Today was Christmas Eve. I got to do some of the Christmas-y activities I love the most. I had a lunch date with my Sweetheart. I baked in my nice BIG kitchen. I hung out with great friends. We put out a yummy Christmas Eve spread for dinner. We ate and ate and ate and ate... Kevin made fudge, Marc made brownies, I made cookies and pies...(hungry, yet?)
While pies and cookies were baking and Christmas carols were playing on the stereo, I slow-danced in the kitchen with Kevin...which sent our kids giggling for the camera (too bad THAT didn't work, or I would have pictures to post).
We read the nativity story and each talked about our favorite parts. Kevin read "T'was the Night Before Christmas". Now we're putting on the Kenny G album "Miracles" and we're going to snuggle by the fire. To me, this has been an almost perfect Christmas Eve.
Ok, Santa...we're ready for you to come!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve...
Merry Christmas...
The Websters
Netty, Kev, Mandy, Jackie, Grandma, and all the little pets!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Welcome...
...to Netty's place...or "Happy Acres"...or (as we affectionately call it this time of year...) "Christmas Central"!!!!
Since time and distance prevent us from having y'all spend Christmas with us... darn-it, anyways... I thought I'd bring our home to you! We tend to go all-out for Christmas, so the entire house gets dressed in its Holiday-best. For example, when you come to our door, this is what you'll see...
Monday, November 30, 2009
A Christmas Story...
A long time ago...11 years, to be exact, I took a trip to Oregon. During that trip, I went shopping with my dear sister-in-law, Debbie. We happened upon a beautiful nativity and I said how much I liked it.
That passing comment led to a Christmas present that in turn, led to a Christmas tradition near and dear to my heart. The short version of the story is that Debbie took note of how much I liked this nativity and bought one piece per paycheck for that entire year; planning on giving it to me and Kev for the following Christmas. Through circumstances we couldn't have imagined, the gift was misplaced and forgotten for FOUR years. When at last it was given, this was the story Debbie wrote up to go with it:
To be honest, I didn't even remember looking at this nativity in the store...so I was pleasantly surprised...
The nice thing is that this particular nativity is designed so you can add pieces to it every year. Jackie likes it as much as I do, so every year, she helps me pick out new characters to add to our nativity.
Each piece comes with its own individual story. As we put up the nativity, Jackie and I tell the story of each piece. It's become a tradition for us and a time when we can create precious memories.
It started as a gift of love...it is that and so much more. To the "sister of my heart" who started it all, I say "Thanks Deb. I love it! ...and I love YOU!"
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thankful...
The Gospel
My home, this beautiful world, music, love, FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY
All the extended family in Ohio, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington...
Friday, November 20, 2009
Operation Beautiful
My sister sent me the link to a really cool site. (Thanks, Caline!!) It's called "Operation Beautiful" at www.operationbeautiful.com . Basically, a teenage girl went around her school posting uplifting messages on sticky-notes all over. The idea has spread and lots of people are getting into the act.
The idea is to inspire people by encouraging them to be their best-self and to see the beauty inside. I LOVE this idea and want to start in our area.
So, here's my first attempt... (I'm borrowing the idea from something I saw on the Operation Beautiful website)
The sky is blue...
The world is beautiful,
...and so are YOU!!!"
Monday, November 16, 2009
Modesty with Style...
So, on our program for Church yesterday, it said:
Youth Speaker .......................... Jacqueline Webster
This was Jackie's first time to speak in Sacrament Meeting, and she wanted help preparing her talk. The Bishop told her to choose a topic from the booklet, "For the Strength of Youth", so she did. I assisted her in preparing the talk, by helping to put her thoughts in order, but the ideas and words are hers. We were very proud of Jackie. Here is what she said:
Dress and Appearance
"I was asked to give a talk on a subject from “For the Strength of Youth”. The Bishop said I could choose a topic that was important to me. So I chose the section on “Dress and Appearance”. This topic is important to me because what you wear and how you take care of yourself, determines people’s first thoughts about you when they first see you. You want them to know who you are and what your standards are by your dress and appearance.
In Alma chapter 1, verse 27 it says: “And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.”
What that says to me is that these people were living the Gospel by taking care of each other like the Lord tells us to; and it showed in their dress and appearance. It didn’t matter to them whether or not they had the most expensive or coolest clothes. What mattered was that they were neat, clean and attractive; which is actually what “comely” means. Some people think that being modest means that you have to be frumpy and just be blah. You can be modest and still have your own style.
Guys and girls both have to watch what they wear, but for different reasons. You are more likely to see a guy with low-baggy pants than a guy wearing a low-cut shirt or tank-top. But low, baggy pants that show your underwear aren’t any more modest than a girl in a low-cut top that shows more than it should.
“For the Strength of Youth” says that you shouldn’t lower your standards for any reason or occasion. That means not for trying to be popular or just because it’s hot outside. When you go to the Temple and wear garments, you are not going to cut the sleeves off or cut them into shorts because it’s hot outside.
