I know that my Redeemer Lives!

 

Christmas is a time of reflection for me. A time to take stock, to try to set a better course, improve the things that are holding me back, give thanks for the things and people that have lifted me and supported me throughout the year, to allow myself to truly enjoy and love those that are around me. It is a time of Thanksgiving and Charity and Joy but none of this would be possible for me without the life, death and divine sacrifice of my beloved brother and Savior. He is the source of my Joy and Strength. He is the compass that leads me back to the home that I long for. I love him dearly in my very earthly finite way and I know that he not only knows me personally but loves me with a perfect love. How do I ever repay him for his constant care, support and patience with such a flawed soul? I have been carried through great challenges by my tender and merciful Savior. I have felt him in my life whenever I open the door for him to enter. He has never been farther away from me then a prayer. To all that read this, It is my testimony that He lives! I KNOW that Redeemer lives!

A Picture is Worth 10,000 Words

I just love my little Family! Sometimes it just amazes me that I have been blessed with the best, the brightest and of course the most beeutiful posterity anyone could ever ask for! What a wonderful thing it is to have family and be able to surround yourself with their smiling faces all around the house. I have to thank each one of my dear family both born and adopted through marriage for making the picture taking session possible, oh and to Suzanna, our awesome photographer, you worked with all of us and made us look so goooood!

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

To all my blogging buddies out their in the cosmos, I want to make you all aware of a new book that has just been published and will be out in book stores in a couple of weeks. 'Miss Delacourt Speaks her Mind' is a new regency romance written by a first time published author Heidi Ashworth. This is a wonderful novel with witty writing and a catchy storyline that pulls the reader in and keeps them reading from the first page to the last. Those of you that find Jane Austen an author of interest will love this romp through the English countryside. Now a confession, I have not read this provocative novel yet, it is on my to do list as soon as it comes out, but I am personally acquainted with the author and with her writing techniques and capabilities and I have no qualms whatsoever in recommending this wonderful book that is fit for the entire families reading pleasure. You may also read a sample of Heidi's writing style on her blog Dunhaven Place. You may link over from my list of favorite blogs to visit.

Lead Me, Guide Me, Walk Beside Me

Last night I spent the evening in the company of two of the most valiant people I have ever known, My parents. The older I grow the more I become aware that these two people are amazing. My dear sweet Pa Pa bought my darling mom a new Christmas Tree for her birthday. She and I had traveled up to the big city last week to buy ornaments for the new tree, what a fun time I had. Then last night we spent decorating the tree. Mom was thrilled and one of the last things she said to me before I left was, 'this is the first time I have ever had such an elegant tree.' That made me feel so warm and fuzzy.

How wonderful that Heavenly Father sent us such wonderful people to keep us on the straight and narrow, loving us every step or misstep of the way. Sometimes I wonder what I did or do that could make me eligible to call such wonderful people 'my parents.'

Payback!

It was only a matter of time. The neighbor claimed he had no intention of retaliating but as you can see, his natural man got the better of him, and he succumbed.
No matter, it is all in fun and may I say it has really caused a stir among the masses here in our little hometown. We have had strangers stop in the middle of the street and pull out their cell phones to take a picture. It truly has been a lovely time and experience. (I have spoken this before having to clean up two yards.) Anyway kudos to both BYU and Utah, while we sit in the comfort of our lazy chairs and warm fireplace they are battling it out on the gridiron as I type. They both have had amazing seasons and I am proud to say I am a FAN!

And so it begins

It is RIVALRY week and as a loyal BYU Blue Cougar fan, my husband felt it was his responsibility, nay, his obligation to celebrate in his own understated way. But let me start at the beginning.
We had a wonderful couple move in across the street from us over the past couple of years and they are exemplary neighbors. They keep their yard up, they keep the wild parties at a minimum, they are friendly and obliging. They seem to be the perfect neighbors except for one very dark flaw, the husband is a Ute fan! All this aside we have maintained a very civil and friendly relationship with our dear neighbors, until rivalry week hits. Then all bets are off and crap hits the fan.
For those that a)don't live in Utah, or b)live in a cave in Utah never seeing the light of day, rivalry week is the week of the BYU-Utah football game. This is the week where anything and everything can take place but we didn't plan on the neighbor switching sides (with the help of some very concerned neighbors and an intervention) and declaring his allegiance in such a public way. You see, I believe deep down in everyone's heart they are true blue BYU fans.
So as you enjoy the following pictures please hum the Cougar Fight song, it truly will add to the enjoyment!

