its a brown Christmas in Brigham.

There is no snow this morning on our field, but Christmas is still the same. The Christmas music playing in the background, the kids so happy with their loot, and the baby content with playing with the wrapping paper. Today I am so grateful for my husband, kids, and for the Savior on this Christmas morning. Snow, or no snow, that will never change.

old choo.

Today is my Grandpa's birthday. He has been gone a handful of years now, but somehow it still hurts, and the missing still goes on. I hope the rain turns to snow tonight, and puts a nice white blanket over him. And I do hope that somewhere a train will blow her mighty horn for my dear old Grandpa Choo.

the real deal.

"His nose was too rosy and his beard was all fake", my Emma says after sitting on Santa's knee. She is looking for ways to figure him out, and see if the rumors are true. Yet, when she sits and he asks like he does, the world turns to a bit of magic. She tells him her list, and he nods his head twice, and asks her to be a very good girl. Her nerves have vanished, she has a clean slate, and it looks like her wish will be granted. She skips down the path, all smiles once again -- the naughty list --avoided.

tapping into thankful.

Thankful is a sister of gratitude. It is graceful and charming, and necessary. Being thankful for what you have, and what you don't. For challenges, and luck alike. For being born, for knowing those who have met death. It is a vision of being a better person by acknowledging that your ego has to occasionally take a back seat. Today, be thankful. It is one of the most attractive accessories you will wear all day.

remembering race day.

Last week I had a article in the Deseret News that focused on my journey of running, and losing my Gram to dementia. I finally took some time and ordered a pic from the half marathon race in 2009, this one is my favorite favorite favorite pics ever. It captures everything I was feeling that day in several thousand pixels of happiness.

love notes.

My Emma leaves such wonderful, sweet little love notes all over the house. Under my pillow. On my mirror. Covering a shoe box. On my door. Under my door. All of these little words, written by little hands. However, today, the little note was not for me. It was for an eight year old boy I will call "Tate". There was a nice white envelope on the kitchen counter, and on it was written, "TATE, otherwise known as TATORTOT", "I Love you", "I have a giant crush on you", "From, Emma". So, the girl who writes notes, had to do a little bit of scribbling this morning when I told her that "I love you's" should be saved, but crushes...well...go ahead and tell him. But, I warned her, if you really want to get the boys attention...do nothing at all.

cardi party!

So my favorite all accessory for fall--the cardigan. Sexy style. Not frumpy style ala Mr. Rogers. The great thing about a cardi is that it can be paired with almost anything. For example, want to look hip and sassy? Mix your cardi with a graphic T and some fantastic high boots. What that sophisticated business look? Pull your cardi in with a thin belt and some sequin bling underneath. Feel like staying in for the night? Just throw on your sweat pants, add a cardi, and r e l a x. What's that? You have an invitation to go out? No problem! Switch your sweat pants for jeans, add a scarf and wa-LA! Fashionista. The cardigan. Who knew it would be so much fun.

watching time.

This weekend my son said something very interesting. He said that with all this technology everything is always so 'new'. How true. When I was a kid, we had very little upgrades. We made due with what we had and rarely had something brand spankin new. When we did it was usually a much needed appliance. And I am talking just one appliance here. Never would my mom or dad buy MATCHING appliances just for the cool factor! I do remember this one big occasions of newness--- the time we got our new gas range. It has the coolest clock on it that clicked over every single minute! It was mind boggling to us. We all sad around the lemon orange colored stove watching the numbers fall each time a minute ticked away. I bet we sat there a full hour. It just never got old. My dad finally came and asked us if we had anything better to do that watch the time. That gas stove was part of all my memories of breakfasts, dinners, baking, and clock watching. Sometimes I wonder what items kids these days will look back on with fondness of novelty and remember from their childhood. Somehow, memories of the past are always linked to things that were with us the longest.

in honor of the boss.

Today the world watches as 33 miners are each pulled to safety from 70 days of darkness. They argued over not who would reach freedom first, but rather, who would be the last to go up the 2,067 foot shaft. The reporters have confirmed that the last man up will indeed be the boss. The foreman of the group. The leader that gave them hope from that very first dark moment. Yes. This man, who has every right to be the first, will be going up last. 22 hours after his crew is safe he will ascend into bright lights, hugs, and happiness.

Happy Bosses Week, to mine, to theirs... to all of the great men and women who step up and lead.

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Thank you for visiting my blog. I am a writer, living in Brigham City Utah. Look for more postings soon!