Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas is almost upon us.

As I sit down here to type I have a gazillion other things I should be doing but my mind is just overloaded for a few moments.  Mike and I finally finished the Christmas gifts for all our children.  It was such a great idea in Nov but now that they are done I am glad we moved forward with that idea.  I will share just what that is after Christmas morning but I will say I do have THE  greatest husband in the world who pulled his weight during this project.  And one terrific sister in law that gave me a day of service.

Today I took out all the presents that have been purchased and put them into piles.  I still have 3 more gifts to find and 6 more to finish.  I like to think our children will love gifts given from the heart more then gifts from the store.  Only time will tell come Christmas morning.

For me I have very few wants.  I have a wonderful life and usually all my needs and wants are filled throughout the year but I do have 2 that come to mind-  My first gift I asked Mike for was more TIME!  Time spent together and just time to do things.  But mainly his gift of time is all I ask.  Our lives are so crazy that we don't see each other as much as either of us would like.  The second gift would be fruit trees.  Oh and someone to dig the hole!

I love this time of the year as we search for the real meaning of Christmas.  Yesterday Kathy and I went to the temple to go through with Sapphire Rosier.  I can't think of anything better to give someone then the chance to progress eternally as their temple work is done.  Merry Christmas my new Sister friend.

After all our Heavenly Father gave us the greatest gift of all!  Our Savior Jesus Christ.  Oh what a wonderfully perfect gift that fits every need, every size and shape.

Merry Christmas my dear Friends!

Friday, December 9, 2011

For you are a King, but tonight you are mine.

I have always loved thinking about the night the Savior was born.  I have many nativities that I have collected through the years because of this love.  Being a mother myself I have reflected upon Mary's roll as the mother of Christ.  What did she ponder about that special night and all the other nights that followed?  Did she snuggle with him and know truly of His greatness and the life he would need to lead?  Did she whisper sweetness into his ears?  Did she stare in amazement that He had come to her?  And did she think for a moment he was just her's. 

I cherished the nights when it was just me and my sweet babe sharing some time together.  Of course there were many nights I was just exhausted but on those special nights as I would sit with my baby in my arms looking at them I wondering what they came to this earth to do.  Why did they come now?  Why did they come to me?  Why were they sent to us?  How could I raise them to the love the Lord? Who were these little strangers joining our family?  The list of what, who and whys were many.  But those were times of sweetness.  I am sure Mary had similar thoughts and feelings.   Today Alyse told me she and Kristen needed me to open my Christmas present.  I said but it's not Christmas yet.  She said it doesn't matter you have to open it.  As I did I had no idea what was inside.  Until I saw the word "Willow"  And then I eagerly opened the box to find this....


Mary's Lullaby
All mine in your loveliness baby, all mine.
All mine in your holiness baby divine.
Sing on herald angels in chorus sublime;
Sing on and adore, for tonight you are mine.

The wise men are coming to worship their King,
The shepherds are kneeling their homage to bring.
Out yonder the star over Judah will keep.
No harm will befall thee, then sleep baby sleep.

O let me enfold thee, my baby tonight,
While legions are singing in joyous delight.
A new star has risen to hail thee divine,
For you are a king, but tonight you are mine.

Away spectered future of sorrow and plight,
Away to the years that must follow tonight.
The pangs of Gethsemane, let them be dim,
The red drops on Calvary, not Lord, for Him!

O let me enfold thee, my baby tonight,
While legions are singing in joyous delight.
A new star has risen to hail thee divine,
For you are a king, but tonight you are mine.

Sing on herald angels in chorus sublime;
Sing on and adore, for tonight you are mine.

I have my mother large nativity set that sits on a round table in the corner of the room.  I leave that nativity set up all year long.  I want to remind myself often of the birth, life and death of our Savior and how because of him I get to return back to my Father in Heaven.  I will now be able to add another nativity set that will stay up all year long thanks to my two sweet daughters who so thoughtfully gave me another reminder of who my King is. 

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thanksgiving=Gratitude to me

The last 5 weeks have been hard weeks for me.  I spent them down in Orlando for work.  I lived down there for 3 straight weeks since Mike was in Ca as well.  Someone asked me why it was so hard to do this.  It caused me to pause and ask myself that same question.  I came up with what I thought was the reason -it's hard to not see family.  But I don't "see" my family all the time normally.  They all have work and their own lives that they are busy with.  Rob and Brittany live in Idaho so I don't see them for sure everyday so what made it hard?   I have thought about this question a lot.  What makes things like this so hard?  I could call and talk to them,  I chatted via texts with them all the time.  I chatted with them on facebook.  I emailed them.  So I had communication with them. So what was different?

