LUX AETERNA

We are passengers on this spinning orb. We North Americans begin a rapid tilt away from the sun on June 21st of each year. Along about October, nature tries her best to perk us up with bright gold and yellow leaves but cold soon blows their weakened hold leaving bleak bareness. By mid-December try as it might, sun's rays are weak and short lived and we shiver through dim days. In some bygone century, it evolved that we would celebrate Christ's birth amidst this darkest solstice time. So it happens that we modern North Americans are drawn in from the dark and cold to bask in His light and love--a light that never dims, a love that never fades; eternal in its expanse, brilliant in its warmth! "The Light, the Life, and the Hope of the world!" Merry Christmas ALL!

. . . . try try again

We have an appointment Thursday 10:30 at the title company. That day happens to be our 30th anniversary. I hope, I hope, I hope. Tomorrow happens to be Tuesday, two days before closing again just like in April, Tuesday, two days before closing (that irony will not be lost on most who are close to me). I went to a funeral last Friday of a dear elderly ward member and was chatting with my good friends the Neiders. We talked about trials, their purpose, their protracted length, their seeming to never end. They know all about trials. Kory said, "after all, this is 'school' and if we got to the end without learning all we were supposed to, we would probably feel left out." I've pondered all weekend that comment. We really would feel cheated if we got to the end and had never been called upon to endure. So we embrace the trial as fiercly as we hate it. We would never knowlingly choose our trials in our human state of mind. Sometimes we just get tired and neither embrace nor hate them, just rest, regroup and hang on. Each trial WILL eventually end one way or another and then we are ready to move on to the next 'class', better prepared for what's ahead . . . hoping for a little 'nap' in between.

GRANDMA GOT TO BABYSIT!!!

Caleb is actually able to sit up on his own as of yesterday. Still a little tipsy but almost there. I didn't take any pictures while tending him last night because I was so busy just holding and cuddling with him. This was taken last week when they came over to watch the ill-fated BYU-TCU game - see the sad look on his face. His dad has already made him into a major football fan!!!

Come on in folks . . . . .

One year ago, today . . . .moving day. I can hardly believe it. A year . . . . and what a year! So I will write my thoughts and tiptoe around the giant elephant in the room. You know the one big thing standing there representing the fact that we have ANOTHER house that is STILL on the market after having caught on fire and blah blah blah. I'm going to just leave that and talk about our NEW house and our NEW ward and our NEW life. This house has 6 bedrooms which accommodated the 6 of us very well on October 27, 2007. Ken and I, Lindsay, J, Mark and Spencer (oh don't let me forget Spade) all had plenty of room and privacy in this house. There is even a built-in dog kennel out back. Little did we know that Cody and Lindsay would get married in April and Mark and Spencer would move out in July. Now Ken, J and I each have TWO bedrooms! Just Kidding. We now will have an exercise room, craft room, guest room etc. We love the space when all the kids come home for Sunday dinners. We are just a little short on furniture but will remedy that . . . . uh . . . . whenever.

We have been truly blessed in so many ways. Our ward is great. It's been a wonderful place for me to heal and adjust. The sisters here and pure and kind. I feel very lucky because I also see my longtime friends from Sandy once or twice a month and they are the BEST. Of course my mainstay is being able to work with my sister Juli every day. We have our own separate bad days . . . I kid you not . . .it always works that way and we bear each other up. Anyway I am so glad tonight that I am not surrounded by boxes and faced with the drudgery of moving in. We are here and hope to be here to stay for a good long time. I went around and took a few AFTER photos of some of the little things we've done around the house and yard. Ken will beg to differ about the word little - - he has busted his tail in the yard and since funds are a bit low, most of it has been just plain old hard work. So grateful for him and all he has done.

Before: Master Bath.
After: RED bathroom - - - Ami I need some sheers like yours above that tub window.
Before: J's "cute" pink room - - no after photo of the nice brown and tan room we made it - - sorry J it was a tad messy when I was taking pics yesterday - - -She's been busy guys!!!!
Before: Nice bedroom - - a little colorless for Lindsay.
After (once removed) - -this was Lindsay's statement - she loved it so much, we painted her and Cody's room that same color. See the bed - - it's a guest bed - hint hint - we welcome Spokane visitors.
Before: That fireplace wall just begged for some color - - I am not a decorator AT ALL - just heard that fireplace wall begging.
After: Just had to have a brown wall of some sort - - -you all might remember I fell off that ledge where the big brown jar is, scraped my shin a good one. All better now.
Before: Giant cottonwood trees - the shade looks nice but you should've seen the roots growing every which way in the lawn - - messy, messy, messy.
After: Cottonwoods gone - purple smoke trees - - - grass greener - lots of weeds gone.
Before: Lots of big aspen trees and their little babies growing in the lawn.

After: Aspen forest gone, replaced by little maple tree!

Check this Out.

