"...that baby in the manger..."

“I think it’s appropriate this time of year to just think 

about that baby in the manger. Don’t be too overwhelmed 

or occupied with what is to come; just think about that little baby. 

Take a quiet, peaceful moment to ponder the beginning of 

His life—the culmination of heavenly prophecy

 but the earthly beginning for Him.” *Elder D. Todd Christofferson

“But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby – that's how Christmas began.” Elder Jeffery R. Holland

For me, it's this simple. Life can become so hectic and fraught at this time of the year. But for me, Christmas is distilled down to the elements of this first Christmas. The baby, His parents, those who heralded His birth and came to worship Him. All the rest is just "stuff" and "stuff" can be set aside if we focus on the essence of this sacred time of year.

So, join me, if you will; and cling to the Spirit of love and peace that were introduced on that first Christmas Eve so long ago. Let's feel the Spirit, embrace the peace, and share the love.

Merry Christmas with all my love and best wishes for a safe and blessed New Year!

Love,

Netty

The many faces of YOU!!!

...Kevin, aka "The Birthday-Boy!!!

In thinking about what to post for Kevin's Birthday, I started collecting photos. As I did, I realized that THIS was my post to honor my sweetheart on his special day. Kevin is many things - smart, funny, talented, honorable, handsome, kind, hard-working, dedicated, faithful, faith-filled, loving, disciplined, and patient.

So without further ado, no fanfare whatsoever, and in no particular order, I give you the many faces of Kevin William Webster - The Birthday-Boy!!!

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart and the love of my life. I hope you know how very loved and appreciated you are!!!  ...and you're SOOO HANDSOME!!!!

Oh Brother...

...Where Art Thou?

Laugh if you will, but that was a legit question being asked last Fall. To make a long story shorter, Kevin's cousin, Christine Mooney, had her DNA tested through Ancestry DNA. The results turned up a male relation on her mother's side of the family. This relation was a half-brother to Kevin, Steve & Mike. His name is David Potts. Kevin's dad and David's mom gave him up for adoption at birth.

David's wife, Jory, had been instrumental in searching out his birth-mother. Christine and Kevin's oldest brother, Mike, made the connection on the Webster side of things.

Once we all made contact, plans were initiated for a get together so the two younger Webster-boys could meet David (Mike already had). Steve, the middle bro...lol said we couldn't call it a reunion because we hadn't met yet. So we called it the:

Labor Day weekend was the date. Happy Acres Cottage - Eagle Mountain was the location. Debbie & Steve came early to help us plan and prepare.

David and Jory brought their daughters, Shelby & Sable as well as Sable's husband, James. What a wonderful family!!!  From the moment they stepped in the door, we felt comfortable with them. It felt as if we had known them forever!

Shelby, Jory, & David

James, Sable & Ozzy

For five wonderful days, we talked, ate yummy food, asked questions, explored the area, ate yummy food, answered questions, played games, ate more yummy food, got acquainted, told family stories, and did I mention the food????? lol One thing the Websters do well is food!

By the time everyone left, we were not strangers or acquaintances - we were family - and it was wonderful!!! In fact, as wonderful as we all hoped it would be, it was a million times better.

Here are a few highlights from our "New-Union"

Visiting Jackie at work...

Ice Cream stop in Heber 

(See? more yummy food)

Cousin-time!!!

(Mandy & Chris had to leave to tend a sick fur-baby
Chelsea, Shane, and Brea couldn't make it and were sorely missed!!!♥♥♥)

Salt Lake City

Beautiful Jory!

Brothers...

Throughout our time together, we laughed about Kevin's dad - the gift that keeps on giving...lol  The thing is, that's exactly what this turned out to be - an unexpected and very precious gift.

So here we are again - just me and Kevin - in our cozy Happy Acres Cottage. It's quiet, but our hearts are full and our lives are changed by the unexpected gift of a wonderful addition to our Whacky-Webster Family!

Turning the page

...and a new chapter begins!

It's been a little bit since I last posted. So much has happened and so much has changed. 

For the last 12 years, we've lived in what we jokingly called "Happy Acres". Our house was big and at one time full of family. Times changed and family moved on. Soon the big-ol' house at Happy Acres was too big and a little too empty. Kevin and I came to the realization that it was too much house for us in many ways. Too big, too much yard, and too expensive.

Not that we're OLD or anything, but we ARE about 10-15 years from retirement. At some point, it would be nice to have paid-off our home. That was NOT going to be possible with the BIG house at Happy Acres; so we made the decision to sell and move to a smaller place.

That decision led to changes for all the inmates at Happy Acres. Marc found and purchased his own little slice of Heaven in a new condo-complex.  Jackie is "technically" living with us, but mostly stays with Jairen and his family.  Kevin and I - after a long search (we've been looking off and on for 5 years), finally found our own new place.  It's certainly not what we expected or even what we were looking for. It wasn't until we quit telling the Lord what WE wanted and expected and listened to what HE was trying to tell us; that we found our place in paradise.  We're calling our new place "The Cottage at Happy Acres".

Our new house has a very cottage-like feel to it. It's much smaller, but bright and airy. It's funny that being so much smaller, it doesn't make us feel hemmed in.  We love our new neighborhood and Ward. We're looking forward to many new adventures as we make this place our own.

It's a little weird being here - just the two of us. It's VERY quiet...lol We haven't lived alone with just each other for almost 26 years. We've either had kids or extended family with us for most of our married life. I'm surprised at how seamless this adjustment has been. We're really having fun making the Cottage at Happy Acres into our home. We're really looking forward to many adventures as we begin this new phase of our lives!

Alan Jackson's song "Remember When" has a line that fits our situation so well!

"Remember when
We said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad

For all the life we've had..."

So, here's to a new home and new experiences with my forever Sweetheart! Let the adventure continue!!! We have so many things to look forward to!  I'll be sure to keep you posted!!! 

*Stay tuned to your local Whacky-Webster's channel*