Happy New Year!

It's been a wonderful year here at Happy Acres... It has not been without challenges, but those just add flavor to an already full banquet of life.

We started this year with me recovering from shoulder surgery. I am happy to say my shoulder feels better than ever. The water heater, which rolled over and died at the beginning of this year got replaced, we lived without a dishwasher for most of this year, but that was recently replaced as well. Hallelujah - just in time for the huge load of dishes from Thanksgiving! lol

Kev recovered fully from pneumonia. Jackie graduated from High School a full year early! Smart, talented, and driven, that's our girl! We had a MARVELOUS vacation to Oregon as Jackie's graduation gift. What a blast we had spending time with Kevin's brother Steve, and his wife Debbie. LOVE those two SO much!

We had the BEST veggie-garden we've ever had, and a bumper crop of tomatoes. 

I learned to preserve things that I never had tried before. Learning new skills was fun! I had a little health scare during the summer and fall, but am getting better every day. I'm learning to live with it as I improve each day. 

Kevin and I have enjoyed our time together as our kids have grown up and become more independent. We've "run away" together to visit our dear Price-family after they moved to Idaho. Then we "ran away" for a weekend at the Anniversary Inn in Logan, UT. More and more, we're rediscovering how much we love spending time together!

Kevin is discovering a love of carpentry and building shelves all over "Happy Acres". He's having such a good time!  I am discovering new talents and interests as I watch and learn from friends and family who know SO much more than I do! Guess we're never too old to learn new things!

Both our girls are moving on with life. Amanda and Chris are in college and working hard to get through. 

Jackie has been working at a local department store and loves it.She's almost saved enough money to buy her first car. Next year she hopes to start college, too.

In the end, we learned a lot, struggled some, and been blessed beyond measure. We are incredibly grateful for family and friends who enrich our lives and bless our days. We give thanks for a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us and helps us through it all. 

God bless each of us with love, joy, and happiness in the coming New Year! Here's looking forward to good and happy things for all of us!  Happy New Year y'all!

Merry Christmas!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." *Isaiah 9:6

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." *Luke 2:19

Christmas

So often this time of year, we hear the question, "What does Christmas mean to you?". Some people HATE Christmas. Although that completely baffles me, I understand that they have their reasons. Sometimes it's because they see the season as being too commercial. Perhaps they have unhappy memories. Maybe all they can see is what appears to them to be people going a little bit nuts and driving themselves crazy - rushing here and there trying to do ten million things at once and killing themselves trying to do EVERYTHING before Christmas.

I see all those things as well. In fact, I am sad to say; in the past - on occasion, I have even been one of those crazy people. Those were the times when I temporarily lost sight of what Christmas really means to me, and what's truly important about this "most wonderful time of year". Over the last few years I have made a concentrated effort to really focus on why Christmas is so special to me and why I love it so much.

This year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched an advertising campaign entitled "He is the Gift". It emphasizes the first gift of Christmas - the gift our loving Heavenly Father gave us - His Son. The video that accompanies this campaign is truly inspirational.

Elder Jeffery R. Holland said: "Remember that the first Christmas began with a little family – without toys, trees, or tinsel. With a baby – that's how Christmas began” For me, that's what all the decorations and trappings of Christmas remind me of - the gift of my Savior, Jesus Christ. The things we do that bring joy and love to our families and those around us remind me of the joy and love that were expressed on that first Christmas. All these good things - these happy things help me remember that because He was born and fulfilled His divine mission, I get to have those I love with me eternally. That is a gift beyond price, one I for which I will forever be grateful. And all because of that first and most precious gift given so freely and lovingly on that first Christmas so long ago.

May we all share THE gift as we enjoy this wonderful season by holding those we love closer to our hearts, by reaching out to those who might need a loving hand, and being just a little more kind and patient. Merry Christmas with love,

Netty

Post-Thanksgiving...

...and still giving thanks..

The last couple of years I took the "30-days of Thanks" challenge and for each day of the entire month of November found something for which I was grateful.  This year, I decided not to. Not because I'm less grateful, but because I wanted to do something different. I've given being grateful a lot of thought.  Kevin and I have taken time to notice just how blessed we've been over the last year.  Quite frankly, I am a bit overwhelmed with gratitude.

I am grateful for Amanda being willing to come over and help me get the house ready. She always brings such a joyful spirit when she comes over. I love getting to be her Mom and friend. I love the fun, silly relationship she has with her Daddy, and how much his opinion matters to her.

Jackie lends a flavor to our family that is uniquely her own. How grateful I am for this child of mine who allows me to view life through her eyes. I get such a singular perspective from Jackie that I could find no where else. I still say she's going to grow old and become the crazy cat-lady...

I am grateful to finally have a son.  The depth with which he loves my daughter truly endears him to me all the more. Chris is a good man in so many ways!  The fact that he can reach the top our 7 + foot Christmas tree is icing on the cake. lol

Kevin is truly one of the greatest blessings in my life. I don't know what I did to deserve him, but whatever it is...I am glad I did. He's my best friend, confident, and the love of my life.  He "sees" me...that's a gift that is rare and very precious!

I am grateful to have a warm and welcoming home. The kids always told their friends that if they came over more than twice, they were family.  This year we "adopted" Kevin's friend from work, Fraz. Fraz spent all of Thanksgiving day with us and got his first taste of an all-American Thanksgiving celebration.  I am also grateful for traditions that last through the years...like gathering to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

I love getting my house all dressed up for the Holidays. I love the light and cheer these decorations bring to our home. I love the traditions that go along with them, and all the happy memories each one holds.

Finally, I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the gift for which I am truly most grateful. The knowledge I have that He took upon Him my sins and suffering gives me peace and hope. I am grateful for that knowledge and that hope which provide such a strong foundation for my life. Heavenly Father has truly opened the windows of Heaven and poured out blessings upon me and my family beyond our capacity to hold. In added measure, He has opened our hearts and lives and filled them with wonderful family and friends who bless our lives everyday.  Truly, I have much for which to be thankful!