Christmas Home Tour...Such As It Is

I love to look at the lovely things others adorn their homes with, all year, but especially now. Since I love to yard sale with Dee, it gives me things to look for... Now, my house is NOTHING like the ones I look at and admire, but I have a sweet, wonderful relative who asked to see what I have...so here it is...such as it is!

Family Room






Entry



Living Room






Nativity Collection






Holiday North Pole Village


Kitchen (Please excuse the drying dishes, and the hanging laundry...Pics were taken as I was cleaning!)






Sorry, Kayty was in the shower...and she objected to pics of my decorations while she was there...so, maybe later.

A Precious Baby Boy

Last night, we were invited to attend Doran and Danyel's Ward Christmas Party, and, since I was out of town, and Dee didn't want to go to our ward party alone, we went. The food was marvelous...and Danyel and Doran (on the Activities Committee) helped to create a Winter Wonderland in a cultural hall...snowflakes in the sky, lovely music, and very nice program. As I sat and watched the presentation, they showed a portion of "Joy To The World" This video really brings the reality of what Mary went through...a young mother to be, needing a place to give birth to our Savior...the reality of a stable, with animals...the part that touches me is when you hear the flies, as would normally be around animals...all mothers want their babies born in the nicest of circumstances, and here she was in the most humble of circumstances. When I saw that baby...I had tears, for we have been so blessed with sweet Joshua, sent fresh from Heavenly Father. I also was brought to the memory of holding my babies...all new from heaven. What a precious gift, at this time of year, to remember the birth of Christ, and all that means to us. We have a Savior, who is there to help us return to our Father, who loves us, guides us and helps us...and all started with a baby in a stable. Merry Christmas to all...but especially to mothers, who come near to death in order to bring that new life to bless all!

What Happened???

I started out this morning, just like most Fridays...exercise, run, get ready, wake Nate and get him to school...Dee is using up remaining vacation days, so we went to a few (gross) yard sales (come on people...that is what a trash can is for!)...and then started to work on cleaning. I decided to used those Peppermint Hershey Kisses that Kayty found for me and try a new brownie recipe with them puppies in each one. Going great! Clean up, but then, I had that hot oven going, so I decided to thaw some butter, just to make some sugar cookie dough (cookies are not so much fun: Dee can't each chocolate, I shouldn't eat sugar, Nate won't eat sugar...and Kayty, well she's a diabetic who can eat all of us under the table...) But, hey, it's Christmas, so ya gotta have sugar cookies, right? Well, then I decided that Dee needed some snicker-doodle dough too. Then, since Mom and I picked Gingerbread Men for our holiday theme this year, I would make some gingerbread cookie dough, a la the Wilkins Family Cooking Blog (great recipe) I had planned on just dough, but then I saw it didn't need to chill...Dee was out to lunch with his Mom, so heck, why not get one of my many cooking duties for next week done ahead of time, so I rolled, baked and dipped (in glaze) and sprinkled a ton of ginger women and men. Okay, the mixer bowl was dirty with a spicy kinda dough, so why not finish off with an oatmeal/raisin/walnut/butterscotch and white chip dough. By two o'clock, I had Peppermint Brownie Bites in storage, Gingerbread Men and Women glazed and drying, # doughs in the fridge ready to bake...and NO ENERGY. Thank goodness my mother in law sent home a few gourmet candy corn pieces...ENERGY...now, I have cleaned our playroom (well, improved it...Morgan NEEDS to make that room up to MY standards!), cleaned out Nate's backpack, and am on to his room and the laundry...So, what happened to my "normal" schedule of gettin' things done when I am energetic, not loaded on "Candy Corn Energy"! Second plan for tonight's dinner: originally, trying a new recipe for Eggplant Parmesan...now...grill some eggplant and grey squash, make a salad with cucumbers and tomatoes, cut pineapple...hey, what happened!

Merry Christmas 2009

With Christmas music sounding, our house decorated and aglow
I am brought to rethink my decision for Christmas poems and cards to stow;
For the people we hold dear seem to always love to hear our news
Some laughing, some praying, and some grateful they are not in our shoes.
So, as a “woman of the 2009’s”, through our blog our poem we will display.
We have been blessed, times have helped us grow; dear family and friends help us make it through each and every day!

While Honeywell has cut pay and will close its operations in the U.S.,
Doran is still working, and for that we feel so very blessed!
He facilitates transitions to Mexico, the Czech Republic, India and China, too.
At home, the restoring of the’60 Ford Panel Truck still does continue.

In Las Vegas, Mike continues his work, managing and counseling his associates, one by one;
Allison, dealing with a risky pregnancy, never missed a mommy/wife moment of work or fun.
Adam is a star in first grade; he loves reading encyclopedias, playing Xbox, and science is a fav;
Grace is Mom’s helper and very best friend; she loves dress up, Church nursery makes her rave!
Joshua is the newest Wilkins, Dec. 1st he made his debut (8 lbs. 2.5 ozs.)
With tons of dark hair, and the most beautiful eyes, all agree that he is nothing but cute!

Ethan still works for Target; and sports like softball and golf fill many days.
Cameo loves her job, she recertified (CPhT) this year. She’s Ethan’s loudest fan as he plays.

Doran continues delivering outdoor furniture, but his photographic talent will lead his future.
Danyel is a dedicated nanny, and sews, scrapbooks, cooks, and makes their life such a pleasure.

