Another of lifes lessons

Scripture to Ponder
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. [Proverbs 17:28]

Thanks to a wonderful example of love and understanding I am trying to do just this.

Rock Band

A few days before Christmas I still hadn't found "the gift" for Varce. I try to really surprise him each year, and this year I was struggling. Then my visiting teachers came, and with their wisdom they helped me..... and I got so excited.



It has always been a dream of Varce's to have a drum set. Well, this year he got one.... so the last few days before Christmas I kept telling him "I have found the best gift for you, and I am so excited to give it to you."



His response was "You got me drums!!!". I had to think fast and not let my face give it away. But I have to admit I was stunned that he would guess that. (How did he know?) He is just a good tease and this time he was a good guesser.



Anyway, enjoy the photos of Christmas day with "His drums".

Now the drums are moved to a room upstairs, where he can close the door and play all he wants. And when no one is home, I can go and sing all I want!

My visiting teachers are the best!

One week into 2009

Resolve to Keep Resolutions by LDS Living Staff Tuesday, January 06, 2009

The fear of failing (again) to not reach our goals is the only thing that holds us from making them. But, as former Relief Society General President Barbara B. Smith put best, goals are stars to steer by, not sticks to beat yourself with. Here are some tips for effective steering:

1. Set realistic goals. It is easier to set a goal than execute one. Start small, and once you achieve your goal, you can extend it by adding another level.

2. Share goals with your spouse or a close friend and help each other follow through with your resolutions. Set a schedule for checking in and reporting your progress with each other. This will help you stay motivated and give you something fun to do with your friend!

3. Make a short list of resolutions. You’ll be overwhelmed enough with one resolution; you won’t need twenty to keep you busy. Sometimes people set numerous goals, hoping to achieve at least one of them. Instead, they usually put a little effort into all of them and don’t achieve any. Set one or two realistic goals, and follow through with them.

4. Even if you don’t completely reach your goal, recognize the progress that you have made in working toward it. Feel proud of yourself for your accomplishment, and reward yourself accordingly!

On paper it seems so easy..... just getting from lunch to dinner is really really really hard!

New Years Resolution

"Regardless of your present age, you are building your life; it will be cheap and shoddy or it will be valuable and beautiful; it will be full of joy and happiness, or it can be full of misery. It all depends upon you and your attitudes, for your altitude, or the height you climb is dependent upon your attitude or your response to situations" (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 161).

Mesa Temple Lights

Tyia and Kattie

Nemo, Kattie, Madison

Kattie and Rich

Poppy and Nana

Jeff and Nikki

Although it was a cold night, we had a wonderful time, seeing the lights, hearing the story from Luke 2, drinking hot chocolate, and listening the the concert. Some were freezing and we found blankets under the seat in our truck to help the Arizonaites who had forgotten what cold desert temps were like. The spirit on the temple grounds is always so strong, and we loved taking the time to remember the story of Christmas.

Christmas Eve

I enjoyed all of my family being together for Christmas! If we didn't do anything it would have been ok, .......but we DID DO things.

We have a tradition of playing darts & we are a very competitive. I always buy about 30 small gifts, but things people would trade for. I usually take a part one of the Cost Co Bath Sets and wrap each individually. I get golf balls, pocket knives, watches, that sort of thing for the men, and I always something the grandkids would want. This year it was hand held games of Solitaire and Trivial Pursuit. So there is plenty to choose from. Oliver won the grand prize, a decorative serving bowl....very pretty.

Then we gathered around the table and enjoyed a Prime Rib dinner. It was fabulous. I was a little nervous to cook it, but it turned out so good. And of course we had the baked potatoes, Pistachio salad, green been casserole, rolls, and all the side trimmings. Dessert was pumpkin pie, or apple pie.

Then we cleared off the table and got the dishes done, and gathered around the tree and exchanged gifts. I am so grateful for my children. You are the best. Always so appreciative for each gift. You take the time to recognize the gift wrapping done with care and pretty bows. You are thoughtful when you get things for each other. A lot of thought goes into the gifts. I am so happy as your mom to watch you all enjoy each other, laugh, and tease, and love one another. The highlight was opening the package from Liz. We each got slippers, towels, & scrubbies. She couldn't let the box not be full so she included more wonderful hand made gifts for us. Everyone was anxious as the box was opened and the names read on each card for every person. How thoughtful you are Liz to do that for me and my family. A million thanks from each one of us.

Then more games and more snacks to finish off the evening. Oliver gave Nikki a game called "Things", or something like that. It was so much fun. We all laughed our makeup off and could hardly breathe we were laughing so hard.

Varce had to settle us all down to gather around the tree and read to us from Luke 2 the birth of Jesus Christ. And that is the greatest gift for us all from our Father in Heaven.

Then the Ritters headed for home, and the rest of us went to bed, with visions of sugar canes dancing in our head.

Hi Lappy

My laptop died before Thanksgiving..... hence, I have not been online for what seems like forever. Kattie and Rich are hardware brain surgeons and they brought my lappy back to life. I love you Kattie and Rich!!!!! They put in aboaut 11 hours fixing my dear lappy. Then, they had the wisdom to FedX it to me. I got it yesterday. At first we thought that was a waste of money because Kate would be here one day later..... but she would be carrying Christmas gifts in her luggage and knew that she didn't need anymore "stuff" to worry about. So, it came yesterday. Now tonight I was SUPPOSED to get her at the airport at 11: 00 pm. However, if any one has seen the weather reports in Portland, Oregon you know we will be lucky if she is here by Thursday!! The airport is closed, and all flights are cancelled until further notice. Even the police were sent home. Stores are closed and employees were sent home. So she is there, enjoying the beautiful snow storm. And may be a white Christmas with Rich and his family. And not with us... bummer.

You can google Portland Oregon web cams and see the weather video on the TV stations there. It is marvelous....

You can also see Idaho Falls web cams.... it is 3 degrees there this afternoon....!!