Learning from Life

24 Things to Always Remember!

2012-02-02T22:49:00.001-08:00

This was great, and something that I need to remind myself of often!
Good night dear friends!

24 Things to Always Remember…

and One Thing to Never Forget

Your presence is a present to the world.
You’re unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You’ll make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don’t put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
Don’t take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot . . . goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life’s treasures are people . . . together.

Realize that it’s never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have heath and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.

And don’t ever forget . . .
For even a day . . .
How very special you are.

http://www.inspirationalarchive.com/632/24-things-to-always-remember/

“You are the only you God made... God made you and broke the mold.”
― Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life

“You weren't an accident. You weren't mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman.”
― Max Lucado, The Christmas Candle

Practicing Humility

2012-02-01T23:48:00.001-08:00

I love this story, I do believe that it is true that success and humility go together!

Good night dear friends!

Practice Humility

Many years ago, a rider came across some soldiers who were trying to move a heavy log without success. The corporal was standing by as the men struggled. The rider asked the corporal why he wasn't helping. The corporal replied, "I am the corporal; i give orders." The rider dismounted, went up and stood by the soldiers and as they were lifting the log, he helped them. With his help, the log got moved. The rider quietly mounted his horse and went to the corporal and said, "The next time your men need help, send for the Commander-in-Chief." After he left, the corporal and his men found out that the rider was George Washington.

The message is pretty clear. Success and humility go hand in hand. When others blow your horn, the sound goes further. Just think about it? Simplicity and humility are two hallmarks of greatness. Humility does not mean self-demeaning behavior. * In The Book of Virtues, edited by William J. Bennett, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1993, p. 204.

“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.” ~ Charles de Montesquieu

“The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Motivational Stories can make a difference!

2012-01-31T23:08:00.001-08:00

On more than one occasion, someone has asked me why I write my motivational blog each day? They then remind me that I don’t get paid for it, and that no one is making me do it…so why do I write it day after day? For over 3 years now I have written this motivational blog. I believe that it has probably helped me as much as it has helped any one else. I write it because I feel like it’s what I am suppose to do. I have wanted to do something like this for years but never got up the courage to do so. Even when I first started it, I was scared to death that someone would notice my poor writing skills. I thought people couldn’t get past that, but they have and they do. I write this blog not only for me to keep track of my progress, but I do know that others read it and look forward to it, so that also gives me motivation to write it.
I just want people to be able to read my blog and feel a bit more hope or comfort in their problems. I want them to read it and smile. I want them to know that they aren’t alone in their problems. It is just what I am suppose to do. I believe like the old saying “An apple a day helps keep the Doctor away” we could say “ A motivational story a day can keep the psychiatrist away” Just kidding, but I do think being more positive and trying to see the glass half full, does make you want to live life to the fullest! That is why I write this blog!

Tonight I found this place that has motivational stories, and this is what they say about these stories…

Motivational stories have the ability to lift us up, make us smile, encourage, motivate, and teach us valuable life lessons. Here are some motivating stories that will hopefully help you spark that motivational feeling. They give us an empowering sense of hope, that if 'he/she' can do it, so can I.

Throughout history, people have used inspirational stories to teach, encourage, and inspire in hopes that the listener will use it as a stepping stone and as an example to live a better life. Some will make you think, some will make you cry. Hopefully, some will give you that motivation to go for your dreams.

The important thing to remember when reading these inspiring stories is that when you get that feeling of motivation, where you want to do something, do something. Nothing is more of a waste than to be inspired and motivated and not take any action. Your life will only change as a result of taking focused action. An inspirational story is nothing if it doesn't cause you to do something or at least make you believe in yourself a bit more. Hopefully, these inspiring stories will change your life in some way. http://www.motivational-well-being.com/index.html

Mount Everest

Sir Edmund Hillary was the first man to climb Mount Everest. On May 29, 1953 he scaled the highest mountain then known to man-29,000 feet straight up. He was knighted for his efforts.

He even made American Express card commercials because of it! However, until we read his book, High Adventure, we don't understand that Hillary had to grow into this success.

You see, in 1952 he attempted to climb Mount Everest, but failed. A few weeks later a group in England asked him to address its members.

Hillary walked on stage to a thunderous applause. The audience was recognizing an attempt at greatness, but Edmund Hillary saw himself as a failure. He moved away from the microphone and walked to the edge of the platform.

He made a fist and pointed at a picture of the mountain. He said in a loud voice, "Mount Everest, you beat me the first time, but I'll beat you the next time because you've grown all you are going to grow... but I'm still growing!"

- Brian Cavanaugh
"The Sower's Seeds"

“A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning.” ~ Pat Riley

“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” ~ Raymond Chandler

Smart Goals

2012-01-30T23:53:00.001-08:00

Well, I am late getting to my blog tonight. I will leave you with another goal setting example. Since January is almost over, I thought I should get all the last minute resolution and goal setting ideas in that I can…especially for me.

Good night dear friends!

SMART Goals

If you ask most people what is their one major objective in life, they would probably give you a vague answer, such as, "I want to be successful, be happy, make a good living," and that is it. They are all wishes and none of them are clear goals.
Goals must be SMART:
1. S--specific. For example, "I want to lose weight." This is wishful thinking. It becomes a goal when I pin myself down to "I will lose 10 pounds in 90 days."
2. M--must be measurable. If we cannot measure it, we cannot accomplish it. Measurement is a way of monitoring our progress.
3. A--must be achievable. Achievable means that it should be out of reach enough to be challenging but it should not be out of sight, otherwise it becomes disheartening.
4. R--realistic. A person who wants to lose 50 pounds in~30 days is being unrealistic.
5. T--time-bound. There should be a starting date and a finishing date.

http://great-motivational-stories.blogspot.com/

“this is my life. it is my one time to be me. i want to experience every good thing.” ~ Maya Angelou

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” ~ Maya Angelou

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~ C.S. Lewis

The Abundant Life

2012-01-29T18:57:00.001-08:00

I read an article the other day about living the Abundant Life.

I thought I would share it with you, this isn’t the complete article but I put the reference at the bottom in case you want to read it.
It was of course, talking about the goals and resolutions we make for the new year. The author offers the ABC’s for the abundant life. It is really good.
Good night dear friends!

A…is for Positive Attitude!

So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. Charles Swindoll- author, educator, and Christian pastor—said; “Attitude, to me, is more important than the past,…than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.”
We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.

B…is for Believe!

It is for believe—in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles. Be honest with yourself, with others, and with your Heavenly Father. Thomas Fuller, an English churchman and historian who lived in the 17th century, penned this truth; “He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.” Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.

C…is for Courage!

Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes a brave men and women to win them. “ There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming.
Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve. Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. “Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow”.

May we remember these ABCs as we begin our journey into the new year, cultivating a positive attitude, a belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the courage to face whatever challenges may come our way. Then the abundant life will be ours.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/01/living-the-abundant-life?lang=eng&query=s.+(name%3a"Thomas+S.+Monson")+(publication%3a"Ensign")

Honesty is the best policy!

2012-01-28T22:58:00.001-08:00

I loved this story, honesty is always the best policy. What a great reminder that through making right choices, we can actually change our destiny!

Good night dear friends!

Homeless man's decision to return $3,300 changed his life!

By Douglas Stanglin, USA TODAY

By David Wallace/The Republic

About a year ago, a homeless man in Arizona found a bag full of cash and made a fateful decision: He returned it.

The Arizona Republic published a feel-good story today that actually feels good about the future of 49-year-old Dave Tally of Tempe.

Tally was in debt, unemployed and had lost his driver's license for DUI violations. Homeless, he was sleeping on a mat in a church-based homeless shelter when he found $3,300 in a backpack at a local light-rail station.

That could have gotten Tally out of his hole, but he decided that was the wrong thing to do. Instead, he tracked down the owner of the cash, a college kid named Bryan Berlanger who had planned to use the money to buy a car to replace one he'd lost in an accident.

"Meeting Belanger and hearing the student thank and praise him for his honesty and kindness made Tally feel good about himself, he says," writes Republic reporter Dianna M. Nanez. "He hadn't had that feeling in awhile."

When word got out that Tally had turned in the cash instead of keeping it, the national media came looking for him.

Donations poured in, and Tally suddenly found himself with $10,000. But he was determined not to fritter it away.

He began paying off his bills, clearing up his driving record, and taking the long road back.

He even moved into a no-frills apartment across from the shelter as "a reminder of where I've been and where I'm not going back again."

One year later, Tally has landed his "dream job," managing a community garden.

Recently, The Republic reports, Tally started overseeing an internship program that allows people who are homeless to volunteer in the garden.

But he doesn't preach to anyone. "I let them know that when they're ready to make changes, it's possible," he says.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/11/life-turns-around-for-homeless-man-who-returned-lost-3300/1

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.”

“It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity.” ~ Francis Bacon, Sr

How to succeed!

2012-01-26T23:44:00.001-08:00

I smiled when Jeff sent me this quote…isn’t it easy to think to succeed that you must accomplish a million things? Well, maybe everyone doesn’t think that way but I know we Mothers do. I sometimes only look at all the things I didn’t get done, instead of what I accomplished. When I read this sweet list of successful things, I think I totally agree … and better yet, I need to remember it more often.

Still struggling with this terrible cold…I guess it is the season, still I need to get better to teach my class tomorrow. I love teaching! So I will head right to bed. Thank you for your friendship and love. It truly means the WORLD to me! Good night dear friends.

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Adversity

2012-01-25T22:29:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I started coming down with a cold. It so far has stayed at just that. I am so prone to get pneumonia that I always have to be extra careful not to have it go to my lungs. My lungs got compromised after having Radiation Treatments for my cancer.

Having said that though, I really have been soooooooooooooo much healthier this year so…I am not complaining. Well, I guess I am tonight because I feel so awful and my body hurts, I can’t breath cause my head is so congested and …oh there I go again, sorry about that. Anyway, my point was I had better get to bed early, so I will leave with you this motivational short story about Adversity.

Good night dear friends!

Faced with Adversity

Who hasn't faced adversity in their life? We all have stories about facing adversity in our lives. The difference is what we did to overcome it. We all have two choices:
1. to do nothing, and just give up
2. to look at the adversity as an opportunity
For me personally, I could write for days about many different situations where adversity challenged my life. Let me tell you of one experience where I almost let adversity win.
We had a glass studio, which was located 50 feet from our home. A couple of years ago we experienced an awful winter; we had a lot of snow and ice. To make a long story short the weight of the ice and snow collapsed the roof on our studio, taking with it one of our sources of income. Before it did collapse, we got on the roof and tried to remove the snow and ice, but when you have 5 feet of ice and temperatures of minus 20 Celsius, it was pretty difficult to do.
We had a contractor come in to help us try and secure the roof by bracing. In the end, there was nothing that could be done. The roof came down. We had moved a lot of our goods and tools from the studio but we lost a lot also; glass, kilns, workbenches, to name only a few of the items. It was a devastating experience.
Here we were in the middle of winter with our studio collapsed. We couldn't work as we had literally piled all the material in a building we were not using. We could have done one of two things:
1. we could of simply said that we can no longer conduct our glass business, let me tell you that this was certainly a thought that crossed our mind
2. or, we could find a way to get our studio back up and running
We picked option 2. We had a large barn that we were not using. So we renovated the barn, redesigned our working area and today we have a nicer studio than we previously had. If the adversity we faced had not happened, we probably would still be working in the old studio - a studio that was less efficient.

Adversity:
You can make excuses, or take action.
You can see adversity as a friend, or as an excuse to give up or give in.
You can have the "poor me" attitude, or you can say something better will come out of this.
You can embrace it, or you can stick your head in the sand and hope it will go away.

My point in sharing our experience with you is this: don't be afraid of adversity. While it is discouraging and it can be draining, look at it as an opportunity. Think of different ways to overcome the adversity. How we respond to adversity will determine our success and our happiness in life. May you find adversity in your life one that will make you stronger, more determined, and allow your creativity to find ways to overcome it for the better. Remember the wisdom of Horace, who once said, "Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant. " Author: Catherine Pulsifer, © 2012

We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way. ~Author Unknown

“The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work.” ~Harry Golden

Unity in Parenting

2012-01-24T22:32:00.001-08:00

I think that there are some things that you should talk about before getting married. One of them is about having children and how you want to raise them. How you plan to teach and discipline them and how to be respectful of each other’s different opinions. Of course not all of these things are brought up but… they really should be. You should know ahead of time what your husband or wife to be…feels about discipline, about what faith you want to raise them in ( especially if you are of different faiths ). Talking about certain scenarios, I think can be very helpful for you to at least see if you are compatible. Of course nothing can really prepare you for family life but… it helps some!

One thing that Jeff and I talked a lot about before our kids were born, was to be respectful of each other and to not criticize each other …in front of the kids especially. It is hard for kids to see Mom and Dad NOT BE ON THE SAME PAGE! My Grandmother used to always say “If you and your husband aren’t on the same page (united ), then you kids will divide and conquer you!” Man, was she ever right!

Sunday at church one of the speakers spoke on this subject and told this story…it made a great point, so I thought I would share it with you tonight.

Good night dear friends!

The Importance of Unity in Teaching Children

When fathers and mothers take time to counsel with one another, they are more likely to be unified in teaching their children, even in the unplanned teaching moments that occur in the ordinary flow of family life. Such unity is important because few things are more confusing to children than conflicting messages from the two people they love and respect most.

One couple shared the following story about an experience with their son:

Six-year-old Mike had worked hard most of the summer doing extra jobs at home and for the neighbors so he could earn money to spend when the family took their summer vacation. It was going to be a long trip, and his mother had said that if he wanted any treats or souvenirs along the way, he would need to buy those things himself. Even though she cautioned him almost daily to put his money in a safe place, Mike liked the feel of having money in his pocket. He carried it around with him constantly. Several times a day he would take it out and count it or show it to his friends.

On the day before the trip, Mike discovered that his money had fallen out of his pocket. Brokenhearted and crying, he went to his mother. She was sympathetic, and she helped Mike look in every place they could think of, but no money was to be found. “I’m so sorry your money is gone,” she said. She resisted mentioning that she had warned him many times, but she also resisted the temptation to make everything all better for her son. After all, she thought, playing with the money every day in spite of her warnings had been his choice.

A forlorn little Mike was sitting on the front steps when his father came home. After hearing the sad story, Mike’s father reached in his pocket, pulled out the exact amount Mike had lost, and gave it to him. When the father saw the look of surprise on his wife’s face, he remarked, “It’s only a little money. What’s the harm?”

As we consider this story, we might ask which parent was right. But that may not be the best question. It might be better to ask how Mike’s parents could have been more unified in the way they handled the situation. They could have counseled together, considering Mike’s needs.

They could have asked themselves, “What do we want to happen in Mike’s life as a result of this situation? Does he need to learn greater responsibility? Does he need to feel more compassion and understanding from his parents? Does he need to learn not to show off in front of his friends? Does he need to learn the importance of following family rules?” This would have helped them determine what to teach their son and how to teach it.

Had Mike’s parents spent time to be united in their approach to this situation, they could have found a good way to either replace Mike’s lost money or not replace it. Instead, they responded in ways that taught conflicting lessons. http://lds.org/manual/teaching-no-greater-call-a-resource-guide-for-gospel-teaching/lesson-4-parents-teaching-partnership?lang=eng

“A family in harmony will prosper in everything.” ~CHINESE PROVERB

“Family life was wonderful. The streets were bleak. The playgrounds were bleak. But home was always warm. My mother and father had a great relationship. I always felt 'safe' there.” ~ Robert Cormier

Shield of Faith!

2012-01-23T22:13:00.001-08:00

Now that Jeff and I are alone, there are times we wonder if we have taught our children all they needed to know to succeed in the world… and be close to their Heavenly Father? In church yesterday one of the talks was on that very subject, I won’t give you all my notes but try to summarize a few of the things that were mentioned. One that really hit me was the talk about teaching your children to have Faith. Then they talked about shields and how they protect you … but if you remember the story of David and Goliath, David didn’t want to use the armor given to him, because it didn’t fit. So the point was…it is our responsibility as parents to teach them to have FAITH and how that is to be done in the home. Here are a few other things they mentioned about helping our children with their shield and armor of Faith…

1.That shield of faith is not produced in a factory but at home in a cottage industry.

2.The plan designed by the Father contemplates that man and woman, husband and wife, working together, fit each child individually with a shield of faith made to buckle on so firmly that it can neither be pulled off nor penetrated by those fiery darts.

3.It takes the steady strength of a father to hammer out the metal of it and the tender hands of a mother to polish and fit it on. Sometimes one parent is left to do it alone. It is difficult, but it can be done.

4.In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis.

5.The prophets and Apostles know full well that the perilous times Paul prophesied for the last days are now upon us: “Men [are] lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection” (see 2 Tim. 3:1–7).

6.This shield of faith is not manufactured on an assembly line, only handmade in a cottage industry. Therefore our leaders press members to understand that what is most worth doing must be done at home. Some still do not see that too many out-of-home activities, however well intended, leave too little time to make and fit on the shield of faith at home. http://lds.org/ensign/1995/05/the-shield-of-faith?lang=eng

I love the analogy of the shield of faith. It is true, we as parents have a sacred responsibility to teach our kids as well as we can, so each day their armor is more resilient and strong enough,to withstand the temptations of the world. I hope that Jeff and I have done that for our kids? I hope they have enough Faith to endure the things they will have to challenge them? I hope they know that Jeff and I have great faith, but also realize that we have to work on strengthening that faith every day?

It was a great talk and a great reminder for all of us parents, to keep fitting, hammering, polishing and strengthening our children’s shield of faith! So even though we are empty nesters, our work is not done! For that I am grateful, I love being a Mother!

Good night dear friends!

“As parents, we should remember that our lives may be the book from the family library which the children most treasure. Are our examples worthy of emulation? Do we live in such a way that a son or a daughter may say, ‘I want to follow my dad,’ or ‘I want to be like my mother’? Unlike the book on the library shelf, the covers of which shield its contents, our lives cannot be closed. Parents, we truly are an open book in the library of learning of our homes.” ~ Thomas S. Monson

“The family is both the fundamental unit of society as well as the root of culture. It ... is a perpetual source of encouragement, advocacy, assurance, and emotional refueling that empowers a child to venture with confidence into the greater world and to become all that he can be.” ~Marianne E. Neifert

“It is in the home that we form our attitudes, our deeply held beliefs. It is in the home that hope is fostered or destroyed. Our homes are to be more than sanctuaries; they should also be places where God’s Spirit can dwell, where the storm stops at the door, where love reigns and peace dwells.” ~ Thomas S. Monson

Kindness is Contagious

2012-01-22T22:20:00.001-08:00

I really do believe that Kindness is Contagious. Hope you had a great day!

