The Last Sacrament for 2023 /Family Drama

It was a scramble for me to make it to our 1pm Sacrement YSA branch.  I had to leave my hair in a pony tail with a hat to look presentable- I got in the hottub to be with little Cora and did not have time to do my hair.  I taught the boys how to play swoope yesterday and first thing this morning they were wanting to play again- by the time I played a few games with them, ate breakfast, then cleaned up and started preparing our lunch- I planned breakstick so I had to get them rolled out and raising and thawing the chicken for chicken Alfredo.  So with all that going on this morning left me in a rush to get ready for church.  Shar and Dave and their family are arriving by the time we get home. Stacy and her family arrived evening time.  Poor Stacy has the flu bug now- she went straight to her room when they arrived and has stayed there.  She is so sick and didn’t want to get anyone sick-  sure hope Craig and I can avoid it.  It is chaotic with our 8 younger grandkids running around.  They are having a great time playing with one another.    We are enjoying our two younger daughters and their families- they bring me so much joy.  They both are very kind and grateful to us as parents.  The guys Bridger, Chad, Lincoln and Jude went duck hunting- the three girls Annie, Farrah and Cora dressed in their snow clothes to go outside and play in the snow.  Winn and Yeal were hanging out and playing cards. Fun to see them enjoying their time with cousins.  It’s hard to please everyone in our family.  I wanted so badly to not have any misunderstandings- the holidays seem to not always go smoothly.  Well this year one of those years- it has all caught me off guard again and emotions are flying.  Trisha and Shannon upset me. Trisha not wanting to come to our family Christmas party and just mingle with her own family Christmas Day was upsetting.  I just didn’t say anything and tried to go with the flow- then Shannon put me in a tail spin when she sent her joking text they were not coming, this really upset me even more when I found out it was joke and we missed the entire family Christmas gathering.  All I could do was cry and couldnt get out of bed for a day-  when all I want is to get together with our family.   I know each of our daughters are trying to do the best they can do under their circumstances.  Trisha caught me off guard with them moving to St George, then going to California with the Burbidge family for Thanksgiving when this was my year to host-  so to compensate Natasha hosted a dinner a week before- Natasha-and Stacy planned a cruise over Thanksgiving- they all had a great time.  Things worked out- well Christmas rolls around hoping to not have any drama- that has not ended well when Trisha venmoed her Christmas money back to us last night- so looks like I’m on the bad list- for upsetting her- it was not my intentions and Shannon takes no blame in her part just lashing out at me now this was her last text - I’m sorry but the people you should be telling this too is Buck and Trisha as far as I’m concerned they’re the ones that screwed Christmas for all of us . I have shit up to my eyeballs right now and this is the last thing I need or want to be dealing with especially because you won’t even call out Buck and Trisha for putting a bad taste in my mouth and my kids were all pissed about it. I don’t have any room for dealing with this shit right now and the very fact you don’t know that is unbelievable. I have been putting out fires all dam week now you want to throw this on me for something you where apparently find with Buck and Trisha not coming but me all shit falls apart. Makes no sense.  Even though I always planned on coming hell I was ready and gonna be on time. I had all my presents ready for the first time in years you don’t think I’m pissed. I’m pissed as hell so don’t even I’m still pissed about it all but it sounds like nobody gives to shits or care about getting together for Christmas so why should I … looks like those days are over from what everyone’s saying they just don’t care . So maybe you should start with those people Buck &Trish-  so now I’m in the dog house with two of my daughters- things just need to calm down- I’m going to enjoy my time with the family that have gathered here at the lake this weekend.  Shar and Dave arrived and gave us both a very nice Christmas gift. A pickellball bag, socks and balls for us both so thoughtful I love it-  let the party begin for the New Year !! 

Design Specialists

Pat Argyle called me last night wanting me to go with her and look at a new home she is listing.  She felt  there were some major tile issues and the kitchen counters and fireplace.  She is planning on listing the home for $1.500.000 million and that it needed some help to sell- she values my opinion.   I got up early and met her at 8:15 am- we met with the builder at the house.  I walked thru and talked about their concerns.  As I walked thru I felt their choices were just fine and went with the style of the home.  I gave them a suggestion on their fridge to invest in the subzero cabinet matching fridge.  That would help on the tightness between the fridge area and counter space- I sent him pictures of what I was talking about- I saved them money not having to rip out tile and moving the kitchen island counter. The fireplace was just fine with the lower profile - I told Pat the style is lower profile with lower furniture the fireplace looks great- it was fun to give some style advice- the Thomas family went snow skiing today and I have spent time with little Cora. She had been my buddy for the day.  We went and helped Craig clean the church.  It is our week.  I empty all the garage cans and cleaned the bathrooms.  I came home and tyied the house and went to the grocery store planning our meals for the weekend.  Towner family should arrive around 5:300pm.  Stacy’s not feeling well now.  The flu bug they have is very contiguous.  Sure hope we can avoid it.  

