last post of 2011

We've never been big partiers - just hang out with the family and yell "Happy New Year" IF we make it that long! So, here we sit - watching TV, eating our last bowl of ice cream (17 Day Diet begins January 1st), playing Plants vs. Zombies (iPad) and counting down the minutes! We did splurge on sparkling cider! We aren't total losers - we did our food shopping, took Gma to War Horse (this was a tough one for me as I love animals), dropped into a reception (open house) then came home to 'veg'! After a busy holiday season - vegging is my favorite thing to do!

Christmas was GREAT this year! We had a FUN time - everyone came home except Schuyler and Whit as they went to their own Christmas cabin in Utah. The report back to us was they had an amazing time - starting their own family tradition! We missed them but I love to see families establish their 'own thing'. We had a house-full of family - all beds were filled - not a lot of wiggle room. Three of us (me, Ashley and Cameron) were so fortunate to be sick for the entire time - kind of miserable but we made it through. A week before Christmas, I came down with the dreaded 'bronchitis' but got to the doctor for some antibiotics and breathing treatments which saved the day. My poor family had to listen to me hack all day long and for that, I apologize.

Note: Just thought I should mention that we do not have any snow - only a light dusting from a small storm that came through last night - no snow! I've lived here for over thirty years and I've never seen anything like it nor has anyone else. 40 degrees during the day! Hummmmm, what's going on here?

During some of my 'vegging-sessions' I've been trying to contemplate what to do (different) for 2012! What a daunting task! Better not think about it too much OR I'll get stressed - haha (who me, stressed?). I am setting goals rather than resolutions - I didn't for many years but feel it's much more productive to set goals. I was fortunate enough to be able to reach many of the goals I set for this year! Rah-rah-rah! Don't think I'll divulge, just yet, what I've decided on - but maybe later I'll give you a sneak peek.

My overall view of 2011 - challenging - very challenging, not only for our family but for the world as a whole. I'm hoping 2012 will be calmer - maybe a little breather before anything else comes our way. I do have a feeling that world and national events will not be calm - but will continue to escalate in scope and intensity - that's just the way the world is going. It's a little scary to think about but I just keep reminding myself that 'God is in charge' and my faith in grows stronger and stronger every day I'm alive and witness what's happening around me.

Hang in there family, hang in there friends - we'll make it with each others help.

happy new year -

2012 here we come, ready or not!

r.u.s.h. triathlon - 2011

I am finally getting around to posting these photos because I gave them to Bob for Christmas. I backed them with foam core and now they are in his office. I really didn't know what photo to 'do up' for him so, I made a collage hoping he would pick what photo to settle on! Well, he hasn't so, he's stuck with the collage!

He did a great job this year in his race - finished a great time and amazingly finished! I wouldn't expect anything different as he's one stubborn guy and would drag himself over the finish line if he had to - but he didn't have to - of course he ran across the finish line. I'm sure there are many races ahead of him.

I'm getting my 2011 blog book ready to print and will change the date of this post soon to fit it where it belongs - so it will disappear from this spot in a few days - just in case you were wondering - haha - like you were wondering - haha!!!!!!!

happy anniversary to us - 43 years and going strong

Oh man - it's here . . . again . . . an anniversary. This year, we're totally boring, and I do mean BORING! We were going to head south and spend the weekend but guess what? We have (3) dogs and have a really hard time getting away. Two of the three dogs are old and would be really stressed if they went to a kennel. So, we stay home. I did get a good 'tip' on what to do with the dogs so next time we can get away AND no not put them to sleep ! ! !

This is what we did! Went to dinner with grandma to Wingers ! ! ! Okay, when you stop 'booooooing' I'll continue! She offered to take us to dinner and when our trip south fell through we thought, why not. We never got used to 'fancy' anniversaries as it falls so soon after Christmas that we were always broke and had to settle for the simple when it came to us! Having (7) kids and going through Christmas was like squeezing blood out of a turnip - just wasn't anything left after the holiday. So, don't feel sorry for us, we're used to it - lame as it might be!

Has being married for 43 years been easy? No, might I say, "Heavens NO!" Has it been worth it? "Absolutely-positively YES!" The BEST is yet to come!

christmas memories - christmas eve favorites 2011

“If there is one single secret to long life, that secret is moderation.”

― George Gallop

December 31, 2011

Forgive me - it's taken awhile to post this special announcement - grandbaby #15 - and proud of it.