Good night dear friends!

Kindness is Contagious

My 9-year-old daughter and I were flying from our home in Charlotte,
North Carolina, to spend a week with my husband in Miami, Florida. Mike
had been in Florida for five months working for an Internet start-up
company. We were excited about the trip because we had seen him only five
times in five months, and Kallie missed her dad terribly.
As usual on the Charlotte-to-Miami flight, the plane was totally full.
I had noticed a troop of Boy Scouts at the gate and commented to my
daughter that if anything happened, we would be OK with all those Scouts
on our flight! Little did I know....
Because we did not get our boarding passes until we arrived at the
gate, Kallie and I could not get seats together and were separated by the
aisle. That wasn't such a big deal, except that Kallie was nervous about
the trip and had counted on my reading to her the whole way. Trying to
read across the aisle would be a challenge.
When the two passengers who shared my row boarded the plane, I asked
if they would switch places with Kallie and me, so that we could be
together and so that she could sit next to the window. They refused,
saying they thought they should stay in their assigned seats. Meanwhile,
a mother and her three children were in a panic several rows ahead of us.
There had been a mistake in their boarding passes, the whole family had
been split up.
The passengers in her row also refused to move elsewhere. The mother
could hold her baby, but her 6-year-old son and his older brother had
been scattered around the plane. She was very concerned about the younger
boy sitting with strangers. She was in tears, yet nobody offered to help
her.
Suddenly the Scout leader stood up and said, "Ma'am, I think we can
help you." He then spent five minutes rearranging his group so that
adequate space was available for the family. The boys followed his
directions cheerfully and without complaint, and the mother's relief was
obvious.
Kallie, however, was beginning to panic at the thought of not being
next to a window or her mother. I told her that there wasn't anything I
could do; we would have to sit where we were. Amazingly, the man sitting
next to the Scoutmaster (not a Scout himself), turned around to me and
asked, "Would you and your daughter like our seats?" referring to himself
and the Scoutmaster. He said he was cramped in the window seat and would
really prefer the aisle. We traded seats and continued our trip, very
much relieved to be together and watch the scenery from Kallie's window
seat.
Would that man have offered us his seat if the Scouts hadn't done so
for the mom and her children? I don't know. But I do know that kindness
is contagious, and good deeds beget good deeds!

by Phyllis Yearick

“If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble”. ~Bob Hope

“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'’ ~Jesse Jackson

“Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are.” ~Author Unknown

Last song

2012-01-21T22:46:00.001-08:00

Jeff and I watched this movie the other night, the message was really good and it was pretty darn clean. Those aren’t easy to find any more. I guess what I loved about it the most was, how the daughter and father made up with each other before it was too late. The parents in this story had divorced and it was mostly about how divorce effects everyone in the family…but especially the children. I have to admit, that I am very grateful that I knew my Mom and Dad loved each other, it just seemed normal but now a days… Divorce is the normal. I have met many people throughout my life who are the children from a divorce, it takes quite a toll on them and leaves some really nasty scars.

The movie made you think about how much power a parent has over a child, I don’t mean physical power, but the emotions that are tied into a Mother and child relationship and a Father and child relationship. I think what I liked the most about this movie was the lessons that were learned by the daughter, so maybe she will live her life making different choices, and not repeating the same mistakes. I tell my kids all the time that they should be better husbands, wives, Mothers and Fathers than we are. Although we are truly trying our best, our kids should keep getting better each generation, learning from their parents mistakes.

I was never really close to my Dad, how I wished I would have been. He has passed on, but still I wish we could have figured out how to have a Father –Daughter relationship that was good, uplifting and healthy. I know he did the best he could but… still I think every girl would like to have a Dad to love, cherish and protect her, I think every girl needs that.

I feel grateful each day for Jeff, he is that type of Father to our kids and they know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that their Dad loves them. What a blessing that is. Our oldest son and his wife are expecting their first baby in March and I can’t wait to see him as a Father, he will be great. He is a righteous man and has such a loving heart, he will be a good Dad …and his children will be well loved!

So if you are looking for a good tear jerker movie that is pretty clean, this I is a good one for you.
Good night dear friends!

"People make mistakes, even the ones we love. We forgive, and keep moving forward."

"Love is Fragile and Sometimes were Not The Best Caretakers."

“Sometimes you have to be apart from the people you love, but that doesn't make you love them any less. Sometimes it makes you love them more.”

“The love of a family is life's greatest blessing”

Need to remember!

2012-01-19T23:41:00.001-08:00

Another dear friend of mine who is also an Empty Nester, wrote to me the other day and talked about how hard your heart hurts when; not only are you Empty Nesters but none of your kids or grandkids live near you. She mentioned that you just get up every day and just keep going, even though your heart is hurting. She also mentioned how grateful she is for the couple times a year she does get to see her grandkids and children.

I quickly realized that I need to just keep going, focus on the positive and most of all …count my blessings! Yes, life is tough but never so bad, that you can’t look elsewhere to see someone even worse off. We really do have lots to be grateful for. Thanks for all of you who have rallied around me and told me that I could do this, silly as that may seem…I needed it and it did help!

So today I kept sewing, Jeff and I went tubing with the kids (well before you get to excited…I just watched them go tubing and hung out with Jenny mostly ) and then we came home and had a Date Night, which we actually could do every night now if we wanted to. After tubing, we went to the store when Jeff saw my face getting sad, as I looked at just a few items in the cart, he said “ Just think of all the money we are saving, by only getting a few groceries! “ It made me smile, however I would much rather be pinching my pennies any day and buying a ton of food for the kids at home, but the point was … just be happy and grateful.

Point taken! Good night dear friends.

The girl in this photo must have been a True G.R.I.T.S. ( cause we G.irls R.aised I.n T.he S.outh are way more comfortable going barefoot).

I loved this quote and think it said it all… for tonight’s post!

True G.R.I.T.S.

2012-01-18T22:31:00.001-08:00

Well, we have about 6 inches of snow outside and it is still falling. I have hot water in the crockpot which is all ready for Hot Chocolate. I have in the other crock pot Chicken’s and Dumplings. And then a huge pot of Pinto Beans and Ham on the stove simmering. Now you can probably tell by this menu that I am a True G.R.I.T.S. ( Girl raised in the South ). The funny part is, Jeff is looking at me wondering who in the world is going to eat all this food. I know, I keep forgetting it is just us two, oh how I miss my kids! There is just something about a Snow Storm that makes me want to prepare ….just in case the neighborhood needed some help!

I have done that since the kids were little, when the weather gets bad outside…I start cooking. Old habits are hard to break I guess! Oh well, unless a cold and hungry stranger comes knocking at our door to come eat, I guess I will just freeze some of it. I guess being prepared is better than NOT being prepared!

I received an email from a dear friend of mine tonight, and she reiterated what some other Empty Nesters have told me. That having your kids leave is really hard and it really hurts, but only because that meant I really loved my kids. She also reminded me that it will come and go in waves…since two of my kids have already left home earlier and now are married, I understand what she means. Still knowing that they are still only a phone call or an email away helps. How grateful I need to be that we do love each other and miss each other. Many families don’t have that.

So tonight I actually went to my sewing room and created something. It felt good, I need to do more of that. Plus, I need to remember we G.R.I.T.S. ( southern girls ) are tough, I need to toughen up and keep moving, because if you aren’t moving, then you are actually going backwards…so true. Gotta go and put the stuff in the freezer before I go to bed!

Good night dear friends!

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~ Elizabeth Stone

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. ~Joyce Maynard

“The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing”

Suggestions to help make this the best New Year ever!

2012-01-17T21:28:00.001-08:00

Well, I am still struggling with this Empty Nest syndrome. I know it’s going to get better, but still my heart just aches if I am by myself at all. I have even lost ( to some degree ) my creativity…that sounds almost impossible, but I have. I just come down to my sewing room and instead of making project after project, I just sit here and do nothing. I have got to get on top of this feeling. I know it hasn’t been that long but gee, this has been harder than I imagined. So tonight instead of sharing my half empty thoughts with you, I am going to share with you an article I read about making this the best New Year Ever! Some of the questions I don’t really relate to, I guess every one will relate or need some of them. But they do make you think.

Good night dear friends!

THE 10-STEP LIFE RENEWAL PLAN

First ask yourself these questions to figure out what’s working , reject what’s not, and move toward your best decade yet.

1. Does the way you spend your time reflect what’s important to you?

Make a list of your top 5 priorities—marriage, children, volunteer work, and so on – and track how many hours you devote to each in a week. If any numbers are too low, recalculate your time budget so you can live according to who you want to be.

2. Does your Blackberry get more attention then your family and friends?

Resolve to switch off your gadgets during private moments so you can nourish personal connections with complete focus.

3. Are you nursing a grudge or two?

Let bygones be bygones, and free yourself from the emotions that weigh you down.

4. Who should be in your life?

Phase out any so-called friends who offer only criticism and negative energy. Surround yourself with people who you admire, who believe in you and want you to succeed.

5.Have you typecast yourself?

You may cherish your responsibilities as a Mother, but “ Mom” is not the whole of who you are. Ask yourself if one role is draining all your energy, leaving other expressions of your authentic self unfulfilled.

6. What battle are you fighting?

Is your husband really the one who’s letting you down, or are you blaming him for the pain of a past relationship? Are you doing what’s best for your kids, or are you parenting with a chip on your shoulder left over from your own childhood? Remember: You are not a prisoner of your legacy.

7. How can you live greener?

Can you swap your gas guzzler for public transportation? Trade plastic bottles for a thermos? Go meatless for a week? Pinpoint changes you can make now.

8. What are your goals?

Define specific goals with measurable outcomes and assign yourself a timeline. Passion and will power alone won’t cut it – you need a strategy.

9. Who is standing in your way?

The answer may be you . Reject self-loathing and treat yourself with the kindness and respect you would show your best friend.

10. What one thing can you do for yourself every day?

It could be as simple as finding 20 minutes to take a bath. Every day is a new opportunity to pay attention to your own needs and make choices you feel good about. This decade, claim the right to minister to yourself.

~ Phillip C. McGraw, PhD

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”
- Will Rogers

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we took so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened up for us”
- Helen Keller

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
- Dr Wayne Dyer

“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
- Muhammad Ali

We will be best friends forever!

2012-01-16T23:45:00.001-08:00

Last night Angie had her Monthly SLEEP OVER AT NANA’S. It has become a real important event, especially since Jenny was born. It seems like they compete about everything, so this is one night and day that Angie and I have alone. It shouldn’t be too long before Jenny gets to come over for her SLEEP OVER WITH NANA. Today was even extra special, because it snowed! We don’t get snow here very often so it has been a real treat for all of us. Usually a sleep over involves a movie and popcorn, making some type of craft, cooking something and just basically hanging out together. Today we decided to watch a Christmas movie. ( oh come on, I know it’s over but…there is snow outside, my Christmas decorations are STILL up and she is only 5 and loves Christmas as much as her Nana does) . Sooooo we watched this one called A GOLDEN CHRISTMAS. I don’t want to ruin the movie for you ( I know you are going to run out and rent it right away) but I need to share with you one part. It is the part where a 9 year old girl and a 10 year old boy are friends and spend a whole summer together at a camp, before they part to go to their homes, they made a time capsule out of an old lunch box. They put their treasures and memories in there, and then they never saw each other again, until…. oh I don’t want to ruin it for you!

But the point is this….after the movie Angie REALLY wanted she and I to make a Time Capsule of our own. So that’s what we did for the next little while. We found a tin can, cute but not as big as a lunch box. Then we put things in there that we liked …her favorite couple of rings…because we both like jewelry, a homemade Christmas ornament…because we both love Christmas, a rubber squid….? not sure about that, a decorated box… because it looked like it was a treasure, a heart from Build a Bear…to remind us to always share with Others, a bracelet and a few other precious things. Then we wrapped up the box and buried it in the back yard, we had to be careful where to bury it …because all of our family pet Guinea Pigs are buried out there too! Then we did a pinky promise and next we wrote it on the calendar to dig it up on Christmas this year. That seemed like a LONG time for her. The last thing we did was she whispered in my ear…You will be be my Best Friend Forever! I repeated the same to her.

I love doing this type of things with my kids and now my grandkids! I love that we really do get to stay best friends forever. I am glad to know that Families are Forever! Someone once said to me…you are a great Grandmother! Well, I really should be…I missed soooooo many things like this in my childhood, that I have always strived to give it to my kids and grandkids…actually any kids I meet. I think they should feel like the most important person in the world to someone. I think they need to feel LOVED! I think they need to enjoy their childhood, I miss that I didn’t get one. So I will strive the rest of my life to make sure that every kid I meet has one with lots of wonderful memories, and knows that they are important to their MOM, NANA, AUNT LYNN, SISTER LYNN or whatever they call me. I really think that can make a difference in their lives…for the better.

So the truth is …I get a lot from all these special moments too! I get new wonderful memories, new friends and family and a LOVE that is FOREVER, I hope I never let Angie or any kid down in this area of my life! It is vital I believe. Yes, childhood is the best …or should be! Thanks to all of you who have shared your family with me! I truly do love all of them! Being a Grandparent… is just ICING ON THE CAKE!!!

Good night dear friends!

“The things which the child loves remain in the domain of the heart until old age. The most beautiful thing in life is that our souls remaining over the places where we once enjoyed ourselves” ~Kahlil Gibran

“It is never too late to have a happy childhood” ~ Tom Robbins

"The soul is healed by being with children." ~ English Proverb

Service heals others, and yourself!

2012-01-15T23:02:00.000-08:00

I was talking to a dear friend today who is struggling. I was trying to give her suggestions on how to help herself heal. My suggestion was service. It is true, if you are sad or depressed, you can help it by losing yourself in the service of others. Usually by doing this, your perspective changes too, that helps life seem better.

Yes service, you can’t do it, without helping yourself too!

I loved this poem about service. Enjoy and Good Night dear friends!

'Splendid Grace' by Bianca Van Der Werf

Bird With A Broken Wing

Tracey Brown

One day while walking through the woods
I saw my father looking around
I impatiently asked why we couldn’t go home
‘Cause Mama promised to take me to town.
As he put his finger to his lips
He motioned for me to be still
There’s a bird with a broken wing out there
And if we don’t help it no one will.
No longer can it not soar the skies
But it can no longer sing
And God’s earth would lose some of the beauty
That only this one bird can bring.
He then reached down so gently
And raised the bird to his chest
“Now we’ll take him home
And give him a much needed rest.”
We fed and water this little bird
And watched it grow stronger each day
Until the time finally came
When we proudly watched it fly away.
I fondly remembered that day
When I’d ask Mama where Dad had gone
“One of God’s birds out there with a broken wing”
Dad’s gone to help it restore it’s song.
I knew exactly what she meant
It wasn’t always the feathered kind
For Dad was always helping others
In any way he could find.
Now I’m getting close to the end of my journey
I’ve tried to always follow his lead
Because I promised before he died
I’d always help those in need.
There are times I ask my Heavenly Father
Why am I here, still?
“One of My bird’s out there with a broken wing
And if you don’t help it no one will.”
Tracey Brown

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~ Plato

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” ~James Matthew Barrie

“In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy.” ~Karl Reiland

“He who notes the sparrow’s fall will not be unmindful of such service.” ~ Thomas S. Monson

Love of a family

2012-01-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

Well, today was my first day without the girls coming over, and to be perfectly honest with you…I didn’t do well. I miss my kids and I have been crying every time I walk by their rooms, or think about them. How will my heart stop hurting? I have been trying to keep busy, and I actually have a lot to do but today…wasn’t too productive.

We have a neighbor who just had a brand new baby girl, we got to see her for just a moment today. Oh I can remember what it felt like the first time we brought Amy home, we were excited, nervous, happy and scared all wrapped up together. What emotions these little ones bring with them.

Still I thought how ironic it was… that here they were trying to adjust to bringing their first little baby into their home, and here I am trying to adjust to not having my kids at home. 29 Years ago, I remember exactly what they are feeling, today I sorta wished I could have traded with them…for at least a moment or two. Lucky for me this little girl will get to know her neighbor ( Aunt Lynn) and be able to fill some of the void. My granddaughters have been the biggest help too! And in just a month or so, we will be having our 3rd Grandbaby, little Kai, so my heart won’t be lonely too long I am sure. But for today, I am struggling. So thank you for being there, and for your words of advice…I know this too will pass!

Found this article on families and thought I would share it with you. Enjoy!

Love Comes Full Circle: The Importance of Family Love

The urge to love and be loved is one we are born with. But how we love is something we learn, and how we experience love is shaped by our past experiences and by those we care about. For many, the word “love” brings to mind romantic love, yet our first love is not a romance. Our first experience with love is the love shared between parents and children. The family is the foundation of any individual’s ability to love and accept love. This is not only because it is the first love one experiences as a newborn; parenthood is also an essential part of the human experience.

Family and love are inextricably intertwined. Good parenting is not only about raising intelligent, well adapted children but about raising well loved children. From our own parents, we learn a great deal about family life and family relationships, including love, and that learning shapes us. And the family never stops guiding and perfecting our experience of love. Just as our mother’s love profoundly affected us as children, so too does motherhood affect women and teach them a new facet of love. And of course fatherhood changes men as well. Experiencing parenthood as part of a couple doesn’t just teach us the profound love parents feel for their children, but also expands and deepens the love between parents.

Despite this, bearing children seems to have become less of a priority for modern families. Home buying, degree finishing, career advancing, social climbing… these things seem almost to have eclipsed parenting altogether. Couples are choosing to have children later in their lives, or often not at all, and the birth rate is dropping. Overlooking the importance of family and children when measuring success can be a mistake. Paychecks and social status are not the essential ingredients of success. The true measure of success is happiness, which depends so much upon love. And family and love go hand in hand. Children represent love coming full circle: the love we learned from our parents, transformed into the romantic love between partners, and reaching its full potential in creating our own families.

When researching parenting advice, love is only given superficial treatment. Of course, a new baby brings many changes to daily life—disrupted sleep schedules, diaper changing—but the most important change is the transforming power of love. When we become parents, we first experience the unconditional love only a parent can feel. We shoulder the responsibility of teaching a brand new human being the critical importance of love. And we meet our partner in a new role, as mother or father.

By becoming parents, a couple takes on the most important task they will ever face. Raising children completes a family. This isn’t only a matter of numbers or definitions, but the fact that experiencing parenthood completes our understanding of love and our lives as individuals. There is no worldly success that is as important or satisfying as the success of sharing a happy family life with those we love most.

