Believe

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Believe" by Josh Groban. The song he sang for the Polar Express. I play it over and over as I am riding in my car.

Children sleeping,

Snow is softly falling,

Dreams are calling,

Like bells in the distance

We were dreamers

Not so long ago

But one by one, we

All had to grow up.

When it seems the magic slipped away

We find it all again on Christmas Day

Believe in what your heart is saying

Hear the melody that's playing

There's no time to waste

There's so much to celebrate

Believe in what you feel inside

Give your dreams the wings to fly

You have everything you need, if you just believe.

If you just believe.

If you just believe.

If you just believe... just believe..just believe.

I believe in the magic of Christmas and the joy that it brings to each of us.

Santa Time

Malorie my sweet great grandbaby with Santa for the first time. She didn't cry just stared straight ahead, until he got the book out to read to her.. Such a beautiful picture of a memorable event.

December in the desert

Here it is the 8th of December and I have my windows and doors open because it is 76 degrees today. I have started to wear my winter clothes, because the time span to wear them here is so short. But I must admit I do get warm, and have to take one of the layers off.. I have been keeping busy with many things since Thanksgiving. I have my home all decorated and it looks like Christmas in here.

Last Friday night was the Pinnacle H.S. Christmas Choir Concert. My grandaughters Taylor and Madi both perform in the Encore Choir. For the song "Winter Fire & Snow" the choir was accompanied by Madi on her cello. It was beautiful.. I love to hear her play, it brings such joy to my heart. Those of you who know me know that I am very soft hearted and will cry very easily and when it is my children or grandchildren I am crying before they start.. So yes I was so choked up with the beautiful music. The next song "Christmas Baby, Come Home". Taylor did the choreography for the song with the choir and performed at the front of the stage for part of it. Madi had a solo in this number and both girls were fantastic.

My grandaughter Karleigh has been diagnosed with Mono and she is one sick girl. The doctors have put her on complete bed rest until January. It is so hard to be 17 and not able to participate with all your friends in the fun activities. She is hanging in there and her mom is keeping a close watch over her.

I had my Christmas Card Class last Weds morning and evening and it was really fun. We made 6 cards, 2 tags and a box for cards to be given as a gift.

Our "Harper's Bazaar", holiday boutique was last Saturday and am so glad that it is over and I can move on to getting ready for my Christmas.

Had to get new tires on my car today, so I guess that is my Christmas present to myself.. The security of being able to drive on these freeways and not have to worry about a blow-out.

This weekend Kristan and I are going to Tucson to Pages n' Progress for the Hero Arts 2011 catalog roll out trunk show. Always love to go there, we have such a great time.

Then on Saturday evening I am attending a performance of the "Front Row Singers", a choir that my grandson Coleton is participating in this holiday season. they are directed by Don Bluth and really amazing. They are performing all over the valley during the holidays.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It is a day on which to acknowledge and express how grateful we are for what we have. It's a time to stop, honor, and reflect on the lives we are blessed with. The truth about Thanksgiving is that it really doesn't matter what you eat, or where you gather, or what you wear. But it is important that you take a few moments and reflect and give thanks for what you have.

To all my friends I wish you a very peaceful and happy Thanksgiving.

Be grateful for where you've been,

where you're going

and the love of life

that inspires you to grow

your whole life through.

Cooler weather is what we in the desert look forward to each year, after a l-o-n-g hot summer.. It has finally arrived and I am in heaven. Windows open and no air conditioner running.

Since my last post I have:

* Driven to Panguitch Utah for 3 days with my daughter Kristan and my daughter-in-law Karen to participate in a large craft fair, that they hold annually and draws vendors and people from all over southern Utah and Northern Arizona. I had worked very hard to get a ton of things I could sell. It was a very fun trip and we had a great girls weekend. The day time temps. were in the mid 30's and the night time was 14 degrees.. rather chilly.

My Grandson Kelly was anxiously awaiting his Mission Call and it arrived on Friday while we were in Utah. He had made an agreement with his mom & dad that he wanted all the family to be there when he opened it and since we were in Utah, he planned a family party for Sunday evening so that we could all be there with him.

He was so excited, but I think his dad Steve was even more excited than Kelly

He had been hoping that wherever he was sent it would be an English speaking mission and if it was in the states that it would be the East Coast. He read down and smiled as he read that he was called to the Columbia, South Carolina Mission. He just cheered as did everyone else in the room. I am so proud of him and his desire to serve the Lord and the people of South Carolina for 2 years. Wow I will have 2 grandsons out on missions as of March 23rd.. I am a lucky grams.

* Have been battling my usual end of summer welcome fall cold and finally have it on the last leg.

