The Last Day of 2010

* Hand knitted mittens mitten to keep hands warm grace this wooden mantle, a glow with candles, strung with cranberries and fresh holly. The best things in life are humble and simple.
* I am thankful for snow that will help the fields to grow this spring, warm clothes, mittens and boots. I am thankful for energy to shovel, sweep and care for our home; for Glen and snow plows that dig us out. I am thankful for this last day in December that says Ahem to 2010.
*What will 2011 bring?
*Resolutions, 1. Say more "thank yous" in different ways 2. Learn more about charity 3. Pray more humbly 4. Study the things that are most important 5. Love Tom unconditionally 6. Spend more time with my family 7. Find more time for Mom 8. Look in the mirror and like what I see 9. Learn how to discern better 10. Laugh more
* "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Mother Teresa

Snow

*So much snow. I keep shoveling and it keeps coming. Instead of little bodies, the tramp is heavy with snow. I shovel and slide and laugh at my slipping self.
* Sam wants to sneak in always.
* I am thankful for quiet time to study.
* Kimmy is going to Cancun with Jason.
* Both Kim and Kelly are speaking on Sunday, wish I could be there for both.
* The propane is filled again, oh the luxury!
* We are snowed in. The roads are deep, no where to go, no hamburgers to buy, I love it!
* Whenever we feel we are in charge of our lives, we just need a good snow storm to humble us and help us to see how dependent we are on the Lord for every single thing.
* President Uchtdorf tells of a time when he was in a car with President Faust. He warned Elder Uchtdorf that people might praise and say nice things about him but, "Dieter, be thankful for this. But don't ever inhale it." President Faust

Sisters

*I think this picture is a rare glimpse of who we really are, sisters. Every one's eyes are bright. Diane looks beautiful, Mom looks young and happy and I am so glad that Paul fixed my camera and took our picture.
*Jane and Roland told us a story about a man that was so abusive that he would lock his children in an old dirt dark cellar if they did something wrong. One little boy was so frightened. His older brother secretively dug a small hole to the cellar so that he could lay on his stomach and reach down into the cellar to hold his younger brother's hand. He would lay there for hours trying to comfort his brother. Diane would do that for me. I would for her. I am trying to hold Mom's hand until Dad comes and gets her. When will that be?
* I have a whole arm full of library books. Can't wait!
* Matt called.
*"I am your refuge and strength. My compassions never fail--they are new every morning. I have chosen you and you are my child."

The morning after

* I think back on the morning after having a baby. Everything is so new, and so sore. That first little sucking is such a gentle relief. You can see the miracle in the face of the young angel, and even the donkey wants to get included.
* Mary now needs to face real life with a new baby. Long sleepless nights, many needed baths for both of them. I am grateful for a bathtub and hot water.
* We slept in new soft blue sheets last night, with two new soft towels. I live like a queen. What an honor it would have been to be able to offer Mary my bedroom, and set by the door yummy meals for them to eat.
* "We will need to be like Mary and keep some things in our hearts and ponder them trustingly, for we too know more than we can tell." Neal A Maxwell

Christms Morning

* "And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7
* Christmas is here the morning is quiet. I couldn't sleep all last night just thinking of the grand Christmas Eve we had at Bret's home.
* We ice skated at 7 Peaks. They had these little walkers the younger kids and myself could push around. It took all the fear out of falling, because you couldn't.Tyler kept his eyes out and would bring us more when people were finished with them. Little Lucy was so darling. Dad thought she looked like Bambi learning to walk. Her left leg would cross back behind her right leg. But she was a trooper and in the end she could out skate us all. and Nic's house was so homey and beautiful. We had wreaths on the chairs, candles on the tables, Christmas Coloring Books for the kids. The food was Fabulous! Nic had a Christmas Book for both families, which we all signed, that told the nativity story from the Scriptures. The art work was my favorite.Bret had a fire blazing. Sharing of gifts was so comfortable!

* Matt called and my heart wanted to reach through the phone and hug the tar out of him. I hope he can somehow teach his body to sleep! My feelings are tied to his feelings, always.
*Kelly sent her so loved book of family pictures. . . always the best. Bret and Nicloe gave us a movie going pop corn popper, and new movies to boot. We need to have a few movie nights. Kim gave me the dearest gift! My gratitude journal in book form. I had wanted to make one but didn't have a clue how to go about it. It is big enough for me to write in and use as a journal. I know why I love it so much. I have a giant fear of forgetting everything. I don't ever like to say it out loud for fear it might happen sooner. I think when I can go back and hold on to a book and read about the things that I love (my family and the gospel)it will help me remember. Organization is my greatest challenge. My closets, the art room and my brain tends to always be cluttered, and confusing. But I am going to prevail! When Dad wakes up we still have two presents under the tree to open from Jamie and Matt. Jamie has the gift of doing all the bussel of Christmas with ease. I want to learn that from her!
* Merry Christmas Dear Family. You are all my everyday gifts!

Mary

* Tom made chili for an army.
* There is more snow than I have ever seen in my life. I had to take three shovel fulls each time to get down to the sidewalk.
* Mom thought it was Christmas eve last night and wanted to know what to wear. Oh my heart. I must spend some time with her today. Dad where are you?
* My heart is aching for Matt.
* The TV didn't work yesterday because there is too much snow on the roof. It was so nice. Tom helped me with some stars.
* "We will need to be like Mary and keep some things in our hearts and ponder them trustingly, for we too know more than we can tell." Maxwell

Humility

* With each difficult experience in our life we learn humility. I think we have to learn humility before we can witness the grand.

