Someone Has Been REALLY Good This Year

This is the 'Loser Cruiser'.  We've had her for almost 12 years, the last 2 of which she has been on her 'last leg'.  Poor thing has taken us through 4 moves, 3 of my children and over 200,000 miles.  I have loved driving her for the time she was still young and healthy, but her last few years have been under the watchful care of Del's eyes.  He's neglected her - Del has been trying to ride her on her last leg for a good 2-3 years - and felt that because he needed her, she would remain faithful and true to him.  But, he neglected her. And this past Monday was the last straw.  He took her into the rear - end of the car in front of him. Not hard enough to total her out, BUT, hard enough that she's done.
So today, we took her to Service King, where she barely drove in on her own; coughing and sputtering and giving her last breath.
The debate over the past two years has been, do we get me a new SUV, something small and high off the ground, OR, do we get Del another mini van or truck, to carry around his plywood and other purchased materials for his wood projects.  I can't imagine having a vehicle that is purchased for one main purpose - to carry something that he will do only 3-4 times a year.  I have NOT been happy with the thought of another mini van .  I'm past that stage and don't want one.
Today, after we left the loser cruiser at the morgue, we went car shopping.  The exciting part, was knowing that we weren't going to be just 'window shopping' - we actually needed to walk away with a new car.  The bad thing, was, although I had done a lot of researching a new car, Del had done very little.  But always, in our previous purchases, I have been the one who has been able to have the new car and Del has taken the left over.  He's always been kind that way.
First place we went to was the Dodge dealership, where Del checked out the mini vans.  As soon as he did that, I checked out.  If he was going to get a mini van, it was going to be all him; I wasn't interested.  But when they didn't meet his criteria, we moved over to the trucks.  Here comes the conclusion to the story.  

It's Del's turn for the new toy.  He deserves it too.  He has waited a long time for a truck - and of all times, he needs one for this new place.  It helps, of course, that I love it too.  It's new too.  Our first new car/truck.  It's a 2014, but only has like 200 miles on it.  It's black and drives like a dream.  Del is finally a true Texan...has his truck and has his farm.  Love him.  I am happy for him.  More happy for him than I am sad for me.  Am I going to drive it???  Maybe...But it's Del's.
Merry Christmas Del!!!

Return and Report

Last year, around this same week, I was preparing to have a meeting with Dr Henao and her husband, Nacho, to review the year of 2013 and then to set goals for 2014.  I was asked to prepare some reports and to be ready to give statistics and financial details as to the standing of the company.  I had only joined the office in September, but I was still being asked to assess the whole year and to be accountable for everything since I had joined the staff.  The task was a little daunting, as I didn't have a lot of the information, having not experienced the number first hand.  I could only report on what I knew and what I had been a part of.
Last week, I received an email from Nacho asking me to prepare the same reports and statistics for THIS years meeting.  It was much easier - faster - thorough and complete.  I knew all the information because I had lived it and experienced it.  I will  be able to assess, return, report and be accountable for all info I give them.
I taught the Relief Society lesson on Sunday - it was on much the same topic.  I asked the ladies to quickly review in their minds, their past years performance in certain areas - visiting teaching, temple attendance, service, church activity, etc etc...and asked them to assess their performance as if being asked to 'return and report'.  I stressed that the main purpose of assessing and reporting would be to see where improvement would be needed in the setting of new goals for the coming year.  For some, the assessment process was difficult, as they realized areas in which they had fallen short.  For others, their assessment process was pleasant, as they could see areas in which they had made significant improvement and the changing of their hearts from previous years.
Can you imagine, in the reporting phase of our lives, giving the answer to the Lord, that the reason for our lack of service, of Visiting Teaching, of temple attendance or church activity was because 'we just didn't have enough time"?  If my answer to Dr Henao and Nacho for failed improvement in our production or success in the company was due to my ;lack of time', I would be fired.  I would be 'let go'.  I  would have to be accountable for my lack of time.
And so it is, when we are held accountable for our time here on earth.  So, how do I encourage the sisters to spend their time more wisely??  Change their hearts.
Humility - charity - unselfishness.  Taught first, by example.
It will happen with me first.  I have had some wonderful and encouraging changes over the past few years.  I am slowly, but continually, evolving into a happy and complete person.  I have been purposely working on certain areas of my life that have allowed me to help and be an influence for good, with the sisters in the ward.  And in my marriage. I have an eye more focused on the Savior - or at least, on his example.  I still falter with my pride - with my selfishness - with my heart being hard.  But I'm trying - knowing that at some point, I will need to report to the Lord, what I have done with the talents and gifts he has given me - and with the trials and challenges that have come my way.  I will have to be accountable for what I have and have not done.
When I explained and taught the sisters, the law of returning and reporting, as we learn in the temple, I bore my testimony to them of the importance of being accountable for the purpose of learning how we can do better.  It's not to tear down, but to help us build foundations for future improvement and growth.  I was thrilled that sisters understood this.  That they felt encouraged to recognize their areas of success, areas of need and then to see instilled in them, the desire to change their hearts.
The year of 2015, should be a great year for the sisters of the Aubrey Ward.  We will have a year of assessing our progress - of accountability - and of reporting to each other.
I look forward to it - both as a member of the RS presidency and personally.

