Merry Christmas Mother!

Dear Mother,

I hope you have a Merry Christmas! I am pretty sure that you celebrate Christ's birth in the spirit world. I wish I could be with you and tell you how much I love you! I miss you so very much! I hope you will be able to be with us some at Christmas. I am sending you my love and a great big hug and kiss! Until we meet again..... Love, your Bonnie Blue

Karrie's Christmas Band Concert

On December 8th, we went to Karrie's Christmas Band concert. My Dad and sister Amy also attended. We all enjoyed the Christmas music and seeing Karrie play her clarinet. We are so proud of her and hope she continues playing the clarinet!

My Mother's Nutcrackers

While Debbie was here at Thanksgiving, we were able to go through my Mother's Christmas decoration and split it up. It was fun to be able to reminisce about the ornaments and decoration that we have had since children. The best part was dividing up my Mother's Nutcrackers. My Mother has collected Nutcrackers for a while now. Most of them she purchased when Karrie and Jacob were little. When Karrie was little, she adored my Mother's Nutcrackers. She would play with them all the time (and my Mother let her). Karrie and my Mother shared a love of Nutcrackers. She used to tell Karrie before Christmas "I hear the Nutcrackers chattering in the boxes. They want to come out for Christmas!" Karrie would giggle and get so excited! My Mother started buying the Grandkids one nutcracker every year. Karrie and Ashley have quite a collection that they put in their rooms at Christmas. Karrie and Ashley helped me pick ones out as we divided them up. One of Karrie's favorites is a white Russian Nutcracker. She remembers this as being her favorite and playing with it all the time when she was young. You will notice that he is missing a nose. Actually, a few of the nutcrackers are missing parts, because my Mother let the Grandkids play with them so much. But that makes them even more special!
I also have a picture of a little tree that I got from my Mother. It is decorated with some of the ceramic ornaments she made and also with some ornaments from my childhood.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving at my Dad's house this year. All the family was there, including my cousin Jenny. That night, the kids had a sleepover. Debbie and I went shopping EARLY on Black Friday. It was nice to be with family!

Let It Snow!

We had the first bad snowstorm of the season on Saturday, November 14th. Here are some pictures at our home in Herriman. Yes, those are Chrsitmas lights in the picture. Yes, it is a bit early but Mike's goal was to put them up before the first snowstorm, and he barely made it!

Disney on Ice-Princess Classics

On Saturday morning we were able to see Disney on Ice. Mike was able to get free seats in a suite at Energy Solutions Arena (one of the perks working for Larry Miller). We have been to just about every Disney on Ice show since Mike started working at ESA, but this was one of the best! It was all about the Disney Princesses. Ashley was in absolute heaven! Ashley's favorite princess is Cinderella, and the last half of the show was dedicated to her story. It was very entertaining and the costumes were beautiful! We couldn't take very good pictures, but here are some videos.

Trick or Treat!

Halloween was much the same as last year. Up to Bountiful to see Grandma Jones, dinner at the Pursers with homemade chicken noodle soup, and yummy lion house rolls, then out to Trick or Treat! There were not as many kids out this year and a lot more houses had their lights out. It was great weather to be out and we had a lot of fun!

Pumpkins and Paintbrush Cookies

I have good memories of making paintbrush cookies every year with my Mother and sisters. It is a tradition that I have carried on with my girls. I know that my sister's have carried it on with their families, also. As we were going through some of my Mother's belongings, we found the old cookie cutters that we used with the paintbrush cookies. My sisters and I divided the cookies cutters between us. My girls always enjoy making the paintbrush cookies, but this year they thought it was extra special to be using some of the cookie cutters that I used as a child! It meant a lot to me, too!
After we were through with the cookies, Karrie and Ashley carved their pumpkins. They turned out really cute! What a fun night!

Going to Grandpa's

Tonight we went to my Dad's house, so he could see the Grandkids in their Halloween costumes. In the past, my Dad and Mom would take turns going to mine or Amy's house on Halloween to see the Grandkids trick or treat. This year my Dad won't be able to go to either, so the kids wanted to show him their costumes. Mike dressed in his scary costume, too. My Dad got a good laugh at Mike and Karrie's scary costumes. The kids had a good time being with each other and their Grandpa Shaw!

