25 days left - Polar Express

I asked the kids why they loved watching the Polar Express and why it had to be a part of the countdown.  Cambelle said that the movie was magical and J.T. and Sara both said that when we watched it felt like the beginning of the holiday.  I have to agree with them.  I totally look forward watching it but I also love the popcorn and m&m's.  

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!!

So once again we are at the beginning of my favorite season.  I have hopes of recording this year a little better than last year.

We started again with a Christmas breakfast.  I think the kids were a little surprised since it was only the 29th of November but there were things I wanted to do and I knew that there were going to be days in the month of December that were taken with extra activities, so I wanted to take advantage of the weekend after Thanksgiving.

As the kids get older our conversations are more interactive and quite funny.  We laughed and talked about the things that we had done last year during the year and the best part of the countdown.  When we were done eating we got down to business and opened the envelope that was on the table.  In it was tickets to the Forgotten Carols.  I have wanted to see it for a long time and incorporate it into the Christmas countdown but it is always here in November and we have always started in December. So this year I decided to live on the edge, (how sad that the edge for me is simply a couple of days in November :) and start the countdown early.

Jersey totally wanted in on the action.

We got ready and left a little early so we could get our Christmas shopping done.

We divided and conquered with our cell phones in hand to let everyone know when we were done. And then we met at the car, shopping - check!  LOVE IT.

We headed to the auditorium and found our seats, and as the lights dimmed I became very excited.  I love Michael McLean and I was not disappointed.  The music was beautiful, the story inspiring and the feeling a little like being home and safe.  At the end of the performance Michael McLean came back on stage and talked for a little bit and then sat at the piano.  He sang "We Can Be Together Forever Someday" and the audience joined in.  He reminded us that as we sang it we could think of anyone close to us that wasn't able to be there with us.  Of course I thought of my mom and dad.  I think the kids were all thinking a little of Grandpa Nelson as well.  So the tears flowed and love filled our hearts.  Then he asked us to sing Silent Night.  Cute Cambelle was sitting next to me and began to sing, then it became silent and I could here her sniffle.  I leaned down to ask her if everything was okay and she said, "I just feel the spirit so much."  There couldn't be a better way to start this season  than being reminded of the gift that is encompassed in the life of Christ and feeling it so sure and complete in our hearts.

The kids all agreed that tonight was a "do again."

Jersey Girl

We have thought about getting a dog for a long time.  But the timing never was quite right.  We decided that we wanted a mini schnauzer.  I kept checking the adds and looking for that perfect puppy.  This picture came up one morning and I couldn't stop thinking about her.

Troy and I made a quick trip to meet her.  She was only 4 weeks old and not old enough to bring home.  But when we met her I fell in love.  So we committed.

Four weeks later we went to pick her up and she has become a very sweet part of our family.  I really didn't know that I could love a little animal so much.  Most people are quite surprised that we have an inside dog.  But she loves to cuddle and she is my favorite child some days.  She has brought a little sunshine into our home and a lot of smiles.

Seriously??... isn't this face the sweetest?

Surrounded

I have a beautiful print hanging in my room and I love it, "She Will Find That Which Is Lost" by Brian Kershisnik.  At the beginning of the year I stumbled across this painting in a blog post.  I had seen it before but in January it spoke to me in a new way. I find it beautiful, comforting and inspiring.  The idea that there are so many people to support and love a person is a wonderful thought.  I was struck by the woman, she looks down.  It seems that her grief is consuming and that she may not even realize the unseen forces that are surrounding her. The love may be felt but not completely understood.  The original is currently hanging in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.  Troy and I were there about a month ago and took a minute to view this lovely piece.  I was amazed at the feelings that it evoked. I had tears in my eyes, the idea of my own unseen force created a sense of belonging.  I hope it's true.  I hope there are people who care so much for me and my well being that they will surround me with this same kind of love and support.  There are moments I feel this way, and I hold on to those feelings and cherish them.

Rylee's wedding cake

This was a lot of fun to do.  The flowers were both made out of gum paste and had an enormous learning curve.  But I'm so glad I got to experiment with that new skill.

I love this couple so much, they have such a bright, fun future together.  I wish them all the best.

Grandma's 90th

On March 1st we went to celebrate Grandma Petterborg's 90th birthday.  They had a big birthday party, so many people showed up.  It was obvious that she is very loved.  I'm glad I got a picture of the kids with her.  They are among those that love her.  Troy's mom and dad were sad they couldn't be there but we were able to Skype with them and they got to see most of the people that showed up.  We love Grandma!!

It was fantastic to visit with family all evening.

Sara and Kendalyn were in charge of keeping Grandma and Grandpa company and make sure they got to see everything.  So they carried the computer around all night.

A great family picture.

There were all sorts of memorabilia set up.  It was fun to catch a glimpse into her history.

The beauty of it all

I love sunsets.  I so wish that I could look out my window and enjoy them every night.  However, there are many things blocking my view, buildings, trees and frankly a lack of windows on the west side of my home.  But every once in awhile I am fortunate enough to catch a beauty on my way home.  Last night was one of those nights.  I pulled into the parking lot near my home and just took a minute to soak it in.  The thing that makes sunsets so incredibly beautiful to me is the variation.  The variation in color and tone.  The darkness and the light blending together to create a beautiful, breathing moment of real life art.  I believe that is the same with life.  The shining moments of our lives are quite obviously beautiful.  They create wonderful memories that make us smile.  They are recalled with fondness.  Dark moments are different.  I don't like the darkness that is inevitable in our lives.  Yet, only with the darkness can the light be made so much brighter and beautiful.  Though darkness is uncomfortable, and discouraging there is beauty in it.  There is beauty in it because it creates the variation in our own lives. For me, I find I can recall moments of darkness with fondness as well.  It takes longer to get to that point, but often those moments are filled with life lessons, and love from angels, both earthly and those that have gone before.  No, I don't look forward to dark times and I long for them to pass but because of the darkness 

I can see the beauty of it all.