My New Years Resolution

 Funny thing is that I never make them and if I do, I rarely hang on to them for very long.  But maybe this year will be different.  

First of all let me say that Christmas was amazing.  We had a wonderful time with the family.  I realized that it was the gifts that we gave each other (which is always a challenge and usually very stressful), but it was the laughter, games and gathering that was the most rewarding to me.  Sometimes I wish we didn't have to give gifts at Christmas.  Wouldn't it be enough just to enjoy each others company, the lights, the warmth, the food, the games and then focus entirely on Jesus and why we really celebrate Christmas.  

Now for my resolution.  Be good to myself.  How hard is this?  It's so easy to be my own harshest critic.  It's painful to realize that sometimes I hold myself back from progressing because of lack of confidence.

This year I'm going to be good to myself.  Not let people make me feel that I haven't been a good wife, mother and friend.  This year I will be good to myself.   Good and patient!  I will look for the rainbows in my life!

This was our Christmas book for 2024.  It fits right in with looking for the best in yourself because anything is possible.

Fun trips!

Fun puppy.  Just some of my many rainbows!

Mother and Daughter

 This is beautiful:

Sayings

 Every now and then I latch on to a saying that really makes me think deeply and brings happiness to my heart.  I saw this one and loved it:

"I think sometimes we are hugged by people in our sleep that aren't there.  But their souls stop by and leave us some strength."  

I like to think that I get periodic hugs from my mother, Annette, Lila Mae and Jeffrey.  I've been called to be an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple and I will tell you that many times I have felt hugged from my family.  The hugs just come at the most tender moments.  One day I was assisting in the chapel as the patrons were coming in.  I remember standing there looking at a picture of the Savior and cannot deny that I felt hugged at that moment.  What a blessing it has been to be able to be in the temple every week and literally feel hugged.  

Earthly hugs are worth a million!

The Savior reaching out to all of us.

Every Once in a While

 It seems like I need a change every so often.  Probably about once every two years and this year was the year for a change.  I called David and told him I needed my hair cut and that I wanted it really short.  Well it is really short.  I like it.  Don't love it, but like it and will again slowly let it grow back out.  That is just what I do.  This picture was taken a couple weeks before I saw David.

And this is the after I saw David.  

Don't we just love selfies!!!

New Year

 I have been totally lazy about getting my blog caught up for the New Year.  Here it is January 21st and I don't think I've journaled anything since the 31st.  It isn't that I don't have an exciting and eventful life, it is that I'm not taking the time to record my exciting and eventful life :-)

The New Year has brought in very cold weather and so Sprout and I have found ways to snuggle in and keep cozy and warm on days when we just don't see the need to go outside.  Maren gave me this snuggle blanket for Christmas and it has been well used.

Sprout also finds comfort and warmth curled up on the bed with the pillows and blankets around him.  If he isn't on the bed then he is on my lap.  

We did manage to take a walk one day before the temps dropped to 20 and below.  Lynda Ann gave me these blue earmuffs and they are amazing and keep my ears toasty warm from the biting wind.  

New Years Eve found us at Ron and Judy's for one of her delicious meals followed by a few hours of bridge.  Neither couple are interested in staying up until all hours to bring in the New Year so we were home about 9:30.  I think we watched some TV and both Neal and I drifted off before the actual count down.  I've never been a bring in the New Year kind of gal so this worked out perfect for us.  And amazingly enough the New Year came with lots of bells, whistles and fireworks from some of our neighbors.  Glad there are some people who want to party.

Neal and I, along with Sprout woke up on New Years Day perfectly happy that we could sleep in and didn't have to deal with a hangover.  Saw this cartoon and thought it was perfect.

Of course, that is how we feel every day except for Sunday (church) and Tuesday (temple day).

The saddest thing that happened already this new 2025 year is the fires that are burning in California.  Thousands of home destroyed.  Thousands of people left homeless and the fire rages on.  Thank goodness Abby and Antonio were safe from the fires and didn't have to evacuate.  We all felt our prayers for them were answered.  Norm is serving a mission at the LA Temple Visitors Center.  He sent us this picture of the fires so close to the temple but miracles happen and the winds shifted causing the fires to burn away from the temple.