I think it's because it's not home.  I have come to determine that home is not only a brick and mortar place but a state of being.  I have read for years this statement "Home is where your heart is".   There is nothing I would rather do in life than spend time with my family.  I love it when they come up to see us.  I love to go to their homes.  I love to be in their presence.  My mom use to say to me "you are happiest when your family is near you."  It's true my heart resides in many different places and all at once.  I love my family with all my heart.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and a time when we all give thanks for those things we have in our lives.  Elder Hales said

“In some quiet way, the expression and feelings of gratitude have a wonderful cleansing or healing nature. Gratitude brings warmth to the giver and the receiver alike, gratitude, expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have, brings a calming peace, a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don’t have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future.”

The older I get the clearer I think life becomes.  It isn't about stuff.  It's about people and relationships.  I would give all I have to my family and those in need over my own wants at this time.  As Christmas draws closer yet on the heals of Thanksgiving I am thankful for the very two people who have given and continue to give me everything I have.  I am deeply grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who blesses me with peace, love, abilities beyond my own natural talents.  I know ALL that I/we have comes from Him.  I am thankful for a Savior who gave his life for me so that I might return back to my Father in Heaven.  I pray everyday that a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ burns in my heart and my children's hearts.  Because without the Atonement all is lost.  Jesus is our perfect example in all aspects of life and to him I humbly bow.  

So you see as hard as this past 5 weeks have been I have come to understand a few things better and I am thrilled to have that knowledge.  And I am happy to be on this side of that 5 weeks where I can reflect better upon the nuggets of  pure truth from Heaven. 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Family

So today is a banner day!  We added one more Ladle to our family.  We knew Brittany was going to go to the hospital last night and things would start to rock and roll today (11/10/11).  And they did.  Rob was great at keep us all up to date with what was happening via text messages and not wanting to miss one thing I didn't get a whole lot done.  But here is a sneak peek at what we were sent!  I'm in LOVE and think he is the most perfect and beautiful grandson around!





This is when life really begins.  Children are truly a gift from Heaven.  And I'm excited to give this whole grandma thing a try!  I can't wait to snuggle this little guy! Dec can't come fast enough.  Truly this is a miracle from heaven. 


Welcome to our family little one!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Learning bits at a time

I am down in Orlando for 3 straight weeks- 2 more after that before my work here is done.  With Mike gone to CA it made no sense for me to drive home and then turn around and drive back with one day in Tallahassee.  So here I am in Orlando and today is Sunday.  It's been an interesting to be down here and finding myself with free time mostly during the late afternoon and evening.  The memories have flooded back with things Mike and I have done down here.  The temple was dedicated in 1994 and we have spend many hours and days in this wonderful city.  Mike and I love going to the temple and just being together.  We have enjoyed the times we have brought our children down for various temple trips and family vacations.  The time we went to Universal Studios close to Christmas and it was freezing.  Some rides were closed because of the cold and we found the best ride was the one where flames shot out at the end.  We all held our hands out to get them warm during the 10 seconds we rode by it.  It never really did warm up that day but we were together and loved being together.  So as I drive around O-town I think about my family and it makes me sad they aren't here.  I have been taught over and over again about how family is really the best part of life.  It's true!!!

Today while in church (11:00 start time yet I walked in late because it was Stake Conference) I had a few things I wanted to write down.  I sat in the foyer where the soft chairs were.  I don't do well on hard chairs.  I first noticed all the little boys at church.  Most walking with their dads.  Those little guys were so sweet and some jumped as they walked, some chatted in their own little language but kept looking up as if they were sharing something important.  There was a mom who walked out of the Mom's room with a sweet little guy in a plaid shirt and brown cord pants.  I am sure my ability to focus on these sweet boys is because in 3 short weeks I get to become a grandma.  I can't wait.  Brittany and Robby will be bring their first little soul into the world.  They will be awesome parents.  I can't wait for this little guy to come into their family and so I can snuggle, cuddle and kiss this little person. 

The second was what was said in church.  There was a bit of a theme of missionary work.  I loved what one young lady had to say.  She was a new member of the church and she talked about her conversion.  She said two things- A candle looses nothing by lightening another candle.  When we share the gospel we don't lose anything by lightening someones own candle with gospel knowledge.  I loved that image.  She also said God can't drive a parked car.  Gosh that can be used in so many ways.  I'll let you think about that one.

