Christmas 2011!

Christmas 2011.....Where do I start!
I should start with I am thankful!
First and far most I thankful for why we celebrate Christmas! Without Christ birth and His Resurrection none of us would have eternal life! How thankful I am for this gift! The biggest gift we all can enjoy! Christ is the central most important person in our Heavenly Father's plan! So to just say I am thankful does not sound sufficient! I guess you could multiply that by eternity and maybe that would explain my thankfulness a little better!!
As hard as it can be to get the whole family together....I was so thankful to have all of my family here in our home for dinner with the exception of Rhett! But I felt like he was here anyways with us! Being part of a big family there will always be ups and downs.  I once read where President Hinckley said, the best part of a family dinner and get together is seeing the tail lights of the car and waving goodbye! I think this is somewhat true!! It is always a little stressful!! But I would not change anything!!
Tom and I received many lovely things from our children and friends and we thank you all!! Lots of fun yummy treats and the list goes on! But I have to say at the end of the day as Tom and I reflected back on the day....We would have to say what we will remember most from Christmas 2011 is Rhett sharing his testimony with us in Italian!! The spirit we felt, as it was just Tom and I in the room with the door closed listening to Rhett speak in Italian and express his heart to us....will be something we will never forget!!! We understood few words but....We completely understood Rhett's heart, his love for us, his love for his Heavenly Father, his love for his Savior, and his love for the people in Italy and their country in which he lives.... and forever will part of him!
Rhett said in his letter home today.....


    "I love my family so much! There is nothing in this world that I would trade for them! They really keep me going! I know that when the family is united, there is noting that can stop them! Nothing! Satin will try to do all that he can but, I know that through this gospel and the teachings of Christ, that families will be blessed.  I love you all so much and am so thankful for the opportunity I had to speak to you all! Thanks for all that you do for me! I pray for you all constantly! I am thankful for everything, for all the support that you guys give to me!! It was good to see everyone's faces! To hear everyone's voices! But anyway I don't know if it a bad thing or a good thing but you know, after I hung up the phone with you all, it was crazy I wasn't sad at all! I was happy! Happy in the fact that you all are doing so great and the fact that you all support me! I think it is because I realized a lot more on why I am here and my purpose of serving a mission! It truly is to bring the world or Italy, the truth of Jesus Christ our Savior"!


What more could Tom and I ask for! We have been blessed with FIVE beautiful children! We are so thankful for each one of them!!
We set our alarms for 3:00am to wait for Rhett's skpe call! Joe and Erin woke their four children up at 3:00 am to come and speak to Rhett! I tried to explain to Joe there was no need to wake his whole family up to come in the middle of the night not to mention Christmas morning with Santa presents, we weren't sure what time Rhett would call! He said it could be between 3 and 4! But sure enough Joe, Erin and their kids came! Joe explained to me how important it was for his kids to be there to talk to Rhett! He said....Mom, my kids love their Uncle Rhett and pray for him in EVERY prayer and miss him!! Joe and Erin wanted their kids to see how happy Rhett is! Joe said they would always remember this Christmas talking with their Uncle Rhett in Italy! When I thought about it....I realized that those kids will probably never remember what they got for Christmas this year but they will remember, loading up and bundling up to come to Grammy's and Pops house to wait for their Uncle Rhett to call them on Christmas!! The one bummer of it was....Rhett did not call until 9:30ish!!!! But they were not about to leave!! Blake came at 3:00 am as well but had to go about 6:00 am, and Posey and Walker were the lucky ones! Three of Rhett's friends came at 3:00am as well and ended up having to leave, but two of them did get to come back and talk! Rhett's cousin from Phoenix, Forrest was able to get to Gilbert in time to talk as well! It was so cute...You could just feel the love these two boys have for one another as they each hugged the monitor!! SO PRECIOUS!!!! These two cousins have a very special bond!!! One they will forever have!!! This Christmas will be one we all will remember! One Tom I will forever be THANKFUL for in so many ways!!

Recruit Scheurn....11-2!!!

Recruit Scheurn graduated from the Scottsdale Fire Academy Friday night! We are so proud of him!! He has worked so hard!! I was talking to Joe about the academy and I said to him..."I am not sure if anyone knows how hard it is to go through the academy"! Joe said...."mom it was hard sometimes but I enjoyed every minute of it, I would do it again"! That is my Joe!! So disciplined and honorable!! Not only were Tom and I so proud of Joe but Erin and the kids were so happy and proud as well!! 

Recruit Scheurn WE LOVE YOU!!!!! Your dad and I could not be happier for you! We are so thankful to call you ours!!!!

Joe was asked to present an award to his Captain.

Academy flag!!! 

One very PROUD dad!!!

One thankful mama and dad!!!

Joe invited his grandfather to his graduation and was so happy he was able to come!!! Thanks Papa, I know Joe really loves his Papa!!!