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family” Anthony Brandt

“The love of a family is life's greatest blessing”

“There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained” ~ Winston Churchill

Quilts connect you with people!

2012-01-12T20:53:00.001-08:00

I just read this article about stories of people, and their quilts. I loved it and have to agree, quilts do connect people.
Today was my first day back teaching at the Quilt Shop, since Dec 9th. That is well over a month, but it was important for me to take that time off and away. There was Christmas to prepare for and enjoy with my family, we had our last two kids to help get packed up and sent off to college and a trip to see family and friends. It was a great break and well needed but…I really missed the shop, my class and QUILTING!

As I saw my class fill up today, I realized this class has become so much more to me than just a few ladies coming every month to do a quilt project, these women have become my friends…good friends and I felt so blessed to be able to feel that way. Each one is different and unique. Each one has there own story to tell about life and how and why they started quilting. Each one has their own battles that they are fighting but some how, I think the connection they we all have with each other, helps in some way. And not in just some little way… but in a very big way! At least I know it has in my life.

How fun and important these classes have become to me, I feel blessed to be there. So thank you for each one of you, that takes the time out of your busy day, to come to my Demo classes. I hope they mean as much to you, as they do to me? It has been wonderful, and to think… just about 10 years ago, I thought there is no way I would ever be able to really quilt. Oh what I would have been missing, or I should say WHO I would have been missing?

Good night dear friends!

The Story of Quilts

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2007/the-story-of-quilts/

As a history buff, my initial attraction to the craft of quilting was its history. Quilts have a rich past that has embedded itself into American history. As I learned more about it, the more I realized how deeply quilts have also embedded themselves into our personal histories as well.

For women in America, quilting began at least as early as 1750 as an opportunity for them to channel their creativity. Quilting was considered an important skill for women. Young girls were given quilting projects to help teach them to sew, such as creating small quilts for their dolls. The American Girl’s Book from 1831 recommended quilt making for girls, noting that "little girls often find amusement in making patchwork quilts for the beds of their dolls."

Quilting is a unique craft that can allow many people to work on a quilt at the same time, and many women found companionship in quilting with friends and relatives. These social Quilting Bees were opportunities for women to discuss everything from recipes, to child-rearing, to politics.

The quilts themselves became significant symbols. Quilters in the 19th century regularly created quilts as political statements, using them as raffle prizes to support various causes such as abolition, temperance and during the Civil War. Quilts were one way that women of the 19th century were given a voice in their contemporary world.

And, of course, quilts became precious family heirlooms. Quilts were traditionally made and used to mark life’s most significant experiences. Baby quilts were given to new mothers and larger quilts were given to couples when they were married, often with symbolic block patterns like a Lover’s Knot or Double Wedding Ring.

When a family relocated to a new home, friends and family members would often make a quilt as a parting gift. These friendship or album quilts, made by a group for a departing friend, were especially popular during the 1840s when there was a great surge of population moving to the western United States. The recipient of these quilts could leave with a symbolic, tangible reminder of the loved ones left behind…loved ones they probably never saw again. Margaret Seebold of Pennsylvania said, "Quilts make you think a little of the person who made it or whose dresses were in there. Maybe you don’t think of them any other time except when you see that quilt."

“Friendships are sewn...one stitch at a time.”

“Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.”

“Friends are like fabric - you can never have enough!”

It’s what’s in between that counts!

2012-01-11T20:28:00.001-08:00

When you read this title tonight you might have thought I was talking about an Oreo cookies or something like that, but I was actually talking about LIFE! I found this quote today and thought how true that is…

"Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it's everything in between that makes it all worth living." ~Sandra Bullock in “Hope Floats”

Tonight I went to the grocery store, remember I told you how bare the cupboards were. Well, I have to admit it made me sad to only pick up a few things that Jeff and I would need. I never come out of there without my grocery cart spilling over but tonight was different. Then I started to pick out some bananas and realized we only needed a couple…how could that be? I thought…who buys just a few or two bananas? Then before I could feel too sorry for myself I saw one of our neighbors. She is a widow and an amazing person, but still she only had a can or two in her cart. It really doesn’t take long to realize that life isn’t as bad as it seems. As my neighbor and I spoke, I mentioned we were Empty Nesters now. Her first response was “ just got out and do something for someone else, stay active and busy”. That was great advice from someone who knows …because she has been there. So it is true, the beginnings are sorta scary…we have never been Empty Nesters before; plus the endings are sad…I miss my kids! Still it is all the stuff in between, like the phone calls, Skypes, face book messages, packages, visits and everything else that makes life worth it! So I will try to remember that every time I am feeling sorry for myself. Plus, I need not complain too much because I have my two cute red heads near me…that is really the GOOD STUFF IN BETWEEN.

I start teaching again tomorrow…excited to be back! Need to go get a few things ready for that so…good night dear friends!

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”
― Dr. Seuss

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.”
― Robert Frost

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
― Oscar Wilde

When do children become your friends?

2012-01-10T23:41:00.001-08:00

Our daughter Lauren just had another birthday, how in the world did she grow up so fast? I always wonder when it happens, that our kids become our friends? It is somewhere between the teenage years and young adulthood I imagine. Where you start sharing things and the conversations sound more like friends, than talking like a parent and child. It is a wonderful thing though to realize that these kids that you have loved and served their whole life, now become dear friends. What a neat compensation for those younger years.

I wish I had photos of Lauren when she was younger to show you, she was quite the character. She was always using her imagination to take her somewhere else, or help turn her into someone or something else…usually some type of animal. She really didn’t play lots with dolls, her stuffed animals were her daily friends. When Lee was born, she couldn’t wait till he crawled and could learn how to bark, so she could have her very own puppy! Bad news was, she always wanted a lease on her puppy and so to say that Lee is lucky to be here, is an under statement! :) Now she is still using her imagination and usually through it’s through her photos, which is fun. She has also always liked super heros. So here is a photo of our Lauren ready to go back to school and start yet, another ADVENTURE! Good luck Lauren, you will be GREAT!!!

“Of course if you like your kids, if you love them from the moment they begin, you yourself begin all over again, in them, with them, and so there is something more to the world again.” William Saroyan quotes

“While we try to teach our children all about life ,our children teach us what life is all about.” ~Angela Schwindt

True Strength

2012-01-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

I am always amazed at how we sometimes handle things that we thought we never could. I think there is a lot to be said for worrying about something that you can’t change. It’s almost like you set yourself up for failure or heartache if you aren’t careful. I feel like I did that a bit about Jeff and I becoming Empty Nesters. It has been 29 years that I have been a full time MOM, that is a lot of years of service; and yet we came home to an Empty House for the first time in that 29 years yesterday. It was a weird and sad feeling, I miss my kids…I never do well when I even have to say Good Bye to them for just a short time. Yet, there were happy thoughts too, happy that they are in a wonderful college, and happy that they have this opportunity to learn and grow. Happy that they are good kids, with good hearts… we know they will make a difference ( for good ) in the world. Isn’t that what we all hope to be doing ?

So I kept myself busy today, lots of laundry, cleaning, more laundry, pulling out all the ( old food ) science projects from the fridge, going to the store and of course lucky for me….I got to have both of the girls over at different times today to visit. They missed Nana, and I surely missed them. So today was good, keeping busy I think will help a lot. I just pray on the tough days that I will remember that I have more strength than I think I do.

Thanks to all of you experienced Empty Nesters, I appreciate you advice and example!

Good night dear friends!

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have” ~ Unknown

“Look well into thyself;
there is a source of strength which will always spring up
if thou wilt always look there.”
-Marcus Antoninus

“Strength does not come from physical capacity.
It comes from an indomitable will. “
-Mahatma Gandhi

Just stay POSITIVE!!!

2012-01-08T21:52:00.000-08:00

Today we are still in Utah and will be flying out tonight. It is always hard to leave family. It will be nice though to get home and get to see Amy, John and kids, plus our neighbors and friends! But no matter what, I am still a bit concerned about coming home to an empty house ( even worse a dirty empty house). I had great intentions on getting it cleaned before I left, but I was more worried about getting all our Christmas presents made for our family and friends here. So at least I will have something I need to do, as soon as I get there, that should help…I hope!

My niece and nephew asked me to speak today to their Sunday School Class ( of 15 year olds ) about adversity and trying to have a positive attitude. I only had 10 minutes so I had to think of a way to make it to their level, and yet interesting. So these are the 7 things that I try to do, when I see that I am getting too discouraged or sad…

1. I first try to remember what type of people I like to be around. Obviously it is the Half full, happy, positive and kind people, verses Half Empty, sad, negative and discouraged people. So I try to see which type of person I am being at the time.

2. Then I try to distinguish my thoughts and where they come from. It really is true that Satan is alive and well, and will definitely place bad and sad thoughts in your mind. It is very important to control thoughts and remember that our thoughts control our actions.

3. Next I try to remember to do the Basics, I know it is the old Sunday School answers… but it is true for me. If I remember to say my prayers, read my scriptures and stay closer to my Heavenly Father, life really is better.

4.I try hard to listen to that still small voice inside. We all have it, but some times it is easy to ignore. That still small voice it is right every time. And the more I listen to it, the more I hear it. I believe that is truly how my Heavenly Father helps me and guides me.

5. Gratitude is next. When I stop… and count my blessings, I realize that I should be happy for all that I have been given. Gratitude really helps you feel more positive.

6. Service of course helps anyone, no matter how down they are. As you stop to look around at others, you realize that there are lots of people whose life is much worse or harder than yours. Service changes your heart for the better. Plus, as your help someone else…you are really helping yourself feel better.

7. Hold on to my faith! I love the quote that “ Faith has a short shelf life” you really have to work on it daily to strengthen your faith in God, and in His purpose for you .

So that is what I try to do to change my cup from Half Empty to Half Full.

Of course, I will have more bad days, and will have to go back and remind myself by reading this post again!

Well, need to head to the airport. Take care dear friends!

“The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” ~Author unknown, commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~Winston Churchill

“If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. “ ~Mary Engelbreit

Half Empty vs Half Full

2012-01-06T19:23:00.001-08:00

When my daughter sent me these photos I had to laugh, isn’t that just how we feel some days? Half Empty like the ‘Go On Without Me ‘ picture. Not only do we feel half empty, but we make sure that others around us know it. I am glad this one doesn’t happen very often, but some time I feel just like that…’don’t worry about me, go on and have fun without me, I will just stay here all by myself’. I try to notice when I am feeling or acting like that and immediately try to change…but it happens to the best of us I believe!

Then there are those Half Full days, where everything makes you happy. You are grateful for the smallest things…even a stick!

I do think that it is an easier way to live, being happy and noticing all the little blessing in our lives. I love when I have my head on straight and my heart in the right place, j because I truly do get excited about even the smallest things (ok, it’s usually not a stick ),just noticing the little things and the joy that they add in your life is important… and definitely falls under the Half Full category!

So I hope we will try to look for the brighter side of life, keep our glass half full and just be… Oh My Gosh HAPPY!

“Sometimes, the things we can’t change, end up changing us”

“Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours” ~ Swedish Proverb

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” ~ Winston Churchill

What a gift!

2012-01-05T23:27:00.001-08:00

I got to spend another whole day with my sister in law Shirley, and then an added bonus was being with yet another sister in law, then to go have dinner out with a friend tonight. I love the quote I heard the other day that said “we should gather friends like flowers” I sooooooo believe that, I love making at least one friend a day. So it was a great day, the chance to be around my sweet nieces and their cute babies, then with the rest of my family has been a big gift and wonderful for my aching heart ( missing my own kids and grandkids ).

It is late, but I wanted to say thanks to all of you who have been such wonderful friends to me and my family. I sure love and appreciate you …your friendship to me is a gift!

A Priceless Gift

Friendship is a priceless gift
that cannot be bought or sold,
But its value is far greater
than a mountain made of gold.

For gold is cold and lifeless,
it can neither see nor hear
And in the time of trouble
it is powerless to cheer.

It has no ears to listen
nor heart to understand,
It cannot bring you comfort
or reach out a helping hand.

So when you ask God for a gift
Be thankful if He sends
Not diamonds, pearls, or riches
But the love of real true friends.

- Helen Steiner Rice

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."
- Abraham Lincoln,

Courage

2012-01-04T22:01:00.001-08:00

I was talking to a talented young lady the other day and right after I complimented her on her work…she responded “ But there are so many out there better than me!” I wondered how she could be so talented and yet not see that. Still I think many of us have the same problem. Usually when someone gives me a compliment I can hardly accept it. I usually end up making an excuse or something like that, so I guess I can understand. Still I think it really takes courage to just really appreciate your talents, and realize what you have to give the world. I guess that is why I like this quote so much. Enjoy and good night dear friends.

“Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. “ Henry Van Dyke

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me.” ~ Erma Bombeck

Birds of a feather!

2012-01-03T19:50:00.001-08:00

My Grandmother used to always say “Birds of a feather, flock together”, well I am sure that could mean more than one thing, but in this photo of my granddaughters it means…whatever one of them has, the other wants one! It’s their age I guess? For Christmas Angie really loves dress up and especially to dress up like any kind of an animal, so I decided to make bird wings for her. As soon as I started designing and making them, I thought what I was going to make for Jenny ( her sister ) could wait till later. I knew that if I was going to make one set of wings, I probably should make two. Here is the photo of the girls on Christmas day, with their Christmas dresses still on and with their bird wings, I think it was a smart decision for me to keep these birds flocking and flying together! They really did turn out fun and they really loved them!

In many ways we are try to encourage their differences….each one fun and unique and yet, one always wants to have, do or say what the other one does. So for now I will just make 2 of each, it’s a lot more peaceful that way!

Today, I got to go see the model home of a new house one of my relatives is building…it was beautiful! At first I thought, I would love to have this big of downstairs, or this incredible kitchen and on and on. Then I realized I need to just remember my cute home which I love, and not want everything someone else has. So even at my age that is easy to want what someone else has? Still, I am so happy for them and I really am grateful for my incredible home that we have been blessed with.

Seems like even at my age…I am continuing to learn. I guess that is the pattern of life…live and learn!

Good night my dear friends!

“Birds have wings; they're free; they can fly where they want when they want. They have the kind of mobility many people envy.” ~ Roger Tory Peterson

”Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?” ~ Rose Kennedy

Saying Goodbye and keeping my perspective!

2012-01-02T10:00:00.001-08:00

Well, sorry I didn’t write last night, I was trying to spend every last minute with my kids and family. Jeff, Lee and Lauren just headed out a minute a go for Idaho. I tried not to cry but it certainly didn’t work! I know it is such a great opportunity for them to get to go to school and get a great education but…wow, how did they grow up that fast? My heart is aching, I guess that is pretty normal huh? I am sure they will be ok, and I am so grateful that they will have each other there. So it was time to say Good bye and let them head off on this journey and adventure… that we call LIFE!

Yesterday in church, one of the lessons was about perspective on life and appreciation for the scriptures. The teacher did a great job, he first showed us a couple of puzzles that he and his family had put together. Each one was a painting from a famous artist. He spoke of the first one which was called The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. He mentioned when they first laid out the pieces it just looked basically like a bunch of blue and yellow pieces, and thought how hard or near impossible it might be to put together. Then he talked about our lives and how sometimes if we just look at things on the surface and for face value, that we might not think our life is worth much. But then (like the puzzle), the more you work at it, the more you see and the easier it becomes. Such is life, we need to really work at it, take time to search for scriptures that will tell us where we came from, why we are here and where will we go after this life? All those questions…if you have the answers to them, surely give your life much more meaning and purpose. Isn’t that what we all need to know…our purpose? I believe when you finally get answers to your questions and know your purpose here…life truly gets better!

So much like the puzzle, the more we work on our life and our purpose, the easier it will be to see the outcome or finished product. The teacher mentioned the fact that when you keep working on the puzzle and you get more and more pieces together, then you are more able to see the finished picture. That is an exciting time! So it is in life… we need to search, ponder, pray and study the scriptures…all those things combined in the proper order and time, will give you the ability to see the future and help you have a goal to work for. Do you know how many people in the world don’t even have that? So I am going to rededicate all my efforts on staying focused on my purpose. When I lose that and start to just see myself for face value, I get discouraged, all I can see is my faults and weaknesses. Then from there I get more discouraged, my feelings get hurt easily and I sorta do the whole victim role again.

But in reality, I am a survivor of many things in life, I have lots to be thankful for and lots to look forward too. That Sunday School lesson was perfect for me yesterday, because for the past few days I have really been struggling with my self worth and self esteem. I need to remember to keep working on my PUZZLE ( so to speak), keep praying for strength and help. I need to look at my accomplishments more instead of my failures, yes….I need to stay dedicated at working on my puzzle, and doing all that I can to stay close to the Lord. It is so easy to stop working on things and slide backwards…guess that is human nature in us? But at least for now, I am going to try to keep moving forward, and stay focused on the big picture because when I do…I realize how good life is, and will be in the future if I just do my best and never give up! Plus, it is vital for me to remember to take it one day at a time, just like the puzzle you accomplish it …one piece at a time!

Hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season and realize how grateful I am to have you in my life, I am truly blessed. Have a great day dear friends!

“A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.” ~ Allen Klein

“People who look through keyholes are apt to get the idea that most things are keyhole shaped.” ~Author Unknown

“I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year.” ~Henry Moore

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T20:26:00.001-08:00

Well, here is the New Year’s Eve and we are sitting at my families home, playing games and just hanging out together. How grateful I am for the past year, lots of things have transpired and many lessons have been learned. Thank you so much for the part you have played in my life. I hope you are enjoying the holidays!

Recipe for a Happy New !

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor. ~ Anonymous

Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right. ~ Oprah Winfrey

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

“Here’s to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here’s to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold.”

How did I ever do this with 4 children?

2011-12-30T22:54:00.001-08:00

Today I flew to Utah, as I was seated in the planes and watched the people get on with their little children, I wondered how in the world I did it with 4 children when we flew from Seattle to West Virginia ( back in the day )? I don’t really remember very often having any problems with the kids. They each had their little back packs that were filled with little treasures and snacks. They were so excited to see their Grandparents, that they were really good the whole 6 hour flight. Still I wonder now, how in the world I did it. No wonder my back hurts so much!

As I tried to get my luggage off the carrousel and realized that I will pay for that for days to come (with my back), I realize that I am getting older and not quite as strong as I use to be. Traveling is much harder than it used to be years ago, that is for sure. Oh well, I am here and so hopefully my back with rest, and I will get a chance to spend some time with my family and friends while Jeff takes the kids on to Idaho and off to college.

This is the beginning of our Empty Nesters adventure. It is exciting, it’s a bit sad, it’s hard to believe that time has gone by so fast. So I guess we should say…let the adventure begin! The only thing that would make this trip better was if all the rest of the kids and grandkids were here!

