wheeeeee

"up and down, up and down!"

#31 Blessed

We are blessed with His love, shown to us thru His other children!

#30 Blessed

We are blessed with reminders that we can choose to be happy...

Did you bring the popcorn?

#29 Blessed

We are blessed with chores...which means we are blessed with a comfortable life!

Hey...she's got my dress!

"I love those shoes"
"Say, where'd you get that binky?"

Canine Famiy Christmas

Maddie's papa "Bo" came to visit for Christmas and boy did they have fun!

#28 Blessed

Blessed with  sons and daughters who respect our desire to worship as we believe...thank you for the plane tickets to conference!!

#27 Blessed

We are blessed with things to look forward to...(family summer campout - here we come!)

#26 Blessed

We are blessed with time...time to spend together, time to grow and learn, and even time to rest!

#25 Blessed

We are blessed to share this season with others who believe...Merry Christmas!

Gifts

My friend shared a wonderful perspective on gift giving and receiving for this season!  I hope she doesn't mind if I lead you to her post...Thank you, Jessica!  click HERE
"God bless us, every one!"

Just for fun...

I love my "chuck-it" !

#24 Blessed

We are blessed with the first family party of the season!  Off to the annual Wilson gathering at GGMa & GGPa's.  Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

#23 Blessed

We are blessed by our choice to count our blessings...it's so great to see the positive attitudes this choice breeds...

#22 Blessed

Today we are blessed with silliness...and a husband worth treating like a dog!!!  (did I really say that ???  :-)

#21 Blessed

Today we were blessed with special words from Robbi...  (thank you, Robbi!)

 

*********************

Here's a poem I remember sharing with a friend who lost her 7 year-old daughter just before Christmas about 10 years ago. Her name was Sarah.

I thought of Dad when I read it this poem last week.

Love, Robbi
************************************

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless
Christmas trees
around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars,
reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you,
the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description,
to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away,
We really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones,
You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift,
from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory
of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious
than pure gold.
was always most important
the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,
my Father said to do.
I can't count the blessing or love
has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and
Wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year 

#20 Blessed

We are blessed with recipes with history...we think of you each time we bake!
...fudge balls from Marci, chex mix from Joyce, peppermint bark from Melissa, harvest loaf from "other" Julie, peanut brittle from Nyla...Thank you friends!

#19 Blessed

We are blessed with remembering...

#18 Blessed

We are blessed with opportunities to serve...(we are, we are, we are...)

#17 Blessed

We are blessed with unexpected 'learning moments'...from a silly TV movie "forgiveness is not earned, its given"

#16 Blessed

We are blessed with memories...

#15 Blessed

We are blessed with examples to follow, with examples to set and the most important example of our Savior...

#14 Blessed

We are blessed with gifts...and the ability to give gifts...

#13 Blessed

We were blessed with a fun night of lights... (yes - Julie needs to clean her camera lens!)

#12 Blessed

Blessed by a chance to have a nice visit with a friend...

#11 Blessed

We are blessed with BIG trees and beautiful sunsets...

#10 Blessed

I am blessed that hair grows back (but not before tonight's Crescent City company party)
OK...a little superficial, but what can I say...I'm a girl!

#9 Blessed

We are blessed with a good neighborhood...

#8 Blessed

We are blessed with traditions...

The "girls" are feelin' frisky today!

I guess Maddie wants to help Tucker get her excercise!  They did this for 10 minutes :-)

#7 Blessed

We are blessed with "enough"...

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much
bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

#6 Blessed

We're blessed with being able to celebrate this season of the birth of our Savior...

#5 Blessed

We're blessed with "squishy" playtime...

#4 Blessed

We are blessed with good people to work with and the friends they become...

#3 Blessed

I am blessed to be loved...

#2 Blessed

I am blessed with extra warm coats to give...

#1 Blessed

We're blessed with an extra car to loan the kids when theirs breaks down!