Sportin' Some Bling

Lexi has always wanted them..Jordan already passed on them once when he was 16.
But it seems NOW IS THE TIME for some bling in this family.
Dr Henao is doing braces on these two - same day, same time, same experience.  So, tonight, we have two young adults feeling a little discomfort and pain as they work towards achieving the smile they should have always had.  It will be a short 18 months...with the result of gorgeous teeth.

And while they had their bling put on, I got to play with little Em.  He was so fun at the office - loved crawling and even TRYING to walk around.  Yes, this little guy is standing alone for a few seconds at a time and has even taken a step here and there.  It's so exciting to see how quickly he is growing up.  LOVE him...

The British Are Coming...

Elaine called me last week and let me know she was flying mom down for a few days to attend the wonderful Christmas concert of the singing choir Elaine is a member of.  She wanted to know when we could all get together.  My mother has never seen either Madison or Emerson, so I was really excited.  But Madi ended up being sick last night and so only got to meet our little Emerson.
My mom looks great.  We exchanged big hugs and loves, of which I was able to enjoy all day today as I could smell her Youth Dew Perfume on my lab coat when ever I moved.  It made me smile.  Tomorrow night will be the concert, and then mom will fly out the next day.  A short visit, but enough to have a four generation picture taken with Jordan and his little Em.
So glad to have you here mom.

The Night Became a Miracle

I expressed to Kylie the experience her parents had with setting up their Christmas tree and begged for us to come and help her little family set up their Christmas tree, as we had always done in the past,  She was quick to extend the invitation.
I babysat the kids Friday morning while Kylie went to the doctor.  Both kids were still in their pajamas when I arrived at 9:00 in the morning but it was only because they had been up since early that morning.  While I was in the front room playing with Madi, Preston was still back in the playroom, supposedly watching a movie, until I realized I could hear him snoring.  After about a half hour, I decided to go take him to his bedroom as he was obviously tired and needed to take a nap. When Kylie came home, she was very surprised that Preston had gone back to sleep and fallen alseep on his own.  I went home.
Later that afternoon, Kylie told Del that Preston had slept most of the day - only getting up to eat a little, drink something and then go back to bed.  This was the case of how we found him when we arrived at his house.  We were supposed to make doughnuts as we put up the tree - we had Christmas music and Madi was loving the whole scene, but Preston remained on the couch, obviously not feeling well. His fever was high the first time - 104'.  Later, it dropped to 103', but still way too high for him to handle.  I suggested a blessing.
Mike explained to Preston the process - the why's, the who's and the when's of the procedure.  Preston listened to every word and understood everything Mike was telling him.  I was amazed watching Preston process it all.  I could see his sweet spirit believing everything Mike told him - and he would ask Papa a few questions - I just listened and found my heart touched by the experience that we anticipated.
Del anointed.  Preston sat reverently and didn't move.  Even folded his arms.  And unlike what other children may have done at that point, he remained in his seat, understanding that his daddy would now 'seal the blessing'.  The blessing wasn't long, but it was thorough.  As Del and Mike finished and stepped away from the chair, Preston hopped off and went to Papa and said 'Am I healed?'  Del
 expressed later that he thought quickly of how he should answer that question, not wanting to squelch Preston's innocent faith, but also wanting to be realistic.  He simply replied 'You will be'.
We didn't stay long that night, due the circumstances.  I was sad that the night hadn't gone as I had envisioned it would - the laughter, giggle, doughnuts, tree decorated and the kids playing.  But I was touched by the experience we HAD witnessed - and the spirit we had felt from our sweet grandson.
In our evening prayers, Del and I pleaded with the Lord to hear our prayers and heal Preston -
Kylie called the next morning, confirming to us, that 'the miracle' had occurred, and Preston was indeed, healed.
Hearts were full and thanks was given and expressed to a loving Heavenly Father that could hear the prayers and see the faith of a special little four year old boy and his family.
Our own little Christmas miracle.

