My Christmas Gift

A Missionary Christmas
(author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties,
two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton
For two years we will pray for him,

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking.
I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him
that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard,
his choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand. This year,

I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand:
Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns
that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before-- greater love, there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me,

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones
who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done,
My gift has taken years to make.

This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

Grateful for FRIED RAVIOLIS

This might sound like an unusual thing to be grateful for.
Why would I be grateful for Fried Raviolis.
Tonight I wanted to make something we have never made before
A recipe for these is what I came across on my search.
Looked easy to make, and looked like they would be good.
(They WERE easy to make and DID taste good)
But the best part of my gratitude for them is,

I had "CHEF NIC" by my side.

All but frying them, Nic did it all.
He broke and beat the eggs in the dish.
He coated the raviolis in the flour using a plastic bag.
He mixed the breadcrumbs with the seasoning in a bowl.
Then the raviolis went from the bag of flour to the eggs
to the bread crumbs and into the hot oil.
(I took over from there).
Nic was so excited to help, and I was grateful for his help.

Nothing better then to have "CHEF NIC" by my side.

Fried Raviolis will become part of our menu planning again.

Gratefiul for CHESS

Ben has been wanting to have some "daddy time" as of late.
Tim has been working very hard and hasnt had much time
with the boys.
Tonight Ben pulled out the chess set, cleared off the table,
set the game board up, and was VERY patient for
daddy to come home.
Tim walked in the door to "dad will you play chess with me".
Who could resist that!
I am grateful for "daddy time" with Ben tonight playing CHESS.

(PS. Tim's competitive nature is rubbing off on the boys.
There is a "friendly" game going on as we speak)

Grateful for "SPUD SOUP"

Grateful for TEMPLES

My list of Temples I have had the privilege of going through.

IDAHO FALLS IDAHO

BOISE IDAHO

MEMPHIS TENNESSEE

NAUVOO ILLINOIS

PORTLAND OREGON

SALT LAKE CITY UTAH

REXBURG IDAHO

"I'M GOING HERE SOMEDAY"
(A dream to go through this Temple)
SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA

Grateful for SUNSHINE

A Day Trip to the Beach

I took Ben and Nic to "Rockaway Beach", on the Oregon coast,
last weekend. Just a day trip.
The weather was perfect.
The boys had so much fun playing in the waves.
I enjoyed watching them.

"To Infinity and Beyond"

Nic's 2nd grade class, with Mrs. Tochtrop,
had a learning segment about the solar system.
A refrigerator box transformed into a space ship.

A passport was stamped after visiting each planet.

Astronaut Nic

The Black Hole

Each Child was picked a consolation to study.
Nic chose "Leo"

The kids were given the opportunity to have
a male family member join them and help make rockets.
Nic had the privilege of having Chris
help with this project at school one day.
They both did a great job on their rocket.

This was a display that a student made of the "Milky WAY".
This is my kind of display.

The "Life of Christ"

Easter weekend was the annual
LIFE OF CHRIST CELEBRATION
we have at our stake center, here in Vancouver.

The cultural hall is transformed into displays of events
depicting different periods of Christ's life.

The spirit is always so strong as you walk around, looking,
feeling, as if you were truly there during those times.

My favorite this year was Gethsemane.
To know and understand what took place in that spot,
FOR ME...

This sacred event is something I look forward to every year.

Enjoy the pictures
(note: some of them are not in order
as my pc would not allow me to rearrange).

Shopping 101

I have been wanting, for some time now, to learn how to coupon shop. I see that others save a ton of money, but dont really know how it worked. My friend Shauna has been encouraging me to make the first step, and this week she sat down with me to give me my first lesson. To be honest, I walked out as confused as when I walked in. She showed me her system of clipping and storing the coupons in her binder, each section categorized, the coupons in baseball card sleeve protectors. It was over whelming. She also took me online to see the sites she visits daily. There are some great people that find the deals for you, show the sales from each store, highlights the coupons, to get better savings. Shauna helped me make a list of what items, on sale this week and had a coupon attached, putting them in a word document, so all I had to do was come home, print the coupons, and go shopping. My homework, when I got home, was to clip the coupons I had(per purchase of 2 Sunday newspapers), print off the ones online, and orginize per store. I still had my doubts. I am unsure as to describe my feelings. Uncertainty as to it really working, worth it, time searching, clipping, shopping store to store. I am fortunate that the stores I would be using are close, so gas is not too much(ha ha ha) of an issue.

This morning, I gathered all my lists, coupons, and met Shauna at Albertsons. My first lesson (with her holding my hand every step of the way). To be honest, my first reaction was frustrations, confusion, stress, overwhelming inadequacy. I sure hope this gets easier.
The second store we went to was Safeway. A little easier, only because there was less to buy there. Still all the other feelings, but lessened.

I grand total spent, at both stores combined before coupons, was $160.43. Coupons+preferred cards savings was $96.90. Grand total out of pocket was $63.53!!!

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE

Joshua had the GREAT opportunity to go through

3 temples in 6 days.

First was Portland Oregon on January 19th.

We drove to Idaho where he went to the

Boise Idaho temple January 21st,

and Rexburg Idaho on January 25th.

The Idaho Falls temple was closed for maintenance,

but we did go to the visitors center on temple grounds.

It was truely a blessing to attend these temples with my son.