Christmas Party and Testimony

I am never sure who reads this blog, but I want to share my thanks and testimony with whoever might read this. I am so thankful for the great friends that I share this life with and awesome family as well as the experiences I have with my children. I have had a wonderful Christmas so far with a caroling group made up of some of my grandchildren and their other grandma and grandpa, a gift from the ward of a lovely basket, cards from all over the country written by friends and family that I love; and to each of you my "thanks for making a wonderful Christmas Holiday." I wrote this note to by children, but the testimony part is for all. Following is my note:
Christmas & my Testimony
First, let me say thank you Jim and Ireland for hosting our Christmas party/get together. For all the weather problems and challenges each family faced to get there, the spirit of family was alive and for those who did not make it, you were missed tremendously. NOW I JUST HAD A BRAIN WAVE: There is always a hole in the circle of our family when a member is missing or unable to attend, kind of like the "Spudnut" circle. Interesting that we could use that as an illustration.............OK, back to the party:The pizza and salads were great and our last bottle of cider was still a little frozen, but what a way to say goodbye to an old year.The gift exchange was very nice as each child received something just for them. Thanks parents for doing such a great job. Jacob, I will mail your gift first thing in the morning from Christian.
MY Gift. What can a mother say when she now is wrapped, warmed and protected by 2 coats. I can now be the sporty, on the hill styling grandma and the classy old missionary style woman at the girly activities with my friends and the ward. I love you all very much and each time I put them on, I will remember that each of you have your arms around me hugging me tight. Thank you so very much.
My Gift to you: As I sat out your gifts it didn't appear to be much of an offering; however, I realized that those jars of jams and syrup are witnesses of miracles and blessings. They are a gift made with arms that work, body that moves, eyes that can see, and a heart full of love and a desire to serve you and my Heavenly Father. It is a testimony to each of you and myself of how blessed I have been and the miracles that have been performed in my life. I can never take for granted the ability to walk, lift an arm, read a book, or hug my grandchildren. SO, please remember how blessed we are as a family with each bite.
MY Testimony. I had hoped when we all were at temple square that I could take a minute to bear my testimony as I will be released the first of February and we won't be together before that time. With some missing, I didn't do it but I would like to take a minute to do it now.I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. That he has put together a marvelous plan for each of us to succeed. I have been blessed to teach a group of individuals that each month demonstrate to me how blessed we and I have been in this life. We all face challenges of heath, wealth or lack of it, work schedules, hard individuals to work with, abilities to learn, or even motivation to do more or better. But, when I see the challenges of life that some of my students have faced to just be there in class each day, I say a large prayer in my heart to Heavenly Father that none of us face those challenges. We are a blessed family who has survived trails or challenges, but with each one, a larger blessing has replaced the pain or obstacle. Our Father in Heaven knows each one of us. He knows our hearts. He knows what our wishes and secret fears are and yet, he daily provides us with comfort and Peace. If we do what is right kids, and make good choices, we need not fear. I am learning that more and more each day. That if I do what I am asked to do, his spirit will be there day and night. Life is going to be hard in the future. The things we have thought that we were owed or needed, are not going to be available. We may be eating different, wearing clothing with patches, or even walking to and from somewhere (I will hate that part personally), but because of the lives each of you have chosen to live, you will NOT FEAR. As a mom, it is beautiful to see you each live the gospel and to teach your children to love their Father in Heaven and to let each of my grandchildren know that he loves them too. Joseph Smith sacrificed so much of his and his family's lives to bring us the gospel. He is truly a prophet of our Father in Heaven. The gospel is true, its guidelines are simple if we just choose to live by them. We will have no fear and never have to look over our shoulder or doubt our choices. I love each one of you and so appreciate all (and I mean all) you do for me. I know I sometimes whine and show fear, but you are the people I have to share them with, and I can't always be strong but together as a family we are. You are the circles of my life. You balance me, care for me, and serve me and I am so grateful. I love each of you and want each of you to know that my love is true, it is tested and strong for each of you and for my Savior. I bear this testimony to you and close in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

To anyone out there, I wish you all a Very Merry Christ mas, and a wonderful New Year.

