In case you were wondering,

Yes, Santa-baby did get me a new camera for Christmas (a little early actually) so now my life can continue, documented.
I just need to take a moment to highlight some skills I've generously passed on to my off spring and I'm not talking about my ability to out eat ANY challenger on Christmas day or the noises of aftermath, of out eating everyone, which could rival an entire rugby team or military salute I would guess.
I'm talking, mad crafting skills. Oh it makes my heart flutter, to be presented with this notebook on Christmas eve.

I love to write and have a notebook on me at all times with lists and plans and thoughts and tons of Asha's doodles.
But why so much love?
Well this book was made from scratch!!
She hand picked a ream of paper in my favorite color, had it cut to size then bought chipboard, also cut to size. She chose stickers I'd love, cos who doesn't love a panda rock band? ("look Mum, the guitar dude is holding a pick, can you see it?")
Then proceeded to use my new, yes I didn't know I was getting it yet, "cinch" tool which punches the holes then binds the book with wire.
Tell me that isn't the coolest flippin thing you've ever seen!!!
Then the melt your heart message inside which I get at least an infinities times a day from her, whenever she can find a scrap of paper.

Oh and while I'm on the subject of gift's. I think Santa-baby needs to be Boyd's new title because I'm sure if I handed him a list as long and extravagant as Marilyn Monroe's, he'd do his best to get it for me.
So here's the thing, did you know my husbands a geek?
I understand some of you may not know that because he is somewhat of a closet geek. He doesn't openly rave about the latest gadgets, although trust me, he knows all about them and whether they are worth having. He was also one of the few geeks to not get beat up in high school but I love Geeks!!! We celebrate them in our house, after all they do end up running the companies and keeping us all globally connected. I am one who just expects certain things to work and for him to take care of all things technical so then why the need to share?
Well every once in a while, he just shocks me with his nerdyness and I think, man that's cool. This occured with one of my Christmas pressies. I had mentioned how much I liked my friends new Pumas, she got them to remind her of me :)I instantly began to covet how cute they were and my hunnies techy brain goes into action. He uses some online tool called "google goggles" to zoom in and blow up an image so he can see exactly the style of shoe then proceeds to order them online for me....
Nerdy or what?

Man I love that guy,I think he used the same nerdyness to find the exact watch that Sandra Bullock wore in the blindside and then got it for me back in June.
Love love love me my Santa-baby nerd :)

Something missing.....

I did really well up to this point.

I remember back when my Dad passed away, how my brain just seemed to think he was at work or out for the day when he wasn't around but there are certain occasions where someone is just NEVER missing. Christmas is one of them....


Spot the little visitor at our table. Still here in spirit.

Baby it's cold outside....

Cold and raining and yet a perfect day to go to Temple Square, or at least half of Utah thought so. Packed!!!!
I absolutely LOVE the light's on Temple Square and since this was the very time and season that Boyd proposed to me, it's only fitting that we go, every year. This year we went inside and saw some of the newer exhibits. I plan to go back after Christmas with my English peeps because there's some pretty cool, newer stuff.
It was amazing how busy everyone was, noisy, visiting, taking pictures and group shots. We sat for some time, just still and looked at the Christus and it was amazing to me, that the noise could disappear in my own head, if I just focused on what we came to see. I think this is a lot like life really, sometimes there's so much noise and goings on, that we don't see what really matters.

He gave his Son

I will never really comprehend what it means, that God "gave his Son" for me but I think I may now understand, just a little more, how hard that was.
This past week, Boyd and I gave our Son, back to the trusting care of his Heavenly Father, as he uses him to be his hands, in serving and teaching the people of Virginia.
Oh it all sounds very dramatic and like someone died but I can't actually imagine feeling any worse than I did, the few days after he left.
With suitcase in hand, he was whisked away in what seemed like a YouTube video waiting to happen.
(I can just see it, the mini van slows slightly , door slides open and suitcase comes flying out, followed by a young man in suit. As he picks him self up of the floor, he hears the door slam shut and sees some arms wave out the windows as they speed off)

And that was that. No phone call, text message, email. Just wait.
Know that he will be safe.
Know that he will be an excellent missionary.
Know that he is prepared as anyone you've ever known.
Know that nothing can explain your feelings.

Then wait for your heart to stop hurting.......
Just wait.........