What a Beauty

I know I have been gone for a while but here is the most beautiful baby girl! I just had to share my gorgeous posterity!

It's your birthday

 

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Dear Si Si
Happy Birthday to you

My how time flies my little Seasarino. I remember so clearly the day you made me a grandma. It was also the day that you made grandma and grandpa great, great grandparents. I was in awe of your delicate beauty and your tiny little self. Even at such a tender age you showed that you were a very sweet, dear, loving little one. You would sleep so well and soundly with your little hands crossed on your tummy. I loved how you would cuddle into my shoulder and sleep, what a cuddlebug you were. As you grew older I was amazed at how you wrapped everyone around your little finger. Your uncles were mesmerized by the miracle that is you. They always wanted to hold you and haul you around with them. I believe you helped them become the good dads that they are today by nurturing you. So my little Si Si I hope that your day was everything you wanted it to be and that you will always know that you are at the very center of my heart. I will always love you dearly. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LITTLE ONE!

Is anyone out there?

Out of interest, I check my stats counter on occasion and I can't help but notice that blogging appears to be a weekend sport, at least the bloggers that visit my blog. Maybe I should investigate this further and try to link it to what is going on with the world scene. For instance, yesterday was a very slow day for my blog. I wonder if this has anything to do with the results of the elections that took place the day before. Some may have been out celebrating or some may have been in the depths of despair and therefore not in any way shape or form wanting to spend time reading about other peoples lives. I guess that says a lot about me and the state of my life. I generally check my blog at least daily (if not hourly, depending on my boredom level). I also love checking the blogs of friends and family on a regular basis, and may I say I am terribly disappointed in the irregularity of some peoples posting. (I say this not wanting to pass judgement only wanting to keep up with your lives.) I have also been gently nudged on occasion when I have been slow to report in so I guess I should not be casting stones. So anyway, just passing along one of my observations, man, I really must be bored or desperate to ramble on like this but I figure it won't really make a difference to most of you, at least not until the weekend.

Amazing Grace

Sometimes I just amaze myself. I think of myself as a perfectly competent person, capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. Then out of the blue I prove that walking may be a bigger chore for me then I realize. Yesterday I went into see the Bishop for the purpose of getting my recommend renewed. We came home from church planning to go down to the Stake Center to get the Stake Presidents signature, I mean, I am talking maybe a 40 minute time frame and I somehow lost the recommend. You may wonder, 'how does she lose a recommend in an area consisting of approximately 100 square feet.' That would be a really good question and if you come up with the answer I would love to know what it is. Anyway Mr Darcy decided to go down without me while I kept tearing the house apart. (I was even looking in places it couldn't possibly have been unless it actually had grown legs and walked away!) About 5 minutes after Mr Darcy drives off, I find it in the most logical places of all and being that the Stake Center is only about a 10 minute walk from my house, I grabbed the umbrella (oh, did I mention it was raining?) and head on down the hill to the church. About halfway there I decided to take a shortcut across the elementary school parking lot. Well, I mentioned it was raining, therefore the blacktop was wet, really wet, and I had zero traction on my shoes and it had a slight incline, and I was wearing a dress, (wait don't get ahead of me, I know you are!) Anyway, yes, I slid on the very wet, very black parking lot and went down on my knee and my keister. Well, of course the first thing to do is try to scramble to my feet and hope that no one saw me do such a graceless thing. I stood up and took one more step and went down AGAIN! My word, how uncoordinated can I be. At this point I had black dripping down my legs, my dress was saturated on one side (thank goodness it was black) My hand was black and throbbing and my knee was bleeding and looked like it was covered with road rash. There was also a cut on the top of my foot. I figured if I continued on I was looking at putting myself into a coma so after jumping up again, and hoping I hadn't flashed everyone in the houses across the street, I carefully turned and walked back up the hill. Luckily my hubby was just coming back and saw me hobbling up the hill and picked me up. He drove me down to the Stake Center while I used some old napkins he had in the car to wipe the black off my legs and hand. Today I am stiff and sore in places that I had no clue it could affect. Well, that is the saga of my Sunday afternoon, for some reason I have to make a production out of everything. And if my kids are reading this, and laughing, just remember, your time will come! (below is the picture of said injuries.)

