Let It Snow!

Snowfall...absolutely panoramic...JOY was grabbing my camera to photograph nature's beauty.

JOurneY on...

I'm Getting Mixed Seasons

Either Winter or Autumn, the Season is beautiful. JOY is even in the in between Season. I must say that even after the snow melted, there were still very vibrant colors on the trees. I think it has been one of the most amazing Autumns.

JOurneY on...

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.

JOurneY on...

Jesus of Nazareth

(artwork by Bette Myers the background history of this painting is worth reading)


JOY is in Jesus. I have been watching this DVD," Jesus of Nazareth" and I am reminded of the Savior's goodness, the Savior's miracles, the Savior's love...I have felt inspired and uplifted. I have felt recharged with the inspiring words..."The Heart of the Lord is Mercy" I am in absolute awe and wonder. He is my JOY and my Hero. He has my heart. He died for me and I will live for Him.

JOurneY on...

Mummies in the Morning

I picked up my messages, "This is the South Jordan Library and we have your library card. Also, you have a book that is past due..."Mummies in the Mountain..." "Mummies in the Mountain" did not sound familiar at all whatsoever. I stopped by for the library card and asked if they had made a mistake about my past due book. I returned home and searched everywhere I could think of...NOTHING. Rick was looking for the other remote for the TV. I remembered seeing Noah toss it across the room and it fell behind the couch. Rick checked...no remote but he came up with a book..."Mummies in the Mountain!" I do not know how long it would have been until I would have found it...JOY came in this tender mercy. I really did not want to have to buy the book.

JOurneY on...

Taco Night

A woman I work with told me that "Del Taco" had a special. I had never been to "Del Taco" but passed it everyday. I happened to mention the Taco deal to Rick and off we went. Oh my word! Who knew? Those chicken tacos were so tasty...so tasty that we have started a tradition...Taco Night Thursdays. What fun...there is JOY in traditions...there is JOY in "Del Taco" tacos. I highly recommend them.

JOurneY on...

To Market, to Market

Mom and Dad called and invited us to dinner. Typically we go to Zupas or Cafe Rio. Tonight Mom felt like enJOYing a bowl of clam chowder. There is only one place for that...and that is where we went...to Market Street Grill. Delicious food, nummy desserts,
delightful conversation made for a JOYful evening. Noah loves being with his grandparents and I am always thrilled to be with them. JOY! JOY! JOY! and Noah gave me the hiccups.

JOurneY on...

Let's Play Hoops

Jordan Ridge Elementary invited the Mother's and Son's to an evening of fun. We dressed in our Cowboy duds and headed for the gymnasium. There were "Wanted" Posters, ice cream sundaes, pictures, contests, music, hokey pokey, congo lines, limbo, dancing...Naturally it was JOY to be on a date with my son, but the unexpected JOY came in the Hula Hoop contest. Noah and I had just posed for a photograph. He ran off while I gave the photographer our information. I went in search of Noah and couldn't see him anywhere. The Hula contest was going on I could hear the music. Then the music stopped and the announcer proclaims, "We have our WINNER! What's your name?" Oh my word...it was Noah up there and I had missed the whole thing. He won a beautiful brand new soccer ball. The smile on his face filled my heart with JOY! It truly was a wonderful night.

JOurneY on...

A Sinking Feeling of JOY

My wonderful husband talked of plans to update our kitchenette. I was thinking way down the road. He got busy on the internet searching out a double sink. For the last year, we have had to wash all our dishes by hand in one sink and without a disposal. So when he came home on Monday with this beautiful cast iron sink, I was thrilled. There were saws and painters putty. There were boxes and parts and the kitchen looked like a disaster. When I awoke the following morning, I knew the sink fairy had been there. It was an awesome sight...clean, tidy, and ready for dishes. JOY came in the hard work and ingenuity of Rick and in a more convenient sink.

JOurneY on...

BBBBRRRIIIIINNNNGGG!!

...and my, isn't she pretty?


She did it again...brought me JOY. Tonight, JOY came in the form of a phone call. I was at the end of a really hard day. I was almost sure I would go to bed without feeling JOY. I was in bed when the phone went "BBBRRIIINGGG!" I saw the name "Chelle," and so I answered. She said that she missed me and she loved me. We had a short visit. She praised my Shutterfly efforts. Just hearing her voice made me realize how much I miss her. As I hung up the phone, I noticed a smile on my heart. YES...there was JOY in my day in having conversed with my sister. I went to bed happy.

JOurneY on...

Blessing in Disguise

I felt sorry that Noah was sick and home from School. That meant that I would also be home from School. At first I felt frustrated but then I remembered a project that had to be completed at the earliest convenience which is usually never. While Noah rested, I worked on Mom and Dad's Anniversary Gift. It was completed and ordered and that was a great JOY!! I will have faith that it will turn out even better than what it looks like on computer.

JOurneY on...

Noah's Parent Teacher Conference

JOY is meeting with Noah's School Teacher. What a great report Noah had! We set a few goals for the upcoming term and my effort is needed. In the school hallways were all the Reflection's Projects. Noah's Photo was nicely displayed with a red ribbon on it. I inquired as to what that meant. The woman said that it stood for "The Principal's Pick." I was so proud of him and he seemed ecstatic to think that his Principal selected his picture.