Scratching my head....

As per my English Tradition, upbringing and choice, I send out Christmas cards every year. Being a crafter and all that, I make them. I find no burden in this and they are usually my first and most important to-do. I send alot and the postal service are picky about lumpy things so they are usually simple and have a little update about my family since most people getting them don't see us regularly. I like to receive them too so please do send me one :)

Anyway, I just got news from my Mum that a family member of mine called her to complain quite zealously (I'm being polite, he was not) about how disgusting and offensive it was to him that I had send him a Christmas card with all the mumbo jumbo BS of religious..beep beep beep etc. you get my drift.
My first thought was to laugh, I'm not shocked since he's been this kind of "unhappy" his whole life but I did stop and think for a moment, what might be offensive in my card.
*A photo of my family, together, laughing (I do have black fingernails, offensive?)
*I did report that my family is happy and healthy, employed and safe (offensive?)
*I have a son, dedicating 2 years of his life to serve others (offensive?)
*That I have gratitude for things like, scouts, education, good memories (?)
but no, I'm pretty sure it was my reference to Quote"me being grateful for this time of year, to reflect on my Saviors birth and all that my family is blessed with"

Instead of him being grateful that one of his, only 2 nieces (and 2 nephews )had taken the time to send him well wishes, he took it upon himself to upset my Mum by berating her over the phone for my disgusting behavior.

Well I won't apologize, I celebrate with a conscious effort to remember my Savior in ALL my days but especially at this time of year.

I heard this poem and wanted to share.

‘Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house,

not a person was praying, not one in the house.

The Bible was left on the shelf without care,

for no one thought Jesus would come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.

And Mom in the rocking chair with babe on her lap,

was watching the Late Show as I took a nap.

When out of the east there rose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

tore open the shutters and lifted the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

The light of His face made me cover my head.

Was Jesus returning just like He had said?

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,

was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name.

When He said “It’s not here,” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love,

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without sound,

while all of the others were left standing around.

I fell to my knees but it was too late,

I’d waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,

Oh if only I’d known that this was the night.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear.

The coming of Jesus is now drawing near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call,

we’ll find out that the Bible was true after all.

Merry CHRISTmas everyone.

Thank You Cell Phone

You may be the worst creation of our generation and the route of all evil, according those older people but you have been a lifeline on many occasions. Literally, those calls that got us to a hospital in a hurry or more importantly to transfer money when I just had to have those boots that were beyond my budget.
I have often captured a moment in time with my little camera and so I have to share these latest snaps.

Jordan's Road rash - He had a motocross accident, big jump, came down sideways, snapped his handlebars. Messed up his shoulder but it seems to be improving. He had ALL his safety gear on luckily.
Ridiculous bills coming from ER, make me wonder why I budget at all.

My little Honda Fit, ploughing it's way home after the first big storm.

Some things are just awesome to me still, no matter how many times I see them. The first, fresh, untouched snow and sunshine together.


I thought this Christmas tree was fun.

Finally I got rid of my long mop and feel "Hot" again :)

So I love my little phone and I DO switch it off during movies.

Lost my camera.

My life is packed with events so when it comes to blogging, I grab my camera., download my pics and am quickly reminded of all the fun things we have done lately.
The problem arises, when i loose said camera!! It's like my life hasn't happened. I have no recollection of anything.
That may be a good thing because some of the happenings of the past few weeks are things I want to completely forget,
like:
being told your not welcome at the family Thanksgiving party,
2 trips to the ER
A day spent with another son in surgery
A car breaking down on the day of the record blizzard that didn't happen.
Cars being trapped in the garage by a broken door.

I could go on but I have forgotten.....
Fortunately, there was one event that was worthy of getting out Boyd's "real" camera.
I made pies from scratch!!
Banana cream, was a hit.


The main benefit of making my own pie was that, as good as that crust tasted, I couldn't get over the fact that I had put LARD in it, solid coagulated animal fat!!! I just couldn't eat any but a sliver.


It was also a consensus that none of us actually like roasted turkey and we would much prefer a chicken.
There really are bonuses to having your own family get togethers.


We hung out and vegged until heading to the theater to watch "tangled" cute show.

So there it is, I have no record of The festival of trees, my new haircut, shopping for missionary attire, large amounts of snow or my favorite lunch out with all my scrap friends. They must've not happened.