I’ve heard people say that wearing make-up is a sign that you spend too much time on your appearance. I think that wearing makeup shows that you’re trying to look your best by bringing out your best features. But “For the Strength of Youth “says to “avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle”. You can wear make-up just not tons of it. Sometimes more isn’t better, it’s just more.
“For the Strength of Youth” also says: “Your body is God’s sacred creation. Respect it as a gift from God, and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show the Lord that you know how precious your body is. You can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.” You can show the Lord you are His disciple by being modest with style and being your best self.
I’d like to bear my testimony that I know the things I've just said are true and that what you look like does determine what people think of you. By making Heavenly Father’s standards your standards in dress and appearance you will draw closer to Him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Just for the record...I have to say I'm especially proud of Jackie, because she lives the standards she spoke about. She practices what she preaches...
Way to go, Jackie!!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thanks for the Memories...
Once upon a time...don't you LOVE stories that start that way? I do!!! They always draw you in and keep you interested. Sometimes there are dragons or damsels in distress or... *eeep, sorry got distracted...* Ok, back to the story...
Once upon a time there were three little boys...well, actually young men, who met in at Westwood High School. They became the best of friends and had many adventures together. Brake-less VW bugs between two speeding semi-trucks for one...ask them about THAT one, sometime. haha
Over the years, they went their separate ways but always maintained a close friendship, in spite of time and distance. One of these young men had a baby-sister whom they graciously allowed to partake of their friendship and adventures. ...And that turned out to be a VERY good thing, but that's not the story I'm telling today.
One day, many years after becoming friends, this group of 3 (plus the little-tag-along-sister) got together and took some pictures, which I will use to demonstrate the fun-nature of their relationship...
Years passed (21 in all) and the Three ('er Four) Musketeers had a mini-reunion. (Which is actually the purpose of this blog, today) We've added some characters to our story...children...better-halves...all the little pets...etc. But the story remains the same.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Wall of Honor
Our local Walmart has a great feature this month. On the wall in front of the photo center, they've set up a "Wall of Honor". It has pictures of Veterans and a place for people to write messages to our troops.
I thought it was a great way to show appreciation, so I donated pictures of my four favorite veterans.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thank you...
Since Veteran's Day is coming up, I thought it would be a great time to express some thanks.
My sister's two sons are currently serving in the military. Trevor is in the Army in the Ohio National Guard. Sean is currently on active duty with the Air Force. Both are carrying on a family tradition set by their father Steven Wozniak, and their Grandfather Don Barbezat (my dad) and HIS brother, Gene Barbezat.
God bless you and keep you in His care.
Monday, November 2, 2009
He-MAN!!!
"No problemo," He replied in his best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice.
"I'm Arnold Schwarza-Kevy!!!"
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Young Women in Excellence...
...and EXCELLENT Young Women...
Each Sunday in our Church, in the Young Women's meeting; the young women stand and recite the "Young Women's Theme":
"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,
we will be prepared to
strengthen home and family,
make and keep sacred covenants,
receive the ordinances of the temple,
and enjoy the blessings of exaltation."
It serves as a reminder to the young women who they are, that they have a loving Heavenly Father, and of what He expects from them.
Tonight, we attended a program for the Young Women in our Ward, including our two beautiful daughters, Jackie and Amanda. This program, called "Young Women In Excellence" spotlights the activities and achievements of the Young Women in our Ward throughout the year. Each Young Woman is encouraged to bring items for display which highlight her goals, achievements, and activities. This is the first year we have had both our girls in the Young Women's program.
The theme for our Stake Young Women's program is taken from the Bible. It is based on 1st Timothy 4:12 and reads:
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
This year, I've watched my girls work on goals and Personal Progress (another Young Women's program); and I've been so pleased and impressed with how much they have learned and grown; and with the positive example they have set. Tonight's activity reminded me of just how blessed Kevin and I are to have these two precious daughters of God as our children. We were both reminded of the gift of this stewardship we share as parents. We have amazing girls, and we are so grateful we get to be a forever family.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Finding Joy in Her Journey...
It seems like yesterday that Kevin and I walked into a conference room in the Salem Offices of LDS Family Services. We had tried to have children for almost six years. This was the answer to many heart-felt and tearful prayers. In the corner of this HUGE conference room was a wooden cradle with a tiny pink bundle snuggled in the middle of it. I told Kevin to pick her up because I was almost afraid to touch her. After so many years of waiting, praying, and hoping; I was afraid I would wake up and find I'd dreamed it all. Kev very carefully and tenderly lifted the corner of that pink blanket and we got our first glimpse of the angel-girl who would change our lives forever. 
My spirit recognized her at once...as if it said: "Oh, THERE you are!!! I've been waiting for you to come!!!". That was 16 years ago. What an amazing journey it's been. She changed us...she made us better. She taught us the meaning of unconditional love. She was a gift from our Heavenly Father. That was why we gave her the middle name "Noelle" as a reminder of another precious gift from our Heavenly Father. Amanda Noelle Webster...our first baby...our angel-girl. 
