CELEBRATE!!!

No matter how small the accomplishments may seem,

recognize and celebrate those successes!!

A Camera For Christmas

I've wanted to take some of my own blog photos for a long time, and now I can!! Here are a few of my first.

The Whole Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth

Today is the day I have my oral surgery. The dentist is pulling 11 teeth. Now I will be able to honestly say I better identify with some of the Chandlers who have missing teeth due to heredity.


(I couldn't pass up the cartoon although I do not own any rights to it, so please don't pass it on.)

Two Things I Miss

We don't watch tv much, but I'm sure I must have been an addict!! I loved my certain shows. But thanks to the television quitting years ago, I've taken the road less traveled and have given it up, (we still are into DVD's).
It's been a long time now and y'know, there are only two things I still wish I could watch and they are the holiday parades and the ball drop at Times Square in New York City on New Year's Eve. Some programs can now be seen on the internet, so maybe, if I get a chance to break away from real life, I may try to find these there!

Movietime With The Girls

We're off to the movies!! Tell ya 'bout it when we get back.....
......Great fairytale!
Done in the old familiar Disney style!
A "must see".

We save THIS for New Year's!

Confetti and gingerbread just go together! Today after church, Paige and Abbie decorated our gingerbread house. We will be enjoying it's cuteness for about 5 days and then we will enjoy it's deliciousness!

Not Quite Black Friday

I guess stores must be pretty anxious to clear out Christmas merchandise. Celeste checked the ads and decided we needed to leave for Penney's at 6 a.m.!
They didn't have much so we went on to Target where we found several things. I got some little bulbs for my village houses, 2 strands of tiny white lights, a tablecloth, a topiary and a movie; but my prize purchase was two ornaments. They are ribbon candy in the shape of small Christmas trees. I know Christmas is officially over but I came home and immediately put them both on the tree.
There is significance to this because when I was a little girl I remember my Grandma Shipp had the tradition of sharing this beautiful treat every year, so these ornaments remind me of Grandma.
Some folks become concerned about the commercialism that heightens at this time of year, but I am grateful for the availability of things that bring me to feel the presence of such loved ones who have passed away. I am also grateful to be able to own memory-filled music and movies, foods and other things. And President Monson once said that he was glad that there was at least one season set aside when people dig down into their pockets and give kindly and generously to others.

Christmas Also Is...

...about family. Who would have thought even just 20 years ago, that we would be able to visit with far away family so easily! On Christmas day we got calls from Sam, Suzanne, Dawn and Shannon. Celeste and Mark were here.
Our family has also grown as each of our daughters have married and we are blessed by having 10 grandchildren!

Tradition

Years ago, Grandma Chandler, after spending much time on a labor-intensive Christmas dinner, to have no one want it for the eating of so many goodies, declared that the "new tradition" would be chili.
Now, the children are happily playing, the adults are visiting, plans are being made for the rest of the evening and for New Year's, etc., and Grandma's chili was deeply wholesome and satisfying. We're playing a game and soon we will settle in to watch new movies while sitting in the living room by the fire.
It's at times like this when you just know that much is good in the world, no matter what you hear in the news.

The Children Are Nestled...

I believe in Santa Claus.
I always have.
Christmastime for me is a wonder, even magical, filled with festive surprises. Paige, Abbie and Mollie are here with Celeste and Jeremie, to celebrate this most happy of holidays. The girls are sleeping and I am anxious to retire to my bed as well, to await the arrival of that Jolly Old Elf! I especially look forward to the opening of gifts, to see the pleasure and happiness on the faces of loved ones. What a blessing it is indeed, to live during such abundant and favorable times, knowing that it may not always be so, but thanking Divine Providence for all the goodness He sends. May our family and friends, wherever they may be, find joy in giving and serving on this day of days which began with the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, for He is the Master Giver of good gifts.

The Writing On The Wall

This Christmas most of the season was spent with Dawn and Garret. They came home with us after Thanksgiving.

Garret is sweet and so lovable. His little giggle and play are full of charm and rambunctiousness. I love it when he asks me to bounce him by coming and sitting on my foot, and how he will climb up into my lap when he's tired and just rest his head on my shoulder.

His games of cupboard raiding and phone snatching have come to a close at our house and I miss him. I'm sure it won't take too long to find a sign of his being here to save until he comes again. Paige has a picture hanging up. Chandler has blue crayon on Mark's bedroom door from making our "Pin The Tail On Dudley" for our last Harry Potter Party, and Jacob scribbled on the tub tile with yellow bath crayon. All these things are saved there as reminders of those fun times, and that more are on the way.

Santa's Delights

Christmas Eve has always been a time of magic at our house! Age does not change this. And from as far back as I can remember, Santa always did certain things for us.
In our stockings we could count on a tangerine, some peanuts in the shell, some small toys, a few candies including a candy cane and a large chocolate Santa, and a brand new toothbrush (obviously to help preserve our teeth from the effects of the candy!).
Several larger gifts from Santa were also left unwrapped, for us to see immediately upon entering the living room, with which we were allowed to play without any arguing while the grown-ups slept in - one of our gifts to them. Opening wrapped gifts would take place later. Sometimes we left cookies and milk out for Santa to enjoy, which he did, of course! And I'll never forget the year we actually heard the reindeer on the roof! I was so excited that HE was there, but I was also afraid I would be caught awake, so I immediately closed my eyes and fell asleep!

