Catching Up

This month has seemed to fly by and I was thinking how funny it is that years ago we locked up our diaries and never let anyone read them.  Now we blog about our lives and the entire world can read about what is happening in our lives.  Strange, and yet I enjoy following so many of your blogs.  I only hope someone is reading mine.  Here are some of the highlights of our month.  In no particular order...

 Santa stopped by our family party.  This is truly the real Santa.  He knows all about our family and we look forward to seeing him every year.  

 Never too old to sit on Santa's lap.  Asking for a new hat, that's easy!

 Caleb's turn, all he wants is a laptop...we will see about that one.  Hope Santa delivers.

 Due to bad weather we stayed in Bountiful for Christmas eve and went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

It did not disappoint.

 Stetson had a little mishap with slick roads and a curb.  Nothing a few $$$ can't fix.  Bummer!  It's been nice having him hang around home more however.  So, I'm not complaining.

 Coming out of a yummy dinner at the Blue Lemon.  Didn't make it to see the lights this year at Temple Square so here's a few pics I took on the way to the concert.

 Walking back to the car parked in the plaza at the Church Office Building we had the entire plaza to our selves.  Love this temple so much.

Brett returned home from the Australia Brisbane Mission.  Next one to return is Bridger...Hooray!!!

Highlight of my month was seeing Donny & Marie's Christmas Concert.  It was awesome.  I have always been a huge Donny fan, and now even more.  I am hoping to plan a trip to see him again in Vegas.  It was so FABULOUS!  I bought the ticket for myself, but thanks to my good friend Eileen, she let me tag-along with her girls so I didn't have to go alone.  I really didn't mind sitting alone and I would do it again in a heart beat.  I know he looks a little stiff in this photo, but I'm sure he was exhausted after such an amazing show.  You might say it's Puppy Love, but whatever it is, he is still wonderful!

Biggest Loser Round 10 & Happy Anniversary 23 Years

I have hosted 10 Rounds of the Biggest Loser.  This round I came in 7th place and took home $50 with an additional $25 for exercising at least 3x each week.  Every week you did your name was put in drawing and then I had Caleb draw this morning.  I was lucky enough to win, which I felt guilty about, but to be honest I have been getting up at 4:50 every weekday morning and heading to Four Pillar Fitness for a workout.  This round was great.  Another one is starting January 05, 2013, I am hoping to get to goal this one.  Round 11, it's the round to finish this.

Yesterday we celebrated  our 23rd Anniversary.  I am so blessed to have found the one who makes me happy.  Hard to believe it's been 23 years.  Seems like only yesterday and wow, we look so young, and thin.  But, does anyone really look like they did when they get married.  Wouldn't want to share this life and eternity with anyone else.  I thought everyone was as fortunate as I was, and then found out we are very blessed to have each other.  Here's to many, many more, plus eternity.

Festival of Trees & Music and the Spoken Word

This has been a wonderful month.  For the past several years I have had the opportunity to volunteer in the Kids Korner at Festival of Trees.  I love it.  I have always been able to be in the area where I polish the nails.  It is so much fun.  This year I was able to go with my good friend Tammy Nielsen and it is so much more enjoyable to have someone go with you.  She and I were able to go and walk around and look at a couple of trees.  One of my particular favorites was the tree titled, Eternal Ties.  It was done in memory of the two missionaries that were killed in a bicycle accident in Texas.  It touched me so much and was hard to be able to even read the short tribute written in their honor.  I think it hits so close to home with having my own out their serving.  With every ounce of faith you send them and know they will return.  This time they did not and the moms put together this display with ties from all the missionaries serving in that mission.  This is such a place of tears, both happy and sad.  I love being able to give just a little bit for such a wonderful cause.  It is place that is very dear to my heart and I look forward to now having a friend with me.

Eternal Ties, my particular favorite.

