Christmas in Kentucky

We had a fabulous Christmas this year with all of our family in Kentucky. Jack got to ride tractors, 4-wheelers, etc. He had a blast and we could hardly keep him inside. It was absolutely FREEZING when we got there. I think the highest it got in the first week was 29 degrees. We had such a good time and REALLY miss all of our family. Jack especially asks to go to "Jo Jo's house" or "ride on airplane and go to maw-maw and paw-paw's house". We had so much fun just being together...we didn't really go and do anything spectacular (although John and I were able to sneak away for a couple of hours with no children and see a movie...thanks Aunt "Airplane") but we had a fabulous time just being together and getting to spend time with each of the children. There were bouts of sickness which we were all exposed to (although luckily not EVERYONE got sick). We had fevers, strep throat, pink eye, etc. My, were we a sight, but nonetheless we overcame and had fun anyways! Thanks to Maw-maw and Paw-paw for the opportunity to be in the homeland again.

While we were in Kentucky, John had an interview with a law firm there. We were really excited about it, and it seemed that it would work out great, because the interview came about in such a miraculous way. We were still in Kentucky on the first Sunday in January, so I decided to make my fast to "get the job". As we were sitting in sacrament meeting, I had this overwhelming feeling of peace come over me....that everything was going to be okay. Not necessarily that he would get the job, but that no matter what, we would all be together and that was enough. So, because of that peaceful feeling, I was neither disappointed nor surprised when he did NOT get the job. Because of the peace I received from that fast, I really felt okay knowing that the Lord has it all under control. John and I (and all the fam in Kentucky) have agreed that no matter what, the Lord's plans for us are always better than the plans we make for ourselves. The natural man is so short-sighted, and that is why I am so grateful that the Lord is in control.

We are lucky enough to have an internship for the first half of the summer and feel so blessed by that, and we know that the Lord will provide a job for us after John graduates. No matter if it's here or somewhere else, we are eternally grateful for the gospel that binds us all together for eternity, despite where we end up living here on earth.

Below are some pictures of our adventures. We love the homeland.

Our run-away Shepherd



"GANNA!"



Livvy...poor thing was sick with strep throat

Jo-Jo and/or "Skinny Neck"

"Whattya guys want?"

Uncle "Bady" and the other Sister Girl "Yiza"

Handsome in his new suit from Maw-maw

"Gampa Mattox" and the children

"Gamma Mattox" and the children



The Red "tack-tu"





Payt and Jules as Joseph and Mary (oh, and Sister Girl as baby Jesus)


I didn't get any other pictures of my parents or my grandparents.... shame on me. But, to my defense we do only have a vidoe camera that takes still pictures, so it's not VERY convenient. We shall have to remedy that in the future.