Austin Mission Ready

Austin is prepared for his mission- note from Sharlena -Austin is now mission ready. He hopes to submit his papers next week.- He just cut his hair today and he looks so different - Looks like a missionary- 

Back At The Lake / Jacob

Craig and I drove back up to the lake this afternoon.  He gave me a sleeping pill last night so I could get some rest- it knocked me out- I only took a half of a pill.  It has taken me all day to overcome being droggy-  I won’t take that pill again-  slept all the way up to the lake.  Bridger and the boys came up yesterday to go duck hunting-  Natasha is arriving tonight.  Gearing up for what family will arrive for the New Year weekend and celebrate my 67th birthday.  Stacy and her family arrived yesterday afternoon.   Chad is not feeling well.  He has the flu bug that their kids had on Christmas Day.   They are not coming up to the cabin until Saturday evening.  Sure hope with us gathering as family it is not a super spreader for us all.  Craig and I have been blessed to avoid the flu bug that has been going around this winter.  I was able to get some quick shopping in while we were in town. I love buying Christmas decorations on sale after Christmas 🎄 everything is marked down to 70%-  I got some great deals and fun things to decorate with next year.  I’m adding more white to my Christmas decor.  If I decorate the tabernacle next year- going to do more red and white decor- I bought lots of pretty white bulbs.  I’m chippering up after my breakdown.  My dear hubby had been very supportive and understanding. I’m going to relax and enjoy the family that gather as we celebrate the beginning of a new year 2024 

2023 had been a busy year for us.  We started out not very healthy.  Craig is dealing with spells of vertigo and low blood pressure -this past month so trying to figure this out. It is a mystery right now.   Jacob entered in his first Pickelball tournament this afternoon-  he took 2nd place he did so well ! 

Note from Sharlena - Jacob takes 2nd in his first ever pickleball tourney. 9-1 record. Only loss was 11-10 to the team that took first. Go Jacob! 

Cora Rose Birthday Party

Natasha hosted the most darling birthday party for little Cora turning 4 years old.  She had a frozen theme- the most aboreable party!  It was decorated amazing-  Cora was loving the slide and all the attention- it cheered me up! Fun to gather as family and celebrate her birthday coming up on December 31st.  They were celebrating early so they could come to the lake for the weekend.

