A Great Christmas Holiday!

I love that we had a great Christmas Holiday this year - not that it's a first, but that it can happen over and over again!

Here are some of the things that kept us busy:

I read a lot of stories - and one story a lot of times. It's so fun!


We opened gifts.



We made a craft.


We made some yummy food.


Card games.


We went to see "We Bought a Zoo" and really enjoyed it.
We went out to eat after the movie.


I am so thankful for the members of our family who were able to come join us - we had a great time together! We missed those who could not come. We could have up to 21 people if we all can get together at the same time, but only 14 of us were able to gather for Christmas this year. Our family is growing, and we look forward to bigger gatherings in the future.

We are going to have withdrawals because everyone is gone now!

Soft Carpet

I love soft carpet under my feet in the morning!

(Image from HERE - it's quite similar to my carpet.)

Clothing

No matter the look, it's nice to have clothing!
I like that it keeps us warm if we pile it on in the winter.
I like that clothes include pockets to have a place for a few things we want to keep close to us.
I like that there are different styles and colors and that we don't all have to wear the same look - because we can't all pull off the same look.
I am grateful for those who wear modest clothing - too much skin is not appealing to me.
I like comfy clothing...

(Image from HERE)

In Home Laundry!

I am grateful to have a washer and dryer in my home. It is so nice to be able to work on other things while I am doing laundry and not have to travel somewhere with baskets full of dirty clothes.

(Image from HERE)

Giving!

Oh the Joy of Giving! It blesses so many lives!



I am so grateful that I can give ... I need to do more of it!

I thank you all for the many things you give to me and my family! You are all awesome! I have felt undeserving of the many gifts you have showered upon us. I have felt guilty that I have not done as much for others this year.
We do feel blessed ... and loved! You have blessed our lives in so many ways!

THANK YOU!

I tried to spend more time in 2011 remembering the things I am grateful for - especially the last couple months. I promise to continue to remember those things, but to also try to give a little more. Giving truly blesses lives.

I don't want to just give though, I want to have charity - charity is the best gift of all.

"Thoughts and acts of charity hold together our societies and link us individually to our Savior." (Quote from HERE)


I really need to remember this -

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915–94) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

“Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. …

“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended. … Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other” (“The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword,” Ensign, May 1992, 18–19). This quote is found HERE

Merry Christmas

In Luke 2 we read that the angel came to the shepherds saying
“Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” and then announced the birth of our “Saviour, Christ the Lord.”
This was not only good tidings of great joy to those shepherds, it was good tidings of great joy for all of us. This news should make us joyful in our journey.
My wish is for us each to remember our Savior this time of year as we celebrate His birth, but also, let us not forget Him when the season is over. He is our reason to rejoice and He is our reason to enjoy the journey here on earth.


I am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ!





FYI - Click on this link to find a Christmas Devotional and many more short video clips about Christmas.


(images are a couple of my favorite pictures I display throughout the holidays.)

Chocolate!

Oh Yes, I am thankful for chocolate!
My favorite right now is this yummy stuff from Costco



and there are so many other yummy chocolate things ... and they keep showing up around this time of year ... yummy indeed!

Comfy Furniture!

I love comfy furniture - so glad to have some!
No photo ... sorry! Too many other things to do today!
Have a good one!

Christmas Decor is Done!

Finally, the finishing touches are done and up! Christmas decor is complete (except I had a strand of lights go out on me and the garland above my entertainment center looks incomplete, but maybe I can find a way to remedy that??)

The finishing touches were for the trees. We strung popcorn and cranberries this year. I love the look! (one cranberry ... two popcorn ... repeat ... and repeat and ...)




I have red wooden bead strands that I like ...


But this year we strung cranberries and I love that look!


I wanted to wrap the gifts in kraft paper, burlap, and lace, but just didn't take the time for that stuff this year. The photos make me wish I would have. Oh Bother! On to better things ...

I am happy to have the decor feel complete now!

My Grateful Heart -

NO SCHOOL DAY!

I love days when the kids can stay home with us!!!!

Ruffled Bags - Our Version

BrittanyJo made these for a couple friends (birthday and Christmas). I wanted to post them earlier, but didn't want to ruin the surprise for anyone that received them. Aren't these so cute?!?!? We saw some similar bags on Pinterest and decided to do it ourselves ... and it worked!

More Cards ...

I was reminded of some more awesome Christmas cards as I was working in the kitchen this morning. They are so exciting and they make me so happy, so I thought today deserved two Grateful Heart posts.
These awesome cards come from Tawny, Brayden, and Auger, and we can feel the love that they were made and sent with. Here is a big THANK YOU! to our sweet grandchildren! We Love You!

Christmas Cards

I am so thankful for Christmas Cards!
I love to see the family photos and read the newsletters, and I love the thoughtful words of love and kindness as friends and family wish us a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. (I must admit - I look at the photos and cards as soon as we receive them, but I often wait to read the newsletters after Christmas when I have more time - but I do love reading them!)
I have enjoyed sending them too, but for the last couple years I've not included a photo. That disappoints me, and I hope to change my ways in the coming years.
It took me a while to get them sent this year, but we got most of them sent yesterday ... I still have a few that I'm working on ... trying to get the correct address.
Even though we send no photo, we do send our love!
We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas!

and
Thank You!
for your sweet wishes to us.

Jelly Belly Beans

I really like
Jelly Belly Beans!
I'm very glad they
have such a
yummy jelly bean
with so many
awesome flavors.

Pear is one of my
favorite flavors!

A Grateful Heart ... Temples

I am so grateful for temples.
We were able to attend the temple Saturday with several members of our ward.
There is such a special feeling inside those sacred walls, and going there always blesses our lives.
I'm glad we were feeling healthy enough and that things at home were so that we could attend.


