* Kade is getting ready to go pass the sacrament with his basketball in his hand. I love him! He is such a good basketball player, so unselfish,  passing when he has an easy basket. He loves to hold baby MacLynn. I hope everyone will survive this weekend as they move to their new beautiful house. Wish I was there to help!
* Tom and I are reading the book Visions of Glory every night. It reminds me of the nights in Arizona when we read together. He is working at the temple with me, and he is liking it. It is so nice to have him  drive down the canyon in snow storms. He looks so handsome in white. I sneak down to the baptistery just to watch him through the glass. He is my love.
* Finished Fire of the Covenant and had book club last night.
* We are praying for Matt
*Diane is coming to stay tonight. She has a growth in her head that they are checking. Oh how I hope is not serious!
*Visited Marion yesterday and three of us cried, those good cries.
*"For they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. " Isaiah 52:7

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."

* What a grand Thanksgiving we have had! I have so much to be thankful for!
* The Heaps filled the house with laughter.
* We danced to Jenny's music long into the night.
* We spent a night in Salt Lake. Went to the Mall Food Court and all the men died when they saw all the people. Jason saved us by leaning us to the tram where we rode to the Rio Grand Station to a Mexican Restaurant. We had to walk a few blocks past a homeless shelter. There were people sleeping on the street. The kids held on tight to our hands and we all felt a sadness that lingers. The bathrooms were filled with spooks or so we heard. The food came fast and it was hot and good. We returned to the Marriott to swim, and the hot tub reminded us of a few unpleasant smells, but the kids didn't seem to notice. Some of the best memories are the unexpected crazy ones. I love my family!

Together Time

* Thanksgiving is coming and I am giving thanks for a time to gather. This picture speaks of stillness and serenity. Our table will burst with laughter, spills, salty gravy, mothers fixing plates, dads in need of a couch, football games and ear plugs, children who want to brave the cold to jump on the tramp and Kenta who is waiting to jump on them, phone calls to draw loved ones and our need to imagine them here.There will be mounds of dishes and turkey grease, fingerprints on the windows, logs to put on the fire, crispness in the air, crayons and water colors, pictures to take, prayers to be whispered and thanks to be given.......this must be the heaven that I long for. Oh I am blessed!

Graditude

* This morning I feel humble. My head hurts and it is still dark. I don't think we are suppose to start our day out pooped. But there is a pounding rain on the window. My thought are so much different because I live in Wallsburg. I am welcoming the rain. It has been so dry this year. The horses are out scrounging for food and I hope we will get enough moisture for next spring's growth.
* Kim has had surgery and she is doing so good. She is an amazing Mom. I took Lucy and Jayne home one night last week, and they talked non stop. So much life, such enthusiasm. Oh how I love watching them. They are like little miniature miracles.
* Dear Michael Slingerland is in intensive care. Yesterday I looked at his gentle face all hooked up to a dozen tubes. He looked so innocent. Peter sat next to his bed with his ski hat pulled down. When Michael would fight and be confused Peter would pull his hat down lower and cry. Josh was there too. Suzanne looked to tired and her feet were killing her. What memories we have of the people who were so much apart of our lives. Michael has a 50 50 chance. This next week will be hard.
*Jenny made the Provo High Basketball team!!!
*Mom fell yesterday while I was there. We had just moved a stool with a little white church on it. I had said, Mom I am afraid you are going to trip on this and sure enough she did. I need to be careful of my thoughts because sometimes they come true.
* I have been listening to Kim's kids pray for Mitt, their Mom, and Matt.  Well Mitt lost, and everything has been very subdued since. Matt did finally send me an e-mail last night and Kim is getting better.
*" For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Oh My Heart

*This is my favorite place in the world right now. It speaks to my soul. This year I shared it with the Millers, Debbie Cusick, and with Tom one time (He even climb a fence, surprises do happen)
* Tonight we get to be with the Clarks and the Millers for soup and a train ride. Thank you Kim I am so excited!
*My favorite October sound was Kelly's deep belly laugh in Target when she saw Maizie in the funniest Halloween Mask.
* The Heaps might come for Thanksgiving!!!
* We had a cute family from Arizona stay with us this weekend. He is a World Champion roper. They took Rock, Pistol, and a two year old filly home with them to get ready for a sale in January. Tom' eyes are filled with spunk. I am happy for him.
* I am want to make some brown bread for Katy tonight.
I love Tom!
* "Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord. . "D&C 128:23