ha! Jeff finished the advent puzzle. That was a fun little holiday activity that we might carry on. 

The day after Christmas Jeff and I ran a few things back to the stores and there were no lines which was so surprising.

Sunday we held a combined meeting for Sunday School to watch an area broadcast. They wanted you to watch with your families so they split the ward into three groups and had a member of the bishopric lead each group. It was all about Gathering Israel One by One. Halley Seim said she likes to change the word gathering to loving- it makes more sense to her and really isn't that the point of the gospel to bring everyone by showing them God's love. 

2025- Week 51(Dec 15- Dec 21)

I took Joidee on a walk around the lake. It was near sunset and so beautiful. The weather has been unseasonably warm and nice.

The Relief Society gave out olive wood spoons for Christmas. It was the idea I was going to do for Jeff's ward council gift so I had to pivot and did first aid kits with a quote about the atonement instead. 

Marrya and I went to Aubergine for lunch. It was nice to catch up.

For YW we went to Christmas in Color. We took Katie Snows truck and had the girls pile in the back. It was so fun! It was Katies anniversary so we sent Jeremy a picture of her. 

Joidee had her MRI and her tumors actually shrunk! It is a miracle. I don't know what this will mean for her but I hope that she will continue to improve.

Jeff and I went to Lott's dads viewing so we decided to take a little tour of our old houses and Christmas St. on the way home. It was a walk down memory lane.

2025- Week 50(Dec 8- Dec 14)

Brighton High School is doing their annual Christmas fundraiser for Joidee. They held a kick off assembly that I brought her to and she got the chance to thank everyone. I know they hate all the attention but it is going to be so helpful to get her the care she needs. 

There have been so many beautiful sunrises and sunsets lately. This is one of the tender mercies God gives me. I always seem to look out the window or walk outside at the perfect moment.

I am loving the book "Out Live Your Life" by Max Lucado. He talks about how we all have our own language of service- the causes we are drawn to. Maybe you feel passionate about helping kids or older people or hungry people or hurt people. Whatever pulls at your heart strings the hardest is your language of service and where God meant for you to serve.

Someone left a rubber duck in one of the trees at work ha ha. I gave it to Kim to give to her grandsons.

For YM/YW this week we did a combined activity that we called "In-N-Out Service" we split the kids into six groups of boys and girls with two leaders and then sent them out to do service at two homes. I was with Jeff and the kids in our group were Norah, Juliette, Emily, Jackson and Isaac. We raked leaves at the Taylor's and also at Carol Holgates. Then we all met up at In-N-Out and got hamburgers and fries afterwards. The kids loved it so much and we will definitely do it again.

The Barney's hosted  neighborhood holiday party like we have done in the past. We do this in place of neighbor gifts. Melissa and I made brunch and then we asked everyone to bring donations for the VA in honor of Kelly. She worked there. We had such a great turn out. Even the Kimballs and Daws came out. It was a good way to start our holiday season.

The Dezzeo's offered us two of their tickets to the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. They were seated in the handicap section and wanted us to sit in the section in front of them but didn't want to take someone elses seat so we stayed where we were on the side. It was so wonderful the special guests were the darling married couple  Stephanie Block and Sebastian Arcelus. 

Sunday was the start of the 12 Days of Christmas for the Zengers. Kelly's birthday is on the 14th and it is exactly 12 days to Christmas so several of the neighbors went in on it together(Barneys, Poulters, Martins, Johnsons, Lays, Coltrins, Seares, Birds, Mindi-Shani's friend, Petersons, Russells and us) and I know they are going to love it. They are all still struggling so much and if this can even bring them a little bit of holiday cheer it will be so worth it. I made little cards for everyone to give with their gift so it felt cohesive. Day 1 was our day and we ordered little white stain glass stars that we gave to everyone to hang in their front windows in honor of Kelly. We also gave them a wax bulb because 

Kelly loved those.