#30 Thankful 4

I'm thankful for Plan B when Plan A doesn't work!  I'm thankful for 30 days of celebrating what is good instead of seeing what is not good.  I'm thankful for the next 31 Blessed Days :-)

#29 Thankful 4

Thankful for Santa's secret elves and the help they are to me!

#28 Thankful 4

Today I am thankful for good teachers and shared lessons!  Thanks, Sue :-)


Anyone else often use the word grateful in place of thankful and then switch back?  Nice sentiments, both!

#27 Thankful 4

Very thankful for Mike's safe arrival home.  Marathon road trip from Eugene, via the coast to avoid the snow covered pass.  Thankful for his staying awake (1:20am arrival) and other travelers minding their driving manners.  I never take for granted the odds for mishap with so many miles traveled and am ever so grateful for his return home!

26 Thankful 4

will...be...thankful for sleep....zzzzzzzzz...soon :-)

#25 Thankful 4

YES!  Today I am just THANKFUL!  We wish everyone a wonderful and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

#24 Thankful 4

Wrapped water pipes!  I'm thankful that when the weather turns cold, I still have running water - having experienced that great disappointment in years past of turning on the faucet to...nothing...  I love running water and a working water heater!  Happy showering everyone :-)

#23 Thankful 4

Today I am thankful for the words of others.  For the things they help me see, for the things they help me remember.  My friend is thankful for colors today and it helped me remember a poem (more words) and an idea that is important!  Thank you - "others" for sharing your "words"!

“We are a box of crayons That don’t really get along,”
Said blue to all the others “Something here is wrong!”
Well, I bought that box of crayons And took it home with me
And laid out all the crayons So the crayons could all see.
They watched me as I colored with red and blue and green
and black and white and orange and every color in between.
They watched as green became the grass and blue became the sky.
The yellow sun was shining bright on white clouds drifting by.
Colors changing as they touched, Becoming something new.
They watched me as I colored. They watched till I was through.
And when I’d finally finished, I began to walk away.
And as I did the crayon box Had something more to say…
“I do like red!” said the yellow and green said, “So do I!”
“And blue you are terrific so high up in the sky.”
“We are a box of crayons each of us unique,
but when we get together the picture is complete.”

*************

Wouldn’t it be terrible? Wouldn’t it be sad?
If just one single color was the color that we had?
If everything was purple? Or red? Or blue? Or green?
If yellow, pink, or orange was all that could be seen?
Can you just imagine how dull our world would be if
just one single color was all we got to see?

#22 Thankful 4

I'm thankful for a very sweet home teacher who takes the time to visit us and check on us!

#21 Thankful 4

It's been said by others, but it's my turn to be thankful for technology and the connectedness it brings us.  With such a large family spread out across the country its wonderful to be just a key-click away from 'being together'.  When family needs arise its a blessing to be able to tell everyone at once, and to keep the updates coming  from Texas to Arizona to Florida to Colorado to Nevada to California and even sometimes to Africa!  Our prayers are with the Texas clan today...will be checking texts and emails often.  Love you guys .

#20 Thankful 4

Today I am thankful for our 4-wheel drive truck so we can go to Kaylee's birthday party - no matter what this storm brings :-)

#19 Thankful 4

my other mom

I'm thankful for Fran! She has been my other mother since I was 16! She accepted me into the family and taught me good things...how to ski, how to pack a car/trailer/picnic basket (her cb handle was "handy packer"),  she helped me care for my children, she gave me Mike, and so many other things. Thank you Fran, we love you!

 

To "His" Mother

"Mother-in-law" they say, and yet,

Somehow I simply can't forget

'Twas you who watched his baby ways,

Who taught him his first hymn of praise;

Who smiled on him with living pride

When he first toddled by your side;

And as I think of this today,

Me thinks that I'd much rather say

Just "Mother."

"Mother-in-law" but oh, 'twas you

Who taught him to be kind and true;

When he was tired, almost asleep,

'Twas to your arms he used to creep;

And when he bruised his tiny knee,

'Twas you who kissed it tenderly;

When he was sad you cheered him too,

And so I'd rather speak of you

As "Mother."