Need to head to bed, good night dear friends.

“The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been. “ ~ Madeleine L'Engle

“To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent - that is to triumph over old age.” ~Thomas Bailey Aldrich

“You can't hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life.” ~ Author Unknown

Alice and the Cheshire Cat Dilemma

2011-12-29T21:44:00.001-08:00

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.

"I don't much care where---' said Alice.

"Then it doesn't much matter which way you go," said the Cat

"---so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation.

"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

Lewis Carroll

The word casual, means without purpose or cause. If you can casual in your idea of a destination, then which road doesn't matter much. Living your life with your feet planted firm, refusing to move, or allowing the least amount of freedom you'll get nowhere, not somewhere. Likewise if you are casual with your paths, you'll get somewhere, but not in the time you wish it. Most people are like Alice, lost in the world. They have no destination and find themselves wandering anywhere.

Popular belief is that the uncertainty of a path or road so to speak will lead to trials, pain and heartache. Yet they fail to see the strength, experience and power that comes from triumph of such things. Job 23:10 "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Lessons we learn help us on that overused metaphor 'the path of life'.

“That's the reason they're called lessons, because they lesson from day to day.” ~Lewis Carroll

Felt like I was going back in time!

2011-12-28T21:14:00.001-08:00

I was counseling with a young girl one time and the strangest thing happened. After we had talked for quite a while, and when I felt like she truly had understood where I had come from and what I had been through; and the same for me about her…then I felt like she needed a hug. It was one of the strangest feelings. I almost felt like I had gone back in time and was holding Little Lynn (yes, like a younger version of myself). I wanted her so much to believe that she would live through all this trauma she was going through. That she could believe that someday she would grow up and marry an incredible man, and have a wonderful and safe home and family. As this sweet girl and I were hugging, I told her what I was feeling and then she through her emotions said “ and I feel and hope that I am hugging my future self, I can only hope to grow up and have your life someday!” Wow, that was a weird but neat feeling. You couldn’t have told me when I was her age, that my life would have turned out like it did. I couldn’t imagine most of my young life, that anyone would want my life, much less me !

Yet here I was some 40 years later since my abuse, and I was helping another sweet girl who was trying to make sense and survive her own abusive home and relationships. Abuse comes in all different varieties, it comes in and out of families. It comes to rich and poor, from religious or non religious homes and families. It comes to young and old. The truth is Abuse should never happen and if it does, it is vital to seek help, take a stand if you can and set your boundaries. Once you finally see the light of day, your eyes start seeing clearer. It is amazing how your eyes just seem to adjust in the darkness over time. But when you finally see or feel the light, it is vital that you run toward it, stay close to it or whoever you feel you can trust, and who has that light inside them self. Light is powerful, it is enlightening, it is hopeful, and it helps you see a much broader perspective.

I found this article that talked about emotional abuse, here is a part of it!

“There is not such thing as only being emotionally abused - I have heard many horrifying stories of physical abuse and the most damaging aspect of the physical abuse is the emotional abuse it causes - when we say "I was only emotionally abused" it is the disease minimizing the trauma we experienced. Emotional abuse is underneath all other types of abuse - the most damaging aspect of physical, sexual, mental, etc. abuse is the trauma to our hearts and souls from being betrayed by the people that we love and trust. The other types of abuse can add more levels to the healing necessary but the bottom line is the emotional abuse and it's effect on our ability to Love and trust ourselves. In fact, being only emotionally abused can sometimes make it much harder to get in touch with our issues because it isn't always blatant and obvious. Some of it was very subtle - some of us were abused and shamed by the way they looked at us or said our name or did not see or hear us - on a daily basis." -

Emotions are a vital part of our being. We can not be whole and healthy without having an emotionally honest relationship with our self. We can not know who we Truly are if our relationship with our own emotional process is twisted, distorted, and repressed. Body, mind, and spirit are three parts of a four part equation. Emotions are the key to healing our broken hearts and wounded souls.”

So if you are in an abusive situation, please know there is help out there. Please know there is someone out there that you can connect with, who like you has been there themselves. Then stay strong, keep trying and soon you will be free and happier than you could ever imagine. I know this because I lived in the darkness of abuse for years, this life and light I have now… have made the struggle and fight all worth it.

Good night dear friends!

“Information is light. Information in itself, about anything, is light.” ~Tom Stoppard

“You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.” ~Epicurus

“As we do at such times I turned on my automatic pilot and went through the motions of normalcy on the outside, so that I could concentrate all my powers on surviving the near-mortal wound inside.”

Sonia Johnson

This is a quiz!

2011-12-27T20:42:00.001-08:00

I can’t remember where I read this…sorry! It was from an elderly person, sharing what they had learned about life and people. I thought it was interesting, I also thought how I act in all four of those situations!

Good night dear friends!

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he she handles four things:

…a rainy day

…the elderly,

…lost luggage,

and

…tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life.' I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.You need to be able to throw something back sometimes. I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

“Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first, the lesson afterward. “ ~Anonymous

“Each morning the day lies like a fresh shirt on our bed; this incomparably fine, incomparably tightly woven tissue of pure prediction fits us perfectly. The happiness of the next twenty-four hours depends on our ability, on waking, to pick it up.” ~Walter Benjamin

The Milkman Lesson

2011-12-27T00:12:00.001-08:00

Ok, I realize this is a long story but I loved the Grandmother’s wisdom in it! We need to all remember this wisdom….I won’t spoil it, I will tell it again to you after the story. Enjoy!

Angel on a Doorstep

When Ben delivered milk to my cousin's home that morning, he wasn't
his usual sunny self. The slight, middle-aged man seemed in no mood
for talking.
It was late November 1962, and as a newcomer to Lawndale, Calif., I
was delighted that milkmen still brought bottles of milk to
doorsteps. In the weeks that my husband, kids and I had been staying
with my cousin while house-hunting, I had come to enjoy Ben's jovial
repartee.
Today, however, he was the epitome of gloom as he dropped off his
wares from his wire carrier. It took slow, careful questioning to
extract the story from him. With some embarrassment, he told me two
customers had left town without paying their bills, and he would
have to cover the losses. One of the debtors owed only $10, but the
other was $79 in arrears and had left no forwarding address. Ben was
distraught at his stupidity for allowing this bill to grow so large.
"She was a pretty woman," he said, "with six children and another on
the way. She was always saying, 'I'm going to pay you soon, when my
husband gets a second job.' I believed her. What a fool I was! I
thought I was doing a good thing, but I've learned my lesson. I've
been had!"
All I could say was, "I'm so sorry."
The next time I saw him, his anger seemed worse. He bristled as he
talked about the messy young ones who had drunk up all his milk. The
charming family had turned into a parcel of brats.
I repeated my condolences and let the matter rest. But when Ben
left, I found myself caught up in his problem and longed to help.
Worried that this incident would sour a warm person, I mulled over
what to do. Then, remembering that Christmas was coming, I thought
of what my grandmother used to say: "When someone has taken from
you, give it to them, and then you can never be robbed."
The next time Ben delivered milk, I told him I had a way to make him
feel better about the $79.
"Nothing will do that," he said, "but tell me anyway."
"Give the woman the milk. Make it a Christmas present to the kids
who needed it."
"Are you kidding?" he replied. "I don't even get my wife a Christmas
gift that expensive."
"You know the Bible says, `I was a stranger and you took me in.' You
just took her in with all her little children."
"Don't you mean she took me in? The trouble with you is, it wasn't
your $79."
I let the subject drop, but I still believed in my suggestion. We'd
joke about it when he'd come. "Have you given her the milk yet?" I'd
say.
"No," he'd snap back, "but I'm thinking of giving my wife a $79
present, unless another pretty mother starts playing on my
sympathies."
Every time I'd ask the question, it seemed he lightened up a bit more.
Then, six days before Christmas, it happened. He arrived with a
tremendous smile and a glint in his eyes. "I did it!" he said. "I
gave her the milk as a Christmas present. It wasn't easy, but what
did I have to lose? It was gone, wasn't it?"
"Yes," I said, rejoicing with him. "But you've got to really mean it
in your heart."
"I know. I do. And I really feel better. That's why I have this good
feeling about Christmas. Those kids had lots of milk on their cereal
just because of me."
The holidays came and went. On a sunny January morning two weeks
later, Ben almost ran up the walk. "Wait till you hear this," he
said, grinning.
He explained he had been on a different route, covering for another
milkman. He heard his name being called, looked over his shoulder
and saw a woman running down the street, waving money. He recognized
her immediately -- the woman with all the kids, the one who didn't
pay her bill. She was carrying an infant in a tiny blanket, and the
woman's long brown hair kept getting in her eyes.
"Ben, wait a minute!" she shouted. "I've got money for you."
Ben stopped the truck and got out.
"I'm so sorry," she said. "I really have been meaning to pay you."
She explained that her husband had come home one night and announced
he'd found a cheaper apartment. He'd also gotten a night job. With
all that had happened, she'd forgotten to leave a forwarding
address. "But I've been saving," she said. "Here's $20 toward the
bill."
"That's all right," Ben replied. "It's been paid."
"Paid!" she exclaimed. "What do you mean? Who paid it?"
"I did."
She looked at him as if he were the Angel Gabriel and started to cry.
"Well," I asked, "what did you do?"
"I didn't know what to do, so I put an arm around her. Before I knew
what was happening, I started to cry, and I didn't have the foggiest
idea what I was crying about. Then I thought of all those kids
having milk on their cereal, and you know what? I was really glad
you talked me into this."
"You didn't take the $20?"
"Heck no," he replied indignantly. "I gave her the milk as a
Christmas present, didn't I?"
By Shirley Bachelder

"When someone has taken from you, give it to them, and then you can never be robbed." ~ Somebody’s Grandma

Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To your opponent: tolerance.

To your friend: your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect. ~ Oren Arnold

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T21:39:00.001-08:00

The Story of the Christmas Guest
by Helen Steiner Rice

It happened one day at December's end
Some neighbors called on an old-time friend.
And they found his shop so meager and mean,
Made gay with a thousand boughs of green.
And old Conrad was sitting with face ashine.
When he suddenly stopped as he stitched the twine.
And he said "My friends at dawn today,
When the cock was crowing the night away,
The Lord appeared in a dream to me.
And He said, 'I'm coming your guest to be"
So I've been busy with feet astir,
Strewing my shop with branches of fir.
The table is spread and the kettle is shined,
And over the rafters the holly is twined.
And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear;
And listen closely so I will hear,
His steps as he nears my humble place.
And I'll open the door and I'll look on his face."
Then his friends went home and left Conrad alone,
For this was the happiest day he had known.
For long since his family had passed away.
And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas Day.
But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest,
This Christmas would be the dearest and best.
So he listened with only joy in his heart,
And with every sound he would rise with a start,
And looked for the Lord to be at his door.
Like the vision that he had had a few hours before.
So he ran to the window after hearing a sound,
But all he could see on the snow covered ground
Was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn.
And all his clothes were ragged and worn.
But old Conrad was touched and he went to the door
And he said, "Your feet must be cold and sore.
I have some shoes in my shop for you.
And I have a coat to keep you warmer, too."
So with grateful heart the man went away.
But Conrad notice the time of day
And he wondered what made the dear Lord so late,
And how much longer he'd have to wait.
Then he heard another knock, and he ran to the door,
But it was only a stranger once more.
A bent old lady with a shawl of black,
And a bundle of kindling piled on her back.
But she asked only for a place to rest,
a place that was reserved, for Conrad's great guest.
But her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away,
Let me rest for awhile this Christmas Day."
So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup
And told her to sit at the table and sup.
After she had left, he was filled with dismay
For he saw that the hours were slipping away
The Lord had not come as He said He would
And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood.
When out of the stillness he heard a cry.
"Please help, me and tell me - Where am I?"
So again he opened his friendly door.
And stood disappointed as twice before.
It was a child who had wandered away,
And was lost from her family on Christmas Day.
Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad,
But he knew he could make this little girl glad.
So he called her in and he wiped her tears,
And he quieted all her childish fears.
Then he led her back to her home once more.
Then as he entered his own darkened door,
He knew that the Lord was not coming today,
For the hours of Christmas, had all passed away.
So he went to his room, and he knelt down to pray.
He said, "Lord, why did you delay?
What kept You from coming to call on me?
I wanted so much Your face to see."
Then softly, in the silence, a voice he heard.
"Lift up your head - I have kept My word.
Three times my shadow crossed your floor.
Three times I came to your lowly door.
I was the beggar with bruised cold feet;
I was the woman you gave something to eat;
I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked, three times I came in,
And each time I found the warmth of a friend.
Of all the gifts, love is the best.
I was honored to be your Christmas guest.

Feeling our hearts with joy this Christmas!

2011-12-24T17:44:00.001-08:00

We have been feeling a little sad this Christmas because Brad and Krystal can’t come to share it with us. Our cousins are far away and well, just because of life…some of our regular traditions are going to have to change some. We were feeling a bit lonely, especially after the times when our house has been so full and busy on other Christmases. So tonight we received a big blessing. We had a dear friend of ours, who needed a place to stay for the holidays and so…without any notice, we are going to have one more for this wonderful season. I feel we have been blessed, even though we are helping her out. She in turn is helping us out, because we stopped thinking about ourselves and starting thinking of all the things we can do with and for her. All of my kids immediately just started putting things into action, I didn’t have to tell them anything, there was just a need and they automatically began to fill it! How proud I was tonight when my family made this sweet girl feel like…she was a part of our family and was always suppose to spend Christmas with us. It is true, the best way to stop feeling sorry for yourself is to serve someone else! So I have to go because we have lots of preparations to make for Christmas!

We are so grateful for this season of the year. We are thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ in our lives. We truly have relied on His peace and strength many times this past year, how grateful we are for His example to us. We never have to wonder what we need to do, He showed us the way.
Yes, this is the most wonderful time of the year!

Well, there is just one more sleep till Christmas, so good night dear friends!

Christmas… that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance -- a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. ~ Augusta E. Rundel

“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart…filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.” ~ Bess Streeter Aldrich

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.” ~ Emerson

We are going to need one more stocking!

2011-12-24T00:39:00.001-08:00

I have to admit that some of the greatest Christmas memories I have ever had, was when I was pregnant. I guess it is just that I seem to relate (in a small way) what Mary must have gone through. How she did what did, under those circumstances is amazing to me. And I can’t imagine all the things that must have gone through her mind when she found out that she was to be the Mother of the Christ child. I love in the scriptures when it says in Luke 2 : 19 …’But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.’

As a parent on many occasions and even before my kids were born, I prayed that their life would turn out much better and safer than mine. I prayed to know how to raise them and understand them. I prayed for the strength and courage to make the right choices myself, so that they could look to me for help and an example. That hasn’t always been the case but I really do try. Motherhood is a huge responsibility but looking back over those almost 30 years, I have to say that I wouldn’t change anything because hard as it was….I have never experience such great joy, as when I held my kids in my arms. What incredible little people they were …even way back then.

So when we received this photo of our sweet daughter in law, pregnant with our first grandson…it made my heart happy all over again. How grateful I am that my Heavenly Father has let me live here on the earth long enough to meet and get to share life with these wonderful grandchildren. We are soooooooo excited for this new little guy to come be part of our family, we can hardly wait!!!

A dear friend of mine came to my house the other day with her 3 cute little girls. They mentioned how many stockings there were on the mantle and asked who they were all for. When I said my family, the one little girl said “ wow, you have a lot of family”, I felt like crying ….yes I have a lot of family, in other words you could say that I am rich, very rich because of my many family and friends, it doesn’t get any better than this! So now I need to make one more stocking for our little Hezekiah!

Good night dear friends!

(Photo by … www.laurawattswalsh.com )

“Before you were conceived I wanted you. Before you were born I loved you. Before you were here an hour I would die for you. This is the miracle of Mother's Love“ ~ Maureen Hawkins

‘A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone” ~ Author Unknown

“Being a mother means that your heart is no longer yours; it wanders wherever your children do“ ~ Author Unknown

O Holy Night!

2011-12-23T00:07:00.001-08:00

I remember when I first heard this little girl sing, it seemed almost impossible that, that voice could come out of such a small little girl. It was amazing, she is soooooo talented.

Not a better way to use your talent than to share the true meaning of Christmas!

Hope you all are enjoying the true meaning of Christmas.

Good night dear friends.

"The true spirit of Christmas is love" Linda Willis quotes

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself" Charles Dickens

"This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ." ~ Frank McKibben quotes

Traditions!

2011-12-21T21:44:00.001-08:00

Jeff and I were discussing the other day how great traditions are for the holidays, and yet how hard it is to watch the kids get older and start their own families and their own traditions. Sometimes we wonder why things have to change, and yet that is just life. I remember Jeff and I having quite a few discussions about who’s house we were going to for Christmas, and some times we didn’t always agree. I really wanted to spend it with my family, and Jeff felt the same about his. So you try to juggle the time between both families and keep everyone happy. Then finally the kids get old enough to tell you that they don’t want to go any where for Christmas, but want to stay at their own house. Yes life, traditions and everything else changes throughout the years, and so we need to some how learn to Go With The Flow!

We have tried to start some new traditions so that it would make up for the ones that we seem to have to change, some times that works and some times it doesn’t. One of the traditions that we had when I was a kid , and is still a great memory for me… was our Rotating Christmas Tree! Yes, I said ROTATING, it went all the way around, with the lights and music. I remember just laying under the Christmas tree and just watching the ornaments go by with the icicles too. I remember Mom insisting to put each icicle on separately, we weren’t to just take a bunch and throw them on. It seemed like a pain at the time, but when the tree was all decorated, it did look magical.

Our rotating tree was the hit of the neighborhood when we lived in the city, and the talk of all our friends when we moved to the country. Dad looked as we got older for the rotating Christmas Tree Stand, but they went out of business. People couldn’t believe we had a tree stand that you could put a live tree in with water, and it had a place for the lights to plug in ( and no the cords didn’t get wrapped around the tree ) plus, it played 5-6 Christmas songs, it was magical that was for sure.

Then when our kids were all little, my Mom and Dad called one night and told us that he found the Rotating Christmas Tree Stand at Sears, and he ordered 5 of them and was having them sent to our homes. I remember the first time we put our tree in that stand, I felt like the years had melted away and I was a little girl again. This stand you had to use with an artificial tree and it didn’t play music but still… it was magical and a wonderful tradition from my family, it was one of our best presents ever!

