I Know, I Know. . .

You're dying to know what I got for Christmas. . . Well, here it is, with a kid to boot:

Isn't she cute? And Anya, too! ;)

All the kids seemed to enjoy my new pony,

especially me! She is so lifelike and fun! Thank you, Mark!

Dallin and Haley and Megan and Brooks and Danny and Melinda and the grandkids came over for Christmas Dinner in the afternoon. We had ham and brocolli and cheesy potatoes, rolls, delicious fruit salad, little carrots, and olives. It was sooooo nummy!

That evening we watched Tombstone with Dallin and Haley. It was awesome! We also had some of Mark's special, homemade, HOT chocolate pudding - Yes, Haley and Dallin, It was pudding! They thought it was the best hot chocolate ever! Hee, hee.

Even though Leto was exhausted

from wrapping presents on Christmas Eve. . . ~ Really, Mark did it for us, and we didn't really have many presents this year, but it still takes a long time to wrap them. Mark, you're my hero! ~ We will have another big day on New Year's Day, with horse's doovres instead of a big meal. Doesn't that sound fun? I'm really looking forward to it. (If I can get caught up around here first!) Sooo. . . Happy Holidays to You! (And welcome, Cuzzin Bonnie, to the world of blogging!)

Snowbound

Actually, it's just me that's snowbound: Seth can walk to work in his new Christmas boots (opened early out of necessity) and Mark can get around, although he says the streets are hazardous; and Megan and Brooks and family are headed to I.F. till Christmas Eve; so I guess itis just me (oh - and my aide) that can't get out this week. That's good for me, because I have a lot to do! Mark and I have been spending the evenings having Christmas early, just for fun. We watched Polar Express on evening, and Mark made us warm bowls of his own special chocolate pudding. It's just like really thick hot chocolate. Yum! Another night he made his own , special recipe, caramel corn, and it smelled great! He bagged it up to take to his home teaching families, and we got plates of goodies in return. Wow! And we've been keeping the tv tuned to TBN, which has stories and songs of Christ and Christmas all the time. I love having that in the background. We've gotten 4 Christmas cards so far, but then, we're (I'm) terrible about getting any cards made out. Every year I do a newsletter and have cards that we don't mail. I feel the weight of Christmas tasks too heavily to move, so I'm thinking, "Well, a Holiday Newsletter would be fine. I'm trying to enjoy myself, and whatever happens, happens. That attitude will probably get me farther than stressing will, anyway. The main thing is being generous with our spirits, in celebration of Jesus Christ. Happy Birthday, Jesus, this week and every week. Your coming defeated evil in our lives and gave us HOPE

Party!!

It's Audrey's third birthday and We're having a Princess Party!

Yay!

Aunt Melinda pulls out a fluffy princess skirt for cousin Lainie.

And the party begins! Some princesses keep their attendants close by During the numerous princess cakewalks And pinnings of the crown on the princess.

Do you fancy my hat? I think it's a good color for me.

Aunt Esther and Nicole created this awe-inspiring castle cake!

And Audrey, the Birthday Princess, blows out the candles!

Uh oh...Time for Presents!

Wow! Would you look at that?

So many beauty products, so little time...

Am I beautiful? I'm three now, you know.

Anya doesn't care.

She just enjoys poking Dad in the eye with Christmas decorations.

My New Apern!

Look at the new apron I won at Conversations with a Cupcake! It's handmade (thank you, Megan, for being my model), and embroidered. I love that I also received 3 other cute, cute aprons, so I could share them with Megan, Melinda, and Haley. Everyone had their preferences, so we each got the apron we wanted. Thank you, Brooke! I'm including a picture of Tut by the little stove in the living room, where he found a cozy spot under our tiny tree (the large one's in the family room). Doesn't he look comfy?

