Alicia, Alot Wiser and A Little Older

When one reaches this age, (we won't say what it is) they are really learning to be wise from all the things they have experienced.   It's not at all like when we are teens and think we know so much.  She really has had the challenge of taking the bull by the horns and doing the best she can.   This was especially accomplished when moving three thousand miles from home and family.  Great for growth, not so great for using grandma as a sitter.  Opportunity knocks when we take it and why not. 

Alicia is an on-the-ball mother spending time reading and teaching her children many skills.  She  tries many creative projects with them, encouraging each to think on their own.  Inviting friends and missionaries over for an evening of food and fun is also common for her. 

At a young age she loved challenges wanting to begin the Science, Art or Writing project the day it was assigned.  Who does that!  High achievers do.  How honored we are to be a part of this great gal's life, then and now.  Happy Birthday and may it be a wonderful year full of joy and great days.

A Debt Discharged

We are free!  The debt is paid!  Hip hip hoorah!  In the late nineties we embarked on a joint venture in Tooele with a real estate agent who had a super idea that sounded like a winner.  It was a condo project by the golf course.  Although the price per acre was a little high, this was a sure thing so we paid it.  It wasn't however; and it didnt work out.  Without questioning or putting together a financial plan, we jumped in head first borrowing $100k each from two brothers at 10% interest.  Next we signed on the dotted line, where another $100k was borrowed.  Long story short it didn't work out.   Bankruptcy isn't possible when it is your home on the line and family that loaned you the money.

So for fifteen long years, with lots and lots of side jobs the last payment was made to the final brother.   Whew!  Does it ever feel good.   Now to move forward never taking for granted the blessings that come our way.   The miles we've come and things learned are monumental.  

Many a person does similar things such as investing in a sure thing, joint venture etc. putting themselves at risk of dangerous financial matters.  Be extra careful before trusting your hard earned money to something that sounds too good to be true.  Signing a contract or just a hand shake can come back to haunt you for many years.   It did us.

It's Your Day Today, Breann

Many notable, happy and sad things have happened on January 17th.  We will never forget at 12:17 a.m.  Breann, was born.   Back then we didn't know which sex the baby would be until birth, we were thrilled because she was so darn cute.   It took awhile to decide on her name.   We thought it was the most beautiful and unique name of all.  So did many other parents.   

Some special things about her:  She slept through the night at four months.  Yeah!  She showed independence by beginning to dress herself  and style her hair much younger than her sisters did.  Probably because she got tired of waiting for me to help her.  She was a good sport when we tirelessly teased her at the dinner table. 

She is very creative.  Expressing herself in sewing, stitching and creating beautiful handiwork items from a young age to date.    Traveling to Israel, Germany, New York, Georgia, Oregon, Hawaii, Florida, Mexico and many points in-between she has experienced and tasted many exciting things.

What a great fisherman and hunter she is by bagging more than one and catching the 'big one'.  She rides the four-wheeler, snowmobile and dirt-bike with skill while decked out in the proper gear. 

Soon she will have a dual license in both nursing and dental hygiene.   Tries many different recipes and makes a famous pecan pie.  What a woman she is. 

A Fridge for Free & More

Thanks to some acquaintances that bought a new refrigerator, we got their old one for free.  It looks pretty new and spacious inside.  White is much better than the old gold one.  Best of all is the water and ice on the door.  We can't complain about one drawer that sticks, because overall we are so much better off than before.   

As you can see, the side wooden panel had to be removed because the bigger, newer guy just wouldn't fit in the old hole.  Jed and Allan took care of that.  They pulled off the panel, cut a short piece, moved the cupboard doors up and wa la!  You wouldn't even know if I hadn't told you.  Yeah, for ) expense changes.   A big thanks to Jed and Dad for cleaning the fridge from top to bottom, too.  That was a great Christmas present as well as the other terrific items our children so generously gave us that start with i & c.  What a great week it has been.   Much Thanks!

The Gift of Giving Christmas -4 Days

The Holy Family on an airplane?  Not your typical setting, but colorful and fun to imagine with an angel riding atop the ship.  This brighter than life artwork is definitely a one of a kind.  The perfect gift for a pilot, attendant or Christmas traveler.  

A generous gentleman in our town buys of hundreds of hand made nativities, from artisans around the world during the year.  He hosts hundreds of tours for locals to see the treasures he has found.  We are invited to buy or order at fair market value to provide a living for these talented artists.  No deals here, but good old fashioned service and love are in abundance.  He doesn't get commission and expects nothing in return.   

Set aside a certain amount of money this or next Christmas to give generously.  It will make you feel great and the recipient also. 

Crafty Corn Stalk Creche - 5 days to go

This corn stalk nativity reminds me of what the old country must have been like, when life was simple and slower.   Time was there for the taking and everyone knew their neighbors.  Young mothers with lots of talent, created collectibles from almost nothing.

Twenty plus years ago corn stalk dolls became the rage.  Every woman began making them in earnest and had at least one doll on their what-not shelf.  I bought the dried stalk stuff, but never got around to making them, because by then the dust was thicker than wool on all those fiercely fast makers of fritted fancy.  

I'm proud to say this is one of the many must makes, we didn't do.  For $2 I bought one, that graced our shelf until the top-heavy marm tipped over one too many times.  It got tossed.  

Ambitious makers in third world countries and perhaps even locally still make them to sell at Christmas supplimenting or providing their sole income.  Be generous when you see hand-crafted gifts and buy them.  You will be helping out on many levels. 

Six Sentimental Days of Christmas

Doing a Twelve Days of Christmas wasn't to be this year so enjoy our six sentimental days of Christmas.  Every year since the girls went to the Holy Land, we proudly display the carved olive wood ornaments they got there.  Although they can be found in every shop and street corner, knowing they originated from His home makes them special.  

Each tiny shape tells a story of love and sacrifice as it hangs from the branches of our tree.   Camels, shepherds, wiseman, sheep and most of all the Holy Family bring a warmth and feeling of what it was like so long ago to witness the birth of the Christ Child.  

Every tree in our family has these distinct wood ornaments that remind each of us of the great experiences Breann, Alicia, and Jennifer enjoyed traveling to that far-off land and walking the paths that Jesus walked.