Feelings...

It has been awhile since I have posted anything from my heart so here goes. I have been thinking this Christmas Season how truly blessed we are. Especially with our children and my sweet husband. Here are some of my thoughts lately.


We went to Cole Foster's farewell talk and family dinner today. First it is so hard to believe that one of our dear friends that is Shawn's age has a son "old" enough to go on a mission. It brings home how fast time is slipping by and how soon we could and hopefully will be in that same position. Anyway, as we were sitting there at dinner I looked over about 4 tables and there is my 16 year old sitting with about 30 young men in suits and white shirts, and variations of. It just about brought tears to my eyes to see him surrounded with friends that are such a great example to him, and to realize the that most of those young men will be following in Cole's footsteps within the next 3 years. It was a beautiful sight, and also a comforting one. Shade has been doing so much better the past month. I have talked to a few of his teachers and they have been very impressed by the changes. He is even at the top of his class in literature...WHAT! Tardies still seem to be a little issue, but not as bad as they were. I can see such a change in him, and am so grateful.

The other morning I woke up about 6:30 am with thoughts of Aspen in my heart. I don't know if I had been dreaming, or what, if I was I don't remember; but I was thinking I would write a poem or a song if I had any talent in that area about seeing the world through her eyes. It is a truly special experience to be around her all day long. Here are some of the things I would put in my song/poem.

Through Aspen's Eyes

I don't just see a beautiful building but Jesus' House
I don't just see the moon, but the man in the moon
I don't just see animals in the nativity but animals that need to be adopted and a pillow to sleep on.
I don't just see the movie "Footloose" but I dance in the street to "Footloose..cut loose" Twirling about.
I don't just wish for snow, I have faith to "pray" for snow.
I don't care about winning "candyland" I just want to play the game (& get all the picture cards whether it makes me lose or not)
I don't just see the stars, but want to find the "constellations" (seriously her word)

The list could go on & on. I sure love that girl, she is a precious, precious gift. I think Heavenly Father must have had a very hard time letting her go.

Shawn yesterday said, "man that Carter is a great kid, he is so special". That he is; he has such enthusiasm for life and goes after things with a zest for life not many kids have. He loves to fish with his dad, and they have been spending a lot of time ice fishing. As I am typing this he is waiting if front of the dryer for his special pillowcases to dry so he can sew his present for Aspen.

Morgan is maturing in so many ways. She still has her moments, but we are coming to accept that that is part of who she is. She constantly surprises me by doing stuff like making dinner, cleaning the kitchen or helping in some other way.

Shawn & I have been taking a marriage class in Sunday school. It is teaching us a few things that we can work on and also making us realize what a special marriage & partnership we have. This past week has been especially neat as we have been working on communication. We are always arguing about who loves each other the most; the argument always ends at a stalemate until last night he won! As he was kissing me good night (in the dark) I got a mouth full of water. I thought he he spit in my mouth, but he insists it was water off of his mustache. He said if I loved him more then I would let him spit in my mouth. I told him he won then, because that wasn't part of the deal. We got a pretty good laugh out of it, and we probably won't have that argument again!