When we ask for God's blessing, we're not

asking for more of what we could get for

ourselves.  We're crying out for the  wonderful,

unlimited goodness that only God has the power

to know about or give to us.

from: The Prayer of Jabez

by: Bruce Wilkinson

I know Christmas is about Jesus...I know this well. And my journey to know Him and love Him better is a good one.  My concerted efforts to study  and learn about His life and Gospel has become a beautiful thing for me.
But what is Christmas without family?  Family was a little sparse this year...with it being an 'off' year...But there is nothing "off" about having Clark and Jenna and Gideon here and with celebrating with grands. William and Ben's enthusiasm and wonder are the reason for the season as well.

Im not embarrassed to admit...whenever we go to the DI we find a treasure. This time if was an armful of grandma furry hats!! They made us happy..all those hats and fur collars...that smelled like a grandmas drawer...talcum powder and musty perfume. We think we sport them well, dont you??!

 You gotta love Old Main Hill at the University!!  And the sunshine on this day was heaven sent!!  It felt like it had been months since the sun had shone around here!! A perfect day for sledding!! PERFECT!!!

 I love these people!!

 I challenged David to a race...he started of strong....but I beat him in the end!! Good times!!!

Im so grateful for my good, good family. They bring me such joy and happiness, and fun times.

And words cant express how very proud I am of of these two kids. Medical school is a challenge I cant possibly comprehend...and to have them both so challenged is remarkable to me.  Their being able to relax for a time was such a gift ...for I know not what else I could do for them.... God bless them.

The very first telephonic conversation, between Bell

and Watson, standing in separate rooms, contained

these words; "come here, I want to see you." In the

uncountable human phone conversations since then,

that concept has never been far from our lips. "Come

here. I want to see you." Impatient lovers, long distance

friends.  Grandparents talking to grandchildren. The

telephone voice is but a seduction, a bread crumb 

to an appetite.  "Come here.  I want to see you."

from: The First Phone Call From Heaven

by: Mitch Albom

Presidents Day was spent down in Salt Lake partying with some of the grands.   It was Beckhams birthday ...a few days before...and we wanted to add our two cents to the celebration.
Having Benjamin join us was a small bit of spontaneous genius.  Ripping him from the clutches of his mothers arms...was a small miracle.

All in all it was a wonderful day...a break to remember.  These faces never fail to melt my frozen Logan heart....every single time we see them.  What a blessing each one of them are to our lives.
This is a glimpse of the day:
Mommy told Ben to take a nap while driving down to Salt Lake.   Ben closed his eyes before we even left their parking lot and pretended to be sleeping, until he was in fact sleeping. Such obedience...a rare thing indeed.

Next we met at THE HABIT for yummy burgers and those delicious tempura green beans...a new favorite of mine.  Ben had his 'mommy-made' PB and honey sandwich, apple slices, and red pepper wedges, which completely satisfied him.  (again...who is this child!!!??)

Then we walked across the parking lot to Scheels.  There's always call to see the gigantic fish tank..full of Nemos, and the fun zone to play in.  Fun was had by all!!
Then we said our good-byes...oh how we love these kiddos...and its hard to say good-bye.  Even knowing that I'll see them again..sometime soon.

Next were some business errands to run...which included a cool pet store of course.  Our little man Ben was great company.
The only 'fail' of the day...not being able to meet up with Brian and Mericar as planned.  Darn work, Darn reality.   Disappointing.
But all I have to do to cheer myself up is to look at this pics...and then Im feeling grateful once again.
The drive home seemed quicker than normal...for Ben was talkative...and half-way thru he requested some MJ.  MJ???? What does that mean??  Could it possibly be Michael Jackson!!?? Indeed it was so...my little man is a M J fan!! How can I not adore that!!!???

I realize I've forgotten how very simple

a little straight-up love can be:

"I am the leg of you."

from: Driving Mr Albert

by: Michael Paterniti

 Christmas morning...bright and early!!  But so grateful we could share it with the little boys and Lucie...with some family!! 

 You will notice that there is one less beautiful face missing from all these pictures...and that would be Mericar!! She was the photographer...and we're grateful...but sad that we didnt make sure she was in some of the pics!!

Hardware Ranch was a lovely little outing too!  We bundled up...expecting the worst...and instead we had sunshine, no crowds and lots of elk to see.  The 'sleigh' ride was really a wagon ride...but our trusty guide...named Cheeseburger...was a wealth of information about the elk.  William and Ben were warm...but the little girl from another family on our 'sleigh' wept the whole time...because her feet were so cold she couldnt feel them or wiggle them as her daddy was always suggesting her to do...poor thing.

Oh how I love this family of mine...

Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments 

in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations,

 the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones

 are less prepossessing.  They come to the door of memory

unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and 

simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these. 

quote by: Susan B. Anthony

from: Put a Cherry on It

by: Ben Behunin

The house in Logan must feel fairly tomb like today...These three handsome boys went home...back to their much missed mommy and daddy.
But as you can see by the above pics...we had a fun time while we had them.
I will attempt to sum up the days here.
My favorite memories:
Beckham singing the songs from FROZEN. He is just learning to really talk...but boy can he sing..its adorable.
Beckhams smiles from behind his binky..priceless!!

Logan wanting to do odd jobs around the house so that he could earn money for a longed for toy at Target. Logan is an amazing little worker...
just like his good dad. Jos A Bank was wise when they chose Joe to be on their team!!

Logan and I had fun discovering what a cat tail from last year does when you break it open!! (wishing my pictures of this had turned out!!!) SO FUN!!

Liam's love of throwing rocks in every body of water we came across was fun !! Watching him try to sneak up on baby ducks and their protective mother ..who would have nothing to do with that nonsense was entertaining too!!

Oh did we have a good time. Pizza and dancing on the roller rink floor were high-lights as well...and the video of that fun will not be available ...dang me for not knowing how to upload the clips on my computer!!
I look forward to our next visit...I think it'll be soon!!  Baby sister could be here any day now!!! Yahoo!!!

P.S. I thought you might find it entertaining to hear about my return trip to St George..after dropping the boys and spending that lovely afternoon at the Park with Anna.
So as to not incriminate the almost innocent..I will not reveal names...but someone I know and love offered me a ride home with  herself and two friends. Departure time..6:00pm. Actual time...closer to 8:00pm...... teenagers in charge. None of the occupants of the car were older than 18. ...except for me...... which of course became blatantly apparent in no time.
Handsome driver had just completed a Rugby tournament...and won the whole thing.  State Champs!!
Ipod was plugged into the sound system..and unfamiliar music played...louder than 5 boys playing at Mimis.
We're barreling along in a little blue Honda Civic. He traveled at highway speeds with admittedly good skills, but for some reason it felt faster than usual....due in part to the darkness, the music, and not being distracted by conversation and I being tired Im sure. There was making out going on in the back seat..I could hear the lip smacking during the pauses between tracks.  What does one talk about with a young man that's a rugby playing poet who's leaving on a mission to Mexico in a few months? He being a typical teenager that answers questions with minimal answers.  I apologized for seemingly cramping their style...for surely there would have been more to talk about if I wasnt in the car...right?
Needless to say...I did make it home safe and sound..let out at the curb of my folks home..a 55yr and older community..quiet and peaceful..doors and trunk opened...music blaring...and bid them thank you and good-bye!! Whew!!!

Life is a journry...indeed!!

Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.

from: The Fellowship of the Rings

by: J.R.R. Tolkien

TROUBLE IN THE TERRESTRIAL KINGDOM

(OR ...A SHORT REVIEW OF MY WEEK)

Gravity...the movie...a joy ride!! Trouble in the outer atmosphere! An intense and stunningly beautiful journey. 

Our front yard looks like a bomb went off...as it indeed did...a bomb named Raymond. Raymond the well intentioned but inept landlord. My Builder could write a book about this mans ineptitude in home improvement projects. The front yard will never be the same. Never.

Money .. a quote from my last Sunday School lesson..."I dont like money actually, but it quiets my nerves."  My nerves could stand some calming.

BEN HAD A COOKIE AT CHURCH!!! A cookie made with white flour. oh my

We made grand plans to start putting in some food storage again. There are lists.   Im doing my part by collecting 5 gallon buckets from work. I have plenty of buckets...but nothing yet to put in them.  

Logan had a 3.6 earthquake this week. I missed it.  Anna...my worry wart...did not.  

My Builders elbows and shoulders  are complaining.  Repetitive work is tough.

The government shut down has come and gone. I didnt notice a thing.  Utah saved its own prime resources...and opened up our 4 National Parks, with our 'own money." When there's a will, there's  a way.  Maybe Parks should privatize?  

Storm windows have gone up and new functioning weather stripping has been installed. (note above- about a bomb named Raymond) Battening down the hatches represents impending doom.

The last raspberries have been harvested from the garden.

So long to short sleeves..not because its getting cold...but because I now officially have saggy skin hanging from  my arms.  Im definitely struggling  towards old age.

MIMI MONDAY

I remember it as October days are always remembered,

cloudless, maple-flavored, the air gold and so clean it quivers.

from: Peace Like a River

by: Leif Enger

I complain about Logan a lot.  But when the grands are here...really...what's there to complain about? The skies seem bluer...the bunny is softer...the healthy cupcakes taste better. The memories will linger long enough to tide me over 'til the next time...maybe Thanksgiving?  Salt Lake and Joe, Nat and boys next week  I hope!  Im one blessed Mimi.
Peace