Boys went off to school yesterday. It was DS1's first day and DS2's first day. They were both very keen. I wonder how long that enthusiasm will hold? At some point DS2 will realise he has to do this every day for the foreseeable future.

In the meantime, I am a mother of just 1 during school hours.

A week left for Christmas. We have decorated the house. The tree is up, the nativity is out and the house is full of good cheer - at least as long as the kids aren't arguing.....

I don't think I will ever get used to celebrating Christmas in the middle of summer. I grew up celebrating on Christmas Eve, the church bells ringing to herald the start of Christmas, snow every where making the world look bright and clean.

Going to the beach on Christmas Eve just isn't the same. Spending Christmas Day afternoon in the pool just isn't the same.

This year we are going to the in-laws' for Christmas. Family dinner. I am sure it will be ok. As far as in-laws go, I am very lucky!

when you're having fun.... or so they say. I find that it tends to fly anyway. But the past couple of weeks have been busy with all the end of the year stuff. Proud mummy moment as our oldest son was awarded the class academic medal.

Genealogy again.... I found some more information about a line on my side of the family. I find this happens sometimes - I get an impression to go look for a particular person that has been a brickwall or just haven't had anything done on that line lately.

This time it was my great aunt who emigrated to USA. I have been unable to find out a lot about her, but suddenly the information is flooding in. I think they are probably giving me a bit of a prod from the spirit world.

Am sooooo excited. Finally received a certificate in the post which proves I have found my husband's long lost great grandfather.... lost as he abandoned his young family and disappeared.

It's great to be able to know what became of him.

This is why I love family history.....

Fourteen Fundamentals for Following a Living Prophet.
They are just so simple, but so profound:

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.

3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.

5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

6. The prophet does not have to say "Thus Saith the Lord," to give us scripture.

7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

8. The prophet is not limited by men's reasoning.

9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.

10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.

11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.

14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.