Thanks.....

Thanksgiving.....the biggest eating day of the year!

Thanksgiving has come and gone...although I am sure that I am still "sitting" on my fair share of the feast! It was the year that we got to have Thanksgiving Dinner with my side of the family. We chose to have it at our church as there really isn't anyone's house that is big enough to host such a large event...PLUS it cuts down on messes in any one person's home. We had such a great time...as always.

There were games of "lightening and PIG" being played for most of the afternoon~

along with..........

...lots of family "bear hugs"~

Singing and playing.....

Waiting in line....

people trying to sleep....

crazy photo's with cute little girls..........

appetizers....

dips.....

sweets...

missed hoops....

crafts with Grandma....

...and Aunt Sommer.

There were long visits at the table....

and many wonderful memories made!

Thanks to my wonderful family for being so WONDERFUL...

I am very blessed!!!

Service and the Spirit of Christmas...

Christmas is my favorite time of year, that's no secret. I love the lights, the music, the decorations, the cheer and happy feeling of love that just seem to be floating around in the air. I love to see the kindness that people to show one to another, the secret deeds, the thoughtful words and the happiness that seems to be everywhere you turn. Christmas time always makes me reflect on my childhood and the experiences that I had as a little girl...I had so many happy, fun times. I don't remember ever receiving gobs of gifts, expensive toys or lavish things...but the things I do remember are the kind acts of others, the feelings of peace that were always in our home, the togetherness that my family felt and the great times that we always had.

I was raised with 4 brothers and 1 sister, on a farm in Utah. My dad worked several jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. There was never money for “extras”, which I’m sure put a huge strain on my parents during the holidays. One particular year was very bad for us. The place where my dad worked was going under. Our home was in foreclosure and my dad was working night and day, anywhere he could, just to try and keep our family going. At the time, I was young and I wasn’t sure what the word “foreclosure” meant, other than I had heard my parents talk about us having to move from our home. I could feel the tension as well as see the worry and sadness on my mom’s face as she spent many days in tears.

One morning my mom and dad were talking amongst themselves and I could tell that their moods had changed. They were very emotional and were discussing how someone had come forward and paid the debt owed on our home, keeping it out of foreclosure. As a young child I remember feeling first, relief that we weren’t going to be homeless and second, feeling very blessed that someone would be so kind and thoughtful as to do something that big for our family. It was a humbling experience for my entire family.

The year was coming to a close and Christmas quickly approached. We as children, were getting excited about Christmas and decorating the tree, along with buying presents for each other and watching all of the fun Christmas specials that would be broadcasted on television.

One Sunday we were at church and came out to get in the car to return home to find that someone had secretly put a little note and treat in our car. We read the note that said “On the first day of Christmas we wish you a poppin good year. Here is a bag of popcorn with lots of good cheer. From, "King Brian".

That was the first of many gifts that we received throughout the next 12 days. We received record albums, games, gift certificates along with many other things. We looked forward to every day just to see what King Brian would bring us. On Christmas morning we awoke early, just like we did every Christmas morning, to presents from Santa. As children do, we all begin playing with our toys and having a wonderful time. A short while later my dad and brothers changed into their work clothes so they could go out to do chores. It was still slightly dark as my brother opened up the door to go and gather wood for the fire burning in the wood burning stove. He looked outside and could see something out by the pump house. A few, short minutes later, he came in carrying a VERY LARGE ceramic bowl filled with coins, mostly silver coins. On top of the bowl sat a large painted ceramic elf. Turning the elf over, we could see that it was hollow and stuffed completely to the brim with money…lots and lots of money. As my dad and brothers carefully hauled the large bowl of money into the living room, we all sat down on the floor and looked at all the money in awe. There was a spirit of gratitude and reverence in our house at that moment. The toys were forgotten, breakfast was put on hold and candy was left on the floor, as we all sat humbly looking into the shiny bowl filled with money. Even as a young 12-13 year old, I knew that Heavenly Father was watching over our family through the hands of someone else. I didn’t know at the time, but our house payments were several months behind again and the money that was in the bowl was enough to catch our payments up. Our family has never forgotten that selfless act of service and to this day my dad still can’t talk about that experience without getting choked up. That Christmas was truly an answer to prayer I am sure. We never found out who “King Brian” was, but our hearts continue to be full of love and gratitude for whomever the little elves were that saved our home twice that year.

