My House Debra

This has been a wonderful week for us here in the beautiful setting of Mueller Park Canyon. We have been experiencing what is called an inversion here in Bountiful this week... but up here where we live it has been mostly clear. The day before Thanksigiving found me baking pies and clearing off the back porch. It was clear and beautiful with a bit of a chill in the air... but sunny at the same time.
I just felt like singing and work was a joy to me.
Christian and I had gotten up the Christmas decorations on Monday so the house looks festive and bright. I always love the decorations the most at the very beginning of the season. As we take out each familiar item it awakens many beautiful memories of Christmases past and renews the speciual feeling that accompanies the birth of the Savior all over again.
Today Dad shared with us a beautiful thought from John Greenleaf Whittier:
"No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope or fear
But, grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here."
I also shared a thought from President Monson's talk in the Ensign called "Finding Joy in the Journey". "Both abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives , as parallel realities. it is always our concious choice which secret garden we will tend... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that is present - love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us happiness - the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth."
We shared a regular Thanksgiving feast: turkey and all the trimmings came together for us around 2:00 pm. We had enough food to feed so many more people, but it was enjoyed by the four of us/ Dad and I and Christian and Mom. We also played a game of Quiddler and shared in watching a fun show called "Cheaper by the Dozen". It has been a wonderful day!!
Dad and I are so very grateful for all of our many blessings. We love you children and thank you for the gift you gave us in celebration of our 30th Wedding Anniversary. We are truly trying to "enjoy the journey" as we go. We are going off to be together for Friday and Saturday. We will be staying at a Bed and Breakfast in Midvale. Other than that we will be doing the spontaneous. Life is good and the best part of our lives is our dear family and the wonderful Gospel that we have been so blessed to receive. Hope you all had a wonderful day as well.
Love Mom