Last day of the decorations

First fresh tree in many years

My Christmas Gift

Since mine died several months ago I have been borrowing Nat's old camera (thanks, Nat!).  Today I got a new one (thanks Mom, Marie and Carolyn!)

Christmas Day

I spent a quiet day, went to church and enjoyed the spirit of Christmas through words, music, and family.  I am reminded of God's tender mercies. 

Reconciling after loss and misunderstanding is one of His tender mercies.

Life has been a bit overwhelming lately and blogging has taken a rear seat.

Today I enjoyed A Christmas Carol at Hale Center Theatre.  It's a seasonal sell-out every year.  Jenn, Natalie, Ashlie, Olivia and Emma joined me.  We took a picture but I need to get it from Jenn.  Tonight we have our traditional Christmas dinner and party.

Merry Christmas!

MoTab Concert - perfect start to Christmas

Yeah, start is right - I am just getting started.  Taxes and new furnace, added to already existing debt has caused me to seriously delay Christmas shopping.   This will be the longest procrastination I've ever experienced.  I'm also feeling very broke and I don't like it very much!!!  The delays continue in other areas of my life as well.  I guess I'm supposed to learn patience here.  I just wish I would hurry up and learn it!  (OK, a little irony here...)  I find myself functioning on low batteries right now too.

Photo: DesNews (Jeffrey D. Allred)

photo: DesNews (Jeffrey D. Allred)

I loved the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert last night.  Aubrey and I went together and it was wonderful.  The dancers are especially beautiful but the orchestra, bellringers, choir, Jane Seymour (our favorite) and Nathan Gunn were also superb!  I was fortunate to get tickets from a friend.  I love that this is a free gift to the community.  If you want a peak, tune in to the national network broadcast  (locally it's on KSL-TV ch. 5 at 8:30 am MST):

In keeping with tradition, the Sunday broadcast of the choir's TV and radio program "Music and the Spoken Word," will feature the guest artists and selections from the Christmas concert. A "mini-concert" will follow the half-hour broadcast for those attending it live in the Conference Center.

Temple Square at Christmas

A Christmas Tradition in Salt Lake City.  Details here and events on Temple Square here.

Concerts and events can be found here.  The whole Christmas season schedule is posted.  There are many choirs and other musical performances happening throughout the season in the Visitor's Center, Tabernacle, Josephs Smith Memorial Building, Assembly Hall and more.

International Creche Exhibit is at the Church History Museum this month.

Lights at Temple Square - more information here.

Christmas Devotional

I enjoyed the First Presidency message at the annual Christmas Devotional last night.  It was a perfect way to start the Christmas holiday and the Conference Center is always beautiful, but especially at Christmas. You can view it here (though nothing is quite like being there in person). Sorry no pics; I went alone then hurried back home since the storm was supposed to bring bad winds my way. 

My cup runneth over...

I was thoroughly spoiled for Christmas.  Besides being surrounded by loved ones I received movies, music, blanket, book, treats, money, gift card, personalized ornaments, huge turkey, handmade soap and other girlie things, gloves, picture frames, digital frame, kitchen gadgets, a filled stocking and more ;) 

Today we're having a grandma date at Jungle Jim's (along with some of our kids since I can't transport them all much less handle them alone).  After the huge snowstorm, with more to come, I hope we'll be able to make it.  Wish they could all be there.

We start our New Testament study this week.  I'm glad to be able to teach this remarkable book (actually lead the Gospel Doctrine class) and look forward to increasing my testimony of Christ and His disciples as I did with the prophets of the Old Testament while teaching last year.

I am truly blessed.

Back to work Monday

I took a week off for Christmas this year.  It was very nice.  Loved having time to actually clean my house so I got my wish of a (mostly) clean house on Christmas day.  I was also able to enjoy good company, family, friends and angels.  My cup runneth over.

Christmas Eve Party

Grandma and Sheila (Todd had to stay home because he was so sick)

Karyn, Spencer, Sara, Kevin

Jason and Laura

Sharon and Rob

Aubrey, Max and Ken

Krista and Justin

Plenty of food

The boys - Avery, Asher, Adam, Josh, Alex (all A names except Josh - no wonder I get tongue tied and confused).

