Thanksgiving and Birthday

Thanksgiving this year was our family's off year where the kids all go to there in-laws. So as November hit this year I started thinking how different this year was going to be, with Sharise not even going to be here. I was thinking of all kinds of different things that Ron and I could do. Of coarse a Thanksgiving Cruise would be awesome right? Wrong, there would be no family at all. I thought maybe we could go help out at a homeless shelter, which would have been fun. But Thanksgiving is family time in my book. So heading up to SLC was the only option. We have lots of family up there, even though Des and her family ate dinner at the in-laws this year we were still with family. We had a quiet little dinner with Ron' parents and our niece Andrea came a little later. Can I just say how nice the clean up was, didn't take us long at all. But I would give up having the quiet and quick clean up for having all of my kids around and having it a little chaotic with grandkids running all over the place and yelling and screaming. That to me is Thanksgiving. Des and her family came over to Grandma and Grandpa Greats house when they were done at the Ogdens, the kids played some cards with Grandma. And then we headed to Des' house.




Friday is our after Thanksgiving movie day where it has been tradition to go see a new movie out. This year the movie was the Muppet Movie which we enjoyed Ron and I went and picked up my mom, she enjoys going to movies. It was fun keeping the tradition going.

After the movie we needed to drive my moms car on the freeway because she never drives it enough to pass the emission test. So I decided to call my brother in Boston to see if we could take a look at his home in Bountiful, he will be moving there soon. So off to Bountiful it was, took Ron through his home which is Gynormous. Then took mom to lunch at Kneaders, it was very tasty as always. Then on to Sat. which was the day for traveling home.

Sunday we celebrated Chantelle birthday that was on Friday I asked her what dessert she wanted and she said brownies or Oreo Pie. I told her it would be safer if I did brownies because I have not tried Oreo Pie so brownies it was, also wished Chad a happy birthday that was on Sunday. He is part of our TX family. They both had great birthdays. I love my wonderful family. I love the technology today, we can talk with and even see them over skype.



Along with thetechnology have to mention how grateful I am for the wonderful medical advancements that are so available today. So grateful that we are in a time that Desirae can be treated for her cancer and have the medications that will help her get through the effects of the chemo, she has been able to function, don't get me wrong it has not been an easy thing but she has not been throwing up like people I have known in the past has done on chemo. So grateful that her last scan showed that the little buggers are leaving her body. I am so grateful that I am going to be a grandma two more times next year, what a great number 12 grandchildren in the year 2012.
I am excited for Christmas, we will have most of our cute family here but so bummed that Danette and Chad will not be able to be here, with a cute little one joining their family they have to put the money elsewhere, than paying the airlines. Sharise will be coming in on the 21st, excited to see her. As always looking forward to see what the new year brings for us. (besides two new cuties to our family)

Back from TOFW

Friday night and Saturday

Laurel, Jenny, Karen, Desirae, Brittany Me, and Chantelle

I am ready to conquer the world now. Back from TOFW, was so so good, I have been spiritually fed, and have some great suggestion on how to help ME help others and how to help ME. I truly could not say who my favorite speaker was because they all were very edifying. I loved the theme this year, "Choose to Become" in general we could choose to become what ever we wanted to become. It is up to us!
There was great music provided by Hilary Weeks and Jericho Road. Very inspiring in their own way.
Hilary Weeks related her Clicker story I have thought alot about her story and have been trying really hard to incorporate that into my life of thinking uplifting thoughts rather than the alternative. Not perfect at it yet but I continue to try.
Brad Wilcox a couple things that I jotted down from him were, "HIS (Christ) ultimate goal at the end is to be able to see HIMSELF in us. Second thing was that "Gods delays are not His denials" in other words when we are fervently praying for something and the answer is not coming maybe as fast as we would like it to come, it is not that He denies us of answers, just may not be the time yet. Remember He can see our story, we can't.
Sheri Dew "If we want to see the view we have to make the climb, we need to tether ourselves to Jesus Christ.
Stephanie Nielson go here Quick story of her, she and her Husband were in a small plane crash in 2008. Her and her husband survived, the pilot did not. You can read her wonderful story on her blog. She is such and inspiration to me.
Emily Watts was wonderful gave us 5 tips on helping us to be a better daughter, wife, mom which ever hat we wear her tips were great.
Micheal Wilcox said "the secret of becoming is Knowledge."
Wendy Ulrich Wendy added 7 things to Emily's 5 these 7 things were how we can be happy. and last was;
Laurel Christensen she talked about some of her struggles and trials, one thing that she said was "Don't be the one that gets in your way!" She said that "Faith is wanting what God wants for you" She talked about ;
Pray with Faith
Think with Faith
Live with Faith.

TOFW

I am so excited for THIS I am always excited to attend this event each year. It always inspires me to try to be a better person. I love the music, the speakers and the atmosphere in general. We are going to Salt Lake this year, last year we attened the Las Vegas one and the year before the St. George one. I have also been to Logan. One year we hope to be able to attend the one in TX so that we can attend with Danette. (and possible Sharise where ever she ends up)
The music this year will be by Hilary Weeks and Jericho Road, love their music.
Speakers:
Sheri Dew
Brad Wilcox
Emily Watts
Wendy Ulrich
S. Micheal Wilcox
Laruel Christensen
Ann Osborn Poelman

Each year you get a new one of these





This was last years bag...............LOVE IT!

SO EXCITED FOR MY NEW BAG!!!!!!

