and the Stockings Were Hung

Shopping , baking, washing, playing, wrapping........

starting to fill stress in all of the mess.

We attended the last of the Christmas parties this past week, yeah!!

A good time was had, uhm by most of us.

Milo buttering up to Santa and being a "ham."

I love his excitement of being a live, hard to keep up with though.

Lil is still not sure about sitting on Santa's lap. However, she decided she had better tell him what she was wishing for. So with a little help she mustered up the courage to stand by Santa. "What a pony!" Oh my, maybe we should have talked with Santa alittle earlier.






Christmas Eve jammies, I mean robes.

Need I say a word? Yes, I do. " Santa, eat your veggies!"

I finally felt it!

The meaning of the whole Christmas Season.

Feeling tired and run down, ready to just let it come.

I stand in the cool of the night hands holding tight.

Peace and quiet in the cold air as Daddy offers the prayer.

The pause in his words after, " Our Heavenly Father.......

please help us to remember Calvin at this time."

The pause was it, the whole Christmas meaning.

The love of family, here and beyond, our purpose in life.

This memory will forever be fond.

So glad we took that time to pause.

Merry Christmas.

..... and the stockings were hung.

my Faith

As I attended my sabbath day meetings, especially sacrament meeting, I was filled with the Spirit. It is a filling of gratitude, love, and faith in my Savior Jesus Christ. The music sang and performed by the congregation and choir brought on immense joy and tears, reminding me of the Spirit I should be sharing this holiday season and throughout each day.

The following pictures lovingly portray the life and love of Christ. I keep these small prints in a tiny photo album for my children to look at during the sacrament portions of our meeting. To help remind them of Christ and His life. I love these prints, and enjoy sharing them with the children. I pray they will gain a love for Him as they learn of His life and love for each of us.

HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL

by Simon Dewey


TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS
by Simon Dewey



AS I HAVE LOVED YOU
by Simon Dewey




FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
by Simon Dewey



FORGIVEN
by Greg Olsen


O MY FATHER
by Simon Dewey


HE LIVES
by Simon Dewey




WHY WEEPEST THOU
by Simon Dewey



ABIDE WITH ME
by Simon Dewey

click here to read the above message.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=735b862384d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=e1fa5f74db46c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I LOVE YOU ALL!

like eating Christmas

Today, well last night, I was in the festive mood. I made 2 batches of of crannberry salsa. Yummy, I accuired this delite from my neighbor last year. It has become a seasonal favorite. I have anxiously awaited the fresh crannberries this holiday season.

I took the salsa to work to share with my hard working co-workworkers and other friends at the hospital.

" It is like eating Christmas," my one friend said. I had never thought of it that way before. She is so cute and bubbly. Who would of thought of Christmas as tangible as taste? Regardless, you'll love it.

Sorry it isn't presented in a fancy holiday dishware. I took this picture with my cell phone at work. I am sure you could spruce it up a little for your holiday gatherings.

Merry Christmas!

Cranberry Salsa

12oz package of fresh cranberries

3/4 C sugar

1 med jalapeno

1 green onion

1/4 C fresh cilantro ( I use extra )

1/4 tsp groung cumin

I just chop it all up in my little food processor, and wha la!!!

Chill in the fridge, the flavor is even better after it has chilled over night, but fresh is good too. My favorite chip is hint of lime.

the Purpose

We have passed up a many of opportunities to donate cash, change, etc... to the the Salvation Army bell ringers. So last Saturday while shopping Milo asked if we had any change to give. I don't carry much change let alone cash, but he had $2.00 in quarters I suggested that he donated his change. He was saving for bouncy balls. I said that the money that people donate go to help those in need, and that he could probably do without bouncy balls. He cheerfully relinquished one quarter.

Last night Milo and I were out shopping again and of course the bell ringers were out in full force. Milo asked, " Mom, do you have any money to give?" I said, " No, but maybe we could get some cash when we checkout at the store."