Our rotating tree stand made us happy for quite a few years and then it broke and since then we haven’t found another on, it makes me sad each year when we put out our Christmas decorations and I realize we don’t have that any more, what a fun tradition. Oh another funny thing that happened when we received our rotating stand from my Dad was, as the kids helped me decorate the tree, I sorta stuck some of the (not so pretty ) ornaments to the back of the tree. Then when we were all finished and turned on the tree, I laughed to myself when I realized I had put all those ornaments together, and so when that side of the tree came around well….let’s just say we had to intermix them in with all the rest of the ornaments to make it look pleasing to the eye!

So as I sit here tonight, trying to figure out just what traditions we are going to keep or change this Christmas Eve, I look at the tree and remember how many wonderful traditions we have had throughout the years, things may change, but the love of our family doesn’t , nor the meaning of Christmas … that is what we need to remember.

Good night dear friends!

" The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!" -- Charles N. Barnard

"Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree." -- Charlotte Carpenter

"Whatever else be lost among the years, Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing: Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, Let us hold close one day, remembering Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men. Let us get back our childlike faith again." -- Grace Noll Crowell

I love this story!

2011-12-20T23:45:00.001-08:00

Of course you have heard me say that that a million times before but…I love this story also! I actually love anything to do with Christmas don’t I?

Hope you enjoy it! Merry Christmas dear friends and good night!

Christmas Star

This was my grandmother's first Christmas without grandfather, and we had promised him before he passed away that we would make this her best Christmas ever. When my mom, dad, three sisters and I arrived at her little house in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, we found she had waited up all night for us to arrive from Texas. After we exchanged hugs, my sisters and I ran into the house. It did seem a little empty without grandfather, and we knew it was up to us to make this Christmas special for her.

Grandfather had always said that the Christmas tree was the most important decoration of all. So we immediately set to work on the beautiful artificial tree that was kept stored in grandfather's closet. Although artificial, it was the most genuine looking Douglas fir I had ever seen. Tucked away in the closet with the tree was a spectacular array of ornaments, many of which had been my father's when he was a little boy. As we unwrapped each one, grandmother had a story to go along with it. My mother strung the tree with bright white lights and a red button garland; my sisters and I carefully placed the ornaments on the tree; and finally father was given the honor of lighting the tree.

We stepped back to admire our handiwork. To us, it looked magnificent, as beautiful as the tree in Rockefeller Center. But something was missing.

"Where's your star'" I asked.

The star was my grandmother's favorite part of the tree, for it represented the star of Bethlehem that had led the wise men to the infant Jesus.

"Why, it must be here somewhere," she said, starting to sort through the boxes again. "Your grandfather always packed everything so carefully when he took the tree down."

As we emptied box after box and found no star, my grandmother's eyes filled with tears. This was no ordinary ornament, but an elaborate golden star covered with colored jewels and blue lights that blinked on and off. Moreover, grandfather had given it to grandmother some fifty years ago on their first Christmas together. Now, on her first Christmas without him, the star was gone, too.

"Don't worry, Grandmother," I reassured her. "We'll find it for you."

My sisters and I formed a search party.

"Let's start in on the closet where the ornaments were," Donna said. "Maybe the box just fell down."

That sounded logical, so we climbed on a chair and began to search that tall closet of grandfather's. We found father's old yearbooks and photographs of relatives, Christmas cards from years gone by and party dresses and jewelry boxes, but no star.

We searched under beds and over shelves, inside and outside, until we had exhausted every possibility. We could see grandmother was disappointed, although she tried not to show it.

"We could buy a new star," Kristi offered.

"I'll make you one from construction paper," Karen chimed in.

"No," Grandmother said. "This year, we won't have a star."

By now, it was dark outside, and time for bed, since Santa would soon be here. As we lay in bed, we could hear the sound of snowflakes falling quietly outside.

The next morning, my sisters and I woke up early, as was our habit on Christmas day - first, to see what Santa had left under the tree, and second, to look for the Christmas star in the sky. After a traditional breakfast of apple pancakes, the family sat down together to open presents. Santa had brought me the Easy Bake Oven I wanted, and Donna a Chatty Cathy doll. Karen was thrilled to get the doll buggy she had asked for, and Kristi to get the china tea set. Father was in charge of passing out the presents, so that everyone would have something to open at the same time.

"The last gift is to Grandmother from Grandfather," he said, in a puzzled voice.

"From who'" There was surprise in my grandmother's voice.

"I found that gift in grandfather's closet when we got the tree down," Mother explained. "It was already wrapped so I put it under the tree. I thought it was one of yours."

"Hurry and open it," Karen urged excitedly.

My grandmother shakily opened the box. Her face lit up with joy when she unfolded the tissue paper and pulled out a glorious golden star. There was a note attached. Her voice trembled as she read it aloud:

"Don't be angry with me, dear. I broke your star while
putting up the decorations, and I couldn't bear to tell
you. Thought it was time for a new one. I hope it brings
you as much joy as the first one. Merry Christmas. Love,
Bryant."

So grandmother's tree had a star after all, a star that expressed their everlasting love for one another. It brought my grandfather home for Christmas in each of our hearts and made it our best Christmas ever.

“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” ~Alexander Smith

“May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.”
~Author Unknown

Here is Christmas music at it’s best!

2011-12-20T00:27:00.001-08:00

This was simply amazing, what talent…don’t you just love Christmas music, Christmas lights and Christmas love? It is simply the best!!!

Good night dear friends!

“The earth has grown old with its burden of care But at Christmas it always is young, The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And its soul full of music breaks the air, When the song of angels is sung.”
– Phillips Brooks

”After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” ~ Aldous Huxley

Thinking of Others first!

2011-12-18T23:14:00.001-08:00

I loved this Christmas story. How I respected the Mother for what values she had taught her son. Don’t we all hope that we have taught our own kids, these very same values and virtues?

Any way it was great, hope you take the time to read it. Good night dear friends!

The Coat

Heber shivered in the cold. He wrapped his thin, old coat around him. It would soon be his birthday, and all he wanted was a warm coat. He knew it would upset his mother if he asked for one. They were so poor. Sometimes they went to bed early because there was no fuel left to keep the house warm. Sometimes they would go to bed hungry because there was not enough food. To earn money, Heber's mother would often sew until far into the night, making clothes for other people.

On the day of Heber's birthday, his mother wished him a happy birthday and gave him a beautifully wrapped present. He opened it up and inside the box was the most beautiful coat he had ever seen. It was made from the material his mother had from other clothes, but it was new, and warm, and clean and fit him perfectly. Heber could hardly wait to go out into the cold and feel its warmth. He was so happy and grateful to his mother.

A few weeks later, Heber was on an errand on an especially cold day. He saw a boy just his size crying in the cold snow. The boy was only wearing ragged clothes and had no shoes on. Heber knew how cold he must feel. The boy looked longingly at Heber's coat. Heber stopped and, almost without thinking, took the coat off and gave it to the boy.

That afternoon, Heber' mother saw him wearing his old coat. She asked him, "What have you done with your lovely new coat?" Heber wondered for a moment how to tell her. Then he explained, "I saw a boy and he needed it lots worse than I did, so I gave it to him."

Heber's mother couldn't believe it. She asked, "Couldn't you have given him your old coat?"

Heber looked up at his mother, hoping she would understand, and saw her eyes fill with tears. He threw his arms around his mother as she answered her own question. "Of course you couldn't, Heber" she said, "of course you couldn't."

Heber had so much love in his heart that he didn't want to see anyone sad, or cold, or hungry. Jesus was the same way. Jesus felt great love and compassion for everyone he met. He wants us to be like him and show compassion for all people. ~ Heber J. Grant

Matthew 25:40 “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”

"You will find, as you look back on your life, that the moments that stand out
are the moments when you have done things for others." - Henry Drummond

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is every wasted." – Aesop

“Only a life lived for others is worth living”. - Albert Einstein

My red headed Gingerbreads!

2011-12-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

I think it is much easier to work hard on something, when you do it for someone you love. That is probably why I have such a fun time making matching seasonal outfits for the girls. I just finished their Gingerbread outfits ( look below), they really like the skirts they can twirl in. And even though they compete in almost everything, they still like having the matching outfits ( go figure ).

Tonight I am sitting here at home alone. Jeff is gone, Lee is out on a date, Lauren is at work and I have Kenny G Christmas music playing in the background…now doesn’t that just sound like a perfect setting to feel lonely in? I am missing my boy Bradley and his wife Krystal pretty bad, I guess that is normal for Mom’s. They live in California and Krystal is expecting their first baby, and it’s a boy! We can hardly wait till he gets here, still how I wish magically we could all be together for Christmas. I am missing Lauren and Lee already ( and they aren’t even gone yet ). They keep this house full of laughter and fun, it certainly will be quiet without them here.

This time of year I always think of my Mom and Dad (who have already finished their mission here on earth). Oh how I wish I could just pick up the phone and hear my Mom’s voice, I really miss her. She would have loved meeting these cute little red heads! As for my Dad, we weren’t very close at all, but he taught me to love giving and Christmas, that is one time he was always happy. He gave gifts to everyone, he would start from Thanksgiving on… all the way through Christmas. He and Mom were always making gift baskets for everyone, my Dad had a million friends (guess I inherited that from him ). So the holidays were always special, and living on a farm seemed to make everything even more magical. We had our own sleigh riding hill ( that my Dad had cleared and made just for that ). Actually it was for tubing, it was way to steep for sleds. Still everyone wanted to come tubing at the Johnson’s farm. My Mom would have warm Gingerbread cookies ready with Hot Chocolate for everyone.

As we got older Mom would always call to see how many of her kids could make it home for the Holidays, now I find myself doing the same things. I cry when I hear the song…"I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS”. Yes, I get very homesick this time of year for my kids, family and friends. So I guess it’s a real good thing that I am going with Jeff and Lauren and Lee when they head off for college in a couple of weeks. I will stay in Utah while they head off to Idaho, but at least I won’t be here by myself. When we come home to an empty house, at least we will be together.

Many of you who are already Empty Nesters, have shared tips on how to survive being Empty Nesters and what some of the feelings we will go through, thanks for that advice…it really did help. The truth is though, like everything else…many things we have to just go through (that is where the lessons are learned ), but still it can be tough and I realize that. So thanks for your good advice.

Well, I have got to quit sitting here and thinking to much and get to work, there are lots more gifts to make! Good night dear friends!

“Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given, when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes.” ~Joan Winmill Brown

“Time was with most of us, when Christmas Day, encircling all our limited world like a magic ring, left nothing out for us to miss or seek; bound together all our home enjoyments, affections, and hopes; grouped everything and everyone round the Christmas fire, and make the little picture shining in our bright young eyes, complete.” ~ Charles Dickens

“Christmas is a time when you get homesick -- even when you're home.” ~ Carol Nelson

What I’ve learned.

2011-12-16T16:38:00.001-08:00

I love this story, I shared it with you over 3 years ago, but I really felt impressed to share it again. A beautiful message for all of us to hear and be reminded of.

Good night dear friends!

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor". So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed their dinners together.

Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when you get old." The four year old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that children's eyes observe more than their ears ever hear and the example we set for them determines their actions.

I've learned that make a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life".

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that people will forget what you said ...people will forget what you did......but people will never forget how you made them feel.

I've learned that life is about people and making a positive difference.

I've learned that you should take care of yourself and those you love - Today and Everyday!

I've learned I still have a lot to learn!

By Author Unknown

Gratitude!

2011-12-16T00:15:00.000-08:00

My oldest granddaughter and I have been collecting and wrapping things to take to Sleep Country to donate to less fortunate children. Now I don’t mention this to toot my own horn, but to tell you what a great feeling it is to do that with my granddaughter each year. As we were wrapping a few pair of gloves, she said “Oh Nana, I worry about those kid’s hands being so cold” I said yes, that is why we are giving these to them. Then the conversation went about the same on each item we wrapped. It does my heart good to see the natural love and concern that children have for others. It reminds me that we all should have that type of love, concern and compassion for others. I hope Angie ( and Jenny and my grandson to be ) will remember doing traditions like these with their Nana. I hope they keep that giving heart all year long, and that they will grow up and make the world a better place by being in it!

As the girls and I were in the kitchen cooking and coloring this afternoon, the Christmas lights were on , the Christmas music was on the radio and I looked around and realized how very grateful I am that I am healthy enough to be here another year with my family and enjoy all this. Three years ago, I wasn’t sure what my future would be, I wasn’t sure if I would even want people to see me, I felt scared, I hurt, I was discouraged. I thought I looked like a freak (after my mastectomy ) and I couldn’t imagine how I was going to go to my son’s wedding right after Christmas? Yes, that was 3 years ago, and I can honestly say life has truly changed or maybe I have changed….my perspective has changed and tonight I sit here and realize how very very grateful I am for all that I have been blessed with….which is a lot!

I just received an email from a dear friend and his wife. He was sharing with us the report of his wife’s health, she battled cancer recently. He told us that her numbers were good and normal and her next blood draw won’t be until March, he said they are now going to take a deep breath and be grateful for her health returning. I know exactly what he was talking about. Those exams are the most nerve racking. You worry about them for weeks before they happen, and you hang on everything the DR says. When you hear everything looks fine or good or normal for now…you feel like jumping for joy! Gratitude is definitely what you feel. All of a sudden the lights of Christmas seem brighter, the music sounds sweeter and life and everything about it….seems more special.

So tonight I express my own gratitude for my health, my family ( but still missing the one’s that aren’t with us ) my friends, our jobs, my home, and all the many other things that I have been blessed with. I do believe that being grateful has helped me in my life, to see what really matters!

I am grateful for this blog, for the chance to daily think of something positive and motivational to share with you. It makes me look deeper at all that I see each day. Thanks for your love and support over these three years, it has been an incredible journey to say the least. Good night dear friends!

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beattie

“Be in an "attitude of gratitude" and you will feel yourself blessed beyond counting.”

Come back to the heart of Christmas!

2011-12-14T19:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry that I missed writing in my blog last night, I wasn’t feeling well at all. It seems like we keep passing this junk, back and forth to each other. Jeff was home sick, and the found out at the DR today that he has bronchitis.
Lauren is heading to the DR tomorrow, fun place around here.

I heard this Christmas song on the radio the other day and really loved the words, thought it would be good to read more than once during this Holiday Season. I hope you are able to really enjoy it too! I am hoping that my health improves so that we can do more as a family, right now we are all just laying around like a bunch of boneless chickens! Didn’t you just get a visual on that one about the Chickens?

Good night dear friends!

Come back to the heart of Christmas!

I'm gonna make a wish this Christmas
I'm gonna say a little prayer
I'm gonna stop here for a moment
Before the moment disappears

The world's in a hurry this December
City streets and shopping malls
I wish we could slow down and remember
The meaning of it all

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don't miss it, the heart of Christmas

Let's make it feel the way it used to
Let's find that wonder of a child
You can see the magic all around you
Come on, and open up your eyes

You can find it in the warm embrace of your family
Or calling up a long lost friend
You can even find it in the eyes of stranger
When you reach out a helping hand

In the shadow of a steeple
In a star that lights the way
You will find Him in a manger
The heart of Christmas has a name

I'm gonna make a wish this Christmas
I'm gonna say a little prayer
Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas

Live while you can and cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas

Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don't miss it, the heart of Christmas

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricenter.com/e56540-matthew_west~the_heart_of_christmas_lyrics.html ]

“The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another.”

“Let's approach Christmas with an expectant hush,
rather than a last-minute rush.”

“It is not the gift, but the thought that counts.” ~Van Dyke

Happy Holidays to my girls!

2011-12-12T23:37:00.001-08:00

Saturday night the girls we sent the girls to the Nutcracker as part of their Christmas gift. Amy is the only one that had ever been there before, but she was little then. For Lauren and Angie it was their first time and as you can tell from their faces, they had a wonderful time!

I feel so blessed that we were able to share this with our girls this year. I would have loved for all of us to go together but …they had a great time. I love the holidays and everything about it!

Christmas comes with children singing,
Christmas comes with sleigh bells ringing,
Christmas comes with frosty nights,
Christmas comes with snowball fights.
Christmas comes with Santa Claus,
Christmas comes with snowy floors,
Christmas comes with robins and reindeer,
Christmas comes with a hearty cheer.
Christmas comes with gold, frankincense and myrrh,
Christmas comes with Jesus' birth,
Christmas comes with angels from afar,
Christmas comes with a wondrous star.
Christmas comes now, at last,
Christmas comes, like in the past,
Christmas comes after such a long wait,
Christmas comes and it will be great.
~Amy Darnbrook

“It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

“A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every passerby leaves a mark.” ~ Chinese Proverb

“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” ~ Calvin Coolidge

Compassion, Charity and the Cemetery!

2011-12-11T23:29:00.001-08:00

When I read this story, it made me cry… but also reminded me of the compassion and charity of others. What a difference that can make in someone’s life! Life is hard, but often those hard blows are often softened by the small acts of charity of others. It made me remember we all could do a little bit more! Good night dear friends!

A Small, Snow-Covered Tree

One day, shortly before Christmas, our third child and first son, Bay, was born. As I said good-bye that evening to my exhausted but joyful wife and left the hospital, the warmth and joy that accompanied the birth of my son overwhelmed the cold chill of that clear December night.

The following December we celebrated the first birthday of our dark-eyed, dark-haired son. The day after Christmas, during an evening of games at the home of my in-laws, our revelry was interrupted by an awful shriek from my mother-in-law: “He’s not breathing!” She had gone to check on Bay, who had been sleeping on her bed, and discovered his cold, lifeless body. We immediately rushed our son to the hospital, attempting CPR on the way. We were grief-stricken to learn that nothing could be done to save his life. He had died from sudden infant death syndrome.

Since then, Christmas has been filled with a much deeper meaning for our family. Each year on Christmas Eve when we take down our other children’s stockings to fill them, one solitary stocking is left on the fireplace mantle. Throughout the remainder of the holiday the stocking serves as a reminder of Bay.

Each year, around the time of Bay’s birthday, my wife and I drive to the cemetery where he is buried. At each visit we find that someone else has arrived before us and placed something on our son’s grave: one year it was delicate, small flowers; the next year, a stuffed bear; the next, a little Christmas tree decorated with miniature ornaments. We have no idea who is responsible; the gifts, which touch us deeply, are never accompanied by a note or card.

When I hinted to my mother-in-law that I knew her secret, she denied responsibility. The following year while she and my father-in-law were serving a Church mission abroad, we again found that someone had placed a gift on our son’s grave. Even after inquiring with other family members and friends, we were unable to solve the mystery.

Ten years after our son’s death, a series of snowstorms prevented us from traveling short distances. As a result, our annual visit to our son’s grave site was delayed until several days after Christmas. When we finally made it, we saw a small, decorated Christmas tree, mostly buried in the snow, standing bravely at the head of Bay’s small grave. The effort it must have taken for someone to get to the cemetery through the heavy snowfall overwhelmed us. Tears streamed down our faces as we realized that someone still shared our grief and loss.

