Christmas In Argentina

I COULD NOT RESIST THIS PICTURE WAS SO ADORABLE AND I MISS THEM SO MUCH.

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!

Only 365 more days......................

.................Until we do it all over again!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas.......

We sure did...

My favorite part of Christmas is the

ANTICIPATION.

The nativity, the lights, the songs, the children's laughter, the movies, the gifts, the parties.....

all add up to that one special day.

You can see it in the children's eyes....

that wonder and amazement of all that Christmas is to them

....the hope of things to come....the joy, the love.

Grab every moment and memory you can.

Children grow up way too fast and it is sad to see the magic wain....

the wonder of the mystery, and joy of the unknown, the hope of things to come and of secrets, and happiness and of laughter.

I know friends who always told their children the "truth" about Santa Clause from the time they were born, they were never allowed to

BELIEVE.

You also never saw that wonder and amazement in their eyes.

You could tell they wanted to believe, but were not allowed to.

They were afraid that their children would confuse the fantasy of Santa with story of the first Christmas and

Christ the Savior.

My children have never seemed to be confused about fantasy and reality.

But to each their own.

It is your call, but I am glad that my children are

BELIEVER'S .

We have a saying at our house:

"If you don't believe.....you don't receive"

Trust me on this one....we are all believers here.

I don't know where I was going with this, but I always have a little bit of a hard time when the BIG DAY is over.

The lights are still on, the tree is drying fast, the treats are almost gone, the snow is melting, the presents are no longer wrapped under the tree. The Christmas carols CD's are tucked away in a box again.....and now I have 365 days of

ANTICIPATION

to look forward to again.

This snowman was made by our neighbors the "Gambles" . I am not sure how they built it so big. But it sure made me happy and in the Christmas spirit. I took it off of KSL web site. It is melted now....but it will snow again and another will take it's place.....

I BELIEVE IT.......don't YOU???

MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR THE NEXT 364 DAYS NOW.

THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG..........

It's almost Christmas and I finally finished the last stocking.

When the kids were little I made them all stockings:

Then the Grand kids came along....one at a time and Nikki made Mason, Analyn, Emma, and Lindsey one to hang at my house. Then came Lili, Christian, Luke, Farrah [decorated by Carly], Campbell, and Sam that I decorated using store boughten stockings.... and then I free styled using felt and embroider thread.

I just finished Sam's last night.

Analyn, Luke and Mason's

Emma, Christian, and Lindsey

Carly found this cream colored applique to put on Farrah's

and I made the Gingerbread man for Campbell.

The newest addition is Sam's Motorcycle ....

although I asked Farrah what it was and she said a bicycle.

When they are all hung it is pretty crowded:

.....and next year it will be even more crowed.

We will add a little "Penny".

A "penny" for your thoughts.....

The stockings are all hung and we are ready.......

are you????

HO HO HO!!!

The reason for my blog neglect.......

MY RASH.....MY OWN MODERN DAY PLAGUE.......

I have given my soul to Prednisone..

the drug I love to hate!!!!

Yes it is true, for the last 6 months I have had a rash.

Not just a "little" itchy rash.....but a full blown B--chy rash!!

[Sorry, I am a rhymer]

Yes, I have turned to insanity......

Some days I think I am going crazy!!!!

I even took pictures so that when I was on Prednisone,

I could remember just how BAD it was..

Case in Point....

My arm.

My Neck...

My Knee......

My Leg....

My thigh and Biopsy site #1

Omitted the worst pics...how do you take a picture of your own back?

Who I have gone to:

Primary Care/urgent care/allergist/2 dermatologists/chiropractor/Homeopathic Nurse/Foot Zoner/natureopathic/weight loss doc

What I have done:

I have had 2 biopsies/held viles of toxins in my hands/chased away yeast/soaked in hot tubs to draw out the toxins/put drops under my tongue to help my skin, my adrenal glands/my fungus/my toxins/tried every kind of steroid cream there is on every part of my body/stopped dying my hair because of the sores in my head/soaked in apple cider vinegar/lavender/tea tree oil/drank water that smelled like chlorine and sprayed it on my skin/read self healing books/hung up positive notes to myself like/my skin is healing/I am loved/today is a good day.

