Friday, December 26, 2008

Reminiscing 2008

This Christmas has been different for our family. We stayed in Houston and were not near family or the cold weather. However, it did snow earlier this month:), and we did have some close friends to celebrate with. This season is always nice because it seems like our hearts can turn to our Savior, and in turn we can serve one another.
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is to see the joy on the faces of friends and family. Another favorite is to hear spiritual talks and testimonies of Jesus Christ. The Christmas music can also bring the spirit. It seemed to be a little more of an emotional holiday for me this year, and I have been spiritually touched several times throughout the last month. Several testimonies and stories have left me pondering this last year, and the events that took place in our family. We truly have been so blessed this year. It is great to know we have been blessed with hope, comfort, and the opportunity to share it with others.

These are some pictures from Christmas morning being posted mainly because our families want to see since we are so far from them. Hope you enjoy.

Summer enjoyed finding that Santa came to visit and ate her cookies and chocolate.

This Quilt I made for Summer and have been busy at it for who knows how long. This was a huge task to take on, and I don't know if I will do it again. It was worth it though. She has been asking for a quilt since I made a little tiny one for Scott when I was pregnant.

Summer loves to dress up, and now she has even more lovely jewelry. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Harvey.
Philip could not wait to eat. I guess his stomach is not as small as you might think:).

Philip checking out his new jeans.


Summer showing me the casserole dishes she gave me and the Lego set she gave her dad.
We had a wonderful turkey dinner with our friends, and then relaxed and called family. I am a bit sad it is all over, but lets face it in Houston our tree is ready to be thrown out. Maybe it was just our care for the tree? I did water it everyday. Who knows.
Since Christmas is over I will wish you all a safe and Happy New Year.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

My Dear Scott

Today marks the 6 month point since we shared our time with Scott. I honestly can't believe that it has been 6 months. I often think of the milestones he would be reaching, and what he would be like. I have to admit that I have been thinking of him quite a bit lately, and a bit more emotional too. Oh well, I can't help it. I try to fight the feelings and emotions as I listen to beautiful talks, and music but it only makes me more emotional. It is good to let the tears roll every now and then.

I was reading my friends blog, and she had posted a beautiful poem she had received. She too lost her son a week before Scott. I would like to post the poem here as well, as I think it brings so much comfort and hope.

It is called "The White Rose"
All the earth's mothers were gathered together at God's garden of flowers. Those beautiful budding spirits, who would someday come to earth, were nurtured and tended in the garden. A loving Father spoke to the mother: "See the works of My hands, someday you will be the mothers to these radiant spirits."

The garden glowed with the mixture of all kinds and colors. "Choose ye," He said. Now in the east corner of the garden pure white roses stood as sentinels. They were not as colorful as the rest, but glowed with a kind of purity which set them apart. One by one the mothers stepped forward. "I want the blue-eyed, brown haired boy, full of life and love who would someday be a prince in a grand country."

The garden buzzed with excitement as the others chose their own special spirits, those whom they would soon welcome into the warmth and love of earthly home.

Once again the loving Father spoke, "But who will take the white roses, the ones in the east corner of the garden? These will return to me in purity and goodness, they will not stay long in your home, for I must bring them back to my Garden for they belong to me, but they will gain bodies as was planned. you will miss them and long for them, but I will personally care for them."

"No, not I," many said in unison. "I could not bear to give one back so soon." "Nor I," said the others, "We will take those who will remain and grow to maturity and live long lives."
The loving Father looked out across the multitude of mothers with a longing in His eyes for someone to step forward. Silence. Then He said, "See the most pure and perfect of all the white ones? I chose Him.

He will go down and be a sacrifice for all mankind. He will be scorned, mocked and crucified. He is mine own. Will not anyone choose like unto Him?"A few mothers stepped forward. "Yes, Lord, I will." Then another, " I as well," "Yes, Lord we will." Soon all the pure white roses were taken and they rejoiced in the choices of the mothers. The Father spoke again, "Oh, how blessed are you who chose the white roses, for your pain will be a heavy cross to bear, but your joy will be exceeding beyond anything you can understand at this time."

The white ones embraced their mothers, and so full was their purity and love that it filled their souls with such endearment. Each mother knew they could endure the task. And the greatest of all the white ones, gathered them as a hen gathers her chicks, and the outpouring of love surrounded each mother and child, consuming all the white ones as He prepared them for their task. And each Mother who bore the weight of the 'White Rose,' would feel the overwhelming love of God, as they all shouted, "Thy will be done."

When imagining how your life is going to be I don't think any mother or father thinks to themselves that they are going to have a child die so soon. Most of us would rather imagine a happy ever after ending with no trials and no difficulty. Realistically none of us will have a life without trials. We have been given the opportunity to choose. Philip and I chose our children and the blessings and hardships that come with each. We will have a happy ever after ending, and I can't wait. It will be so nice to once again hold my son, and just enjoy his presence.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas and Gingerbread Houses

You will never believe what Christmas prayer was answered last night. IT SNOWED IN HOUSON. That's right, it snowed.

It has not really felt like Christmas as much this year because we had no plans for vacationing with family, and no really cold weather, etc. Then yesterday morning it was freezing out. When I got in the car last night to go to the Relief Society Christmas it was snowing. I was in heaven because it made be feel like I was back in Idaho when the first snow hits. Unfortunately I think it is the last snow unless we are lucky enough to get it one more time before Christmas. I will not count on it. The funny thing about it is that the day before it warmed up and was humid enough that we turned our A/C back on. I am just happy that Summer got to see the snow. She kept saying that it was going to be Christmas and then it would snow in Houston. I would tell her that it was not likely to happen as it is too warm in Houston for snow. I guess she was right, and her little prayer was answered.

WARNING: to those of you in snow covered areas this may seem silly that I took pictures of not even an inch of snow, but it is a rare sight in Houston.


We decided to let Summer make a gingerbread house this year. She had a blast and wondered when she could eat the candy.






Isn't it cute. It was fun to make and great family time too.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Santa Claus is Coming To Town

She is practicing.