Missionary Christmas

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving, the thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, my decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts and ties, two suits and socks....No fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because....This year I'm giving Christ my son.


I've spent more time in the Temple, my testimony stirred.
I've re-read November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently, my tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because, this year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton.
For two years we will pray for him, We're giving Christ our son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, his choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand this year, I'm giving him my son.

Past gift have lost their glitter, I think I finally understand.
Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, this year I'm giving Christ my son.


I know there's one who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before, Greater love...there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me His only begotten son.


The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done,
My gift has taken years to make...This year....I'm giving Christ my son.


I hope and pray that each one of us will go out today looking for opportunities to do as sthe Savior did, and love as He does. I want to share my testimony with you that I know that the gospel is true and that I know that my Savior lives and loves me. I know that the work that Justin is engaged in, is the Lord's work and that he is blessing the lives of many in Georgia. I say these thing in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

"Blessings of Christmas"

1) Holiday greeting cards and letters so that "no old acquaintance should ever be forgot."

2) A white Christmas and the fun filled chance to make angels in the snow.

3) Holding my 5 month old grandson, Oliver, as I listen to the Christmas devotional.

4) Sharing the magical holiday movies of my youth.  They make us believe miracles can still happen.

5) Classic peppermint candy-cane moments stirring them in hot chocolate, hanging them on the tree and finding a few broken ones to eat.

6) Christmas fashions that never seem to go out of style: little girls in velvet dresses, tinsel headbands, Rudolph antlers, sweaters and more.

7) Family to remember Christmas's past with and build new holiday  memories.

8) Nativity sets and Christmas pageants: They help remind us to keep Christ in Christmas.

9) Special friends who add so much to our lives throughout the year.

10) Visiting the cemetary with all the beautiful lights and remembering my Mom.

And finally, Love.  For without it, this world wouldn't go around.

My wish for you this holiday season is that  you will remember your own Christmas blessings.

Merry Christmas!!

"Sigh"

I am such a slacker when it comes to keeping this blog up to date.  I am doing better keeping Justin's up to date so I guess I really can't complain.  I decided a while ago to send Justin and his companion the "12 Days of Christmas" this year so I made them these Christmas stockings and put their gifts into them.  I think they turned out pretty cute.  They were not too hard to make, considering that I haven't looked a pattern in years.  We are all decorated for the holidays and now if the "elves" would come and wrap all the gifts we went be set.  I am trying very hard to make this season stress free and to remember the true meaning of the season.

September 25, 2011

Go BYU!!

5 generations-all living in Magna

I am once again behind in posting on my blog.  I guess I should not be so hard on myself I am doing better than last year.  It has been a good weekend.  Michael and I were able to go away on Friday evening and just spend some time with each other.  I always thought that it would be easier to have the one on one time when the children were older but we are finding that is not the case and we need to make the time for each other.  On Saturday evening I was able to attend the General Women's Conference with Angie, Monica and Sherri, Monica's mom.  It was  great conference and I found it very uplifting.  One thought that really stood out in my mind was something that President Uchtdorf said about not comparing ourselves, our families to anyone else.  We are who we are and our Heavenly Father loves us and wants only the best for us.  I just love going to conference.  One thing we did this year that we always used to do while Mom was here was go for ice cream.  We invited Kirsten and Tracy to go with us.  It was a lot of fun and I know that my Mom was close last night.  I am not sure if Angie felt her but I did.  On Sunday it was Oliver's blessing.  It was good to have my brothers and sisters all attend and we were able to get a picture taken of all 5 generations.  It was very cool.

