What am I excited about these days

I just read a blog that asked what we were excited about-- well let me tell you
This book- I got it for fhe. It is awesome! It's all about showing kindness and love. It uses the word "dipper" which happens to be a favorite word of my 2 sons.
Being a Find a Grave volunteer
There's a family history web site where I've volunteered to go to near by cemeteries and take pictures by request. I took my first assignment on Wednesday and I went seeking on Thursday. It is incredibly satisfying to help someone do family history work. I was really happy to do it.
Planting peas
Stitching during conference
Stake president visit for Joseph
Family vacation in June!
And of course a visit from my two favorite littles maybe next month!!

Wow!! Angels among us

Just the other night, after a run of tough days, Dave and I were talking right before we fell asleep. I asked him "do you think there will ever be a time we go to bed happier than we thought we'd be- instead of being sadder than we thought the day would end?" (That sounds awkward, I hope you know what I mean)

Anyway

Tonight is that night!! I know we are not finished with the day yet, but this day has had some great things! One of which is the package I received today. So fun. It will help in primary and in my life in so many ways. The creator of these books is our song leader in primary and she is so awesome. She has all those kids, and the teachers enthralled. What a delight!

Our Kimmie came by tonight. She is doing so well and she is so happy. No big announcements, but seeing her happy is so good for my mamas heart.

So I guess it's time to sleep now. This day ended up happier than I thought it would be, and I'm so thankful!

He went to Dubai!

Earlier this month Dave went to a conference in Dubai. He was asked to present some info on technology. I know it was a grueling flight to get there, but it was hard on me too ;) I know how can I complain? We were able to Skype while he was in another world. Never thought he would go that far away. He said next time he will take me--- I wonder if I'm brave enough to go

One of the land formations in Dubai

This country is so wealthy they create land formations out in the ocean. This is off google earth.

The goods he brought home

Dates are a big deal there, we have walls of soda or chips in the US. They have walls of dates. Cool

The money from Dubai

How she's doing

Aubrey has been home for over a month, or as she says one transfer. She is doing so so well. When we picked her up at the airport, I was so worried she would be sad and weird with adjusting. The first thing I said to her after I found my voice, was if she was ok. She assured me she was. She still is-- no melt down or regrets. I'm so thankful she's doing so well. She's in school and has a part time job. She is officially in the singles ward in Highland, and things are going great. One of the things that has surprised me is she is still 100% on the quotes from movies game. She is still sharp and fast. It's awesome. She usually rides in to school with Dave on his way to work. That gives them a great time to talk- such a good thing. She hasn't talked about moving out, and I am certainly ok with that. It's nice not to be so alone anymore. I know it will change, and that's ok too, but for now its really nice to have her home.

It IS winter!

I am loving this winter. Many people complain but I think it's perfect! It's been the snowiest and coldest winter we've had in decades I think this snow is just from last night and today. That little table was clear of any snow yesterday. I live the fireplace, I live reading, I love baking, I love getting in my pre warmed bed... I don't want to do these things in July- but for now, it's perfect!

The Commandments

Here's what we made in primary. It was appreciated by all

CTR 4

Teaching primary is certainly a delight. Not to say I don't worry and stress- but once the lesson is over I take a big sigh-and sometimes a Tylenol and gear up for the next Sunday. Today our lesson was "the commandments help is choose the right" the commandments were compared to road signs that help is get back to Heavenly Father. I asked the kids if they knew what certain road signs meant. When I showed them this one, I knew it would be tricky. It took a minute, then my cute little blondie Elsa said "no snowboarding?" I couldn't help but laugh and tell her that's not what it means but it certainly could. Little smarty.

Still needing a little cooling off

A very odd activity

Jacob joined in on a hot wing eating challenge. The trick was to eat 12 of the spiciest hot wings in 6 minutes. He had to sign a waiver first--- and then he won.
He said the whole place was watching the competition and cheering. One lady, he said, was videoing him with her phone. Wish i could see the video!! He thought the whole thing was awesome. He won a headband- a gc for more wings and a free haircut, along with the respect of many. Hahahahahahahaahahah
The haircut thing is a little weird for a prize, but I'm certainly ok with it. He also got to choose anything on the menu to eat after the wings. That was a prize from the group he was with. He chose a strawberry shake. He said he really couldn't taste it but it was like eating an ice shake and he love that.