“True happiness”, said President David O. McKay, “comes only by making others happy-the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas Spirit is the Christ Spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service. It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring “peace on earth,” because it means- good will toward all men.”

May your Christmas Season be filled with Christ and the

TRUE meaning of the holiday.

Humble blessingS~

Its been a week of blessings at my house! This past weekend my hubby took a little trip to the city. He was driving down the canyon when someone on the opposite side of the road decided to pass an extra long semi pulling a "pup". Evidently the person either didn't realize they didn't have enough room to pass before Deron passed OR they thought they could just gun it and make it OR they just weren't paying attention at all. As they got closer and closer to Deron, he could see that the outcome wasn't going to be good, he either had to run off the road and wreck or he was going to hit head on with this truck that was coming toward him. "Something" wouldn't let him swerve off the road...so he kept heading toward what he knew would end in death. Just when they were going to hit, the OTHER vehicle went off the road,on Deron's side...IF Deron would have swerved and gone off the road THE two vehicles would have collided! Because he didn't, both vehicles and all the people involved were safe....a little shaken up, but safe. I am grateful that Deron listened and did what he was prompted to do. I am grateful this day and this holiday season I still have my husband here with me!!!

I woke up this morning bright and early to wake the kids for school...just like I do every day. As I went into my daughters room I could smell something burning...plastic burning. It was a very strong smell that permeated her room. At first I thought it was maybe her curling iron that was left plugged in and had melted something, then I thought maybe it was a florescent light that had burnt out (because they put off a strong "burning" smell too)...but then I looked over by the side of her bed to see that her fan, used to keep her cool during the night, had melted. Sometime during the night it had stopped working. The cord, as well as the plastic around the motor had gotten hot and melted. It was still melting when I unplugged it. I feel very blessed this morning that she, as well as the rest of us were protected by a loving Father in Heaven during the night. I'm so grateful that our home is still standing instead of being in a heap of ashes. I'm grateful that we are all fine, safe and sound. I feel very humbled and very blessed that we were being watched over.

I know that the protection and blessings of safety that Deron received this weekend, as well as the blessings we received here in our home last night, aren't just something that comes from being "LUCKY"...I know that we are constantly being watched over and protected by a loving Heavenly Father. I am grateful for life, for my family, for my home and for the power of prayer...EVERYDAY, but especially today!

Happy ThanksGivInG...

I'm very thankful!

Confession....

I know...I know... THESE yogurt bites are for TODDLERS...BUT I am totally addicted to them! It all started when Little Mister was over for a visit several months back and he had a bag of them in his diaper bag. I bit one in half to give to him and I ate the other half...MISTAKE number ONE. Right then and there I KNEW that I was going to have to buy me a bag!!! Pathetic I know, but what can I say...it is what it is. SO now when I go to the store and buy a bag of yogurt bites for him, I buy a bag (or 2 or 5) for me too. The only problem with that is that I eat mine in one sitting and his bag can last for weeks (the reason I buy 5 bags so I don't dip into his). They are so stinking good! NO, I'm not making a recommendation that you all dash to the store for a bag of these for yourselves, (mainly because if your a local....there won't be any left at the store for me if you go out and buy them all) because I am sure its an acquired taste...and sadly enough, I've acquired it! The Gerber peach flavor is my favorite...but I like the Parent's Choice Strawberry ones too...the Gerber bites are more thick and crunchy than the Parent Choice brand...regardless of thick or thin, name brand or generic, they are both my little guilty pleasure's right now. Guess I'm just a "kid at heart" right?!!

Well....now that I've got that confession off of my chest, I'm feeling much better!

Merry ThanksGiviNg!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my house...after all it IS AFTER HALLOWEEN! I spend hours, and often DAYS decorating my house for Christmas SO... I start early so that I can actually enjoy it before I have to take it down again. This year I added a FEW little changes to my Christmas decor, which I like to do every year, but this year it was more than just moving where I put things...I actually had to MAKE a few things. It started out with this window...which DIDN'T look like a 6 pane window when I started...it WAS just a great big window with a piece of glass in it.

Dayna and I went garage sale shopping during the summer and made a KILLING on a few old windows and doors...I asked the man who was having the garage sale if he had any "old window's with panes in them"...he responded that he didn't, but then told me how I could MAKE the ones that he had INTO a 4 0r 6 pane window...he told me to just epoxy molding right onto the window, after all it will be hanging on the wall and no one (except all of you) will even know... SO that's just what I did. I ADORE it and am thrilled with my THRIFTY FIND!...after hanging it up on the wall I whipped up some satin Christmas stockings and WALAA....my new Christmas Wall!