Krista and Kenlee, Olivia, Emma and others in the back

Nat and Jon

Max and I

Aubrey, Max, Josh, Steve

Noah is hard to catch on camera

Max loved the ball

Grandpa and Josh; Olivia and Jon

Gifts all around - Olivia thanking grandma - what good manners!

Asher and his mom, Aubrey

There were other family members in attendance but they don't want to be in photo here (even if this is a chronicle of our lives).  Those we missed seeing because of distance included Spencer and Karyn's son, Jon's children, Chris, Kiyomi and children, Nicole and, Tim, Amy and son, Davis family.  Of course Todd was missing because of illness.  I think that's it... 

Day after Christmas

Christmas Eve was the Grandma Baker Christmas party.  We had a nice time and it's always nice to see family who we only see at this time of year.  Grandma was recovering from her back surgery and is still in some pain - good and bad days - but at least she was able to be with us this year.  It was very sad when she had to spend Christmas Eve in the hospital once before.  I have spent every Christmas Eve with this family since 1969. 

After a very nice and peaceful Christmas day (with a clean house!) I enjoyed the most amazing Sacrament meeting today.  A former coworker and friend Dr. Dean Belnap and his brother, Hal, (who actually lives in our ward and whom I love dearly) were the speakers.  Dean shared his experience painting a wonderful piece of Christ calling Peter that he did in the 1950s (while serving in Washington DC as a pediatrician to the troops families living near DC, including President Eisenhower's grandchildren).  The picture hangs in our chapel and his story is amazing.  So wonderful to hear about it directly from him.  Then three ward members did a violin duet (husband wife team - John and Sarah Margetts) with Vincent Humphries accompanying on piano - Pachabel's Canon.  It was fantastic!

Later I prepared a Christmas dinner for the family and enjoyed the company of five of my kids and theirs (minus the children who are kept far from us!).  We are praying that next Christmas will bring them home.

Good food, good family.

Christmas Day

Christmas Letter

Dear Friends and Family,
It's been a challenging year for our family but we have seen miracles and God has answered prayers. I have many friends and have felt their love and care. I pray for God's continuing loving kindness, patience, forgiveness and protection over us all.

This year I lost my dad and we missed the family members who are far away, but I rejoice in my children and grandchildren (18). I am blessed to be able to see many of them regularly, but I grieve those who are kept from their family. I also mourn those who have been lost from me in other ways. I don't text or tweet, but I blog, Facebook, and use my cell phone. Please seek me out so we can stay in touch. I have enjoyed reuniting with old friends and finding new ones in this age of technology.

I love living in Bountiful and have a wonderful ward family. I have enjoyed teaching Gospel Doctrine this year and learning more about the Old Testament. I recognize the fulfillment of prophecy in these days. Isaiah saw it clearly.

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and celebrate His birth at this special time. May you have a wonderful Christmas. If you are in Utah, please don't miss Temple Square - it's a unique experience that I have been blessed to enjoy this year. May 2011 be your best year yet and may God be with us all.

With much love,
Debbie

On the 12th Day of Christmas

Peanuts Dance...

On the 11th Day of Christmas

On the 10th Day of Christmas

After the fire (Provo Tabernacle)

On the 9th Day of Christmas...

On the 8th Day of Christmas...

Technology!


And tragedy!
This article on parenting in divorce definitely hit home because of the unwillingness to be flexible enough to afford travel.  Read here.  This section was especially appropriate:

How to Make the Holidays About Your Children; Not About Your Visitation Order:

• Be Flexible:
At no time is it more important to be flexible with a visitation schedule than during the holidays. A visitation schedule may be court ordered but it isn’t written in stone and no judge is going to find fault with two parents willing to work together in an attempt to make their children happy.

If your ex has family in from out of town on your scheduled visitation day be willing to compromise. Your ex’s family is also your children’s family. As a parent it is our duty to go out of our way to assure that our children have a connection with not only our family but our ex’s family. This can only be done if you are willing to sacrifice what you want in favor of what your children need.

Holidays are about love, connecting with family and nurturing our spirits. Rather than focusing on your ex spouse's past behaviors and whether or not you feel he/she deserves time with the children, focus on your children. This is done by taking responsibility for your own discomfort. Being an adult who can deal with a bit of pain if it means your children not having to pay the price for their parent’s divorce.

A little common sense can go a long way.

On the 7th Day of Christmas

Temple Square from the 1960s (Deseret News Archive photos)

On the 6th Day of Christmas...