Once there was a Snowman...

One lovely winter morning

we found ourselves in search of the perfect snow hill....

Granted it was far from the top rated snow mounds our Idaho cousins are familiar with... but this was still a workable location right off the highway and came with a steep drop and a base of powdery white stuff!!!

Our Hartwig cousins came to play too -and that made for the one of the best snow days of the new year!

Gpa & Gma Millyard made a detour from the ranch to join in the fun!

Our Snowman was the most photographed of it's day!

p.s. - we missed you!

p.s.s - If you're in Arizona looking for a snow day... don't try the gravel pit north of pine and strawberry... it's closed this year due to "public safety"

Wall-o-Mike

I just had to post this! - It's Mikes' 20th Birthday and he is fortunate enough to be serving the Lord in Florianopolis Brazil this year.... Here is a picture of moms' "Wall-o-Mike". It started out as a map of Brazil, and slowly morphed into this collaboration of people we don't know and events we've missed... but as you can tell, the light is bright in the faces of those who serve the Lord. It has always amazed me at how the Lord can take a 19 year old boy and give him the opportunity and experience that will benefit him for the rest of his life in just 2 short years.

These are the amazing parents that are beaming from ear-2-ear whenever the "Wall-o-Mike" brings on a conversation of the latest updates and news! Every Monday when/if the inbox has a letter from a missionary, they are thrilled! They have been so thoughtful and prayerful in supporting Michael and it's a reward in their lives to know he is working hard and giving all he has. We were able to speak with Elder Mike on Christmas Day - It was a real treat to hear his voice and share the events of Christmas with him. He was speaking Portuguese with Daenon and has come along well in his first 7 months. He's excited about the opportunities and experiences that the Lord has in store for him, and says: "its' been the hardest and the most rewarding experience of my life so far!" - He said that he walks "about 5 miles on a slow day, comes home eats a banana and go to bed!" He's been fortunate to be in his first area for a few months and has really enjoyed getting to know the people. They've had quite a few marriages and baptisms and there's always a birthday party invite too. We've loved the pictures he's sent home and the letters/emails even the short ones are enjoyable! We've had a good laugh over the mail system and the challenge of sending packages to him... but it's the thought that counts - Right? :)

Happy 20th Birthday Elder Millyard!

We Love you!

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

wE diD!

aND a HAPpY 2010!

Winter School Days

We need more playtime!!!!

Book Exchange!!!

Kindergarten Musical Chairs

We want more playtime!!!

Arizona 3rd Grade Snow Fort!

All the Festiva this year!

A few years back we felt the need to express our love for the Savior in this public display and this is what it's become... the manger (musical), the angel, the deer (instead of sheep), the wreaths and the Star.

How many days of madness are left?? I love this advent ~ it's usually the first to hang up!

AND A new addition this year ~ A star makes the perfect holder for the "Santa Key" - It's left outside on Christmas Eve for Santa to gain magical entrance without the risk of a chimney!

The tree, which the cats continue to devour this year, has been redecorated at a rate of 13+ ornaments a night... but it's beautiful and sparkles nonetheless and it brings Christmas light!

The stockings are hung!

AND The Nativity is set...

The nativity is played with all day long! Its surprising that it's still in tact... if broken ears and shepherds crook still count... yesterday I asked someone to go and fix it up, cuz all the pieces were knocked over and strewn around... later that night this is the site I found...

A snow angel has been added to the scene... and we know which angel it was!

Gratitude: The feeling of being thankful

Expressing gratitude isn't hard in my life... the blessing are bountiful!

My miracle girls - I love them! They are truly a gift. (D cooks a fine bird!)

The strength of youth... the ability to get on my knees (these girls are always up to fun!)

My Husband: who can see beauty around him, loves to be outdoors, and is valiant in his labors.

That my home, although at times it seems inadequate... it does provide shelter from the elements... and is much cosier than this.

We were blessed with the occasional opportunity to speak in church this last month... the topic was "Gratitude for the Plan of Happiness" - as I prepared, many things came to my mind that I am thankful for - So I must list a few more:

• My Primary Class... the youth that I have worked with this past year are pure in heart, eager to learn and understand the scriptures and they love their families. Serving the Lord helps us establish priorities. It gets us to look outward instead of inward, and it is a true expression of charity.
• Family Relationships... this is what we came to earth for! Building Eternal Families. Sometimes we may put boundaries on who or what family is. But the truth is that we are all brothers and sisters, and Our Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us. He has given to each of us a role in helping assist each other on the path to return to Him. He did this by eternal design, that as we serve and strengthen each other we can become more like Him.
• Church Leaders... What would this year have been like without the comforting council and direction from a loving Bishop Fleming, Stake President Riggs, Elder Arnold (seventy) who came for stake conference, and President Monson of the True Gospel of Jesus Christ? - I have feasted upon their words and felt peace.
• Adversity... It may be strange to list this on my gratitude list... but it's true. Without the adversity of this life - my faith would be weak, pride would prevail, service would waiver, and my heart would be hardened to the promptings of the spirit whose direction I desperately depend on. We've been told that our experiences will be for our good. Even hard experiences, that we'd like to give-up on! When we pray with a grateful heart for our adversities, acknowledging the Lords' hand in our lives, we are expressing faith.
• My Savior... There is no adequate way to express the love I have for my Elder Brother, the pains he bore for me alone are more than I can comprehend, yet I know that when I trust in His words and lay my personal burdens at His feet - the peace I feel and the comfort I receive are the most healing of any kind. True and Real. The blessings of Baptism, Sacrament, and Temple worship, fill me with intent to love, serve and honor Him. the Promise that I may feel His love in my life and in the life to come is worth whatever he may ask of me. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' (John 3:16)

I hope your "Gratitude List" is filled with as many blessings as mine and many many more!

P.S. - I'm little over half way though my goal... middle of Alma... and still going!