Thank you again for going with me Tammy, this will be a fun tradition to do together from now on

Music and the Spoken Word is held every Sunday in the Tabernacle.  In December the CC is decorated for the holidays and they do a three day concert.  It is always amazing and tickets are quite the hot item.  It is hard to get one.  This year Wayne was responsible for the ward breakfast food, etc and I got a call offering me two tickets for Friday night.  With so much to do for the breakfast I didn't feel like I could enjoy the concert so I told her to go ahead and give them away.  On Saturday night our good friends the Bervens called to ask if I would like to go with them on Sunday as they had an extra ticket.  It was a Christmas Miracle.  I jumped at the chance and loved it so much.  It is amazing to think that each year you think they just couldn't possibly do better than the year before.  This just may have been my favorite.  Thank you so much Lynette for thinking of me.  It truly was/is the highlight of my season this year.

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 So blessed to have such wonderful friends who share their extra tickets. I am truly grateful.

It is such a beautiful and magical place, and the spirit is so strong there.  Loved it.

A Tender Mercy & It Really Happened

Well it happened.  These two have been made companions.  Those who follow our blog or even perhaps his will know this is truly a tender mercy of a loving Heavenly Father.  Here's the story if you are new to our lives journey.  Bridger and Josh, a.k.a. Elder Peterson were roommates in the MTC.  They are as close to being brothers as two could ever be.  We have become great friends with his family whom we love.  They are both the oldest of three boys and love big watches, sunglasses, hunting, etc., etc., etc.  So, you can see what we mean.  They are awesome missionaries, with a love of the people of Honduras.  So, go get em' Elders.  The newest Dynamic Duo has hit the city of San Pedro Sula Centro.  Thank you for hearing and answering the prayers of two mothers who had hoped this would happen.  Work hard Elders!!!  We love you both so much!!!

Time Marches On...

Well, from the previous post you can see how disappointed all of us who had such hopes for a new change did not get the outcome we wanted.  However, after thinking about what transpired, makes me really think that maybe this is exactly how it is supposed to be.  I'm not sure the world is ready for Mitt Romney and the things he was hoping to change.  If we read in the scriptures we still have lots to go through and perhaps this is to let us know we need to be prepared for what lies ahead.

Life is good.  We have our family and the things that we have been taught.  All we can do is be strong in what we believe, be good people, serve others and pray for America.  It may be a bumpy ride, but with faith, hope and a few miracles it will all work out.

Here's the latest picture of Elder Clayton and the baptism of Fernando.  He is loving his mission and I can see that it is speeding up all too quickly for him.  I love watching the changes in him and he has become a man that we are so proud of.  Thanks so much for all the prayers in his behalf.  They are felt and appreciated.

A Most Anticipated Week Ahead

This is the week.  Election 2012.  Holy Cow, I'm so excited for the mudslinging to end, especially the Mia Love/Jim Matheson campaign.  And, I can't even vote on that one.  Most importantly what will happen with the President on Tuesday.  I have purposely not put my opinion on Facebook, or my blog to be quite honest because I have several friends who have a different opinion than my own, and that's fine.  However, I loved this post from someone.  Mitt  Romney is a good guy.  He could easily sit back and live the rest of his life with his family and wife and be happy, extremely happy.  However, he wants what's best for his family and America.  Why wouldn't we want a man with integrity to run a country that is headed in a not so great future at the present time.  I so hope he wins.  I'm sure there are many who don't think he is the best choice, but he is for this race.  Please get out and vote, it is for the future of our country and nation.  But, to be perfectly honest it scares me to think where we are headed for my children and grandchildren.  We all will be watching on Tuesday to see just where it ends.  Do your homework and vote for whomever you feel will be best for you, your family, your future family and most of all America. (and besides, let's be honest, he looks like a president already)

Our Friends the Peterson's

One of the choicest blessings of Bridger's service as a missionary has been the Peterson Family.  We try to go to dinner with them at least every 6-8 weeks and this has made the time go by somewhat a little faster.  We are so excited to meet the son they sent to meet ours.  We love them and feel like we have known them forever.

We went to dinner this time at Good Wood BBQ, yummy!!!  Already talking about the next time.  The boys think it should be more often.

