Come on Down 2013

It is always a special time to start a New Year.  It is a time of reflection, hope for the future, resolutions, and a fresh start.  I basically have the same resolutions as last year, but life is a progressive thing.  Each year I can continue to work on my goals and build on my past progress.  I have done quite well the first week of the year!  I still have a long way to go, but step by step I will get there!
I hate taking down Christmas decorations and a number of years ago I realized that my Christmas decorations included a lot of snowmen.  I have increased my collection and now I have a delightful snowy winter feel.  That makes the change of decor a lot more fun!  We have had more snow this winter, and MUCH colder weather.
I have been so blessed this past year.  Last night our son brought our two-month old grandson to visit.  He was our biggest blessing in 2012!  It was fun to hold him and feed him.  I get withdrawal pains when I haven't seen him for awhile.  He's such a cutie!
The coming year brings hopes for camping, time with family, a trip to Maryland to see our two East Coast grandsons, sewing, and lots of surprises.  I'm glad the Mayans were wrong!

2012 in review

I thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas holiday!  Time with family was so special.  I enjoyed laughing, games, movies, and was so satisfied with the whole experience.  January 2012 brought sewing time and getting back to schedule.  We were released at Westridge 1st Branch and spent more time in our home Ward.  February brought doctor's appointments, more sewing, and some good family time.  March found us back at Westridge 1st Branch resuming our previous callings as Scoutmaster and Music director.  We also enjoyed my aunt's 80th birthday in Spanish Fork with lots of relatives.  We also began working with the Single Adults ages +31.  I enjoyed our Pic N Sew quilting group too.  April found us busy with weddings, baptisms, and family time.  May was full of doctor's, Scout O Rama, helping Sister missionaries, and a special bonus for Mothers' Day---Alan and Kari are expecting their first baby!   June brought camping at the Ward Campout, taking grandkids on a campout at the Spruces, and more doctors appointments.  The most fun was family time!  July brought more family time and games, Lois Stewart's funeral, lunch and dinner with our kids, and Judy Larson's funeral.  We enjoyed lots of activities with friends and family.  August started off with our yearly campout at the Spruces.  Always fun to visit with family for a week!  On August 24 I had a mini-stroke and began a long recovery.  Fortunately, my only problem was weakness and no energy.  In September I managed to get through a funeral, Stake picnic, the Bradford Reunion, Pic N Sew at my house, and some good family time.  October brought more doctor appointments, a home sleep test, going to the Scarecrow Festival at Westridge, and Time Out for Women, and baby showers for Hudson.  November brought the birth of Alan and Kari's son Hudson Noah Mills.  He weighed 5 lbs 9 oz. and was 19 inches long.  We enjoyed going to the hospital with two daughters and a grandson.  I also enjoyed some good news on my health--all tests came back normal.  Thanksgiving was delightful.  We had thirteen including two boys from the Academy.  Its been quite a year!  Although the nation and state faced many tragedies, we recognize SO many blessings in our life.  We are blessed with special family and wonderful friends that make our life one of joy.  Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

I am now VERY ready for a Merry Christmas.  The presents are purchased and wrapped.  The office gifts delivered, the neighbors gifts delivered.  The Christmas ham and turkey are purchased and the winter picnic is ready to prepare on Monday.  I have listened to tons of Christmas music and watched dozens of holiday movies.  I am also preparing for my birthday dinner Sunday.  I am ready to concentrate on the people in my life who make this season so special--hubby and the kids and grandkids.  I am also devoting more time to my Savior because HE is the reason for the season.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Fun

We put Christmas decorations up right after Thanksgiving and love the holiday spirit in our home.  I have addressed and prepared Christmas cards for mailing, have the neighbor gifts ready to deliver, and have done some of the family shopping.  We did mail the Maryland gifts!  I have new stockings for Hudson and Jett.  I hope to have most of my shopping done by December 15th.  I had a chance to see the decorated candy windows at Macy's at City Creek Center and some of the beautiful decorations there.  We are going to a nativity display tonight.  Today my dear friends and I had a delightful day: got our hair done, went out for breakfast, and went shopping at Tai Pan Trading.  That's a cool place to shop!  We also exchanged gifts, laughed and relaxed.  Great break from the holiday bustle!  Now I'm ready to enjoy the rest of the Christmas season--more movies and music, more family parties and get-to-gethers, more of the Christmas Spirit!

Happy, Busy November

This month is speeding by so quickly!  I saw my neurologist, went to the Temple, gave a dinner for the Singles in our Ward, had an echocardiogram and was fit with a heart monitor, went to the baptism of one of the boys at the Academy, gave the Relief Society lesson, attended Quilt club, hosted an ice cream party, went Visiting Teaching, attended a Mary Kay demo given by my daughter-in-law, had an MRI, started music practice for the Academy Christmas program, took dinner to our son and his wife and held our new grandson, attended a great devotional at the Academy,  hosted a dinner for my husband's brothers and wives, had a test by my opthamalogist, and now it's time to get ready for Thanksgiving.  Right now it looks like we will have 18 for dinner.  That should be FUN!  This is all a good practice run for December!  Can't wait to start putting up Christmas decorations!

Hudson Noah Mills

On November 5, 2012 we welcomed our ninth grandchild, Hudson Noah Mills, 5 lbs. 9 oz, 19.75 inches.  We are all so excited for this special miracle in our family.  Alan and Kari are in their mid-thirties and have waited for YEARS to have a child.  Hudson is a cute little red-head like his Mom.  He is so tiny that he has to wear preemie diapers.  I love seeing the sparkle in my son's eyes!  Kari looks great for having delivered a baby so recently.  They both have huge smiles.  I also noticed how Grandpa just wanted to hold him again and again.  We are so blessed!

Gratitude

It's November...the month of gratitude!  I know that we are thankful all year long, but this month seems to be the month that it is expressed the most.  Hopefully I will be a little more willing to post about the things I am truly grateful for.  I am so thankful for my special husband.  He is one of the greatest examples of loving kindness that I know.  He leaves a glass of water in the mailbox for the mailman.  He gives a dollar to any of those that are begging by the street--he keeps dollar bills on the dashboard to give away.  He does all of the laundry--I would struggle to know how to work the machine any more.
I am so thankful for my special children and their companions.  They are so supportive and loving.  I marvel at how much fun we all have when we get together.  My children are loving, thoughtful, and fun people!  They are my pride and joy!
I am so thankful for my precious grandchildren!  They are such a delight to us!  I love their hugs, jokes, smiles, phone calls, and time together.  We enjoy camping trips, games, movie nights, dinners, and fun little side trips together.  I love to watch them play together.  We seldom have any problems of some one being left out.  They really enjoy being together.  Family is what it is all about!