~PAST-PRESENT and FUTURE~

Have you ever felt like if you could just stand still long enough the world might just catch up?

I've been looking closer in the mirror lately...Not because I see me but, because I see my mother. The world is starting to catch up or should I say...Come full circle! We spent our 7th Christmas without mom this year. Have we adapted? I would say we have but have we liked it? Left without a choice I would have to say we make do but, Christmas just is not the same without my mom. What a wonderful lady she was and, as time goes on and and things happen to me (which remind me of her) I often think to myself that I AM becoming my mother. Now, in my more mature (?) mind I find myself saying: "Bring it on"!

President Hinckley said:

"It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtues of those who have gone before, to gain strength for whatever lies ahead.. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for us all."

So, as I say farewell to this year and look ahead to next, I will not for one day forget the women who made my life rich with memories and wisdom and, who's examples continue to weave their magic into my everyday existence.

NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!!!!

I woke this morning to a pink glow out my window...The lights reflecting off the new fallen snow. It was 3:30 am and yes, I had to take some pictures. If you have never been outside in the snow at 3:30 I highly suggest it. It's sensory overload...and might I add, VERY quiet...Yes, silence can truly overload your hearing! I think that I have been trained to only hear what man has made. In the quiet of the morning you can hear all the things that "man" has not made. So glad to have started this day out early. It may be the only moment today that is calm, quiet and relaxing...

DINNERS, DANCE, & SANTA

Dinners, dance recitals, school programs, and Santa! The grandchildren are successfully wound up with moms and dads desperately trying to keep them calm until the big day. Oh how I remember my kids when they were little trying so hard to be good so that Santa would bring them EVERYTHING on their Christmas list! Awe, they just grow up too fast...

~THE LITTLE GIRLS...Rah Rah and Cha, Cha~

They SIT! Oh, how I wish that I had some of these nice little inventions when I had tiny ones...I for sure would have had a "Bumbo".

~THE HOLIDAY'S SO FAR~

I'm stuffed!

The funny thing is, I am sitting here eating a "Skinny Cow" (My new favorite treat) while I write. How utterly ridiculous. I started cooking Wednesday night and didn't stop until Thursday when I sat everyone at the table to eat. I have yet to learn to cook for less than an army and after everyone had gorged themselves beyond comfortable...There was still enough food left over to feed another family for Thanksgiving. I had put forth great effort into inviting some of the people from my work who really didn't have a place to go this year for Thanksgiving. They all were flattered but, declined to make an appearance. Seriously, how silly is that? I can be fun! REALLY!!! Mostly my OCD only shows up when I am being a nurse. I've learned to control it quite well in the other areas of my life...Honest, I have! I am a FUN and very SPONTANEOUS person who can laugh and joke right along with the rest of you guys...Okay, enough of the chit chat...I've got a house to decorate!

( To the tune of Up on The House Top)

Up on the roof top once again
Oh what a sight I must have been
Arms full of lights and a bag of clips
Oh my gosh, hope I don't slip

Right to the edge I bravely go
Focused on the roof not the ground below
It's cold and windy and wouldn't you know
Three lights hung and it begins to snow

Oh no no
I shouldn't go
oh no no
I shouldn't go, oh,
Up on the roof top
What a dumb chick
Who gratefully was rescued by 'Ol St. NICK!

I am now in the middle of shopping. This is a new experience for me since in years past I have this done by Thanksgiving...Yep, I'm a little late this year and paying for it dearly! I used to like being out in the hustle and bustle of the crowds but anymore I would rather stay at home and order it online. I hate to admit this but maybe I AM getting old...If I am then so is Steve for he actually conceded and went with me to my favorite of all Christmas concerts yesterday at the Covey Center...David Lanz...Yes, he is a pianist and yes, I LOVE his music but, Steve, not so much. He even stayed awake (mostly). What a good guy. Guess I am going to have to go to a BYU game now...

There are still many things that need doing and probably a lot of things that won't get done but, is that really what matters most? When I think about what this season is all about and what it is that we are celebrating I realize that I have been preparing all my life, and I am quite ready to show my Savior how grateful I am to Him for all He has done for me and my family as I am sure all of you are too.

