My gifts

My kids were funny this morning! The boys and Maddi needed new tennis shoes, so late last night I hit Payless and picked up each of them a pair. (Didn't think to get a picture before they ran off to school to get them dirty. Oh well.) But I had bought Kylee a pair of American Eagle black ballet shoes and me the matching brown ones as well. When I opened up my box to put them on this morning (they didn't see mine when I brought them home because I hid them in the garage so Geoff wouldn't see. :)), Maddi said "Is that one of your Christmas presents?" Then the older kids starting chiming in about how Mom and Dad don't believe in Santa and so they don't get Christmas presents. And how they spend ALL their money on us, so they don't get Christmas presents for each other either. I let it go for a bit but then I had to interject. I set them straight by telling them: First of all - YES we do believe in Santa!! What's our family's motto? If you don't believe, you don't receive! Then I proceeded to:
See that piano in the front room? That really nice, beautiful dream that your Mom has always wanted? Your daddy bought that for me last Christmas but it cost so much that I told him we could count it for this year too!

And see that nice arrangement on the mantel? Didn't cost a lot but I really liked those things and your Dad just bought them for me a week before Christmas! It was an early gift to me. And I got to pick it out!

And last but certainly not least, I told your Dad that I wanted to get some more nice arrangements for the house and he told me at Christmas that I could get a few and pick what I wanted. I bought the one on the table just the other day and I love it! Even though he didn't pick it out - I consider it from him!

We talked about how Mom's and Dad's do things for each other all the time - gifts of the physical and spiritual and emotional kind. And sometimes for reason at all, but because they care. Just like how I am going to buy Dad some new work boots because he needs them, not because it was a holiday. They asked if they could have something like that - I had to remind them to all look down at their feet!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY . . . kinda!

I am copying others (sorry) but I finally figured out how to get pics from my camera onto the computer (thank you Julie!) and wanted to share a few. I will post a little sumptin' under each. Love to all!


This is my new nativity! I have been collecting pieces for the past 2 years and my sweetie, Geoff, bought me the last set this Christmas!

The boys' Christmas loot!

The girls' Christmas goodies!


The loaded tree on Christmas Eve morn!


Cutest lil' monkeys in a tree! (l. to r. Jonathan, Dakota, Kylee and Maddisen)


The cutest puppy-dawg ever! This is our little Lady.

That's all for now!! YEA!! I'm accomplishing my New Years goals - I figured it out (well, with my bestest Walmart buddy's help! lovin' the reader! :)) how to get pics on the computer and post them!! YEA FOR ME!!!!

Just do I. T. !!!

Ok - everyone is talking about their one word for the new year. I have found mine but it's an acronym.
I . T . which stands for IN TUNE.

I have recently been called to the RS as the "Teaching For Our Times" instructor. And then this week I was asked to be on the committee for the Laurel Retreat "Even as I . . ." I have been to meetings, been on my knees and been humbled beyond belief this past month! I have come to realize that none of this can happen without being in tune to the spirit. I must be willing and when I am, I need to then go to the Lord for direction. I must be willing to open my heart and mind to what the Lord wants me to do. HE will guide me to what the sisters in my ward need to hear. HE will guide me in the planning of this incredible venture the Laurels will take.

We are taught (when raised in the gospel) this principle all the time. But tonight, as 4 sisters in the gospel sat and discussed the spiritual journey we want these girls to feel over 4 days and 3 nights; the events that will take place, both physical and spiritual, I was overwhelmed with the spirit and how I must be IN TUNE to what He wants these girls to experience. . . NOT ME! Not what I want or what I think they need/want, but what the Lord wants for them! I must be willing to submit my soul in fasting and prayer to hear the promptings.

As I prepare myself for the next RS Lesson I am to give, that I must again be IN TUNE to what the Lord wants the sisters to learn, give, share and feast on! I am just the instrument through which they will receive it. "Behold, thy handmaiden!" I am here and I will be . . .

IN TUNE!

This can also help in our homes, as mothers of the the chosen generation! If I am in tune to my Savior, He will help me to further teach, uplift and spiritually guide my children in a manner that is pleasing to Him.
I pray for my kids - believe me I do! But do I pray for what the Lord has in store for them? Do I keep myself "in tune" as the day progresses and I am just frustrated with them and their lack of finished chores or their unwillingness to get along with others?
Maybe then the Lord will allow me to see what they really need! A smile instead of a "don't bother me" smirk - to let them know I love them. A hug instead of a wave of the hand to say "not now - I don't have time for this".
I have always considered myself to be a good mom - a busy one but a good one. I felt I really knew my kids and could tell when they needed me or desired that one-on-one time. But today it was different. I am going to start NOW and make sure that I am truly in tune to be able to know when they need me!

I am on such a spiritual roller coaster today! I know I can DO I.T.! And I know with His help I will.

JUST DO I.T.!!!!