More Chalet Pictures

Here are the rest of the Chalet pictures - hope you like them! (And btw, that is Mark's arm in the picture of him - his tummy's not THAT BIG!) Also, I forgot to mention that, on Saturday, Mark and I and Seth went to see Twilight! This was Seth's first viewing, and we all liked it. I could watch it a hundred times and never get tired of seeing it! It's soooo romantic! Last night the Interfaith Christmas program at our church building was festive and enjoyable, even if it was a bit long in parts. I loved having the churches celebrate Christ together. There was a special feeling there that was indescribable! I'm so glad we all got to go.

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful. . .

Well! Winter has come to Idaho! It's been very windy, snowy, icy, and cold, relatively speaking, for the past two days, so I guess you could say it's wintertime. Last Thursday, Megan and children visited, Friday was the Christmas Chalet in I.F., organized by Danny and Melinda, with cooking help provided by Mark (he did the ham and super-delicious green beans). And today is Sunday, and we have a special program at church tonight, with Greg Olsen paintings of Christ, plus choirs from several denominations in our area. So, without further ado, here are some pictures! (These are out of order and un-captioned for now, because I have a glitch in my blog; also, I may add more pictures later, but I'll post these now, while I'm ahead!)

Before I Start My Day. . .

I've been continuing on in my thoughts from yesterday, since I last posted, and I want to write some more about those, before I get too distracted. I was watching a movie on the Christian Broadcasting Network last night (they often have very good feature movies in the evenings), while Mark worked on some accounts from his job; the movie was done from Mary's point of view as the mother of Jesus. The woman who played the mature Mary also played Anakin's mother in Star Wars I, and she's just a terrific actress. Jesus was played by Christian Bale, and having two rather familiar faces to relate to, and such good acting in the roles, made it very effective...I could just completely identify with her feelings as a mother, and I felt deeply the sacrifice that both she and Jesus made for me. Then, going back to those feelings I've been experiencing, I thought how those feelings made me more receptive and empathetic to other human beings in their various circumstances and sufferings, even the sufferings of sin. I'm so grateful for anything that helps me feel that way, and I thought how our suffering here on earth often helps us succor others in their hours of need. I thought of how, in Mark's life, he has experienced some real trials and carried some heavy burdens, and how maybe Heavenly Father, knowing Mark is strong, gave him those so that he could succor those who aren't as strong, when they face similar trials. He does seem to be a natural helper and healer, by nature; in fact, he identifies himself with Samwise Gamgee from LOTRs, and he has a picture of Samwise on our wall. I think that is the kind of person he strives to be and what he finds most rewarding. That is so much a type of what our Savior did for us, even if it is just a reminder of what He has done. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and He suffered unjustly for someone's - for everyone's - sins, not just to satisfy the demands of justice, but also so that He could be the perfect one to help us. He was strong, to help us who are weak. I think about Mary, watching her child having those hardships thrust upon Him and having to trust Heavenly Father's will in the matter. How hard that must have been! And as I contemplate that, it also opens my mind to the possibility that my own children might experience things that are hard, because they are strong and compassionate, and therefore might be instruments of comfort to others in need. That is a marvelous thing to realize. It makes me wonder how many times I have not seen the complete picture, in many things. How often would I wonder why there is this or that allowed in the world, not understanding at all? If it can be true about one small thing, it can be true about so much. I don't have Heavenly Father's wisdom in the matters of life and learning, and I don't have His understanding of the joy that is possible, either. I do know this - that His plan is for our joy, and that is His purpose. I think I will give Him my fears, as I learn to walk in faith. I am still very much a student, but I have some excellent teachers and textbooks, and the classroom door is always open, so I'm hopeful.

