The Face of Winter

In spite of some wonderfully warm days, it has been snowing much of the last 24 hours, leaving the mountains looking as if someone had sprinkled a little powdered sugar. Although we can certainly use a little more moisture, I'm very ready for Spring! Here's a few winter highlights from our little corner of the world.

Watching the snow storm at night

The morning after

The ice on our cars

Deer tracks on our front walk

Deer beds between us and our neighbors

Here's to April and a few daffodils!

A Picture is Worth . . .

Adrift . . .

Stand as a Witness

Today was the big day! By the time you read this, Tammy will have arrived in California. She was able to call and we talked for just a few minutes. The airport had been very busy so we barely had time for a hello, I love you and a goodby but it was wonderful to hear her voice.

After the call, I was reminded of something Tammy has kept on her dresser for the last several years. It really sums up the commitment she has made.

She is a remarkable young woman with an incredible testimony of the gospel. She will truly stand as a witness of Jesus Christ during the next 18 months. We love you, Tammy!

Saying Our Goodbys . . . Again

This last week the time finally arrived for Tammy to enter the MTC. The last few days were a whirlwind of activity as Tammy prepared to leave home. She was set apart as missionary on Tuesday and received an incredible blessing from the Stake President. The following morning we had a wonderful morning traveling down to Provo, including some "picture fun" in the car!




We're going to truly miss Sister Rimington but we know she will be blessed for choosing to serve.

Ken and Tammy at the MTC

Janell and Tammy at the MTC

Twelve Highlights of Christmas (11 & 12)

MISSIONARY MOMENTS

KEVIN - Talking with Kevin on Christmas morning was definitely a major highlight! He is doing well and is very happy. Plus, he truly loves the work and the people of California.

TAMMY - With Tammy's departure just around the corner, we've been extremely busy trying to pull everything together. We've shopped for things, boxed things, thrown away things and packed things. We've talked, laughed and sometimes cried. I'm going to miss her terribly but am so grateful for these last few weeks we've had together.

HOLINESS TO THE LORD

The month of December has included not one, but several incredible moments at the Temple. Our most recent experience was at the Ogden Temple where Tammy, Ken and I were able to do the work for family names. Ken's cousin offered us three family names he had prepared so we were able to do their ordinances, including sealing each of them to their parents. It was an extremely memorable experience as we knelt in a sealing room of the Ogden Temple with Tammy and did the work for our own ancestors. Definitely a moment I hope we can repeat again some day! Someone shared this special poem with me that really describes how I feel about the Temple:

IF I COULD WALK WHERE JESUS WALKED

If I could go to Galilee and walk where Jesus walked,
And sit in tender grasses on the hillside where he taught,
If I could feel a gentle breeze that lifted from the sea,
Where he chose the humble fishermen, how full my heart would be.

If I could sit and ponder on a rock that knew his hand,
Or walk along the seashore where his feet had touched the sand,
My spirit yearns within me, but it doesn't seem my fate,
I'll never walk where Jesus walked, I'll never see . . . but wait!

I've worshiped in His temple, where I know He's walked before,
Have His feet been down this hallway? Have His fingers touched this door?
Has He stood here in this very room and looked at what I see?
In the beauty of His temple I feel His love for me.

I close my eyes and picture Him, my worries melt away,
I don't need to go to Galilee or travel far away,
For my tender heart is filled with what He wants me to be taught,
And my testimony burns within . . . I've walked where Jesus walked!

*Author Unknown

*****

Well, the holidays are officially over! We wish for each of you a wonderful New Year!

Twelve Highlights of Christmas (9 & 10)

My next two highlights are a result of being a part of such a wonderful family!

(Christmas gift from Justin)

BARKER FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY

Each year I look forward to this special family party. Great company . . . great food . . . and great entertainment! :-) What more could you ask for?

Scribner hillbilly band

I especially love watching the children do the nativity story and look forward to seeing the Christmas story each year.

I can't think of a greater blessing than being a part of this wonderful family!

RANDOM FAMILY MOMENTS
*Going through the Salt Lake Temple with Tammy (see earlier post).

*Listening to both Kimberly and Emma play the piano at the Barker Party.

*Watching Home Alone with Ethan (approx. 15+ times) and listening to him laugh as he watched.