What I have taken:

Anti-histamines to help me sleep so I won't scratch/the above mentioned remedies/pro bio tics/vitamins/calcium/and I am now on my 4th round of Prednisone. [Yes I have the "moon face" now and have gained about 15 pounds from the constant use of prednisone. ] I tell you it is EVIL. It makes me feel hateful and mean, but how do I give it up when it is my only relief.

Lowest Point:

I had my hair dyed and the back of my head wept for two days and my hair matted to my head. On the third day I woke up and my forehead was swollen like a [as Dr. Williams described it]......a Klingon from "Star Trek". Then the swelling went down my face and after another round of Prednisone and an Anti Biotic my lymph nodes went down and the swelling went away but then my head scabbed over and felt like a football helmet. For two weeks I brushed scabs out of my hair.

Highest point:

The day I found that there was an evil pill called

Prednisone that could give me some relief.

That is just sick isn't it?

My real Highest point was when I found out that my kids had fasted for me.

Wow, now that was a highpoint!

What I have learned:

"Dermatitis" is the word a "Dermatologist" uses to describe any rash they really don't know what it is. Results of biopsy # 1? Dermatitis.

Results of Biopsy # 2? Hives. No kidding.. I am allergic to something and yes, I have changed my detergent and my fabric softener, soap, and even my water.

Every one knows someone who had a rash for a long time and spent a lot of money trying to find out what it was and get rid of it .......and they never find out what it is. I am now a member of that club.

There are many people who suffer from rashes for long periods of time and then the rash just goes away......the same way it came.....just one day......I am waiting for that day.

I have found out who I am and how much I can take. Is this punishment for being a rotten teenager to my mother who had a rash her whole life, and to whom I gave very little sympathy? Am I learning empathy, and tolerance, and patience, sympathy? What should I do with this knowledge that I am such an expert on? I am just praying for the day it goes away. I am finding there are people a lot worse off than me and I am saddened that I sound so bitter. I guess I have just had it. And I can feel that the people around me have too and I don't blame them. I wish I was one of those people who kept every thing inside and pretended that life was good when they are really suffering. By the way, the worse thing you can say to a person with an itchy rash is "DON'T SCRATCH". That is just insulting.....

I do want you to know that I have felt the love of a lot of family and friends as they have tried to lift me up when I was so low. All giving me remedies to try, encouragement, prayers, books, all the while feeling helpless to help me. Thank you so much for your prayers and just being there and listening.

So thanks for all the love and support....

I am waiting for the day that the RASH is just a memory.....

maybe tomorrow will be the day.

Pray for that will you?

Bet you are glad this post is over.

THE END

HOLLY DOLLY HAS A BIRTHDAY!!!

Ya, Ya Ya, I know, I have been neglecting my blog.

It has been a crazy few months..... more on that later.

This year I have dedicated a blog entry to each of my children and grandchildren on or near, or soon after, or much later.... than their Birthday.

Holly though her birthday falls in November, is the last to achieve this "special day". Though she is last, she was really our first baby that Doug and I were able to raise. We experimented on her, so if she has faults, they are ours.....

and her achievements belong solely to her and her talents and abilities.

This is HOLLY

Isn't she pretty?

This is her High School Glam Shot.

Here are a few of my favorite pics of Holly;

Holly's blessing dress.

She was blessed in Honolulu, Hawaii where she was born.

The famous "blanket" shot.

Holly was such a beautiful baby.......

My only dimpled baby.

[I had a dimple on my cheek as well myself when I was younger].