Blessings realized this holiday

I was looking for something in the dresser by my bed and found the story of "You are Special" by Max Lucado. It is an easy reader and so whatever, I'm retired, I can take 10 minutes to read this, so I DID. Page 27 caught my attention and drew me in. It read:
Punchinello (Janet) laughed, "Me, special? Why?
I can't walk fast. I can't jump, My paint is peeling, Why do I matter to you?"
Eli looked at Punchinello (Janet), put his hands on those small wooden (steal) shoulders, and spoke very slowly. "Because you're mine. That's why you matter to me." Punchinello (Janet) had never had anyone look at him (her) like this-----much less her maker. She didn't know what to say!"
Well, after an awesome weekend and day of giving thanks, this is what my heart felt like. I don't know just what to say. My heart is full, and my life and family are so blessed. Who ever thinks at age 18 when they marry that life will pass so quickly, and that you will go from a family of 2 to a family of 34 (Jessica and Preston make 36) in a time that seems like a twinkling of an eye. When you have your first child you will wonder how you can ever ever love another child as much, but you do. Six kids later you think you can never love a child that isn't yours as much as you do your own, but you find out when you get a special addition added to the mix, that "yes" you can love additions to your family without giving birth.
Each year that passes, I watch as the children grow, and each year they teach me so much. I always thought that the parent was the "knowledgeable" leader, but not in my family. As they mature, they have become the teachers and the leaders.
Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing my life so much. Thank you for loving me and entrusting me with such beautiful spirits. Thank you for the additional blessings of each grandchild and for the joy, love and the peace they bring to me and their families. Each day I am reminded how much you love me by the acts of kindness shown to me through great friends, family members and the children. I am reminded that even with my paint chipping, and not being able to jump or run, you still love me for me.........What else can we say but "Thank you oh great one" for your love!

ThanksandGiving

I got that title from my niece on her blog and thought that is was a beautiful way to remember the day. (Thanks Mique).
Anyway, what an awesome day or group of days. Let it be said up front that the only thing missing or that could have made the weekend better was if Marci and family could have joined us. Otherwise, it was just to good to be true. The food was fantastic, but the company we kept was the best. Each family helped in the fixing of the meal. Melissa did horses'd'overs (check the spelling of that one) and the ham, Kelly outdid her self with the spinach salad and jello salads, Raelyn had the mashed potatoes, there is a story here. She cooked them and was using my Bosh mixer to mash them. She didn't get the lid screwed on tight and turned on the mixer. The potatoes flew everywhere. We were having flying potatoes, not the usual mashed. She had plenty, so we just cleaned up the mess and kept going. She had the sauerkraut and yams as well, Amanda did rolls (good job Amanda), Jill purchased the ham for Melissa to cook, Ireland did great pies, I had the turkey, broccoli salad, gravy, dressing and 1 cherry pie. Holly molly for a great dinner. All the family pitched in and set up the tables, took the furniture outside to make room, got out my moms china and glasses and away we went. We snacked on the awesome treats that Mel brought while we got everything ready. Aaron worked as the photographer and took some great pics. Trevor used his unique way of whistling to call us all to dinner. You have to see and hear this one to believe it by the way. It is really a combination of fingers like movements with screaming at his top notch scream. Anyway, he got us together.

After a beautiful meal, we enjoyed a great visit, watch Dirty Jobs on and off, worked on the family calender, and played cards.

Nothing is better than visiting with those you love. Aaron and Zach stayed over that night, Jill was hitting the sales with her family at 3 on Black Friday morning and Munch and Jake headed home so he could do his stores Black Friday sales about 10 PM. They didn't get home until after 1 AM due to traffic accidents. I am so honored that each family took time to come and share this special day with me. More in another blog on being thankful, but I wanted to share te family dinner photos will you all. Friday's activities are the next addition to blogging.

SHOOTING ON FRIDAY:
Val Jay mentioned that on Friday we could come out and do some shooting on the ranch. No questions on whether my family would enjoy that. Eleven AM the Alders were at the Rigbys. It was the most beautiful weather. Cold but not bad enough that a heavy sweatshirt or jacket and some gloves were all you needed. Val Jay had 4 boxes of clay pigeons and lots of shells and Rob had bunches of shells as well. I have decided that my children own arsenals. Holly cow. Jim and I worked with the 22's and Rob and ValJay took the older kids on the other side of the trucks and did the shotguns and rifles. What great shots. I know, they take after their grandma. I loved shooting and this was me in heaven. All my kids, outdoors, and checking out our aim at the targets. Kelly is a born shot, Zach is awesome, Wes is really learning how to kick some butt, and of course, Rob is great because his mom taught him how to shoot. (HEHEHEHE). ValJay and the girls took their turns too. Ear plugs were needed most of the morning. Val Jay also had his 4 wheelers there so the kids took rides all over the mountain area. The view from the top is one to remember. What a lucky family we are. Aaron again took Pics of the kids and family shooting. Here you go: