New Year 2016

It's the last few minutes of 2015.  She's been a good year for the most part.  I've spent the entire year with the man I love.  I am so grateful for my family and my loved ones. I hope the new year will bring more beautiful days to us, and to all of you!

Several days of Christmas!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . six more children.  You get the picture.  Our much larger family made this Christmas a long and joyous one, as we celebrated it several times to include everyone.  It was a wacky and wonderful time.  Can I now take a vacation from the vacation??

Dec. 19th

We drove to Ogden and visited and delivered gifts to Paul's family.  Older sister Jayne (who is just finishing Beauty School) cut Dakota and Carson's hair.  They loved that.

Dec. 24th (Christmas Eve)

It started to snow . . .

We baked lots of Christmas sugar cookies, frosted, and delivered them.

Dec. 25th (Christmas Day)
Round 1

It snowed about 10 inches.  Such a lovely white Christmas to wake up to (at 6:00 in the morning).

Dec. 26th
Round 2

Add two kids, and go for another Christmas celebration . . .

Goofballs!  Stripper pole at McDonald's.  It was only breakfast time.

And we made lots and lots more cookies and frosted them.  We ate more snacks and sugar.  More stockings and gifts for Brianna and Preston.                                                                                   

Snowball fight in the park just before dark.                                                                                          

           

                       

Dec. 27th
Round 3

Add two more kids, more food, and a "Pie Face" game . . . Jayne really loved watching us all get whip cream in our faces!

End of the evening . . . two exhausted parents and a worn out doggy.

It sure was a great time though.  We love our kids.

Christmas Day 2015

It's finally Christmas, and we have had a relaxing one.  Well, besides the fact that we were up at 6:00 a.m. You would think that my children would sleep in by now, but such is life.  They still have the same excitement they did as little kids.  I'm sure I had nothing to do with that.  Ha ha.  We have talked with and been visited by family members and friends.  It's a wonderful and grateful time.  Peace to all!

My Birthday and Star Wars (no spoilers)

I always think about certain things on my birthday.  Lots of memories, and hopes for the future.  I think of my parents, of course.  I wonder what my mom felt like when she was my age.  What types of things she was doing.  She had a 7 year old little girl, when she was my age.

Paul and my boys are spoiling me today with gifts and cake and all the usual things.  We also went to see "The Force Awakens" at the Megaplex this afternoon, courtesy of a gift certificate from my friend Katie.  I loved the film so much.  We all did.  I felt like I was a little kid again, watching the original movies at the theater with my parents.  In fact, I think this movie was closer to the awe inspired by "Star Wars,"" The Empire Strikes Back," and "Return of the Jedi" than the other three films were.  I looked over at Micah during the movie and saw the big eyed, concentrated look that I must have had seeing those films at that age. It was touching, and I may or may not have teared up a bit. Okay, I cried.  There you go.

Flowers of two kinds

Paul has been teaching the boys how to make jewelry.  Carson has been learning to do glass enameling. He made this flower pin for his special friend for Christmas.  Not girlfriend, because he is not old enough for that, but very good friend.  It turned out so beautiful, I had to share.

On another flower subject, my cousin Joan said she was bringing a plant to me.  Does this look like a plant?  Nope, I came home to this beautiful bouquet. I love flowers and it really made my day.

Inspired

Sometimes I am in awe of a simple view of the Christmas tree at the mall.  Sometimes I come home and read a great poet.  Tonight's poet was Rumi.  He seemed to be all inclusive of everyone and their beliefs, as he wrote about his love for God.  It is said that at his funeral, there were people from all different religions in attendance.  I feel like sharing a poem.

One Being Inside All

Lovers, it is time
for the taste of fire.

Let sadness and your fears of death
sit in the corner and sulk.

The sky itself reels with love.
There is one being inside
all of us, one peace.

Poet, let every word tremble its wind bell.
Saddle the horse with great anticipation.

Flute notes are calling us into friendship.
Begin again. Play the melody
all the way through this time.

Sun-presence floods over.
Quietness is an empty cup.

Accept that you
must hide your secret.

- Rumi

Almost Christmas!

 I changed the design of my blog for a wee bit of Holiday fun.  It's my favorite time of year, and I've made some changes in my social media habits.  They are not easy ones.  Paul and I had a discussion about how much time people spend on their phones (including us) and how much it takes away from other things in life.  I've also thought personally about all the writing and reading and crafting I could do with that time.  Most of all, I want to spend time with my family, and never make them think that my stupid phone is more important than they are.  I am sure that no one ever said, at the end of their life, "I wish I had devoted more time to my phone and computer."  No.  No one ever!  Sooo . . . in that spirit, I am taking an extended break from Facebook.  We are also pretty much turning off our phones on weekends.  I hope these things give us more time to do the things we love, and keep us from turning into Borgs.

Our house is all decorated for Christmas.  We have outdoor and indoor lights, even two Christmas trees this year.  So, bring on the baking and the music and all things festive!  I am ready for the holidays.  Here are a couple of Christmas past pics.

Tidbits about us

Here is the gossip from us . . .

I have let my hair grow long.  The longest it's been in years.  And I did it for a man!  *snort*

Carson is wearing two new pieces of man jewelry.  Both of them were gifts, from separate girls.

We received a tip from a Patron in the book drop at the library.  We had better not spend it all in one place.  He ha.

I continue to be fascinated and take photos of the sky.  I can't get over the beauty of it, such constant and mesmerizing changes.

Sunrise

                                                                            Sunset

Birthday pics

Micah's big 13th!

Love this boy!

Micah's 13th Birthday

Micah turned 13 years old today.  We celebrated by cooking one of his favorite dinners (beef roast and vegies in the crock pot).  Then we had cake and ice cream and opened presents.  He chose to play "Risk" and then watch a movie.  It was a fun day, and I am so proud of him.  I will post pics soon.

In the blink of an eye

In the blink of an eye, they say, children grow up.  Yes, I know I sound like my parents saying that, but it's a true statement.  My youngest son Micah will be a teenager in a couple of days.  Where has the time gone?   I am trying to process this before the clock ticks off another year of his growing up days.

Micah is my little wise Yoda, huggy, happy boy.  He has always been that way, since the day he was born. Somehow in the miracle of genetic make-up, he missed all of his parents flaws, and kept what is best about both of us.  I love this boy dearly, and will try hard not to shed a tear on his big day.  These are the best days!

Halloween time

Pumpkins and pumpkin seeds.

Carson carved the name of the girl he likes on his pumpkin this year.  I am so not ready for this.

Micah made another "Jack" face, which showed up so awesome in the dark.

 We visited our traditional "Pumpkinland."

Carson and Micah had fun with friends at our annual neighborhood get together.                                        

There was no need for ghouls and ghosts at our house this year.  The scariest part was the German soldiers handing out candy to the little Trick or Treaters at the front door.  Ha ha.

 Happy Halloween!