The Season...

The season has been crazy.  Busy, busy, busy. One day rushing into the next.  One of these years I am going to get my shopping done early and be able to sit back and relax and watch everyone else run around with their heads cut off!  That is what I have told myself for too many years.

Abby and her cousins, Cassie and Kylie

Last Friday we did spend the evening in Salt Lake with Brad's brothers and their families.  We went to Temple Square to look at the millions and millions of beautiful lights, what an amazing job they do decorating.

Then on Saturday we spent the afternoon with my family having our family Christmas party.  It is always an awesome time when I get to spend time with my sisters and their families.  Quite honestly, there is nothing better than family.
On Sunday our ward did a sacrament meeting of musical numbers.  I could feel the spirit pretty strong.  I also could feel the absence of Tanton.  I was sad that he wasn't there sitting with us, like he usually is.  I was trying to think of the bright side and that is that he will only be away for two Christmases and one will already be down so quickly!  But unfortunately, I am getting the sneaking suspicion that it is going to be very hard to not have him here this Christmas....















A good friend of mine gave me this poem, and I think it does an excellent job of summarizing my feelings.

A Missionary Christmas

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.  The thrill just wasn’t there.  No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.  His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks… no fun. I’ve bought him all white clothes because,

This year I’m giving Christ my son.

I’ve spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred. I’ve reread November’s Ensign, felt strength come from His words. Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run. Abraham seems closer because,

This year I’m giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war? Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more. My loss will be his presence, I’ll miss his smile a ton. For two years we will pray for him,

I’m giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he’s not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine. He’s always hungered for the part of Him that makes his soul divine. The stories and the lessons he always heard, his choice and mine are one. I’ll put my faith in God’s hands.  This year,

I’m giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand: Christ’s birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand. It’s because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing’s done. My gift has taken years to make. This year,

I’m giving Christ my son.

I know there’s One who understands the sacrifice I’m making. Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking. For He has done it all before – greater love, there could be none. For years ago God gave to me,

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray; now knock the doors to find the ones who will listen to what he’ll say. Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering’s done. My gift has taken years to make.

This year…I’m giving Christ my son.

Time for an update, eh?

It has been a while since I have posted anything!  Life has been busy, it seems it just comes one thing after another...which can be good at times.  It has now been just over three weeks since Tanton went into the MTC.  He is still in Provo at the MTC, although he was suppose to fly to Spain on November 30.  He said he is "an official visa waiter" now.  He is just waiting for his visa to arrive then like six days later he will be off to Spain.  I am praying that his visa will come after Christmas.  I really think that it would be cool for Tanton to be in the MTC in Provo for Christmas.  They have had so many cool devotional speakers and I really feel that the spirit would be strong.  But....since I am not the one in charge of visa's, I am sure it will come when it is time, and that will be all good too. He is loving the MTC. He loves his companion, who is from Phoenix and thinks the snow is super cool.  He really loves playing volleyball, and he even thinks the food is good! :)  His Spanish is coming along very well also.  But that is not a surprise to me.  All is well.  I have to admit, it was sad to know he was less than 2 hrs away and could not spend Thanksgiving with us, and I do miss him.  But I love to get his weekly e-mails and he has even been a very good letter writer, which is impressive!  He is happy, which makes for a happy mom ~ missing him ~ but happy for him!

Grandma Vinson

My Grandma Vinson turns 90 years old today! She is such an amazingly strong woman.  Since I have not had my mother around since I was so young, my grandma has played an even bigger role in my life.  She has really been there for me and my sisters through the years and we have really been here for her.  That is what family is all about and it is great.  We are so blessed to continue to have my grandmother in our lives, she is very bright and her mind is completely intact.  Sometimes I feel like she can remember things better than I do!  We had a surprise party for her last weekend, it turned out great. What a fantastic way to show her what she means to all of her family!

Now, I guess it is time to turn my thoughts to Christmas.  I cannot believe that it is only 3 weeks away!  I tell you, before I know it we will be half way through January.
Merry Christmas! May we all remember the true meaning of Christmas, and feel the spirit this holiday season.

I Need A Hug!

My boy left yesterday and it will be two years before I’ll see him.

No, I wouldn’t choose winter for Tanton to leave. Think of all he’ll miss: Hockey games, building snow jumps and snowboarding down them, Christmas lights, late nights reading books under a cozy blanket, family dinners, doing doughnuts on a snowy night in the parking lot. No–I wouldn’t choose Winter.

No, I wouldn’t choose spring for Tanton to leave. Think of all he’ll miss: Easter Egg hunts, planting flowers, flying kites, watching our trees blossom, cleaning up the yard, birds hatching in the nest in our trees, Memorial Day, putting flowers on graves at the cemetery. No–I wouldn’t choose Spring.

No, I wouldn’t choose summer for Tanton to leave. Think of all he’ll miss: Our annual Lake Powell trip, riding his motorcycle, gazing at the stars, the 4th of July, No–I wouldn’t choose Summer.

