Book title of the day

Once in awhile, while shelving books at the library, I find a gem of a title, one that makes me laugh out loud.  I'm not recommending the book, mind you.  I haven't read it.  Just saying that the title made my evening a little more fun, and I want to share.  Last night's find is brought to you from the Young Adult section of the library.  A book called, "The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things."  I'm laughing again.

My Carson

Today has been a great "mom moment" for me.  That thing I hope for... that my children will inherit my best traits, and model my best behaviors.  Although I do give my children many things, I've always tried not to fall into the "material things" trap.  Trying to teach them somehow that it truly is better to give than to receive.  It's not an easy one.  Carson, however, payed good attention, or was blessed with a seriously good talent for giving.  He has always loved to do for others, often sacrificing his own time and fun to do so. 

Today, he came up with the idea to donate to the Food and Care Coalition again.  This time, he wants to make it a bigger project.  I helped him type up some flyers and a list of their "current needs" from their website.  Together we delivered these flyers to six neighbors, all of whom were anxious to help.  After we gather the food and personal items from everyone, we plan to deliver them all to the Coalition on Jan. 19th.  He is sooo excited about this, with an understanding about how difficult Winter is for the Homeless and the needy in our community.  He is actually waiting in the other room right now, for me to hurry up and finish this blog, so that we can print out a few more flyers.  He has thought of more people to give them to.  It's cold outside, but he is giving no thought to that.  He's all warm inside with his service project:)  That's my boy!

New Year

The page has turned, the card turned over.  It's a new year, with new possibilities.  Time to go forward into it, with faith. 

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
 
                                                         ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Kind Souls

"I heart the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
   And wild and sweet
   The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

      from Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


Our holidays have been blessed with good-will and kind souls this year.  Our Christmas has been filled with unexpected surprises from those we know, and many we do not know.   We have had Secret Santas, help from good friends, gifts from co-workers, and the generosity of strangers.  Our children had a wonderful Christmas, and I have been reminded of the greatest gifts.  First, always. . . the birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I know that God's hand is in all things.  I also know that this world is filled (mostly) with good and kind people, who are willing to sacrifice and share with another.  Merry Christmas to all!  We love and appreciate you. 

I've noticed that I need to do something to prevent "red eye" on my camera.  However, these pictures (and the photographer) were probably affected by the fact that we were up at the crack of dawn, opening presents.  This is not an unusual occurence this time of year.

Thanks to my gift from my life-long friend (Katie), we were able to surprise Dakota with a gift he did not expect this year.  His favorite band is U2, and now he is going to see them!  I wish everyone could have been there to see his face when he opened the tickets.  Priceless!

Birthday and Christmas week

I need to backtrack a little bit, and mention that I had a fabulous birthday on the 20th.  I have been working lots of hours, due to the loss of Ray's job a few weeks ago.  I received generous and loving gifts from my close friends.  My co-workers brought food and gifts on Friday and on Monday.  Though I worked on my birthday, my cousin (Abby) brought balloons to me at the library.  I was able to slip out for a couple of hours in the evening, and my family took my out to eat.  It was a great day! 

While I was away, the mice have been playing at my house.  Without motherly intervention, they have been spending long hours in the cold, turning our stairs into a snow slide and making a huge snowman.  Oh well, it's Christmas:)  Here are some pics.

Saying good-bye to an old friend

This has been a day of mixed emotions.  The kids and I had planned to get up early, to deliver some excess food we had been given to the Food and Care Coalition.  Dakota was up first, no surprise there.  At a little after 7:00 a.m., he came running up the stairs and down the hall to my room.  He said, "Mom, get up.  The Tabernacle is burning!"  Soon, we were all up, staring at the news and the terrible scene from downtown.  A few minutes later, Dakota, Carson, Micah, and I drove to the donate our food.  We didn't plan to go and see the fire, but couldn't keep our eyes off the billowing smoke in the air.  Dakota said that we needed to go and see for ourselves, and say a last good-bye to a gorgeous old friend.  So, we did.  There was not a dry eye in our van as we looked at the gutted Tabernacle, still in flames.  I'm sure that none of us will forget it.  Truly a sad day for Provo, this loss of part of our history.

At 12:30, I went to work at the library, just down the street from the Tabernacle.  Everyone was so sad.  When I left work this late evening, there was still smoke filling the air.  Kudos to the Firefighters who have been trying to save this beloved building since 12:45 this morning, in freezing conditions.  Here are some pics.

Warmth

It is late evening now, the late evening of a challenging year.  Even so, there is our Christmas tree, decorated with ornaments with over 150 years of family memories.  There are the lights on our home, the home I smile at when I return each evening.  The home that shelters my adored family inside.  The warmth of knowing we are celebrating our Savior's birth, comforts and sustains me. The warmth of family, good friends, and kind strangers, keeps me thankful.