*Watching A Christmas Carol with Tammy in not one, but several of its versions.


*Seeing Aaron in the Rudolph nose!






*Watching Grandma Barker stroke John's falcon.


*Seeing the grandkids in their new pj's.

*Getting the Skype working so that we could visually talk with our New York family!

*Spending the morning at the Ogden Temple with Tammy.



*Laughing at Justin's dog in his reindeer antlers.






*Playing games.

*Discussing Christmas music with Tammy while we sewed.

*Getting a major HUG from Lillian and Abigail one evening when we dropped by.

*Seeing Kimberly in her Santa hat.

*Talking with my missionary on Christmas morning!

These are just a few of the wonderful family moments that came my way in December!

Twelve Highlights of Christmas (7 & 8)

PROJECTS COMPLETED!

This year the sewing machine and serger got quite a workout. From wonder boxes to nativity costumes and on to puffed tree skirts, I had fabric everywhere! And in and around my projects, Tammy was sewing on several of her own! In spite of all that was happening, everything was complete several days before Christmas.

Eight Wonder Boxes
(No tree skirt pics :( since I forgot to take any!)

Nativity Costumes:



Mary with the Angel

Baby Jesus in a Manger

Wisemen

Shepherds

THOUGHTFULNESS & GRATITUDE

I was so touched by the many thoughtful gifts I received this year. It was overwhelming to consider the time, effort, creativity and expense that was part of my Christmas. I thought about trying to write about each gift but the words kept getting tangled up in my emotions and it was too hard to describe. More than anything, I'm grateful for the love behind those gifts and feel extremely blessed to be surrounded by so many people who mean so much to me. Lots of love to you all!

Twelve Highlights of Christmas (5 & 6)

IMAX - HANSEN PLANETARIUM

All my life I've always been fascinated by outer space so when Ken had the opportunity for tickets to a special showing at the Hansen Planetarium, I jumped at the chance. Plus, the showing included a question and answer session with Shuttle Commander Kent Rominger. The film we saw about the hubble space telescope was fascinating but the question time with Commander Rominger was probably the highlight. He was really interesting and very patient, answering every question, including Emma's "Have you ever been to Mars?" :-)

GINGERBREAD HOUSES

With Kevin on a mission and Tammy in between residences, I wasn't sure we'd find time for gingerbread houses but tradition prevailed. Heather and Teagen came to share Christmas with us so Justin helped Teagen make her first gingerbread house. It went smoothly unless you count the mixer getting turned on high. The powdered sugar rose in a cloud turning Teagen into a little ghost while I had a definite white layer to my red shirt. :-)

Powdered Sugar Fun

The end results were great! Tammy decided to render her apartment in gingerbread while Teagen opted for a Barbie house.

Tammy with Justin's Great Dane
looking on longingly :-)

Teagen and her Barbie house


More later!

Twelve Highlights of Christmas (3 & 4)

OGDEN CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

In spite of several bitter storms, the family found its way to the Ogden Christmas Village where dozens of lighted cottages and displays dotted the lawn at Ogden's Municipal Park. The effect was truly magical! Our biggest challenge was keeping track of the kids as they ran from display to display, sometimes in different directions! The weather was fairly warm that night as winter evenings go, though, and we had a great time.

Addie, Alicia, Kimberly Natalie, Rebekah, Aaron, Ethan, Emma & Moriah at the Ogden Village

(If the picture looks familiar, you're not imagining things. I'm afraid I hijacked the picture from Michael & Gail's blog.)

A LITTLE THERAPY

Tammy, Justin and I indulged in our yearly need for therapy! :-) In the sunroom Star Trek took on Star Wars but no clear winner emerged! In fact, Captain Kirk and Yoda seemed to be perfectly content to share the same tree. And the Death Star vs. the Borg Cube again tied as ugliest ornament! :-)

Space Tree

Star Trek Enterprise vs. Star Wars

In the front room pink ornaments, pink lights and Barbies dot a small tree in the corner. This is the favorite of all the little granddaughters. They've all picked out the Barbie they think is the most beautiful which usually belongs to Tammy since her collection is in pretty dresses and mine are all old-fashioned Barbie's. This year we added a pink star on top . . . just the thing to make you feel the Christmas spirit! :-)

Barbie Tree

More to come!