Call From Phillip

Mark says he got a call from Phillip, and he's in Kuwait, headed to Iraq really soon! Also, he said he likes it so far. Way to go, Phillip! I've been having some quiet days, without Seth here and no aide coming to help out. It's been a long time since I had an aide regularly. I mean, a loooong time, so I think I'll call and have them switch me to another agency as soon as I remember to. Meanwhile, I miss Seth! But I hear that he's coming in handy at Melinda and Danny's, plus he's getting to visit with his old friend, Matt, so that's nice. I was talking with Melinda this a.m., about how, every once in a while, we get panic-stricken and afraid or worried about everything, and how maybe it's help from Heavenly Father, so we'll be more cognizant about how much we rely on Him. I hope that's the case, 'cause that makes it make some sense, at least. The first time I had that feeling was when we moved from one home to another in Texas. At first I felt really discombobulated. It was shortly after I'd found out (as a 24 yr. old!) that there was such a thing as head lice in the world. I think it upset my whole world view, so that made me really feel off-balance. I've always thought that was the explanation. I know that this week I've felt really vulnerable for several reasons: I've been in pain; I've been on pain meds, but went off of them when they made me feel grouchy; I feel dependent on a dr./dentist for something (bad experiences there); and it's winter (bad experiences there, also). Plus, I've been alone more this week, and I have two morning sick daughters (Linda, I count you as a daughter), several kids in school, one going to Iraq, and one teenager still at home, and the house is messy! Hey, wait a minute...it's probably a wonder that I'm not in the Looney Bin (as we crazies feel entitled to call it) already! I like the idea from All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten - that if we hold hands and stay together, we can make it (and milk and cookies always help:). And don't forget to say your prayers. Actually, the scriptures are a wonderful way to feel better, in any situation! Uh oh, Stylista is coming on, so I'll close this for now. I love comments! 'Love You! P.S. Am I hallucinating, or did Tamathy leave me a comment? Thanks, Tamathy! And thanks to my other comment-gifters - you know who you are!

Link to Sheri's Giveaway

Hi! I'm linking to the blog that Megan did, for the giveaway! You should too, because you get extra entries that way, and it's totally fun. The giveaway is at sherimhoward.blogspot.com. Yay! Now, to the important stuff - Haley, can you call Ben? And, also, my bruise looks worse every day...thanks for the sympathy. I'm going to the dentist's today, to get some needed adjustments. Then maybe it will feel better! Another yay! (I know...I'm corny. Yay for Corny! ;) (Ouch! Watch where you're throwing that pillow!) Let's see...Oh, um, that's pretty much everything for now. See Ya!

Swollen Face

And I didn't go to church, either! (But look at how nice my teeth look!)

Oops...I Forgot!