A New Special Tradition

It was just us.  No little grandchildren running around or our kids teasing each other with snide and jabbing remarks.  It was just us.
Me and Del.  Softly playing Christmas music as we set up our new Christmas tree we purchase at Target last week. It's a pretty tree - a little different with some flocking.  I went days without buying ornaments because I just didn't know what I wanted yet. Choosing Christmas ornaments is an important decision, because they are the ornaments you will have for years to come.  And this was our year to purchase.  I had been using the same ornaments for 15 years - soft pink and sage green.  And I have loved them for the full 15 years we had them.  But it was time for a change in all things.
While listening to the music and setting up the tree, I asked Del if he was enjoying himself - having fun.  I was...in a different from the past kind of way.  I found it sweet that Del and I were doing it together - alone, in the quiet.  But as he expressed what I was feeling, we were missing the excitement of our own children and our grandchildren.  We missed the kids.
A few days after we had the tree up, I chose the color scheme I wanted to have - red and gold - with ivory as the accent ribbon.  I finished the decorating while Del was at the church doing tithing settlement.  When he came home, he expressed how pleased he was with what I had chosen. Over the following days, I finished decorating the home - with touches of lights and Christmas on the front porch, in the entry way inside, on the fireplace mantel and on the piano.
It's warm...cozy, inviting and soft.  I keep the lights dimmed for ambiance - it's exactly what I love.
I love coming home from work, every day, to the warmth and comfort of my home.  It's peaceful and quiet.  I'm able to feel the spirit quickly and often.  It's nice to feel and share that with Del.  And I'm realizing that when the kids and grandkids come over, the laughter, giggles, joy and happiness we experience is enjoyed and cherished.  But I am also enjoying the peace and quiet after everyone leaves.  I love both...A new stage of life.
A new normal..a new time for us.

Another Sleepover at Papa's House

It was time for another sleepover at Papa's house.  It's been a long time since we've had Preston over and then even longer since we had Madi stay over also.  So after Jordan and Lexi moved out, we had a whole room to where Papa would be able to sleep with Preston and Madi would be able to sleep with me in our master bedroom.
But there was so much fun to be had first.  Papa had gone out and purchased Nerf Guns, which happened to Preston's new favorite thing.  There have been nerf gun wars going on ever since - even on Thanksgiving day, at the dinner table, between Jordan and Kylie.  It really was quite funny to see nerf bullets flying all through the house.  Sure hope the missionaries, sitting at our Thanksgiving Table, thought so too.  They were laughing hard enough that hopefully they weren't offended by our total lack of 'proper table etiquette'.
After nerf wars came our tradition of Preston making smoothies with Papa.  But it appears that it was time to pass the torch...allowing Madi to now help in putting the strawberries in the mixer and then assisting the strawberries to the bottom of the mixer with the infamous plunger.  Madi did a great job and it was fun to see her finally enjoying the process that Preston had helped Papa with for years.  They sure do love their smoothies...
Of course, they had to 'perform' for us, standing on the fireplace hearth, singing and dancing for us before it was time to tell goodnight stories, read scriptures and then have family prayer.
The night went as planned for Preston and Del - They were both asleep within just minutes of saying goodnight.  Not so much in our wing of the house,  Madi doesn't do well away from her house and her crib.  I had her two horses, the two blankies, the humidifier, her baby and her binkie.  But there would be no sleep for either of us that whole night.  She asked continually for Papa, and wanted to see me every 5 minutes.  I was exhausted by morning.  Apparently, she went home and took a four hour nap and slept through the night also.
But it was worth it for the pictures and the memories.