Now 2 hours later he's eating a frosty ;)

A few of the prizes

He looks a little spiced up hua? Poor red face...

An action shot

2012- a realization.

As I think about this passed year, I realize how much this scripture fits my life right now.
Yesterday we were so blessed to attend three missionary reports. Bryson in Draper, Cameron in Highland and Ben in Lehi. Bryson and Ben are the sons of two of my best best friends. During Bryson's talk he had us turn to this scripture. As I thought about "peace" being one of the fruits of the spirit, I figured that I must be doing something wrong. Peace has not been easy for me this year.

Between Joseph's pain, the election and the contention it brought, my fathers health and sadness and David's job changes and a few other personal upsets, **peace** feels like its been slipping through my fingers.

Later I read the scripture again. Peace may have been elusive, and I will certainly seek it more, but **love, gentleness, long suffering, goodness and meekness have been abundant in my life. I consider that huge blessings. Some of these blessings have come in the wake of the hard times we've had, and some have been like a gentle soft summer rain--- .

My husband,
my parents,
my children,
my GRAND babies,
my best friends in my sisters and brothers,
my awesome happy nieces and nephews,
my sweet loving understanding girlfriends,
the great yw of our highland ward,
and the darling sunbeams ...

So many many wonderful people in my life.
True angels.

Throw in the fun and adventure that comes from David.
He brings me many amazing experiences-- sneaking up to sundance to be with him during a work weekend there, family vacation, weekly dates, adventures to see Brian Regan and Jim Brickman-- I could go on and on...
Aubrey being so happy on her mission! And her safe return....
And last, for now, but not least, Being there to witness and help Laura when Kaylee was born--

So much love in my life and so many blessings-  I am so thankful!
Heavenly Father is helping us through this tough time.
I will keep figuring out how to feel the peace that I know is there for me- and until then I will live in the love of the Spirit of God.
I really am so thankful.






Connie

A very special gift

Aubrey gave us all things from her mission for Christmas. What a joy. She gave me scripture covers!! That's what I was hoping for. She chose the pictures to be put on them. On the Bible is a very favorite picture of mine. Awhile ago David took our family to the Carl Block (?) art exhibit at BYU. The picture there of Jairus' daughter being raised from the dead truly touched my heart, so of course love love love this story and this picture.
The back cover on my Book of Mormon is what she called "your temple" meaning where David and I got married. I asked for covers for my seminary scriptures-- yes the books from 1981. I love those books cause I have and can mark them up. AND cause I knew I'd get 4 pictures instead of only 2! AND because I have a very cute (kitty print fabric inside) scripture carrier for my big scriptures. Love them all so much.

The other side

The one on the left is a picture from a scene in the Book of Mormon when Jesus Christ comes to the temple. Such a tender moment. I love that picture.
The cover on the right is for my bible. On the back is a picture of Esther. I though this was such a great inspiration. A few months ago, when I gave a little missionary report on Aubrey in church, I used a scripture from Esther. " .... born for such a time as this" So awesome that Aubrey chose such a dear picture.

A Js return

What a great week

What a great week at the Pixton home. Dave got home from Germany, and Laura and littles came in also. Everyone got to be at the airport when Aubrey came in. We ran late and the flight was just a little early, but we made it in time. I started to get anxious more and more through the morning-- it's a weird feeling. Not nervous scared-- just anxious and a little absent minded. As we made our way to the baggage area, we saw a huge crowd. 22 missionaries were returning on Aubrey's flight. We got my phone hooked up with Laurie's phone. She was with mom and dad in Provo. They could see somewhat the action of the arrival. When I saw my girl and got her in my arms all the worry and questions of her being so far away, the awe I felt at her accomplishment, my hope for her to be happy being home... All sorts of thoughts flooded over me. I couldn't let her go.
I was holding Jack at the time which was weird but like I said I was kind of beside my self with anticipation. Aubrey had lots of love and hugs to welcome her home. All my kids, and my husband, are with me. I can't begin to describe how much that means to me. I am so thankful.

It's getting crazy

My house isn't as clean or organized as I'd like, NO presents are wrapped for Christmas--I don't know what's for dinner tomorrow... This is where my mind is!