Goodbye 2011.....

Looking back over the past year I can't believe that it is over. It went by way to fast and I'm not sure what I really accomplished - but I did survive.

The year started with Mom having a very bad New Year's day. I knew she was sick, but didn't realize how sick. That was the day she said that she was "afraid" and that she didn't think she had enough faith or a strong enough testimony! She fought to the bitter end, she tried to keep a positive attitude, she said she was going to walk more when the weather got better. What an example to me! I miss her more than ever! There have been so many times when I wanted to call her - have her listen to me talk - never judging and always thanking me for the call or visit. She was the best Mom (and Grandma) ever!

Because of losing Mom, I have spent more time with my Dad. He is a great man. He is kind. He is patient. He lets me balance his check book. He loved his wife more than I ever really understood. He misses her every day and tries to keep doing the things she would have wanted him to do! He has renewed old friendships and has realized how blessed he is to have his family's support!

The year was busy with just trying to keep up with life. Evan's parents have struggled throughout the year and he has tried to help them as much as he can. He has spent countless hours on the road to and from Lyman...coming home many times in the middle of the night and then going to work the next day! He is a great son and has sacrificed much to try and be there for them.

We were able to take a few trips - Las Vegas in February - Disneyland in June - Monticello/Moab in July. We spent summer nights at the Cottonwood Complex watching Parker- Fall nights at high school football games watching Willie (playing) and Preston (coaching) - going to Utah Football games and enjoying the first season in the Pac 12.

In July, I had some eye problems - tears in my retina - which required intense laser and freezing treatments to try and heal them before the retina became totally detached. This has left me with continual "flashes of light" and "floaters". My eye sight is not the best...at some point I am supposed to be rid of the flashes - but the floaters probably won't go away without surgery.

A new employment opportunity came my way in September.....I went through the interview process...spent time at the new employer's office...gave my notice to Prince Yeates....but in the end decided to stay where I was. I feel I made the right decision...I hope I made the right decision!

I am so blessed to have a good husband who loves and supports me. Great children...who have goals, who keep the commandments, and who are good examples to others!

I'm not sure what 2012 will bring. I hope it will be a great year! I hope my family will be happy and healthy!

Christmas 2011

This year Christmas was good but different - the first Christmas without Mom. She loved Christmas! It was her holiday. She loved giving to others! She loved spending time with her family! Every year I know I would tell her - Mom you do too much! Last year I remember thinking that she needed to scale back, but I knew how happy it made her and didn't ever tell her that she needed to.

It's crazy that you don't know what will happen during the next day, let alone the next year. I knew Mom's time was short. I knew how sick she was and how crappy she felt. But she just kept doing and did it until the very end!


Last Christmas was crazy - just like every other Christmas. This Christmas was also crazy - but I found myself more thoughful - more emotional - missing my Mom even more than ever!


Dad wanted to try and do many of the same things as Mom had done during Christmas. It was important to him and he started thinking about it in October. He still did socks, he still did the Sam's supplies. we had Christmas Eve dinner and a feast on Sunday! He wanted the young grandkids and great grandkids to have presents! He gave to the neighbors and Jerry Crawford.

Mom's love of Christmas continued this year. It was different without her being here - but I don't think any of us went through the day without thinking about her!

I Swore at the Christmas Tree!

Ahhh....that most anticipated day of the year....the day we put the Christmas tree up! Saturday, December 3, 2011.......

Step 1: Deciding where to put it. Should we put it in the same place as last year ---wait where was it last year...each of us has a different memory.

Step 2: Cutting the trunk and putting in the Christmas Tree stand. Where is the stand...did we get a new stand last year...where should I cut it....oh no I cut off the best part of the bottom.

Step 3: Taking it in the house. Would someone please hold the door open? Is the plastic garbage sack down on the carpet?

Step 4: Putting the lights on.....leave Cindy alone to do this....she LOVES to put the lights on (NOT!!!)

Step 5: Hanging the ornaments. I actually like my ornaments - red and gold - they were new many years ago - but I still think they are new.

Step 6: Strategically placing the imitation red and gold berries on the branches that are missing or seem a little bare.

Step 5: Finally weaving the red berry garland...bought new this year because I thought the previous garland was loosing too many berries. News flash, the new berry garland is just like the old.

Step 6: Cindy falling off the ladder.....grasping the red berry garland, trying not to pull the tree over...falling in slow motion and Parker looking up from his Itouch not knowing what to do!!!!!

Step 7: Parker standing over Cindy with his concerned 15 year old face "Are you all right?"

Step 8: Cindy carefully getting up....I SWORE AT THE STUPID "blankity-blank" TREE. I HATE this "blankity-blank" tree.... all while trying to fix the lights, the garland, the ornaments that became displaced during the fall!

At the end of the day, everything turned out okay! The tree is decorated, the house is decorated (almost), most of the boxes are put away and now we can enjoy the rest of December!!