Toasty Warmness!

So, I have issues with my neck. It likes to go out on me pretty regularly and it gets pretty obnoxious. So, to remedy this Thomas and I decided to make Rice Bags. SO we went out and got some flannel and came home to make the bags. Thomas made the patterns........

And sewed them together.... on HIS sewing machine

And secured the stitches. I helped with the filling!

They came out very nicely, and we will be making more in the not-to-distant future. Even more cute than Thomas being a little seamstress is how he warms one up for me feet at night! I'm the luckiest girl ever!!!!!

Bittersweet

This past weekend we got to say goodbye to the best Grumpa in the entire world. We got to be together as a family and share favorite memories, funny sayings and time to just be together. I've kinda pondered this the past few days and have come to the conclusion that when a older person, who has lived a full and happy life, leaves this world the gathering of loved should be a celebration. Of course there will be a tear shed here and there, but mostly I think there is joy in being surrounded in unconditional love. I believe that's just how the lost loved one would want it. I love all the hugs and "I love you's" and the laughing and joking. I particularly enjoyed all of the smiles from across rooms and small nods of heads, the just say to me "I love you too." I know that there are sitiuations when loved ones leave too early or unexpectedly, and those can be difficult. In my experiance those can be full of wonderful moments too.

 My dearly departed Grumpa left this world surrounded by family, with dignity and much love. We celbrated his long and wonderful life, together. We shared his honor ,with any in earshot, with a 21 Gun Salute. There wasn't a dry eye as Taps was played to send him on his way. We stood tall and proud as they folded a beautiful American Flag to present his amazing, and strong, wife. His procession was filled with friends and family. Every life he touched was better for knowing him. He left behind an extraordinary legacy of love and honor, an example of how we should strive to be towards others. I love my granddad Bob. I love that there are members of the vfamily that have his gentle eyes, so I can see them smiling still. I'm grateful   for the knowledge I have of eternal families, and how I know I'll get to hug him, again. The hardest part of saying good bye to such a full person, is knowing that there are others who will feel just a little empty for a bit. I hurt for my daddy and Grandma, and all my aunts and uncles, but I take great comfort in knowing that pain won't last forever.

      I LOVE YOU Bob Pierson!!!!!

Home for the Holidays

Well it came! Our first CHRISTmas, and we spent it in our home. It was a busy couple of days, with dinners and family from both sides, but it was wonderful! We kept it simple. Santa was the only one who gave gifts and he had a $30 limit for each of us, + stockings. We both got things we really wanted too! It was a perfect day. First, we had our little tree, an "heirloom" from Gma VB. We even got a cute ornament to mark our First little family CHRISTmas together.

In The Light

In The Dark

Second, We woke up early CHRISTmas morning to open gifts and say that Santa HAD come!

He ate the cookies and drank the milk!!!

Look how cute our stockings are

Thomas was excited to get a 2nd bowl to the ice cream maker:

Now he can make 2 flavors without having to wash the bowl first!

 I was so very thrilled to find a recipe stand! (I've wanted one for years!)

Looks like I'm crying but just reading.

Even has a splash guard!

It was a wonderfully, perfect morning. After we went down stairs and watched Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and had crepes for breakfast! It was also quite nice to have church to help celebrate the birth of our Savior. God Bless Us, EVERY ONE!

Do you see what I see....

I have always hated the abbreviation Xmas. It annoys me a great deal, hence my spelling of CHRISTmas. I've written and typed it that way for a few years and I prefer it. This year it came to my attention the shorthand Xmas is not taking Christ out of the CHRISTmas but is in fact over 1,000 years old! It comes from the Greeks and XP is their abbreviation for Christ. I understand the reasoning behind using it and am no longer irritated by others insisting on keeping it around, but for myself.... When I think of Christ's birth, I think of love. I think of a humble mother experiencing the greatest joy in spite of lowly conditions. I think if the Savior of the the World in all his Glory, living and dying for me. I think of tender mercies and unconditional love for all. 

When I look at Christmas, I think of Santa and the spirit of giving, sharing with those you care for. I see twinkling lights and hear happy tunes that bring smiles to our faces from time to time. I see a time when the world TRIES to live a little better and be considerate of other. 

When I see Xmas, ancient abbreviation or mainstream commercialism, I see mad rushes to stores at the last minute. I see racing into the parking spot someone else was clearly waiting for. I see yelling a retail workers because they can't give you exactly what you want. I see an abbreviated and shallow holiday where everyone only thinks of "me." I see brake lights and stop lights and motorists changing the station frantically to get rid of the obnoxious seasonal sounds.

