Merry Christmas Daddy

A Year Ago Today...

A year ago today...the world lost an amazing man. A year ago today...some little ones lost their papa. A year ago today...many lost a loyal friend. A year ago today...I lost my daddy.

My Favorite Part of Christmas

My favorite part of Christmas is the lights. I love all the colors, I love the blinking ones, I love the straightly hung ones, I love the crooked ones, I love the displays, I love everything about them.

When I lived in Sandy, I would travel to the poorer neighborhoods of Salt Lake because I loved how gaudy they did their Christmas lights. There was often no rhyme or reason to them. They were thrown here, there and everywhere. They were often so tacky, but they were always my favorite.



I also love the people that go all out trying to have the biggest display in the county. Of course they probably also have the biggest electric bill, not to mention the most traffic congestion on their street. I have often wondered if their neighbors enjoy the display as much as I do!



We found a display in Hurricane that had lights set to music. We pulled up and turned the radio station to the assigned channel. The lights pulsed and danced...a Rudolph even talked. It was so cool...I don't understand how they do that! Technology is amazing.



There have been years when I have missed driving around to see the lights...too snowy, too busy, too sick. Sometimes my family didn't want to go...they had better things to do ;) It never felt like Christmas if I didn't get to see the lights. I remember a special time a few Christmases ago when I was out on a December date. The gentleman drove me up a dirt road on the side of a mountain. He said, "I'm not one for driving around aimlessly looking at lights. But from this point, you can see all the Christmas lights in the valley." It was beautiful and took my breath away. It was a new way to look at lights and I appreciated his thoughtfulness in doing this for me.



Either way, driving around aimlessly - like Brooklyn and I did last week, or sitting on a mountain top - Christmas lights are my favorite part of Christmas.

My Solo Debut

So anyone who knows me knows I couldn't hit a correct note if my life depended on it. But last night at our Ward Christmas Party, I sang a solo. In front of 300 people. With a microphone. Thank goodness it was a comedy. We performed "The Twelve Pains of Christmas". My line was "Fiiiiiiive months of bills" repeated 7 times.

Last year I thought about putting "Learn to sing" on my bucket list, but I didn't have faith I could do it. I should have shot for the stars and put "sing a solo", then I would have had something to check off!

He's Famous!

So last week a columnist from the Deseret News came into Wasatch Running Center and wanted to do an article on "Gifts for the Outdoor Enthusiast". Brandon was happy to help. He ended up modeling some clothes for her. We were excited yesterday to see the article in the newspaper and a huge picture of Brandon. He looked great! Funny how when I mentioned it to people that know both him and me, they said they didn't recognize it was Brandon because they were choking over the $350.00 price tag of the coat. Yep, running enthusiast take their sport seriously and don't mind dropping the big bucks to keep themselves looking good!

These photos only appeared in the online version of the Deseret News:



Brandon said he has already been contacted by two modeling agencies to model underwear. (wink wink) Good thing he has been working out!

A Dream Come True

Yep, all these things were a part of my day today. Sunshine, 55 degree temps, and sandals. This is one of the reasons I moved down South.

In the beginning it just didn't seem right to be wearing sandals in December...I mean it is kind of like not wearing white shoes after Labor Day. Something is just wrong about it. But then I thought, if I was in Hawaii I wouldn't wear a parka just because it was December. So I am enjoying the warmth and living the dream.

Anytime I can put sandals on, it is a good day!

Macbeth

Brooklyn just completed the Hurricane High School play "Macbeth". It was phenomenal. The practices were long (14 weeks) and grueling. Some nights she wasn't home until after 10 pm. She played 3 roles: a bright angel, a soldier and a servant. I was proud of her.



The first night of the play, I made the mistake of sitting on an aisle. These unitard covered demons continuously slithered up and down the aisles on their bellies moaning and groaning. They gave me the heebie-geebies! On closing night I made sure to sit in the center.



Way to go to the entire Macbeth team. You all did an incredible job.

During this very busy time, Brooklyn managed to keep a positive attitude, and somehow keep her grades up. One thing that suffered however, was her room. Brooklyn is a orderly girl. She keeps her room clean and makes her bed everyday. During Macbeth, the chores fell through the cracks. I didn't nag her because I knew she was exhausted and doing her best to keep up with school. I was hoping she wouldn't fall into bad habits. Thank goodness she didn't. This is what her room looks like today!



I love the pictures of her friends and family that cover the wall by her bed. Brooklyn is one of the most loyal people I know. If you made the wall, you got a forever friend in Brooklyn.

HigHligHts oF tHe PaSt FeW wEEks

I love Halloween. This year I didn't dress up :( but my kids did. I have a scrapbook that has pictures of them each year in their costumes. I am glad they keep dressing up so I can keep adding to it!



For Thanksgiving, Brooklyn and I went to the Stewart's home. We were so blessed to have Brandon and Amber come to Meadow to join us. Ginger set a beautiful table with each individual place uniquely set. Brooklyn and Bailey made place cards for everyone and set them in a pine cone. The food was delicious. Thanks to Tyler and his dad, Vern for welcoming all of us into their family!



We really miss Justin and although we know he is serving the Lord, our thoughts are often of him. For Christmas he asked me to send him a pair of Nikes. Mailing to Nicaragua is expensive and often times packages don't ever make it. I did not want to risk sending him Nikes. One of his prior mission companions was finishing his mission and his mother asked me if there was anything I would like her to take to Elder Moore. She was happy to take him his shoes. I was so thankful to receive a picture of the two of them. Amy Brown blessed my life and his with her act of service.



Today is a beautiful day in La Verkin. The sky is blue and the sun is shining. It actually feels warm here in the middle of December. After church Brooklyn and I went over to Papa's grave and decorated it for Christmas. He was in the hospital last year at Christmas time and I suggested we hang a wreath or a stocking in his room. He defeated that idea fiercely...he didn't want any clutter around. He did let me hang Christmas cards on his t.v. armoire. Well, this year he couldn't tell me "No". So we bought a few Christmas decorations and enjoyed spending the time doing what he didn't care for :) Don't mean to be rebellious Dad, but we love you and have to find ways to show it since you aren't here with us anymore. I am thankful I live close to you and am able to do this for you and for all of our family who don't live close by. We love you daddy!