I learned a lesson a long time ago.  It was Pres. Packer who brought about this change in my life.  It is the concept that faith and fear can NOT occupy the same space.  If we have fear we can NOT have faith.  So if we push fear out with faith we will be happier in life.  I took that challenge and worked on that for a year.  It proved to be a marvelous year for me.  Today the Mission Pres. wife talked of course about missionary work.  She said- "Doubt and fear of sharing the gospel are tools of Satan."   That is true!  If fear and faith can't occupy the same space then Doubt and fear have to be tools of Satan.  Heavenly Father does NOT use doubt and fear as tools.  Ah yet another piece of the puzzle appears.  So many times I have thought oh what if...  and have used fear as my crutch to not share the gospel.  I have used doubt enough times alone in I'm  not sure I can share the gospel.  I don't know enough to share the gospel.   But today is a new day.  Those two words are going to leave my life.

Another story she shared was another stake was having their Stake Conference and Elder Neal A. Anderson was the visiting authority.  There was a young man who the missionary had met and invited to Stake Conference.  Upon hearing that Elder Anderson would be there they called this young man and told him he really needed to come.  They made arrangement with an EQ Pres and this young man was picked up along with his friend.  They arrived just after the opening song.  They stayed for the whole meeting.  After the missionaries introduced them to the Mission Pres and his wife.  He asked the missionaries if they had introduced their investigators to Elder Anderson yet.  No they hadn't and quickly joined the line.  When these two young investigators came to Elder Anderson he said to them "We can't live one more day without you joining this church."  They both will be baptized Nov 5th.

Since working I have had many opportunities to share things about the church.  I have loved sharing what I know.  Sometimes my co-workers come and ask me, and sometimes I hear the whisper to share something with them.  They have been sweet times and I have always been glad I followed in faith.  Recently my Uncle passed away.  I had a wonderful conversation at work about temples, life after death and forever families.  

I love this gospel.  It is why I am me.  It has shaped me in so many ways.  I am thankful I have it in my life.  As the world swirls and turns during these uncertain times I have knowledge of what, where and who I am.  I don't have to wonder!  Today was a wonderful day.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Iowa!

As Kathy and I were headed home we stopped for a day in glorious Iowa!  Ya you heard me right.
                             I LOVE IOWA ! 

Bruce and Midge live there and they know how to show you a good time.  Midge is into quilt making as well so she was full of thoughts and help.  Bruce was his amazing self and I always love his hugs and any time I get to sit and chat with him is heaven to me.


They suggested the following day that we drive to Kalona.  Home of the Amish.  This truly excites me.  I love seeing the farms, the buggies that run along side the road.  The simpleness of their lives.  Not only were we able to drive to Kalona but we did it in fashion.  Bruce and Midge drove their T-bird and I drove a 65 mustang (I think that was the year) and we had the top down. 

Bruce and Midge introduced us to Amish baked oatmeal.  Oh my goodness it was the best thing ever and stayed with me most of the day.  I was even more in love with the Amish.  We stopped at a few fabric stores where I instantly feel in love with a quilt that I knew I needed to do for Bryan's birthday.  I purchased all the needed supplies and off we went. 

 One of my obsession with Iowa is the fact that they have what are called quilt barn squares.  This is where barns take big squares and paint a quilt block on that square. 

I know I have talked about this before.  When we were in the fabric store the woman who owns the store told us about how they represent people's heritage.  I love that idea!  I found a quote that says- We are who we are because they were who they were.  That is exactly how I feel!  I love my heritage.  I would love to do a quilt barn trip.  Anyone with me?

 Here are pictures of the quilt I made for Bryan-  
"Quilt As You Go Flag Throw"


It's hard to see the smaller stars that are on the blue

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Touchstone Moments

I believe that we all have touchstone moments.  Those moments in our lives that change us.  I have a few that I recall and reflect on often.  I have many of them tucked away into the inner corners of my heart.  There are some touchstone moments I believe that have happened but we have yet to realize but that will come with a force in our lives that will teach us the love of our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.  This summer was a touchstone time for me.

Mike and I started to make plans to fly out to Idaho to see Brittany graduate from BYUI.  We were thrilled for her and Robby.  It is no small effort to graduate from college.  It had been way to long since we had gone out to visit them.  It is really all my fault.  I am not a fan of flying by any means so unless it is vital for me to get on a plane I will usually drive or pass on the opportunity.  But this is probably a whole other post.

