Words to live by ~ Home...

"...deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity prevail, a place where we can reset, regroup, and re-energize to prepare for future pressures.

The ideal place for that peace is within the walls of our own homes, where we have done all we can to make the Lord Jesus Christ the centerpiece."

 ~ Richard G. Scott ("For Peace at Home", Ensign April 2013)

Sunday...

Tim has a cold and is coughing so I didn't have Mark and family over for dinner today. I made some soup and took it to their home so we didn't spread any germs. It was so fun to spend time with them.

Tiff with the help of her boys, Mark included has the house all decorated for Christmas and as Cash said, "It looks beautiful!"

 Sweet moments captured a few days ago by Tiffani.

Cash and Colby took some pictures for me!

Backtracking a little... A few weeks ago Tim brought over the big ladder so Mark could hang the Christmas lights. Cash was a good helper.

 Scary!

As I drove away tonight I saw how pretty they look, what a gorgeous home!

Before I arrived Mark took Cash with him to do home teaching... then their home teachers came. It was wonderful to see them gathered around and to hear Mark give a beautiful prayer.

Cash and Colby had a little built up energy from being at church for three hours, but we had fun playing with the toys. We also played Crazy 8's for the first time and that was also a good time!

Mark and Tiffani are wonderful parents. I asked Cash what he wanted for Christmas and he said he wasn't sure yet. Tiffani said that they would also be finding ways to give during the holidays. Then Colby had an accident and went peeps in his pants. Mark didn't get upset, but calmly told him he has been doing so good and wiped up the wet floor. I'm so grateful that Cash, Colby, and Grey are part of a loving family where they can feel safe. 

The view from their home tonight, so pretty.

My heart is full... 

Pajamas...

I was going to wait for Christmas but I decided to give Cash, Colby and Grey the pajamas I made them a little early.  

 
It's not easy to get a picture with wiggly Grey!

They looked so cute and they liked the initial I put on the shirts. When Mommy and Daddy came back from their date we told them to close their eyes, because we had a surprise.

 Surprise!

I couldn't find a pattern that was small enough, so I cut them out using a pair of their old pajamas. It was fun to make them and if I do it again they will turn out much better!

I love these sweet boys so much! 

Thanks for letting me take a gazillion pictures.

Thanksgiving in the city...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Christopher is a wonderful host. We had a delightful Thanksgiving Day at his home in Salt Lake City. I dare say it was the BEST turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy I have ever had. Of course he made everything from scratch. He brined the turkey overnight and made homemade stock. Delicious. 

I made a few appetizers, white cheddar cheese and cranberry dip. It was tasty. And mac and cheese bites like they have at the Cheesecake Factory, only they were baked not fried. I also made a yummy pumpkin cheesecake that I liked better than pumpkin pie.

 Carving the full bird!

Plating up the delicious Thanksgiving Day meal.

 I can't spell!

We played a few games which is always fun. Chris also taught us how to meditate and then led us in a practice session. It was amazing and I want to start meditating more. Last but not least he had a goal setting activity for us. It was divided into 3 categories...

1. Negative thought or situation
2. Affirmation
3. Goal

We took time to really think about a goal we want to achieve in 2016. It's always a good idea to set goals and it was helpful to pause and write it down on paper. I am so grateful for a son is always so kind, generous, and supportive. I love my family and have much to be grateful for.

Thanks again Chris, what a nice day!

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Happy Thanksgiving...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Morning walk...

Perfume...

Almost everyday I put a small drop of my Mom's perfume on my wrist. I think of her when I wear it and all the ways she blessed my life. I will be sad when the perfume is gone but I know she would want me to use it. I miss her.

Words to live by ~ Slow to anger...

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city”
~ Proverbs 16:32

So many of us make a great fuss of matters of small consequence. We are so easily offended. Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way.

Slow to Anger, Gordon B. Hinckley Ensign October 2007

Sticky Notes...

Since I had the day off on my birthday, I didn't expect any birthday surprises the next day at school... boy was I wrong!

I walked in my room to see the file cabinet and my desk covered with sticky notes, flowers and confetti. There were also decorations on the wall.

Holley knows that my favorite flowers are hydrangeas.

Almost every student in my classes wrote me a birthday message. I cried when I saw all the notes, it was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me! 

Holley asked one of the T.A's to take a few students out of my classes to do a "service project," that's when they wrote the notes. I had no idea what they were doing, I just thought it was a nice idea. I also got a gift card from the Student council for Blue Lemon. 

It was her day off, but Mrs. Puida brought me flowers and a gift card to Olive Garden. It was so sweet and generous.

It was Mr. Kano's birthday so we had a party and gifts for him also.

Mr. Kano gave me a gift bag with marshmallows, hot chocolate and popcorn. I also got a card and gift from my supervisor Carol and some "loot" from Mr. Hunt. I really do work with some very good, generous and kind people. I'm lucky that one of them is my sweet sister Holley.

Day Off... 11-11-2015

I asked my supervisor if I could leave at high noon on my birthday and she said that I could have the day off! Christopher invited me to have lunch with him in Salt Lake. We went to City Creek and enjoyed walking around. It was a beautiful day. 

The mall was already decorated for Christmas and it was lovely. I used the birthday money Tim gave me to buy a pair of boots and Chris gave me a charm for my Pandora bracelet. 

We had lunch at the Cheesecake factory and it was fantastic! Pumpkin praline cheesecake... scrumptious! I had a delightful afternoon with Chris but it didn't end there. 

We went to Mark and Tiff's for more birthday fun. Cash and Colby helped Tiff decorate, it was so sweet. 

I got lots of birthday hugs and my favorite pizza from Pier 49. Cash helped choose a beautiful scarf and sweater and I love them both.

One last birthday snuggle from Grey and my heart was full. I am so blessed.

I also had lots of phone calls and cards from friends and family. It really was a perfect day and I felt so loved. Thank you family for a wonderful birthday. I love you all so much.