Truly the most wonderful time of year!!

And I wish I could find some way to make it last all year!

It amazes me how people are so giving, this time of year! I really appreciate it, don't get me wrong, I just wish we could keep it going! But, before I sound ungrateful for the time we do get . . .

For those of you who have absolutely no connection to or any interest in the housing industry, in the Phoenix area, let me inform you that it is in a slump! And, as I work for a window manufacturing company, that has had a HUGE effect on our business! In June of 2006, we had 232 employees, now we have 129 . . . get the picture?

Anyway, there have been continuing lay-offs at my place of employment since July of 2006, and each time we have sadly bid farewell to co-workers. In the first part of November, a co-worker and fellow carpooler (okay, she's a friend, too!) was laid off. She has two children and is a single mom.

So, two weeks ago, on a Monday, another girl in the office said to me, "I feel so badly for her -- I wish I had the money to do something for her!" Well, I responded with "I don't have a lot of extra money to help either, but if you asked around the office, maybe other people would want to help, too!"

So between the two of us, we composed a little "angel tree" poem, and she sent it to everyone in the office. She gave them a due date and time, as to when we needed contributions, and we waited!

A week and a half later, we had $275 cash and MANY gifts contributed to this little family! We bought giftwrap, and stocking stuffers, a $100.00 gift VISA for Mom to pay bills or buy groceries with, and just had fun shopping for them!

Then, when the time came to deliver the gifts, we had this elaborate plan . . . which originally involved Santa, but didn't happen that way! But, I picked her up from work (she started at her new job 2 days before this project was launched!) on the premise that I had some books that I had read, that I wanted to give her. It was good to catch up on how the kids are, etc.

So, we arrived at her home, and I said, "Okay, here's my books, oh, and this for you!" as I handed her the gift VISA. She was very humble and very gracious about this gift -- little did she know that there was MUCH more to come!!

Then, my co-conspirator showed up, and we carried armloads of gifts into the house. She was flabbergasted! And then the tears started . . . tears of joy, gratitude, humility and the true Spirit of Christmas! And not just from her!! My friend from the office, my husband, her and I were all teary-eyed as she thanked us over and over!

Meanwhile her daughter arrived home from school, and her son woke up from his nap. They were so cute, because they were so excited to see us, that they didn't notice all the loot at first!

But WOW!!! I wish I could can that feeling up and save it for later!! It's beautiful . . . and no wonder Jesus Christ gave His life, if giving a few simple gifts can make a person feel so good!

I love this time of year because of that -- The Best Gift that we could never buy or give, of ourselves, but which we can glimpse a little piece of when we share the love!

Another weekend away!

Another weekend away from home -- and I sooooooooooooooooooooo needed it!
My friends (AKA MAS girls!) and I escaped reality for a bit, with a trip to Prescott to visit Lisa! She was so kind to be the hostess with the mostest in her beautiful home . . . even if the cans of Mt Dew were mini!! :)
We had a blast -- with photo shoots and food (VERY delicioso!) and scrap shopping and snowflakes and gifts and laughs! OH, and Chocolate, of course!!

It was such a good time to escape the hustle and bustle that is this holiday time of year, and just relax for a bit! And, even though I didn't get to do a whole lot of scrappin', it was a very much needed time to relax with the girls!

Thanks, ladies! You rawk!!!

A Weekend in California

My niece, Daylyn, daughter of my sister DeNeece, was baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this past weekend, in San Jacinto, CA. Jorge and I, along with Karalee and her 3 kids, and my parents, all made the road trip on Saturday morning.
She looked so beautiful in her white baptismal dress! And Grumpy (the nickname that my nieces and nephews have for their grandfather) kept the tradition alive by baptizing her. He has now baptized 12 of his 17 grandchildren. I think that is a pretty cool tradition!
After many photos and having a great experience at the baptism, we had some great food and company!
It was a good way to start the last month of this year! (Don't even get me started on how freaked out I am about that!!)

Let it Rain, let it rain, let it rain!

Well, here in Southern AZ, that's as close as we get to snow, so we have to be happy with it! I understand EVERYONE up north will be getting the white stuff this weekend, while those of us in the Phoenix area just drive behind idiots who PRETEND they can drive in percipitation!
I don't really understand it -- many people that live here are migrants from other, COLDER states. They, on average, have probably driven in LOTS of snow before!! But, since the weather here is almost always ANYTHING but frightful, they act like they have no need for caution, when driving in the rain.
Water is water, people!! Frozen, partially frozen, warm - whatever form it is in, as it falls from the sky, is STILL water! Therefore, stop trying to pretend that your car is a surfboard!
Okay, I'm done . . . I'm just bitter because my lunch time errands that should've taken 45 minutes MAX, kept me away from the office for an hour and a half, instead!
Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.

Labor of Love

I have a very good friend that I used to have the hardest time picking an appropriate birthday gift for. So, 2 years ago, I decided that hand-made Christmas cards would be a great suggestion. She loves to send cards, and she appreciates hand-made cards the best.

So, this year I decided to make her cards a little more detailed, AND she needed more than she has the last 2 years!

Anyway, due to the vision in my head not matching the tools that I was able to find, to use, the finished product looks a LOT different than the originally proposed design. And, a LOT more time than I had guesstimated.

However, the end result is pleasing . . . tell me if you agree!! (The red is the card and the other patterned paper is just a background for the photo) The reflective item on top of the snowflake is some bling that I couldn't resist adding!

Happy Birthday, Tina -- I hope that you love them!

I'm STILL thankful . . . 5 days later!

I have to explain something about my blogging habits; I don't have the internet at home yet, and so I have to blog when I happen to have a lunch break, at work, or from the computer of a loving friend or family member. So, therefore, with this disclaimer **cough, Maddy, cough, cough!** I need to have a little compassion when it comes to NOT blogging every day or even every 2 days! AND . . . I was away from work for 5 days, for Thanksgiving break, so . . . there you go!

Anyway - I am thankful for many things. Although I don't have fabulous photos for each thing that I am thankful for, like Angie (yes, that IS blog envy you hear in my words!!) I am still thankful!
I am thankful for:
my job AND for days OFF from my job! LOL
Family --the best of friends and the worst of enemies all under one roof! Ha ha
Holidays and traditions
Christmas lights
Getting back up, whenever I fall
The scriptures and the power that they wield
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Friends who are really "family by affection" ( you KNOW who you are!!)
Ice cream
MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!
Christmas . . . okay, anything about it, but especially music!
Knowing that I am loved
Humor
Movies
Children (and someday my OWN children!!)
Learning --even though I seem to learn best "the hard way"!
Friendship
Memories and making them
God's beautiful creation that is this world
Spanish
Word games
Sisters
Talents
Opportunities to grow
I could go on and on . . . I just really needed to remind myself that there are MANY things to be thankful for. And, making this list will help me remember!

Good Intentions

I really have intended to post before now, but . . . I don't have the internet at home, I can't upload my photos from my camera on my own computer, and I actually have to WORK, while at work!

Anyway, enough excuses! Now, I have to tell you about Olivia. She turned 3 on Thursday, November 15th. She is the quite precocious sister of Wyatt . . . (refer to previous posts!)
Anyway, her uncle, on her mother's side, asked her, "Olivia, what does it mean to be 3?"
Olivia's response? "Now I can get married in the temple!"

It's true, everyone has to pass the age of 3 before they can get married in the temple!! Cute girl!