One for the record book called memory

"How was your Christmas"? I have never really liked that question, and it is asked 100 x the first day back to work or when you see family and friends. I am not sure if it means "what did you get" or " did everything go as planned", or just what. So how my Christmas?

It could of been worse. I don't mean that it was bad at all, but it could always be worse. If you read Jodi'shttp://simplysatisfied.blogspot.com/2008/12/traditions.html,Kim'shttp://castawaydreams.blogspot.com/2008/12/god-blessed-usevery-one.html and Mel's http://lafeenfamily.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-christmas.htmlyou will see that the weather and the growing children did change a few of the family traditions that we have spent 30 yrs. creating and that mom spent 57 yrs. creating. I know it would have broke moms heart that we were not all together as we have always been, but the only thing that is certain in life in that there will be change.

Our family talked about the many times we traveled in terrible snow storms to be at moms for breakfast and the second Christmas morning of gift giving, but I would always ask the kids if they would rather stay home and play with their new toys and see friends or go to grandma's and grandmas always won out, so Kim and I would pack 'em up and head 'em out and over the hills we'd go to grandmas house on the big day, with many a silent and verbal prayer, that we'd make the trip safely. But those are great memories that we will all keep forever, and that keeps us a strong family.

So back to "how was my Christmas". It was great and I was reminded of how loved and blessed I really am. Everyone knows how bad our weather was, and how cold and windy it got as the day went on. I was to work until 10pm and I got a phone call telling me that Kim was coming up to clean off my car and follow me home, because the roads we so bad and icy. At first I told him I'd be fine but I did give in (I actually had no choice) and he came and not only cleaned and de-iced off my car, but that of a co-worker too. Then he, Jodi and I followed each other home. I felt so much love from that one, not so simple, act of kindness, that my heart has truly been over filled with gratitude and gratefulness.

I am so thankful for his love and forever thoughtfulness. So I did have a wonderful Christmas, how was yours?

Time flys

As usual I haven't been good at updating the events of our lives.

GORDON Graduated from College.http://okdarlin.blogspot.com/2008/12/so-now-what.html He didn't want any fan fair and fuss made, that's just him, and he wouldn't do the ceremony at all, so we went to dinner as a family and told him we were very Pound of him and just celebrated quietly. He has worked very hard and was always doing homework, but he also was able to work full time, get married, buy a house and get it running, do family and friend activities and tolerate 2 dogs & not go in debt for school, (and pay for it on his own). He is the 3rd child of 4 to graduate and we are happy for all of them, and #4 is working towards his degree right now. It really is a great feeling to know that education is important to our family.

Melanie and Hyrum had another baby shower given by her inlaw side, and it was a lot of fun, but one thing for sure baby H. will be very well dressed for the next 6 months and could sleep in his new toy chest if needed.
We really did finish our kitchen remodel and here are a few pictures. We love the new area and it just opened up the whole space and made having people over so much more relaxing. We had thanksgiving and then the Hardcastle party here already. I did lose some decorating space and have had to find new spots for things, but the eating and visiting area is no much better.

had already stared to move things out





old wall now gone

In decorating for Christmas this year I only put up one tree. We were trying to remember & I think it's been about 13 yrs that I have always put up two, but the work and rearranging it would of taken this year just overwhelmed me for some reason. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come, because I also sent out no cards, did not make a Christmas crafts for all our families, they just got Almond Roca and an ornament (12 total), visiting teaching sisters (7 total) just got treats, no decorations, I still haven't made any English Toffee, I don't think I have ever missed a married yr. doing that, I have made no Cheese Balls, they both were Mom's favorite and I just can't bring my self to make them, I did buy all the ingredients, but they just sit in the pantry. I only got 1 new nativity set this year and it was moms, but I gave 1 away, and actually got rid of 2 more that were old and damaged. I am not feeling depressed, just indifferent and not very excited by the season, which I am usually very very excited. It might be the remodel, it might be Mom being gone, it might be I just want to spend time with Baby H. or that certain things still make me cry. It might be that I haven't been giving enough service to others and everything has been too self centered and about me and my family this year and I need to give more and think of others. Always in the past Kim and I have done our own little Christmas service to others, and we haven't even talked about it this yr. so tonight we will decide who and what and maybe things will start to feel better.

I am going to be more specific than usual in my being thankful, and I am thankful that Kim and I both have good jobs that at the moment are very secure and we can feel safe in knowing that our livelihood's can remain stable for now, and that if need be we can help our children and others if they needed it. I have a testimony of tithing and in giving back as we have been so much.

Off Work

When we were planning on Mom coming to live with us, I had asked for 3 weeks of FMLA so that I could get her settled, get the help that would be needed, and just get our life together going. Well I didn't need those 3 weeks for that reason anymore, but my boss said do what you want, so I took the time anyway, with all the intention of going into work each week, NOT!

I have enjoyed this time so much. I have been able to spend a lot of time with Mel and Hyrum. I was able to stay for 2 days when they came home from the hosp. and they have in turn been to our home 3 times, I got to go with them for his adorable baby pictures too.

I was able to have thanksgiving dinner at our home with the new kitchen/great room dig. I have gotten a lot of my Christmas shopping done, and all the decorating too, with the help of Jodi who also had taken some time off work.


I've been able to clean and get a few things organized with the new kitchen, We even cleaned all our blinds which is an amazing task, because I hate cleaning blind.

Our bi-weekly Sunday dinner was fun, we ate, held Hyrum and watched Gordon cut his own hair with the help of Matt.




Now everyone has gone back to work and school, except me, and I still have plenty to do and get ready for Christmas. I work this coming weekend, but then another week off after that. We will be having both our family Christmas parties next week and we will be starting to work more on mom's home which is something I am so not looking forward too.

Live goes on and I am thankful for the season of Christmas with all the traditions and also remembering what was sacrificed by the Savior for us.