For the love of Chocolate

 

There is nothing like a child dressing up in whatever costume they can round up and running through the streets asking strangers for candy. I am not much of a Halloween type person but I do love seeing the tiniest of the tiny all decked out and running from house to house, not sure exactly what they should be doing or saying but seeing their eyes light up when they see the miniature version of a full size candy bar heading straight for the pail, bucket, plastic pumpkin or whatever their mother shoved into their hand. I especially love it when they immediately start to unwrap said energy in a wrapper and start devouring it before they get off of the porch. All they know is they have control over this little tasty tidbit and if past experience teaches them anything it is to get at it before mom notices it and spirits it away. Ahh the joys of childhood. It truly is amazing that this tiny little bit of confection can ward off a temper tantrum as easily as it can bring one on. Oh the power of chocolate.

I count my Blessings

I have just returned from spending a wonderful 3 days with 4 of my grandbabies. I think that there should be a law or a decree that it be mandatory for all responsible adults to spend more then 24 hours with those adorable little people that are wonderfully and delightfully sure that life is good and there is such a thing as happy endings. How refreshing to be in the presence of such a belief system. They remind me how I used to think and feel. They give me permission to live in the moment and experience the joy that is always there if you just close your eyes and believe. I consider myself to be a nurturing person but they gave me ample opportunity to expand on my natural nurturing and increase it ten fold. It was so exhausting and I was happy to be back home in my own bed not waking up to a fussy little one, but for some reason I am feeling, oh, I don't know,... lonely. I may sleep soundly tonight but I can't help but think that somewhere deep in my self-conscious mind I will be listening for that little voice calling out for GaaGaa.
I hope that my daughter and her husband know how grateful I am for the opportunity to spend this time with some of the best that my gene pool has to offer. It was time that I will always cherish.

Let's Carve a Pumpkin

Well, it is finally that time of year again, when the air is crisp and clean, the temperature drops and the pumpkin patches spring up around you like flowers in the spring. Ever since we (meaning Mr Darcy and I) have been blessed with the grandbabies we have taken them out to get their Halloween pumpkins. We have always only taken them when they were old enough to enjoy it and follow instructions but this year we took the little guys with us. Now being two, I knew that they would enjoy themselves but the following instructions idea seemed to be but a fleeting notion that they had no intent to capture. So if you notice the pictures I am posting, you will see that Faise and Kade were usually running past the frame or being restrained so that I would at least have photographic proof they were there. Kader monkey refused to look at the camera more then one time and I think I have exactly one picture with him looking at it. This particular pumpkin patch had a playground at the end and that is what captured the little boys special attention. It was a great memory for me to have even if I required a nap when I returned home (whoever invented naps is a genius).

Hmmm, not sure about this one

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

I am not sure how I feel about being Esme, she seems very wallflowerish. But I did take the test and apparently this is who I am most like. Oh well, everyone seems to like Esme. I'm not really sure about the name though, who would name their child Esme? Ok, I just reread this and decided I must apologize to anyone out there with the name of Esme. It is a perfectly adequate name and besides the picture of Esme is really quite pretty. She is the mother figure after all and I really love being a mother, not to mention the fact that she never ages, now that's a real perk!

Who are the animals here?

Here we are at Hogle Zoo. The kids were not only excited to go see the animals but to spend time with Tara's family. The kids love Will and Ems and Ty-Ty. They were so looking forward to spending time with them and at the zoo they were able to run and jump and in some cases climb right into the pens with the Turkeys. Here they are looking at the waterfall at the front entrance.

Ty escaped and wanted to join the turkeys, his mom was moving very fast trying to catch up to him before he confronted the turkeys. What a kid. He was so upset that his mom 'rescued' him that he cried and cried. The picture below shows the daring 'rescue'.

At the infamous drinking fountain they all wanted to get their pictures taken as well as get a little drink of water. They found joy in every little thing that we came across.

Here are only 5 of the 7. Faise and Ty were busy running and exploring and we had a hard time getting them in the picture. Any time we got them in the picture it was because we were quick on the shutter. Here Faise is running to the next place. I snapped quickly to get his picture.

