Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Marjorie Pay Hinckley - “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”
Cute

Merry Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Christmas Eve we went to 4:15 Mass with family. It was so packed and it was standing room only now that the 3 churches have combined into one. Luckily we showed up way early to get a good seat. The kids all behaved themselves and even Adelynne & Elizabeth were giggling and cooing together, but nice and quietly. Jesus made his way into the manger and our hearts once again this year.

Off to the Brooks' for some good food and fellowship. Once again it was a houseful, with lots of laughter and the kids did so well. We enjoyed watching everyone open the gifts we worked so hard at shopping for and were surprised with the beautiful and generous gifts we received.

Dear John

I just finished the book "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks. This author is such a talented writer and no two books are alike. It is the story of two very different people - a rebel army grunt and a God-fearing innocent valedictorian - with an intense love for one another, separated by his enlistment in the army and being stationed in Germany for years. She helps him heal his very delicate relationship with his father before the father dies. And whenever there is a full moon, they both stand under it and know that they are standing under the exact same moon. When he's set to come back home to be with her, 9/11 happens & he stays overseas - challenging their already fragile relationship.

While the book had a slow start, it quickly took a faster pace and I sat in bed, tears streaming down my cheeks, unable to go to sleep until I finished the book in the late hours of the night.

It was made into a movie, but I have not yet seen it. I highly recommend this book by Sparks - he's done it again!

What would a 13 mo. old like for Christmas?

Dear Santa, I've been a very good girl. I am writing to ask for some of my favorite things I like to play with: boxes, milk cartons, tissue paper, and a bucket. Oh wait, I already have those things. Just bring Mommy candy.

Love, Elizabeth

Now THAT's a Good Idea

We were chatting @ work the other day and I had mentioned that when I make something in the crock pot, it usually gets overcooked because I'm gone well over 8 hrs a day. I usually come home and whatever I cooked is beyond falling off the bone. "Low" was still too hot and "keep warm" was not hot enough. I have gone home at lunch time to turn it on, but that is still a waste & kinda defeats the "time saving" purpose.

So I started using a light-timer to cook my food. I keep it plugged in all the time since I do not use that outlet otherwise - so it keeps the hourly time correct. I usually set it for 8 or 9 o'clock to start cooking. Even if it's just a couple of chicken breasts - I can make the rest of my meal with already-cooked meat without having to defrost and cook the meat prior to putting it in whatever I'm cooking. I do this for stir fry as well as some casseroles.

The girl at work said, "Now THAT's a Good Idea. You should tell everyone about this."

Another girl said that her daughter wanted a programmable crock pot for Christmas. But, this way you can keep your old crock pot and buy a $5 timer to go along with it.

So, take it or leave it, but I was told to share it.

Define Necessity

Hmmm.....

Elizabeth talking to Grammy on the Phone

Mary, Did You Know?

My ULTIMATE favorite Christmas song - and not played nearly enough, in my opinion.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

It Finally Happened

It finally happened: I went to work in my robe. I was waiting for the day that I would make that mistake. Often times I walk out of the house with my "house shoes" on or leaving w/o breakfast, but this? In the mornings I put my robe on over my clothes since the house is chilly. Today, I also kept it on as I put on my coat to load the car before work. I got to work, took off my coat, and wha-la, black & white leopard-print robe. Luckily I did have my work clothes on underneath, but for a split second my mind went, "OH MY!" Also in my favor is I'm the first one here in my dept, so no one was the wiser, but it will definitely be something I remember in the future.
Well, on the bright side, I did have a nice cozy drive in to work in our first -10 morning. :) What else can you do but laugh at yourself -- and then blog about it to let everyone else chuckle at your expense? Hope this isn't a prelude to the rest of the day....