As all things do they worked out and Kathy, Annalise (5 years old) and I drove out to Utah.  We live in an amazing country.  I am intrigued by how different each state is.  All's I have to say is AMERICA you ROCK!   The scenic views were amazing and the company excellent!  Kathy was an excellent travel companion.  I think we talked non stop for 3 days both ways.  I dropped off Kathy and Annalise in Utah, picked Mike up from the airport and off we went.  Mike's luggage wasn't on the plane with him but they hoped it would beat us into Idaho Falls.  Ummm nope!  They finally dropped it off  during the night sometime.

The best part of the trip to Idaho was spending time with Robby and Brittany.  We were going to do a surprise baby shower for Brittany (The kids couldn't be there so they each took on a part of the shower- Alyse made the invitations, Kristen and Kathy both made decorations.  I have such great kids and they all made or sent gifts and all the while keeping it a secret!)


The following day we were able to see Brittany graduate from BYU-Idaho.  Janel also graduated with her bachelors deg as well.  We were so happy we could share this important day with Brittany and Robby.


This trip was a needed trip for Mike and I.  Both of us are going to be very busy shortly.  So we took the time to do as much stuff together as possible.  Rob and Brittany were finishing school and we decided to drive up to the Tetons and eventually through Yellowstone.  It was a wonderful day we had.  Mike rented a motor boat that jiggled everything inside us but that was a perfect way to see the Tetons up close and personal!  The views were amazing and the company outstanding.  We had such a great time with Robby and Brittany and while driving away we vowed to never go that long again without going to see them.


Mike and I went to dinner with some good friends from Ca.  When we left Ca and moved to Florida Mike served as Executive Secretary to Glenn Hadfield.  He and his wife Sherrol were good friends of my parents.  We grew to love them dearly.  We met them at their home and drove to dinner.  What  a wonderful touchstone dinner. 

Mike had work in Ca and would be flying out on Sunday.  I dropped him off at the airport and headed to Bonnie's house where a wonderful reunion would take place.  Kathy would be flying in Monday.  I was excited to spend the week with my sisters.  We went to water aerobics and shopping and had lunch with my aunt and uncle.
Aunt Venna and Uncle Norris
 We visited with our Nephew and Nieces and their kids. We had a fantastic time together.  One of  the greatest days was when we drove up to Temple Square.  The Church Museum had a quilt display going on.  I had an instant need to do quilts after viewing these.  I know they are light years ahead of me but hey I have to start somewhere.  The three of us went to a quilt store where I wanted to buy EVERYTHNG but alas I knew it was not meant to be.   

We went over to Joel and Lisa's home and I hit Katrina up for quilting help.  She has been wonderful and a great cheerleader for me.  She gave me some short quick tips and told me LOVE what you do!  It just fueled my passion. 

I love these faces

 The time went by all to quickly.  I loved each moment spent with my sweet sisters.  Kathy left for home and I  picked Mike up from the airport.  We hung out doing our thang once again!  We drove all over and landed in Provo.  Home of his beloved BYU.  His eyes just light up when he is near campus.  We treated ourselves to a creamery lunch complete with ice cream.  

Mike flew home and I was once again left in Utah.  I drove down to see my oldest yet dearest friend.  She put the word out that I was going to be staying with her.  We had a unique group of us growing up.  We all stayed for the most part in the same ward.  We grew up going to seminary and some dating each other.  Sunday night everyone converged at Peggy's house once again.  (I must interject here that Peggy and I did throw some awesome parties when we were teens to which all these people came over and over again.)

Person after person came and the talking laughing ensued until almost midnight I think.  My body was still on Eastern time zone so it was really late for me.   But the memories and renewing of friendships happened all over again.  It was a night I shall not forget. 

Back - Kevin Mackley, Madia Berg, Peggy Hulme  Front- Craig Salmond holding a streaming Brian McCleve, Michelle Collette, Me, Julie Harvey
Of course the females have all married and have different last names.  But we all decided we were going to search out 4 more of our former friends and invited them to the next reunion.

The following day Peggy and I went to a fabric store and purchased some items.  We were going to figure out crocheting over bibs and blankets and so forth.  As we sat side by side on her couch talking about "Grandma" things and crocheting I turned to her and said  "did you ever picture you and me sitting on a couch crocheting for grandchildren?

There have been a few times in my life when the world comes together and all is right in it's place.  These 3 weeks were one of those times for me.  So many touchstone memories are tucked into my heart and soul.  I grew to understand on this trip how amazing my life is.  And it's because so many others who are in my life.  I am richly blessed with kind and loving souls from the past.   I am thankful I was able to spend so much time out West this past summer.  It brought back to me what is important in life.  Family- friends- and the gospel of Jesus Christ that runs through our souls.   I love you all!