SNOWMEN & Happy Birthday Tanner!!!

Look at these cute snowmen the kids built today!!

And today Tanner turns 20 years old.  Wow!!  No longer a teenager.  We love you, Tanner, and hope you have a great birthday!!

Tanner

I'm Dreaming of A White Christmas

We are dreaming of (praying for) a white Christmas in this house.  Our prayers were answered (as long as all the snow doesn't melt before Christmas)!  Along with snow comes skiing which we seemed to be able to fit into our busy schedule this week.  Rebecca and Rachel couldn't miss the same day of school so Adam and I had to go twice... once with Rebecca and once with Rachel.  Oh the sacrifices we make for them.  Hahahaha.  We also ventured out in the snow to see the lights on Temple Square.  They were beautiful as usual and the snow added a certain beauty that I love.

 My hands were too cold to take a picture outside so this is Adam and Rebecca in the lodge at lunchtime.  No pics of skiing with Rachel this time... but don't worry, we will go again.  :-)

You Must Experience the Sorrow to Appreciate the Joy

I have been putting off writing on my blog because I just have too many things to say and not the talent to put it into writing.  Since I last wrote my dear father passed away.  I have so many thoughts and feelings and just can't seem to get them into words.  As the days have passed, I keep writing in my head the blog post I want to do all about my Dad.  It's going to take a little time and pondering and writing and rewriting.  So in the meantime, I don't want to let too much time slip away without posting.

Here are just a few pictures from the funeral ... I felt Sorrow for the loss but Joy for having such a great dad.

A wonderful thing about funerals is that it does bring all the family together.  It was a joy to have so much of our family together and I was especially thrilled that Jared, Tori and Boston came as well.  They got to stay all the way through Thanksgiving so I had some nice bonding time with Boston who finally allowed me to babysit for a while.  Miracles do happen.  :-)

This is a picture of Boston watching Rebecca play indoor soccer

He thought olives on the finger was a great idea!!

I felt great joy as I spent time with my family and reflected on the fact that we can be together forever.   I'm so thankful for that knowledge.  Otherwise, the sorrow and grief at losing my father would be unbearable but the gospel teaches us that there is more and that brings me joy.