Doug loved to play with Holly. That was back in the days when he was in the Army and did not have chores to do, hay to bring in, or wood to cut. Holly was a lucky girl to have so much of her dad's attention. He used to walk all night [literally] with her to keep her from crying. We lived in thin walled apartments and Holly had "colic' like there was no tomorrow.I love this picture of the 4 oldest, they all had "tow heads" from long days at Patio. This was probably after swimming, baths, and all ready for bed. Carly was an infant and not in this picture. Holly, the birthday girl is second from the left, but looks like Carly in this picture, don't you think?

This is Holly post-braces.

I had plenty of pre-brace shots, but Holly would not have liked that.

She had buck teeth, but thank you Dr. Matis!!!

Here is another High School shot.

Holly was involved in Choir in High School.

She has a beautiful voice.

She loved it and has lasting friendships that come from those experiences.

Then she met LEX....

Logan Temple

July 1st

Holly and Lex got married while Doug an I were divorced. I have always felt bad that we did not have the money to do Bridal pictures and a video and all the little extra things my other kids had. Holly paid for a lot of her own wedding. She was amazing and looked so beautiful on her special day. We are so lucky to have Lex in our family. He is an amazing man. He has a lot of compassion for others and is a great husband and father.

These are her crowning achievement.

This picture is old, but one of my favorites.

Here she is with her sisters. This must have been at Mac's wedding cause he is not in the picture. Fun ha?

Here are 10 reasons about Holly or why I love her:

• Holly was born at "Tripler Army Medical Center" in Honolulu Hawaii. Some day Doug and I are going to take her there and tell her all about her first 18 month of her life.
• Holly was my prettiest baby[ no offense to the rest of my kids. I think it was because she was born amongst all those Polynesian and Asian baby's, and she had the whites, purest skin, and stood out among the rest.
• My hospital bill for Holly was about $4.00. [Got to love the military]
• She was brought into the world by a doctor from Ogden Utah. Doug Hunter. What are the chances of that?
• Holly spent the best part of her first 18 months at the beach walking on all fours, and picking up coral and cigarette butts left by tourists.
• Holly had the WORST colic.
• I nursed Holly until she was 9 months old.
• Her first best friend was Michelle Mahuika, a neighbor girl that was 6 months older than Holly and as it turned out, her cousin [a few times removed]
• Holly spent the next 6 months in Colorado Springs, Colorado where Doug finished out his tour.
• Holly was in her first dance review when she was three. She did a Hula Dance.
• Ray and Jean Hill just loved Holly and would kidnap her after church and taker her home with their kids and they would all spoil her.....then she had to come home and face reality. She has a special relationship with the Hills even today.
• Holly has a talent for writing poems. A gift from her Grandmother and great grandfather no doubt.
• Holly played catcher on Snowcrest softball teams and her knees have not been the same since.
• Holly is knows how to be a best "friend" She could write a book about it. She is so loyal to her Friends.
• Holly has a tender heart.
• Holly is a great Volleyball player, just ask anyone on her church V-team....they took region [did I mention that was with out Holly cause she tore her ACL and medial meniscus at a game at the beginning of the season?....but they brought her a shirt.
• Holly is fun to be around. She has lots of energy.
• Holly recently lost 40 pounds and that was during the time of her Knee surgery.
• One of my favorite things to do with Holly is sing in the "Valley Chordettes". It is a musical group that I have sung in for a really long time. The only reason I am still there is because I really enjoy singing with Holly ....I can't sing without her.
• I love Holly. She is so giving. I know that if I called her and told her, "Holly, I need you to come home right now"....she would drop everything and come.
• Holly is the best mom, She spends countless hours helping her kids with their homework. She has always been an A student and will go back to school in the future when Luke is in school.
• Holly needs a recipe to cook. She is a good cook, but likes it written down.
• Holly is the best supporter of her kids in sports. She hauls them every where and is always willing to help out the coaches.
• Holly likes to go to movies. Sometimes she goes with me.
• Holly always gives more than she recieves.
• I just love Holly and have gone way over my 10 reasons..[I have more]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLY DOLLY

[A nickname she got from Ray and Jean Hill]