~MR. EXCITED~

COLE:
"Hello, my name is Cole John Caldwell. I am 4 years old and I am going to play..."

Cole had his first violin recital on Saturday. He looked so Very handsome all dressed up in his suit and tie. He is the youngest violinist in the group and so excited to be a part of something so great that it earned him a trophy with the title of : MR. EXCITED!!! We are so proud of you Cole! Keep up
your hard work and you will be playing
with the symphony one day.















Remember, CHICKS DIG MUSICIANS!!!

~COOKING WITH GRANDMA~

I believe in starting them young...

~GRATEFUL~

Is it really true that hard things make you stronger or do they just make your back hurt and leave a ache in your heart? No matter I suppose, they still have to be done and you still have to pick your self up and continue on. Life is full of hard things or maybe it's just that the difficult times are more easily remembered...either way, I'm not a big fan of hard. Unfortunately we are all dealt our share of hard times. I have watched family and friends go through the worst of times and marveled at their resilience. They have found times of happiness in the hard and peace in times of non-content and unanswered questions.

To my family and the friends who I learn from everyday. I'm still watching and one day thanks to you, I might even get it right...Until then, thank you for keeping me balanced and up-right on this bumpy road we call life!

~BREATH..I'T'S JUST A R.S. LESSON~

Sunday morning...Oh the things I learn as I prepare to teach my lesson for R.S. each month. You take a simple subject, one that over the years you would think that you know pretty well and OH MY, what a little research will do to shake your confidence! It is humbling to realize that I still have so much to learn about simple gospel principals.

Was I "present" through all those years of seminary and institute? Thinking back I remember bits and pieces of the classes but not much of anything. How sad to be oblivious all those years when I could have been learning so much about how to really live my life. Hooray for teachers who can reach those who come to listen and learn. Who prepare so well that they actually make a difference in the lives of those they teach. Who are examples of the words they speak! Congratulations to the parents who instill in their children a respect for those who teach. A love of the gospel and the ability to look beyond themselves.

That is why I became a nurse...I'm so NOT a teacher!

~MADDIE aka PRINCESS BELL~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDISON!

Maddie turned three on the 8th of November...What three year old doesn't think that she is a princess? She was so adorable dressed as Bell. Her mommy even made a cake for her that was like Bell's dress! (Lore, you ARE amazing). Maddie no longer wonders what all the fuss is about...She knows it is HER special day.

~NOVEMBER~

What a GLORIOUS day! November isn't usually one of my favorite months...Too many days where it is too cold to snow and too warm to well... Snow! You know one of those TopSeTurVee months that you can never really predict. You wear a coat to work in the morning and come home with it tucked under your arm in the afternoon. You think that you can wash your car, but as soon as you do a rain/snow/sleet/hail storm passes through just long enough to make the roads a muddy mess (because of all the construction) and you wonder why you even tried to look "nice" out on the stupid road anyway. TODAY however, was splendid, the weather and the company could not have been better. When I finally returned home the sun was at that point in the afternoon sky that just makes everything look so gorgeous. I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of the color that is soon to be covered up with a blanket of some of my favorite stuff :) There are even a few roses still trying to bloom and a flower here and there that hasn't been snuffed out by the deadly cold of morning frost. My little garden is still producing vegetables...At a much slower rate but then it is NOVEMBER!

We (I) am incredibly blessed. When Garett was in Guatemala during the rains and mud slides and all the devastation, I remember going to church on Sunday morning after receiving a call letting us know that he was safe and out of danger. We were singing the song "Because I Have Been Given Much" and I couldn't stop thinking...

"My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof's safe shelter overhead"...Really, with that and our families around us do we need ANYTHING more?

~TRICK OR TREAT~

Halloween is one of my favorite
"little" holidays. It is so full of fall! Maybe it is just the time of year that I love so much but either way what could possibly be cuter than your grandchildren showing up at your door to 'Trick or Treat'!

