It came without Ribbons...

It came without tags. it came without packages, boxes or bags. I love that part of Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. It has been an interesting year for us. so 'interesting' that I didn't get a chance to write a newsletter or mail cards. I have had a hard time getting in a holiday mood. But it hit me in special ways this year. I have felt the love and peace of good friends. They are numerous. I work with many good friends. I worship with even more. I live with a household (although some of the members are at 'satellite' locations) of very celestial friends. today, I am spending the day with two of my beautiful grand daughters. We have been shopping and had some fine dining...Chick-Fil-ay.(Can't spell it!) I feel how blessed I am. Do each of the special people that surround me know how full my heart feels when I think of them? Do they know that even if I was a billionaire, I couldn't spend enough on them to bestow a gift that is worthy of them? Do they know that I know the Savior lives? I do know that. He is constantly by my side. Sometimes, my choices mask His presence from my feelings, but when I pray and invite Him into my life, He is right beside me. I am grateful for the humble, silent sacred events of that first Christmas night. Can you feel the peace that must have been thick in that stable? I wish I could remember the angel's song. I hope I got to help sing it. I would experience anything that the Savior asked of me. Haven't I been blessed that all He asks of me is to love all around me? I have discovered that there is no one that I have truly tried to become acquainted with that I haven't been able to love. Maybe someday I will be worthy of some of the gifts He gave me.
Merry Christmas to All
And to all a great weekend

Happily Ever After...

You know in fairy tales, the end is 'and they lived happily ever after'. Having been in happily ever after, I want to give you some details. In my far away younger days, I thought happily ever after was the princess and her wonderful prince walking hand in hand down lovely garden paths with flowers bursting into blooms as they passed. They were accompanied by butterflies and birds. Their castle was large, beautiful and handsomely furnished. Their little royal offspring were perfect. Life was perfect. How glad I am that true happily ever after isn't that boring.
Happily ever after= the prince and princess have their own thoughts and opinions. Sometimes they don't match up and they learn wisdom and love while working on an equitable solution. The castle needs repairing... a lot! The kids are normal and have lots of 'growing experiences'. The kingdoms cash runs out. But through all these exciting times, the prince and princess are still in love.
My happily ever after experienced a miracle this week. My prince almost took a trip to a different world. I would have had a lonely happily ever after if my miracle didn't occur. Superman proved to be super again with the help of the priesthood and great blessings from our Heavenly Father. He experienced a stroke on Wednesday. I watched him in a scary state and stood by his side. In the emergency room, I held my lips to his head and asked him to stay with me. He whispered back that he would. Then within a few hours he was coming back to me. I thank my Heavenly Father for every minute He has given me with Steve. My eternal marriage is such a gift. My Christmas means so much more because the Savior has given me the love of my life and my hereafter life... and let me enjoy more temporal time with Steve.
We have felt the love and prayers of all our loved ones. What power! We love you all. Thanks for your strength. Do me a favor and hug your special people. Celebrate your blessings as you remember all that was given to us with the birth of a divine king.

Choices

I was setting the breakfast table on Sunday morning. I gave Colton his choice on plates. He chose Santa instead of a reindeer or snowman. I could tell I had his interest, so I let him choose his fork also. I kept holding up forks....this is what he choose..












Kids! Aren't they great?

How Ever Fair Thy Branches

This is my tag to my loved ones. Take pictures of your Christmas tree....share it with us. I used to save my change all year to purchase our tree. (We are die hards that love the smell, variety and mess of a live tree...or real). I thought I needed $40.00 or $50.00 to purchase the 'just right' tree. I wised up last year. My friend, Brenda, told me how all her family meets at Clem's for their annual Christmas Tree outing. $1.50 a foot. We have started doing that. This years tree cost $10.00. I used to think the Clem's trees were too skimpy, but I have discovered they are perfect for showing off the ornament collection. Our tree's 'theme' is unusual. I have collected angels, glass and delicate ornaments. Steve has collected moose. So I embraced the theme. Each year I give Steve a new moose ornament. Lesley gave me my new angel this year. I also got a new bird ornament (Sorry Lesley!) and a gold crazy looking thing. Thanks to Carter for helping me choose. I do love those trees. I can't wait to see yours.

The grand tree

In soft light

My bird

My thingy

My angel!

Steve's new moose

Steve's favorite moose...a backpacking mountainy type moose

A Political Career Begins

Carter applied for West Bountiful's Youth City Council. He was accepted. He has been hard at work making hot chocolate for Christmas on Onion Street. Passing out flyers (on bitter cold days!) and attending meetings. He was sworn in this past week at the city's council meeting. We stayed to watch some of the excitement and enjoyed the evening. I am so proud of Carter. He is a great leader. One of his best leadership qualities is that he gives service. Love you Carter!

Help Me De-Scrooge Myself

So I just wrote this long impassioned plea to help me get in the mood for Christmas, and it didn't publish. So here is a more thought out, mature request. I love the fact that the Plan of Salvation is so perfect and so divinely planned. What better way to present a gift to the world than to have a sweet tiny infant and His celebrated birth dawn on a needy world? I love that about Christmas. But now I am having the hardest season I can ever remember. Of course money is an issue, but it goes deeper than that. I need to feel the Spirit of Christmas. I would love to see your Christmas tree on your blog. (Maybe this is a tag!) Share your favorite Christmas song, tradition or memory with me. Help me out, please?