Bonus Email from my Missionary

I love Mondays when we get to hear from Bridger and see how his week has gone.  This week's email was  a little rough as he had to break up a confrontation between two missionaries and his description was quite descriptive it also stated how sometimes he misses the spirit of being a missionary when he has to take care of the business side of things.  I read his email at lunch and then figured it would be another week until hearing from him, oh how wrong I was.  After work I looked at my email to find a bonus one that came through.  Sometimes, it's strange how it takes a long time for some of them to come through, this one was worth the wait for sure.

The ironic part of this was on Sunday my neighbor had given me a book to read called, Mommy do I have to go on a Mission.  It's a touching story about a young boy, who grows up and knows he will miss his mom, and wonders if she will miss him, too.  But, at the end realizes how sad he is to leave the people he has grown to love and it's a tear jerker to say the least.  Then this bonus email.  Truly a tender mercy from a loving Heavenly Father who knows and understands how hard it has been to send our boy out into the mission field.  Knowing just how much he will be missed, but realizes how much he is going to grow too.  Thank you so much Bridger for touching my heart, and making me remember that all I ever wanted to be was a mom, and this is why.  Enjoy...

I am such a lucky mom...three times!!!

General Conference & the Peterson's

There are many reasons why I love the Fall.  This weekend was awesome.  Nothing much on my agenda which doesn't usually happen and I was able to just try and catch up on much needed home time.  Bonus was it was also General Conference.  I have always enjoyed GC.  After working for the church for so many years and working so many conferences.  It is so wonderful to be able to just to sit back and listen to our beloved prophet President Thomas S. Monson and get some words of wisdom from him as well as the other apostles and general officers of the church.  I particularly enjoy knowing that at the exact same time Bridger is watching and hearing the same messages.  On Saturday we drove up to Coalville to retrieve the trailer from Wayne's hunting adventures with his dad.  We were able to drive and enjoy the messages shared while taking in all the beauty of the season.  I was touched to think again how much our Father in Heaven loves us to create such a beautiful world to enjoy.  The biggest news of the conference was of course that worthy young men can serve missions at the age of 18.  Aaagghhh!  That means Stetson could leave as soon as he wishes.  I do think it will be a matter of thought and prayer.  But, in my heart I'm almost certain he will wait until his brother comes home which means he can get two semesters of school in, too.  The Lord truly knows what is best and I can sure see the wisdom in this modern day revelation.  I just don't know if I was ready to think he could go so soon. With every passing day I know Bridger gets closer to returning and yet Stetson's departure gets closer too.  It is at this time that I know that the gospel is true.  I could not send these boys if I did not know it with all my heart.  I just was not ready for such an announcement.

The messages are always so clear.  I always try and have a favorite talk.  I think due to driving and listening with no other distractions the talk that I loved was President Uchtdorf's talk about being too busy.  And remembering to find Joy in the Journey.  That is going to be what I work on.  As well as Sister Burton's talk of:  observe then serve.  Two things I am going to try and do better at.  Now I look forward to receiving the written copies of the Ensign to further study what I heard and try and implement these messages into my life.

 The amazing conference center.

 The First Presidency.  Truly men of God.

One of the most choicest blessings of Bridger's service as a missionary is the friendship we have formed with his roommate from the MTC, the Peterson's we love them.  We try and get together about ever 6-8 weeks and catch up on our boys adventures in Honduras.  I truly can not wait to meet this cute boy of hers.  It has turned out to be such a wonderful thing and we celebrate their accomplishments and time served together.  We just have to figure out how to not have them have their welcome home addresses the same week.  In fact, we are hoping we will be at the airport together.  Thank you Peterson family for being our missionary friends, we love you!!!

 Mom's brought together by their son's service in Honduras.  I'm sure we knew each other in heaven.

Caleb and Zoie enjoying the patio as I am typing my weekly email to Bridger.  I'm going to miss this because it's almost too cold to sit out there anymore.  

