Dave went on a trip to China. I stayed home. With Steve's passing and my poor health, I just couldn't even think of it. But I've been so homesick. Homesick for my mother. For my children. For home. For heaven! I decided to get in my car this morning and go to the place that has always provided the peace and comfort that can take my heartaches away. The Manti Temple.
Catching the first glimpse of the temple from Ephriam is always thrilling. I feel like I'm going home. I have always felt that way. My heart beats faster and I can hardly wait to arrive at last.
Being in the temple today settled my aching heart and soothed my soul. I felt the peace I was yearning for. If only I could have stayed there forever! It felt as if I were wrapped up in a warm, safe blanket surrounded by so much love. Love from Father In Heaven. Love from my family beyond the veil. If I could just take it with me...
I walked the temple grounds taking pictures at every possible angle. The temple was stunning! I always said I wanted my house in heaven to be just like the Manti temple. I'll never change my mind. No, not ever! It is home.
November 5 - Mom's toast
When our loved ones pass to the other side of the veil, they are no doubt still involved in our lives, just as they were here.
After I am awakened to the smell of toast, I get up and look over the balcony... so sure that I am going to see the toaster on the counter and mom standing there. I don't see her, but I know she is here. I am comforted in knowing that. She loves me! Her heart is so broken, just like mine. I feel her compassion and tender heart. If only I could feel her arms around me, wiping my tears and telling me it will all be ok. I will see! Someday I will know! I am so grateful for a loving, kind, and merciful Father In Heaven, that He allowed mother to comfort me in my time of great need. Oh... how I love her!
I am so in love with blue dishes. My very first encounter was with Grandma Bentley's Blue Willow dishes. Ever since then whenever I see a blue dish at the DI or Antique shop, I fall in love and have to buy it. I've acquired a small collection. Seven of them to be exact. I also have Grandma Bentley's Blue Willow dishes and my Blue Willow Ironstone dishes I got as my High School graduation gift.
Tonight I got my old collection of blue dishes out and set a table for our Relief Society Holiday meal. Every once in awhile I get to put them to good use.
November 26 - Cyber shopping
Why torture yourself standing in lines for hours and scrambling to get the best deal of the day when you can cyber shop and do just as well! That is how we did our Black Friday shopping this year. And... we'll never go back! After we had Thanksgiving dinner, we sat down and went through all the ads just like we do every year. As prices between stores and on-line were compared, it just kept getting more and more exciting. The prices on-line could not be beat! It was so much fun watching Audrey and Kelsey do all their Christmas shopping in less than an hour, and they didin't even have to leave their seat!
I was able to purchase Kindle Fires for Audrey's three little ones for only $39 each! Score!! Thanks to high tech and high tech girls!
November 28 - Utah Utes
One day when we had Kelsey's family up for dinner, we began talking about Steven and how much he loved the Utes. The football season was just getting into full swing. Kelsey suggested, with great excitment, that we go to a Ute football game in memory of Steven. Surely he would be there with us! And so we purchased our tickets.
Today the Utes played Colorado. We won! 20 to 14. Yeah! It was cold, but that didn't stop us from cheering for the Running Utes. Ute fans came in droves, as you can see the stadium is a sea full of red. Kelsey came prepared, as always, with hand warmers! Dave bought us all hot chocolate. And we thought of Steven. Lucky for him... no doubt he had the best seat in the house!
As I posted this... Steve came. That wonderful smell of fresh dirt that I can't get enough of! And I am smiling! (Wednesday, April 13, 8:00 a.m.)
Temple Square
After the Ute game, we got back on Trax and went to Chili's on 4th South to eat. Another wonderful memory with Steve. When we got our pictures taken at Temple Square in the spring of 2014, we went to the same Chili's and ate. Did we ever have fun! Steve, Amie, Audrey, Kelsey, and I laughing and reminising and just enjoying being together as family. That day remains a tresured memory in my heart.
We finished up the evening at Temple Square. It was all lit up in an array of beautiful colorful lights. We enjoyed music and the live Nativity. Luminaries and nativities representing other lands lined the sidewalks surrounding Temple Square. The pools and fountains of water lit up the cold winter air. It was just beautiful!
Bobbing heads
Alia, Emilee, and Ben got a treat today. Jet tub, bubbles, and water play! There were so many bubbles that all you could see were their heads. It reminded me of bobbing for apples!
Garden Vegetables
It has been an amazing warm fall. We ate the last of our fresh garden vegetables in November. One of the most enjoyable harvests we have had. I'm going to miss our veggies!
Slug Bug
Kelsey found a car for Makaela. A slug bug! It is so cute. Blue, her favorite color. A vase to hold a flower. A roll top hood. She's going to love it!
The car was luckily found in Logan. Today Kelsey and Chad went over the hill and bought it. The car will stay at our house until her birthday in February. Shhhh! It's a suprise!
New House
Audrey and Mike have waited a long time to get a house again. They found it a couple of blocks from the townhouse they were renting in North Ogden. The back yard sits next to Majestic Elementary, which is so convenient for the kids. The inside needs a lot of TLC, but it was a good price and I couldn't be happier for them. They are so excited to call this house their home and Harrisville their new town. And so am I!
Our House
This picture doesn't remind me too much of Autumn other than the leaves are all dead. The sun is out shinning, it's warm, and the grass is still green. It's been an unusually mild fall.
Month in Review
Happy Birthday Mother!
Can't let this month go by without wishing mother a happy birthday in heaven! Oh... seems like so long ago that she left us, but only yesterday that I saw her. This year, on November 16, mom would have been 83 years old. Hard to believe. I really miss her. I miss our dates together. Her company. Her sense of humor. Her beauty. She was such a beautiful mother. Inside and out! She always dressed up so beautiful to go anywhere, even to lunch at the Senior Citizen Center (pictured above - 2008).
Mom's got her eyebrows painted on, her beautiful orange/red lipstick, and her favorite necklace on. I can't wait to see and hug mother again. She's a love in my life!
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