Groovy Love

I don't have any events scheduled for this month, but I promised I'd share projects each month that focused on a stamp set. So, although I should have posted these at the end of December or the beginning of January, I completely forgot.

Lucky for me, hearts are always in season...for love notes, birthdays, and memory keeping...just about anything! Check out the flower made out of punched hearts (the box belly band).

I hope you enjoy these fun samples made with Groovy Love!

This Week's Miracle

Last month my step-dad, Paul, shared that he was having difficulty breathing, walking, and reading. Keep in mind that this is a man who walks many miles a day and reads more than anyone I know!

After several doctors' appointments and numerous tests, it appeared he had two tumors in his brain, which were believed to be malignant. The plan was to operate this week on one of the tumors to determine what kind of cancer it was.

In the meantime, we checked on Paul over the phone and through texts several times a day. My sisters (who live near him) dropped in on him, took meals to him, and invited him over for dinner. And between my siblings and I, along with his son, we gladly arranged to take Paul to his appointments and to be with him through surgery and recovery. That's what family does, especially when we need it most, right?

Paul was admitted to the hospital early Tuesday, but because his blood pressure was so high, he went to the ICU instead, and his surgery was postponed.

Sterling and I have been the lucky ones to be with Paul the last few days while he waited for and had surgery. He is such a positive patient and is so kind (and funny) with all the staff. It's been a sweet experience and privilege to serve Paul as well as take notes to inform everyone else of his progress.

To make a long story a little shorter, last night, when the doctor came out after Paul's surgery, we were surprised and pleased (as was the doctor) to find out that Paul has a cavernous malformation. Simply put, there was old blood in this "tumor" (likely from a fairly recent smaller stroke). The doctors believe the other mass is the same thing. They will monitor him closely, but basically he will be released tomorrow and recover in the comfort of his own home.

Our family feels so grateful for this miracle in our lives. We know that Heavenly Father always listens to our prayers. He may not answer them when or how we like, but this time He made a lot of family, especially "the little people and their little people" (that's what Paul calls his grandchildren and great-grandchildren) very happy! We are all so relieved and feeling extremely blessed.

We love you, Paul!

Cooper's Special Day

Cooper was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. Jon performed both ordinances beautifully.

When I asked Cooper what made this day so special and what he will remember most, he said, “I felt the Spirit.” He was teary-eyed and so happy when he was given the gift of the Holy Ghost. As the speakers delivered their messages, they spoke directly to Cooper, calling him by name, and he shook his head up and down as he listened intently. It was a sweet occasion!

Afterwards, family from both sides gathered for lunch, including cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. It was a wonderful way to spend time together and celebrate Cooper’s choice to follow Christ!

What About You?

It’s a new year and time for new goals!

I have a new way of setting goals for myself. First, I write them down (usually they’re pretty lofty and maybe a little unrealistic), knowing I will do my best to achieve them, but if any of the goals needs to be modified along the way, I will allow myself to make a change.

In contrast, my old way was to set lofty goals and then feel less about myself when I fell short. Eventually I would give up or wait for a better time to start over. It might seem silly, but just that simple mind shift made all the difference for me.

For example, a year ago I made the goal to attend the temple once a week or 52 times during the year. I quickly recognized that when I traveled, it was impossible to meet my goal unless I doubled up and served twice in the weeks I didn’t travel. I was discouraged and overwhelmed until I realized this was a personal goal and I could modify it. I decided to modify my goal to attend each week I was home. It was still a challenge (I think I missed two weeks), but striving to accomplish my goal was so much more enjoyable for me, and I was more successful in keeping that goal.

One of my goals this year is to enjoy two bites of sweets a day…no more and probably no less! (Hmmm…what's considered a bite? Just kidding!) I’m discovering that sugar affects me more than all the other factors associated with my RA, and I don’t want to hurt as much. Almost everything we eat as a society has sugar in it, so I’ll continue to be conscious about what I eat overall, but this challenging goal will be a good start for me.

What about you? Many of you have told me that you read my blog and don’t comment. I’m okay with that because my blog is more for me than for anyone else, but I’m hoping you’ll step out of your comfort zone and tell me one of your goals. Pretty please!

I would love to know just one of your new year’s resolutions. Be brave. Put it out there. Then, if you need to modify your goal along the way, do it! I give you permission (smile)!

Best wishes for a wonderful 2015!

A Merry Christmas

Our holiday began at Tsunami (a tradition for the last few years) with our family (all except the Bridegans, of course…missed them!) for an early dinner on Christmas Eve.

 

Then Sterling and I loaded up and headed to the cabin. The snow started to lightly fall on our way and continued during the night, so we woke up to a white Christmas. It was a quiet and relaxing morning…just Sterling and I, opening each other’s gifts and pondering on and visiting about the gifts we wanted to give to Jesus this coming year.

 

Later in the day, each of the families arrived in their pajamas or sweats in time to help fix a yummy Christmas dinner. Notice the handsome clean up crew…and without being asked or encouraged!

It was a wonderful day enjoyed with family. The only thing that would have made the day better is if the Bridegans were with us. We try to not dwell on the occasional moments of sadness when they can’t join us, and instead focus on our gratitude for Liam’s health, but they still come. I slipped away to have one of those moments when I read Shanna’s text on Christmas morning, “I had a moment to cry, thinking about all of you getting together to cook and visit and enjoying the day and long dinner and evening of chatting together.” Of course we FaceTimed and Shanna sent photos...so grateful for technology!

 

The morning after Christmas was special as we had a family meeting (including Shanna and Jared over Skype and all the grandchildren) to discuss our philanthropic plans. Up until now, we’ve only involved the adults in the decisions we’ve made, but moving forward, each family will take an active part in our planning. It was rewarding to hear the questions from the teenagers and to feel the energy from everyone, knowing that how we serve and what we give will be more meaningful to all of us.

The rest of our time at the cabin consisted of cousins playing happily, sledding and playing in the snow, table tennis tournaments, reading and napping, scrapbooking and crafting, movies and popcorn, and lots of chatting…a very merry and relaxing Christmas holiday indeed!

 

I hope your holiday has been and will continue to be filled with the sweet and enduring spirit of Christmas.