The Hutch

Brian made me this hutch for me for Christmas. . . he couldn't hide it from me, so he put it in the house with a sign that said "Do not paint until after Christmas". So, for two weeks, I agonized over what color to paint it. I looked online at other hutches, printed out pictures of what I liked, had my friends come over to tally which one they liked. It was a painful process. But, finally Christmas came, and I could now paint the hutch. Now, I DO NOT like to paint, which is odd because I have fond memories of my mother painting the kitchen of our house at 2 A.M. because she thought it needed to be done, then a year maybe two later, doing it again. I lived in that house for 18 years, so I would bet there are at least 10 coats of paint on those walls. But you see, I did not get that gene. I got the "it's a pain- it will make a mess-it will take forever-I do not have the patience for this" gene. But, it had to be done. So when the decision needed to be made, I decided to go with artist canvas (off white) with a brown wash. So after 2 coats of artist canvas, sanding, more sanding and even more sanding, and, putting the stain on, just to wipe it off, AND all of this totaling about 11 hours of work. . . . I give you. . .DRUM ROLL. . . The Hutch.

I've been NATIVITIED

How do I expain? Hmmmmmmm? Well, we have some good friends here in Kuna who have this nativity (it was given to them by a grandmother). My friend thinks it is a little, shall we say, lacking in beauty. So a few of us were joking with her about it and she basically told us that we'd better watch what we say or it may end up in our yard. . . guess what, it did tonight. So the jokes on me this year, but watch what you say or else it may be in your yard next year!!!!!!


Isn't it lovely. . . it is even pre-lit!

Josh's 3rd Grade Music Program

Josh had his 3rd grade music program yesterday. He did a great job of singing and other that the fact that I didn't have a battery charged to record it, it was great (No, worries though, I stood in the back with it plugged into the wall the whole time!). Here are some pictures of Josh's cute self:

Luke's Tree

The people at Brian's work purchased a tree in memory of Luke to plant next to the green belt in Kuna. It will be nice to have something to visit in his memory. Here are some pictures of it. . . it is a Blazing Maple!

Here is what it looks like now,(it's like me right now)it's asleep. It isn't growing or producing, it's hibernating:



And here is what it will look like in the fall. Beautiful isn't it? Here is hoping that I can make it to autumn.

The "Who Would You Be?" Tree

Today was tough, like all Sundays have been. But it turned out to be pretty good. . . at around 5:30 there was a knock on our door. It was my friend Gail Jenkins and her husband Kjell. They had bought us a Christmas Tree. You see, Gail has wanted to go to Salt Lake City, to the Festival of Trees, to buy herself a tree. So this year, her children pulled their money together and gave it to their Mom and said go get your tree. So what did she do, she bought me a tree instead(I know, bring out the kleenex).

So here is the story of my tree:

A family decorated this tree in honor of their 3 sons who had died, two as babies from a lung problems and one that was murdered when he was 20. She wrote a poem entitled, "Who Would You Be?". The end of the poem says:

Your chance was not taken?
Nor, was it stolen away.
You have fulfilled God's plan,
And you can't stay

I'll try not to cry anymore.
I know where your suppose to be.
It's just sometimes I wonder,
Who would you be?

On the tree are different boys dressed up like a doctor, or fireman, or sports person, or a policeman. It is such a beautiful gift! THANK YOU Jenkins family! We love it!

Luke's Birthday

The entire day yesterday, I reminisced about Luke's life; how he came into the world and how he loved life. I would like to share, for this, what would have been his 2nd birthday, those memories.

I had to convince Brian to have another baby and he finally consented when he felt like our family wasn't complete. We began trying and got pregnant right away, actually the day of ( I know, TMI!!!). Nine months later, our family was finally complete with the birth of Luke. He was 6lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 inches long. He grew quickly and I remember often telling him to STOP growing. I knew he was our baby and so I relished in every moment with him, every 2 AM feeding, every sick moment, every milestone passed. Everything was such a joy. He was walking at 11 months and after that he quickly went to running after his brothers. My favorite memories of him were of us cuddling on the couch together. . . .I would lay on my back and he would get his blue blanket, and I would lay it on my chest, the silky part up so he could stroke it with his index finger while he sucked his thumb. I really miss that! He loved to crawl up on a chair and launch himself over the couch. He would laugh and do it over and over again. He was determined, happy, and just wonderful. I have felt recently that I was in the presence of greatness when he was here. What a great spirit he must have had to be able to have fulfilled his mission on earth in 23 months.

On his birthday we went to Idaho Falls and took balloons to his grave. Some of our friends and family were there to give of their greatly needed support. We drove home to find our kitchen table FILLED with cookies and cards from our ward family remembering Luke. We feel so loved and I am so grateful to all of you. We also did a cake for Luke. . . it was so hard to blow out those candles for him. I am grateful to know that someday I WILL be able to see him grow up. . . to see the man he is.

Happy Birthday, our Luker boy!