We are Wealthy in what is Important

After a long weekend, Whit is on the mend.  Friday she had emergency gall bladder surgery.  Saturday there were post surgery complications.  Watching a child in such intense pain is very difficult.  Add on the worry of her pregnancy, makes it twice as hard.  What was lovely to watch was the outpouring of love.  Whitney's sweet husband, Jason, never left her side.  Whitney also has a huge support group which includes aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  Her brothers and sisters love and rally around with prayers, visits and good wishes.  Her seven little nephews want their Aunt Whitney to be well again.  They love her so much.  Whitney has a special relationship with her sister/twin/cousin, Marta.  Marta was at the hospital to make Whitney feel well with her loves, hugs and funny stories.  Jim and I are  grateful for a close family who are always there for one another.  We are so grateful for Whitney's recovery, and continue to be happy for children and other family member's generosity and love.  It doesn't matter what is going on in this world, family and friends are what is most important.  We have an abundance of both, and so as we go into this new year consider ourselves very wealthy in what is most dear to us.  Happy New Year.

My beautful daughter

I have an ache in my heart today. My youngest daughter is in the hospital. It is hard not to worry as she is pregnant with her first baby. She is so excited for this little one. We are hoping the doctors can find out what is wrong with her. Prayers and love sent her way are welcome.

Aspirations

I consider myself a happy woman.  I have a loving husband, a beautiful home, children and grandchildren that I love dearly.  I have friends that are dear. 

As I go over my life each year at this time I make resolutions, but I usually don't follow through. 
The get in shape, loose the weight thing happens once in awhile, but I'm not as diligent as I
 should be.  I think this year I won't call the things I want to happen resolutions or goals. 
 I will call them aspirations or dreams that I will turn into reality.  I need to get out of
my "pajamas" quit waiting by the mailbox, open the door and get on my bike and go somewhere. 
 It's not that I don't do anything, I'm busy from six in the morning until I drop in bed at ten
 or eleven.  But I seem to not get in some of the things I want to accomplish. 

Simple things like getting a bit more organized.  Trying a new cleaning method. 
 I have really wanted to learn how to make a skirt. And I'd like to give a few more parties. 
 I have some personal goals, oh I mean aspirations, that I keep putting off. 
I think it is time to organize myself, so I can make these dreams a reality.

I need to be a little surprised by life, to hug a little more, to enjoy my friends and have fun
 with them more.  I need to lay out under the stars and hear the sounds of summer nights. 
 I need to laugh and sing with my little ones even more.  They are small for such a short time. 
These are my dreams for the New Year. 

 I'm excited to put things into motion!

The Best Christmas Gifts

Another Christmas is over, only to be captured in our memories. I hope it will be a good one

I hope my children and grandchildren will remember Christmas as a happy time.

I always have.

As I remember Christmas's past, I always have a warm feeling. It was always a time for family and friends. My mom and dad worked together, decorating our home giving it a magical feel.

Upstairs was always quite elegant. Everything beautiful, glittery and perfect.

Downstairs it was bright and cheery, red and green. Where ever you were it felt like Christmas.

Dad always spoiled mom with beautiful knit suits, usually in red or orange. He loved her in bright colors.  Or a new set of luggage. But the thing that was the best about Christmas wasn't the gifts that dad bought for mom or us kids. It was the feeling of love. I felt it everywhere.

I felt it in the way my dad adored my mom. I felt it in the way my parents took care of their neighbors.

I felt it in the way my mom and dad loved and respected their parents. They were so much apart of our lives and I am so grateful for that. I had such a strong bond with both sets of grandparents because of that closeness.  I have always appreciated the way my dad bought his daughters special gifts, just from him.  Lovely perfume or jewelry that he picked out. What a treasure to recieve from your father.

He gave me more than perfume and jewelry.  He gave me a sense of who I was. He taught me how to look at life in a positive way. He taught me how to work and enjoy life. He taught me how to laugh.

 My mom created a home where love, security and fun were always in great abundance. There was music, love and laughter.  Not just at Christmas but all year long. These were the gifts my parents gave to me.  I am forever grateful.

Christmas Day

This beautiful day started when we were awakened by the phone.

The Eastern gang were up and had all ready opened their presents,

so it was fun to hear their excited voices.

 Next the Christmas lights started twinkling.

We knew that soon we would hear little children.

Children's voices are the best sounds of Christmas.

Dylan and his mom and dad were the first to arrive.

 Dylan all snuggled in his warm green winter coat.

Soon Jason and Whitney arrived,

Nick came up from the basement and finally Jake and Sam with parents.

All were ready for Christmas to start once again.

Nothing better than seeing these excited little faces as they open presents, play and eat Grampa's omelets.

 A beautiful morning.

Then off to church where we always enjoy the choir at its best.

Lovely.

Later we visited Abby and Mike's home to see the kids speed around their yard in their dune buggy. (Jake can even go in reverse).

 Watch them play with toys Santa brought and have a delicious meal.

