More Random Old Pictures...

Even as a tiny baby James was trying to fly!!!  Look at the way he kicks that ball!

And those Bagley beauties!

Marty, the rightful owner is wearing the outfit!

What a cute group!
 

A Walk down Memory Lane

Just a few pictures I found today.  Thought it would be fun to post them.
Grama Adelila, June, and Marie holding Jamey and Tyler.
They were standing outside mom's home. 
I remember it was a Sunday in the summer.

Found this old picture of Whitney (upper right)  thought her little Wren looks quite a bit like her!

Some old pictures of Taylor and Jack,  looking quite a bit like another pair of brother's I know!

Tyler spent sometime with the gang back east.  The boys played basketball with him.
They told me that Tyler probably had quite a few moves "back in the day."
Found these to show him in action!

Love seeing our own as the little ones!
Everybody together for Thanksgiving.

I wonder who Abby is dancing with?

Who would have ever thought this group would be having fun at Disneyland and just a few years
would be all grown up!

Now they're taking their own kids to Disneyland!
(who are those GQ guys in upper right corner?)
More pictures and memories to come.

My Gratitude Journal

I have always tried to be positive, to show gratitude for all that I have.  It is something that is a part of who I am.  This past month I have been slipping a bit and need to recommit myself.  There are many things in my life that I cannot personally control.  I can try to remain healthy, but when illness hits, there is nothing to do but ride it out.  When some kind of adversity hits that is beyond my control,  I must also do the same.  When I feel down, there is nowhere to go but up.  When I feel hurt, it is up to me to get rid of those hurt feelings and think of someone else, someone who is in worse circumstances, then go and do something for them.  My feelings and the way I look at things are truly the only things I can control.  
So, I feel that I need to strive to pick myself up.  I need to remember back to when I was ill, when I thought that I would never be able to do anything again without my oxygen, and then realize how far I've come.   I need to go back to writing down the simple things I am grateful for.  I remember sometimes it was just that "the sun was out."  Yet what a miracle that is!  It is hard to get rid of the negatives and focus totally on what is good in this life.. yet there are so many things that are good.

1-The beautiful snow
2- A warm house
3- A comfortable bed
4- clean sheets
5- feather pillows

It's a start.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
~Melody Beattie

 

Everything I Need

As I sit indoors and think about this past year, I am filled with a sense of wonder.
 We've made it through another one.  There have been highs and lows, yet the good times are the things that stand out most in my mind. 

Those first days of spring.  Always it is nature that speaks to me. 
The days become a bit longer.
 The first sighting of green.  That hint in the air that the cold won't last forever.

And then glorious summer.
  Sitting outdoors in the garden. 
Grandchildren running and playing in the yard.
  Their laughter brings smiles even now as I think of those long warm days.

And then as the days become a little shorter, but those colors become more vivid,
my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those wonderful holidays that bring family and friends together. 
We celebrate by being together, sharing our love . 
What a lovely way to end the year.

Of course Winter always comes..those cold days that keep me hidden in my warm home. 
But as I wrap up and look out my window at the cold, I can only be grateful for my circumstances.  How fortunate to live in such a beautiful home, so close to our mountains.
 Close to friends, family..to be able to care for little ones. 
Even when the cold winter surrounds, I must always think of these blessings.

For I know that I have all I need to be happy.
 A loving husband, my children, grandchildren, friends, and family. 
Another year to be grateful..
 I have everything.

Downtown Abbey

In less than an hour I get to nestle down in my couch and watch the third season of Downtown.

Will the long awaited marriage really take place?

Will Cora's mother be able to hold her own...

When up against Violet?

I'm sure she will. 
Those two will be worth watching even if the rest of the show falls apart!

Although I'm sure nothing about this series will disappoint. 
Can't wait to see them do battle.
Can't wait to see what happens with the long suffering Bates.
And what about poor Edith?
Will Cora ever be allowed to see her grandchild?
What kind of scheme's will come up below stairs this year?
What a lovely way to spend a Sunday evening..
 

