~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?