 Abby is always prepared to host the never ending party that ends up in her home.

Being together, sharing love, having fun, giving, family and friends makes this a wonderful time of year.

It certainly has been a Merry Christmas.

Happy Birthday!

Have you ever seen such a good looking young man?

His father comes close.

My handsome first grandson,

leader of the grandson all boys club

turned fifteen on December 20th.

Can't believe it!

Seems like yesterday that we got the call.

James and Becky were living in Pennsylvania at the time, so we didn't

meet Taylor until he was about six weeks old.

I feel instantly in love.

Taylor moved back to Salt Lake, then to Mexico, back to SLC

and finally settled in his original home of PA, where he

flourishes in school and baseball and whatever else he

puts his mind to.

He's the best leader and example all the other boys in gang

could ask for.

Have a great year.

Love,

Grama Polly

Christmas Fun

The week started with a visit to Aunt Marie. Heidi brought her box full of nativity costumes.

She dressed all the dear children and they walked into Marie's room singing "Silent Night."

 Of course, they were like little angels.  They acted out the Nativity with Jake as Joseph and Chelsea as Mary, Lucy, Liza and Jill were lovely angels. Benji was fabulous as the wiseman.

Marie was delighted.

The next day I got sick  (it wouldn't be Christmas without me in bed). My lovely neighbors

 (who look as if they coordinated their outfits)  stopped by for visits and good cheer.

They always make me feel happy and are so dear to me.

Moving on to the annual Christmas Eve party  (moved to the day before Christmas Eve)

Everyone was there. The food was great, the company better. The cousins always love getting together to play games and have fun.  So happy the cousins stay close and like being with each other.

And finally, Jim...looking a bit tired. But who wouldn't? With me being sick, he cleaned,

 shopped, delivered, visit taught my ladies, pulled the party together, cleaned up after the party,

 worked (at his job),  all with a smile. Thank you for all you have done to make this Christmas so lovely. I'd give you a big hug,  but you're over cleaning the church!

What a guy!

Whitney's Christmas Gift

Christmas always comes with special gifts.

I will always remember our first Christmas tree in our little trailor in Logan.

I love the gift of children at Christmas.

Especially when we had our own.

 So much fun when Jamey and Tyler were old enough to get what Christmas was about and be excited! Abby's first dance recital,

the first snow.

Our first grandchild's first Christmas.

So much fun,

 so many memories.

This Christmas we have been given another special gift!

 Our baby is going to have a baby!

How exciting to be able to look forward to another little one.

We are so excited for Whitney and Jason.

So, thanks for the best gift ever!

A little Flag day baby getting ready to join our gang!

Merry Christmas.

Families and Christmas

What a lovely week.

There is nothing like seeing those you love.

 This week I've seen many of those that I hold near and dear.

We started the week having dinner with Jim's sisters and and husbands,

 staying up way too late visiting, laughing and catching up.

We don't get together enough.

This is the group that visits Mexico, thanks to Tam and Kevin,

so it's nice to hear about the people down there that we have come to know and love.

Next I got to go and see my first Christmas program in years.

 Since the older grandchildren moved away, it's been a long time.

We got to visit Jake's school and see him perform.

Then he and Sam visited with Santa (although Sam didn't seem all that thrilled).

Moving along,

 last night was our first annual cousins Christmas party,

hosted by Marta.

A tradition I hope we will continue forever.

We ate and laughed and stayed up into the wee hours of the morning,

but well worth the lack of sleep when surrounded by these fun girls.

The power went out halfway through the evening,

 so we wrapped up in quilts and opened presents and reminisced by candlelight.

 I almost felt young again!

 The best Christmas's are when the hustle and bustle stops

 (I have to stop it)

 and enjoy the blessing of friends and family.

 Actually the best time of any season is stopping and enjoying the moment,

 those we love,

 and remembering all that is given.

I plan on being Merry this Christmas,

 hope you have a merry merry too!

I Was Outsourced

Recently we switched our internet to a higher speed.  

In the past I have spent time with tech people on the phone who live in faraway countries.  

I have nothing against these people.  

They are usually hard working people trying to help.  

The problem I have is the companies that hire them.

  Last night Jim and I were on the phone for about an hour trying to get his laptop set up to the wireless internet.  

The lady helping us was nice,

 but we both had such a hard time understanding her,

 plus there was a delay going on, because as we found out she was in the Philippians. 

 In the past if I couldn't understand someone,

 I politely requested someone else. 

 I feel it is my right as a paying customer 

to be able to have an easy conversation when having difficulties with a TV, 

computer of whatever I am trying to fix.  

Last night we got too far into the situation. 

 I kept wondering why we were having difficulties with the phone connection when we were talking to someone working for the phone company (centurylink). -

Again, not her fault. 

 In the future when I call to get help,

 I will upfront ask for someone who resides in the US, who can speak English clearly. 

 I ask all five of my followers to do the same. 

 I am sure we will change the world.

Merry Christmas