So at the checkout I got $10.00 cash, as we left the store I gave Milo $5.00 to donate. He was so excited. Once again I explained that the man that was ringing the bell didn't get to have all the money, but that it went to a large fund to help those in need. He was just serving to help others.

At the next store, we passed by yet another bell ringer. I gave Milo another $5.00 to donate, he deposited the money and the man wished us a Merry Christmas. We continued into the store to do our shopping. While doing so, Milo says, "Mom, can we buy a bell so I can stand on our front porch and ring a bell, so people will give me some money!"

Looks as though I need to work on explaining the whole process again.

We had Milo choose items from the giving tree at his school. We had fun shopping for a new book " the Diaries of a Wimpy Kid" for a 12 yr old boy and a new shirt for a 4yr old. Milo insisted that he turn the items in to the school office all by himself.

Hopefully the purpose of it all is sinking in. This holiday season is an especially wonderful time to love and serve others, good job Milo.

Tis the Season

For family night last night we set up our nativity. My hubby has given me new pieces to this nativity each Christmas for the past several years.

I love it. The " willow collection" to me is the simplest in form, magnifying our saviors birth. There is a sense of purity in the faceless figures that embellishes the the sweet peace of His birth.

Lil' was so excited to find her Cinderella Christmas tree in all the Christmas packing. I am not sure I was, it is also a musical tree. She plays it all the time.


Saturday Daddy decided that we should go to the festival of trees. This is an annual event where an enormous expo center is filled with themed Christmas trees. Each tree is donated, then sold. All proceeds go to the our local children's hospital. We didn't purchase a tree. Most of them were sold, plus they were priced at 100's to 1000's of dollars.

Here are a few of the trees the kids liked.

Upon leaving the expo center we entered the bitter cold where the beginnings of our first huge snow storm was brewing. Each snow flake seemed to be falling independently instead of in clumps. The flakes would alight on our clothes and we could see the intricacies of each flake. I was amazed and in awe. Many years have gone by since I had examined an individual snow flake. I got more enjoyment at showing the kids all the different flakes and watching them melt than looking at all the expensive, worldly if you will, Christmas trees. It instilled a peace, quietness and reverence for all God's power. I am ever grateful for having noticed the season.

Sarah Buxton - Outside My Window - (HD) Music Video w/ Intro

Here is a happy get through the day video. Enjoy!!! Luv ya all.

Thanksgiving

It is Thanksgiving and I am at work for 12 hours! Thankful? Well maybe, somewhat, thankful that I am not hosting a huge dinner at my home.

I do have so much to be thankful for, so here is the list.

• Father in Heaven and Christ, their ever extending love
• the most loving caring husband / friend
• the love of my husband
• my passionate love for him
• the strength and warmth felt when I am held in his arms
• my husbands ability to make our children laugh, and to teach them
• our 4 children here, and 1 cherished angel son
• hugs, especially from my children
• soul mate friendship
  Milo's imagination, and genuine laugh
  Tommy's contagious smile, what a handsome boy
  Riley's love for nature and all things in it, animals, bugs, snakes, spiders, etc
• Lil's girlishness
• time to be with my children
• time to watch the boys play soccer
• time to color
• time to play house or princess
• scriptures
• dark chocolate
• Burt's Bees lip balm with passion fruit
• gardens
• flowers
• quiet
• coffee ice cream
• alone time with my hubby, need way more of that
• my mommy and daddy
• my family and his, struggles and oddities included
• telephone chats with friend
• pedicures, don't get enough of them though
• music
• laughter
• hair color
• a job
• a job that enables me to care and love for others who are in need
• modern amenities
• whole wheat sunflower toast loaded with peanut butter
• ability to move breath and exercise
• sleep
• when the children get their chores done
• etc........

There is so much more, I express my heart felt love for God, Christ , all blessings my many blessings.

I pray for all those who don't realize all their blessings.