A Winter Afternoon

"Hey Jim," says polly..

"it's a little quiet around here..want something to do

...maybe we should invite some kids over to play in the snow!"

 

~About an hour later...

The hill in the backyard is just perfect for little ones

..and for the parents

 and grandparents

Next a little hot chocolate, to dip our toast in

..anybody ready for a nap?

A few Regrets...These aren't among them.

Yesterday in church our neighbor gave a talk about regrets.  It was a fabulous talk.  He went through life stages and how we have small regrets in our early years, but maybe as we get older there are bigger regrets.  He ended his talk with a letter from a friend who has only a few weeks to live due to illness.  He listed his regrets, which basically had to do with loving more and spending time with those loved ones, expressing his love to them more often.  Of course we think of those things as we get close to the end of our life.  But they are such simple things..things that can be done each day, just a quick hug or an "I love you"  letting someone express their feelings freely..loving unconditionally.  I have so many regrets, but I thought I'd list a few of those things I don't regret this year. 

I don't regret surrounding myself with these guys, seeing their happy faces.

Their smiles bring joy to my life.

   

I don't regret seeing Jim smile.  Especially when he is with his grandkids.  That's when the joy comes out the most.  He's got a great smile.

I don't regret working in my garden.  I love planting those beautiful flowers and seeing them grow.  What a lovely season, barefeet on hot cement, sitting outdoors late into the evening, watching the sun set. Summer, my favorite time of year.

I don't regret travelling.  I always love seeing different places, experiencing different ways.  It makes me appreciate the beautiful world and also the beautiful spot I call home.

I don't regret spending time with family and friends.  These women are my support, They are who I turn to who and who turn to me.  I love them.  Girlfriends are the best. 

 

I certainly don't regret loving and being with "my girls."  We're outnumbered, but a strong force in the family.  Beautiful each one with different and individual strengths.   How grateful I am to be apart of these girls lives. 

 

I have many regrets.  Things I wish I would have done better..things I wish I wouldn't have done at all.  But, spending time with loved ones,  spending time out in the beautiful world,  these things I only regret not doing more of.  So very grateful for these simple, yet most important blessings in my life.

Christmas - a day for remembering

What a beautiful day. Lovely snow. 

 Happy children.  Gifts from the heart. 

My photo album helps me to remember each precious moment of the season.
 

 

Nothing better than having everyone together..sharing the little one's joy. 

Seeing Wren on her first Christmas, eating Jim's omelets. 

Face-timing with the PA gang as we opened their gifts! 

 (love technology)..

 just being together.

 

 

"Christmas - That magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance.  It may weave a spell of nostalgia.  Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved."

~Augusta E. Rundel

I hope your Christmas was as joyous as mine was.

A Gathering of Loved Ones

Just another group of my most precious loved ones.  A gathering last night for some of Aunt Polly's homemade chicken noodle soup, aunt Julie's pretzel jello, and other delights brought in by our gang!  Almost fifty crammed into our home.  And of course the original "name game" group stayed and played after everyone left. 

As I post these different pictures during this Christmas Season, each one could be our Christmas Card, for all these people are so dear to me. 

My family of course. 

Then the extended, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, who, I love so dearly and love seeing each one, and of course our dear neighbors and friends. 

What would I do without all these wonderful people in my life? 

 I am truly blessed. 

Christmas Bells are Ringing!

Early Saturday morning before Christmas the Choir always practices. 

Just to make sure we remember our songs for Church the next day.

It is so nice just to go and see my friends, who love music, love one another and love singing praises to our Savior. 

There's always something to laugh at, or some song that makes everybody cry...

 (either from the message or how badly we sing it!)

We have so many talented people. Several who play the flute, soloists.

 A bell choir, and Pat, who has kept the music in our ward alive for over thirty five years.

 She's amazing.

We hope the angels will sing with us tomorrow. 

 (They have on many occasions, you know.) 

Merry Christmas