Christmas Day

The Burbidge grandkids all opened their Christmas gift from Santa- I took video clips of them open their gifts. We had a nice breakfast Trisha and girls made us crepes-  I had to start cooking the beef stew soup I planned to take to our family Christmas dinner with the family in the Salt lake valley at 5pm -was the plan.   Craig and Buck worked on moving the fridge from the upper garage to the kitchen in the basement. Back in September our old fridge that we bought in 1990 finally died.  We took Natasha’s fridge from her garage when they moved in August for an extra fridge at the lake.  So now we are able to move it in the lower kitchen.  Craig has just needed someone to help him.  It wasn’t easy getting it in. It wouldn’t fit through the slidding door. They had to take the fridge doors off - finally got it in - I was cooking away in the lower kitchen so I would be out of Trisha’s way while she was cleaning up from Breakfast-  I talked to Shannon that morning-she had called to see what she could bring for Christmas dinner - I told her we were just doing soups and she could give Natasha a call and see what she could bring- Shannon was bugged that Trisha and Buck weren’t coming and just staying at the lake.  I told her I didn’t understand it either- but I was just going to gather those who want to gather on Christmas Day. I don’t want to be sitting home.  I always enjoy gathering as family.  Well an hour later I happen to see a text from Shannon saying -“ Hey mom so I guess we're not going to make it to family party tonight.” The boys have work tomorrow.” I tried texting her and calling her back but got no response from her. So looked like it was just going to be us with the Thomas and Noriega family-  I was really upset with Shannon now- Craig wasn’t feeling well either and we had a three hour drive ahead of us- I didn’t want to feel like I was running out on the Burbidge family- I tried calling Shar - they were in a movie and she said she would call me back -well that never happened- she justed text back not to worry about it take care of Dad - Can you give me a call, shar’s reaponse - “ Hey Mom, we’re at a movie right now. I can call in a bit.- “ - Ok - a little drama need to talk to you ,  Sharlena - Can you give me a heads up? What going on?- me- “ Just trying to get our family together today is not working well - I’m frustrated - feel bad for Tasha to host and it will be us and your family only - we have to drive three hours to be there -just seeing what your feeling ? Dad doesn’t feel well either - has vertigo really bad and Shannon say their not coming because the boys have to work tomorrow - what ever that is suppose to mean? Burbidges are just hanging out here at the lake and going skiing tomorrow - we were going to get together with Stacy family on the 28th but now they have plans with the Towner family so I don’t know when I can get everyone together -
Shar- If dad isn’t feeling well, you should stay at the Lake and rest. We will be getting together next Sunday. I believe everyone is planning to be up at the lake next weekend. Except for maybe Shannon.For today, I can coordinate with Tash. I said - Ok talk to Tasha - we can still drive down - but would have to leave now - to be there by 5pm - if dad gets to feeling better- we thought we could just stop by your place - and Natasha to drop off our gifts - Sorry I’m really disappointed but know we have to be flexible- I was hoping Shar would call me back but she never did - I still wanted to go but just started to cry- I just feel like a doormat and family walk over me and my feelings. Christmas mean a lot for me to gather as family.  I couldn’t belive Shannon was baling at the last minute.  I was tired, sad and angery at the same time.  Still don’t understand why Trisha is excluding her family from our family Christmas gathering -she makes time for the Burbidge in-laws- they didn’t come up to lake until after their family Christmas party on Saturday- they had to go to church with them when they could have gone with us - so I’m waiting for them to arrive-  Trisha made me feel uncomfortable on Christmas Day like I was intruding on their family time. No one really interacted -the kids all kept to themselves and didn’t want to play any games.  Buck was watching a game and Trisha took a nap- Alec texted me at 4:45 pm asking what time the family Christmas party was- I texted back it had been cancelled - we were still at the lake. Shannon had texted me they were not coming- Alec texted back - that she was just joking-  that made me even more mad and frustrated with her- that is a sick joke !!  I had to get out of the house to stop me from crying - I finished delivering the goodys I had not delivered for Sherry Taylor- the address’s I had not found yet- still two were not home so took back to her home and visited for a bit- I needed a distraction to calm down-  when I got home Stacy calls to wish us Merry Christmas.  I told her about the drama - she was surprised too and felt bad for us. Little Enzo is sick so doesn’t know if they are coming in town on Thursday.  Shannon tried calling while I was visiting with her.  I just texted her back -“. Shannon- “ Mom I was just kidding with you . “ Well what the hell !!  Not something to joke about - I was talking to Stacy when you called back -you owe me an apology. I was extremely disappointed today -I’m busting my butt to make a soup and get ready to go we had to leave at 1:30 to be there by 5pm when I got your text at 12:30 - I texted you back and called to see what had changed so quickly since I had just talked to you 30 minutes before -when you sent the text y’all were not coming - all I could do was cry - I lost my motivation -why do I try when no one  seems to value any extended family time-I’m trying to create memories as a family and I really enjoy getting together- I felt bad for Tasha hosting for just two families - dad isn’t feeling well but still willing to try to get together- after your text - I just felt like giving up - why do I even try - this was not a joke to be playing with me - I have no family but you girls to share the holidays and I’m very sensitive about it- I have felt this huge cloud come over me and all I can do is cry - I feel so sad 😞I was in no mood to talk to Shannon after I hung up from my conversation with Stacy-  I was bugged how the day turned out at the lake with the Burbidge family a very boring afternoon not ending well for me when I could have been with our family at Natasha's home -more fun for sure.  We should had just gone on down.  Shannon called Natasha about 5pm when they should have been at her home talking about how they should all be gathering for us as parents- she then said she had to go but would call her back and then never did and they never showed up- I felt even more bad when I saw a picture of Austin and Lincoln dressed alike that evening-  we missed the fun!  I had to watch a Christmas movie to calm down. The Burbidge family just doing their own thing.  I felt like we were intruding - by 12:30 am I could t sleep -I told Craig let’s just drive down to our Draper home.  We packed up and out the door- the Burbidge family were going skiing in the morning and wouldn’t even see us. I cried all the way down!! Angry and sad at the same time.  It is just so disappointing.  It is hard to please everyone.  I just feel like for some reason Trisha puts the Burbidge family over ours-  they haven’t come to Thanksgiving for over five years now - they go to California with the Burbidge family clan and this year not gathering with our family for Christmas- everyone misses not having them there.  They just exclude themselves from the family and Shannon is hard too -  it has been 10 years since our huge family blow up and has taken a long time to heal I flet like things were healing and now they are pulling away- it’s obvious they don’t want to gather by their behavior which is hurtful to me- I just have to sweep it under the rug and not say anything- but I’m angry now !! She then told me next year they are not coming up from st George they are staying home- wherever that is ? They sold their lovely  home and living in an apartment building until they finally figure out what they are doing- I want my girls close and want to interact with them and their families- it is just so upsetting to me that the in-laws take  center attention.  I gave up Christmas Eve when Natasha got married in 2009- each of my girls spend time with the in-laws except the Chaudhry’s family- so we have been trying to do something with  them but that has been hit and miss.  We have tired rotating each family on Christmas morning since we moved to the lake.   It’s is all growing pains as a family- I would think the girls would be more respectful toward their parents and at least ask and rotate the holidays well that has not happend.  I have struggled to get us together on Christmas Day- it seems to be upsetting to me each year.  I held my ground Christmas Day evening -is my time with who can attend. They should be able to make time for their parents one day out of the year when they are together all year long!   Well Craig and I drove to our Draper home arriving at 4am- I finally went to sleep for only 4 hours and still crying why is it so hard ? I had to take a hot bath and finally slept for the afternoon-  I needed some rest. My sinus were aching from all the tears- Criag suggested we go to a movie.  I was able to drag myself out of bed and hurried to get dressed.  We went to a funny movie which I needed something to cheer me up.  I mange to sleep all night.  There will be another Christmas 🎄 I’m just sticking to the plan Christmas Day for those who want to gather- it’s my mistake - I shouldn’t have gotten up set with Shannon when she sent her snide remark- and keep to the plan- She us unpredictable- well I have grieve for the past few days-  I have to say this was the worse Christmas Day I have had.  It was so disappointing.  Well since then Shannon has let loose on her sisters in a group text and then she sent me a mean text again - not taking any responsible for her actions- Still drama. she is still boiling mad - now I’m trying to calm her down - when really she is the one to fouled things up-  this is her respond to my last text - I’m sorry but the people you should be telling this too is Buck and Trisha as far as I’m concerned they’re the ones that screwed Christmas for all of us .  I have shit up to my eyeballs right now and this is the last thing I need or want to be dealing with especially because you won’t even call out Buck and Trisha for putting a bad taste in my mouth and my kids where all pissed about it . don’t have any room for dealing with this shit right now and the very fact you don’t know that is unbelievable . I have been putting out fires all dam week now you want to throw this on me for something you where apparently find with Buck and Trisha not coming but me -all shit falls apart. Makes no sense.  Even though I always planned on coming hell I was ready and gonna be on time. I had all my presents ready for the first time in years you don’t think I’m pissed. I’m pissed as hell so don’t even I’m still pissed about it all but it sounds like nobody gives to shits or care about getting together for Christmas so why should I … looks like those days are over from what everyone’s saying they just don’t care . So maybe you should start with those people Buck -Trish .   So here I go again so sorry for her actions it is everyone else fault-  All she had to do was say she was sorry to upset me - it was a mean joke on her part that changed my actions and discouraged me- 