(Image from HERE)

Long Over-due!

I'm finally posting a photo of Akleigh ... yeah! Sorry it's taken me so long!!!
She is really sweet and we should have shared a photo long ago. She had just come in from the cold, and we loved the cute hat and coat, so we made her pose for a picture.


And here is Auger, who is loving the coloring/drawing time lately. He knows his colors and wants a semi in every color.

Happy to have Puzzles

I like puzzles.
They are especially fun for the holidays.
We put out a puzzle with a snowy winter cabin scene a couple weeks ago to help create the festive feel, and I've worked on it occasionally, finally finishing it tonight.

Great School Concert

I am grateful for great school concerts, and we got to attend one last night.
(I didn't remember the camera though.)



It was middle school and high school together, so Anthony and Connor both participated and they did a great job. Great Christmas music!
Each band and choir was so easy and enjoyable to listen to, and the evening went by quite quickly. (Sorry to say, sometimes in the past that has not been the case.)


(Image from Etsy)

Money

Well, we've heard that money is, or can be, the root of all evil, but there is much good that can be done with it too.
I am grateful that I have enough money ... not too much and not too little.
(I suppose someone could debate either of those with me, but I'm feeling good!)

(Images from Pinterest - here, and here)

Happy Healthy Hearts!

I wanted to post this last week, but didn't get it done, partly because I wondered if I needed to explain, and wasn't quite sure I wanted to. Well, I guess I'm ready to explain...

After a sports physical the doctor sent us to a specialist in Spokane to check Connor's heart. We were a little concerned, but had great hope that all would be well. After tests and a visit with the specialist we were happy to hear that Connor's heart is in perfect condition. Connor may still have the symptoms that he was feeling, but he should feel asured that it is not life threatening or damaging.

We do have heart problems on both sides of the family, so hearts do kind of concern us, but our hearts feel better after learning that good news. I am grateful for healthy and happy children!

(image from Fresh Home Ideas)

Freedom

Freedom is a
wonderful thing!

To live in a country
where we are allowed
to do and be and become
is a blessing we enjoy
every day.

(image is from google search)

free·dom [free-duhm]

noun
1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial.

2. exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.

3. the power to determine action without restraint.

4. political or national independence.

5. personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: a slave who bought his freedom.

Medical Report

Sorry this report is so late, it's been a busy day!

None of Terry's counts today showed any improvement, but we are not worried. They really don't expect any noticeable improvement for 3 or 4 months after the DLI. We have an appointment in Seattle set up for the first part of February, and are hoping to learn something then.

Actually, the counts are slightly lower today but are not critical. The decline could be because he is getting a cold again. Just a soon as he stops the medication the cold symptoms seem to start to come back.
He started the meds again today, but I think it might be a little stronger dose (too tired to go check to be sure).

Terry's lab results:
WBC = 2.2(L)
RBC = 3.68(L)
Platelets = 44(L)
Neutrophils = .8(L)

No appointment next week - actually, we don't have to go back until January 2nd, but we are supposed to call if something changes or if we have any concerns.

Good-night!

Savior of the World

After four shows we were able to get a photo to share. (I took my photographer on the last showing ... that would be BrittanyJo.) This is a scene with Mary and Joseph just after the baby Jesus was born and the shepherds came to see the new Christ child, just as the angels told them about.

This was a great production and we are so grateful that the members of our church shared their talents with us all. It was beautifully done and it is a wonderful way to remember the real reason for this season. May we keep that feeling in our hearts ... always!


We send a grateful and loving Thank you! to all who participated in any way. You're all awesome!

Good Movies

I love a good movie, and we just watched one last night ... The Grace Card ... it was a very good movie (though I don't recommend it for a young family).
We need more good movies with great morals and inspiring messages like this.

I am grateful for good, wholesome entertainment!

Winter's Coral

Winter's
Coral.


The
frost
is so
thick
and
beautiful!

A chance to start anew

I love this poem by Helen Steiner Rice.

(Image from an old calendar, like 1980-82, that I kept on our wall for a lot of years.)

Isn't repentance a wonderful thing!
My heart is grateful for that opportunity provided for us by our Savior.

I've printed the poem here just in case it isn't really visible in the picture.

How often
we wish for another chance
To make a fresh beginning,
A chance to blot out our mistakes
And change failure into winning -
And it does not take a New Year
To make a brand-new start,
It only takes the Deep Desire
To try with all our heart
To live a little better
And to always be forgiving
And to add a little "sunshine"
To the world in which we're living -
So never give up in despair
And think that you are Through,
For there's always a Tomorrow
And a chance to start anew.

A Christmas Transformation!

I love Christmas decorations! I love setting up the Christmas decorations! Our home is slowly transforming it's look to Christmas, and because it doesn't do it by it's self it's taking a little ... a lot of time.

Nativities go up first! My favorite of the season - to help us remember the reason.



I also enjoy the fun snowman decor. (I kinda have a lot of snowmen!)



I love the lights on the trees and garland. (I kinda use a lot of lights - we have a city of lights in our family room, but we don't put any up outside ... sorry neighbors! We do love to see them on your homes! ;)



And the reindeer are so cute!


(wait, is that last one a moose?)


And the ... oh! ... it's all so much fun!
However, I don't do much with Santa because the season is for Christ! But this hanging speaks volumes and in such a beautiful way. It's one of my earthly treasures. Someday it will be gone, but it's message will remain in my heart.
It was made by my sister-in-law and given to us several years ago.



My heart is grateful for Christmas decorations!

(This post was created for yesterday, the 9th, but I guess I just saved it instead of publishing it, and found it this morning. So I changed the date and used it today! Sorry I messed up! My Bad! So really, I should be grateful for working brains, or for when brains work ... especially mine! And, I guess I am!)