'That's (not all) She wrote!'

I love, love, love finding stories Aundrea has written! I found this latest story on a piece of Dave's scraps from a large print he made. The piece of paper is about 2 inches wide by 18 inches long! Aundrea should have been born during 'The great depression', she knows how to make use of every little thing, even if its garbage! :)

Mouse's Christmas
Mouse lived all alone in a hole behind the wall. No one knows that he was there because he was so small. In mouses quiet little space mouse spent most of his days thinking of food. But every night he scurried out into the kitchen to find food. But when he got to the kitchen they had swept already. In the morning in mouse's doorway was a treat on a plate. He scampered to taste it. Mouse just couldn't wait to eat it. As mouse's tummy filled up his wee heart did too. The family he lived with, they cared and they knew that mouse lived there and mouse stood and smiled at his little mouse door. He was full of warm Christmas cheer and lonely no more.

REAL JOYS

The following comments were made by my mom about 15 years ago. It was published in a ward booklet titled: 'JOY'. Each sister in the ward shared what they thought JOY was or what gives them 'JOY'. Her statement is very sentimental to me. It touches my heart in a deeper place because of her circumstances today! I feel lucky to have a mom who was focused whole heartily on her role as a mother. Her final statement is what chokes me up! I'm sure her feelings haven't changed, she just can't express it in the same way.

REAL JOYS
Over the years it has been a JOY watching my little children grow and learn and progress day by day. Then, as they've grown older, it was watching them grasp the ideals of the gospel, and seeing them put those ideas into action. There is a sweet peace that comes as I see my children grow in knowledge, and my heart swells with the knowledge that their testimony is also growing.
I am enJOYing having a missionary in the field who is delighted in serving the Lord, ans who loves to share the great message he has with those whom the Lord would have hear it. Knowing that my other children will also have this opportunity brings me much JOY.
I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such special children and a wonderful spouse. I am also very thankful that we as a family have the gospel and can enjoy serving and loving others together.
--Peggy Baker--

Joy to me is being my mothers daughter.
Joy is loving and serving my mom.
Mom, I love you !

Happy 1st Day of Winter!

Happy about winter? I'm trying to enjoy it, but oh-boy do I miss warmer weather.
Winter...How do I love thee?

• I love to cuddle under the blankets to get warm.

• Hot cup of Hot Chocolate!

• Watching the snow fall from the comfort and warmth of my house.
  

• Little kids in sleeper pajamas!

• Eating warm foods and soups

• Bundling the kids up to go and and play in the snow :)

• The crisp clean smell after a snow storm
  

...gone are the memories of warmer days, but the memories being created this winter season will linger on like a warm fuzzy!

A Handful of Kisses

Part of our bedtime routine is me kissing my hand and throwing kisses at the boys. Its something they look forward to and make sure happens. I often get so many kisses thrown back at me that I tell them I'm going to save the extra's in my pocket. The other day Bradley decided I needed some kisses during the day, but I was busy and couldn't pretend to catch them, so he told me he would hold on to them and then go rub them all over my pillow!
This was one more evidence of how much I am loved!
I Love you Bradley!

Mom, when I grow up...

So yesterday while driving
in the car Bradley
informs me that
when he's a dad
he still wants to live
with me?!


I'm sure he'll change
his mind.
...and if he doesn't
his wife will
change it for him :)

What is Love?

This is definitely the time of year when I reflect on how blessed I am and at how loved I feel. This year is no exception! It ceases to amaze me how things are always being put into perspective when I least expect it. With the slump in the 'economy' it seems like so many are preparing for much simpler and practical Christmas'. I love that the true meaning of Christmas is more REAL as we prepare to simplify our gift giving and receiving. I don't think I should be embarrassed or ashamed when I admit out Christmas is going to be simple. I love the return or the benefits that will come because of it. I hope this years Christmas will be memorable for my kids, one they will look back on with fond memories for what was done, not what was received.


So, what is LOVE?

Love is someone sneaking gift cards into my diaper bag.

Love is anonymously doing the 12 days of Christmas to us.


Love is being the kind of friend that you all are to me! I am so blessed to have such a great family and wonderful friends to lift me up and help me to be the person I want to be!
Thank you!

Powerful Ideas

For those of you who know me well you won't be surprised when I share (yet again) another one of my favorite quotes. I have hanging on my laundry room wall some of my favorite quotes. This is one of my most recent finds. Enjoy!

Special Witness: Powerful Ideas

Consider the power of the idea taught in our beloved song "I Am a Child of God"...Here is the answer to one of life's great questions, "Who am I?" I am a child of God with a spirit lineage to heavenly parents. That parentage defines our eternal potential...It can strengthen each of us to make righteous choices and to seek the best that is within us.
When we understand our relationship to God, we also understand our relationship to one another. All men and women on this earth are the offspring of God, spirit brothers and sisters. What a powerful idea! No wonder God's Only Begotten Son commanded us to love one another. If only we could do so! What a different world it would be if brotherly and sisterly love and unselfish assistance could transcend [rise above] all boundaries of nation, creed, and color. Such love would not erase all differences of opinion and action, but it would encourage each of us to [be against] actions rather than actors.
The eternal truth that our Heavenly Father loves all his children is an immensely powerful idea. It is especially powerful when children can visualize it through the love and sacrifice of their earthly parents. Love is the most powerful force in the world.

By Elder Dallin H. Oaks Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Friend, Mar 2003