After that, we were more resolved than ever to discover the identity of our benefactor and thank him or her for showing us such compassion. But as we reflected more, we realized that whoever was doing these acts of kindness did not want to be identified. We decided to allow our friend to remain anonymous. We replaced our need to thank our friend with a desire to simply live better.

It is now harder for us to speak ill of or criticize any of our friends or family members, because any one of them may be our anonymous friend.

Often while doing service, my wife and I pause to examine our hearts: are we doing good things to be seen by others or for the pure love of Christ and of our fellowmen?

For us, charity—humble and never seeking its own—is symbolized by a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, half-buried in snow, resting in a quiet cemetery. ~By Darrell Smart Ensign, Dec. 2008

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.” ~Edmund Burke

Great Date Night!

2011-12-10T21:55:00.001-08:00

I was pretty worn out by this evening, so when Jeff suggested that we go to the movies for our Date Night, I said yes right away!

We went to the movie Hugo, it was amazing and a great movie for everyone. Not often can you say that about very many movies.

Hugo tells the tale of an orphan boy living a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station. When Hugo encounters a broken machine, an eccentric girl, and the cold, reserved man who runs the toy shop, he is caught up in a magical, mysterious adventure that could put all of his secrets in jeopardy.

The message behind it was absolutely inspiring…

Hugo Cabret: I'd imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need. So I figured if the entire world was one big machine, I couldn't be an extra part. I had to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason too.

I hope you might get to go see it for this Holiday Season. Good night dear friends!

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” ~ Albert Einstein

“A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.” ~ John Barrymore

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~ Walt Disney

There are Christmas Angels everywhere…this time of the year!

2011-12-08T20:11:00.001-08:00

I can relate to this story because the same type of miracles happened to our family, when we had only lived here in Seattle a couple of months. Jeff just lost his job before Thanksgiving, so things were looking very bleak. I remember even opening my cabinet doors ( just in case God thought there was more in there than I was reporting ). Then from December 1st till Christmas Day, we had Secret Christmas Angels at our door each day, at all different times…so we never caught them. Still each year we try to be someone’s Secret Christmas Angel, for we know how life altering it can be, and we are forever grateful for them.

Enjoy dear friends! Night!

'The Christmas Angels'

It was December 23, 1993. For a single mom who was going to college and supporting my children completely alone, Christmas was looking bleak. I looked around my little home, realization dawning like a slow, twisting pain. We were poor.

Our tiny house had two bedrooms, both off the living room. They were so small that my baby daughter's crib barely fit into one room, and my son's twin bed and dresser were squeezed into the other. There was no way they could share a room, so I made my bed every night on the living room floor.

The three of us shared the only closet in the house. We were snug, always only a few feet from each other, day and night. With no doors on the children's rooms, I could see and hear them at all times. It made them feel secure, and it made me feel close to them -- a blessing I wouldn't have had in other circumstances.

It was early evening, about eight o'clock. The snow was falling softly, silently, and my children were both asleep. I was wrapped in a blanket, sitting at the window, watching the powdery flakes flutter in the dimming light, when my front door vibrated with a pounding fist.

Alarmed, I wondered who would stop by unannounced on such a snowy winter night. I opened the door to find a group of strangers grinning from ear to ear, their arms laden with boxes and bags.

Confused, but finding their joyous spirit contagious, I grinned right back at them.

"Are you Susan?" The man stepped forward as he held out a box for me.

Nodding stupidly, unable to find my voice, I was sure they thought I was mentally deficient.

"These are for you." The woman thrust another box at me with a huge, beaming smile. The porch light and the snow falling behind her cast a glow over her dark hair, lending her an angelic appearance.

I looked down into her box. It was filled to the top with delicious treats, a fat turkey, and all the makings of a traditional Christmas dinner. My eyes filled with tears as the realization of why they were there washed over me.

Finally coming to my senses, I found my voice and invited them in. Following the husband were two children, staggering with the weight of their packages. The family introduced themselves and told me their packages were all gifts for my little family. This wonderful, beautiful family, who were total strangers to me, somehow knew exactly what we needed. They brought wrapped gifts for each of us, a full buffet for me to make on Christmas Day, and many "extras" that I could never afford. Visions of a beautiful, "normal" Christmas literally danced in my head. Somehow my secret wish for Christmas was materializing right in front of me. The desperate prayers of a single mom had been heard, and I knew right then that God had sent his angels my way.

My mysterious angels then handed me a white envelope, gave me another round of grins, and took turns hugging me. They wished me a Merry Christmas and disappeared into the night as suddenly as they had appeared.

Amazed and deeply touched, I looked around me at the boxes and gifts strewn at my feet and felt the ache of depression suddenly being transformed into a childlike joy. I began to cry. I cried hard, sobbing tears of the deepest gratitude. A great sense of peace filled me. The knowledge of God's love reaching into my tiny corner of the world enveloped me like a warm quilt. My heart was full. I fell to my knees amid all the boxes and offered a heartfelt prayer of thanks.

Getting to my feet, I wrapped myself in my blankets and sat once again to gaze out the window at the gently falling snow. Suddenly, I remembered the envelope. Like a child, I ripped it open and gasped at what I saw. A shower of bills flitted to the floor. Gathering them up, I began to count the five, ten, and twenty-dollar bills. As my vision blurred with tears, I counted the money, then recounted it to make sure I had it right. Sobbing again, I said it out loud: "One hundred dollars."

I looked at my children sleeping soundly, and through my tears I smiled my first happy, free-of-worry smile in a long, long time. My smile turned into a grin as I thought about tomorrow: Christmas Eve. One visit from complete strangers had magically turned a painful day into a special one that we would always remember...with happiness.

It is now several years since our Christmas angels visited. I have remarried, and our household is happy and richly blessed. Every year since that Christmas in 1993, we have chosen a family less blessed than we are. We bring them carefully selected gifts, food and treats, and as much money as we can spare. It's our way of passing on what was given to us. It's the "ripple effect" in motion. We hope that the cycle continues and that, someday, the families we share with will be able to pass it on, too. -- Susan Fahncke http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/inspirational-christmas-stories7.htm

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ~Anne Frank

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa’

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not” . ~Dr. Seuss

Perfect Child …is there such a thing?

2011-12-08T00:22:00.001-08:00

I loved this Christmas story because it reminded me that most children aren’t perfect, and most parents are either. But there is such a thing as Perfect Love, that’s what we all need a little more of in our lives and in our families. I smiled as I read this story and remember how some of our kids acted in church, it is comical now… but really wasn’t then. Still children seem to teach us daily and for that I am forever grateful!
This post is late because I have been sewing most of the evening. I really think I was suppose to be an ELF! Still it is late and so I closed up the workshop, this Elf is tired ( happy but tired). Night dear friends!

'Heaven and Angels Sing'

At the Christmas Eve church service, I sat with my two boisterous grandchildren, ages three and five. Their parents sat in front of the church to present a nativity reading titled "Silent Night." They had warned the children to behave. I had warned the children to behave. With scrubbed angelic faces and Christmas wonder in their eyes, they looked like model children posing for a magazine holiday spread. I indulged myself in a few moments of pride.

Alec pinched Aubrey. I was grateful that the organ thundered into the first hymn just then, drowning out her yelp. I grabbed her hand before she could return the pinch. During the Lord's Prayer, Aubrey shredded the program I had given her to color on. The crayons had already rolled under the pew. I watched bits of paper fall on the carpet like snow. I would help her pick it up later, but for now the naughtiness I was allowing kept her occupied and her brother quietly admiring.

We were enjoying an uneasy truce when their parents stood to deliver the reading.

"Mommy!" Alec yelled.

She frowned, and he sat back in his seat.

"Silence," my son said to the congregation. "Think for a moment what that word means to you."

My daughter-in-law signed his words. Earlier that year, she began to use her new signing skills for the benefit of the few hearing-impaired members of our church.

Alec said a naughty word, thankfully too low for many to hear. I scowled at him, shaking my finger and my head. Aubrey grinned. Then she proclaimed, every syllable enunciated perfectly, in a clear voice that carried to far corners of the sanctuary, "Alec is a potty mouth!"

Everyone stared. I was too stunned to speak. My son and his wife looked at each other. But instead of anger, I saw surprise.

My son set aside his script and told another story. He told about their daughter being born profoundly deaf. He talked about four years of hearing aids and speech therapy with no guarantee she would ever learn to speak plainly. He talked about the rugged faith that kept the family praying she would have a normal life.

He said Aubrey's outburst was an answer to prayer: the first perfectly enunciated sentence she had ever spoken.

From the back of the room, a lone voice sang the last line of a beloved Christmas Carol: Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king.

While the congregation sang four verses of the unscheduled hymn, my two little angels wiggled in their parents' arms, adding laughter and giggles to the joyful Christmas noise. -- By Carol Stigger

”It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you... yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.”

~Mother Teresa

”Let us keep Christmas beautiful without a thought of greed, that it might live forevermore to fill our every need, that it shall not be just a day, but last a lifetime through, the miracle of Christmas time that brings God close to you.”

~Ann Schultz

Holiday cheer

2011-12-07T00:17:00.001-08:00

Today was a day full of holiday cheer. I started off teaching Day # 9 of the 12 Days of Christmas in the Quilt Shop! WE have really had a lot of fun with this project. I love the ladies and all the different ideas that they share with me too. Then when I came home, my daughter Amy was working on her Tree Skirt and then she put Jenny down for a nap. Jeff was home sick, with a very nasty cold ( I keep telling him NOT TO SHARE), that is usually opposite of what we say in our home but I meant it this time. I need to stay healthy during the holidays if I can.

While Jenny was sleeping and Amy was quilting her tree skirt, Angie and I decided to go up stairs and do some cooking. I explained to her…how good chicken noodle soup is for you when you have a cold, so she said that is what we should make Poppa tonight, so we did. She is such a big helper and so much fun to be around. I told her about my Mom and how she used to make Chicken Noodle soup, she then asked questions about her, I got teary eyed because it was 11 years ago that she passed away ( oh how I wish she could have known these sweet grandkids of ours). I truly miss her every day!

Next we decided we needed some homemade cornbread to go with that big pot of home made soup. Then we decided to set the table with all the Christmas dishes ( I learned a few years ago, that life is too short not to use the good dishes…so we did). Then Angie made our Christmas Center piece. You can probably close your eyes and imagine it, Christmas music playing in the background, the smell of Chicken Noodle Soup and fresh Cornbread in the over, the table set with our Christmas best…yes, there was a lot of Holiday cheer in our home today and I was thankful to be here to enjoy that!

I hope you too are able to get into the spirit of the season! Good night dear friends!

“The best Christmas gift of all is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up with one another.”

“The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.” --Henry David Thoreau

“The joy of brightening a child's heart creates the magic of Christmas.” --W. C. Jones

Traditions!

2011-12-05T23:25:00.001-08:00

I have to admit that I am a firm believer in TRADITIONS! I love that we have certain traditions in our home, they make me happy, they make me feel safe. It also feels good to see the next generation getting involved in our time honored traditions. Today my granddaughter and I went and cut Holly down from someone’s tree ( yes, we did get permission first ). Angie is 5 and everything about the holidays and traditions are quite magical to her. She was so excited to get the holly and then help me come home and decorate the front porch with holly and pine boughs ( something I do each year ). Tonight was our Annual Neighborhood Christmas Open House, we have had these Open Houses for I think this was our 18th year, maybe 16th…can’t quite remember? But it has been a Family Tradition of ours and we love it. We have always felt like it is important to get to know your neighborhood and to let them get to know us. What a joy it has been to have our house full ( literally ) with Neighbors and Friends who mean the world to us. Since we moved away from our home and family in West Virginia, over 23 years ago, we have really come to appreciate these neighbors and friends who have become like FAMILY to us. What a wonderful night, what a wonderful tradition.

Another tradition that we started since the kids were little was matching Christmas stockings. We started out with some knit ones that we bought, they were different prints but still the same style. As our family grew, I realized the chance of getting more of those same stockings would be slim…and it was! So 3 years ago, I decided we should have matching stockings for everyone and that I could make them and quilt them. The kids love the stockings, of course I made them extra big, but with all ten on the mantle there isn’t much more room, so when our little grandson arrives in March, we are going to have to put all the stockings a little bit closer, we don’t mind though…at least they match!

One tradition that we started (after we became grandparents ) was the Christmas Mice! We read or tell the story of the Night Before Christmas and talk about ‘not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse’, then I tell them how many Christmas mice I have hidden in the decorations, and they have to go find them. It is fun to see them look all over the house for them. I got a few more mice to add to my collection this year.

Well, it is late and I am more than beat…but sooooooooooooooo very happy and grateful for my life and how blessed and rich we are with friends. Sometimes during the holidays, life gets busy…but I hope I never get too busy to tell all of you how very much I love and appreciate you in our lives!

Guess I had better go turn off all the Christmas lights and head to bed. Good night dear friends!

“Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world.” ~SUSAN LIEBERMAN,

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.”
~ Agnes M. Pharo

A slice of life!

2011-12-04T16:44:00.001-08:00

Jean heaved another world-weary sigh. Tucking a strand of shiny black hair behind her ear, she frowned at the teetering tower of Christmas cards waiting to be signed. What was the point? How could she sign only one name? A "couple" required two people, and she was just one.

The legal separation from Don had left her feeling vacant and incomplete. Maybe she would skip the cards this year. And the holiday decorating. Truthfully, even a tree felt like more than she could manage. She had canceled out of the caroling party and the church nativity pageant. Christmas was to be shared, and she had no one to share it with.

The doorbell's insistent ring startled her. Padding to the door in her thick socks, Jean cracked it open against the frigid December night. She peered into the empty darkness of the porch. Instead of a friendly face -- something she could use about now -- she found only a jaunty green gift bag perched on the railing. From whom? she wondered. And why?

Under the bright kitchen light, she pulled out handfuls of shredded gold tinsel, feeling for a gift. Instead, her fingers plucked an envelope from the bottom. Tucked inside was a typed letter. It was a...story?

The little boy was new to the Denmark orphanage, and Christmas was drawing near, Jean read. Already caught up in the tale, she settled into a kitchen chair.

From the other children, he heard tales of a wondrous tree that would appear in the hall on Christmas Eve and of the scores of candles that would light its branches. He heard stories of the mysterious benefactor who made it possible each year.

The little boy's eyes opened wide at the mere thought of all that splendor. The only Christmas tree he had ever seen was through the fogged windows of other people's homes. There was even more, the children insisted. More? Oh, yes! Instead of the orphanage's regular fare of gruel, they would be served fragrant stew and crusty, hot bread that special night.

Last, and best of all, the little boy learned, each of them would receive a holiday treat. He would join the line of children to get his very own....

Jean turned the page. Instead of a continuation, she was startled to read: "Everyone needs to celebrate Christmas, wouldn't you agree? Watch for Part II." She refolded the paper while a faint smile teased the corner of her mouth.

The next day was so busy that Jean forgot all about the story. That evening, she rushed home from work. If she hurried, she'd probably have enough time to decorate the mantle. She pulled out the box of garland, only to drop it when the doorbell rang. Opening the door, she found herself looking at a red gift bag. She reached for it eagerly and pulled out the piece of paper.

...to get his very own orange, Jean read. An orange? That's a treat? she thought incredulously.

An orange! Of his very own? Yes, the others assured him. There would be one apiece. The boy closed his eyes against the wonder of it all. A tree. Candles. A filling meal. And an orange of his very own.

He knew the smell, tangy sweet, but only the smell. He had sniffed oranges at the merchant's stall in the marketplace. Once he had even dared to rub a single finger over the brilliant, pocked skin. He fancied for days that his hand still smelled of orange. But to taste one, to eat one? Heaven.

The story ended abruptly, but Jean didn't mind. She knew more would follow.

The next evening, Jean waited anxiously for the sound of the doorbell. She wasn't disappointed. This time, though, the embossed gold bag was heavier than the others had been. She tore into the envelope resting on top of the tissue paper.

Christmas Eve was all the children had been promised. The piney scent of fir competed with the aroma of lamb stew and homey yeast bread. Scores of candles diffused the room with golden halos. The boy watched in amazement as each child in turn eagerly claimed an orange and politely said "thank you."

The line moved quickly, and he found himself in front of the towering tree and the equally imposing headmaster.

"Too bad, young man, too bad. But the count was in before you arrived. It seems there are no more oranges. Next year. Yes, next year you will receive an orange."

Brokenhearted, the orphan raced up the stairs empty-handed to bury both his face and his tears beneath his pillow.

Wait! This wasn't how she wanted the story to go. Jean felt the boy's pain, his aloneness.

The boy felt a gentle tap on his back. He tried to still his sobs. The tap became more insistent until, at last, he pulled his head from under the pillow.

He smelled it before he saw it. A cloth napkin rested on the mattress. Tucked inside was a peeled orange, tangy sweet. It was made of segments saved from the others. A slice donated from each child. Together they added up to make one whole, complete fruit.

An orange of his very own.

Jean swiped at the tears trickling down her cheeks. From the bottom of the gift bag she pulled out an orange -- a foil-covered chocolate orange--already separated into segments. And for the first time in weeks, she smiled. Really smiled.

She set about making copies of the story, wrapping individual slices of the chocolate orange. There was Mrs. Potter across the street, spending her first Christmas alone in 58 years. There was Melanie down the block, facing her second round of radiation. Her running partner, Jan, single-parenting a difficult teen. Lonely Mr. Bradford losing his eyesight, and Sue, sole care-giver to an aging mother....

A piece from her might help make one whole. -- By Carol McAdoo Rehme

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. ~Mark Twain

What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner. ~Colette

Let the Christmas stories and inspiration begin!

2011-12-03T22:23:00.001-08:00

I wait all year to share Christmas stories with you, and here it is already the 3rd and I am just giving you one. I loved this story because I do believe some times we get too caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, that we forget to remember what Christmas is really all about! Enjoy this sweet story!

The "W" in Christmas
Last December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.

So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still is.
Author unknown

“There's more, much more, to Christmas Than candlelight and cheer; It's the spirit of sweet friendship That brightens all year. It's thoughtfulness and kindness, It's hope reborn again, For peace, for understanding, And for goodwill to men!”

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” ~W. T. Ellis quotes

After 30 years I am ….

2011-12-01T23:15:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it, after 30 years of being a stay home Mom …I am only days away from being an Empty Nester. How did that ? Most of those 30 years were spent trying to get my kids grounded and well rounded, so that they could be weaned away from us and go out on their own in the world and make a great difference. Now, Jeff and I are the ones that are trying to wean ourselves from them. This is all new territory and one that we are very unfamiliar with, so that is always a bit scary!