Red Hot Balls of Holly!!!

Love, Your Bishopric and Wives!!!!

Are you there!!!!!

I had not received Rhett's letter on Wednesday and was so sad thinking, maybe he could not email that Wednesday. Anyone that knows me well, knows that Wednesday has became my most favorite day of the week, since this is the day Rhett emails.
I was up early and first things first I checked for Rhett's letter! NO LETTER! I WAS SO SAD!!!
Now it was about 9:00am, so it would of been about 6:00 pm for Rhett in Italy, So I felt pretty sure Rhett would not be emailing! My phone rang and I could not get to it. It just kept ringing  and ringing. So finally I ran in to get it and it was Tom saying an email just came through from Rhett! He said if I hurried maybe I could catch Rhett on the internet! So of course I hopped on my computer and emailed Rhett! All I said was...
ARE YOU THERE!!!!
To my surprise this was his response....
im here i love you! 
So of course like a disobedient mother, I continued to try and email him with NO RESPONSE!!!! I tried several time! Tom had text me and told Rhett had just emailed him, so I knew Rhett was still on the computer!!
Like a crazy missionary mom I continued to try and email him for the next 30 minutes with...NO RESPONSE!
I have to say I was some what ticked that I knew he was on the computer but yet would not talk with me!
Now that I think about it I am so grateful for such an obedient son! As I have thought more on it his few word,
im here i love you....I thought about my Heavenly Father and my Savior! So simple. There have been so many times when I have said to THEM...ARE YOU THERE!!!!!! Even though I know they are just a prayer away.... If I would stop and recognize THEIR arms I round me,...If I would listen to THEIR will....If I would surrender completely to THEM!! If I would just stop and listen....I would hear both my Heavenly Father and Savior say...im here i love you!!!!  Yet lately I have a hard time hearing!
I am so thankful for....For my Savior! There are no words that would be adequate, to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for sending his only Begotten Son to atone for MY sins! How could I ever think....ARE YOU THERE...When I know without my Savior I would not have ETERNAL life! How could I ever think ARE YOU THERE....when I look around and no matter how hard things can be....I AM SO BLESSED, with a wonderful earthly family, with dear sweet friends! I am blessed to live where I live!! I am blessed to have a temple so close! I am so blessed to have a son that is serving a full time mission with a extra happy heart and that works so hard to bring the people of Italy to Christ! I am so blessed to have five great children! I am so blessed to have 11 beautiful grand children! I am so blessed to have a wonderful worthy son bless his new baby last Sunday! I am so blessed to have another son be married in the temple next month! Every where I look BLESSINGS!!!!  Most of all I am so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. For the knowledge it gives me! That I am a daughter of God who LOVES me, who knows me and my desires, who knows my heart and will forgive me when I am ungrateful and wonders sometimes...ARE YOU THERE?
I know my Heavenly Father and Savior do live...and they are right here with me! I know THEY both are  telling me.... im here i love...I just need to stop and listen!!

A Special Day For Melanie!!!

We had a fun wedding shower for Melanie! We had a crowed of about 60 people and everything went so nice. There were several people who helped me and I am ever so grateful for their help! 

Jennifer Wittmann come over and helped me with the decorations!! She also made the Reeses peanut butter cups!! Not sure what I would of done with out her! The one thing I could say is...If Jennifer did not help me with the decorations there would have never had any "high-low" areas!! Jennifer is for sure about the presentation!! Jen I adore you, THANK YOU!!!!!!!! Posey made the cupcakes.Yum-Yum!!!! Tanya made Oreo truffle balls that were ....fantastic!! Joe and Erin was kind enough to do all the meat in their crock pots!! Jenna made the cowboy caviar, salsa, and Oreo balls!! I just want to thank you all who helped make Melanie's day was so sweet and special!! I know this will be a day Melanie will never forget!!!

Mel we are so excited to have you became a part of our family!! 

We love you!!!!

We had so many yummy desserts! Several different Oreo truffle, Reeses Peanut Butter brownies, mini cup cakes, German Chocolate Cheesecake, and Banana Strawberry Cheesecake!! Everything was just celestial!

Melanie loves mexican food so that is what we had!! Chicken and beef soft tacos, home made re-fried beans, shrimp ceviche, cowboy caviar, home made salsa and chips...with all the fixings!! SO SO SO yummy!!! 

Just a pretty girl!!!

Melanie's future Grandmother and "Sister-in-love"!

Our sweet Jenna Winters made the delicious salsa and Cowboy Caviar" and the Oreo truffles! Thank you Jenna they were a hit! I love and appreciate you so much!!!!!

Melanie received so many nice gifts!! She said she can't wait to use them!!! Hannah, Melanie's sister sat next to her the whole time supervising the gifts!!!