a quick trip to TX

i woke up on the 28th and felt a strong need to attend the temple. i mentioned it to chris and he said "lets do it!".

because the OKC temple is closed for remodeling we had to make the trip to dallas, which is a 5+ hour drive from here. but we decided to head over in the afternoon after piano lessons, stay the night at a hotel, go to the temple early in the morning, grab some bbq for lunch, and head home. so we were home in less than 24 hours. it was a quick trip!

we made it in time to have torchy's tacos for dinner!

oh queso, how we love you!

after dinner i asked chris to drive by the temple. we dont get to see the temple very often and i thought it would be good for the kids to see it since they wouldn't be going in the morning. earlier in the week i had been feeling like i needed to find a way to feel some extra peace in my heart and the temple kept coming to mind. before we left on our trip i asked Heavenly Father to please help me feel some peace while i was at the temple. in my mind i was looking forward to the feelings i usually have when I'm in the temple, doing work or sitting quietly. well, the second we pulled into the parking lot and we saw the temple lit from below i had an overwhelming feeling of pure love from above and peace. it was so unexpected and took me by surprise. it was definitely an answer to my prayers and I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father loves me enough that He was willing to share that peace with me the second we entered temple grounds. they are sacred and so special to me.

i know jack felt the spirit too because he gasped as soon as he saw the temple and after a minute or two said how he felt so excited to be able to go in a year to do baptisms. I'm thankful we took the kids to see the temple.

 when i got back from my session on friday morning, chris had me drop him off at Cattleack Barbque to get in line for lunch.

cattleack is fairly new but is killing it! i think they are currently ranked #3 in the state of texas, just after chris' favorite, Franklin's. 

holy toledo.

it was absolutely delicious! my mouth is watering right now wishing i could have some more brisket, no maybe a pulled pork sandwich, no some of the smoked cheddar jalapeño grits, gah! it was so good!

owen loves him some ribs

chris was first in line, bu the line grew really quickly there after.

it sure was nice for the kids and i to hang out in the warm hotel and then pull right up and sit down for lunch! thankful for my food loving sidekick that is willing to do crazy things for crazy good eats!

to work off all our bbq we decided to walk around ikea real quick before the trek home. the kids love going to ikea.

it was a great (FAST) trip, but it was just what my heart needed to end the year.

we missed our annual christmas eve dodgeball party with church friends this year. 

all of our original friends that we started this tradition with have moved away, so it was kinda bittersweet this year. after sulking the fact that our friends were not here and that christmas eve was on a sunday, we invited several other families to the church on saturday the 30th for some dodgeball and kickball. we had a great time playing for a couple hours and enjoying some snacks and goodies. 

if owen's cheeks weren't so red in this picture you'd be able to see that his left cheek and eye were super duper red because chris pegged him in the face during one of our last rounds of dodgeball. chris is notorious for hitting at least one kid during any physical activity or game. it always happens. this year he hit owen and one other boy and busted the kid's glasses. funny... he's the one that always says that hitting heads is not allowed...