What to do, what to do?

Today I found myself with a little free time on my hands.

Since my resolution this year is something like,

"Declutter your house and your life," 

 I have taken to doing just that 
when I have a moment here or there. 

My closet was targeted today. 

On my shelves up high, are boxes of memorabilia-
mine and my kids'. 
There's a lot of it.

By late afternoon my closet looked like this:

 Yowza.

But boy, was it a fun walk down memory lane.

How about this picture of my 7th grade class?

I can remember about 6 names.

My teacher, Mrs. J. Hill, threw a paddle at a kid one day.

It missed, but it terrified him (and us) enough to shape up.

I found this reminder of when Christmas lists used to be easy...

...and an award that Elijah earned with no help from me.

(I love how they penciled in the correct year)

 Before Michaela wrote fan fiction, she wrote for The Weekly Paypa.  
She has honed her skills a little since way back then. 
I think she would agree that the headline is in the wrong place

 and I am sure she can spell broccoli now too. :)

Really, most of this doesn't make sense but it's a fun read.

 And speaking of Michaela, I found a picture of her wearing that "scandalous" Ariel costume Grandma Tomi got her for her birthday.

She's frowning because she knows her mom is not going to let her keep that midriff-showing outfit for heaven's sake! 

(I was a bit of an overachiever)

 And how about this picture of Michael and me in the dating years?

And my Ricks College haircut?

And I love this picture of my sister (and Bob) the day she went through the temple...

That very same sister sent me this letter at Ricks College and could barely contain her Billy Joel excitement!

 Note the return address message...

Also note that she thinks Billy Joel looks excellent!

Ha Ha! Love it.

My favorite Billy Joel posters ever. 

I am a loser for ever getting rid of these.

 My very first concert.

1982. 6th row.

$10.50.

 And oh my heck, the Utah (and one Washington) cousins...

...and the Hawaii/California cousins.

We are the luckiest.

And here's my very first love letter.  

Yes, I have more than one.

Apparently this 13 year-old had always loved me up to this point. 

Weird since I had only known him for a year.

 How about the time that I stalked a zebra in Africa...

 ...and Michael played with monkeys trying hard not to get bit?

And once upon a time Michael played rugby...

...and I played basketball.
Shocker I know.

And back in the day, Elijah played with dolls.
Of course "playing" meant trying to poke their eyes out.

Oh wow. I seriously could go on and on and on.

(I already have, I know)

I will just close with our engagement photo-
the one where I squatted 
so that he could appear taller than me.  :)

Though it was just cleaning closets, today was a good day for sure.

Here's to the last few days of January.

Be Still My Soul.

On Friday, I attended the funeral of the 
fourth neighbor to pass away in less than two years.
Each woman was younger than me except one.
Each woman was an exceptional person and a dearly loved mother. 
Each woman was my friend.

The service was beautiful and uplifting. 
As her husband read a letter from her son who is currently serving in Virginia, I was overwhelmed by the burden this young man is carrying. But this boy, the same boy who tormented Bethany from kindergarten on :) shared a heartfelt testimony of the Savior's love for him--and how that love is allowing him to stay where he is and serve with all of his heart. Serving not only for the Lord, but for his mom too.


I am struck by how quickly things can change. 
Once again, the Lord's timing is not our timing.
We learn that over and over again- 

Though it's a little bit of a struggle to understand why God needs these women more than their families do, in Isaiah 55 we read: 

     "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are 
your ways my ways saith the Lord.
     For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are 
my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts,"

My life has been blessed by each one of these women- 
and I feel blessed to have great faith in the plan of salvation.

Most of all, I feel blessed to know that families are forever.

January So Far...

January has kept me pretty busy. No time for feeling sorry for my January-hating self. Some of the things keeping me busy include: 

 Doing LOT'S of homework with Hannah-- 
we are getting her done with E School so she can move on 
to her new charter school experience. :)

(Mulder is helping out with a project for Earth Science).

Playing with my favorite baby-
:)

Playing in the snow with her sisters....

We tried to recreate Olaf.

Fail.

Decorating for a New Year's Eve Dance...

(technically that was December-- but close enough)

Hannah on break from constant school work...

However, the best thing about January so far

has been the out of this world sunsets.

Every one has been spectacular!

So there we are.

Almost half way through January 

with barely a moment to complain. 

So far, so good.

Happy New Year!

From the only one in our family who loves snow. 

Woof.

I am certain that January will fly by

 in the same warp speed that December did. 

Who's with me?