Christmas Morning

I woke up early before all the family got up.  We are having Christmas morning with the Burbidge family at the lake this year for the first time.  So nice to have them here with us.  Trisha has it all set up so nice.  They brought up a tree and decorated last night. The Burbidge family arrived about 6:30 pm last night.  They were going to arrive around 3:30pm they got to Evanston halfway and had to turn around to go back and get Saydee bugs contacts and glasses-  she can’t see very well without them.  So they arrived later than plan.  We did have a nice evening together.  Trisha cooked us a yummy chicken soup dinner with ham sliders.  They then opened their family gift first they drew for one another and pj’s for the entire family.  Craig gave us each a new charger for our phones that we can place our phone, Apple Watch and EarPods-. We had fun visiting with one another.  I had to go to bed by 10:30pm - I was beat from my busy Sunday.  I got ready early and attend sacrament in our 1st ward.  It was a lovely Christmas program.  We then had our YSA branch sacrament with another lovely Christmas program of Christmas music.  We had six sisters from lake town that play string instruments with Christmas music it was lovely. Lynzee Holmes sang a solo one of my favorite Christmas songs Mary Did You Know? She sang so beautiful she had a lovely voice.  Afterwards I went and visited sister Sherry Taylor who lives in the 2nd Ward.  She fell this past week and broke her back. Her husband just had part of his foot amputated so they both were not doing so good.  I told her I would come help do some last minutes things for her.  When I arrived at 3:30pm she had been baking away making fudge, Rocky road treats and carmels.  I visited with her and her hubby Allen for over an hour while she worked on her treat gifts- she wanted me to deliver to six families in the 2nd Ward. I told her I needed to get going before it got dark- I don't do well driving in the dark when I’m not familiar with the area- which I was not familiar where these families all lived.  Well the first home was up on the mountain road above Sherry’s home on snow packed dirt road and the address was not taking me to a home with anyone home or even a home I could find.  So I gave up and drove up to Bishop Jolleys home which little did I know was way up on the mountain.  The roads were terrible and I didn't know if I was going to make it.  When I arrived I had a really steep driveway to go up.  I had to go up in order to turn round and get back down the mountain. I can’t belive I even made it there that far up in my car which is not a 4 wheeler.  Well they were not home.  By then I was cold and had to pee and scared to drive back down. I noticed I was low on gas and this was not a good place to be running out.  I was in my church high boots and would not be good if I had to get out and walk for help.  I braved it down the snowy mountian roads-  I called sister Kathy hislop my next stop for her address -which I do know very well.  I arrived to her home in a sign of relief-  she told me I was a saint for doing this on Christmas Eve.  With  theBurbidge family arriving later I had the time to help her out, yet I did not know I would be driving the mountian  snowy dirt roads delivering treats.  I was stressed by the time I got down the mountian to Kathy’s home- I still had 4 more to deliver.  She told me where the next home was- by then it was getting dark and I couldn’t find their home with no address and unfamiliar with the mountain roads that wind around- I had to pee really bad and no where to go.  I just gave up and headed toward town to drop off two that lived in the buttercup flat area of town which was off the mountian and on my way home. By then it was dark- I had a deer dart out on the road and almost hit it- my heart was pounding-  when I got out to drop off the next family I couldn't hold it longer- the pee started coming out- I just left the treat at the doorstep no one was home- the next stop was on my way out- they were a sweet humble family with not much- so it was nice to deliver their treats-  they told me the family up from them had moved and did not live in the house I just dropped off- so I had to go back and retrieve. By then I had three more families to deliver and they were back up the mountian - I was done.  I will have to deliver them Christmas Day. I was cold and now wet clothes from my accident.  I just headed back home. That was so stressful for me I wanted to cry.  I don’t like driving on the snowy mountian dirt roads where so many people live.  I would never want to live where Bishop Jolly lives- it is way up the mountian and scary to drive-  it was a sign of relief when I arrived home at 6:30 pm.  I had just enough time to change clothes - tidy up our home when the Burbidge family arrived.  Just barely enough time to destress-  we did have a lovely evening- wish I could have stayed up longer but I was beat from my stressful mountian deliveries- I fell asleep and didn’t move until morning waking at 7am- I’m the first up enjoying the quite of our Christmas morning 🎄

