Christmas Part 2

The little ones slept in on Christmas morning, which was surprising because the night before they were so anxious for the arrival of Santa.  We opened our gifts then had breakfast.  Then Canyon and Evan played with their toys until we had our Christmas dinner.  The dinner was excellent and as usual I ate more than my tummy could hold.  We stayed Christmas night with them which is always fun.

These are my gifts from Derek, Kelly, Canyon and Evan. Of course there are no pictures of the gifts that Dick got. He received some very nice tools and they made their way to his shop as soon as we got home.

I started to get a horrid headache after dinner and took a nap, then layed on the couch dozing on and off.  During the night it got worse and I just kept praying that it would go away as knew what was causing it.  I had only planned on staying until after Christmas dinner and then coming home so I did not take my medications with me.  Big mistake!!! Sunday morning I got up early, took a shower and told Dick that we needed to get home.  We got packed up and left.

We arrived home just shortly after 9, I took my meds, put on my new pj's from Canyon and Evan, crawled under the quilt Danielle gave us and slept until after 1 in the afternoon.  When I woke up the headache had subsided, but because I had missed four doses, my body was weak and shaking.  This lasted for a couple of days and by Tuesday I felt back to normal.

We took the tree down on Tuesday, got all the decorations packed and taken downstairs then took all the canning supplies and put them on their shelves downstairs.  I vacuumed all the floors then scrubbed the tile floors.

We sure did have a wonderful Christmas and thanks to everyone that helped our holiday be the best.  Thanks to all that thought of us this year and for the gifts that you so graciously gave to us.  Your thoughts were greatly appreciated.  We hope that everyone had the best Christmas ever.

Christmas Part 1

This year for Christmas we were going to spend a couple of days at Derek and Kelly's house so we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve before we left.  We got a new television for Christmas which is so nice.  The new thin flat screens are so much nicer than the big bulky ones that we currently have and the picture is so clear and bright. Thanks Santa!!

Brook made each of us a bookmark with our names on them and I got a braclet and Dad got cuff links that her and Brea made.  This was a real treat and will be used all the time.  The bookmarks will be with us constantly as we do read tons of books.

Danielle gave us a quilt that she made.  We have not had a new quilt for 34 years and are still sleeping under the quilts that were made by both our mothers when we got married. I am so excited to retire the old quilts and begin with a new one.

We got a lot of fun gifts and can hardly wait to use them.  There are not any pictures of the gifts that Dick got because he has already taken all his tools to his shop.  OH WELL!!! but he did get lots of nice tools.

Christmas Eve was spent with the Madsen family in West Valley where we all gathered at Shannon and Jordan's house for the annual Christmas Eve party.  Lots of good food and chatting.

Then it was on to Derek's where we waited the arrival of Santa and yes he did find those two little ones even though there were not any lights on the house, or a chimney for him to come down.  There is a magic key that is placed on the door for Santa to use to come in when he stopped by their house.

It was a good Christmas Eve.

Excitement.....

I am overflowing with excitement tonight.  When I pulled my Quilted Bear account up and counted the cape sales, to my surprise I have sold 86 capes (7 special orders included) which brings my running total of these adorable capes to 975...AND there are still 4 days left in this month!!!! Whoohoo!!! For this year alone there have been 426 capes sold.  EXCITEMENT!!!!!  There sure are alot of little boys and girls flying around in one of my capes.  LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!

Can you believe that in 3 years I am nearly at my goal of 1000 capes.  Who would ever believe that I would be this close to my goal.  Thanks to Kelly and Verdell for making emblems for me this past spring and summer.  It really helped in my rushed hours to have the emblems already made.  My poor sewing machines (2) have gone non stop all this year.

A big THANKS to all who have been kind enough to purchase a cape from me.  My capes have traveled all over and 5 of then reside in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

#1 seller

#2 seller

#3/4 seller

#3/4 seller

THANKS EVERYONE FOR HELPING ME GET THIS CLOSE TO MY GOAL!!!!

Refreshing Reading.....

Every year I read a special book.  I begin my reading in August and my goal is to have it finished by Christmas Eve.  It is a most refreshing book and brings to light many prespectives of life.  I love this book and look forward to my scheduled daily reading.  I learn many new things each year as I ponder upon each word and the messages they have for me.  I wake early so I am not disturbed to read this book and to enjoy the words upon its' pages.  New phrases pop out to me each year that are different from the previous years.  I so look forward to each year and tire not of reading the same book.
This morning I finished my precious book ahead of schedule and am overjoyed by what I have learned.  I love this book with all my heart and it fills my soul with joy each time I pick it up to read a few phrases each day.  What is in my heart will go with me when I leave this existence and am with my eternal Father.  For this reason, I only read good uplifting books.  Books that I am not afraid to let my sons, daughters and grandchildren read, for I know that within the pages that I have read, these precious souls will be uplifted as I was.
I love this book and each year faithfully read it from cover to cover. My soul is refreshed for this most precious time of the year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Let us all not forget what Christmas is truly about.

Happy Birthday Mom...

Happy Birthday Mom. 