JOY was continuing a tradition...Wok King after the Conference. Noah was also feeling sick just like last year.

JOurneY on...

Trick or Treat

Triple the treats times two on Halloween Night...#1) Grandma and Grandpa took us to dinner at the "Goodwood." #2) Employees were dressed in costume. Our waiter was decked out in a Balerina Tutu. The pile of bones we left on the table after eating those #3) lip smacking, finger lickin' barbeque ribs were fitting for a Halloween Centerpiece. Noah was anxious to participate in traditional door to door knocking. He put on his costume and then invited me to go with him...Me of all people...he had friends that had invited him to go but he wanted me. #4) That was utterly SWEET JOY to accompany him. After bitter cold nights, we had a perfect evening for Trick-or-Treaters. #5) I didn't even wear a jacket. What fun! We laughed! We spooked! #6) Noah shared his candy. My personal favorite--Resees Peanut Butter Cups.

JOurneY on...

Nifty Being Fifty???

One of my October sweets had nothing to do with Halloween and everything to do with family. Howard had a milestone birthday, 50 and I was lucky enough to celebrate this NIFTY event with Howard and his family. Grandpa and Grandma opened their temporary but very NIFTY suite to very NIFTY company, Jordan and Liz, Mallory and Dave, Stephen, Lisa, Howard, Noah and myself and later Madeline and Andrew. It was the University of Utah "Blackout" game but when I saw Howard, he was glowing. How NIFTY of the University of Utah to secure a win on his number 50. Hard to believe...Howard is 50!!!! Lisa had family members send things we love about Howard and placed them in a plastic bubble for him to open. One by one, we heard how everyone felt about Howie. I thought it was an absolutely NIFTY idea. Grandma did the next NIFTY thing and that was cake from Baakers. JOY was a taste of chocolate with raspberry filling and white cake with pineapple frosting. It was more than NIFTY, it was downright NUMMY. But NIFTIEST of all was my brother Howard. He is all a sister could hope for in a big brother and being there tonight was pure JOY.

JOurneY on...

Jordan, Cotton Candy, Shampoo, Conditioner and Brown Eyed Susan

October 29, 2011 Noah and I headed to the Marriott for a dual Birthday Celebration. Jordan was born on October 20. How fortunate we were to be able to share in his wit and humor. Oh there were many great lines, but the best caught us all by surprise. Mallory handed him a gift bag. It appeared to be heavy. He jokingly said, "This better not be shampoo and conditioner!" One by one out came packages of Cotton Candy...blue...sour apple. I had no idea Jordan loved Cotton Candy, but Mallory knew. We laughed as Stephen and Jordan bantered back and forth over Jordan's earlier splurge on Cotton Candy at the University of Utah Football Game. Then one classic moment...Jordan reached in and pulled out two large bottles...Shampoo and Conditioner!!! His eyes wide, he replied "NOOO!!!" and then graciously thanked Mallory. It took me back to a Christmas when Jordan was just a little boy hoping for more little boy toys. Grandma had given him a gift. He knew what Grandma liked to put on the Grandchildren--adorable clothes from the Brown Eyed Susan. These clothes came in a classic red box that could be easily recognized. As the gift was placed in his hands, he knew the shape, "This better not be clothes..." He unwrapped the gift and saw the oh too familiar box from the Brown Eyed Susan and tossed the gift across the room...wouldn't even open it. I could hardly contain myself, I was laughing so hard. The years have come and gone. Jordan demonstrated greater maturity :) in receiving this gift from the "HART," the Mallory Hart. Where was the JOY? Being able to let go and just laugh.

Noah was on camera duty...

JOurneY on...

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.

JOurneY on...

Parade and Party

Free picture collage created with Smilebox

It just so happened that I was off on the very day Noah was to have his Halloween Parade and classroom party. JOY was being there for Noah. He asked if I would come and I was able to answer with enthusiasm "Absolutely!" One of the favorite activities was the pumpkin face painting. I so enJOYed the creativity of each and every one. Then Noah was off to the neighborhood party...

JOurneY on...

Somewhere Out There

I am in desperate need of a great miracle, but I will be grateful for the small ones that let me know God is aware of my heart. I was missing a student's test. I said a prayer and was directed to another student's backpack. I noticed my camera battery was missing and I had searched everywhere but to no avail. I said a prayer and Rick found it. Noah had misplaced his DS cover. I had been completely through his room and nothing. I said a prayer and then checked one more place that brought me in view of his case. I know He is out there. I know He is aware of me and my exact circumstances. I know He can do miracles and He has a plan for me. I know He will see me through this trial. I just do not understand it right now, but I will say a prayer.

Napolean Dynamite

Today I found complete and utter JOY in Napolean Dynamite. Everything about him and this movie makes me smile. "LUCKEEEEY!"

JOurneY on...

Finding Strength

I have enJOYed my week off. I have taken and organized photos. I have been able to Smilebox and Shutterfly, one of those projects being Christ as my hero. I have also viewed the DVD's I never get around to watching because of preferences of Noah and Rick. As I watched the Reflections of Christ, The Testaments, Finding Faith in Christ and others, I discovered happiness in my moments of affliction. I found a new hope. I realized, truly, my strength is in Christ. I found JOY in being able to put those words to one of my photos of a fountain...Christ the living waters is what nurtures and sustains me.

JOurneY on...