Our Alec

Shannon called early Saturday morning crying hysterically they had to call an ambulance for Alec- he was having a bad reaction to medication that he must have taken too much of for his ADHA attention defecet. He had been sleep deprived this week and depressed- we jumped in the car and drove down.  Craig had woke up early 5am and was vaccuming the house.  We were on the road by 8am.  When we arrived he was home resting. They were able to give him medication to counter react what he had taken.  He said he couldn’t feel his arms and felt he was dying.  He had a very bad reaction and did need help it has given us all a good scare.    He’s doing better he’s just been sleep a lot . love you 🥰 . 

The boys rallied around him when we got him home it was a tender moment to my ❤️heart love all my Boys and our little Princess . Talk with ya tomorrow. 

Christmas Video

I stop doing Christmas cards since we moved to the lake so I started making little video clips of our family together- highlights and post on Facebook -which most of my friends are on-  so fun to review the pictures I have taken this past month- the video has turned out fun.  I have had another very busy day and this has given me time to chill and rest in my bed from all our busy activities this past month.  I need to have a day off and rest tomorrow.  

YSA Christmas Dinner

We hosted a YSA Christmas dinner tonight.  It was a lot of work even with us catering the dinner with Bear trapper.  Chris, Linda and I set up the tables this morning starting at 9am.  It was hosted at the sunrise resort in Harbor village.  We were planning on about 50 in attendance.  We set the tables with gold charger plates and used my gold silverware I have three sets and Chris had a set too.  I added the Christmas flower arrangements I had made several years back for our ward Christmas parties. We didn’t use them this year so it was fun to get them out for this occasion. I added gold ribbon and some more gold touches to each centerpiece to highlight the gold.  It all set up so pretty.  The resort is lovely and so fun to host our dinner there.  Brother and sister Smoot own it-so was nice for them to let us host the event there.  We had an awesome turn out.  We ended up with about 60 and having to pull out more tables at the last minute to seat everyone.  I made 50 gift bags. They were so darling and placed on the tables by each plate.  It was an awesome turn out -felt like we had a real branch tonight with so many attending.  Several home for the Christmas holidays-  nice to start building a relationship with the local YSA.  I was so busy greeting them all and serving food that I forgot to take any pictures-got a few decorated before anyone arrived- 

Our Stake Christmas Devotional

The gift of the Living Christ! 

The devotional was lovely! It all turned out so pretty.  A sigh of relief from all my work.  

I’ve had a busy day.  I woke up at 6am and made 24 breakfast burritos for our YSA to eat after our meetings.  We had left over scramble eggs from our ward party.  They worked great for the breakfast burritos I made.  They turned out yummy-  I had just enough time to get ready for our church meetings after I cleaned up the kitchen.  We had a nice sacrament meeting.  I also really enjoyed our come follow me lesson. Everyone enjoyed the yummy breakfast burritos-  I had enough time to stop by the house and out the door again to head to the Tabernacle to do last minute touches for the decorations- the devotional was lovely and everything looked so no pretty. I arrived home at 7pm- it has been a long busy day-

 

Sylvia Meden’s Funeral

I attend Sylvia’s funeral this morning- it was a lovely funeral.  I was very emotional at the end when her Husband spoke and then singing the closing song - God be with till we meet again.  We sang this song at my mothers funeral- crazy it has been two years now.  I have been closed off from trying to feel her presence- but did during the song- the tears started and I couldn’t turn them off. It was really nice to visit with several of our old friends from the ward we lived in for 12 years.  Sylvia will be greatly missed she died at 59 from a brain tumor.  Her two children will greatly miss her - they deeply lived her. Her husband Walter said it is goi g to be really hard to be left with just him and dog.  His two children are married and moved out to start their own lives.  This funeral was very touching for me . I had to drive by our old home of 12 years that I loved and really miss.  It was a beautiful home.  The tears kept flowing-  it has been hard to leave and move to Bear lake yet - I know this is where we have been lead to serve at this season in our lives- we were under used staying in Draper.  Moving to the lake has given us many opportunities to serve in the church which does bring us great joy ! I have to remind myself- even though I do miss our beautiful home that we had created.  

Landon is driving - Look out!!.