This (above) photo happens to be my favorite photo of Cortney and Ashley before baby Theo arrived. It doesn't need any explaining - pretty much speaks for itself. Cortney (my son) reminds me so much of my father as my father used to look at my mom the same way he is looking at Ashley!

After some scary months prior to Theo being born, November 22nd was such a relief to his family as Theo was born - all tests indicating that he is normal in everyway - just a little squirt and he is now (as of December 17th) a whooping 5 lbs. 10 oz. When he was born, and when this photo was taken, he was 4 lbs. 6 oz. I was so happy to be able to be at his birth and was able to take photos of his grand entrance and first breath! Lucky Grandma Berta.

Medical opinions were that the outcome for baby Theo would be any where from still-born, severe birth defects or mental retardation. Ultra sounds found problems and some doctors were skeptical as to the outcome. Family and friends from all over the world joined together in fasting, prayer and MUCH FAITH in behalf of baby Theo as whatever Heavenly Father had in store for this little soul we, as a family, would meet head-0n. This little family has been blessed in so many ways. WELCOME to the family Theodore Bunker Boice!

journal update

HOME SICK:
No, I'm not away from home - I'm sick at home! Not too bad but could get worse - it's the yearly 'dread' that has struck - hacking-never-ending cough, snot nose and assorted other physical ailments. Do you know the sweetest thing? I received a blessing tonight from two people I love very much - hubby and son Shawn - saying I will be over this sickness soon and I'll be able to enjoy the holidays. I will remember tonight for a long time - thanks Kandee for holding your nose and breath for as long as you could (so you wouldn't get sick) and sitting close by. So thankful I have people in my life that have a deep faith in God and live good lives to be able to give such sweet blessings.

Above is another reason I love my hubby - he leaves sweet messages like this to help me cope with life at times! When I traveled to Utah to be with Cortney and Ashley about a month ago, I left him messages to find during the day and hubby retaliated with messages like that above! That was a nice unexpected retaliation! I keep all his messages in a file and once in awhile pull them all out and read them - super sweet and super thoughtful! He does nice things like that!

So glad I got some wrapping done yesterday as Grandma came over and we wrapped until it was done. Family will start showing up this week about Thursday evening. I'm pretty darn excited to see everyone. All will be here except Whit, Schuyler and boys as they're going to do Christmas in a cozy cabin in Utah. They will be loosing their dog Taho (my granddaughter) soon as she has cancer and they figure they will have to put her down after the holidays (tumor growing so fast) - there's nothing harder than having to say goodbye to an amazing family member, your pet (actually your kid)!

FAMILY IS COMING THIS WEEK ! ! ! NEVER ready BUT always excited to see everyone! I'm SOOOO excited to have grandkids here on Christmas morning - loved watching them last year at the Christmas Cabin and will love to see the wonder in their eyes once again. I guess early morning wakeup call will be part of the territory! Our new grandbaby (a whooping 5 lbs now) Theo will be here but I probably won't be able to hold him with my cold as he's just too small to chance any kind of infection. I remember when Cooper was born I wasn't able to hold him for over a month as I was really sick then. CHRISTMAS, I'm excited it's almost here - I'm needing it for many reasons.

3 years - that went fast!

Today, I was released from Young Women (presidency) in our ward! I knew it was coming as it has been three years since we were called however, I thought it would be the first of 2012 that we'd be released. Not! I didn't think it would be as hard as it was - it was hard! Bitter- sweet actually - ready for a change but loved the girls enough to know that I would truly miss associating with them on a regular basis.

We spent some fun-crazy times together and some deeply spiritual times as well. Tonight there was a knock at the door and Amanda Moeller (in my class) came by with a plate of cookies that she made and a sweet card. Then I got comments from other girls. This one touched my heart from Ariel:

"You taught me so much! I had a very great start to my teenage years because of you! Remember the pencil tease??? Hahahah lovvvvved that! I will definaltely remember my proud months as president and being able to work with you all the way threw! I'll always be grateful to you and how much you have impacted my life! I'm definaltely crazy and mustve been.. Interesting to work with:) !! I'm so happy to be in your guitar class and get to exPeriment with the instrument! Oooooooo hhh remember the heart attacks the class did? I thought that was a huuuuuge success! Elizabeth still talks about how much she misses you guys, and says the leaders over there aren't nearly as caring and kind!!! I enjoyed my beehive experience much, and miss it to this day! You are ammmmaaaazinnnggg!! I would totally would type more, but I'm on an iPod an I already have many spelling errors! Again I'm so grateful you are part of my life!!"

See, hard to leave!

something to think about

t. y. l. e. r.