Happy endings...

Christmas comes so quickly...

And goes even quicker...

Thankfully this remains...

Festive Favorites...

Dear Slade family...

Thanks for sharing the Christmas Creason with us!

(and that's no typo!)

With lots of love,

the Brownies

At the end of Santa's string...

Santa did good!

These are a few of my favorite things

Birthday Boy

The TOP 11 reasons Davis is a keeper...

11. There was NOT a cuter baby boy to be born on this day.

10. He has a smile that could and still does wrap itself around my heart.

9. He loves to make others happy, even if it means giving up something for himself.

8. He has a heart bigger than he is.

7. He enjoys the arts.

6. Loves to create any number of amazing projects with wood, leather, paper and the list goes on.

5. His hands are large, creative and gentle. (for the most part. he does pound on his little brother now and again)

5. Even with those large hands he can fold an oragami swan into the the size of speck. And then shares those amazing little things with the little kids sitting around him at church.

4. He loves to hang out with his Dad. Ball games, outdoors, fixing something in the garage or chillin' on the couch watching a game.

3. He is a super star Scout!!

2. If we have to take two cars, he rides with me when the other two kids want to ride with Dad.

1. He is a giant in heart and mind among those that know him.

Love you Birthday Boy!!

Oh look...I have two #5's.

That's okay. He's worth it!

She's a "playa"

Gettin' the word from coach...

Ready to sub in...

Posing for pictures with the fans! (Thanks Miranda!)

So far the team is 6 - 0!

Go Lady Hawks!!

A walk through the Botanical Gardens

The hand bells were a wonderful way to hear familiar carols.

Over 7,000 luminaries lighted the path.

And a fun surprise was finding an installation from the Chihuly exhibit that the Gardens kept from the spring.

Davis was excited to see this again.

Nothing says Christmas like a 1st Grader's school program!

Gotcha!!

The local Home Depot held the treasure...

It's official...

Let Christmas begin!

Welcome December

Baby it's cold outside!!

And I'm already sipping on my favorite hot drink...

And have you tried the hot cocoa and whipping cream at Goofy's Kitchen in Disneyland??

Please put it on your bucket list.

Day 30

I'm grateful for a kind friend's reminder

to try to think eternally...this is but a moment.

The strength I have is not my own ~
it comes through faith in God.
And though so often I can’t see the way,
I have the reassurance of His presence in my life
to help me meet the challenge of each day.
So I rest in His provision
for I know that He is leading.
And it really doesn’t matter what life brings,
For I know that I am in His care
and through the strength He gives me,
He has promised me that I can do all things.

~Emily Matthews

image found here

Continuing to be grateful...

Day 23 & 24 ~

I'm grateful for this distraction and the sweetest of friends who kept me focused.

Day 25 ~

I'm grateful that Brent has a job to support our family and more grateful that he takes days off to hang out with me.

Day 26 ~

I'm grateful for a cozy day and that my four most favorite people surrounded my Thanksgiving table with me.

Day 27 ~

I'm grateful for a fun filled, toe tappin' evening.

I know Mom enjoyed it with us.

Day 28 ~

I'm grateful for the realization that sometimes when the last thing you want to do is prepare a lesson for your Young Women, that it really is the best thing for you.

Day 29 ~

I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach and to be taught. The Spirit allows both to happen simultaneously.

Oh so grateful...

Day 14 ~ I'm grateful for temple weddings and streaming light that shines through a sealing room window.

Day 15 ~ I'm grateful for quiet moments where peace and understanding come as a priceless gift, all the while holding the hand of my mother and my daughter.

Day 16 ~ "There is no difference at all in birth and death. It just depends on which side of the veil you are standing". I'm grateful for sweet whisperings of truth.

Day 17 ~ I'm grateful for boxes and boxes of photographs that paint a beautiful story through time and sharing those memories and laughter with my remarkable brothers.

Day 18 ~ I'm grateful for cleansing tears, overwhelming waves of emotion and consuming pains of loss because it means I love her beyond expression.

Day 19 ~ I'm grateful for the long awaited embrace of my sweetheart that gave me strength, assurance and the understanding love of one who knows, every step of the way.

Day 20 ~ I'm grateful for the opportunity to share with family and friends, pieces of mom's exemplary life and to give them a glimpse into the beautiful, elect woman that she was and most certainly still is.

Day 21 ~ I'm grateful that my husband is an excellent driver with one hand because the other was holding mine all the way home.

Day 22 ~ I'm grateful that through it all I was able to recognize the Lord is a God of miracles and that His love and care are ever present in every moment of our lives.
His plan is not something we hear of or are taught because it sounds good, but that it is His plan of HAPPINESS and is designed to bring us together again, forever.
My mom is whole and beautiful again.
Her smile has made the heavens brighter.
Her ambition and desire to serve and to be anxiously engaged are being put to good use.
Her eternal progression is no longer inhibited.
She watches over me
and I'm listening carefully.

Day 13

I'm grateful for my middle child.

His Arrow of Light ceremony made me take a deep breath.

It's going by way too fast.

Day 12

I'm grateful that there are only so many hours in a day and then you get to start over.

Day 11

Such a beautiful picture.

I'm grateful for the brave and selfless.

Happy Veterns Day.

Day 10

I'm grateful for the HAPPY this child puts into my heart!

I let him sleep in this morning after a tough night falling asleep last night.
He woke up happy and playful and even said "thanks for letting me sleep mom."
As I walked him to school about a half hour late he said,

"so I guess I'll have to get a tardy slip at the office."

"yes. I'll check you in and you can pick one up."

"well, I think that parents are the ones that should get the tardy notes, not the kids."

And you know what Coooper ~ I think you're right! Your six year old wisdom makes me smile.

Day 9

I'm grateful for this mighty giant.

He can love and console and wipe away a waterfall of tears better than anyone.

Strong and gentle seem like such an oxymoron but not when it comes to this man.

Day 7 & 8

I'm grateful for mountaintop experiences.

The challenge is to bring them down the mountain with you and keep the momentum.

(thanks for this insight Marie~love you)

Day 6

Today I am grateful for my calling in the Young Women's program. We leave in about an hour for our Youth Conference up at Camp LoMia which is a two hour drive up into the pines! As a Stake we are taking up nearly 400 youth ages 14 to 18. With 24 of my own Mia Maids and Laurels attending, I am excited to be a part of this experience. The Stake has put together a wonderful weekend and prayers, fasting and temple attendence has brought the Lord's blessings upon us already. The Lord loves these youth and I'm grateful to see His hand working in their lives on a daily basis.

Go Lady Hawks!!

Congratulations Maddison!!

Day 5

I'm grateful for my daughter.

I'm grateful that she is motivated to excell at school

and will often get up (all on her own) in the wee hours of

the morning to prepare for a test or an extra glance over homework.

I'm grateful that she is participating in seminary

and excited to increase her testimony

and understanding of the gospel.

I'm grateful that despite a painful pulled muscle that she would

push herself to do her very best at basketball tryouts this week.

I'm grateful that through tears of nerves and uncertainty she

would ask her dad for a father's blessing of comfort.

I'm grateful for her faith in the power of the Priesthood.

I'm so very grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with her.

I love you Sis!!

Day 4

I'm grateful for the temple.

I had a lovely morning there.