Latest Happenings.....

Wow!  The middle of December already?  Not sure how this year is almost over....it just seems like yesterday that we were celebrating the New Year!  December has been a busy month, we've had lots of parties and activities....and we are on baby watch!!  Jade's due date was yesterday and she has been having contractions since Friday....so, hopefully sometime this week, we will have that sweet little boy....can't wait to get up there and snuggle with both my babies!!

I have a mish-mash of pictures for this post....Christmas decorations, parties, etc!  I love this season....it goes by way too fast....but, I am so thankful that I have a home, a family, and the gospel.  With all the pain and hurt in this world, I am thankful that my family has a safe haven...that we can be together and celebrate the birth of the Savior.  It is through him, that we will find peace and joy.

The Entryway.

 I finally decided to put away all my RED decorations this year and re-do some to better match my house!  I took some Santas from my collection and spray painted them white and I LOVED how they turned out!  I only did a few, in case I decide that I love red again someday...haha!  I love the greens and the pine cones...the whole house has a white, natural look and it feels really calm and peaceful.

 Natural trees and burlap banner.

 Simple Centerpiece.

 I found these little houses at the dollar store and painted them white to use in my apothecary jars and faux snow!!  Absolutely one of my favorite new things this year!

 I LOVE this little scene!

 Some Christmas dishes on the buffet.

 Mantle....greens, whites, and silver

 Used my white tree as our main tree this year!

 The hot chocolate station....this has been used a lot!

 Simple....white....love!

 one of the little handouts I gave to the young women this month.

 Joel and I were invited to an ugly sweater/white elephant party this year and we had such a good time!  Joel is so fun because he always goes along with my goofy ideas....ha ha! 

 Which included wearing a woman's medium sweatshirt to the party...the tighter the better...haha!

 Biggest goof balls ever!

 We played some minute to win it games....and laughed a lot!!

 This picture was taken at Joel's Christmas party....it was a pretty fun night...we didn't win anything, but oh well....dressing up was fun!!  Kind of hard to believe that this will be our last party with Joel in the military!  Looking forward to 2013 and the new opportunities that are coming our way!

 Bodie had a blast at the party....he got a stocking full of fun little presents and has been wearing this little Santa hat all weekend!  Love this kid so much!

I have more pictures to post....I hope I can get them up this week!  I hate getting so far behind!

Hope your December is family centered and more importantly CHRIST CENTERED!

Merry Christmas!

The hardest post I'll ever write....

Every time I sat down to do this post, I would tear up and not be able to focus enough to get through it, but...I also knew that it was important to write about this life event...we are told how important journal entries are and I would hope that generations from now will see this and know what a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and most of all daughter of God that Nancy Hearn Booth was....our life on earth will never be the same without this beautiful woman, but what a comfort it is to know that she is pain free and happy reuniting with her loved ones and hopefully looking after all of us!  I know without a shadow of a doubt that she is preparing wonderful things for her family....family was everything to Nancy.  I can't say enough how blessed I was to have such an amazing mother-in-law.  She treated me like part of the family from the minute I joined it and loved me and my girls....that meant more than anyone could ever know.  Nancy was truly a one of kind human being....sweet, loving, nurturing....she touched EVERYONE she ever came in contact with...people from Walmart, her coworkers and customers ALL loved and adored her.  I so enjoyed listening to their stories of their memories of Nancy.  My favorite one was when someone told us that people would wait in her line even though it wasn't the fastest (because she loved talking to everyone!!) just so they could chat with her!  She just might have been the funniest person I have ever met....her quick wit was amazing!  And that is something she has passed on to her children!

While I know that we continue to struggle with the loss of this wonderful woman, what a blessing she was to all of us.  I feel her presence around us and her influence is strong...I want to be a better person because of her, I want to be a better member of the church because of her, I want to be a better mom, a more patient mom...she truly was an example of how a person who loves Jesus should live....just like him.  I loved Nancy with all my heart and I miss her.  I am sad that Bodie will not be able to remember his Grammie...but I am so thankful that she was able to see him and hold him and talk to him all the time through Face Time.  I'm thankful that we have the videos of her singing the frog song to him and playing the little horsey game. 

I'm thankful that I am a part of her wonderful family. 

Till we meet again sweet Nancy.

It was pouring rain on our way to the cemetery but let up while we were there....I think it was a sign!



WIlly Wonka....Halloween 2012!

Happy Halloween!

This year's theme was a blast putting together!  I've been planning and looking for several months now and I LOVE how our Willy Wonka Family Costume turned out!  I really am lucky that my family indulges me with my hair brained ideas! 

Charlie and Violet stole an Oompa Loompa!

 Veruca got her Oompa Loopma!

 BUT, DADDY.....I WANT IT NOW!!!!!!

Willy and Veruca!

 Joel.....my sweet long suffering honey!

 My sweet family!  Doesn't Kyle look like a movie star now?

 Yes, I know Willy's eyes are shut, but Charlie and Veruca looked really great in this pic.....ha ha!

 Probably our last Halloween with this boy....booooo!  He's been a really good sport....not many teenage boys would go along with a family theme for Halloween!

 Those darn Oompa Loompas...they really are camera shy!

 Violet....been working on this piece of gum for 8 months....WOWY!

 All of us together at the church!  Love it!

 Veruca finally got her Oompa Loompa to cooperate! (well, kinda!)

 The CUTEST OOMPA LOOMPA EVER!

 Bodie and his little friends!  Bodie was obsessed with the Buzz costume...he followed him around all night trying to push his buttons....ha ha!

 Joel slipped a little this year and came in second for the chili-cookoff....but, he's still our number one!  We got this awesome goody package!

 Whoo-hoooo...and the winner is......

The Willy Wonka Crew! (never mind that we were really the only family that dressed in theme this year...lol!)

So, another Halloween has come and gone....Bodie enjoyed trick or treating at the party and scored some pretty good candy!  It's so fun seeing him grow and develop!  He's decided that Halloween is a keeper holiday!

Until next year....muahhahahaha!!!!