* Attended my grandaughter Alli's first strings concert at her school. She is in the 4th grade and loves playing the violin.
* Attended my grandson Logan's baseball games. He plays both Little League and Club Ball. Friday evening was his last Little League game of the fall ball season and they had a great game. Yesterday was a Club Ball tournament and he had 3 games during the day. Teams play year round in Club Ball and come from all over southern Arizona to participate in these tournaments. The games were being held fairly close and so Kristan and I drove over yesterday afternoon to meet her husband Don & catch the 6 and 8 o'clock games. Cool evening and fun friends and great games to watch.. Logan is a great baseball player, and really loves the game.. He plays all positions; pitcher, 3rd base, shortstop and fielder. He is awesome at all positions.

This week is Thanksgiving and I have decided to host the family dinner in my condo. We had it in our home every year until I moved into my condo, then we decided to have it at my son Steve's home. I really wanted to do again this year, since I love to prepare the dinner and everyone brings something to add to my turkey and dressing. We each have those special dishes that make our Thanksgiving special. Even though we might be a little crowded I know we will have a wonderful day together.

Found a new restaurant that I really like, called Zinc Bistro at Kierland Commons in north Scottsdale. I was watching the food channel show called "The best I ever ate", and one of the foods they talked about was the French Onion Soup at Zinc Bistro in Scottsdale. Had to try out this place even though I really try to stay away from dairy and the soup is covered with cheese so Connie had the soup & I had the most fabulous dungeness crab salad..

A new favorite.. My daughter-in-law Karen invited me to attend the pre-screening of the new movie "Morning Glory" and it was really fun. When you have free pre-screening tickets it is first come, first seated.. We were lucky and had great seats..
Last weekend I traveled to Tucson with Kristan for classes and had a great time. We stayed with our friend Terri, the owner of Pages n' Progress Scrapbook store. She is always such a gracious hostess. Kristan held a Hero Arts Trunk show and a Memory Mixer Digital scrapbook class in her store and then we went to Green Valley to the AZ. Scrapbook store for another Memory Mixer Class.. I really do love going with Kristan..

This week the Pinnacle High School presented it's production of the Shakespeare play " A Midsummer Night's Dream". Madi was in the set crew and Taylor was performing in the play.

Madi is the far right bottom row and Taylor is top row center.
The play was awesome and the kids did a terrific job. The costumes and set decorations were outstanding. Taylor was the fairy "Cobweb" and also an Amazon warrior.

I attended the production two nights and it was wonderful both nights..

This coming week I have my monthly "Embossed Card Class" and then Kristan, Karen and I are heading to Utah for the craft fair that we have been working so hard getting ready for. Our booth is called "Harpers Bazaar"

We are also hosting another in Phoenix

Last Sunday my family had our monthly birthday dinner - get together and also our annual white balloons to heaven for Grampa Kent.

Each of my grandchildren write a note to their grampa, letting him know what is going on in their lives or thoughts that they have. They tie it to a white balloon.
Everyone is ready to let their balloons go all at the same time....
The kids love to watch how fast the balloons rise higher and higher until at last they are so high they are out of sight and in their Grampas hands.

On Tuesday it was my youngest grandson Tylers "8th" birthday.
He is such a sweetheart and so fun to be around.


Also on Tuesday was the anniversary of Kent's passing 6 years ago. It is wonderful to have Tyler's birthday on that day so I can think of something happy. It seems like forever that I have been without Kent and then it seems like yesterday that he was here. He loved his grandchildren & children so much and if he could read the letters they all write, he would be so proud of each one of them and their accomplishments.

Just us at one of the monthly family gatherings.. Love that man !
I have been busy for several weeks creating and putting together items for 2 craft fairs that my daughter Kristan and my daughter-in-law Karen & I are participating in. One in Utah the second weekend in November and the other here in Phoenix the first weekend in December.

I have made:

Wooden plaques with sayings and words on them

Baby Books in two sizes 6x6 & 8x8

Wedding albums

Disney albums

Disney autograph books

Calendars

Birthday albums

Christmas albums

Mini books

Holiday Clocks

Holiday planners

Princess albums

Maternity album (getting ready)

Here are some of the things I have been working on.

These past two weeks have been busy and filled with family, classes & friends..

I was given the new job at church of teaching the Sunbeams (3 year olds), and I am so excited for this new adventure. I have 5 little boys and 1 little girl..They are so cute and so busy.. This coming Sunday is my first lesson and I am really looking forward to it. My lesson is on "Honesty".. I have lots of fun things planned.. I found a perfect book to read to them called "The Big Fib".. It is so cute and all about being truthful.

The Pinnacle High Fall Choir Concert was fantastic and my granddaughters Taylor and Madi perform in the concert choir. The music was fun and they did a super job.

Madi

Taylor


I also attended the Shadow Mountain Fall Choir concert and my grandaughter Karleigh is in the concert choir there. It was all popular songs and I loved it. Karleigh loves choir and she did great.

