2006

CHRISTMAS LIST

Sam gives to Katie

Melissa gives to Joe

Alison gives to Sam

Doug gives to Laurel

Katie gives to Melissa

Danny gives to Doug

Ed gives to Danny

Valerie gives to David

Laurel gives to Elizabeth

David gives to Valerie

Joe gives to Alison

Elizabeth gives to Ed

I know it's plenty early... Just let me know if there are any repeats, or if you've been going back and forth with the same two people. I can switch things up a bit if needed.

M

adorable!

The first day of school was so full of promise...or was it dread? :-) xox

First day of school for the kids. Jack can't wait.

awwww, not only have you been a wonderful son, but an outstanding brother with a great sense of humor.
I do love you. me xox

It's all true...every word of it.

Ha! That girl is so much fun. Great picture!

whaddya mean nobody reads this blog, Ed? How'd you get on here anyway?

That Claire is adorable! Fun to see such a happy sweet face. xox

Christmas List:
Sam gives to Ed
Melissa gives to Katie
Alison gives to Joe
Doug gives to Sam
Katie gives to Laurel
Danny gives to Melissa
Ed gives to Doug
Valerie gives to Danny
Laurel gives to David
David gives to Elizabeth
Joe gives to Valerie
Elizabeth gives to Alison

Happy Birthday dear Edward....Happy Birthday to You!

Took this shot today on my walk along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. I have enjoyed observing plant and animal life in all of the four seasons now along my walk, and fall is the most glorious. Along with it's brilliance, fall often brings to me a touch of sadness, but this year I've felt only a deep appreciation for it's beauty and for the natural cycle of life.

Two weeks ago I saw a tarantula cross the path not far from where I took this pic. I stopped and watched him deliberately make his way and then became concerned as he was heading for the road. I grabbed a stick and placed it in front of him, he climbed on it and I placed him on the other side of the path facing in another direction. He promptly whirled around and headed back the same way he had been before I intervened. I guessed I was interfering with his errand, so I left and looked for him on my return trip, but he had gone where he planned to go.

Knowing the Truth and Sacrificing for the Lord
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"Our ancestors, along with many other faithful Saints, sacrificed
everything because of their testimonies and faith in Jesus Christ. They
knew that the gospel had been restored to the earth once more and that they
were led by a prophet of God. They knew that the Book of Mormon was true
and understood its message and witness. They knew that through the
restoration of priesthood keys, families could be sealed together for
eternity through holy priesthood ordinances available only in a temple.
They knew that temple work was the key to the salvation and exaltation of
the human family. They knew the importance of this work, and they were
willing to give all that they had in order to provide a house acceptable to
the Lord wherein this holy work could be performed. They sacrificed
everything so that past and future generations would have access to the
eternal blessings of the temple."

( Sister Elaine S. Dalton, "We Did This for You," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 89) Knowing the Truth and Sacrificing for the Lord
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This past week I have been making a family tree on a wall in our home. My children's names are the trunk of this tree and then it branches out with their parents names, grand-parent's names etc. Under this tree I plan to have flowers popping up with the name of each grandchild. While writing many many names I have had to think...just how long has it been since someone has said your name out loud. And because you lived; so do I and those children I love so dearly. A whole lifetime has been reduced to a single name written in pencil on my wall. Who are you Mary Ann Price, Esther Stone or Charlotte Lousia Durham? You are more than just a name for me because the gospel has provided a way for us to be a forever family. You are a few of my great-great-great-great-great grandmothers and I thank you for your faithfulness, sacrifice, and courage.

Someday I too may be on the furthest branches of someone's family tree. A name and nothing more...but so much more than five generations from now will ever know about. That is until we meet again. Happy day and let's not only turn our hearts to our father's, but let's make a journal entry as well.

Warmest blessings, mom xox

Happy Birthday to Alison and Carter!

Ed, that sounds like sour grapes....you know Aesop's fable about the fox? In any case your post gives me the giggles.

Christmas List:

Sam gives to Ed

Melissa gives to Katie

Alison gives to Joe

Doug gives to Sam

Katie gives to Laurel

Danny gives to Melissa

Ed gives to Doug

Valerie gives to Danny

Laurel gives to David

David gives to Elizabeth

Joe gives to Valerie

Elizabeth gives to Alison

Google is probably the closest thing to a genuine crystal ball humanity has ever known. This week, I had an infection develop in my finger. I went to Google and did a simple search on "finger infections." Within twenty seconds, I knew I had a paronychia. I went to Google images to compare my own ailing finger to dozens of other sick fingers. In an instant, scores of infected digits stood in rank and file across my monitor, one of them in the process of a good lancing. After my eighth and ninth opinions from various Internet physicians, I decided I needed to see a living, breathing doctor to confirm the Internet's diagnosis.