Silent Night

With less than a week left until Christmas, the shopping slows down and folks begin to settle in for the season. Listening closely one can hear the voice of the Spirit heralding the approach of the birthday divine, wherein all people of the world can be saved. Quietly we celebrate with reverence the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and humbly we worship in gratitude.
As we sang "Silent night, holy night..." at the close of our Sacrament Meeting today, I watched Jack Taylor, six years old, using his hands to sing these beautiful words in sign language, and delighting in it. I could see that he rejoiced as he sang without faltering, the message of that song, and I thought what joy he must feel in knowing that "glory streams from Heaven afar", and that he, along with those Heavenly hosts, sing together that "Christ, the Savior is born!"
May we, like Jack, use our hearts and hands to share this wondrous news!

What I Love About Christmas

- "Scrooge" the musical
- Old Tradition
- Lights, lights, lights!
- Caroling
- A fire in the fireplace
- Soft slippers
- Dropping change in a little red bucket
- Carmel Popcorn
- Cinnamon and Pine
- Special Packages
- Mistletoe
- Programs and Plays
- Colder weather
- Warmer hearts
- The reverence in the air

Floor Wax And Kindness

On Christmas Eve, when I was about 14 or 15, I began stripping the old, yellowed wax off of the kitchen floor in the Woodland house as a gift to Norma. I got so into it that I stayed up all night putting coat after coat of new, shiny wax on the floor with the idea that if 2-3 coats were good then 8-10 must be even better!!
Norma never said a word to me about the extra work it would take to redo the floor when the time came. She simply thanked me.

Christmas Pillows

Around 1984, when we were living in Ogden, Utah, Norma sent our kids Christmas pillow cases that we think she had made herself. They were very cute and the children loved them for years.
So, about 3 years ago, I revived the idea by giving our grandchildren pillow cases for each major holiday and one birthday pillow case per family. It has turned out to be a fun new tradition. And I am looking forward to making more with each new little one.

The Gift of Christmas

Today I am asking for a bit of indulgence because this little repeat from another blog I posted, placed here, is befitting the holiday...

Dear Loved One,
You recently asked for thoughts and advice.
I think one of the greatest dis-services we unknowingly hand to our children may be the notion that "happily ever after" just falls into our lap, like in the movies. But happily ever after is not automatic and in this world, it, like freedom, isn't free.
The natural man, or worldly man, being an enemy to God is prone to wickedness, which never was happiness. Our goal, while we live in mortality, is to learn to live happily, or, like God.
Upon our departure from our heavenly home to come to Earth, we were given two gifts. The first was our talents, which would bring us joy. The second was our trials, which would bring us much greater joy because they would lead us to God. What greater gift could we receive? There is none because this gift has the ultimate potential - Exaltation.
I have pondered for a long time how a terrible and painful death could be made sweet (to God's faithful), and I have learned this - that we must only endure those things that will exalt us. We must prove to ourselves that we will remain faithful in whatever circumstance God sees fit.
Also - We are never just left on our own to "deal with it" or "get over it". Not only are we given help (scriptures, people, etc.), but the Lord is there with us all the way. His suffering in Gethsemane showed our lives to him, where He became spiritually one with us, knowing not only our name but experiencing our very experiences. He has been where we are.
When Shadrak, Meshak and Abednego were in the fiery furnace where was Jesus? Right there with them. When Abinadi was in the flames where was Jesus? Right there with him.
God is not a respecter of persons when it comes to His love and mercy etc., but the gifts He gave before we came here were very individual. He, knowing everything about us, gave us the perfect gifts; the ones that were just right. Everyone has talents and everyone has trials. These are gifts to be treasured. And learning to live happily is the only true gift we are able to give to Him.
This Christmas, an understanding of these things is the best gift I can offer you, but it is only an offering. Only you are able to receive it for yourself, and in so doing, the heavens will rejoice with you, for this truly is the reason for the season.
Love, Mom

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

I can hardly wait! Tonight is opening night and Mark is the preacher in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". We'll be straightening up the house, picking up a babysitter, and going to the theater. Mark has had a wonderful opportunity to stand as a witness as he holds the Priesthood, has been on a mission and is preparing to serve his country next in the Army. Those who have come to know him in the theater troupe as well as some where he works have come to regard him as a bit of an authority on various religious topics and so they ask him questions. The cast in the current play are mostly kids and even their parents have allowed Mark to teach them about the gospel. These seeds, which have been planted by the words of a friend and watered and warmed by the Spirit could make this their "best Christmas pageant ever"!

Who could ask for anything more?

We visit Sam frequently in Utah. Mark lives with us for the next 3-4 weeks. Right now we have the pleasure of having Dawn and Garret here until Dec. 20th. Shannon and Isabel came to the US from Japan for a couple of weeks last month. David and I went to Hawaii and stayed for two weeks with Suzanne, the boys and Kamryn. Celeste visits us and we visit her from time to time and is coming with Paige, Abbie and Mollie in several days. It is so great to be able to spend time with them like this.
The single, most rewarding thing this life has to offer is the promise of forever families. My thankfulness runs deep for temples and having our family sealed to us. Best of all, every one of our children love Heavenly Father and are raising up their children to do the same. Each has set their goal for the Celestial Kingdom and I am proud of them for the righteous desires of their hearts.
Know this, my sons, daughters and their husbands, and darling children, that we pray for you daily. We pray for your physical safety, but so much more than that, we pray for your spiritual safety. That you will do all you can do to keep the commandments and a strong testimony so that Heavenly Father can sustain you in the trials of this life. The only shelter from the storm is the peace and blessings from being on the Lord's side. Right really is might. (And always remember, the good guys win!)