Catching Up...

Wow, it's been a while... a lot has happened. I'll try not to make this one too long and just do some short ones each day until I'm caught up...???

CHRISTMAS 2007

The month leading up to Christmas is always chaotic...but this year it was chaotic in a different way. I was packing up the house while Scott was in Louisiana, I was finishing up with my job and then trying to do some Christmas stuff. I really didn't think it would be that bad, but as it got closer and closer for leaving to Kanab for the holiday I started to realize that once I got back from Christmas, I would be a guest in the home we've been living in for the past 5 years, and I was LEAVING my wonderful neighborhood and friends in Utah as we moved out to Louisiana. It got more difficult to pack up, but it made it easier to think about all of my blessings, and reflect on what I've learned in the past 6 1/2 years while in Pleasant Grove. Thanks to all of my friends and family in Utah that have taught me so much and showed me so much love and support.

I've been wanting to become more...ummm...domesticated for the past year or so and to say the least, I didn't do such a good job. So, when we decided to move to Louisiana and we felt it would be best if I didn't work, for awhile, I thought that this would be a great opportunity to test out the waters of "domestic womanhood". One of my goals was to start doing patch work quilts. So, I figured it would be better to learn a little before I left. A very talented, charitable, patient friend of mine took on the challenge of teaching me how to sew a quilt. I didn't even know how to do the little bobbin-majig. Well, with some time and a lot of love I was able to finish a quilt for my mother, for Christmas. I was going to do a little baby quilt, but decided I wanted to make a momma's quilt. She'd made so many for us girls and the grandkids, 2-legged or 4-legged. I wanted her to have one.





























I loved making it, I've started another one, but havent' got too far yet.

If any of you have read Joni's blog about how Christmas changes as you get older, I will definatley agree.
Christmas has become less about what we may find under the tree on Christmas morning. It has become more of a time to sit down with the ones you love the most and reflect on the trials and blessing of the past. A time to overcome any hurt feelings or the chance to say sorry.
Christmas is about FAMILY: This past year I have felt more of a need to learn more about my ancestors. And in doing so I have found a greater love for them. I started to realize how important it is to share who you are with your family and seek out who your family REALLY is; and get it in writing. A couple of months before Christmas, Bean sent us a bunch of questions about our lives and then we all wrote down and sent her the answeres to the questions and other thoughts and feelings we may want to share. On Christmas Eve she delighted us with a beautiful book with with our priceless memories compiled together.
Christmas has also become a time to share our testimonies of Christ and share/bless those we love with the talents He has blessed each of us with. Joni shared her gift of voice by sining us a beautiful song.
Christmas is about charity & sacrifice, mom and dad worked so hard on getting the house ready and prepared for all of us to come together. They made sure we were comfortable, warm and never an empty stomach. They put off their own need to pack up the house in preperation of moving to Russia for a couple of years for us. They made it possible for the true spirit of Christmas to dwell with us, to touch us, and to teach us.
Christmas IS about Christ, and about His life and example He left for us. Christmas is the time to reflect on Him and what He has done for us.
Christmas is about remembering and to do what we can to follow His example, showing Him our gratitude.
Christmas may actually happen only once a year, but the spirit of Christmas is meant to stay with us through out the year. Durring Christmas we seem to be a bit kinder, a little more forgiving, even more charitable. May I extend a challenge to anyone who might be reading this: In the following week, pretend that it is December; when you may see a person in need, think about what you may do close to Christmas vs. mid-January? Act upon what you feel.

As my family is becoming more spread throughout the country/world, I truely have become more aware of how blessed I am with such an amazing family-Martins and Woolseys!!