I'm not going to lie, Halloween wasn't as fun when my children were little and I had to actually "go" Trick or Treating". Now, I just wait for the door bell to ring and hand out candy in the warmth of my home...diet coke in hand and favorite music playing
in the background. SOOOoooo much nicer than braving the elements
for a couple of bite sized candy bars. Mostly, this "grandma thing" suits me just fine! The one draw back I find, the thing I feel needs to be figured out is how come time goes by so fast now that I am "grandmatized"? Everything else seems to have slowed down but time seems to have gained speed. I have moments when I wish I could go back and enjoy things a little bit more, you know just really soak it in. Appreciate the people in my life who made me who I am. Who made my Halloweens special, who taught me to "feel" Christmas. Those people who brought Easter alive with trips to the desert, canyon or sometimes our own backyard. Those who knew that a family reunion was an important event that would keep us in touch with our home after we had flown far, far away...

As I begrudgingly say farewell to October I will try to keep in mind how blessed I have been these past few months...Not just because the weather has been glorious but, because "time" has brought us two new grand daughters to watch grow...I will try not to blink for fear I might miss something!

~FALL~

Do you see what I see?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That my friends is snow on Maple Mountain...Now there has been snow on Timp. off and on for the last month or so but, Maple has not had ANY!

Isn't it breathtakingly beautiful!






I just happened to be outside yesterday
when the sun squeezed through the clouds
just long enough to turn everything...GOLDEN!
It always amazes me how beautiful this world is but, when you get a chance to witness moments like these you can't help but wonder what the future holds...

~CHARLY'S PHOTO SHOOT~

We had SO much fun today taking pictures of our newest little member of the family.

****CHARLY JO CALDWELL****

I really think that they should consider changing her name to
"CHARLISA"...She looks SO much like her mommy it is UNREAL! Lisa's "mini me"!

Thank you Stephanie for coming
down on you day off to show off
your talents and also your patience in posing this little one
'just right'. Steph worked with her for about 2 1/2 hours and little Charly didn't even have a melt down. How great is that? Somehow I managed to get out of the OR early today...something that NEVER happens (twice now in the last month!) so I was so happy to be able to sneak in some pictures of my own. Cambria was here with Rozzy who is growing so fast it is hard to believe that she was once smaller than Charly. What cute
little friends they will be one day
in the very near future. I hope
they love each other the way I love my cousins. They are truly
my sisters...


Just as soon as Stephanie gets her pictures edited and all the fancy stuff done to them I am sure that they will be posted on her photo blog. {You can get there from mine if you don't have the link} Her pictures are SO much better than mine...Not only is she a better photographer but she knows the ins and outs of the world of Photo Shop! I may never become proficient with that program!

~CHARLY~

..."But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day"...Need I say more?

~BELLA'S BOO BOO~

Bells has learned to climb and with that comes the unfortunate consequences of GRAVITY! What goes up must come down...She is not what her mother would consider a "fast learner" of Newton at 18 months so, I would imagine there will be a few more of these in her future. Let's PRAY that they are somewhere other than her pretty little face!!!

~SEPTEMBER~

There is nothing better than the canyons in September! Oh what beautiful colors are hidden in those green leaves all summer that are waiting to explode in the cooler, darker days of fall...Cambria, Rozzy and I took a little ride up Right Hand Fork in Hobble Creek Canyon yesterday to try and clear the smoke from our lungs and breath a little fresh air and to also take in the "eye candy" that is splashed all over the mountain sides this time of year. We were NOT disappointed! It's like a giant watermelon bust up there! What a beautiful world we live in.

Even littleRozzy seemed mesmerized by her surroundings. She is so much fun to take places because she is just "happy" to be with you! Just the mention of her name can get a smile from her...




The aspen are just starting to turn colors down low right now but the maples are really at their peak. The reds and oranges are magnificent. I know that every year I say the same thing but, I LOVE SEPTEMBER!!!



The last picture is of a log that Cambria and Rozzy were sitting on while I took some pictures...Cambria looked down and very calmly said to me..."Mom, there are lots of little eyes looking at me in this hole". Sure enough, there were about a dozen little baby snakes all curled up around each other in that hollow log! Each of their little heads were propped up looking right at us! She didn't sit there for long... We were pretty sure that they were water snakes but, there were signs posted all around to watch for Rattle Snakes! Good thing neither one of us are that frightened of snakes!