"Moms say the darnest things": 2008

Parker is really into trains this year so I decided instead of the gingerbread houses we would make Christmas trains. Parker and his family also got to visit the Polar Express this year with tickets I won on FM100. We also gave them the Polar Express book to take on the train with them. He was very excited and all the grandchildren were convinced. Tara and Cam created a Christmas tractor in a corn field from their Nebraska memories.

Welcome Jackson

Roses in December

I came home from work & saw these beautiful roses on the counter. I proceeded to ask where the Roses came from. Mike said he was cleaning out the rose bush and found these behind dead branches. Since it is the rose bush we planted in memory of our daughter who loved yellow roses, I said "It looks like Jennifer remembered my birthday". Every now and then something happens to let us know she is still close and thinking of us ;)

When I count my blessing I count my family twice

after dinner bowling fun

thankful for Sherry

the new remodel fits us all

Dad came from Arizona

testing the turkey

Winter Hike

Lets learn how to build a deck

eeeeeeek !!

This fall we have had a rattlesnake (with 8 rattles!) and a tarantula in our yard. During the past year we found a dead rat on the driveway and a family of racoons moved into our fireplace. All are gone and all is well for another year.

A walk to the Lake

Storybook Garden After Dark at Red Butte Gardens

karaoke star

Miracles

On the return of our adventure to Texas my sister went in for her MRI. I can't even imagine the long night it must have been for her and Mark to wait to talk to doctors the next day to get the results. She called me at work and was having a difficult time talking so I went in the other room as I started crying when she said both doctors told her the tumor is basically gone! There was not enough to medically continue chemo. The dr said he didn't know if it was the chemo or the radiation but I know it was the faith and prayers of family and friends. Miracles do happen. As I understand it she will continue to get off her medication, continue therapy, work on getting her health back and in three months go for another MRI to watch the area. Thanks to everyone for your prayers, putting her name on prayer rolls, your constant support and love. I was impressed during conference with Pres. Uchtdorf's talk on the power of hope, things we hope for and things we hope in. I know from experience everything does not turn out the way I hope for but as Pres Uchtdorf said it is in these times that the principles of the gospel we hope in uphold us and carry us through. For now I am thankful to Heavenly Father for this miracle in my sister's life and I will continue to have hope and pray for her. Love to you all and enjoy the sunset tonight.