New Year - New Beginnings...

I know I said this in my last post, but...Happy New Year!!!

I love celebrating the New Year!  It's like opening a brand new book or pulling out a fresh sheet of paper to write on, or starting a new project....it's all about possibilities.  I'm all about possibilities! I look at people, and I see potential and good possibilities! It makes me happy!

For me, the New Year is about choice. It's an opportunity for me to openly and HONESTLY reflect on my life, my character, and my choices from the year before (or from the years before). In that open and HONEST reflection, I try to let go of things I don't like. Things that cause me (or someone else) hurt or discomfort. Things that are preventing me from becoming the daughter of God my Heavenly Father would like me to be. 

Sometimes that HONEST reflection is painful. It's in our human-nature not to like criticism, even self-criticism. But the ability to see ourselves as we truly are, be honest about it, and make it better is - I believe - one of the main reasons we come to this earth. So for me, the New Year provides me an opportunity to become better.

The nice thing is that Heavenly Father does NOT expect us to become better all at once. Thank goodness!!!  Line upon line, here a little, there a little - steady upward progress is what He looks for. 

So it's the New year! Let's evaluate ourselves and see what we can shed. Get rid of things that bring you down and make you sad. Let go of anger, negativity, and sadness. Shed some baggage, shed some pounds! lol It doesn't have to be a HUGE thing, just change one thing, stick with it, and see how much better you feel. 

Do you want to lose weight? Change something about how you eat or drink. Cut out one soda a day and drink water instead - or make it two! You want to feel productive? Learn a new skill, develop a new hobby, or volunteer. Serving others is a great way to feel better!  Are you depressed, anxious, or sad??? Get help!!! Let go of the things in your past that drag you down. Learn from what you've experienced and move on to a lighter, happier you! If you can't do it yourself, find professional help that REALLY helps! 

Embrace the possibilities! Embrace the New Year! Go out there and make a happy, healthy, wonderful life for you! It's your choice! Choose to be happy!  ...and have a wonderful new beginning of a WONDERFUL New Year!  

Love to you all!!!!

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!

Taj-Mahal...

Kevin and I didn't really get a chance to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We were too caught up in helping Amanda and Chris get a start on their own "Happily-Ever-After".  So, last Christmas, Amanda and Chris gave us a gift certificate for the Anniversary Inn. It took us almost a year, but we finally put it to good use this past weekend.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Anniversary Inn, let me explain. It is a hotel or bed and breakfast with "themed" rooms. They range from themes like a 50's diner to European Nights or an Egyptian Pyramid. They have several different locations. Check out their Home Page here: www.anniversaryinn.com We chose to go to the one in Logan, Utah because we've never been to Logan before. Our room's theme was the "Taj-Mahal".

We got to Logan in the morning, and went right to the Logan Temple.  It was a beautiful day.  The Temple is unique and interesting because it's so different from other LDS Temples. 

After we finished at the Temple, we checked into our room at the Anniversary Inn. From the outside, it really didn't look like much...
(I took this photo in the evening)

This is definitely a time when looks can be deceiving. lol

This is the bedroom

This is the view from the bedroom down to the door of our suite

This is the bathtub...you could almost swim laps in this thing...good thing I like water-sports...lol

This is a picture of the original Taj-Mahal that our room was modeled after. 

Once we got checked in and explored our room, we were ready to go out and have fun!

We started our by having lunch at the Center Street Grill. They have great sandwiches...it was a fun place! Check it out, here:  www.centerstreetgrillut.com

After lunch, we drove around and explored Logan for awhile.  It's a college town - home of the Utah State University Aggies www.utahstateaggies.com Fan loyalty was evident all over town with many "Aggie-related" businesses. College-towns are fun and dynamic!

We ended up going to see the new "Mocking-Jay" (Hunger Games) movie. No spoilers here...it was good, though!

Since we were still full from lunch, we went back to enjoy more of our gorgeous hotel-room.  We sat and talked for a couple of hours. That's one of the things I like most about being married to Kevin. We never lack for topics of conversation.  He's wonderful that way - and communication with him is easy. The complimentary Martinelli's was a nice touch, too!

We finally got hungry enough for dinner and went to the Sizzler. The staff was awesome. We had some Visa-gift-cards that proved challenging to process, (it took two cashiers and a manager) but they were persistent and got the cards to go through.  During the time it took to run our cards, we were asked where we were from. We told them and explained that we were celebrating a belated 25th anniversary.  Kev and I didn't give it another thought. However as we were finishing our meal, our server said, "You two don't go anywhere".  Next thing we knew she brought this out! 

This was not a dessert that was on the menu.  They made it special just for us.  She said that the staff got together and wanted to wish us a Happy Anniversary. Needless to say, the tip got doubled. lol

The next morning, this showed up at our door...

Fresh orange juice, hot chocolate, fruit-yogurt-granola parfait, and hot ham and cheese croissants...YUM!!!

The room had a notebook for guests to write about their experiences at the Anniversary Inn.  The entries ranged from couples on their wedding-night to couples celebrating 50 years. The things that were written were great!  The one that got to both of us went something like this:  "The room was OOO-LA-LA!!!  My wife is OOO-LA-LA!  In fact my wife has so much OOO-LA-LA that if you stacked it end to end, it would circle the globe!!"  Now there's a worthy tribute!!!

I wish I could explain how very much we enjoyed our time together this weekend. It was awesome!!! I can only say we'll be doing it again - sooner rather than later!!!  The "Anniversary Inn" has now become a favorite.  We'll definitely be booking suites in other locations in the future.

Thank you, Amanda and Chris!!!  This was a gift that will keep giving and giving as we cherish our memories of this wonderful weekend.

21

21...two little numbers that have taken on a new significance today...  Taken separately, you get 1 and 2... 1 and 2... small numbers in the life of a child.

The 1 seemed to pass SO quickly...barely a blink of the eye and she was on her way to 2. Over night those two little numbers combined into 12. 12!?!?!?!?!? No longer such a child and more a young lady...

But 21??? 21!!! When on earth did that magic number happen??? It went WAAYYY to fast in some ways, but at exactly the right pace in others. 

My first baby celebrates her 21st Birthday, today. When she first came to us, she seemed like such a miracle! Every moment since has just added to that feeling. How grateful I am to a loving Heavenly Father for the gift of our beautiful 21 year-old daughter, Amanda. 

Happy Birthday, Sweet-Mandy!  We love you!