Falling behind... and loving it

There has been too much and I won't be able to capture it all. But I want to jot a word or two before everything that drives me so fast is over and I forget how much fun it was to fall behind.

We are heading back to India! I rather planted my feet and said I couldn't go. I wasn't going to make this wedding and miss Christmas glory. Then one day as I was going along on my way, the Holy Ghost said, "You know you didn't even ask, you just decided." I hadn't asked because I really didn't see that it could work. But I repented and asked, and the answer was that I am supposed to go. The tickets are bought, Katie VOLUNTEERED to take care of my kids (mwa, mwa!), and we will be going in two weeks. That's part of why I'm falling behind.

Something else developed a few weeks ago. We had some unanticipated and absolutely necessary, significant expenses a few weeks back. I was worried about making the family finances work. I said an effectual prayer while we prayed as a couple a few weeks ago. The next day I went to Savers for dollar Monday. I had been trying to buy Dave shoes without luck. That morning, though I went later than usual, and there were plenty of folks out shopping in the section I was in, I picked up three great pair of shoes. I called Dave and asked him to come try them on. They fit beautifully and they were Kenneth Cole and two pair of Dr. Martins in excellent condition. The sum total for all three was $20.00. Then I looked for slacks for Dave. I picked up a brand new pair of Savanes with the original tags, Eddie Bauer cords, Docker slacks, Banana Republic slacks, and a pair of Old Navy jeans, hardly used. Then I found two stacks of our corelle dishes. Moving on, I decided to check for dress shirts for Dave. As I was loading my sixth NICE shirt, a Pierre Cardin, I marveled. I never find that much great stuff on dollar day, mostly for a dollar. The spirit then revealed to me that it was a direct answer to my prayer. I stopped and wept in the isle of Savers. The grand total for the trip was $66. Sometimes manna falls from heaven and sometimes the cruze of oil wasteth not. I saw God's hand dramatically that day.

My Grandma and Grandpa Bramwell came to visit and take pictures for the Bramwells. Grandpa made frames for our family pictures and then took a new round to update us. It was so wonderful to visit with them. I really would love to have them live close. It's hard to see them because they live far enough away that I can't do it in one day, but close enough that I wish I could. They have planted a marvelous crop of family and I would love to see them sit in the midst of the harvest and reap in abundance.

Thanksgiving was a great break for us. We were able to visit with my entire family. I love Thanksgiving because it is a simple abundance holiday. We praise God for the plenty and the variety we enjoy and do it with the people we love most. Plus all our family cooks really well so it was just delightful.

On Black Friday we stayed home and deep-cleaned the main level. Phew! That was a lot of work. But the house feels happy and I have the hope of maintaining it through the week for our company party Friday. --- Did you hear that a Wal-Mart worker was trampled to death at the door opening on Black Friday? Well gee, I hope everyone enjoys their ultra cheep TV's and vacuums.

So this week was not a good week to know that we are going to India with the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. I remember just how conspicuous I felt in April when we were out touring. And I remember the pain of Sept 11. Somehow though, we still feel like we're supposed to go. Until we have information or revelation that changes that, we're going.

Lastly, we just came home from a delightful advent with Whitmers. Erika is such a dear friend. I miss her now that we're in two different towns and both so busy we could lose our heads for three days before we realized it. She served us raclette and chocolate fondue. I'm sure I over did it, but it takes longer to eat raclette so you don't feel stuffed. As we sang/performed our Chirstmas songs, Cambry and Riley played a song out of their band books. I was so impressed with my kids. They are amazing to watch grow up. Love them!

I've had days in this stress lately that I've felt the labor was too much, that I wanted easier solutions to my problems. But how can I complain when my every need is met and I live life with some of the most remarkable people the earth has ever seen? I must focus more on the things I have to be grateful for, the beautiful ways God meets my needs and helps me see the path to take for relief. I have never been left alone, even at the times I didn't recognize the support. I am grateful.

Halloween -- Trick or Treat!

I was pretty sure I hated Halloween earlier this week. I can hardly sneak a shower in the day is so hectic. But by the time the kids were dressed-up, the class party finished, the pumpkins carved, the healthy dinner eaten, and the cute trick-or-treaters launched; I was ready to forgive my children for loving Halloween. They do have such fun. Now it's just a day or two until the sugar detox is complete.
Who is whose? Riley top back. Paker bought an extra and carved the two on the outiside middle row. Aleah's center middle and she pinned her fairy wings on it for a while. Elise is the toothy one left bottom and Cambry the bottom right.
There's one extra here, the frog is my niece, Emily. She is the daughter of Dave's sister Becca who was an indescribable wonder when it came to costumes. She made the fairy dress Aleah is wearing, the frog, and the fun dress Cambry is wearing that has an accessory cloak and clutch. We especially miss her at Halloween.

See, Riley isn't so dimented as his creation may make you wonder.

The joy of having a creative 12 year old boy! The joy of childhood. OK, I don't hate Halloween afterall.

Cambry's Choir concert October 7, 2008

Here is the video of Cambry's portion of the fall vocal concert. She is on the top row, second from the left.

Beauty all around

Can you believe what stunning beauty surrounds us? October brought winter to the mountains around us... and today it looks like to us as well. But it is so pretty!

Hope in the future

Canning season is sooooo busy and exausting. But it is also so satisfying! When I look at my shelves filling up with beautiful produce, mostly from our own plot, I have such hope in the furture. It whispers peace like come what may, things will be well for us for another nine months.

Here are some quotes I heard from our prophets while I was canning our garden tomatoes:

"We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees--plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard." Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985)

"The best place to have some food set aside is within our homes, together with a little money in savings. The best welfare program is our own welfare program." Gordon B. Hinckley (1919-2008)


Here we have tomatoes, some yellow, grape juice, and pear sauce.

DaVinci exhibit

We loved this exhibit! I marvel at all the genious in one mind. Can you read the quote? "Where there is shouting, there is no true knowledge." This was significant because we had to leave Parker in someone else's care while we went to the exhibit for his severe fit that afternoon.

There was another quote that felt pertinent to the evening: "Every obstacle yields to stern resolve." This gave us hope!
This was a tool to be used in flight, an altimeter.
This was to measure wind speed. We were able to blow it up to the fourth notch.

"There shall be flight! If the accomplishment be not for me, 'tis for some other."

One Aleah is cute, two adorable, but three -- irresistible.

On the way out to the car, the night had settled in and the stars were out. We told Aleah, "Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight" and told her to make a wish. She promptly blew a few quick breaths and said, "I can't blow it out (like the star was a birthday candle) it's too higher. Daddy, you do it?" What a delightful evening.

Blackpowder deer hunt

Dave and Riley were able to enjoy a perfect hunt according to Dad Bramwell who orchestrated it. They went to Perry Resevoir and Willard Peak via Mantua. Dad's version of the weekend is this, "We had a fabulous time, the weather was fine, the scenery remarkable, we got into the deer, set up a shot... and didn't have to clean a deer." Riley's cousin Cameron was able to go out Friday. Look at these pictures!