 I love you so very much and have always felt like I was the luckiest girl in the world to have you for my mother. You taught me well on how to handle all that life dishes out.  You have always been there with me whenever I laugh or cry.  You hold my hand in yours whenever I need you the most. I always wanted nothing more than to be just like you.  I think I am succeeding for when I look in the mirror, I see your reflection looking back at me. I love you dearly and am thankful my life was molded by your hands.

One Very Handsome Dude...

This is one mighty handsome dude!!!

So sad he is moving to Japan.

Maybe I'll just hide in his suitcase and go with him.

Our Eagle Scout...

Our sweet Grandson, Cody, was officially made an Eagle Scout tonight. 

We are so proud of him and all the accomplishments that he has achieved in the scouting program. 

 For his Eagle project, Cody made many quilts for Primary Children's Medical Center.  This took many hours and he was able to involve the elderly, young women and young men in his ward.

Cody is an ambition young man and has his goals set high in the scouting program. He studies hard and knows the in's and out's about scouting and is quick to correct anyone giving out wrong information.  

 WAY TO GO CODE MAN!!!
 We love YOU!!

Update

We went to Dick's first diabetic clinic yesterday and I must say  that I am proud of him. He came out of the class with a new perspective about changing the eating habits in our home (I have been trying for a year to get him to change due to my diabetes).
Today we have started out great. Right on count.  Let's hope we can continue for 21 days so this becomes a good habit and not a one day thing.
We have been so busy trying to finish up the last of the Christmas and I am proud to say that we have succeeded.  I purchased my one and only remaining gift yesterday, mailed all my packages on Monday that were last minute ideas, got the tree up (it is so pretty this year) and have enjoyed receiving the many cards that are coming in.  I love Christmas cards and look so forward each year to getting them.  We might not see each other during the year often, but I can always count on those most treasured cards coming during December.
Today I am baking bread, making capes and dresses and Dick has snowblowed the drive and walks and is now out in the workshop making more beds for Quilted bear.  We are busy, busy today.

Christmas Village Field Trip...

Last Friday was Evan's field trip to see the Christmas Village.  All of Miss Nicole's preschool gathered there and sang songs for those that were coming to see the village with their families.

After they were done singing, we went and looked at all the houses that are in Christmas Village.  Each one is decoratated and has tons of lights on them.  It was so fun to go as a family.

We looked and looked for the Nativity display.  Canyon was so funny and asked "Is that the Jesus thing, Mom?"  I thought I was going to split a gut laughing at that boy.

When we were done, it was time to go home and YES, she came home with us and spent two nights.

This was such a fun night as a family.  Thanks Evan for inviting us to go with you to Christmas Village.

Happy Birthday Meggie!!

My beautiful granddaughter is having her 19th birthday today. 

I remember so clearly the day you were born and how excited Gramps and I were to finally get a little girl.  I was thrilled because I could hold you, kiss you, cuddle you and spoil you rotten.  Not to mention all the cute clothes I could make for you and keep you dressed like a little princess.

Gramps immediately named you Angel Face and that name has stuck.  He also thought you had the most beautiful "doe eyes" and has always commented on your beatiful eyes.

My Meghan, you have grown into a beautiful young woman, not only on the outside, but on the inside as well.  You have a strong testimony and very diligently live the principles of the gospel.  Your heart is extremely open and filled with love for your family, friends and those you come in contact with.  You are a good example of what we are suppose to be in this life.

We love you dearly our sweet girl and hope that this birthday is very special for you.

Have a good day filled with fun and excitement.

The Answer Is....

We just got back from our second visit to a VA facility this week.  Today's visit was to take pictures of the back of Dick's eyes to make sure that there is not bleeding  behind the eyes.
It is confirmed that NO he does not have diabetes.  Because he had ecoli in his system for the long period of time, they are taking all kinds of tests to make sure that organs were not damaged.  The diabetic clinic that he goes to next week is for the reason that the doctor wants him to start eating the diabetic diet to bring the glucose readings down farther.  His readings are high due to the ecoli.
Next time he gets sick like he did I am sure that he will run right to the doctor and not let it get out of hand like this last bout.  He was sick for almost a year before going to get checked.  It is a miracle in it self that he is even with us today let alone that his organs are still working. 
I know that our prayers are answered each and every day.

So Far So Good!!!

I sat in the VA Hospital today in Salt Lake while Dick was having a medical procedure done.  After 1 1/2 hours all is well and he will not have to have this procedure done again for 10 years.  The doctor told him that whatever he has done in the past continue to do them as nothing invasive was found. Yeah for good medical care for our veterans who have served in the military.
Tomorrow we go to Ogden VA Clinic for an eye examination to make sure that the eyes are good and no bleeding is showing on the back of the eyes.  I think they have found out that Dick is a diabetic or a borderline one as all of a sudden we are getting sent for diabetic testings.
Next Tuesday he has a diabetic clinic that he has to attend in Ogden.  Yes, I really think his blood sugar is elevated even though he refuses to believe it.  He is telling everyone it is the doctor that is trying to make him out to be a diabetic.  I keep telling him that it is not the doctor, but his own blood that is making him a diabetic. 
Oh well!!! we will see what the future holds for him and his glucose readings.