A Christmas Gift

* This was my Christmas Gift to me. On a snowy night Tom dropped me off for a moment to see an art exhibit at River Woods. The Chirstmas lights were breath taking there. I ran in and fell in love with  this magical, innocent picture of a tiny girl. Maybe it is because I am waiting for our own little angel to get here. Every time I hear Kelly's voice on the phone I start to cry. Birth is such a miracle, such a gift. I love the warmth of the colors around her face. I love the soft little curls falling down her face. She is an angel watching that Christmas Night in awe. I love her rose bud lips, her cubby cheeks, her serious mood. I love her innocence.
*We had our Christmas Bowden Dinner at Mark's house this year. Paul brought a DVD that had many of our old family movies on it. The most amazing thing happened to me as I watch myself as a small child. I could actually remember the feelings that I had at the very moments of my third birthday. I remember how pretty I felt in the new red dress my Mom had bought for me. How proud I was of the doll cake Uncle Andy had made for me. I was so young, I would have never guessed I could remember exact feelings. Our minds are amazing things. To me I looked so innocent, before the time when life seems to wear us down. I want to feel that way again. I watched as we went to the Homestead as a family. We were swimming in the warm pool and then my Dad took us out to the cold pool and threw us in the water. We were all laughing because as soon as he threw us in, everyone would scramble out in horror because the water was freezing. But not me. I can remember wanting to please my Dad. I think I was maybe four. I wanted to show him and I could swim all the way across the pool, and I did. I am still wanting to please him. Wanting to be near him again. I know we come to this earth pure and innocent and then we experience the struggles of life, that eventually humbles us enough to again become innocent and ready to return home. I long for that home, this dark morning on the last day of December.
*D&C 93:38 "Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God."

A Christmas Gift

Kelly's Cute Family Room

* Kelly has the cutest family room. I love the big hunky chest she refinished. I talked to her on the phone last night and her doctor thinks her baby is coming sooner than we have been thinking. Every time the phone rings I think it is her. I can't wait to see the Thompsons again and hold my new little best friend.  I am praying all will go well.
* Tom has been coughing like crazy. We just ran away to the bowling alley for a hamburger because he had cabin fever.
* It is snowing so hard outside. It feels like Christmas. I just had to go find Kenta she keeps running down the road to be with the Jepperson's dogs. We are watching the Rodeo Finals every night. BYU plays UTAH tonight. I love Tom

The Gathering

* This has been the gathering place for pictures for many years.  How time flies. Little bodies have turned into teenagers over night. Oh how I love them!
* Lucky me, I got to see Jayne and Kim for a few minutes yesterday. I need that fix every week.
* Mom was so confused yesterday. I must see her more often.
* The care center was Christmas for me. I shared my favorite Christmas story where cute Micah looks like Archie. I mentioned that to them. Right in the middle a man that had been asleep the whole time. Shouted out, " I knew your, Dad we were good friends. I have to think that Archie probably did know him somewhere in the eternities, because Archi made friends witih everyone.
* Tom has a cold and is coughing up a storm. I have to think this might dampen his chances for his first day working at the temple. I wonder if it is possible to will a cold?
* The Relief Society progressive dinner was awesome last night. So many friends that I love in this valley. I am lucky
* "And the angel (Noah) answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. Luke 1:19

Cuddle in

* Oh I love Jason and darlying littleJayne. The older I get the more I appreciate the good people my kids married. Who wouldn't want to cuddle up to that handsome warm face. Lucky Millers, lucky Kim
* It was so nice to have the kids here last night! Little Shawn couldn't remember what to call me.  Think we need to be around each other a little more. I get to be with them when Bret and Nic go for their Anniversary.
* Hope I get to Max's game tonight.
* Jenny is doing so good playing on the  Provo High Girl's Basketball Team.
* Tomorrow I get to do Relief Society for the Care Center in Heber. . . I will love that.
*Last night after everyone left I curled up in the yellow chair and watched the First Presidency Christmas Program and then watched about three more Tabernacle Christmas Programs. It was a Christmas gift to myself. I turned off all the lights except for the three starts and the pink balls on the mantle. I brought home Mom's little white church bird house (because she kept tripping on it)and put it on the table at the end of the bed. Beautiful lighting and a warm room. So nice.
* We are waiting for Tom's extra big white jacket and shoes to come so he can start work at the temple with me on Thursday. When we went shopping he was grumpier than a bear! Not sure how this will all work out, but we shall see. I am banking on a mighty gift from heaven.
* It rained last night the sky is pink this morning. I am so blessed!
* "To arouse "Deep Self" we must arouse its interest, me must seduce it with pretty pictures and pleasurable sensations--take it out dining and dancing as it were."