"Mother-in-law" they say, and yet,

Somehow I never shall forget

How very much I owe

To you who taught him how to grow,

You trained your son to look above,

You made of him the man I love;

And so I think of that today,

Ah! Then with thankful heart I'll say

"Our Mother."

~Minnie Price~

#18 Thankful 4

Today is Miss Kaylee's 1st birthday! I can't tell you how thankful we are for her in our family :-) Today we got to have birthday cupcakes with her and Lukas and Goy and Marion. A gramma's cup surely runneth over today!

#17 Thankful 4

mom

Today I'm thankful for my mom, for the music she gave me; for teaching me I am  a Daughter of God;  for the love of nature she gave me, for the patience she has with me; for teaching me the importance of kindness; for teaching me to willingly give; for the sacrifices she makes for others; for showing me the value of children; for the love she has for each of us; for the beautiful woman she is; and a list too long to post here!
Have a GREAT day, Mom.  We love you!

 

#16 Thankful 4

I'm thankful for our "girls".  Tucker & Maddie are great company, great fun and we're so happy to have them in our (anything but) empty-nest. 

 

#15 Thankful 4

I'm thankful I'm not an only child.  This journey is too wild to take alone :-)  And boy do we have some stories!

#14 Thankful 4

Sundays...

is the theme of the day. I'm thankful for this "1st" Sunday, but I'm also thankful for the blessings and special moments my other Sundays gave me. I will enjoy today!!

#13 Thankful 4

MUSIC! 

 I'm thankful for the music around us, for the music in us, for the way music helps my heart to "hear" before my mind can "see"!  Mike brought home a DVD concert last  night and what a treat :-)  Anyone else James Taylor or Carole King fans?

#12 Thankful 4

I'm thankful for Mormon Messages.  I love getting these things in my mail :-)  Heavenly Father really does take good care of us.
Mormon Message: Thanksgiving Daily The more often we see the things around us, the more they become invisible to us. Learn how you can live in thanksgiving daily by noticing the wonders and beauties of this world. Watch and share a new Mormon Message, "Thanksgiving Daily." Read Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's full address, "Live in Thanksgiving Daily."

#10 Thankful 4

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

Today I am thankful for seasons..the seasons of the year and the seasons of our lives.  I'm thankful that I've learned to accept and enjoy the seasons as they come.

#9 Thankful 4

Fire!  Actually, the kind in the fireplace on a drizzly fall day is just too cozy!

#8 Thankful 4

HOME! 

I love to travel, but there's nothing better than coming home again. 

I think that's what it will be like when we return to our heavenly home, too!



#7 Thankful 4

Today I'm thankful for the blue skies...especially when it was predicted we would be sitting in rain!

#6 Thankful 4

I'm thankful for an unexpected new rose on my birthday plant!  Thanks Colleen & Erin :-)

#5 Thankful 4

Today I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve - I'm thankful my Heavenly Father has faith in me, I'm thankful for the growth it allows me, I'm thankful for the blessings it brings me and the chance to serve with friends is priceless!
"It may not be on the mountain height
Or over the stormy sea,
It may not be at the battle's front
My Lord will have need of me.
But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know,
I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I'll go where you want me to go."
                     Mary Brown

#4 Thankful 4

#4 is definitely Friends!  They are better than therapy...they teach me, listen to me, laugh with me, and I'm a better person because of them.  To all my friends, have a wonderful day!

Thankful 4...

Following my friends' examples, November will be my month of thankfulness too!  I don't usually post daily, but I do check in so should be easy - right?  And since my cup runneth over I should have plenty of gratitude to fill the days :-)  So, catching up

#1 - I'm SO thankful for Mike - he is my best friend, my eternal companion, my "knight in shining armour" my travel guide and adventure-seeker.  He takes such good care of our family and treats me like royalty.  I am able to do what I do because of his support.  Not only that but he's got great charisma and is a really fun date!!!

 #2 - I'm thankful for my children.  I always wanted a bigger family and when they got married they doubled my parenting fun!  They're fun to be with and gave me #3...