* Kim's Paper Whites are bursting.

* The snow is so so so deep this morning.

* "The new star would have had to be placed in its precise orbit long,long before it shone so precisely! There is a personalized plan for each of us. Like the Christmas star, each of us, if faithful, has an ordained orbit, a prescribed path. . .

Were We There?

* I keep thinking about Friday night and temple square. It was so nice to be with the Clarks. It felt like Christmas. It was there in the music, the pictures, the lights and little children. Holding on to Tyler and Shawn occasionally shifted what is important. Tyler can play Christmas songs on his guitar. Shawn has a Polar Express chugging around his tree. Katy has the prettiest blue spruce Christmas Tree. Jenny smiles with her big dimples and happily joins in the fun. She doesn't seem to have any of the "Don't Bug Me" feeling that most teenagers grow in and out of. Bret and Nic are powerfully in charge of the good life. I love them. Thanks for including us.
* It rained all day yesterday, a sad rain, the wind blew for ever, but now it is snowing softly and life feels better again.
* I am drawing the Nativity
* "Yes, the larger Christmas story is clearly not over. It is not solely about some other time, some other place, and some other people. It is still unfolding, and we are in it! Like the wise men who persisted to Bethlehem-and we too shall be led to Him. " Maxwell

Watching for the Star

* We are having Christmas Eve Breakfast all by our selves. No waiting in crowded restaurants. I must think of something fun for Mom. Wooden shoes filled with pictures of the kids? Maybe a Christmas story.

* I am grateful for warm flannel sheets.

* I just had sour dough toast topped with honey butter and fresh raspberries, Delish!

* I can feel Christmas in the air!

* "We should emulate the shepherds who "made known abroad" all that which was told them. And we have been told so much more! We too must be willing to leave off other tasks in order to declare the glad and good tidings of Christ's gospel and Church fully restored. The scriptures say the shepherds "came with haste." Their lengthening of their stride is a sermon in itself." Maxwell

Humble Flowing Elegance

* I love the grace of this picture. Beautiful Mary and baby, wrapped in the knowledge of the love of Joseph and the Lord. Joseph is driven and strong. What weight lay on his shoulders.

* We shopped with Matt last night. It felt so good.

* The snow is coming down so hard.

* So nice to have a day at home.

* "There was none to give room for them in the inn--a problem of the heart."

Archie

* This picture always reminds me of Dad. There is something in his wrinkled kind face that I love. The humble people of the earth know things that we are all searching for.
* I found the perfect surprise for Millie's Birthday. A little doll with Maizie's smile, and purple hair. Hopes she likes it as much as I do. I want to find another one for Marion.
* Many of my temple friends are so sick. Life is hard. I must be thankful each day for good health.
* Tonight is Tom's family dinner. We are taking a White Elephant, the tea kettle that Randy found up at Windy Pass. It is the one the brothers used up there years ago. I am excited to see everyone.
* "In a stable for animals, into darkness the light of the world had come."

The Bread of Life

* Christmas is everywhere.
* I am reading my Israel Journal. Each Christmas it brings the real and important things to my heart.
* Friday night was just the best. My family was all together. We sat by candle light for a long time and talked and laughed. Mom seemed comfortable. Diane looked healthy and happy. Brent has such a good memory, he could remember all of our old neighbors. Mark made us yummy Marcela sauce for the steaks. We sat by the fire and the tree lights for a long time. So nice!
* I am trying to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of December.
*"And Joseph also went up from Galilee. . . with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child." Luke 2:5

Soulwarming

* Christmas is everywhere, Kimmie's Dr Suez's Christmas Tree is so magical. I loved spending time with Lucy and Jayne! We visited the real Santa with a perfect beard. He was dressed in a soft blue flannel shirt with red velvet pants. I wanted to jump up on his knee. While Jayne was napping I layed on Kim's big soft bed, so comfy. I love Kim's home and family, they always make be grateful for life.

* Last night Tom and I watched the rodeo until 2:00, eating purple grapes and toast with honey butter on it.

* I love the bedroom stars.

* Today I am making nutty popcorn, hope it is yummy.

* "There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way." Buda

Sanctuaries of Christmas

*I just finished the book Women Food and God. It made me see life differently. I want to remember those thoughts. It is a re-read!
* We finished Mom's Christmas. She seemed relieved and happy. I love her!
* I am looking forward to having my brothers and sister up for our Christmas Dinner. How can I make is a memorial one? How can we talk about the important things instead of small talk? Jamie's Game!
* The sky is crystal clear.
* "Sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness." Galway Kinnell

Christimas

* December makes think of the most important things.
* I am grateful for all the music and art and writings about the birth of Christ. This picture shows the tenderness and humility of Mary.
* We are watching the rodeo finales each night, in train style, under a thick blanket. There are essential oils smells from Trudy everywhere in hopes of taming Tom's cough.
* Abbie got straight A's.
* Hope I get to tend baby Jayne today.
* I love our Christmas Stars hanging in the bedroom.
*"But Mary kept all these thing, and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19