Random thoughts...

The dating world (for the older crowd) is pretty 'interesting'... had a guy this week who really thought it was appropriate to use a dating site to network for his upcoming business' release! Yep, that's definitely where I would NOT EVER look for new customers- no matter what I was selling- my definition of 'interesting'.

Also been thinking about the last decade of my dating experience... could have been a whole lot worse- in the last ten years, I can count on one hand the number of my friends who have actually set me up on a date. (and yes, I am still friends with all of them even though the dates obviously did not work out- one was even an adventurous disaster!) Makes me wonder why... if every friend were to just set me up just once, life would definitely be in a different place right now. I guess that could be good or bad! (and to be fair, a few others have tried, but the guy didn't want to even date someone with kids... so glad those guys said no!) So for any of you who know me, think about it: I will still continue to be your friend, the guy does NOT have to be someone I would marry (just someone old enough who wants to get out of his house too), and it could be a new experience for you!

Jon is the best teenager in the universe! (even when he's grumpy). I caught him listening to EFY music at full blast this week! He has been going to bed before 10 without me asking! He improved his grades by over +1.0 grade point! on his own! He would rather watch an 'Abbott and Costello' movie than any of the network programming! Yep, this mom is definitely one of the most blessed moms to ever live!

Oh, and Charly, Eric and Alison are nothing short of amazing either (even if one of them is the culprit for setting me up with that guy that was the 'adventurous disaster'!!!)

The best of the month, the worst of the month...

Charles Dickens really got life right with his opening of 'Tale of Two Cities'. Life really is great and terrible all at the same time. Just think about it. Whenever you have something go great in life, there is always something not going so great. However, my favorite part of life, whenever there is something terrible happening in life, there is ALWAYS something great there too (if you just look hard enough). 

My worst this month: a student died. She was a senior, just about to begin her life adventure on her own in a few short months- but Heavenly Father has other plans for that life. So she returned home to Him this week. Her funeral was beautiful and inspiring in so many ways! I hope and pray that her friends, my students, will find peace in what happened and will remember, from Amy's funeral, the great love that our Father in Heaven has for each one of us.

My best this month: My Charly is having her book published! Such an exciting thing for her! I don't think she even realizes just how wonderful and special something like this is in her life... She has worked so hard for this moment. I hope that she can savor every second!

Bread for the neighbors!

Another of the best... having a chance to thank so many wonderful people for all of the little things they do for me! I have the BEST neighbors!

Turning Left!

two of my beautiful nieces who always make me smile!

Life is full of lots of little decisions that lead to little actions or other decisions that ultimately lead to life!

Some little things that have meant A LOT to me...

* Makayla's 'bear kisses'! 

* Brynndi's hysterical movies!

*errands with Char (and ice cream- Yum)!

*repeating Doctor lines with Jon!

*Eric and Alison's big announcement!

(yes, they are expecting... a PIANO!)

*A great guy for my daughter to date!

*A listening ear (thank you, Angela!)

And one all-encompassing great thing in my life: my Father in Heaven's love! I am so grateful to know that He is there when I need Him!

The Best New Year Ever!

We had what my daughter refers to as the "nerdiest Christmas ever!" And I loved every minute of it. In fact. I loved it so much that we continued on the next week to have a very nerdy New Year's Eve party with the best neighbors in the world! Really Tracy and Shauna are not just our neighbors- they are truly our family members with a different last name! (Love you guys!) And just to prove that this MUST be true, Tracy & Shauna tolerate, nay encourage our love of all things Doctor Who!!!

One of my favorite gifts

So to celebrate the new year, we all spent the evening eating great food (thanks again, Shauna. It was delicious!), enjoying amazing company, and laughing out loud to the second half of series six and the 2012 Christmas special of Doctor Who!

My contribution to the food: Grandma Opal's homemade glazed doughnuts. Yum!

New Year's Eve could not have been better! I can't wait to have more nights just like it!!

Jon's Doctor Who action figures 

In the meantime, I have my Jon to watch repeats with me!

Blessings and the Beginning of Answers, though vague

With the new year, I've been feeling like I am missing something in my life- something I should be doing but am not yet doing... yes, a vague statement- but then again, it's a vague feeling. So I tried some things (may explain more at a later date)- most did not work out but one might...

Then I read a letter from my wonderful nephew, Elder Jeremy Troff. He was inspired to write what he did in part for me! Isn't it great when you get a special message from our Heavenly father through someone who means so much to you?!

"It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, or where you think you are going, for God WILL stand by you and help you in any way He can. The conditions of that help are set by us! The God Almighty can command the earth to move, the storms to cease, and the winds to be still. Yet, His greatest creation of all He has given them the choice to choose if He can change them. I know that through Christ's atonement that we can be changed, we can be healed, He just stands and waits at our door!"

Thank you, Jeremy!

That's My Girl!

My baby girl just had yet another birthday!

How did she grow up so fast?! It's so great that Char's birthday is this time of the year (although the gestational diabetes during Christmas because she decided to be born 10 days late was not so fun!) Always having that one more special day between Christmas and New Year's is wonderful... 

I am so grateful to have Charly in my life! And having her grown up does make for some fantastic girl's only outings! Plus someone to talk to about all those girl type things (Jon is so glad too!)

Happy birthday, baby girl!

Best Things of Christmas 2011

Christmas was, as always filled with wonder, joy and fun!

Best gift that I ever got!

Eric was born exactly one week before Christmas, and he is definitely the best gift that I ever got (as one of my favorite Christmas carols proclaims!) Celebrating his birth will always be one of the best things about Christmas for me!

This is my Christ-mas tree... A few years ago, I decided that I wanted a tree filled with things that represented my Savior (not snowmen, santas, etc). The other things are fun, and many of my other ornaments have some of the most wonderful memories attached to them, but I really wanted to focus more on Christ. So, thanks in part to my sister who brought me olive wood nativity ornaments back from Jerusalem, I have been able to put together a truly Christ-filled tree. One day, I will have a large tree- but this small one is fine for now.

 I love nativities! Having a November birthday meant that my kids always got me just what I wanted, a new nativity (they still do)! This manger has a lot of significance to me. And I absolutely love this sign given to me by my sister-in-law. It's one of my favorite gifts this year and one that I needed more than she will ever know.

My nephew, Jeremy, left just before Christmas to serve a two year mission for the LDS church in Finland. As much as we will miss him, I am so grateful for his spirit this Christmas, and I am especially grateful for the 'twin brother' he has been to my daughter!

 We have a tradition of having a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Eve, and this year was no exception. It is so nice to have a fancy dinner with the kids, spend the evening reading our favorite books and stories and then acting out the birth of the Savior of the world! I am so blessed that my kids can appreciate what Christmas is really all about! ( and you just gotta love 'Mary's' socks!)

And of course, spending time with family is the best thing about Christmas!