JANUARY

Branches shiver naked in the breeze

Above the silver wavelets of a rill.

Snow-white quilting hugs low round the trees

As winter flaunts her power and her skill.

Unlike emblazoned twilight of a May,

When angels finger-paint each amber cloud,

The January dusk is palest gray

Yet every bit as beautifully endowed.



by: Mary Volk

HAPPY NEW YEAR

MORE OF THE CLAN

Kort is our grandson that served two tours in Iraq, and his wife Laura served one tour. Little Autumn goes to pre-school and loves it. I love all my pictures this year.

ANOTHER FAMILY

Danny, Brinley and Sariah. Danny and Brinley just moved into their new home, in fact right before Christmas. They are happy to be in their own home.

ALYSSA, MATT, CAMERON & TESSA

Alyssa is going to college in Washington, Matt is skiing (his first love), Cameron is playing basketball and Tessa is just being her darling self. I am sooooo happy to receive the beautiful pictures.

OH HOLY NIGHT

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!

THIS CHRISTMAS

Mend a quarrel, seek out a forgotten friend.

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.

Write a love letter.

Share some treasure.

Give a soft answer.

Encourage youth.

Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Keep a promise.

Find the time.

Forego a grudge.

Forgive an enemy.

LISTEN.

Apologize if you are wrong.

Try to understand.

Flout envy.

Examine your demands on others.

Think first of someone else.

Appreciate.

Be kind - be gentle.

Laugh a little more.

Deserve confidence.

Take up arms against malice.

Decry complacency.

Express your gratitude.

Go to church.

Welcome a stranger.

Gladden the heart of a child.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Speak your love.

Speak it again.

Speak it still once more.

And last of all, remember the mentally ill need our love and support.

God bless you all and have a wonderful 'Christ'mas and the happiest of New Years.

BRAGGING RIGHTS !!!

Hello everyone, and Merry Christmas to you and yours. I am going to brag a bit, but I hope no one will mind. We are starting to receive pictures of the grand children and their families. Also, we have pictures taken that I want to share with everyone. I hope no one will mind, but we are so proud of them all. You will find you have to scroll down to see them all, but I think you will find it worthwhile. You will probably have to keep checking back, because every day we receive more pictures !!!!

We wish you a very Happy, Holy Christmas season, and a New Year filled with the best of everything.

A HAPPY WEDDING DAY

Scott and Charlotte on their wedding day in September. Charlotte was a beautiful bride, and Scott is her prince charming. May they always be as happy for the rest of their lives.

THE WORLD TRAVELERS

Nate and Tonia at Lake Louise. Nate is busy traveling with his company and so is Tonia. This past year it has been hard to keep up with them. They travel with their jobs, and also for pleasure. They are a very special couple and keep me in my beloved pictures. We wish them both a beautiful Christmas season, and a New Year of the best of everything.

OH HAPPY DAY !!!

Troy and Kelsey

On November 5th, 2008, Troy and Kelsey were married in the Bountiful Temple. They are a beautiful couple and are so happy together. Kelsey is attending Weber State University and is applying for the nursing program in 2009. Troy keeps busy in the building industry. They are happily settled into their new home, and soon will be moving their horses onto their property. What a fun day we all had on the 5th of November.

HAPPY FACES, HAPPY HEARTS TOO !!

RYAN, HOLLY, LYDIA AND VIOLET

More of our family. This is one special family as the parents are both so musically and artistically talented. Ryan is teaching music, after receiving his degree from Utah State, and Holly is now attending Utah State majoring in art. Their complete family is so talented. They are very special. Holly painted a picture for us for Christmas and we will treasure is forever !!!!!

MORE OF OUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY

Trevor, Brooke, Ethan and AshtonWe have been fortunate this year to receive all these beautiful pictures. I am really into scrap booking and believe me, I am kept very busy. I treasure each and every picture we receive. Trevor is very busy in the building industry and Brooke is following in the steps of her Mother with her eye for beauty in the building industry.

MORE REASONS TO SMILE !!!

Joel, Tegan and Peyton

This is another wonderful family of grandchildren that live in Boise. Joel has been in Tucson, but is going to Virginia after the holidays to study for his new job. Tegan is both Mom and Dad right now, but the sacrifice will be well worth it when Joel finishes his training. Joel will be arriving home Christmas Eve to spend the holidays with his family. We wish the very merriest and happiest Christmas of all. Love you lots...............