No, I don't have the photos yet. And now Mark's asleep. I'll try and remember in the morning. Tonight I went to bed early. It was nice. I just happen to be up right now, so I'll add a couple of things I forgot about. One is that Megan took me to my dental appt. at Kris Munk's, so Thank You, Megan! We got to stop by Danny and Melinda's house, also, and Tristan said (looking at my face), "You're sick." Isn't that funny? Lainie and the other kids didn't care, except Aiden seemed to think it was funny that I had my teeth pulled, but he had to admit that they looked pretty much like they did before. That's a huge admission from him! We did stop by the new Blackfoot Gables Assisted Living, for their open house. It was simply beautiful, and it smelled great, too. :) It was all decorated for Christmas, and was furnished in Keith's inimitable style. I wanted to live there! The other thing I forgot to blog about is Ben and Linda's talks and their duet. Linda spoke first, and she told about their courtship. It was really funny... Then she gave a sweet, sweet talk. She reminds me so much of Miss Honey, and I just want to be around her and hug her! Their song was lovely, which isn't really surprising, since she loves music and singing, and Ben has great pitch and a nice tenor voice. I can't remember the song, but it was so cool to hear them singing together like that - I was too proud, and now I'll have to repent! :/ Ben made some jokes about their courtship and how he took so long to "get a clue." Then he talked about something, but I can't remember what. Their whole theme just slipped my mind. I think I was kind of in LaLa Land. Lainie sat on my lap and fell asleep, and I was mesmerized by having Megan and Brooks' and Danny and Melinda's families there, too. We saw lots of people who seemed genuinely happy to see us, and we joked with them about moving back to our old neighborhood. It's fun to feel wanted. It was a beautiful day, too. Thanks for reminding me of their talks, Megan. It was really worth going to two Sacrament Mtgs. to get to see Linda and Ben's talks and all. I didn't get any pictures of the sunshine and the fall colors, but I'm sure you can all imagine our old neighborhood looking homey and wonderful. Sigh... BUT...I love our new neighborhood, too. I love living here in Chubbuck. And Seth has friends and his job, and he visits with us and we watch movies together, and he plays with Leto and the cats, and the grandkids when they're over. He's growing up! He'll be sixteen in February, and Audrey and Aiden have birthdays before then, too. And that's all besides Christmas! Then there's Valentine's Day, Mark's birthday, Cameron's birthday, Linda's birthday, and our Anniversary! Then Easter and Melinda's and Tristan's and Lainie's birthdays. Then Mother's Day and Kattie's birthday... Then Father's Day, and all the June birthdays. Then July Fourth and all the July birthdays, and then July babies! Okay...that's all I can think about. Sorry if I forgot someone's birthday. Or anniversary. Or a holiday. I didn't forget the August, Sept., Oct., and November birthdays, and Halloween and Thanksgiving, and very importantly, I didn't forget that Phillip should be home from Iraq next August! Yay! Whew! We'll have an exciting year, as usual. Just think about the holidays and chances to do things for other people then, and all through the year. So many opportunities! I hope I get Valentines made this year, 'cause I just LOVE Valentines. :) Imagine winter...it's a time to consolidate (a favorite word of mine) and plan. I love that slower time, before Spring. Then comes Spring, with it's work and play. The kids get out of the house and over their Cabin Fever, and Mom and Dad get a break from the crowding up, even if it was cozy. And you can have them help you plant a garden, and flowers, if you want to. (I'm going to plant flower boxes on our porch railings, where I can reach them, and some vegetables, too. Won't that be fun?) And I really hope we get to take the kids and go fishing sometime. And to Bear Lake! Okay, I'd better finish up here, before I erase it all. 'Bye!

Owww...

Whoa, it's been so long since I posted, but we were busy! For one thing, Mark went to the E.R. (yes, we seem to be keeping them busy lately!) because of a fluttering and irregular pulse, and they put him in the ICU till they got his pulse back to normal. Can you believe, he didn't even tell me he was leaving? He had me feel his pulse and then, when I feel back asleep, he drove himself to the hospital! Crazy, huh? Now I feel like the apostles who couldn't stay awake with Jesus! Anyway, they spread his blood pressure meds out more, and they're going to test his night oxygen levels, as well as do a cardiac rhythm test. They're all going to be done on an outpatient basis, so he got right out of the hospital the next day! I'm so glad to have him home again. I missed you, Mark! I got my teeth pulled and a partial denture put in. I love my new teeth, because they look just like my 'used' ones! And it does hurt some, but I'm good at ignoring it. I figure they'll adjust them at my next appt., 'cause that's what Dr. Harris said he'd do. Oh, and I have a purple black eye and a big bruise on my cheek, and a swollen face. I think that's all. I'll post pictures when Mark gets here and hands me the cord that downloads the pictures, 'cause I can't reach it. Dr. Munk did a good job, and the partial just clasps on to my remaining upper teeth, rather than being loose or clunky or needing some kind of adhesive. Cool, huh? So, that's all for now. I think Phillip left for Iraq, but if you want to email him, just send it to our email address and I'll put it in his folder, which he checks. I'm guessing they can still do that over in Iraq. Anyway, I'm not sure if he's left or not. If I hear from him, I'll blog about it. :) Thanks for reading and for your comments. Even the lamest comment is like water to a drowning man. Oh...did I get my metaphors mixed up? Well, you know what I mean. And you can post anonymously, too, so no one traces it back to you when you're famous. Just comment as a 'name' and then make one up, like 'Penelope.' Okay? Okay.