The Dirty Dash

One night when we were all together, my sister mentioned all of us doing what has been called, "The Dirty Dash."  I have heard about it, but not really sure what it was all about.  Well, yesterday I found out.  Me, my nephew Brandon, my sister Kim, nieces Alex & Breann, Alex's friend Annalise and 1000's of others met up at Soldier Hollow in Midway UT to run the DD.  Holy Cow!  We ran through mud puddles? more like lakes, that was about midchest deep, over hay bales, over fences, wagon wheels, uphill, down a huge slip n' slide and more mud.  There wasn't really much that wasn't covered in mud, and then ICE COLD showers.  I think that was the worst part.  I may be too old for this, but sometimes I forget that.  It was so much fun.  We laughed, fell, slipped and ran to the finish.  I'm seriously considering doing it again next year.  By then I'll have forgotten how sore I was by the end.  Good times...

 This is our group before

Midway point, still showing more white than we probably should...

It really was hard, but lots of fun, too.

 It

 Annalise, me & Alex at the finish

Many miles have been walked in these shoes, now they are in the trash.
This was after the shower, too

Another Beautiful Temple & Families Are Forever

It's always a wonderful thing when a temple is ready to be dedicated and all are invited to attend and see the inside, and walk through every room.  The Brigham City Temple is beautiful.  We especially loved the way they put in so many elements of peaches inside in the art work, the beautiful stain glass windows that are peach blossoms and even the carpet has blossoms cut into it in the gorgeous Celestial Room.  We went during the day and so we walked right in and as the missionaries introduced themselves the sweet sister was from San Pedro Sula Honduras.  Another witness of a tender mercy to let us feel as if a part of Bridger was with us.  We then went to lunch at Maddox which was an hour wait.  It is totally worth it, and no one seemed to mind.  Oh my the fresh peach pie...delish!  I will definitely have to work harder in the morning to work off this meal...oh well.

It was the perfect day.  Love spending time with the boys.  And a wonderful time to think and remember the blessings and promises in the temple.  Families are Forever and it all begins in the House of the Lord.

Waiting patiently for them to call our name.  Thank heavens we have an IPhone to entertain.  Phase 10 is a great way to pass the time.  

Paydays & Remembering 9-11-01

 He posed, just like Bridger did in pics he has shown Elder Johnson

 Ready to ride...

 This is the Honduras jersey he sent for Stetson.  And the sunset is amazing!

Yesterday was a wonderful day.  My dad calls them paydays.  Here's why.  I love Mondays  Emails from our missionary are always so welcome.  It always fills my cup if you will to know that he is safe, well and happy.  This particular day was a bonus.  Bridger's last companion is from California but will be attending school here at LDS Business College.  So, Bridger sent his phone number and I called him yesterday.  He was as excited to see us as we were him.  He knew all about each of us and called everyone by name.  We already feel like he is part of our family.  Funny thing Bridger told him about Zoie, and especially the scooter.  So, we took a few pics with him on the scooter and he took it for a ride.  He also came bearing gifts, letters from our boy, a jersey for Stetson, wallet for Caleb a sweet knife for his dad and a bracelet made from coconut shells for me.  I truly felt like we witnessed another tender mercy of a loving Father in Heaven that has assured me how happy he is as he is serving.  Elder Johnson told us how much he loves Bridger and what an awesome missionary he is and how he can't wait for him to return.  I totally agree.  Welcome to the family Elder Jake Johnson, you already feel like one of our own.

Then also how can we ever forget where we were when the tragedies of 9-11-01 happened.  I remember watching the Today show and seeing the 2nd tower hit.  Wayne was in Chicago and doing work in the temple and had not seen what was going on.  As I was talking to him, more news was coming in.  I remember dropping to my knees and praying.  That is all I knew how to do.  That all these people who were affected by these terrible things would be protected and held in His arms.  What a different world we now live in.  So many things have happened and changed.  Each September 11th flags are placed to remind us of the sacrifices of so many who make us safe and who very innocently left their homes to go to a regular day at work, or wherever only to never be "normal" again.  I know I view things much differently now, too.  I was the driver today as Caleb and Wayne put up the flags on their route.  I was touched that Caleb didn't even say one compliant as he diligently went out and did his duty.  I think the events of that day have touched and affected all of our lives.  May we never forget...