MATT, DAYNA AND CHILDREN

We are starting to receive the most priceless gift that can be given, and that is pictures of families. The smiling faces in this picture are Matt, Dayna, Joel and Emme. What greater gift can be given........

CAPTAIN MATT

Alright everyone.....heads up to the most handsome Captain in the United States Air Force. I just received this picture and I must say I am thrilled to death to receive it. Thank you Dayna !!! Thanks Matt for defending our country and freedom.

LETS PUT CHRIST BACK INTO CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR

Only Tammy Wynette can sing this song. And yes, let's try to put Christ back into Christmas, but have the feelings we have at Christmas spread over 365 days.....not just one day. Right now our new leader needs all the prayers we can give him. He has such a huge task ahead of him. I pray Heavenly Father is with him every day.

This is my Christmas wish for you and yours this holiday season. Let us all pray that our new President will succeed in the daunting task that lies before him and his administration. Please pray that Heavenly Father looks over him, guides his steps, and holds him in his loving arms.

SOME MORE REASONS..FOR THE SEASONS

Matt, Joel and Emme

Some more of the reasons for smiles this season. Guess who is behind the camera......Mom !! The gingerbread house is so cute !!!

PEYTON WITH SANTA CLAUS

Isn't this what Christmas is for....the little children....and their belief in Santa Claus. Too soon we grow up.....and loose the magic of Christmas.

WINTER

When winter waves his magic wand

a fairyland appears;

The shrubs along the picket fence

are knights in shining spears.

The fountain is a crystal throne

where old King Jack Frost rules;

The evergreens are stately queens

in silvery lace and jewels.

The fence-post sentinels at the gate,

whose hats are frosty globes,

Command that all who enter here

be dressed in ermine robes.

Edith Powell Wortman

Sunday, the 21st of December, is the first day of winter. Today it is snowing here and it's "beginning to look allot like Christmas."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

Today is the day my beautiful Mother was born, years and years ago. She was born December 11, 1911. My Mom was so sweet, kind and understanding. I can never hardly remember her saying an unkind word. She and I would go for long walks, just to talk about the day. We would buy us a treat and walk hand in hand and visit. When I left home, we always joked about keeping "Ma Bell" (the telephone company) in business. We would talk endlessly about just about anything. Mom had a good sense of humor (Irish) and loved to laugh. Her family was large, three sisters and three brothers and her family was very close. Mom grew up in a small town in Minnesota and wanted to become a journalist. She loved to write beautiful letters and loved to read. She was keenly aware of events going on in the country, and we would discuss them each Sunday morning. Thanks Mom, for setting such a good example for me to follow. I love you.............Mom left us on March 23, 1995 and I still miss her. God be with you, till we meet again.....Patty

O.K. Now I'm not so sure this is accurate....but I'll take anything I can get.....

TV Reviews

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM

THE EMBERS GLOWED SOFTLY, AND IN THEIR DIM LIGHT, I GAZED ROUND THE ROOM AND I CHERISHED THE SIGHT.MY WIFE WAS ASLEEP, HER HEAD ON MY CHEST, MY DAUGHTER BESIDE ME, ANGELIC IN REST.OUTSIDE THE SNOW FELL, A BLANKET OF WHITE, TRANSFORMING THE YARD TO A WINTER DELIGHT.

THE SPARKLING LIGHTS IN THE TREE I BELIEVE, COMPLETED THE MAGIC THAT IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE. MY EYELIDS WERE HEAVY, MY BREATHING WAS DEEP, SECURE AND SURROUNDED BY LOVE I WOULD SLEEP. IN PERFECT CONTENTMENT, OR SO IT WOULD SEEM, SO I SLUMBERED, PERHAPS I STARTED TO DREAM.

THE SOUND WASN'T LOUD, AND IT WASN'T TOO NEAR, BUT I OPENED MY EYES WHEN IT TICKLED MY EAR. PERHAPS JUST A COUGH, I DIDN'T QUITE KNOW, THEN THE SURE SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS OUTSIDE IN THE SNOW. MY SOUL GAVE A TREMBLE, I STRUGGLED TO HEAR, AND I CREPT TO THE DOOR JUST TO SEE WHO WAS NEAR.

