Bathroom Completion

This is the picture I wanted from JoAnn's. It was 60% off when I went back a week or two later. I didn't want to pass that up. I have a little touch up to do, but this is what I had in mind. I really like the way it turned out. I would like to get towel holders that are more the brass look. It is not cheap for that stuff. Any suggestions where to find some good deals for those would be appreciated. I also am keeping my eyes open for the chair rail I want to use. I think I will check Lowe's. Home Depo did not have a very large selection of what I had in mind.

Caroling,Passing out Treats, and Gingerbread Deco!

Merry Christmas! We went Christmas caroling last night as a family to neighbors and friends. It was fun! I was busy making treats, and started with the things like candy first figuring it would last the longest. I think I will do simpler treats next time and nothing with nuts or peanut butter. I did not think about the allergies people may have until it was too late. My mom came over and helped decorate sugar cookies with the children while Merik and I went out. I absolutely loved the smiles on peoples faces. Some of the comments we got were we haven't had carolers in a long time. One person said it about brought him to tears. He was very touched. I think it is something that just doesn't get done very often anymore. Our children are somewhat afraid of dogs so that was the fun part. We had to keep Brandon behind us, or Baylee was held by Merik with a backache from holding her for so long. Most of our neighbors have dogs. We also took the opportunity to welcome some new neighbors to our "hood".
I remember when I was a child and mom used to make gingerbread houses for us to sell in front of the old Skaggs store, and my dad used to take them to work and sell them. It gave each of us some money so we could buy gifts for each other. She even made beautiful churches and an awesome lodge. She even would take the gingerbread out before it was fully cooked and the dough was still soft about 10-15 minutes before fully cooked and add crunched up lifesaver candies and put them in the hole she cut for the windows and it would make beautiful stained glass windows. When decorating it she would do crisscrosses on the stained glass to look like beautiful paned windows and drip icicles from the eves of the house at the end after covering the roofs in snow "frosting" and crushed candy or other candy. She also cut out tall doors for the churches and put rows of pews down and cut a hole in the bottom of the board it was on to put a light inside. This is a memory I will always cherish. I don't know if we have any pictures. I need to take my children to visit her and have her do a house with them. And oh did our house smell good, like good ol' gingerbread, yum! By the way Ragan, I love the gingerbread train decorating, it reminded me of my childhood.
I am very late at getting the family Christmas picture and letter out. Who knows if it will happen. I think it will. It will just be late. Happy Holidays!
With Our Love to You and Yours, The Edgels

Happy Snow Day!

That's right it is snowing in Vegas. It is beautiful. I went to Walmart and came out after about 45 min. to an hour and my car was covered. I had to get the old credit card out or something similar to scrape the windows for visibility. I learned this trick in Utah long ago. I video taped the children and hubby having some fun in it.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I am beginning to feel like I look like the old me I remember. I actually like these photos. I hope you do too. We decided we were over due for family photos. It was actually more money than we expected or wanted to spend. It can be very hard to choose which ones are the best sometimes. We only have a few generic family photos. The last ones were taken when Brandon was about 3 years old, and none with Baylee.

Brandon's Baptism

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Brandon was baptized last Sat. for those of you that missed it here is a small preview. I gave the Baptism talk and brother Egbert was conducting and said I should save that so I can use it in sacrament meeting. Then my boy was baptized. Afterwards my brother Steven and I sang "When I Am Baptized". After which brother Egbert said we may have to have you sing in sacrament meeting also. I said I only do duets. No solo's. Then grandma Laura gave the Holy Ghost talk. It was beautiful. I am grateful for all that participated and the spirit that was felt. I thought I was getting allergies and by the same afternoon Baylee and I were at home napping and getting very sick. I think we had the flu. I usually teach on Sundays and so I needed to call and get someone else and notify the Primary Presidency. I needed to go to Sacrament for Brandon's confirmation first, and then Baylee and I went home following the meeting. Merik, Brandon, and I all bore our testimonies. Brandon said he really wanted to feel the Holy Ghost and said he did following the baptism and then when he was confirmed, he said then I really felt it. I told him not to expect it to be majorly miraculous, and that he needed to pay attention to his feelings. That Our Father in Heaven works through the Holy Ghost and our feelings. We need to learn to recognize it. It truly is a joy to see him progress, and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I took the time to use the missionary manual for teaching the lessons to investigators to Brandon. I wanted to make sure he really understood what he was getting into. I am glad I did and know that he needs to take the time to read the scriptures to understand things even better. The church is true and, Jesus Christ is the head of it, he sacrificed his life for you and me, and suffered greatly so that we can return to our Father in Heaven, and be with him again. For all of these blessings I am truly thankful.

Christmas Decorating!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Please excuse my partial nudie. It is truly a battle to get her to keep her clothes on, other than underwear.

The Changing of Holiday Decorations

I am a little late I know. I put most of the Halloween stuff away, but just finished the silhouettes today. We even put the tree up today, and put the Thanksgiving stuff away. I am not sure we will get all the Christmas stuff out today. I need to find the advent calendar though. Life sure seems busy at this time of year.

10 Things to Live By

1 Never Ever Give UP!(see my one of my favorite poems/story on my weight loss blog)

2 Love God, yourself, and others (God is 1st, then ourselves, because it is difficult to show love to others when we are not happy with ourselves)

3 Serve others (losing our selves in service helps us to feel Gods love, for us and others.)

4 Forgive others and ourselves (If you don't you have already given up, and you will not be forgiven. Just think how much better it feels to be forgiven, and not to carry a grudge is a relief.)

5 Remember YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD and he loves you.

6 Remember you are not, nor have ever been truly alone. You have the Lord to guide and help you. (Remember the old picture of the Savior knocking at the door with no door knob. We have to open the door by inviting him into our lives, or use the gift he gave you the "Holy Ghost".)

7 Learn to use the communication God has given. (Prayer takes sin away, and sin takes prayer away. It is not always easy, but can be done. Just think I Can, and I Will .)

8 Standing still on a downward escalator will not get you to God. You've got to move in the desired direction. (obedience, prayer, faith in Him, church attendance, all helps us get there.)

9 Be Happy! (Smile and enjoy your families)

10 Make someone else's day by saying something kind, and true about them. (Then enjoy the lighting up of their face, because you made theme feel special.)

Tag your it, it's your turn, whoever wants to participate.