Swoon

Santa came early.

And I could just kiss him.

If you have had dinner at the Beatty house hold, odds are you ate on white dishes.

I know. I'm obsessed.

But really...white dishes are easy to match. You never have to worry about buying sets of dishes...cause they just all go together.

I can buy platters, pitches, cake stands, etc. And when they are white...no worries.


Of course, with all the white dishes...I have had to stash them in the basement, under the island, and in the garage. They have longed for a home...and I have longed for them to have that home!

But ... I just could not bring myself to pay the outrageous amount of money a china cabinet would cost.

So I have looked, and wished, and looked some more, and really just resigned myself to the fact that it wasn't going to happen.

And then I paid a little visit to this lovely shop ...and I found it. It was a tiny fraction of anything I have ever seen and it was just perfect. Not too big. Not too small. Room enough for my dishes and room enough to grow.

 And I am so excited. And don't my dishes look happy too ?

Thanks Santa.

Fear Itself

Are you afraid of anything?

My list of fears is long and varied.

I have tried hard to overcome many of my fears...but there are many left to conqure.

So now I have a new fear to add -- the stick shift.

Troy got a new car -- which we are all very happy about.

But, unfortunately for me, it's, yes you guessed it, a stick shift.

Getting into that car was beyond nerve wracking.

Driving around town was an exercise in paranoia.

Would I stall out? Oh my word, of course I did.

Would I ruin the engine? Gosh, I hope not.

Would smoke come from under the car as I mangled whatever was under the hood? Um...a little, I think.

So, after running just one of my errands...I drove myself home and decided not the drive the car anymore.

That is until I had to drive to Barnes & Noble night with Josh and Becky.

Oy.

I think heaven was on my side as I drove there and back -- not too many red light, not too many hills, even a good parking space without anyone around.

Of course, all the cars passing me by on the road, and the need to go nice and slow might have made everyone else crazy -- but it got me home.

And as I parked the car -- a few times over -- I vowed never to do that again.

Troy says I need to face my fears. But, I think that this is one fear that can stay on the list.

Maybe tomorrow I can work on spiders.

Trimming the Tree

We've had the tree up for a while...but we finally were all home at the same time to get the ornaments on the tree.

  

We've got the presents wrapped, and under the tree. Of course it's driving the kids crazy...the presents are numbered and the kids don't get to find out what their number is until Christmas morning.

 

And I've got my cards addressed and ready to go...just need stamps. A lot of stamps.

I am so excited to be done with this part of Christmas.

I hope that we will be able to focus on enjoying the season, serving others and remembering the Savior.

Are you doing anything special to enjoy the season? How do you get your kids to focus on something other than the presents under the tree?

Sunday Musings

Today was a good day.

Troy was very sick and could not attend church with us, but everything else about this day was good.

It was so wonderful to go to church and be uplifted and edified by those around me.

I heard things I needed to hear and feel very blessed.

One of the comments made at church today was the awareness of where our blessings come from and how that in and of itself is a blessing. (Thanks Stephany!)

This is so true for me lately.

I have felt the hand of God in my life and I know that He is with me. Even in my trials. In all my hard days, and in all my good ones too.

It's amazing how much easier everything is to deal with when you know that you are not alone.

I am not alone.

You are not alone.

How much more would we appreciate what we have when we are acutely aware of where the blessings are coming from?

How much more would we appreciate even our trials when we are aware that our Father in Heaven knows us and has crafted each experience for our good?

I am especially glad that I am feeling this way during this crazy busy season.

It's so easy to get caught up in the commercialism of this Christmas season, but right now...I am feeling very aware that this season exists to celebrate the birth of my Savior.

For that I am ever grateful.

Keep The Old

We were able to have old friends over for dinner last night. Well, they are not old (except for Roger), we just have known them a really long time.

Charlene and I were roommates at BYU and so at the same stage of life. We went to school together, and even dated and married within days of each other.

And now all these years later, they have moved to Virginia and we were able to see each other again...and the years just melted away.

What a blessing.

It was so fun to laugh and laugh and just enjoy each others company...and to know that some things just endure.

How grateful I am for good friends!

Blessed

Josh was baptized today.

It was a beautiful day.

A wonderful baptism.

I want to remember every moment.

Josh was so excited to be baptized. I was excited for him.

But, more than excitment, I think, was reverence for the good choice he was making today.

Josh is always a good kid, but sometimes his enthusiasm gets in the way of good behavior.

In fact, as Josh was getting dressed today in his white clothing, his dad told him that he needed to put on the jumpsuit.

Well. That was that. Josh spent the next five minutes jumping up and down, cause, what else do you do in a jumpsuit?

But even with all the anticipation of his baptism Josh was aware of what was happening, and I think feeling the spirit. As soon as he and Troy returned from changing, something came over Josh.

He sat so reverently for each of the wonderful talks that were given.

He sang with enthusiasm.

He was especially thirlled to recieve the gift of the holy ghost.

And the spirit was so strong.

I felt such overwhelming love for Josh and for my father in heaven who gave us this sweet spirit to raise.

I felt such love for all the people who were able to come and spend this day with us. We have such good friends.

And everyone who participated today meant something special to Josh.

How blessed we are.

It's Great To Be Eight

Wow.

Eight.

I can't believe Josh is eight.