STANDING OUT IN THE COLD AND DARK OF THE NIGHT, A LONE FIGURE STOOD, HIS FACE WEARY AND TIGHT. A SOLDIER, I PUZZLED, SOME TWENTY YEARS OLD, PERHAPS A MARINE, HUDDLED HERE IN THE COLD.ALONE IN THE DARK, HE LOOKED UP AND SMILED, STANDING WATCH OVER ME, AND MY WIFE AND MY CHILD.

'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?' I ASKED WITHOUT FEAR, 'COME IN THIS MOMENT, IT'S FREEZING OUT HERE! PUT DOWN YOUR PACK, BRUSH THE SNOW FROM YOUR SLEEVE, YOU SHOULD BE AT HOME ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE! FOR BARELY A MOMENT I SAW HIS EYES SHIFT, AWAY FROM THE COLD AND THE SNOW BLOWN IN DRIFTS.

TO THE WINDOW THAT DANCED WITH A WARM FIRE'S LIGHT THEN HE SIGHED AND HE SAID 'IT'S REALLY ALL RIGHT. I'M OUT HERE TO STAND AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE, THAT SEPARATES YOU FROM THE DARKEST OF TIMES.'

NO ONE HAD TO ASK OR BEG OR IMPLORE ME, I'M PROUD TO STAND HERE LIKE MY FATHERS BEFORE ME.

MY GRAMPS DIED AT 'PEARL ON A DAY IN DECEMBER,' THEN HE SIGHED, 'THAT'S A CHRISTMAS 'GRAM ALWAYS REMEMBERS.'

MY DAD STOOD HIS WATCH IN THE JUNGLES OF NAM', AND NOW IT IS MY TURN AND SO, HERE I AM.

I'VE NOT SEEN MY OWN SON IN MORE THAN A WHILE, BUT MY WIFE SENDS ME PICTURES, HE'S SURE GOT HER SMILE. THEN HE BENT AND CAREFULLY PULLED FROM HIS BAG, THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE...AN AMERICAN FLAG.

I CAN LIVE THROUGH THE COLD AND THE BEING ALONE, AWAY FROM MY FAMILY, MY HOUSE AND MY HOME.

I CAN STAND AT MY POST THROUGH THE RAIN AND THE SLEEP, I CAN SLEEP IN A FOXHOLE WITH LITTLE TO EAT. I CAN CARRY THE WEIGHT OF KILLING ANOTHER, OR LAY DOWN MY LIFE WITH MY SISTER AND BROTHER....

WHO STAND AT THE FRONT AGAINST ANY AND ALL, TO ENSURE FOR ALL TIME THAT THIS FLAG WILL NOT . '

'SO GO BACK INSIDE' HE SAID, 'HARBOR NO FRIGHT, YOUR FAMILY IS WAITING AND I'LL BE ALL RIGHT.'

BUT ISN'T THERE SOMETHING I CAN DO, AT THE LEAST, 'GIVE YOU MONEY,' I ASKED, 'OR PREPARE YOU A FEAST?' IT SEEMS ALL TOO LITTLE FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE, FOR BEING AWAY FROM YOUR WIFE AND YOUR SON.

THEN HIS EYE WELLED A TEAR THAT HELD NO REGRET, 'JUST TELL US YOU LOVE US, AND NEVER FORGET.' TO FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS BACK AT HOME WHILE WE'RE GONE, TO STAND YOUR OWN WATCH, NO MATTER HOW LONG. FOR WHEN WE COME HOME, EITHER STANDING OR DEAD, TO KNOW YOU REMEMBER WE FOUGHT AND WE BLED. IS PAYMENT ENOUGH, WITH THAT WE WILL TRUST, THAT WE MATTERED TO YOU AS YOU MATTERED TO US'.

Written by: LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

30th Naval Construction Regiment

OIC, Logistics Cell One

At Taqqadum, Iraq

A CHRISTMAS STORY

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone. In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this house did live.
I looked all about a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures of a far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary. I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping silent, alone. Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States Soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play. and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more, My life is my God, my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night, this Guardian of Honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure, whispered "carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

Please remember our troops in far away lands this Christmas. And also, please say a prayer for the military that have come home with so many serious injuries. These are the brave ones that have given their all for this great country, and are now slowly, trying to rebuild their lives.