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