I am so excited for Josh, not only because it's his birthday, but because he is getting baptized today.

He is the first of our children to get baptized on his actual birthday.

It's pretty cool.

So...you know it's coming.

8 things I love about Josh.

1. He is so full of life. Always excited. If we all lived life like this...well, it would be exhausting.
2. He is very loving. He loves to give hugs and kisses and is always affectionate.
3. He is very smart. He makes connections quickly and is always taking things to the next level.
4. He is very silly. How can I not mention this one? He is a goof. It's true.
5. He is very sensitive. He always tries his best to be good and whenever he gets in trouble it's like your heart might break when he starts to cry. Sweet boy.
6. He is always lucky. When we were at DisneyWorld he got selected several times to go up and help with a show or performance.
7. He is so excited to get baptized. He is very earnest about the Gospel and wants very much to make the right choices. I love that about him.
8.He is a good person.

I am just so glad Josh is in our family!

Even When It Hurts

I did something I have never had to do before yesterday.

I sent Troy to do the shopping.

He had to go buy 2 new pair of shoes for the kids.
Do a costco run.
And do the grocery shopping.

I was a little worried.

Occasionally, he does milk and cereal runs, and he will come home with all kinds of crazy stuff -- especially if he's hungry.

So...with the major shopping to do, I just wasn't sure.

I think it was mostly a success.

You know.

Except for the three phone calls while he was out, the fact that of the two pairs of shoes he came home with -- only one was for the kids, and he pooped out after costco.

Oh yeah, since he was hungry, there were a few extras purchases,

I think he should have eaten before he left the house.

Lesson learned.

 ps. lest he think me totally ungrateful, he has done a great job of being mr. mom. I do appreciate it!

Down But Not Out

So I broke my ankle.

Doing what you ask?

Walking.

I know. It isn't very exciting.

Troy says I am uncoordinated.

I can't disagree.

But I think of this as more of an unfortunate accident than any actual impairment on my part.

I was thinking I could get a lot done during this forced down time, but I can't sit at my computer and Mikayla's laptop does not have any of my photos or software on it, so I have been reading.

Which...is not a bad way to spend my time, but I am feeling slightly less than productive.

I am scheduled to see the orthopedist on Monday, so hopefully things will be better after that.

If you can think of a better story for me to tell people as to how I broke my ankle, I would love your input.

One Last Time

My Josh is a scout.

Oy.

With his baptism fast approaching, Josh was invited to join the cub scouts at church this week.

He had a blast.

I am excited that he is excited. But not excited to do scouts again.

Luckily...for the last time.

Yep....this is me doing my happy dance.

Long Absence

Where have I been?

Why has it been so long since I posted?

I know that you have these and many more burning questions.

And the answer?

We went to the happiest place on earth! Disney World.

And it was wonderful.

Photos soon to come.

Holy Smokes

I did not realize how long it's been since I posted.

Things have been crazy.

In the last month:

1. Troy has taken 4 trips. Chicago, Brussles, London and Paris.

2. Emma and Mikayla have had several track meets. Emma actually did well enough to qualify to run the mile at Regionals!

3. The middle schoolers auditioned for the school play. The play is Beauty and Beast and the kids are super excited! Emma was cast as a shephard. Joe was cast as Chip. And Mikayla was selected to be Head Tech/Stage Manager.

4. Mikayla turned 14. Wow. I feel really badly that she did not get her own post...so look for something on that soon. She is growing up way too fast for my taste.

5. I have sewn five halloween costumes, several pillow case dresses and hope to do a few more in the next few days.

6. I have had sevearl photo shoots. I really love that I can combine my passion and my work into something wonderful.

7. I have been sick for more than two weeks, and now finally feel like I am on the mend.

There is more. Much more. But I know you're asleep already.

So I will vow to do better and see if I can find a way to add a few more hours to my day.

xo

Feeling Grateful

We are on Troy's 4th trip in a month and I just have to say...no matter how well I manage at holding things together while he's gone...it isn't quite as easy the 4th time as it is the 1st time.

But...things are good and I am feeling blessed today.

We had the opportunity to attend a memorial service for a sweet family that lost their unborn baby. They were so brave and amazing and had such a testimony of the plan of salvation and eternal families.

It made me feel very grateful for my own sweet family...and my own angel baby.

Troy spoke at the service and it really lovely. I think it was the first time he had spoken publicly about how he dealt with the loss and how it made him feel.

Troy deals with his emotions so differently than me...sometimes he has a hard time articulting how he feels, wheras, I can't feel better unless I get it out.

I am really proud of him. He managed to get through his talk and even find a little peace in dealing with his feelings.

I was especially impressed with the talk given by the grieving father. His words were so edifying and uplifting. If only we all had such faith in the face of trial.

Joy

I didn't post last week -- life always seems to get a little crazy when Troy is out of town.

But...we finally had the chance to be together tonight, to have dinner as a family, and even a little family home evening/family council.

I know I am not the most sentimental person. Goodness knows I love to talk about all the funny/silly/wierd things that my family does.

But tonight...sitting with my family...praying for my family...I got totally choked up at the thought of how very much I love them and how grateful I am that we are an eternal family.

These are the moments that help me remember what a great blessing it is to be a mother and I cannot begin to express the joy of it.