Landon got his Liscene he is going to be 16 in two months and he is so exicted to be able to drive-  he was not going to wait to get his liscene as long as his older brothers did.

Love this Quote

At Christmas, of course, we focus upon His birth. But, He will come again. At His First Coming Jesus came almost in secret. Only a few mortals knew of His birth. At His Second Coming the whole of humankind will know of His return. Then He will come, not as “a man traveling on the earth,” but His glory “shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”

As a special witness of His holy name, I testify that Jesus is the divine Son of the living God. He will love you, lift you, and manifest Himself unto you if you will love Him and keep His commandments. ~ Russell M Nelson

Funeral Cousin DebbieSymes / Troy brought the Bear Truck

We are heading to Boutiful for the funeral of Debbie Symes the oldest cousin of the Symes cousin this afternoon at 2pm - we haven’t seen her for many years, she is the daughter of Uncle Jim and Aunt Donna who has been our favorite Aunt over the years on the Symes side.  We are all getting older and I’m sure we will be attending more funerals as our family relatives pass on.  I’m so tired from my busy week! 

I drove to the Tabernacle yesterday afternoon meeting Janet who is incharge at 4:40 to finishing up decorating.  I was there 4 hours- it all takes more time than you think. It did go by fast.  It is looking lovely- I forgot to take pictures again - I will get some on Sunday when I go early to finish up the last minute touches,  it is a beautiful old historical building such an honor to decorate it for Christmas. Enjoying the ride down to Bountiful today.  Logan canyon is so beautiful.  There is lots of snow up high. Dropping  down into Brigham City we have no snow.  The sunshine is out shining bright today. The Sun rays feel so good. -Craig sold the 1941 dodge power wagon to Troy our nephew.  He is is excited to have. Craig wanted to keep it in the family.  It needs lot of work and Craig just didn’t want to invest the time or money.  We are meeting Troy on the way to the funeral for his payment of $3,000. Troy is really excited to have the old truck from Grandpa Symes- 

Christmas Aprons

Natasha is launching the sell of darling aprons.  This photo shoot is so darling. 

Lincoln’s 14th birthday

Our Lincoln turned 14 on December 13th. He is a special grandson in our family.  We enjoy spending time with him. 

 

An Amazing Ward Christmas Party

We had an amazing Ward Christmas party this year - it all turned out so fun.  The Ward members loved it and in awe!  I received lots of compliments.  Here are a few pictures I took before all the crowd arrived- we had about 140 in attendance - It was a group effort with the 2nd Ward- Tia McKee made the darling train - I decorated the stage and the Santa room and made the candycane beverage stand- I decorated for three days and it has taken me 4 hours to cleanup and put things away-  I had to hauled alot of stuff down to the church from our home-I had two loads packed in my car to the ceiling.  I now need to go to the Tabernacle in Paris Idaho this afternoon to finish decorating the tabernacle for the stake Christmas program this Sunday- it will be lovely.  I still have alot of stuff in my car loaded with decor to decorate there.

 

Losing Weight

Yeah ! I’m slowing losing some weight I woke up this morning and weighed 162 pounds.  I haven’t since this for over a year.  I need to keep going.  It is encouraging to see the scale drop.  It is slow but in the right direction.  

Cousin Christmas Party

We started our month out hosting a cousin Christmas party with all our grandkids that could come.  We had a great time.  I had our Draper home all decorated for the occasion.  We had a good turn out 10 of them were able to attend- Micheal our oldest, Alec and his girlfriend Kate, Landon, Austin and Jacob came, Lincoln and Winston, Saydee and Karlee.  Jaxon was coming but he was laid off from his job that day and really bummed out.  He didn’t feel like socializing which I understand.  Feel bad for him. He like his job working at Walmart.  It was close to his home.  He had been there 2 years and had worked into fulltime.  With the AI management which is a computer - said he didn’t meet some certain requirements.  His bosses were not happy either, because Jaxon has been a great worker.   I told him to check with Natasha she might be hiring at her warehouse.  It is a long drive for him if he does work there- pray he ca find a new job soon.  We all had a great time playing game and eating pizza and visiting with one another. ( PS Jaxon was able to find another job and making more money, working as a distributer for Pepsi.  He meet several of the distributer working at Walmast and they knew what kind of a good worker Jaxon was.  so walmart was a stepping stone for a better job for him.)  

Michael so proud of him he looks like a different young many loses 100 pounds this past years   He looks fit and Happy 

All the cousins that could attend this year 

Jacob on the far left back row - Landon Micheal, Saydee with Annie on her shoulders, Austin, Karlee, tall with Santa hat Alec and his girlfriend Kate, front Winston and Lincoln.  We all had a great time playing and teaching them how to play swoop a card game. It was fun to visit with them all.  We had a great time! 

December Is Here !