I also started working OUTSIDE OF THE HOME, this year. I have always been a working Mom, it is just that now I get to wear nice clothes and get a pay check…that is a weird feeling after 30 years!
I am enjoying it but realizing that I am not completely balancing it well yet. How do I know that you ask? Well…

When I opened up the washer yesterday, I realized I put those clothes in a few days ago and so now they were mildewed ( I completely forgot about them ).

The dishes in the sink were higher than the sink itself.

Cupboards are bare, haven’t shopped for a bit…you can’t even make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich…there isn’t any bread.

I could go on but you probably get the picture. Yes, I am still trying how to figure out to manage the house, groceries and everything else plus working, and I am not even working that many hours!
Still I feel very grateful to work every day at something I love doing…teaching, quilting and sewing!

So I will try to be patient with myself and truly enjoy these last 29 days that we have before Lee and Lauren leave for college. My heart is aching though, I hope that is normal! I have struggled each time one of our kids have left home, but these are my last two… I don’t have anyone else to Mother. It’s like being laid off your job after 30 years of service, not the end of the world …but a new beginning and something to definitely work into!
Wish me luck.

Good night dear friends. All of you who have already made this job change, feel free to write me and give me some words of wisdom and comfort!

• My mother phones daily to ask, "Did you just try to reach me?" When I reply, "No", she adds, "So, if you're not too busy, call me while I'm still alive," and hangs up. ~ Erma Bombeck

“The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise”

Alden Nowlan quotes

Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home.
Phyllis Diller

What I wished I had known when I was sixteen!

2011-11-30T19:39:00.001-08:00

I have shared with many of you my one of my favorite authors….Jason F. Wright. Today I read his weekly article and it struck a cord in me. You might ask why? Because when I was sixteen years old, I was engaged to be married, it wasn’t a prearranged marriage but….close. I know I was in the wrong culture for that, but still the pressure was on. I had known this guy for a couple of years and he was a very nice person. He was 5 years older than me and had a good family. The problem was…I was too young! I still had a year of High School left. My Mom and his Mom already had their dresses made, the Women’s Club had already been rented and the material was bought for my dress to be made. However one night when a friend of ours was starting to measure me to make my dress, she began to ask me some really important questions. Ones that I really didn’t have the answer for, like where we were going to live, or what he was going to do for a living. She also reminded me that IF we didn’t completely get along now…chances are it won’t get any better. So after that conversation and staying up all night crying and praying, I broke off the engagement the next morning. It was actually easier to tell him than it was my Mom. She actually struggled hard for years about my decision. Still I knew that it was right and how grateful I am, that I had the courage to do that.

So when I read this article that Jason Wright wrote for his daughter who was turning 16 today… I was both happy and sad. I was happy to hear the love that he had for his daughter, and yet a bit sad because I never had much of a relationship at all with my Dad. Plus, it reminded me once again the importance of a Father in a girl’s life. How happy I am that my girls and granddaughters have that, it truly is a blessing!

As for what I wished I had known when I was 16, was almost everything that Jason said in his article. I might have added for me these things…

That sixteen years old, is way too young to get married.

That just because someone is family, doesn’t automatically mean they can be trusted (they have to earn that trust ).

That my opinion was important and that I deserved to be treated well.

That I could trust my gut feelings.

That I was an important person, and that I had much to share with the world.

And most of all that if I would wait a few more years, I would find the man of my dreams, and that he would literally be my best friend, be trustworthy, be a great Dad for our kids and a man that served the Lord.

Had I known that at 16…I probably would have broken off the engagement sooner!

A good reminder of this is, the silver band that this young man gave me as an engagement ring, is still in our family. I asked my girls to wear it as a daily reminder to…marry the right person, at the right time, for the right reason and at the right place! So if I could go back and thank that young man for not marring me…I would. I actually think he would feel the same way
How glad I am that my Heavenly Father and so many friends were watching over me as a 16 year (who was not in a good place in her life ).

If you get a minute…read his article, he is a great writer! (He wrote one of our favorite Christmas books called… THE CHRISTMAS JAR)

http://jasonfwright.com/column/what-I-wish-Id-known-when-I-turned-16.html

Good night dear friends!

'The best birthdays of all are those that haven’t arrived yet." ~ Robert Orben

"You were born an original. Don't die a copy." ~ John Mason

“Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!” ~Lydia M. Child

“Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.” ~Author Unknown

I’m going to love you through it!

2011-11-29T18:38:00.001-08:00

I heard this song on the radio the other day and it made me cry. It was something that I related to all too well, since I have been diagnosed with Cancer two different times in my life. I love the relationship that the woman in this song had with her husband, family and friends, because that is exactly what I had. I had my husband, kids, family, and friends who all loved me through it! I felt blessed to have that much support and that made all the difference in the world! Isn’t that really what life is all about … helping each other through it? There are many people who don’t have that much support, and that is why I think it is vital for all of us to help anyone who has to battle Cancer. No one should have to face it alone!

Well, it has been 3 years now since I beat Cancer once again. I remember well the feelings that were described in the song, you knew that who ever wrote it either had had cancer, or had a loved one that did. I could never thank all of you or Jeff or the kids enough,…for loving me through it!
But I will spend the rest of my life trying to and loving others through it!
Take a look at the video below! Good night dear friends!
(These two cute red heads, keep me going! )

Martina McBride – I’m Gonna Love You Through It Lyrics

She dropped the phone and burst into tears
The doctor just confirmed her fears
Her husband held it in and held her tight

Cancer don’t discriminate
Or care if you’re just Thirty-Eight
With three kids who need you in their lives
He said I know that you’re afraid and I am too
But you’ll never be alone, I promise you

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry
I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes

When you feel lost and scared to death
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

She made it through the surgery fine
They said they caught it just in time
But they had to take more than they planned

And now it’s forced smiles and baggy shirts
To hide what the cancer took from her
And she just wants to feel like a woman again

She said I don’t think I can do this anymore
He took her in his arms and said
That’s what my love is for

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry
I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes

When you feel lost and scared to death
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it

Oh baby

And when this road gets too long
I’ll be the rock you lean on
Just take my hand, together we can do it

I’m gonna love you through it
I’m gonna love you through it

I’m gonna love you through it

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.” ~Mother Teresa

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world” . ~Anne Frank

”Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James

Homeless

2011-11-28T23:56:00.000-08:00

Today as I was coming out of a shopping center, I saw a young homeless girl on the corner. I thought she looked familiar and as I got closer…I realized I did know her. She is the daughter of a dear friend from the past. I just recently saw this friend, after quite a few years. She shared with me about this daughter. It broke my heart to hear that she was still making bad choices, and had all 3 of her children taken from her. It was a very sad feeling for me to actually know the story behind a Homeless person. Most of the time I don’t know anything about them and I am asking myself questions like…are they really homeless, where is there family, does their family know that they are homeless, are they hungry, do they really have a family, are they an addict, what happened to their life, what could they be thinking…standing there for hours every day? All these questions go through my head and I never know the answers, yet today I did, and for some reason I felt even worse. I know this girl’s family, they are wonderful people, but they have tried for years to help her and still she makes bad choices. They can’t change that. What a heart break that must be to my friend as a Mother!

I wanted to put her in the car and ask her about her life and why she was choosing to do this? Still I knew that there wasn’t anything I could really do, so I drove past and said a prayer. I prayed that some day she would have the desire to change and become a healthier and happy person. I also prayed for her children and for her family...that their hearts would be healed. It also made me realize how grateful I am that my children are all safe, happy and making healthy and good choices…that is no small thing!

Good night dear friends!

”But I will say that the drugs are much more ferocious then they used to be. There are people wrecking their lives with addiction, which seems much more severe.” ~Armistead Maupin

“Once you choose hope, anything's possible”. ~Christopher Reeve

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." ~Author Unknown

Did you know?

2011-11-27T21:19:00.001-08:00

I did not know this story before about O’Hare Airport. I like the fact that we can change and because of that we can make a huge difference in the lives of our children. I have always said that “each generation should get better! Read it and enjoy! Good night dear friends!

Butch O'Hare

During the course of World War II, many people gained fame in one way or another. One man was Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. One time his entire squadron was assigned to fly a particular mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. Because of this, he would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to leave formation and return. As he was returning to the mother ship, he could see a squadron of Japanese Zeroes heading toward the fleet to attack. And with all the fighter planes gone, the fleet was almost defenseless. His was the only opportunity to distract and divert them. Single-handedly, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes and attacked them. The American fighter planes were rigged with cameras, so that as they flew and fought, pictures were taken so pilots could learn more about the terrain, enemy maneuvers, etc. Butch dove at them and shot until all his ammunition was gone, then he would dive and try to clip off a wing or tail or anything that would make the enemy planes unfit to fly. He did anything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships. Finally, the Japanese squadron took off in another direction, and Butch O' Hare and his fighter, both badly shot up, limped back to the carrier. He told his story, but not until the film from the camera on his plane was developed, did they realize the extent he really went to, to protect his fleet. He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation's highest military honors. And as you may know, O'Hare Airport was named after him.

Prior to this time in Chicago, there was a man called Easy Eddie. He was working for a man you've all heard about, Al Capone. Al Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic, but he was notorious for the murders he'd committed and the illegal thing's he'd done. Easy Eddie was Al Capone's lawyer and he was very good. In fact, because of his skill, he was able to keep Al Capone out of jail. To show his appreciation, Al Capone paid him very well. He not only earned big money, he would get extra things, like a residence that filled an entire Chicago city block. The house was fenced, and he had live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. Easy Eddie had a son. He loved his son and gave him all the best things while he was growing up; clothes, cars, and a good education. And, because he loved his son he tried to teach him right from wrong. But one thing he couldn't give his son was a good name, and a good example. Easy Eddie decided that this was much more important than all the riches he had given him. So, he went to the authorities in order to rectify the wrong he had done. In order to tell the truth, it meant he must testify against Al Capone, and he knew that Al Capone would do his best to have him killed. But he wanted most of all to try to be an example and to do the best he could to give back to his son, a good name. So he testified. Within the year, he was shot and killed on a lonely street in Chicago. These sound like two unrelated stories, but Butch O'Hare was Easy
Eddie's son.

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain

It's easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you're a winner, when you're number one. What you got to have is faith and discipline when you're not a winner.
Vince Lombardi

First Day of Christmas!

2011-11-27T00:08:00.001-08:00

I have probably told you this before, but I work at a Quilt Shop. I know…I am very blessed to work doing something that I actually LOVE! One of the things that we are doing to help promote business for the holiday, is I am doing the 12 Days of Christmas for the ladies. Each day (except for Sundays) I will be teaching a free Demo on a gift giving idea for Christmas. Today was day ONE. I was so nervous, you would have thought I have never done this before. I even dreamed that no one came today to my class and I had to go home early! My daughter Amy works on Saturdays so it was extra special having her there. But I a glad to report that we had a wonderful turn out and everything went well, better than I could have imagined. Yes, I love teaching, I love the ladies, I love creating… so it is a win win situation. I don’t know, just the feeling that you are sharing something that you love with someone is just the BEST!

Now I realize it is still November and I am not trying to rush it, but when you have a store you have to prepare a bit earlier so the ladies have time to actually make these gifts for Christmas. But since we are talking about Christmas and it isn’t too far way, I have decided tonight to share with you one of the best stories I have ever read about Santa Claus. ( I share it each year )

If there are any doubters out there…this will change your heart!

Good night dear friends!

Santa Claus

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: “There is no Santa Claus,” she jeered. “Even dummies know that!”

My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything.

She was ready for me. “No Santa Claus!” she snorted. “Ridiculous! Don’t believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let’s go”

“Go? Go where, Grandma?” I asked. I hadn’t even finished my second cinnamon bun. “Where” turned out to be Kerby’s General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.

As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. “Take this money and buy something for someone who needs it. I’ll wait for you in the car.” Then she turned and walked out of Kerby’s.

I was only eight years old. I’d often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s grade-two class.

Bobbie Decker didn’t have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn’t have a cough, and he didn’t have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

“Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

“Yes,” I replied shyly. “It’s … for Bobbie.”

The nice lady smiled at me. I didn’t get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, “To Bobbie, From Santa Claus” on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker’s house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa’s helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie’s house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. “All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, “get going.”

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.

Forty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker’s bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

… Author unknown

“Santa Claus is anyone who loves another
and seeks to make them happy; who gives
himself by thought or word or deed in every gift
that he bestows; who shares his joys with those
who are sad; whose hand is never closed against
the needy; whose arm is ever outstretched to aid
the weak; whose sympathy is quick and genuine
in time of trouble; who recognizes a comrade
and brother in every man he meets upon life's
common road; who lives his life throughout
the entire year in the Christmas spirit.”

~EDWIN OSGOOD GROVER

Happy Belated Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T22:31:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been a long but wonderful day, and I am just going to say Happy Thanksgiving and share this sweet story with you. Good night dear friends!

The Greatest Thanksgiving

"Are you going grocery shopping today?" my husband, Roy asked when I picked up the telephone.
"I plan to," I answered.
Thanksgiving was only a couple days away. Everyone in our family would be coming to our house. My funds were limited, therefore my box of coupons awaited me in the car. I knew I had to be creative in my shopping that day. I had to stretch every dollar.
For a few seconds, Roy sat silently on the other end of the line. "Why do you ask?" I uttered, fearing what he might say.
"Nancy, there's a family with a half dozen kids that will not have anything to eat for Thanksgiving. The little one is only five-years-old."
"So what are you saying?" I whispered.
"While you're at the store could you possibly buy something for them?" Roy's words echoed in my heart. Groceriesa five-year-olds eight in the familyMy head began to spin thinking about the fifty dollars I had reserved for our family's Thanksgiving dinner.
In the back of my mind I counted the hungry guests who would be coming to our house for dinner. I put my head down on my desk, already feeling defeated.
There's no way possible, I thought. But the compassion I heard in my husband's voice struck a nerve inside me.
"Sure," I replied. "But only if God helps."
"Thanks, sweetheart," Roy whispered. "Just do what you can." He then hung up the telephone. I finished my work and prayed all the way to the nearest grocery store.
I entered the parking lot. I noticed a big sign in the grocery store window: Turkeys - 29 cents a pound.
"This is the place, Lord" I whispered. I grabbed my box of coupons, went inside, secured two buggies, and headed to the frozen foods. The turkeys were indeed on sale, but I discovered one big problem. When I read the sign posted on the freezer door my heart sank. "Limit one."
"But I need two," I uttered to myself. I decided to find the manager. I explained the problem. He made an exception.
After tossing a turkey in each buggy, I began my shopping fury. It was amazing how many buy-one, get-one free items were being featured that day. The first item went into one buggy. The free item went in the other. In addition, I had all the right coupons to get exactly what both families needed for a hearty Thanksgiving dinner. I proceeded to the register and held my breath while the cashier rang up my groceries.
To my surprise, I had enough money. I was even able to purchase a package of cookies for the five-year-old who had stolen my heart, even though I had never met her.
Later that afternoon, Roy and I made a special delivery to a home filled with children of all ages. I will never forget the smiles on the six kids' faces, as they made several trips from my car carrying numerous bags of groceries inside.
This event reminded me of a story. Even though He only had a few loaves and fishes, Jesus multiplied them and fed five thousand people. And to top it off, there was food left over. I wondered if God was doing the same thing that day.
By far, that was the greatest Thanksgiving Day of my life. My entire family shared a hearty meal with us. We had plenty to eat. We even had enough food left over for the evening meal.
That afternoon, when I had time to think about what had happened, I imagined a home, not far from where I lived. There was a mother and a father and six children sitting around the kitchen table, laughing and rejoicing. They enjoyed the same meal that our family had shared together that day.
Then I realized that miracles happen when we step out in faith and in steps God. For with us, some things are impossible. But with God, all things are possible.
~ Nancy B. Gibbs ~

A Family to Be Thankful For

2011-11-23T19:38:00.001-08:00

Wished I would have read this story when my kids were little! I am sitting here tonight and wondering why I am not running around doing something. I am tired, we had pizza ( not homemade ) for dinner and I am actually enjoying the moment.

Anyway, please know we are very grateful for each of you in our lives, you are one of our many blessings that we are especially grateful for this year! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day tomorrow and remember what really counts…you already have! Good night dear friends!

I knew putting together a traditional Thanksgiving dinner would take extra organization, what with four kids (two still in diapers) and my husband, Jerry, working long hours. So I wrote a to-do list and stuck it on the fridge at the beginning of the week. I figured I’d cross off a few items each day.

But now it was the day before Thanksgiving and nothing was done. Not the fresh cranberry sauce. Or the homemade dinner rolls. Not even the most important thing on our family’s menu—the pies. Pumpkin and apple, made from scratch using recipes passed down from my mom and Jerry’s.

I put Halley and Casey down for their naps. Now I can start the pies, I thought, setting the ingredients out. The phone rang. Justin, my 13-year-old.

“Mom, can you bring my basketball uniform to school? I just found out we have a game tonight.”

“Sure,” I said, stifling a sigh. I hung up and saw that a stack of newspapers had been dropped off in the drive for my nine-year-old, Corbett, to deliver. The papers were bulging with Thanksgiving ads. Corbett couldn’t carry them on his bike. I’d have to drive him.

I took out the trash, hauled in the papers, then cleaned sticky fingerprints from the fridge. There, practically smirking at me, was my to-do list. I checked my watch: 3:45 already?! The door slammed. “Hi, Mom,” Corbett said.

“Corbett, your brother has a game so let’s get your paper route done,” I said. I bundled the babies into their car seats, then ran back for Justin’s uniform. I looked at the apples, pumpkin and spices on the counter. “Guess I’m not making those pies now,” I grumbled.

Jerry got out of work early enough to go to the game, but by the time we got home, ate dinner and tucked the kids in, it was almost 10:00 P.M. The sight of the pie ingredients on the counter made me want to cry. I sat down and buried my head in my arms.

“What’s wrong?” Jerry asked.

“I wanted Thanksgiving to be perfect,” I moaned, “but I never even had time to make pies!”

“Don’t worry, honey. I’ll just buy some,” he said.

“We can’t buy Thanksgiving pies!”

“Sure, we can,” Jerry said.

“But they won’t be our family’s pies.”

Jerry gave me a hug. “The kids won’t care. They’ll eat anything. You’re so busy taking care of everyone. Let the boys and me take over this Thanksgiving.”

“Fine,” I said, too tired to argue.