We only were able to keep 5 of the kids standing still for this particular shot. But as the day wore on the two little ones did slow down just a little.
This particular elephant is expecting a baby elephant. She is 12 months along and only has another 10 months! That is just ridiculous. Who's idea was that?

Here is one of the zoo's occupants, a noceros as Faise would say.

It was a fun adventure and the weather was actually very cooperative. It was warm enough without being too hot or too cold. I know that I haven't been to the zoo for at least 7 years so I was grateful that Jenny included me in the outing. If any of you out there haven't been lately I would recommend it, it was great.

Sometimes you just get lucky!

I was surfing around and found a great tag on one of my daughter's dear friend's blog and I decided to tag myself. I want my children to know how dear their dad is to me.

Husband tag

1 Where did you meet? We actually met at 'Taco Siesta' a local fast food joint I was working at. He claims that I made him the worst burrito ever and he came to complain. What actually happened was this, I worked with his good friend Bruce and Bruce needed Mr Darcy to double with him on a date and my Mr. Darcy couldn't get in touch with the girl he wanted to ask so Bruce (being desperate) said, 'what about her?' and he was pointing at me.

2 How long did you date before getting married? We dated for two years but considering I was only 16 when we first met that seems pretty darn fast to me.

3 How long have you been married? If I quoted Mr Darcy, he would say, '34 wonderful years'
We have started teaching the Marriage and family relations class in Sunday School and this has been said by him multiple times. But I also agree, it has been 34 wonderful years.

4. What does he do that surprises you? To be honest I am constantly surprised by him and yet I am totally NOT surprised. He will do the dearest kindest things just when I least expect it, and yet that is the kind of guy he is. His heart is as soft as a marshmellow, and I love that.

5. What is your favorite feature about him? I love, Love, LOVE the way his eyes twinkle when he really laughs about something or is teasing me. Okay, close your eyes kids, I also love his great little butt!

6. What is your favorite quality about him? He can see past my faults and frailties and loves me anyway. Somedays that is just amazing to me. He also can do anything-nothing wavering-anything he decides to do, I have never met anyone so capable in all my life.

7 Does he have a nickname for you? Mostly he calls me Hon. As a matter of fact a few years into our marriage I wondered if he remembered my real name, so I asked him. He still doesn't use it much. But my very most favorite nickname he has for me is Mrs Darcy! I know he only uses it when he is completely and perfectly and incandescently happy or when he wants me to be.


8 What is his favorite color? I don't know that he has one, but the color green and maroon look simply smashing on him, he also looks fabuloso in Pink. I know he loves BYU Blue.

9 What is his favorite food? He loves the shrimp fest at 'Red Lobster'. He also loves a great rib eye steak. But something I think he could live off is the Pico de Gallo (sp) he makes from scratch. He loves it!

10 What is his favorite sport? BYU football, of course.

11 Who said I love you first? He did! I am sure he doesn't remember, but I didn't quite know what to do with that. No one of the opposite sex (that wasn't related to me) had ever said that to me before. I didn't know quite what to do with it (remember I was very young and an idiot)

12 When and where was your first kiss? We had gone to a movie, Romeo and Juliet ( I love that theme music) and he leaned in and kissed me. That had never happened before and I think I just rolled with the punches. It was very sweet.

13 What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? For me, it is just that, being a couple. We enjoy going to football games, out to eat, football firesides, traveling in the car, watching TV, talking to each other on the phone (Mr Darcy gets all sweet on the phone), putting in a yard, going for a walk (are you starting to get the picture, if not I can go on)

14 Do you have kids? How many? Yes we have 4 wonderful children, a daughter and three sons. We also have 8 superduper grandbabies 4 granddaughters and 4 grandsons. (They are the joy in my day)


15 What is a hidden talent that he has? I think I have already answered that, he can do anything from remodeling the house to changing a diaper (he tries to keep that one really hidden). I have never seen anyone with the determination he has when he chooses to do something.

16 How old is he? Now that depends on who you are asking, if you ask him he doesn't know, or want to remember. He was born in August of 1953.

17 What is his favorite type of music? He loves music that reminds him of something. He listens to the 'sounds of Sunday' every Sunday. He likes the soft rock channels. He used to love 3 dog night but that was many, many moons ago.

18 What do you admire most about him? That is easy, I am married to the Pied Piper. People love him and follow him anywhere. He is Kind, Generous, loving, I wish I had that talent.