I haven’t blogged since the end of November-  recovering from my breast surgery it has been very painful but each day is an improvement- It has been 43 days and the stitches are starting to soften and smooth out.  The pain is easing.  I do have one spot under my breast toward the cleavage area where the stitches gave way and I have a an opening that is not healing very well it is very tender and red. I’m having to keep a bandaid on this area.  But I have made huge progress-  December has been busy for me-  I hosted a Cousin Christmas party at our Draper home December 5th.  So I was busy getting ready for it- and shopping for our ward Christmas party coming up.  Which is today.  I have spent the last two days at the church with the 2nd Ward committee decorating the church.  We are having a polar express theme this year and the decorations are wow this year!  Combining our efforts with both wards and our resources it has all turned out amazing - it is one of the most pretty Christmas parties I’ve seen.   Tia McKee made a huge polar express train and ticket stand.  It is just adorable- I’ve added my touch too.  I decorated the stage, beverage stand garland around the kitchen area and Santa’s room.  We have a train car area for the members to sit to beginning their journey- from there to the Relief socity room where they will listen to Santa and visit with him- travel from there to receive their pancake breakfast from there to the culture dining hall decorated with hanging Christmas lights and snowflake. We  had a beautiful navitiviy show- ending our night with hot coca and cookies.  I worked hard decorating the past two days-  today I have to tidy up from the 2nd ward who hosted their party last night.  Their ward is twice the size of ours - Kathy Hislop who is the committee chairman for their ward said they had 320 people attend.  We will be half of that.  We need to take some table down since we are not so big.  I have little Santa hats to place in the tables with the silverware.  Craig needs to help me hang the white screen I made across the stage for our silhouette nativity show.  I have three ward families participating.  I didn’t know if I could make it all happen, but it is all coming together.  This a huge production this year.  So I have the finishing touches today.  Our party is at 6:30!pm -  I have several helpers coming at 5:30pm and our navitivty show practise so I’m going to be bouncing around keeping things going-  Craig and drove to Logan last night to buy all the food.  We are serving breakfast this year pancakes, scrambled eggs with bacon- Serving milk and cookies with hot coca as they leave. So it going to be another full day doing the last minute things for our ward Christmas party.  I took a picture of the Santa room and the stage.  I need to take more pictures today.  It has all turned out so fun!   It's a miracle and and tender mercy from my Heavenly Father.  The Wallentine parents have finally forgiven me.  I sent a text that I needed some helper for about and hour at the church for set up for our Ward party today.  Lo and behold brother and sister Wallentine showed up to help me.  I was in shock that they were the only ones to show up and to very grateful that they did come.  I really needed their help.  They never said they were sorry, but a nice gesture to show they are finally able to forgive and more forward in having a relationship in the ward.  I have tried really hard to be nice to then and show love to .their family.  I even gave a bunch of Ivy City dresses to their granddaughters.  So I can see my kindness toward them has helped to heal our tense relationship.  It feels so nice to have the barrier wall of dislike come come and that we can be friends.  It has taken five years.  I feel very thankful in my heart this day and uplifted by their helping hands which were very much needed.  

Come Follow Me This Week

I have taken a break from my come follow me study the past month since my surgery so getting back into - this week November 20–26

1 and 2 Peter "Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory”

As you read the Epistles of Peter, you may receive spiritual impressions. Promptly record them while you are “yet in the Spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:80) so you can accurately capture what God teaches you.- So doing my reading and see what the spirits speaks to my heart and soul this morning? 

I just read the chapters for 1st and 2nd Peter- there is so much knowledge to absorb from these chapters- this thought stood out to me - "Be ready always.” Informal teaching moments at home can come and go quickly, so it’s important to take advantage of them when they arise. How can you strive to “be ready always” to teach your family members gospel truths and share “the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15) when teaching moments arise? 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  I’m striving to look for those teaching moments with my grandkids -the next generation-  I need to cook brownies and get ready for church - will take more time to study the lesson later this afternoon - 

Our Sabbath Day

Today is the first day that I woke up not feeling much pain in my breast.  It has been 26 days-  I think I can make it to church this week.  I have missed the past three Sundays.  They are calling and sustaining an Elders quorum president for the YSA today. Our Stake President will be in attendance today.  Craig asked me to make some brownies to serve after our meetings today.  With the few numbers in Attendance we are able to serve a dessert after church each week. I woke up early 7:30 am.  It is a cold winter morning it got down to about 10 degress.  The high today is forecast to be only 18 degrees.  Winter is here at the lake. It’s pretty this morning to see all the geese lined up along the shoreline frosty and snowy.  

Here is a picture the pretty winter arrangment I made for the Christmas Tabernacle program I have been asked to decorate again this year.  It looks great- love it !  (PS. my brownies turned out yummy, I recieved many compliments, our Stake President Jenson loved them?  I just used the costco brownie box mix, adding coconut oil, and sour cream to replace cooking oil and extra chocolate chips.  This was the magic touch to enhance their taste.

The full moon is always so pretty shinning on the lake this is a beautiful winter picture of our surroundings living at the lake.    