Morgan has spent the last few months, getting on his feet while living in our home.
He now has a great job, and is getting ready to thrive in the world on his own.
Kayty, our busy college vocal music major, doesn’t ever stop, working lots at Party City too.
Nathan’s Jr year had him on the varsity football starting offense/defense lines, track discus records await to be broken, and his orange ’60 Ford pickup looks and sounds so cool!
Suzzy, blessed to stay daily at home, specializes in working magic pinching each penny.
She still loves exercising, hiking and running, and testing new recipes, which are many!

With Nathan a football player, our summer was filled, practice to and from driving afar;
Kayty’s summer was busy with more college classes, working, and she bought herself a car.
Honeywell cancelled Dee’s travel, so he worked on his restoration and went swimming
Vegas was our fun, visiting those grandbabies fills our happiness to brimming.

We now hope, though trials may come, that your faith will keep you strong
And, when there are challenges, you will be blessed to endure them, hoping they do not last long.
May love and laughter keep you looking toward a future that is bright.
And may the Lord richly bless you every day and every night.
Nathan Is the best of all cause his truck is super beastly, and sounds so all right
Much Love,
Dee, Suzzy, Allison, Mike, Adam, Grace, and Joshua Wilkins, Ethan and Cameo,
Doran and Danyel, Morgan, Katelyn, and Nathan

To see our daily fun, visit our blog…http://grammygingerbread.blogspot.com
Or email us at deesuz@q.com

27 Years Ago Today

One week ago, yesterday, I sat in a chair in the NICU in Las Vegas, and held a precious bundle of boy, fresh from Heavenly Father! He laid there, looking into my eyes as I talked to him. It was a piece of heaven, here on earth!

This morning, I am taken back to twenty-seven years ago, today. Right about now, a dear friend, Gramma Jan Eccles, drove me to AiResearch (now Honeywell). The phone system at the entire plant was being switched to a new system, so the phones didn't work, hence JanMom driving me there. I went to the guard shack...telling them that I needed to go to the hospital. The men there went crazy, trying to reach him! (It was sooo funny...and I made sure I moaned and groaned some, just to make it look good.)Calls were made, including one with a fervent request of "this lady is going to have a baby any minute!!" The head of his building was sent to find him...and he was stuck in an elevator...I guess it was really the 13th of December! Don't know if it was a Friday, though....

Anyway, hubby took me to the hospital, and, a few hours later, we were blessed with a precious, 9 pound 9 ounce bundle of boy, fresh from Heavenly Father. I didn't get to look in his eyes right away...Dad had that honor. But I did talk to him, then, and over and over throughout the years. He is now married to our precious Cameo, who NONE of us would trade for all the money in all the world. Ethan has grown into a wonderful, honorable, hard working, dedicated man. He gives his all for everything, whether it be work, or school, or driving a younger brother home from a study session, or helping roof a shed, or trimming trees for a grandparent, or making a wish come true, or sharing his video games with everyone, or playing softball (he is on the Az Hispanic Champion Softball Team), or making a mom and dad very very proud!
He was an awesome baby, an awesome kid, and now he is an awesome adult. A piece of heaven, here on earth!!

Hard to believe, 27 years ago!! Hey, I cannot be THAT old! Ethan, happy, happy birthday. We love you very, very much!

Isn't It Just Magic

There is nothing like a brand new baby to bring out the love and magic in everyone. I witnessed my daughter and son in law bring home their new little son...and the magic of his brother and sister meeting him...It truly took my breath away!

Never...

I have been away...road trip to Vegas, but not the kind others might think. I am here, caring for my grandbabies, while my dear sweet daughter delivers the next new little one. Joshua came on Tuesday, at 6:16 P.M., weighing 8 lbs. 2.5 ozs...a treasure with a head of dark hair (certainly not a Rice trait!) While spending some time in the NICU, he is otherwise perfect, and should get to come home in the next few days. So, I am trying to do what is done here in this blessed home, each and every day. Wake up time is in 15 minutes, so I just have a few moments for a thought or two. And, as I take a quick breath, before the fun starts, I think of all the nevers...
Never... have I had so much fun at breakfast in the morning! Yesterday, while they were eating their waffles, I got to dance and lip sync to Christmas music. I actually got laughs...not the typical teenager eye roll! So fun!
Never...have I found out how inoompetant I am at games...especially video games. Adam and I always want to play xbox when I visit, but when better playing uncles are here, I don't get the chance. He is patient, and plays for me when I don't get any points.
Never...have I been so brave. I never ever drive out of town, in other towns. I depend on Dee (and will continue to do so!!!)I just keep saying "I can do hard things!", and pray a lot....and it works!
Never...have I had to be so creative with a wonderful, bright, and adventurous 3 year old. She is the most wonderful angel...I have always called her my butterfly: she just flits from thing to thing, leaving smiles wherever she goes. Yesterday, we were at WalMart, and she spent time waving and smiling at a little baby. Then, at home, we watched Dinosaur Train, ate snacks...which she put in her shoe!...played, crunched leaves, slid on the slide...and kept her occupied and away from the packages Grammy brought from Phoenix under the tree...and she doesn't forget a thing! She asked what one pkg from Nano was, I replied that is was cocoa...thinking that she would forget. That night, she shared with Daddy the knowledge she had obtained!! No biggie, but what a memory!
Never...have I missed my hubby more! I have said that I always want to be with my grandbabies, and I do...the thing that would make this just perfect is having him here!!!
Never...have I laid down to sleep and been more tired! I don't know how Allison does it. I always THOUGHT she was amazing...and now I KNOW!!
Never...have I felt so blessed! A wonderful, supportive family carrying on at home, a brand new blessing from heaven, the greatest kids on the earth to be with morning, noon and night, reading stories, kisses and hugs, trips to school presentations, being able to do something for Allison...all in all...a great Christmas gift..early!

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