Winding Down or Winding Up

Not sure which mode I'm in ....thinking about 2009, but not committed to writing any goals down yet. I guess I'm still trying to hang on to the Christmas spirit. Look for 2009 goals in a few days. I do have a few ideas involving daily exercise, walks at Umstead Park, regular Family Home Evenings, and improved scripture study.


Here's some Christmas photos...enjoy.

Christmas Eve - Dec. 23rd

Such is the life of a Nurse....our Christmas Eve was on the 23rd since I work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was wonderful to be together. The Dinner Menu - Turkey, Potato Casserole, Corn Pudding, Macaroni and Cheese, Bread Pudding, Cherry Jello Salad, Rolls, and Chocolate Eclair Cake.

The Angel of Sickness has visited....I woke up with a terrible headache, upset stomach, and teary eyes. You can't imagine how excited I am to go to work today! Calling out doesn't work on a holiday! Face mask and gloves ...here I come!

Off the Naughty List

Sweet Melissa had a not so sweet asthma attack....ended up being admitted to the hospital last night. It was a little too scary! She didn't respond well to treatment initially, but the wonderful medical and respiratory staff at WakeMed worked their magic! So we've just come home and she looks amazingly better. What a blessing!!!

Worried about Coal

Need I say more (the person, the evidence, the coal)......

I'm Tired!!!

I'm having one of those days....too tired and a little stressed. Have you ever been so tired that just thinking about the effort required to go to bed is too much??? I spent most of the day running from store to store trying to finish Christmas shopping. My experience in Toys R Us was rotten! Poor customer service, narrow aisles, rude people. I used to love that store, but I'm done with it. What's worse is that it was filled with "Barbie-type soccer Mom's" who show no awareness of the world around them - blocking aisles and being pushy. I just wanted to go home. My kids are all getting to the point where they are no longer interested in anything but expensive stuff. Reality is coming their way. Tonight 4 of my children each had a place to be and there was only one of me to get them everywhere they needed to be. I wanna crrrrryyyyyyyyy!! Oh....I made shepherds pie and chocolate eclair cake. No one thanked me for dinner. I think I need to drag my self-pitying self to bed now.

A Very Special Christmas Gift

Over the last few months I have watched in wonder at the conversion of one of my children. It has been a glimpse into Heavenly Father's infinite love for each of us. I had never given up on seeing this miracle, but rather, I put my hopes and dreams aside. It was often too painful to think of what had been lost. When his 21st birthday came and went, I thought about how he should be returning from a mission, attending college, and finding his eternal companion. You can't imagine the many hours that Tabb and I spent thinking of whether or not we had taken too firm of a stand. We would often remind ourselves that the Lord had sent our son to us for a reason and that he would give us the insight into how to help him.

Now we prayerfully watch as our son embraces the gospel. He sat us down the other night and said "I have something to tell you both." For Tabb and I, those are words that put fear in our hearts. I told him. "Go ahead...we'll deal with whatever it is." He then started crying and said "I want to serve a mission." There are no words for that moment. It was a slow motion moment....the past struggles, the painful consequences, and the joyous hope all combined in one of the most tender moments. The road ahead is filled with challenges and blessings. I think of how the miracle of repentance reaches not to just the sinner but to each of us as we see its power to change lives. With all of the gifts of Christmas yet to wrap and place under the tree, I can't wait for the gifts that don't need to be wrapped.......listening to the patriarch as he gives my son his Patriarchal Blessing, witnessing Tabb ordain him to the Melchizedek priesthood, and the look of peace that radiates from our son's face as he continues to embrace his testimony.

Santa Claus

My honey has been busy the last 2 weeks! Enjoy the photos.

Oh Christmas Tree

It took us three days doing a little bit each day, and now the tree is done! I do think it's one of our best trees. It's in my sanctuary! The room where if you come in you have to be quiet and peaceful. That doesn't always work, but overall it is the most restful place in the home. Our Grandma Kitty - Ginko - is enjoying snuggle time on top of our stockings!

Video of the Nativity

Christmas Creche Exhibit

For the last three nights our Church has hosted a live Nativity and Creche exhibit. It was wonderful. Enjoy the photos. My favorite...other than seeing the children in the Nativity....the huge Nativity from Italy.

The Rest of the Story

Well....the girls did come up with the details. Katie took the mirror - they were playing beauty school. The mirror was not put back when they were done. It was put in their toy basket, stuff was piled on top and the mirror broke. I completely understand how worried they were when I finally asked "where's my mirror?" However....they now understand how disappointed I am that they didn't tell the truth. The girls will have to do chores to pay for the mirror. It will take awhile, but it's important. I think I'll make some play dollars. For each chore, I'll have a value list and they can get busy!!

The Mystery is Almost Solved

It's amazing how the very threat of "No Christmas Unless the Mirror is Returned" has produced a result. Yes....Melissa found the mirror in the room she shares with Katie. Unfortunately...the glass is broken (somehow I knew that would be the case). Melissa is still denying involvement and I overheard her plead with Katie to tell the truth. So....Christmas is still a "no go" until I hear details! I'm done with the amnesty offer!!

The Case of the Missing Mirror

I had the most incredible mirror. It had lights and 3 levels of magnification. NOW FOR THE TRAGEDY....IT IS MISSING!! I've lined up all of the possible culprits. No one is fessing up...no one is glancing around nervously, no one is nibbling their lower lip, no one is stressed about this but me!!! Now for those of you who can relate...try being 50 years old, with bad eye sight and a hysterectomy (more testosterone now than estrogen). You can only imagine why my mirror is my life line!!!

The children all know that Santa will not come unless my mirror is found. I wrote him personally and he has assured me that he is equally as concerned about the missing mirror!!

By the way...I've offered amnesty, I've offered to just accept gratefully the anonymous return of my mirror! But so far no mirror!! I even had to resort to going to the torture clinic today and having my eyebrows waxed.....talk about pain!

Any ideas out there on how to get the culprit to return my mirror?? My guess is that someone broke it, threw it in the trash, and is hoping I'll forget about it eventually.

Baby Steps

Let the pain begin.....I've enrolled back in college (once again)! Working towards a Master's in Nursing Education and Research. I plan on taking one course a semester; so sometime before my demise I'll be finished. But please don't put my degree status on my grave marker....Just put....

Michelle Clements
AT REST....FINALLY!!!