We are Christmasy!

We had our mini holiday decorating day immediately after Thanksgiving.  We have two trees and everything else we could find to put up.  I love this time of year.

When we looked at our photos, we found that the shadows of our tree on the house, combined with the color of the lights around the door, made our entryway look sort of . . . haunted.

Merry Christmas time everyone!

Mother's bracelet

My boss did some agricultural work for a farmer recently.  The man gave him a gift certificate in return for his work, for jewelry made with pearls and silver. No one in his family were interested in the jewelry, so he offered the gift certificate to me.  I happily accepted and ordered this "mother's bracelet" with natural pearls colored the birthstone colors of each of my three boys.  When it came in the mail, I was so thrilled with the quality and beauty.  I really love it.       

Halloween pic

Well, here we are at work on Halloween.  Miss Frizzle (our director, Dean Miner) and her class.  He said I looked very much at home with those piggy tails.  Ha ha.

WW2 Memorial

We watched TV in our living room, about protests around the country.  At the same time, a group of emotional teenagers stood together at the nation's WW2 Memorial, recalling those in their family, and others, who served.  I am sure this will be a Veteran's Day weekend that they will never forget.                               

Our Nation's Capitol

Carson and his friends had some time to do some sightseeing in Washington DC today, before they began classes and work.  I received these photos.  It looks like a sunny day there.

Skyward to Washington DC

Carson is headed into the "wild blue yonder" today and on his way to Washington DC.

He has struggled through a year he wouldn't want to do again.  To say things have been challenging for him would be a huge understatement.  However, a few months ago, he joined the Utah County 4H Teen Council.  He wants to learn to achieve goals and to help others, as well. Last month, he was called to serve as a "S.T.E.M. Ambassador," and attended Teen Leadership Training at USU. Today, he is on his way to the "National Maker Summit" in Washington DC, along with four other teens from the county and their chaperones.  He will have the opportunity to see a lot of history, learn many new skills, meet teens from all over the U.S., and use his great mechanical skills.  I sooo hope that it will be a wonderful experience for him.  I am already proud of his determined spirit.  Love you, Carson!

Little mama pains

Tomorrow is Micah's 14th Birthday.  My baby boy.  The youngest.  The last.

I am so happy to be celebrating another year of his life, looking forward to the cake and the fun. However, in the truest part of my heart, I feel a little break.  When people told me that these years are fleeting, I was up to my ears in diapers and praying for little ones to lay down for a nap.  I couldn't see it not going on forever.  This us.  Me and my boys.  Today, I feel that time is going by.  Dakota is grown up.  Carson is nearly grown up.  Now . . . Micah too.  He will be in high school next year.  I love him so.  He is my huggy lovey guy.  His mind is always on others and how he can make things better for them.

Yes, I feel like celebrating.  I do love birthdays.  Still, I also feel like I want to cry, just a little.