I finally have a good news week to report on for all of you who have stuck with me through the madness of the last few weeks.

Sydney started basketball this week. She did really well at her first practice. Much better than I expected. We bought a junior-sized basketball so that she can practice in the basement. She is really excited for something new to do since dance is over for a while. I am the team parent (with Ben as my backup). Practices are after Ben gets off work so he will be able to go participate with her. We are all excited about that since they need the parents to help out and I won't have to try to do that with the two other kids (soon to be three other kids) in tow.

Tansy is being a typical 2-year-old. She suddenly talks a lot more clearly, wants to be involved in everything I do, and has to do everything by herself. I have simply learned to start getting ready to leave the house earlier. She is having a hard time watching Sydney participate in all of her activities, but they don't have anything for her until she's 3. We're going to let her do the Start Smart Baseball this summer.

Zack probably had the busiest week. On Tuesday at physical therapy, he finally started cruising. He has been able to stand and even recently pull himself up, but those little feet stayed pretty firmly planted. I was really excited about that, but then yesterday, he got on all fours and started crawling across the living room! Crawling is something that we have still been working on, but the therapist wasn't sure that he ever would. We got him to do it a couple of times, but he still prefers scooting on his bum since he can do that faster.

On Thursday, he had his appointment with the ENT. Despite three rounds of antibiotics, his ears still look bad. He is scheduled to have tubes put in on December 21. This is such a relief for us after seeing him in so much pain again and again. He has been on nine rounds on antibiotics in a year just for ear infections. This should really help him to feel better.

Ben took leave for this entire week. It was nice to not only have him home, but to be able to relax. I was able to rest more than I would have and try to fully recover from being so sick. We even hired a sitter and went on a date yesterday. It was our second time since we moved here in May. Long overdue, and the fastest three hours I've spent lately.

We had a great sacrament meeting today. The bishopric spoke about Christmas and the Savior. I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't a fast Sunday so I couldn't go up there. I just felt so strongly about my testimony of the Savior that I wanted to share as well. I love this season where we are reminded and talk about Him so much more. I am so grateful He came to earth to make it possible for me to return to my Heavenly Father. Merry Christmas!