19 What is his favorite pasttime? He love accomplishing things. What ever he is involved in gets his full attention until it is done. He is never sitting still unless he has fallen asleep. He also is an avid deer hunter. He has been known to start planning the next hunt as early as January. Now he generally just goes to get away and enjoy the companionship of his boys. I always threaten him that I do not want a dead carcass hanging up in my carport so he had better not come home with one. In recent years he has been very obliging.

20 Do you think he is going to read this? No, not unless I insist upon it, and I won't. He has a pretty good idea who he is and what he is about, so this may or may not interest him, except for the fact that it came from me, his Mrs Darcy!

Success! At least so far.

Those of you that visit my blog frequently, I mean occasionally, make that have ever visited, even once, will notice, might notice, could possibly think to themselves, 'something looks different.' Well, you would be correct. I am stepping outside my comfort zone and trying not only a new background but a 3 (count them) column background. Whew! It made me so nervous to think that I might possibly erase all my months of occasional blogging, but I plunged ahead, without fear or reservation. Now before you start thinking 'my isn't she brave', I must confess, I didn't do this alone. My beautiful daughter-in-law who also has a very awesome blog (that I would send you to but it is private) helped me tremendously. She just changed over to 3 columns and so she walked me through it. It was more complex then I expected it would be and every time I clicked on view blog I wasn't sure it would reappear. Now I know that some of you professional bloggers change blogs like you do your unnerwear (yes I know it is mis-spelled but I didn't want an R rating, right Marivic) but I am timid and not really adventurous and lazy and I didn't want to have to recreate everything up to this point. I am actually quite pleased with the results of my labors and now am trying to create a personal heading/title box. If any of you out there in blogging lurkerville have any helpful hints or suggestions, I am open.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, (or at least 16)

I've been playing around with Picasa and this was the result. I've seen this kind of thing on other people's blogs and I think it is quite fun. This is my ode to my most recent visit to 'the Happiest Place on Earth'. My next attempt will be with photos of my favorite people on earth, the grandbabies. I am hopeful it will turn out splendidly. Time will tell.

A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes

Everyone who truly knows me can tell you I have a passion for all things Disneyland, so when the opportunity came along to be one of the princesses I grabbed it with both hands.
You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Don't tell anyone, but several of my dreams have already come true, isn't that right Mr Darcy?

One of my Favorite things

I love this particular hymn, I cry every time I watch it or sing it. Music is the one constant that can move me even when I don't want to be moved. It is the one constant and immovable link to my heart and soul.

Butch, Sundance and the Hole in the Wall Gang

I am not sure which is which, would the real Sundance kid please stand up

Butch, I think we have him surrounded

Call Me Mrs. Darcy!

Dad, Mom and Mr and Mrs Darcy, Sundance ski lift October 1 2008

Ma Ma and Pa Pa framed by the mountain

How can you not admire the general splendor, it is truly breathtaking

Today we took advantage of the beautiful weather we are experiencing, grabbed mom and dad and headed up the canyon to see the beautiful leaves and enjoy the sunshine. May I say, It was Glorious. Just when you think you appreciate the place you live as much as you can, all of a sudden you have an experience like this and it takes your breath away. We headed up to Sundance and rode the lift up the mountain and then back down (dad was a little disgruntled as he thought he was going to walk down the mountain). Even though Dad wanted to walk down the mountain, I had to put my foot down because I knew that if he walked down, I would have to join him and that just wasn't going to happen. What an amazing place we live in. When you are up in those mountains you forget all about the stock market and the elections and the bills and anything else that can wear you out and down and you just get to refill your well. My lovely husband, Mr. Darcy, is such a great guy and he knew this would be wonderful, and he was right. I am in awe when I see the majesty of those mountains and the richness of the changing colors, how the Lord must love us to give us not only a world to live in but also created the light and dark hues of the changing leaves and the whisper of the wind when you are feeling a little too much heat on your brow. The sound of a mountain stream running over and around rocks and boulders drowns out even the most insistent little voices in my head telling me about the things that need to be done. I love our world! And then as if that were not enough, he gives us precious family to share the most tender and miraculous moments of our life. My cup runneth over.
Today I am truly Mrs Darcy, completely and perfectly and incandescently happy.