Snow Day!

"If you've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

As a twelve year old, is there anything in the world better than having school cancelled?! I think not. Andrew spent yesterday shoveling driveways with his friend, Pierce, attempting to sled in snow that wasn't packed enough to sled, and playing X-Box. The only downside he could see was that his trombone will be held hostage in the band room all Christmas break!

On the other hand, with the weather outside too snowy to drive, and no flour in the house for baking, what could I do but spend several hours writing?! (And I don't want to hear nothing about cleaning the bathrooms.)

My camera was uncooperative earlier in the day when the snow was coming down, the roads were snow-packed and every driveway in the cul de sac featured someone with a snow shovel! You're just going to have to imagine that.

Kai loved trail blazing in the chest high snow!

Small World!

Today Andrew went to a birthday party. As he was preparing to leave, he mentioned his friend's full name was Wilford . . . Kimball III. A light went on. The man who sealed us in the temple on that fateful day in August, the father of the missionary who baptized Alan's parents, was Wilford Kimball. No way!

So Andrew called his friend and asked him if someone in his family was named Wayne. Ah yes, his grandfather! So there you have it: one of Andrew's best friend's grandpa taught and baptized Andrew's grandparents in Chicago about forty-five years ago! And his great-grandpa sealed us thirty-two years ago! (Doesn't that sound like a President Monson story?)

Andrew says he thinks they're going to be friends for a long time, and I think he's right!

Celebrating

The arrival of our latest grandson,

Jackson Hoffman,

born to

Danny & Kristi

Friday, December 3, 2010,

at 6:17 p.m.

He weighs 7 pounds 9 ounces

and is 21 inches long,

with dark hair, and an extremely happy daddy.

(I'm sure the mommy is equally happy--and tired--but I haven't had this personally confirmed.)

Unfortunately there are no pictures, because he is far, far away in Florida :(

I have to wait to meet him.

Titles

Since I am nearing the end of my novel rewrite--nearing being a relative term you understand--I'd like some feedback on titles. One you'll recognize, since it's the one I've been using (provided by Danny). The others were suggestions from the professional readers who evaluated my manuscript. So the question is--which of these titles would most make you pull the book off the shelf?! (Feel free to provide your own suggestions.)

*Galactic Gold

*Black Jade

*Jade

*Jaded

*Searching for Jade

*Searching for True Treasure

*The Price of Jade

FYI, I'm just over 300 pages into my rewrite; it's current length is 367 pgs, but will probably grow some before it's finished.

A Perfect Fall Afternoon!

Knowing that winter is on its way, we decided to enjoy the gorgeous weather outside today. We ate pizza at Holdaway Park, played in the playground, and then drove up Hobble Creek Canyon. So beautiful! Fall is my favorite season--the brilliant colors, the crunchy leaves, the cloudless blue sky, the skift of snow on the mountains, the weather that's just cool enough for a sweater! I love the fall!

Happy Halloween!

We had our annual Family Halloween Party Friday night. Although we were down too many people and started a little late . . . we still had a great time! Our dinner menu included some old favorites: Pumpkin Stew & Bony fingers, as well as a couple of new surprises: Meathead sandwiches & Frankenstein cupcakes.

Same time, next year--put it on the calendar and plan to come!!!!

Thank you--

I find myself completely unable to express the feelings in my heart, and so I will simply say thank you--to all of you who are helping to ease the burdens of those I love so much.

To Genea, who is the best second mother for my precious son I can imagine: thank you for making cookies and tee shirts, and driving long hours to be here.

To Christy & Tom: thank you for mothering Elena, for giving her steroids and taking her to the park, and reading her stories and treating her like your own, when her own Mom and Dad can't.

To Jenny & Eric and Danny & Kristi: thank you for being here in your hearts, when you can't be here in person. We miss you.

To Amy & Ryan and Julie & Rob: Thank you for bringing meals and babysitting so they can have an occasional evening out.

To Andrew: Thank you for laying on Elena's bed with her to watch movies and getting her to smile when nobody else can.

To Alan: Thank you for Priesthood Blessings, for listening, for sharing.

To my brothers, neices, nephews and friends: Thank you for your prayers, for your faith, for your concern.

To Eric & Briana: Thank you for your neverending example of courage and faith.

Now--let's light up the night!