Trying To Losing Weight

Having my Breast surgery and recovering really moviates me to lose some weight I would love to get 10 pounds off I know I would feel so much better my last log in on my weight was 162 pounds November 23rd 2022-  so that was the lowest I got down to last year.  I weighed in at 165 this same time last year.  I have dropped a few lbs since summer -I got up to 172 lbs my all time high when I’m in the 170’s it all goes to my stomach area.  They did some lipo on the sides of my breast so this area is looking thinner which is nice.  I’ve got to get my stomach down.  I have wanted to do a tummy tuck but I have got to lose weight first.  Stacy sent me a page from a book she is reading about better health.  There is a chapter of how to lose weight and keep it off.  The first suggestion is to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning and eat a breakfast of all the fruit you want to eat.  I don’t have much fruit on hand but do have some peaches I bottled this summer so going to try one of my jars this morning.  I’m going to make a real effort this week to eat better and try to lose 2 pounds this week-

Christmas Tree Lighting

Today is the Christmas Tree lighting for our little community. And it is very cold in the low 20’s all day.  We drove back up to the lake late afternoon yesterday.  I finished up my Christmas decorating at our Draper home- I decorated the downstairs tree and fireplace mantle-  it will be fun when we come back down to have it all decorated for the Chistmas season.  We went to the tree lighting tonight and it was so cold- we didn’t stay very long only about half and hour.  Fun to visited with friends in the community-  I have had a full day.  I made a beautiful Christmas arrangement for the Paris Tabernacle  Christmas Program on Dec17th-  the theme is the gifts of the Living Christ -  I have been wrapping small food boxes of different sizes to place on the Christmas trees-  it is going to be really pretty.  I worked on the manger story play last night and today was able to meet with the Holmes family for an hour to start working on the staging and giving them an idea of what it is going to be like - going to try to get all my actors together this coming Thursday for a rehearsal-  I have three families that are participating-  it is going to be really pretty.  Something no one has ever seen.  I need to take some pictures of my decorating projects so far. I’m ready for bed it’s 8:30 and I have put a 12 hour day in - I did have to take an hour nap to get thru the day. I’m healing very slowly.  My energy level is low but I’m able to do more and more each day. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving 🍁

Today is Thanksgiving 2023🦃- Craig and I are having a quite day.  I’m still recovering.  The Towner and Thomas family are having a fun time together on a cruise this year.  We bought a small turkey to cook our own Thanksgiving dinner here at our Draper home.  We drove down Tuesday evening after Craig did some YSA visit with two of the sisters in the branch.  They are trying to find a Relief Society president for the branch - I put all my fall decoration away over the weekend and did some cleaning.  It felt good to tidy things up. Slowly getting some of my Christmas decor out.  With it snowing Sunday it put me in the Christmas mood.  I can only get a little done each day- I fatigue really fast- still recovering from my surgery.  Three weeks out and I’m healing very slowly each day. I can see the pain is letting up little by little.  Back at our Draper home.  Last week I decorated a  new tree upstairs. It was so fun to walk in and have it all looking so pretty.  Wednesday I decorated our tree in the basement.  I did a Santa theme this year.  It turned out so pretty- I wear out so fast.  It took me all day to get the tree done.  This morning I woke up at 5:am to check our Turkey cooking in the oven.  It smells so good-  I cooked it all night- it was done and ready for our Thanksgiving dinner- waking up so early I started decorating the fireplace mantle in the basement and adding the finishing touches.  It has all turned out so pretty- it has been fun to decorate with the fun Christmas decor I bought last year on sale after Christmas.  I’ve added a lot more white in the basement this year and love it.   I had to take a morning nap - Craig  is cleaned up the kitchen for me and peeled the potatoes-  when I woke up he had the mash potatoes made and cooked brussels sprouts-  I made the gravy and dressing-  we sat down for a yummy dinner.  It will be nice to have leftovers.  It has wore me out just doing the few dishes and resting now- as I was doing dishes I noticed my sink had pulled away from the sides and barely hanging on-  we heard a noise yesterday of some thing falling but couldn’t find what it was - must have been the sink pulling way.  Craig was able to brace it so we can get it glued back in place.  Relaxing this afternoon- Shannon just sent me a funny text that little Ashtyn texted all by herself and sent to me.  Debbie are you heading back home tomorrow? Thanksgiving is coming💖 checked my text messages about noon today and so surprised to see this message - Hi Debbie- this is Tricia Wallentine. I’m having a melt down because my table cloth doesn’t fit my table. Do you by chance have a long square table cloth. I thought if anyone would have one it would be you.   This is the sister that was so nasty to me when I was serving in young women’s 5 years back -guess she had finally forgiven me - I told her she  could go pick it up at our home I was out of town and had just washed it laying in my laundry room- I asked her to feed the cat for me- guess we are friends now.  It’s taken a long time for things to heal for me. Having her reach out -means she has finally accepted me as a friend. -  she texted back-

Cat is fed and we gave her some water. Got the table cloth, it’s beautiful. ❤️ I have enjoyed our quite day.  Cooking a small dinner for us has wore me out.  I’m resting this afternoon.  I want to drive out and see our little Ashtyn- just don’t know if I have the energy. Towner’s and Thomas family sent some fun pictures - they are all having a great time on their cruise.  Wish we could have been there with them.  Maybe next year-