Sunday thoughts

We just had a wonderful regional conference, learned much about the Priesthood, family's and marriage. What it takes to have a wonderful marriage, it is both people working together as one, over looking each others weaknesses. Also having the Lord at the center of the marriage and including Him in your marriage. Leaving conference feeling very edified.
I am so thankful for a good husband that puts up with my imperfection, all I can promise him is that I am working towards perfection. And who puts up with my tears, he has seen more than his share lately. I am thankful that he goes to work every morning because that way he doesn't really see all the tears shed. Having our oldest beautiful daughter going through this really stinky trial in her life. Sometimes all I feel like I can do is cry. I know that really does not do her any good, but it releases the pain I feel as a mom and then I can go on and do what I need to do. Along with this trial that has entered our family we have also received a few tender mercy's from our Heavenly Father, His way of telling us He knows us He knows what we are going through and feeling and that He loves us.
I feel so blessed as a mom to have such wonderful children, who loves this gospel the way I do. Who teach me more than I feel that I have taught them. Who care for each other even though we don't all live close they stay in contact with each other. Love it
My FAMILY is awesome.
For those of you that might not have Desiraes' blog address go HERE if you would like to read her cancer journey.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!

Thinking of my cute Dad today, as time goes on, birthdays, holidays come and go it seems to get easier not seeing his busy hands and hearing his gruff voice playing with the grandkids and giving them knuckle sandwiches. The wonderful memories are there and that is what I miss is those memory building experiences with him. There are days that are really hard such as today. He loved seeing and teasing the grandkids. This is dad holding little Ellie this is a typical picture of him when the new babies would come to see grandpa and grandma Holt, he would hold them and smile and talk to them. I know that I will see him again one day and that reunion will be so sweet. I am sure that he has those gardens in Heaven looking beautiful. I love you Dad!!!!!

More fun and great news!!!!!!!!

After having the two cute girls spend time with us in Leeds, we took of Monday morning (Oct. 2oth) we made it safe and sound and the girls were excited to see mom. I think mom was as or more excited to see them. She was all alone during the days and wasn't so sure she liked it so much. Emma had written a story and won and was able to read it that night at Murray park where they had the Haunted Woods going on. She did a great job. Then on Wed. night Josh had his first concert. He plays the Cello and plays it very well I might add. He is the Roman Soldier playing the Cello.

Friday the kids were out of school for some reason, so we made some sugar cookies. The kids took 3 plates to some of their neighbors. The rest were for us to eat. Not to many left. :)

Then to Saturday we carved pumpkins, they all had fun creating there own little faces on their pumpkins.

Then we come to Sunday and some more changes taking place in the Ogden home. Meet Bishop Ogden and his wife, my beautiful daughter Desirae. Mark was put in and sustained today as Bishop of their ward. Was a wonderful meeting and there were many tears shed.

Desirae called us on the 9th of Oct and told us that would be taking place on the 30th. What a great birthday present that was for me. I don't know any other way to get through this trial in their life's than to have the mantel of the Bishop in their home and receiving so many blessing from their service. I know that the Lord will bless this sweet family with all they need at this time.

Des does not only have her family, but she has the ward family now that will be and already has been taking care of her.

The ward family is such a blessing to have, our family has been blessed by our ward family at times in our lives when we have needed help. When my Dad past away my moms ward family was there to take care of her. Living in St. George and not able to be there all the time for my mom I was comforted to know that she had her ward family around her to help her. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is such a blessing in my life and my families lives.

A busy fun week.

I started off this week with a quick trip to SLC with Ron to pick up fence materials and of course spend some time with Des.
We hit the jackpot and brought Ellie and Abbie home with us since they were having UEA the end of the week. So we got home quite late Tues. night the girls where very ready to be at our house. We have had a fun week here with girls and the girls have had fun with their cousins.
Went to some Parks ate out a few times. Thurs. night the girls spent the night at Brittany' house. Friday was a fun day at grandma' Raylie spent the day here and Haiven came to play as well while mommy and daddy worked
We played with Haiven then put her down for a nap and while Haiven slept, we frosted cookies.
When Haiven woke up we feed her lunch.
THEN Then Friday night Grandma and Grandpa played at Brittany' house while She and Josh, Dan and Chantelle went to the Temple. Below is a pic of how the night was spent.

Watching Kung Fu Panda 2 and eating popcorn. Grandpa had to make a popcorn run to the Dollar Store, we ran out of popcorn not a good thing when at the movies. :) (he also brought home some licorice, shhhhhh).

Then Saturday morning, up early for the Save a Sister breast cancer 5k run. It was awesome. I don't know why I don't get up early more often. It was very exhilarating and of course it was for a very good cause.
This is a picture of us all bright and cheery before the race.

This is the cute little face that went for a stroll as we ran/walked.I was feeling pretty good, my emotions were all in tack. Then........we hear the announcement that we could go to the table and get labels to write the persons name on that we were running for. So still all was good, we walk up to the table and at that point it was as if the flood gate had busted. I picked up a label and pen and wrote my daughters name on it, at that point I was so thankful I had my sun glasses on. I could hide behind them. Brittany did catch a glimpse. (sorry Brit) It is still so hard for me to believe this is really happening to her. I have been with her, I have seen the changes, but for a mom it is so so very hard to watch your daughter go through something like this. As I have said before I would take it from her at anytime. (I am sure there are days that she would happily turn it over) But I know that this is her trial, as it is strengthing her it is also strengthing our family in many ways. We love you DES!!!

This pic is us just after coming across the finish line.
This is a pic of us and 3 of Brits co-workers that also ran in the race.