Karleigh

I had my first cricut class this past week "Cricut 101". We learned what all the buttons on the machine were and how to use them. Had fun with the gals and they had fun learning about their cricuts and making the project.


Taught my card classes last week and as always had a wonderful time with the girls and here are a few of the cards we created..

This weekend is the annual "Time Out for Women" in Phoenix. It is a 2 day event filled with inspirational speakers and music. I went with my daughter Kristan and met two very dear friends that we hadn't seen in about 20 years. Each year when I go, I come home so filled with inspiration & new desires to be a better person, to serve more and to do all those things that will help me to return to my Father in Heaven. The theme this year was "Infinite Hope", & all the speakers used that as the format for their talks.. Each one was wonderful and each one so different.. We laughed a lot and even cried at times when the stories were so touching.

On Friday evening one of my all time favorite women Sherri Dew was a presenter. She is such an amazing person who is an author, the President and CEO of Deseret Book. She has served as a member of the U.S. Delegation of the Commission on the status of women and girls for the United Nations. I could listen to her talk forever..

We were also able to be entertained by Dallyn Bayles. He is a Broadway performer and currently traveling with Phantom of the Opera musical . He has an amazing voice.

Saturday was an entire day filled with such wonderful presenters and music by the group Mercy River. I loved each and every presentation and felt such a strong connection with each one, as if they were speaking just to me. We had authors, a TV anchor from Salt Lake, professors from BYU and just amazing speakers. One of my very favorite on Saturday was Mariama Kallon, she was raised in war-torn Sierra Leone, after witnessing the violent murders of her parents and the loss of her siblings, she spent most of her time fleeing from the rebels fearing for her own life. She was given shelter by a loving family and introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ and it turned her life around. She told of her adventures and how she ended up serving a mission at Temple Square in Salt Lake City and has been in America ever since. She is an amazing woman and so courageous. As a group we put together 525 hygiene kits for the Sorjourner Home in Phoenix. A shelter for abused women. We were each asked to bring items for the kits and the turn out was amazing.

A wonderful weekend and this evening we are having a family get -together to send off the white balloons to heaven for Kent and to celebrate.

October

October has come in like a Lion..... sure hope it goes out like a lamb.. We have had major storms here in the desert southwest these past few days. Last week Kristan an I were in Tucson, AZ. with Memory Mixer at the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival. We arrived on Weds. to set up the booth and then ran the booth Thurs., Fri. & Sat. We also traveled to Green Valley, AZ. to the AZ. Scrapbook Store for the Hero Arts trunk show. The store has moved into a much larger location and is very cute. We had a great evening with all the gals there. We were staying with our friend Terri in Tucson, so that made our trip extra special. When we were packing up the booth Saturday evening, it started to sprinkle, by the time we were leaving Tucson around 8:30 it was raining hard. Living in the desert our windshield wipers get dried out and mine were not doing a very good job with the rain. So Kristan found an auto parts store just off the freeway and we went right over to get new wipers.. It was a busy night for the store, when we were there 5 other people came in for wipers.. the man at the store installed the wipers and we were on our way home.. it poured most of the way home until we were about 20 minutes outside of Phoenix and then it stopped. It was a fun weekend, with Kris and friends.



Sunday we had rain off and on during the day and beautiful rainbows just across the golf course from me. Yesterday one of the worst storms in Phoenix history hit us; very loud thunder & lightening, strong winds, torrid rains and quarter size hail stones. The sky would be light and then a black wall of storms would hit like a vengeance.. it caused major flooding, tore trees out of the ground, knocked over power poles, cars caught in the hail had major damage; like windows knocked out and large dents in their body.. traffic was backed up on the freeways for miles and miles.. It lasted all day. This morning not a drop of moisture to be seen.. our desert was so dry it just soaked up the water like a sponge. I know we need the rain, but a little at a time would be great..
This is the time of year that activities for my grandchildren start to really swing into action. I have concerts for my grandaughters this week and next and football games and swim meets.
I am starting a new class at my home, "Cricut 101", I am really looking forward to this class.. we will learn the workings of the Cricut machine and make a fun project in the process.
I'm starting to create the samples for my November and December card classes. I have been picking up great paper and supplies the last few weeks for these fun classes. Also still working on the items for the craft fair in Utah in Nov. I've been starting to decorate my home with the Fall items I love so much. So I am keeping busy..

Love this quote by Buckminster Fuller:

"The minute you begin to do what

you really want to do,

it's really a different

kind of life. "

P.S.

The girls for my morning class just showed up and asked me about the tree that fell and is blocking my driveway.. Dah.. I hadn't wanted to go anywhere so I hadn't opened my garage to drive out and didn't know I was blocked in. So another call to property management to come and move the tree so I could get my car out.. I had 2 trees pulled out of the ground and laying down.. All fixed now . . . .