It's That Time of Year...

Couldn't resist these adorable snowmen! And since we have real live icy-cold snow outside on our lawn, it must be the season! I wrapped presents today. I think J was wondering if there would be any to open or not. This year, I've had to be very creative with our gift-giving. The packages may be sparse, but I think they're going to be more specific to what everyone truly needs or wants. Above all, I hope family togetherness will be the best gift--I know that's all I want! Counting down...

Tribute

My dear father-in-law, Calvin, passed away November 29, 2008. He had suffered a stroke two days before Thanksgiving, and had come home early Saturday afternoon to spend his last hours in the place he had lived for over 50 years. He was a good, kind, gentle man, a bricklayer by trade, having put his handiwork into many, MANY buildings, homes, and churches in this valley. He loved his sweet wife, Janice, and couldn't wait to be with her again. He missed her so much. He and Janice raised four boys, and taught them to work hard and play even harder. They instilled a love of nature in their family, and spent many wonderful vacations at fishing holes, mountain campgrounds, spacious lakes, and blooming deserts. They loved to be with their friends, and had a schedule for dinners out, temple sessions, and game nights. (The day of the stroke, a dinner engagement had to be canceled.) They adored their grandchildren and great-grands. It was the highlight of their day to have a visit--watching the little ones play was more entertaining than any movie or television. We knew we were loved...and we hope they know now how much we will always love them.
I owe them both so much.
I will miss them.

Thankful!

I borrowed the cute picture from C--thanks, honey!

Tomorrow is the big T-day, and I have to say "thank you":

...for life

...for a beautiful family

...for health (even when it's wishful thinking)

...for this great and glorious earth

...for liberty

...for brave and noble ancestors

...for the gospel of Jesus Christ, a beacon in my life

...for blessings too numerous to comprehend

...for music and laughter

...for sweet and caring friends

...for the knowledge I hold dear that this life is just the beginning of eternity.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. God bless us all.

Christmas Music

I love Christmas music! It is like a lullaby to my soul. I never believed one month was long enough to enjoy the music of the season, so I'm grateful that some of the radio stations around here start playing it the day after HALLOWEEN! Yippee! One of my friends made a post about her favorite Christmas music, and as I read it I kept nodding my head: "Yep, like that one; oooh, love that one; oh yeah, that's one of my faves, too!" So, here's my own (incomplete) list of just SOME of my favorites...there are really too many to mention:

Breath of Heaven--Amy Grant
The First Noel--Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The Messiah--sung by the Utah Symphony Chorus, of course!
Mary, Did You Know--Donny Osmond
Grown-Up Christmas List--Amy Grant
Let Him In from "The Forgotten Christmas Carols"
Merry Christmas, Darling--The Carpenters
White Christmas--Bing Crosby
The Christmas Song ("Chestnuts...")--Nat King Cole
Jingle Bells--Barbra Streisand
The Best Gift--Barbra Streisand
The Grinch--Boris Karloff
Twelve Days of Christmas--John Denver & The Muppets
When Joseph Went to Bethlehem--Primary Kids
He Wasn't His Child--Sawyer Brown
Where Are You Christmas--Faith Hill
Believe--Josh Groban
Away in a Manger--Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Still, Still, Still
The Carol of the Bells
The Prayer of the Children--Kurt Bestor
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year--Andy Williams
The Gift--Jim Brickman
One Small Child
Welcome to Our World--Amy Grant

Okay, I could go on and on. Do you have a favorite?
(Special thanks to my sweet C for adding some of these favorites to my music playlist...you're the best, honey!)

Maxine Does It Again!

Well????

Family Matters

Wahoo, look at us! Aren't we a cute bunch? We were so lucky to go to Pasco for Mr. JPB's baptism a few weeks ago. (He's the handsome one right in the middle!) We enjoyed beautiful scenery, warm family fun, maid service at a nice hotel, lots of hugs and kisses, and above all, confirmation of what is truly important in this world: FAMILY and the LOVE OF GOD in our lives. Each soul is unique, each soul is valuable to our Heavenly Father. Way to go, JP...you took a big step in following Jesus. He loves you...and so do I.

VOTE!

Only in America--land of the free, home of the brave--are we privileged to use our God-given right to let our voices be heard!! I am only one, but I may be the one that changes something bad in the world to something good. Let Freedom Reign!