When I see CHRISTmas, I think of giving all the love I have to those around me. I think of family near and far and how it's never long enough to be with them even if they're only down the street. I think of warming the soul with service and respect. I see a time of year when people DO live a better life and encourage others to be better also. I see stars twinkling in the heavens and hear the sounds of Angels praising the season, reminding us why we celebrate it. I see love, kindness, forgiveness, and comfort from pain and suffering. 

I would never begrudge another from believing or celebrating in whatever way they will, but seeing what I see and feeling what I feel, I will never understand why anyone would want to celebrate the Savior's birth abbreviated.

Merry CHRISTmas to all, and to all a good LIFE. He's the only way to have it!

Ginger Little House

This is Thomas putting together our Ginger house last year 2010

He is so dedicated to make the House Just right! He could sit there for HOURS making sure it has every necessary detail, he has also insisted that we make next years house totally from scratch!

Ginger House 2011

  Tis the time of year we do silly things, when we try our hardest to make everyone around us smile. We find joy in every little twinkle and glow of lights, and we eagerly anticipate Santa!

  We completed our second annual Ginger Bread House, and planned traditions for next year. I LOVE how excited Thomas gets when he talks about starting our own traditions together and I just couldn't be happier!

  We went and saw Savior of The World at the Conference Center this past Friday, it was the same day the turned on the CHRISTmas lights on Temple Square. We have our little CHRISTmas tree up, and most of the lights up on our massive spruce in the front yard(I say most, because he's a Fat Albert, Thomas has named Chubby. He loves him, I hate him.... He already has over 120 ft. of lights on him and needs about 90 more!). I've started listening to Michael Buble, Josh Grobin, Andrea Bocelli and my Brother-in -Law's CHRISTmas CDs.I find myself only wanting watch holiday movies and getting excited to sit in front of our fireplace, with hot chocolate, watching snow fall while I cuddle with my sweet heart. Even with all of these wonderful things going on around me it still doesn't seem enough like CHRISTmas. I could lie and say I don't know what's missing, but I know exactly what I'm missing..... My family is much too far apart. Every year, even the ones we get together, just seem to come short because after all the celebrating is done everyone leaves HOME for THEIR homes. Now, this may seem like a down and kinda glum post, but I assure you I still enjoy the season very much. I have the wonderful gift this year of celebrating my first CHRIStmas in a home of my own, with a husband I waited so long for! We get to embark on our own journey this year, and I am so very excited! I'm incredibly grateful to have Thomas' family so near by, and to get be close to Ricky and Julia as well! I have tons of extended family near also. If only I could teleport everyone here that would be the best thing. Well, now that I've rambled on so, i guess I'll just say, I love my family and no amount of time with them is ever enough.I guess that's what Eternity is for!!!!!

Once Upon A Time

Once Upon a Time,

There was a fun lovin Ginger Girl, of Washington State. She spent the majority of her 20's busy with culinary school and working, with a date here and there. She was happy and out going and content to be on here own, learning and growing and caring for herself, just livin life and lookin for the silver linings of every cloud!

At the same time, somewhere in far off Utah, there was a boy. An adorable, sweet and charming boy! He spent those same years going through high school, serving a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and then going to school to study diesel mechanics. He was upbeat, energetic, and always willing to work hard so he could play harder! Especially when his mountain bike or RC car were involved!

One magical fall evening in October 2010, a group of people decided to go to the The Haunted Village at This is The Place State Park, in Salt Lake City Utah. It just so happened these two rambunctious youth were both in the group! It seemed to work out nicely that his name was one of here ALL time favorites, and that they went into the Haunted Village walking next to each other. She put her arm through his and said "You can be my haunted house buddy." They had a grand time wandering through the park with two other friends, mostly because she screams at EVERYthing. As they came to the end, and she thought she was in the clear, some one came at her from under a bed! This is one of the Most Terrifying things, in her opinion. As a result, she took off running, for here life, dragging him behind her. It wasn't until she got outside that she realized the loud thump she heard during her sprint, was the sound of her running him into a door....... Needless to say, it was a match made in heaven!

This is an ongoing story of them, mostly current, but with a tid-bit here and there about how they began! I hope their fairy tale brings you smiles and joy, just as it does them.