Aegean Herring Corner Revisited

An after Christmas Surprise came in a visit with old friends and neighbors. JOY is being able to attend one of my best friend's daughter's wedding...Stephanie and Christopher Burns. Like always, it is crazy to think that we are that old. What fun, what fun with Nan, Julie and Kali...

JOY is happy childhood memories.

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Plug 'Em In...Plug 'Em In

As we headed to the Chuck-a-Rama, I questioned the behavior of two energetic boys. Little did I know the power of the IPOD.

JOY was seeing Noah and Tryn have conversation or not.

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Christmas Eve

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Noah wanted to go Ice Skating for Christmas Eve. I cannot even begin to tell of the JOY and entertainment that we had that night. The lights on the ice were beyond description...the music was festive for the season... I was charmed by my boy, "May I have this dance?" I had my spills both on and off the ice. We also had the good fortune of having one of Noah's friends join us for a bit of Christmas Magic. Awaiting back home...hors d' eurves and Rick's famous slumgullion. It was just the thing for the cold nipping at my toes and fingers. In keeping with tradition, Noah opened his one gift on Christmas Eve...pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa. We ended the evening with "It's a Wonderful Life" and tonight it certainly was a wonderful life.

JOY is a wonderful life.

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The 23rd JOY of Christmas...The Gift That Keeps on Giving

JOY is the Gift that keeps on Giving...no, not the jam of the month or fruit of the month...but my parents...giving of their time, love, service, talents...

JOY is having the absolute best parents.

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The 17th JOY of Christmas...J is for Jesus

What can I say, "J" is for Jesus and it is Jesus that brings JOY to the world.

JOY is following the shepherd and belonging to his flock.

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The Candy Cane symbolizes the Shepherd's Crook. It was used to keep the sheep from straying from the fold. Jesus is the Shepherd gathering His sheep. Turn the Candy Cane upside down and the staff makes the letter "J," to remind us of our Shepherd and to the flock in which we belong.

The 6th JOY of Christmas...The Nativity

What a JOY to participate in a special presentation of the Nativity...carols, the Christmas Story, the manger, the animals...Christmas is finally coming to life once again.

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The Nativity reminds us of the events that happened long ago in a far away land...the awaited birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. His birth was one of simplicity, humility and meekness and yet the outcome of this event supercedes all grandeur of all the other momentous occasions in history.

Angels We Have Heard

Now is the Season to acknowledge all the wonderful Angels in our lives. Every single morning, I am greeted by three amazing women. They make me laugh. They make me smile. The get my day started off on the right foot. JOY is the Early Light Academy Angels.

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Drawn to You

JOY is watching Liz, Jordan's girlfriend sketch. I wondered if she could draw something that resembled Noah and boy did she ever. Noah was thrilled! A few nights ago, Noah was working on a sketch. I was amazed that it was more than the usual stick figure. He replied, "I learned it from Liz's drawing of me."

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Photo Shoot

Off to Cabella's...the very next stop. I am not much for guns and this place was chalk full of them. Naturally Noah wanted one and I continued to say "NO, NO, NO!" We compromised at the shooting gallery for youngins. I bought the tokens so Noah and Johnathan could shoot away without harming a flea. I was really quite proud of my boy. He was a good shot. The young adult next to him scored 125 and he was happy... Noah scored 200...that was JOY!

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I'm Walking on Main Street

JOY is being able to walk up and down Main Street, passing all the beautiful shops and not spending a dime. Added to the JOY was the company I was with...Richie, Camille, Johnathan and Noah. We stopped at one shop that was full of antiques...old glass bottles, telephones, barbershop amenities, skis and on and on....There was one store that had the answer to all your problems, another full of candied apples and delicate chocolates and I must not forget the Christmas shop...

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We Gather Together

JOY was gathering together with friends and loved ones. Da Vinici needed attending to and so Rick did not come up. He was missed. Noah stayed the night over in Johnathan's room. They really seemed to enJOY themselves and that made me happy and grateful.

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Over the River and Through the Woods

JOY was getting to our destination safely. The truck was acting up and I had to pull off to the side of the road more than once. Noah exclaimed, "I think I am having a heart attack!" I reassured him that we were going over the river and through the woods to Marriott Summit Watch...Richard and his family, Grandma and Grandpa Hart were there to greet us. Technically, Grandma's home is the Marriott for the time being. JOY was being together and seeing Noah with his cousins.

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The Bright Orange Box

The bright orange box was waiting for me at the end of my workday. I could hardly wait to open the box and see how the project turned out. It was beautiful and I am so pleased with this Anniversary Gift. I felt such JOY in seeing the product of hours of hard work. JOY is and will be in presenting this to Mom and Dad for their Anniversary and JOY will continue to come each time I look at it.

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The Neighborhood Party

Have you ever seen such a happier group of children. That memory captured on camera brought a Neighbor Mom lots of JOY.

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Halloween City

We enJOYed an adventure to Halloween City with Paige and Tate. Noah found a costume... a Zombie Doctor with all it's guts protruding out! There was an element of fun though, like trying on different hats and masks. Oh and talk about the creepy life size creatures. It was a reminder of what I dislike about Halloween: gaunt on the verge of dying creatures, scary masks, clowns (couldn't even be photographed) zombie babies, devilish objects, candy binges, the prices and of course Christmas Advertising.

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Utah State Fair

Always a JOY is a trip to the Fair with Noah (and friends.) Grandma and Grandpa made this adventure possible so we are more than grateful for the opportunity. The weather cooperated--it didn't rain and it wasn't too hot. There was ice cream and I SCREAM with laughter. Quite frankly, it is the bright and cheery colors that draw me in for the thrill and though I never set foot on a ride, it is a pleasure to watch my boy have a grand time with his friends. Besides, it is the roasted corn that is a REAL TREAT for me... what would a Fair be without a visit to the Pigs? Without winning some fish? Without having a water fight in the spas?

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Bouquet of Smiles

JOY is having good friends...to be there for you in times of JOY as well as times of trial. Eva certainly deserved to be surrounded by bright yellow balloons all wearing smiles on their faces. JOY was she let me capture the moment in a picture.

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Caldecott

Noah is striving for his Soaring Eagle. One of the requirements was to select and read a Caldecott Award Winner Book. It was JOY to hear Noah read one of my childhood favorites...."May I Bring a Friend" by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers. If the Queen and King had invited me, I wonder what friend I would want to bring.

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Say THIRTEEN

Thirteen Years ago today, I was married for Time and All Eternity to Fredrick Paul Groendyke in the Stockholm Sweden Temple. Happy Anniversary! JOY is being together again.

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