The doctor said "paronychia" as though it was the first time I had ever heard it. I unintentionally acted unimpressed, and the doctor proceeded to give me a rundown of the etymology of the word "paronychia." Being a word guy, I was impressed. Neither of us was there to talk about words. The doc was there to lance, and though I did not know it yet, I was there to be lanced. The doctor described the procedure, and openly admitted that it would be unpleasant. A scalpel would be inserted between my fingernail and cuticle. The cut would run between .25 and .50 inches under the skin, and the pus would flow freely. Doc left to go get his scalpel, and I honestly contemplated escape. I had a flashback of grade school conversation where various methods of torture were discussed, well away from the recess lady's ears. As I recall it, bamboo shoots forced under one's fingernails ranked right up there with the mutilation of one's privates. When the doc returned, I looked away and he cut. It was a matter-of-fact procedure that yielded not one drop of pus. The doctor was visibly disappointed. I asked why, and he explained that the entire lancing had been unnecessary. He wrote me a prescription for an antibiotic and we parted ways.

Ethos is one of Aristotle's artistic proofs, and can be described as source credibility. Once again, the crystal ball was of great value. In the past it has saved me money, provided me with updated news and shown me images of things my happiness would eventually require. The information (logos) has been good as well. If Google says it, it must be so. Just today, I consulted the magic ball at the recommendation of a colleague. I did a simple search on the word "failure." True or not, I am confident that the search results would not fly in China. Somebody would be getting the bamboo treatment, or perhaps what kids imagine as being slightly worse.

Google could not tell me how to spend $200 billion to rebuild a city. I checked. I suppose there are some problems too big for the crystal ball. I heard on NPR that a guy in the TV will answer the $200 billion question tonight at seven.

S

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. ---Alma 37:37

When I first read the Book of Mormon I remember reading this verse and deciding that I wanted to committ it to memory. The idea of counseling with my Heavely Father sounded inviting rather than dictatorial. I am reminded that he is only interested in my best interest and will indeed watch over me in my sleep. And, when I wake up it's best if I see "the glass half full" and offer gratitude to Him.

As we read the Book of Mormon I wonder just what scripture will sing out to us and want to be memorized. Last night I read Mosiah 7:33---But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

For the first time the idea struck me that He may not just be speaking of Limhi's people who were in bondage, but of what I am being held bondage by...an idea, attitude, pride, grudge, habit and so forth. The scriptures are teaching me and I feel to "let thy heart be full of thanks unto God."

Warmest blessings to you as the Book of Mormon blesses your life. Mom xox

AUGUST 2005

Picture coarse white sand, blue sky, clear blue icy cold lake, amazing stars at night, kids running and screaming going up and down the slide, Joe inching his way across the timbers of the beams in the ceiling of the main floor, yummy food prepared by the girls, french toast prepared by Doug, a swamped boat due to a sudden wind storm, grandma Loie laying on the hammock outside, the player piano banging out tunes both young and old, sunkissed faces, monopoly games five nights in a row, Claire fussing off and on, the kids with their Grammy gathered around the big circular table coloring in the coloring books, the boys fishing and playing golf, fireworks down by the water late at night, raspberry milkshakes, the neighbor's tractor pulling Doug's boat out of the water, the adults madly bailing buckets of water out of the boat near the shore line...boat listing to it's side...as waves keep spilling in more water than we can get out, Abby suggesting that we pray and Doug offering the simple prayer of faith that no less then calms the storm so that we can get the boat upright and floating. If you can conjure up these images in your mind you have a pretty good idea of what our week was like just two and a half hours north of here. I loved it. I'm glad to be home. There is no joy for me like spending time with family.

Cristie and I are in our second day of education week here at BYU. Right now I'm in what was one of my favorite hangouts when I was a student...the library. I don't mean to imply that I spent hours studying and researching here. I knew good places with soft chairs to sleep in and it was a quiet place to study or read for pleasure.

The library is a much different place from when we were students here. Computers all over the place, students working or e-mailing at them with earbuds connected to their iPods. Here on the second floor it's very quiet with the fall semester starting next week and the education week masses mostly up above on campus.

We attended some very educational and inspiring classes yesterday on the media, gospel topics and mental illness. One we selected was a bust...How to live out your later years with "zest." The guy was trying too hard to be entertaining, at least for us. In looking around the room, it appeared we were the only ones not entertained!

I love being on campus, especially this time of year. Most of the time I spent here was in the winter and spring months. The grounds are beautiful and well cared for, the scenery unmatched.

Looking forward to Bear Lake next week, but I'm savoring my time here at BYU.

And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeember, for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.
--Enos 1:27

We are all moving through mortality on different timetables. I go though my day doing very ordinary things; laundry, gas in the car, make some granola, feed kids and birds...the list goes on and on. But every now and then I am reminded that even though my life is essentially made up of a string of ho-hum activities; I, like Enos, am bound to find a place of rest. I suppose what I am trying to say is that in spite of the ups and downs of my very ordinary life...in this mortal probation; I am thankful for the ride. I am mindful of the abundance found profusely in our lives and I choose to see the glass half full. So, today may we each be mindful of the soulful things that we can do that will help us "see his face with pleasure."
Warmest blessings to you, me xox

I must confess...I am sore after doing 20 pushups on Sunday. Guess I'm getting old!