No, I wouldn’t choose fall for Tanton to leave. Think of all he’ll miss: carving pumpkins, corn mazes, the beautiful colors of the trees, Thanksgiving, his birthday. No–I wouldn’t choose Fall.

Tanton did leave us on a cold, winter-like day–November 10, 2010.

I got to spend quite a bit of quality time with Tanton in the months before he left.  We even had a mother-son day 10 days ago and spent the day in Salt Lake together.  What a well prepared young man.  I am not worried about him not being able to take care of himself...he can cook for himself, he can do his laundry, he has been very independent for the last few years.  He has a great head on his shoulders, and most of all he is being watched over by his Heavenly Father. 

 

I thought I’d be an absolute wreck and would spend the next few weeks crying. I’m surprised at the peace and joy I feel. Yes–he’s missing out on all the fun winter activities we will be having. But–he’s spreading his wings and flying and there’s nowhere I’d rather him be.

 Be strong and brave and cheerful, my boy. 

God be with you ’til we meet again–in the Fall/Winter of 2012.

Family Pictures.... a very rare occasion!

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

The whole family

Tanton

AbbyJade

Tanton, Dylan, Tim holding Natalie, Melissa holding Sophie, Abby, Brad, Kelly, Trey, Krista, Doug holding Krew, Greg and Kristina

Tanton, Brad, Kelly and Abby

Melissa, Sophie, Dylan, Tim and Natalie

Krew, Doug, Trey and Krista

Greg and Kristina

Ready, Set....SMILE!

Wow! I know.

Kellee Smith took Greg and Kristina's wedding pictures. Later, she called me and said that she couldn't get Abby off her mind and wanted to photograph her and use her in some of her concept shoots that she has planned coming up.

Great!

We have some photos upstairs of Abby and Tanton that have not been changed out in 8 years, and I have really been wanting to get that done before Tanton leaves on his mission. So, we took about 45 minutes for a quick session and took some picture in a field just around the corner from our house. They turned out marvelous!

I love, love, love them!!

These are the ones that she put on her blog:

momentsbykellee.com

you can go there to see it. You can also go there and look at the whole session. Click on photo proof and the password is larson. I just ordered the pictures so she will be giving me a disc with the session on it.

Such talent...and beautiful models!

LaKe PoWelL JuNkiE!!

Oh Beautiful Lake Powell..... I am a total Lake Powell Junkie. Once the planning & packing are done and the food is bought it is Heaven for the rest of the week. This year we went quite late, The first week of September. Our summer was quite busy, one thing after another...and Tanton gave the ol' "you mean it will be 3 years that I will miss Lake Powell?" guilt trip (since he is leaving on his mission in November) -- so I got online and booked a houseboat for 5 days instead of our regular week. Then Tanton ended up only being able to come for 2 of the days!! Oh well, It all worked out in the end.

Brad, myself, Abby and her friend, Alexis, went down together. Tanton came down with his dad and Marnie for the first two days. It was great to have Sil and Marnie there. We are so blessed that we all get along as well as we do, Brad and I consider Sil and Marnie wonderful friends! Marnie brought her camera and took some ridiculously great pictures... which means that she is not in any of our pictures, bummer!

A couple of our other friends, Ken & Janae Lester came down with their boat and their 2 boys and 2 friends on Saturday and stayed until Monday evening. It was so much fun to have them there. It has been way too long since we have gotten together with Ken and Janae, they are wonderful friends, and we laughed a lot. We are so glad they came down.

Here is Abby, Alexis and the 4 boys that came with the Lesters. They are hiking up through Hole in the Rock.

Brad surfing, he did awesome! He dropped the rope and kept on surfing for quite a while!

Brad water skiing... of course, this is Marnie's photography!

Abby and her sunglasses, with Sil and Tanton in the reflection.

Abby water skiing, she just keeps getting better every year... little studette!

Abby even started catching some air when she crossed the wake while wake boarding. Looking good Bugs, soon you will be a professional. ;)

But tubing still remains the FAVORITE thing to do! At least these girls are young and flexible. I don't think my old body could take it for very long at all, but these kids can do it all day long!

Now here we go... I have become quite the woosy and I basically only like to water ski at Lake Powell now, where the water is super warm. Ohhhh, I used to ski anywhere on anything and those were the days!

Cousin "it" on Abby's head.

Tanton waterskiing, he only does this a couple times a year.

Tanton surfing, he could surf literally minutes at a time without holding on to the rope, it is super fun to watch. Too bad I can't figure out how to get myself up on the surf board!

And....Tanton wake boarding. Basically, he rocks at it. He landed a back flip a few times, then just played around a lot. He makes it look sooo easy it is sickening. But as I said, watch out Tanton, your little sis is gonna have 2 years on ya, eh.

All in all it was a great time. For a Lake Powell Junkie it really couldn't be bad... I just don't think we will go that late in the year again. The nights and mornings got a bit chilly (something we are not used to at Lake Powell for sure). We were bummed that more of our family could not be there, but the planning was not the best and it was thrown in last minute. But I tell you what ~ we will be there again next year for sure, once if not twice.