Labor Day Weekend

It hard to believe that it is Labor Day weekend. In the mornings you can feel fall in the air.  I keep thinking where did the summer go?  We had such a late start this year and I hate to see it end.  We didn't even get to do any camping this year and Michael and I haven't even had a real vacation yet.  We will be going back East to visit Florida and Michigan this fall but it isn't the same as taking a week long trip and boating, relaxing and camping for that whole week.  We will definitely be doing it next year.  We took the boat out on Saturday with some great friends and had a great time.  Brandon and Tyler even convinced me to get out on the new hot dog that we bought.  I made them promise that they would not dump me off because as we all know I don't like to get my face wet.  It was really fun and I am glad they made me get on it.  The only issue I had was when it was time to get off I had an issue.  The boys says it is because I am just a "retard" and I couldn't get off the hot dog onto the swim deck and I fell off.  Luckily, I didn't get my face wet..LOL!! It was a great time. 

Another lazy day at the lake

We spent another lazy day out on lake yesterday.  It was beautiful. The water was a little choppy to begin with but by noon it was calm.  We bought a new toy for the boat and the kids loved it.  Brandon had a few issues getting on it while it was in the water (see first picture).  He couldn't get on at first and then ended on sitting on it backwards.  It was fun to watch.  As always we missed Justin on outings like this.  I am hoping that we can get the boat out on the lake for a few more times before fall comes.  Tyler is spending the week at Flaming Gorge with Monica and her family.  Michael and I are very jealous....a week of boating and sun. Wish we could be there too.  :( We will be going up on Saturday to spend some time with him. I guess that will have to do. We are looking forward to it.  We did notice one thing on Saturday though...the mountains finally have no snow on them.

Summer to Fall

Why is it that every year about this time, regardless of the length of the summer and this year it has been too short for us, your thinking shifts and instead of enjoying the last few weeks and months of summer being on the boat and in the pool, we are thinking about putting the boat away and getting the pool winterized.  You start thinking if you are Michael and Brandon about the archery hunt, if you are like me it is the holidays, the images of autumn leaves, apple cider, candy corns (my very favorite treat) and cooler temperatures come to mind. I am hoping that this year will be the year that we have an extra long fall.  This year I am not quite ready for the cold temperatures, icy roads, scrapping windows at 5:30 in the morning, shoveling snow and everything that comes with the end of summer.  I think I am just going to put that stuff out of my mind and enjoy the last weeks and hopefully months of summer this year.

Grandparents

Oliver

Michael and I became grandparents on July 21 with the arrival of Oliver Daniel 9 lbs 9 oz and 21 inches long.  He is adorable but I may be a little bais.  I didn't think that I could have that much love for this new little guy but we do.  I only hope that I can be the kind of grandparent that my parents are to my children and that my grandparents were to me.  I have such incredible examples of loving grandparents.  I know that my grandparents would do anything for me in fact my Grandpa Syme traveled all the way to Michigan to move Michael and I back to Utah when it was time.  My mom and dad played chauffer to all three of my boys at one time of the other.  I am grateful for them and hope that I can be as wonderful as they are.

Adjusting....

We are adjusting to life without the boys living at home, well except for Tyler but he is rarely home anyways.  It is quiet when I get home in the afternoon....no fighting, no tattling on each other, no nagging to get homework done, no Justin's talking your ear off, no rushing to get dinner started so we can get the boys to their activities.    I am not forever stepping over matchbox cars, legos or crayons. I sometimes miss the chaos of raising three boys but we are enjoying this new phase in our lives.  It is nice to just be able to make sandwiches some nights and spend time with each other.

Happy 4th of July

As a family we had a great weekend. On Saturday we spent the day on the lake with Jason, April, Dad, Monica (Tyler's girlfriend), Tyler and Michael and I.  I forgot to put sunscreen on so I have been miserable.  I don't ever remember being burned like this.  Ouch!!  On Monday I worked but the boys and Michael re-shingled the front of the house and then we had our annual 4th of July party. We had a houseful but we had fun.  It seems like since Mom has been gone it just isn't the same though.  Maybe next year we will start some new traditions.....Sigh :(

Some insight

We heard from Justin today.  It was really good to hear from him.  I have been waiting anxiously to hear from him.  I know he has only been gone not quite a week. but it gave me a some insight to the way our Heavenly Father must feel as he waits for us to come to him in prayer. He wants to hear from us his children.  It has been different and a little bit of an adjustment for me coming home after work to a quiet house. I am sure that I will get used to it.  Today I took a nap in the hammock and just relaxed.