My Dad's Birthday

My Dad turned 68 on October 2oth. This was his first birthday in 45 years without my Mother. On Sunday, October 25th, we got together with Amy, Wes and the girls to celebrate his birthday as a family. My Dad's request for dinner was my Mother's chicken, cheese and rice casserole. I cooked it and Mike made an angel food cake. Amy, Debbie and I gave my Dad a counted cross stitch of the Shaw coat of arms that my Mother had made for him. We came across it while going through her things. She made it years ago for him, but had never gotten it framed. So, we had it matted and framed for his birthday. I love you Dad and I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point

On October 16th, Mike, the girls and I went to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point. It has a corn maze and other fun activities to enjoy. We went on a hayride, a train ride (driven by a tractor), found our way through the corn maze, and last but not least, we went through the haunted corn maze. We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs! I was almost deaf after the haunted corn maze, from Karrie's constant screaming, but she was so funny that Mike and I were laughing at her reactions the whole way through the maze. Ashley didn't see much of the haunted corn maze, as she had her head buried against Mike. We all had a great time and it was nice to have a family night out!

Letters From My Mother

I want to share a couple of letters that my Mother wrote me. I have more, but I am only sharing two. I read these often because they bring me comfort. They reaffirm to me how much my Mother loves me. When reading them, I can hear my Mother speaking to me through them. I love her so very much! These letters are priceless to me!

Missing My Mother

Today is the 6 month anniversary of my Mother's passing. In some ways I have overcome the shock and disbelief of her death. Still, sometimes I can't believe she is gone! She was so much a part of my life and my girl's lives. It is hard to adjust to life without her. I still cry for her a lot. She was my best friend and I miss talking to her! She was so involved in my life and my girl's lives. She was always there for me in good times and bad. I miss asking her for advice and counsel. She was very close to my girls and they still talk about her all the time. Ashley cried for her the other day. She told me that she needed her Grandma Shaw. What a wonderful and loving influence she has had on my kids! I thank Heavenly Father every day for sending me to my Mother!
I wanted to share a song by the christian group "Mercy Me". I love this group and I have always loved this song, but it has more meaning to me now that my Mother has passed. My girls and I listen to it a lot and it always makes me cry now, because it has such meaning in my life. You can also scroll down and listen to it on my playlist.

" Homesick"

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

The last picture taken of my Mother-Feb. 2009 (Her 65th b-day)

Cascade Springs

On September 26th, we went to Cascade Springs with our friends, the Pursers. The fall colors were gorgeous! We had a fun time hiking around the springs and collecting leaves. Later, we had a picnic at Wasatch State Park, and the kids enjoyed feeding the ducks. We LOVE fall and the Utah Mountains are especially beautiful this time of year!

First Day of School

Ashley's 1st day of school

Ashley started 4th grade on August 17. She loves her teacher, Mr. Hansen. Karrie started the 9th grade on August 26th. Her favorite class is early morning seminary. Both of my girls are growing up so fast! Where has all the time gone? I am so proud of both of them!

Karrie's 1st day of school

Karrie's 14th Birthday

Karrie turned 14 years old on August 24th. I can't believe my little 3 pound preemie is growing up! We celebrated by having dinner and cake with just our little family. A couple of days later, we had Grandma and Grandpa Jones and Grandpa Shaw over for dinner and cake. She had a wonderful birthday and we are so proud of the sweet young woman she has become! We love you Karrie!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

On Saturday, August 22, we attended the dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We were able to be inside the Temple itself for the service. It was the fourth out of the nine dedication services. It was such a sacred experience. My testimony was strengthened and I felt the spirit so strongly. I am so thankful that my girls were able to witness the dedication inside the Temple. We also had the privilege of going to the dedication of the Draper Temple in March, at our Stake Center. To have Temples so close is such a blessing. I look forward to going to many sessions at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.