  #3 - I'm thankful for my grandchildren.  They are each unique and bring a new kind of fun to the family.  They love grampa and gramma lots and it warms our hearts!  They give me an excuse to get on the floor and play and we all need a little more playtime!

So - now it's your turn...what are you thankful for???

The value of Friends and Blogs...

This was a post from my friend last May...on Thursday her sharing this story saved our sweet Tucker!  So thank you Lola and Sue, Lola's legacy is a good one.

(click here for the rest of the story)
"For the Love of Lola...........

Today it has been one month since Lola died. Today it is time to share her story, this story for me is a story of healing. I share it because I would never want anyone to experience it. This story is about the awful outcome of rat poison."

Lola

 Tucker

Tucker & Maddie

So share those important stories with those you love!!!

Call to prayer in Kusadasi, Turkey

Fontana di Trevi, Rome

I've discovered...

That one of the things I love about Woody is that he is always smiling with a 'thumbs up' to life...no matter the circumstances! I'm gonna work on that for me, too :-)

Woody's Postcard #14 & #15...ahhhh...

(click on the (x) near the bottom right side of the slide show and the game banner will go away)

POST #14
TUESDAY (10/5): Today is the sad day – time to get off the boat. I’m glad to go home, but I really had lots of fun, good food, and adventure. Gramma and Grampa took me to the lounge for suite passengers to wait our turn to disembark. It stopped raining and there was a taxi right out front so getting to the train termeni was easy. We rode the express train to Roma. It was very comfortable and fast (150 mph!). We saw lots of countryside, even Florence (Firenza) and Bologna. It looks a lot like the Napa Valley, but green. The train traveled thru many very long tunnels, so I slept a little, too. We took a taxi to our hotel near the airport. We had a nice pizza and salad dinner and early bed. Tomorrow will be a very long travel day!
POST #15
WEDNESDAY (10/6): 6:00am – wake up; 11:20am flight leaves Rome; 6:05pm EDT leave Charlotte; 8:30 pm PDT arrive in SFO; 11:56pm arrive home! (total hours since waking up … 28 hours! Could have been even longer since Gramma got stopped at security in Roma when they thought she was smuggling Greek artifacts out of the country…turned out to just be Grampa and a small bronze Spartan helmet souvenir. That got an eye-roll from the customs agent :-) I napped and read the kindle with Grampa to pass the time. Turns out, it was Grampa’s idea (not Goy’s) to have me come along. It’s been very fun and I hope Goy didn’t miss me tooooo much! Stay tuned for my next adventure…wherever that may be.

Woody's Postcard #13

(click on the (x) near the bottom right side of the slide show and the game banner will go away)

MONDAY (10/3): My, oh my, oh my! Today was the MOST spectacular sail-in. I got to be out on the balcony with Grampa and Gramma (I sat on Grampa’s lap like Goy and Lukas!) We sailed right into Venice! Everyone was outside and they were playing Pavaratti and Bochelli over the speakers. They issued us water taxi shuttle tickets we could use for 2 days while in Venice. We had a quick sandwich and took the taxi to San Marcos Square. We met the nicest people on the taxi that gave us a good tip about seeing the most of Venice in a short time. They were right. We got a street map from a hotel and zig-zagged our way over the Rialto Bridge and all thru the Rialto artist section of the city. We saw all the gondolas and many magnificent buildings and statues. We strolled down the avenue with all the designer shops…Fendi, Prada, Dolci & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Armani (we just looked in the windows – 5500 euros for a purse just slightly out of Gramma’s price range!). We were enjoying just being “in” it and not on a tour. We got back on the water taxi right as the rain began falling. Back on board we went and bought pictures and had an early dinner so we could go enjoy the Venice Chamber Orchestra who came on board for a performance of Vivaldi WOW! We had a couple of places on the ship we hadn’t seen so we walked completely around the ship and up on the skywalk. Our luggage went in the hall at 10pm and we’ll get it tomorrow after we leave the ship for the train to Rome. We even get to travel thru Florence. I’m having such a good time and everyone that sees me smiles and is very happy that I get such a great vacation!