A Christmas Anniversary

This week Daniel & I celebrate our 36th wedding anniversary. We are happier than we have ever been. Daniel has made all my dreams come true and he says I'm perfect for him. We have six amazingly talented and awesome children. They are married to wonderful people and have given us 12 of the most beautiful grandchildren on the face of the earth.

We had our family over for dinner yesterday. We have a tradition where each family performs a song, poem, reading or something to share with the rest of the family. We begin by performing the Nativity Story from Luke 2. Each took a part to read and the grandchildren played the part of the angels heavenly host. We then start with the oldest and continue on to the youngest. We missed having our eldest son, Aaron, and his family with us. The songs and poems were precious. We lacked the time to hear a lovely solo from Faith, and James who had prepared to read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". We then exchanged gifts and love. How wonderful it is to have your family around us for Christmas.

Next week we gather together with our parents, brothers and sisters for dinner, a program and gift exchange. We love getting together and expressing our love and appreciation for one another. We are so blessed to be a part of such loving and devoted families as the Shoemakers, Palmers, Squires and Rays. We feel grateful to have such a rich family heritage.

It's wonderful having family. I'm so thankful for them.

After Thanksgiving, Daniel and I drove the trailer up to Payson and camped out at Houston Mesa. Faith and Jared, Eric & Maegan and Alan Hall and his fiance, Jennifer Alvis, came along for the ride and camp out. We had tons of fun.

We stayed till Sunday afternoon but on Saturday, Daniel and I drove back to Mesa for our granddaugter, Brianna Shoemaker's baptism. Daniel was a witness. Brianna was lovely and she and her sisters, Kate & Kali, sang "I love to look for rainbows". I am so pleased that our son is worthy to hold the priesthood and baptize his daughter. It was a sweet experience. We picked up my mother, Kathleen Palmer, and brought her with us. Brianna gave her a hug and mom told her that when she was 8 there were only 4 wards in Mesa and she was baptized in the font at the Mesa Temple. How about that?

I very grateful that I have to make 4 new Christmas stockings this year. One December, many years ago, I was watching a sewing program on TV. They were demonstrating how to make quilted stockings for Christmas. I thought "I can do that." So I did. I quilted a stocking for all six of my children and Daniel and I. When someone got married or had a baby, I quilted the new family member a stocking. This year I get to make 4 more. We've added Jared, Ruth, Brigham and Maegan. Though we don't officially get Maegan until Dec. 29, I've made her stocking already because I have 4 holders that spell NOEL and there are only 3 of us left at home: Daniel, Eric and I.

We will be empty-nesters come Dec. 30, 2009. We love having them come back to visit. We used to have a Friday Pizza/Movie Night when our older sons were newlyweds. We have decided to bring back that event so every Friday night our younger newlyweds and couples can come and visit, eat pizza and watch a good movie or play cards or games and have fun.

This is the season of LOVE, JOY, and PEACE. May each of you feel that Spirit and keep it in your hearts and homes all year round.

Welcome to the winter holidays.

Happening in December:

Sat. Dec. 5 "Joey & The Fir Tree" 6 pm Starring our daughter Danette

Desert Springs Bible Church 16215 N. Tatum Blvd. Admission: Free!

Thu. Dec. 10 "EastValley Choral Org." @ Mesa Art Center

Sun. Dec. 13 - Our Family Dinner Gift Exchange 6:30 pm

Mon. Dec. 14 - Burke Basic Strings Concert 7 pm

Tues. Dec. 15 - Burke Basic Guitar Concert 7 pm

Thu. Dec. 17 - Lana graduates from ASU with a Masters in Ed.

Sat. Dec. 19 - Our 36th Anniversary

Faith took me to see the midnight showing of "New Moon" for my birthday. Thanks, Faith. Danette got to come too. The most fun we had was the hours waiting in line. We got to talk and visit and read and play. We had food from Rubio's that was yummy. What a great time. Thanks Faith, I love you.

Thanksgiving to God for all I have

I'm so thankful for my family: for my beloved parents. I have grown to appreciate all they did for me. Though my father has been gone for more than 31 years his teachings and example still influence me today. I think of him often, and miss him very much. I wish my children could have known him.

My dear mother is still living. She is amazing and attends most of the activities of her grandchildren. I don't know how she does it, but she keeps on going. My brothers and sister (and spouses) are dear to me and I'm so thankful for each of them. They are good people, kind and loving. Lana is my best friend of all and I'm so happy for her. She graduates from ASU with a master's in education Dec. 17. Way to go Lana.

I'm so thankful for my children (and spouses)and their children. We have 12 grandchildren and each one is so very unique and wonderful and dear to us. I love visiting with them, hearing them read to me, or watching them at play.

It is very different having a daughter having a baby rather than a daughter-in-law. Danette is 6 months along and she has been so kind to keep me involved in her progress. She invited me to her first sonogram, she comes over and visits often and brings me up to date on her pregnancy. She looks so darling and we are all excited for March 2010.

I'm thankful for the lessons the Lord has taught me through dealing with issues and troubles. It seems the harder the problem, the greater the lesson. I have developed a philosophy about dealing with problems.

I say: "It's not the problems you have to deal with,

it's how you deal with the problems you have."

So, I have learned patience, compassion, humility and love, as well as a greater appreciation for those qualities in others. I am thankful for life's many lessons and very grateful that God seems to trust in me, that I can bare whatever burdens or experiences He calls on me to go through. I've heard it said, "God never gives us more than we can handle." I've also heard it added that "I just wish God didn't trust me so much."

God bless each of you, my dear family and friends with love, patience and endurance.

I'm so glad to be a mom. We have lots of birthdays at this time of year: my brother, 3 sister-in-laws, 6 grandchildren, 2 children, a daughter-in-law and my twin sister and I as well as the celebration of Thanksgiving and the birthday of our Lord, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful time of year.

Lila

Faith helped me post this blog. How did she do?

I helped her frost turkey-shaped sugar cookies.

I love Thanksgiving. I'm so thankful for my family.

Happy Birthday Brianna, Taylor and Aaron.

You've got to see "Fools"by Neil Simon starring Danette. Funny!

Check it out: Paradise Valley Community College.