I made a another set of white lace Christmas stockings to display in my dining room...

I love how they turned out.

I am excited to have them all hanging up and "just sittin' and lookin' pretty" for the holidays!

The next craft I took on was this darling little nativity...its hard to see it with the black table runner that its sitting on...but trust me, its so stinkin cute!

Christmas is a wonderful time of year...and the only time of the year that I put up any

holiday decor...so I guess if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it big! I have 2 rooms DONE and I am debating on ONE more...hopefully it will happen this week.

Hope your holidays are starting and you can hear the Christmas Carols playing from my house...yes, they've been playing for a few weeks now too.

"Merry Thanksgiving" to you all~

It was "WON" of those DAYS!

"AND the 2011

1A STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS ARE....

DUCHESNE HIGH SCHOOL"

Saturday November 12, 2011 proved to be a glorious day for many boys in the small down of Duchesne, but will go down in history as being one of the greatest day's to one senior boy imparticular, Cam Wilkerson, my great big senior son. Cam's been working extremely hard for months for this day to come...the day of STATE FOOTBALL. Many hours of sweat, cold, heat, bruised arms...legs, long hours and a lot of great memories went into preparing for this day that so many teams hope for, but few get to ever see. This is the teams second year in the past 4 years, winning the State Championship...last year Cam didn't get to play much, but this year he was a very big part of the team and was a valuable asset, making it even more exciting to be on the winning team. He played an awesome game and I couldn't be prouder of my amazing senior son!!! We braved the cold, the snow and the wind as we sat there and watched him work his tail off to help bring his team to a victory! It was an amazing game and a fantastic season especially since we went UNDEFEATED the entire season...now that's a team that works hard and sticks together!

Here are a few pictures of the game that will go down in Cam's book as being one of the best days of his high school career!

Cam (#70) playing strong against Layton Christen Acadamy

Cameron and his dad with the State Trophy

Our sweet neighbors and adopted nephews with their favorite buddy, Cam

The team, with Cameron holding up the State Trophy

Cam's siblings, except for Halle (who left with her cousins earlier)

and Dana (who wasn't able to come), congratulating

him on a game well played!

The bus leaving to take off for the big game, but first heading down main street for the

STATE FOOTBALL send off...with a procession of about 20-30 cars

all wishing the team the BEST OF LUCK!

Announcing the team players just before the game began.

Cam waiting to head onto the field..anxiously waiting~

Cam taking off after "someone"...

I would hate to be on the receiving end of THAT sprint"

pushing, shoving, hitting, tackling...sounds like great fun if your a boy~

Cam ready to take the man DOWN!

All that hard work requires alot of water!

"YOU'RE going DOWN!"

Cam says to his opponent, "TAKE THAT!!...you just lay there until

I tell you that you can get up!"....ha ha ha ha ha

"WE did it, WE ARE #1... hallelujah~ happy day!"

A lot of smiles from some pretty happy boys!!

AND the final score IS~ 35-9.... I guess you can say, we WON!

You did an OUTSTANDING job, Cam! The entire football season was filled with memories

that will fill your heart and soul for many years to come.

We, your little family, are proud of you and LOVE YOU so much!

Our ViSiToR from another world~

Halloween always brings out the little spooks and happy kids...but this year

we were invaded with the cutest little alien ever!

Kenron came dressed as the "Alien" from the Movie "Toy Story".

He was so stinkin cute. He loved shaking his head from side to side and

feeling the ears on his costume shake back and forth....it was adorable.

Grandpa helped him eat a sucker...one lick at a time.

I took advantage of all the hugs and kisses that our little Alien was

so willingly giving out for Halloween.

We continued to answer the door for all the other sweet trick-or-treater's while Kenron was visiting. One little boy came to the door trick-or-treating and saw Kenron dressed up in his Alien costume, his eyes lit right up as he looked at Kenron and he said, "Hey, do you know Woody and Jessie?" (if you aren't familiar with the movie, Toy Story, Jessie and Woody are other characters from the movie too)....we laughed and laughed about that all night. Little kids are so adorable!!

So glad that Little Mr and his mom and dad

came for a Halloween visit!

Hope all of you had a few good laughs on Halloween too.