The next morning I surrendered the kitchen to the guys. Six hours later Corbett came to get me. I followed him into the dining room. There on the table was a Thanksgiving feast. A beautifully browned turkey, Jerry’s handiwork. Cranberry sauce and hot dinner rolls, both straight from a can and proudly prepared by Corbett. Sweet potatoes topped with melted marshmallows, and instant mashed potatoes, whipped up by Justin. And on the sideboard sat the pies—apple and pumpkin, store-bought.

We sat down and Corbett said grace. “Dear God, thanks for all the food, especially the yummy pies. Thank you for a great mom who does so much for us. Thanks most of all that we get to be together. Amen.”

I opened my eyes and looked around the table. Corbett was right. Being together was what mattered. I’d gotten my perfect Thanksgiving after all. ~ Cynthia Cutts, Lincoln, California

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.” ~Meister Eckhart

'’As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Missing my friends!

2011-11-23T00:24:00.001-08:00

It is always this time of year that my thoughts turn to my friends and family, of course that is only natural! Still how I wish I could just get on a plane and go visit them or better yet, buy them a plan ticket so that they could fly in and we could spend the holidays together.

I had to go to the Doctor today because my cold has settled in my chest and I just wanted to check and make sure that it hadn’t turned into pneumonia…it hasn’t thank ! Then the Doctor (who has become a dear friend to our family) just smiled and said “Lynn you need to slow down a bit and get more rest”. When I told him what my calendar looked like, he smiled once again and said “ then at least get some rest, you know how much your body can do “. He knows me all too well. ( I think he is also smiling because I am living life again, it wasn’t that long ago I was sitting there telling him I didn’t know if I would ever have enough energy to do anything again! )

Well, I don’t have a Mother to call and ask her to tell me what I need to do or how I will be able to handle the crazy schedule that is coming up. I could always call a dear friend though, I know they will be honest with me and yet not quite so brutally honest …like my family will be . Still I am grateful to have family and friends close to my heart this time of the year. To quote a song…IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! Good night dear friends!

Happiness keeps you Sweet,

Trials keep you Strong,

Sorrows keep you Human,

Failures keep you Humble,

Success keeps you Glowing,

But .... Only Friends ....

Keep You Going!!!

“A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.” ~Arnold H. Glasow

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”

The Power of a Quote!

2011-11-21T19:30:00.001-08:00

I found this article today…loved it! Enjoy yourself!

What is it about a short quotation that carries so much power? Anyone who has ever been moved by "I have a dream" or "I think, therefore I am" knows that a single, simple quote can change a day, a life, a world.

For those who suffer from depression, words of uplift and inspiration are always welcome. Explore these quotations and see if a few simple words might change your day, your life, or your world.

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew."

"A pearl is a beautiful thing that is produced by an injured life. It is the tear [that results] from the injury of the oyster. The treasure of our being in this world is also produced by an injured life. If we had not been wounded, if we had not been injured, then we will not produce the pearl."

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."

Thich Nhat Hanh

"Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keep friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment."

Greenville Kleisser

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Helen Keller

"Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

C.S. Lewis

"The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being."

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

"What you thought before has led to every choice you have made, and this adds up to you at this moment. If you want to change who you are physically, mentally, and spiritually, you will have to change what you think."

Dr. Patrick Gentempo

"Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime,
Therefore, we are saved by hope.
Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
Therefore, we are saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone.
Therefore, we are saved by love.
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own;
Therefore, we are saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness."

Reinhold Niebuhr

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Leo Buscaglia

The gift of a BEAR!

2011-11-20T14:59:00.001-08:00

About 8 years ago, a friend of mine called and asked if I had time to counsel with a 13 year old girl. When I asked for the details, she said that this little girl had been abused by her Father for years but finally got someone to believe her. The Father was just put in jail and the whole family was falling apart, with no income… and the from the whole mess. I asked about the Mother, did she know about the abuse ( which in most cases they do ) and how good of a support was she to this daughter? Their story is like so many others I have heard throughout the years, the Mother keeps telling the kids how great their Daddy is but that he just made a bad mistake. So she is part of the problem. I next asked if the girl had been to counseling, to which my friend replied yes, but the Mother insists on going in with her, and never stops telling her what to say. So the girl doesn’t want to go back to counseling. She had mentioned to the girl that she had a friend she could talk to and asked her if she would be willing to meet with me.

I have done counseling for over 25 years now with victims of abuse ( no I am not a counselor by schooling but life, my position has always been to just try to help them enough to get to counseling.) It is never easy, but I have to admit the younger the child… the harder it is on my heart. I am sure it is because I can relate soooooooooo well. Although it was my Grandfather that abused me, incest is still incest and does a number on your ability to TRUST! I remember getting down on my knees and asking my Heavenly Father to guide my thoughts and words in such a way that it would help this sweet girl.

Well, the day came and I went out and met her Mom but asked if she could stay in the car with my friend, so I could speak to her daughter alone. I also mentioned that I would stay by the window so she could see me, just in case she didn’t feel comfortable with me being alone with her kid, for whatever reason. I just needed to let this girl talk from her heart without her Mom telling her what to say and think, and yet I know the Mom didn’t know me at all…so I stayed by the window. When the girl came in and my friend introduced her to me, you could just feel what she was thinking by her mannerisms. She had her arms folded across her chest, she had a look on her face like… who are you, and why do you think you can help me? I asked her if she would like to sit down and then I just started asking some basic questions to break the ice, like …so where do you go to school? How many kids are in your family? What do you like to do for fun? It was during that time that she asked me why I had so many teddy bears? You see I have been collecting Teddy Bears ever since I became a Mom. I always loved stuffed animals and bears seemed to be my favorite. I knew that for all the holidays that the kids would want to get me something, so I started collecting Teddy Bears. It is something that I would have liked to do as a child but because of my abuse, much of my childhood was lost…the bears remind me to help give that childhood to every child I meet. Plus, they also seem to remind me to take care of myself and encourage others to do the same…surround yourself with things that you love!

As I began explaining to her about the bears and my childhood, you could see her whole body relax and get comfortable. She somehow knew she was safe and with someone who had truly been there and could understand. Our few uncomfortable few minutes turned into an hour and half, and she asked if she could come back again. We got to meet I think 2 or 3 times again before their family had to move. Since her Dad was in jail, they had no income and so they were going to go live with her Grandparents… who she assured me, were good people that she could trust and be safe with. I was sad when I heard how soon they were going to have to move. I tried quickly to think of a gift for her that she would always have and would remember me by. As my girlfriend and I were tossing around some of those gift ideas, we finally thought that we should go to the store called BUILD A BEAR and make a bear for her and her sister ( who had been abused too, but wasn’t ready to talk about it ).

The day to go to BUILD A BEAR came, and we had so much fun picking out just the right bear for my dear friend and her sister. One of the options that they had there at the store was …if you wanted to you could buy a little voice recorder to be put into the bear. That was just what we needed, it was perfect. Well, we at least thought it was until we tried to say all the things we wanted to these girls, in just a couple of minutes. We went to the back of the store, because we had to keep re-recording our message because the beeper would go off before we finished. We both were crying when we tired to record how much we loved these girls; and as we told them how important they were. It seemed just as we were about to finish and tell them that we would always be there for them ….the beeper would go off again. It was funny but not really. We laughed each time we got beeped, and then we would cry every time we tried to share out thoughts with this young victims. We must have been there over an hour, when finally the manager came back and asked if there was anything we needed. I am sure she was a bit worried about us, if she had been watching us the whole time. As we explained our story to her, she got tears in her eyes and told us that she would like to give the bears to us, as part of her way of helping. I can’t remember if I sent her a thank you note or not, I hope I did. I still remember the kindness of that stranger. So Build a Bear has always had a special place in my heart. Years later when that girl was 18 years old, she sent me a Thank you letter. She told me her life was good and safe, and then she shared all the things she was planning for her future. She said that she loved herself now, for the first time in her life. She told me thanks again for the bear, and what that meant to her throughout the years.

Now you can imagine how excited I was when my son Lee came home a few weeks ago and told me that he had just got hired on at Build a Bear! I was thrilled. I am going to have to take Angie there and make a bear that we can give to someone in need this Christmas. She of course thinks about all the things she wants for Christmas but… she has always had that sweet spot in her heart for others who don’t have as much. I think that will be a great Christmas tradition to do with my Grandkids. Jenny is too young to understand but maybe by next year, she will be ready? I can hardly wait to go. Sorta glad that we don’t have to do the voice thing this time, I still think I would cry no matter what I said! I probably shouldn’t do that, it would really embarrass Lee in front of his co-workers!

I don’t have a photo of a Build a Bear but…my daughter Lauren has a teddy bear that she has had for years, and has photographed and made cards from them. So you can see Teddy Bears have a special place in our hearts around here for a long time! http://wwwlifeofteddy-lauren.blogspot.com/

"Age simply doesn't enter into it! The older the friend, the more he is valued, particularly when he shows so visibly the characteristics that we all look for in friends. You have only to look at a genuine teddy's face to see at once the loyalty, common sense, and above all, dependability behind it." ~Peter Bull

"Wake in the deepest dark of night and hear the driving rain. Reach out a hand and take a paw and go to sleep again." ~Charlotte Gray

"There's just something about a Teddy Bear that's impossible to explain. When you hold one in your arms, you get a feeling of love, comfort and security. It's almost supernatural." ~ James Ownby

"In a world where everyone seems to be larger and louder than yourself, it is very comforting to have a small, quiet companion." ~Peter Gray

Good and Bad Day

2011-11-20T00:24:00.001-08:00

It was a good day… because the sun was shining and you could see all the fall colors outdoors. It was a bad day… because my cold is heading down into my chest. Our whole family (including Amy, John and the girls ) have been battling something for a couple of weeks. There were a few days where I thought I was getting something and then I got better, then there were days like today where it is getting the better of me. So even though I didn’t go outside and enjoy the sun, I still loved looking out of the window. It was also a good day, because I realized that one of my radio stations is playing continual Christmas music now…that is a good day! It is also a good day because I purchased a clock from Hallmark that plays a Christmas song every hour. My family is going crazy that I have it but….obviously they just don’t have the spirit yet, give them about a week and they too will think my clock is the best. ( Plus, it was only $12.00 )

I think even though I get teased a lot for listening to Christmas music all year long, that it really does help me to count my blessings and to remember good things from my childhood. The bad things are just so easy to remember even though I try to forget them, but when I listen to Christmas music, I forget all those things and remember all the happy times we had as a family. I remember all the fun things for Christmas that we have done with our kids when they were little and all the fun they had with their cousins living close.

Yes say what you want, but Christmas music seems to help me be more grateful. Well, my clock just rang and so it is midnight, I need to head to bed. I am sure all of us have had bad and good days, but I will head to bed and hope that tomorrow will be a bit better.

Good night dear friends. P.S. There were 3 clocks to pick from, I got the Thomas Kinkaid one, what an artist!

“There are good and bad times, but our mood changes more often than our fortune.” ~Thomas Carlyle

“If it weren’t for sorrow and bad times, every day would be Christmas” ~ Lithuanian Proverb

Grateful

2011-11-18T00:32:00.001-08:00

Heard another beautiful song this week…the words are amazing, and soooooooooooooo true.

I too am grateful! Good night dear friends!

lyrics to the song Grateful :

(John Bucchino)
I've got a roof over my head
I've got a warm place to sleep
Some nights I lie awake counting gifts
Instead of counting sheep
I've got a heart that can hold love
I've got a mind that can think
There may be times when I lose the light
And let my spirits sink
But I can't stay depressed
When I remember how I'm blessed
Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am
Grateful, grateful
Truly blessed And duly grateful
In a city of strangers
I got a family of friends
No matter what rocks and brambles fill the way
I know that they will stay until the end
I feel a hand holding my hand
It's not a hand you can see
But on the road to the promised land
This hand will shepherd me
Through delight and despair
Holding tight and always there
Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am
Grateful, grateful
Truly blessed And duly grateful
It's not that I don't want a lot
Or hope for more, or dream of more
But giving thanks for what I've got
Makes me happier than keeping score
In a world that can bring pain
I will still take each chance
For I believe that whatever the terrain
Our feet can learn to dance
Whatever stone life may sling
We can moan or we can sing
Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am
Grateful, grateful
Truly blessed And duly grateful
Truly blessed And duly grateful

“You can always tell when something is going wrong in someone's life cause they stop being grateful for what they do have” ~ Unknown

“Never let a day pass without looking for the good, feeling the good within you, praising, appreciating, blessing and being grateful.” ~ Unknown

Most Children BELIEVE!

2011-11-16T21:56:00.001-08:00

I have always been taught that we need to be more like little children, in thought, deeds, beliefs, honesty and actions. I think it is because they are so innocent, plus pure and haven’t been filled with prejudices and selfish ideas yet. When I listen to my granddaughters pray, I am always amazed at the simplicity and yet straightforwardness of their prayers. They pray from everything from …thankful for the strawberries, leaves on the trees, Daddy to be safe at work, to help my sister not be mean to me any more… and share her dinosaurs with me, and on and on.
Yes, they pray from their heart, they believe from their heart, it is refreshing to listen to them.
When I read this story, I thought how sweet and true it is …that children do have great faith! It made me take a look at my own heart and how much faith I really have.
Hope you enjoy it. Good night dear friends!

A little child’s prayer!

(This is a story written by a doctor who worked in Africa.)
One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter.

We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive; as we had no incubator and we had no electricity to run an incubator. We also had no special feeding facilities.

Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.

Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). ' And it is our last hot water bottle!' she exclaimed. As in

the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.
'All right,' I said, 'put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm.'

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with many of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby.

I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During prayer time, one ten-year-old
girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children.

'Please, God' she prayed, 'Send us a hot water bottle today It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon..'
While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, ' And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?'
As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say ' A men?' I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there?
The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home.
Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!
Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the veranda was a large 22 pound parcel.

I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly Excitement was mounting.
Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly-colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked
a little bored.
Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.
Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the......could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle.
I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!'

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked, 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really
loves her?' 'Of course,' I replied!

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator.
And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child – five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it 'that afternoon.'
'Before they call, I will answer.' (Isaiah 65:24)

'” Little Johnny was softly saying his night prayers kneeling down, and his mother was beside him. "Say your prayers louder, darling, I can't hear you," Said Little Johnny's mother. "But I'm not talking to you" was the instant reply. “

“ A little boy's prayer: "Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we're gonna be in a big mess."

“ A five-year-old said grace at family dinner one night. "Dear God, thank you for these pancakes." When he concluded, his parents asked him why he thanked God for pancakes when they were having chicken. He smiled and said, "I thought I'd see if He was paying attention tonight."

Friends, Baby, plus Neighbors = Fun!

2011-11-15T23:45:00.001-08:00

Tonight as a neighborhood… we had a Baby Shower. It was for one of our new neighbors who moved here 7 months ago. They don’t have friends or family that lives near, soooooooooooo we decided that we should have a Neighborhood Baby Shower, to make sure they feel comfortable and welcome here. It is always amazing to me how much PEOPLE WHO CARE can do. We had 16 out of 19 ladies there, that was a wonderful turnout! It was nice for her, but also for all of us. Some of us are old timers in the neighborhood, but we have quite a few new and young families that have just moved in. I love all the diversity we have and yet, we had so much fun together tonight. Everyone wanted to make sure that our new neighbors knew us, and would feel comfortable calling us if ever they were in need.

I have always said, “it is good to get to know your neighbors, for one thing if there is a disaster…that is who you are going to be spending your time with. Plus, it just makes life more enjoyable to have so many wonderful neighbors around that you can call friends”.

So for this new little girl that will be coming soon, … she can rest assured, that there will be a lot of us waiting… just for her to arrive in the neighborhood!

Tonight, I am going to leave you with things you should know, from one of the greatest neighbors anyone could have…Mr. Rogers!

It was a very interesting article, and one that all of us could benefit from, if we were that type of a neighbor….http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5943

Learning from Life

24 Things to Always Remember!

This was great, and something that I need to remind myself of often! Good night dear friends!

24 Things to Always Remember…

Practicing Humility

I love this story, I do believe that it is true that success and humility go together!

Practice Humility

Motivational Stories can make a difference!

Tonight I found this place that has motivational stories, and this is what they say about these stories…

Smart Goals

Well, I am late getting to my blog tonight. I will leave you with another goal setting example. Since January is almost over, I thought I should get all the last minute resolution and goal setting ideas in that I can…especially for me.

SMART Goals

“this is my life. it is my one time to be me. i want to experience every good thing.” ~ Maya Angelou

The Abundant Life

Honesty is the best policy!

I loved this story, honesty is always the best policy. What a great reminder that through making right choices, we can actually change our destiny!

Good night dear friends!

Homeless man's decision to return $3,300 changed his life!

How to succeed!

Adversity

Unity in Parenting

The Importance of Unity in Teaching Children

Shield of Faith!

Kindness is Contagious

Last song

Need to remember!

True G.R.I.T.S.

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~ Elizabeth Stone

Suggestions to help make this the best New Year ever!

We will be best friends forever!

Service heals others, and yourself!

Yes service, you can’t do it, without helping yourself too!

I loved this poem about service. Enjoy and Good Night dear friends!

Bird With A Broken Wing

Tracey Brown

Love of a family

Love Comes Full Circle: The Importance of Family Love

Quilts connect you with people!

The Story of Quilts

It’s what’s in between that counts!

When you read this title tonight you might have thought I was talking about an Oreo cookies or something like that, but I was actually talking about LIFE! I found this quote today and thought how true that is…

"Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it's everything in between that makes it all worth living." ~Sandra Bullock in “Hope Floats”

When do children become your friends?

True Strength

Just stay POSITIVE!!!

Half Empty vs Half Full

What a gift!

A Priceless Gift

Courage

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me.” ~ Erma Bombeck

Birds of a feather!

Saying Goodbye and keeping my perspective!

Happy New Year!

How did I ever do this with 4 children?

Alice and the Cheshire Cat Dilemma

Felt like I was going back in time!

This is a quiz!

The Milkman Lesson

Merry Christmas!

Feeling our hearts with joy this Christmas!

We are going to need one more stocking!

O Holy Night!

Traditions!

I love this story!

Here is Christmas music at it’s best!

Thinking of Others first!

My red headed Gingerbreads!

What I’ve learned.

Gratitude!

Come back to the heart of Christmas!

Happy Holidays to my girls!

Compassion, Charity and the Cemetery!

A Small, Snow-Covered Tree

Great Date Night!

There are Christmas Angels everywhere…this time of the year!

Enjoy dear friends! Night!

Perfect Child …is there such a thing?

'Heaven and Angels Sing'

Holiday cheer

Traditions!

This was great, and something that I need to remind myself of often!
Good night dear friends!