Okay I am hooked on this blog. This girl is an amazing writer, very real and open with her life. She should write a book for sure. Here is the link.
http://10019musings.blogspot.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDSAY GIRL

Well Lindsay started her birthday off with a BANG today. Here's the story: She was over at the house on Sunday for the big family birthday party dinner. We were just hanging out after eating when we heard a big crash. Lindsay had tumbled down quite a few stairs. She was shaken up a bit and it was apparent she was going to be sore. Sure enough, yesterday (monday) she was sore. Anyway by Monday night, not only sore but feeling really rotten and Dr. said to head to the hospital. Sure enough, having some mild contractions. Baby looks fine, all the tests on Lindsay are okay so far. She just needs to take it easy. Dr. felt like that fall just shocked her whole little pregnant body. She joked with the doctors and nurses that exactly 21 years ago, she was in the hospital with her mom. I'll never forget that crazy night - - - had her after one hour of labor! Our prayers are with you Lindsay Sparkle!!!!!!

ODE TO . . . CAKE!!!!!

I can still taste it . . . sitting on Quinn's trunk lid. Lemon, lemon, lemon in all it's flavors, textures and glory. Would've put those fancy shmancy Market Street Grill desserts to shame. That's why they wouldn't let us bring it in for Jacque's party. We know the truth! So we just had our own tailgate party in the parking lot with all looking on . .. envious. It will get me through this long winter of NO SWEETS. Yes, it's true. Me and sis are on a SWEET RETREAT until the Christmas Holidays are over. No candy corn, no popcorn balls or donuts, no pumpkin pie or cookies, no trifles or truffles, no orange sticks, peppermint sticks or dipped pretzel sticks. No colds or flu or sinus infections either (we hope). That memory of lemon cake will see us through. Mmm Mmm Mmm!

WAIT . . . . WHERE DID SUMMER GO?

It was just spring, wasn't it?
Weren't we just planning a wedding?
Next thing you know, we are grandparents,
And expecting a second grandchild . . . .
Time sure flies!

THIS TRIP WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY!!!!

Pregnant ladies swapped stories . . . . .
Ami cooked her head off . . . . .
We ate . . . . .
Brinley found a cattail . . . or was that the jumbo corn dog at pig out in the park?
We loved David and Lucy's wedding . . . . .
We had a bridal shower for Lucy . . . . .
We rested (with plenty of pillows . . . . six) . . . . .
We all played that whacky marble game . . . . .
Toni/Alpaca bonding time . . . . .
We shot and shot and shot our guns . . . . .
We had a birthday party . . . . .
Quindsay bonded . . . . .
We ate . . . . .

We visited . . . . . and visited and visited . . . . . .

JUST A SAMPLING OF THE AMAZING PARTY FOOD

Raspberry, lemon and chocolate creme tarts
Raspberry cheesecake bars . . . . .
Mint brownies . . . . . .
Beef Rouladin with creamy mashed potatoes, gravy and beans . . . .
Rolls . . . .
Tuxedo . . . . .

Chocolate dipped strawberries . . . .

Chocolate dipped shortbread

When it comes to Ami . . . . . it's all about the good food

My Last Little Chick in the Almost-Empty Nest

Yesterday J. informed me that she remembers what she has worn on the first day of school every year since 7th or 8th grade and then went on to list every outfit she wore on the first day of school. WOW J! So yesterday (her first day of her last year of high school) she wore: Jeans, a white and yellow T-shirt (with this writing on it) and some shoes and socks. I think it makes absolutely no difference what she wears . . . . she looks pretty cute in just about anything. I ask you, what teenage girl with go for a walk around the ward with her mom on a summer's night. I feel pretty lucky she will still hang out. As aunt Juli always says, "GOOD TIMES."

House Pics

Check out the tour of our "new" Locksley House . . . . . post fire. We are pleased with the results. One more leg of the journey now......sell the house.

www.showmethehomes.net/814590.

Dream Car?

Many might know the history . . . . . Datsun 240 Z comes out just as I am turning 16 . . . turns out to be one of the most popular "girl" cars of the 70s. Dad in one of his brilliant moments makes a deal with me. "Make it to age 24 single and I will buy you one." Ironic, Ken and I met and married when I turned 23 1/2. Don't know if dad had even remembered the deal. Anyway, 30 years later, I have never even ridden in a 240 Z until . . . . YESTERDAY. Mark brought Jim's Z home last night and agreed to take his old mamma on a ride. As we flew down the road, wind blowing in my hair, I kept thinking, "I wouldn't trade my life for ANYTHING . . . ." Glad I met Ken, glad we have Spencer, Rob, Jill, Caleb, Mark, Lindsay, Cody, (_____), J. Fun ride, but made exquisite just having Mark there with me, even if he resisted having his picture taken.

Spade is Moving!!!

The days are fast approaching for Spade to move away. He bought a new house and will be taking Mark and Spencer with him. Ken, Mark and I spent Thursday evening finishing his palatial dog kennel in the back yard where he will run the show. He took the liberty this week to prune my pear tree before he leaves. He is such a good helper in the yard. As yet, Ken refuses to even think about replacing our darling gardener.........we will miss you Spade!!!! Good thing your new house is only 10 minutes away!

Just have to put this pretty pic of my sis! You all heard how we kidnapped her with a limo at the airport. Here she is at the restaurant after we showed her the lovely painting we had for her.......FUN FUN TIMES.