And He goes.....


It came. The day I dreamed of, hoped and fervently prayed for. You chose to serve. You chose to dedicate two years to God. You chose to go forth and spread the Gospel truth.
I saw the change. I witnessed the spirit working within you. My heart rejoiced and peace stayed for a while.

Then it was time. You entered the MTC. We took you there and goodbyes came all to quickly.Only this time we left you there and my heart cried.
Reflections of a lifetime journey-walking with you.
A thousands memories, pave the path from infancy to this door.
My aching heart knows that things will never ever be quite the same as you grow in faith and hold God's hand. For you will leave as a boy, my son and then come home a man.

Oh how I will miss your face and those tender hugs and smiles.
And so for the next few years I will hold this handerkerchief and let it catch those falling, grateful and lonely tears.

Tears of Joy, Tears of missing you and most of all Tears of love.

-Kathy Carrico Himle

And He goes.......



Summer....finally....maybe!!

Snow still on the mountains and the boat on Utah Lake, it must be summer in Utah. We had the boat out on Utah Lake yesterday for the first time this year. We had a great time. We went with some good friends and had beautiful weather. We were able to get Justin up on the kneeboard and also on the water skis. He tried the wakeboard but was unable to get up on it. I guess it will have to wait for two years. This was probably his first and only trip this year on the boat since he will be leaving in about 10 days to go into the MTC to begin his missionary service. It is going to be a very busy week as we try and finish up the last minute details with Justin.

May Adventures

I really am going to be better about updating my blog. We have had a very fun-filled month of May. It has been busy with us trying to get Justin ready to enter the MTC in June but we still found time to have some fun. We attended the temple with Justin. He was allowed to go a couple of weeks early so that his best friend, Nathan, who is also serving a mission would be able to attend with him. What a great experience! We were also able to travel to St. George over the Memorial Day holiday because my niece, Allysa graduated from high school. What an accomplishment for her. We are very proud of her. It was nice to spend time with family. My brother in law,Chris, took us on a hike that was suppose to be 2.3 miles but ended up being probably 5 or 6 miles. The last part of the hike was through ankle deep sand. It was hot, no shade in sight and we ran out of water. I am convinced he was trying to get rid of us but he failed. It is a hike that we will not soon forget and it will be talked about for years to come. We are now down to just 18 days and Justin will be leaving. I am so excited for him.

March News

So much for my New Year's resolution to keep my blog updated...Oh well, I believe that New Year's resolutions were meant to be broken. We have been really busy around the Phillips household over the last month. Justin received his mission call to serve in the Atlanta Georgia North Mission. He will be leaving on the 22nd of June. Brandon and Kirsten found out that they are having a baby boy in July and Michael and I are just thrilled. Tyler has decided since he will be the only uncle here for the next two years he is going to be sure that he is the favorite. We have started a remodel of the bathroom downstairs and Michael and the boys are working on the boat. It was been a very long winter and some days I see a glimpse of spring. I hope it comes soon.

Finally February...

It is sometimes hard to believe that my Mom, my best friend has been gone a year now. I miss her everyday. Everyday I look in the mirror and I am reminded of her, who she was and how she lived her life. She was such an incredible example to me. I hope that over the course of the last year she would have been proud of me and the way that I have handled things. A friend of mine told me earlier this year that there is no such thing as a coincidences; there are things all the time that remind me of my Mom...smells, music or a thought that comes into my head. I know that my Mom has been close this year, I have felt her presence and I know that she will continue to be near.

With the holidays now behind us we can focus on the new exciting changes headed our way this year. We are all anxiously awaiting Justin's mission call and the arrival of our first grandchild in July. Tyler took this quarter off of school but has only one class left to receive his associate at SLCC. January was a bitter cold month and I was beginning to think it would never end. I am looking forward to the spring and summer and being able to get back out on the boat with friends and family.