Maddix Turned 2....(so I'm a little late)

Maddix turned 2 in March! He is so flippin cute its ridiculous. Mom and Dad love him even though he drives us nuts and has a little bit of that "Terrible 2" tude going on.

Mission (Not So) Impossible

So spur of the moment yesterday I decided enough was enough! It was time. That dang paci had overstayed its welcome.
Last night was brutal. But then again not so bad. Maddix cried and cried and screamed and cried for only about 45 minutes before he finally was too tired to cry anymore. It was kind of a tender, bittersweet moment for me, I guess. When he finally gave up the crying, he just leaned against my shoulder then I whispered to him "Good job buddy! You did it!" Then he lifted his head a little and looked at me and whispered back "Ya" and fell asleep. Next thing I knew I had a tear or two running down my cheek...

I DID IT!
They say the first nights the worst. Lets hope thats true.

Family Pictorials

We got some family pics taken in the early fall and I just now got copies so I thought i would share...

O Christmas Tree

There is something about the fake, wax-like outer frosting and creamy goodness in the center that gets me everytime. I LOVE these things!

Thanks Little Debbie!

Duck and Cover

So I am sitting here at the countertop while Maddix is eating breakfast when all of a sudden....
**SPLAT**

**SPLAT**.....**SPLAT, SPLAT**

.....**SPLAT**....

I am being bombed with soggy Cheerios.
(sigh)
**SPLAT**

The Christmas Spirit

My Christmas Story....

I was going about my daily tasks around the house and as always I was busy-ing around with my Christmas music blaring in the background. I got to folding some laundry (I may have been belting out songs at near the top of my lungs) and a song came on and I really didn't think to much of it at first but then for some reason my mind started to block out all the background noise (Maddix and Milo) and began to focus on the lyrics of the song. I have to say it almost literally brought me to my knees in pure humility. I stopped what I was doing and just listened for a minute until a wave of emotion completely washed over me and next thing I know I have tears flowing down my face (of course because I had just finished my make-up just before this). As I started to reflect on the words I started to make sense of the emotional overload. I believe I was struck by the Christmas Spirit.
**Side-note** Christmas spirit typically referring to happiness, a spirit of giving, being nice to strangers, etc etc.
The Spirit I am talking about is, or I should say has, a little more to do with a new understanding of the humility that goes with the Lord and his humble birth. Although I have heard the Christmas story many times, I think my mind reached a new level of maturity in understanding or comprehending this. I don't know why it is so different this time but I believe it is something I would love everyone else to experience. It may not come to you in a song or from a story in the Bible but I hope that all can recognize the Christmas Spirit when they feel it. Here are the lyrics of the song that brought me my Christmas Spirit.

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of Hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all opression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
With all our hearts we praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord, forever, ever praise we
Noel, noel, oh night when Christ was born
Noel, noel, oh night, oh night divine

I truly believe it was a very divine night. I hope that we can all remember to praise His holy name and recognize Him in all we have been blessed with.

Evonne North Wahlin 1930-2010

Evonne North Wahlin 1930 ~ 2010 Our wonderful, happy, lovely and beautiful, caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grand-mother, returned to her Father in Heaven November 14, 2010 at the age of 80.Evonne was born August 30, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Linden A. and Zelma Fuller North. She graduated from South High School and attended two years at the University of Utah where she met her husband, Clive, on "Hello Walk". They were married 59 years. She sold Avon for 15 years where she met many wonderful people and to support two of her sons as they served missions for the LDS Church. Later Evonne worked at the Salt Lake Community College Bookstore for 23 years. She loved all those that she worked with and considered them very good friends. She was very artistic and creative, adorning those she loved with the creations she made. Her talents included hand painted porcelain dolls and figurines. She loved to crochet and crocheted a personalized afghan for each of her 20 grandchildren in their favorite colors. She also loved music, it was a big part of her life. She served as a temple worker at the Jordan River Temple for 14 years. Also served faithfully as a music leader in Primary, Mutual, Sunday School, Relief Society, Ward Chorister, Ward Choir Director, Stake Young Women's president, Visiting Teacher and Teacher in the Relief Society. Evonne said her greatest accomplishment was rearing her five children: Mike, Peggy, Brian, Don and David; they always had fun together as a family. She also considered their spouses as her own and greatly loved her 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. They were always such a joy to her. One of the things Evonne is most grateful for is her membership and knowledge of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that has helped guide her throughout her life. We would like to give special thanks to family, friends, neighbors and Hospice for Utah. Funeral services will be held Sat., November 20, 2010, 12:00 noon at the Taylorsville Gardens 2nd Ward, 4253 South Bennion Road (1905 W). Viewings will be held Friday, November 19, 2010, 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and Saturday at the church, 11-11:45 a.m. Interment, Mountain View Memorial Estates.