Glimpse of Christmas

Merry Christmas!

4 months!

Mr. Cutie here is 4 months old, and loving the lights and sounds of Christmas. Ooohhh, ahhhh!

I'm thankful for the dash

David Anderson Bush

December 16 - December 18 2000

David's "dash" separates only 2 days, but what an impact those days have had on my life, and on our family. We are mindful of our miracle baby this special week and always. We miss him, love him, and look to our future together.

I read of a man who stood to speak, at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on this tombstone from beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth and spoke the following with tears.

But he said what mattered most of all, was the dash in between those years.

For the dash represents, all the time he spent alive on earth.
And how only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash,

what matters most is how we live and love and how we spend our dash…

So think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough, to consider what is true and real.

And always try to understand, the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,

and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash

would you be proud of the things they say and how your spent your dash?


(By Linda Ellis)

I am George Washington

I have always battled the idea that my profile mirrored George Washington's, thanks to a slap happy comment from a high school friend. :)

Good grief, what a stupid battle.

Two weeks ago, at Mt Vernon (George Washington's home), I received prrrrrrroooof.

My life is over.

Just call me George.

Carpet, shmarpet

Yuck. Carpet is gross. Especially carpet with pink puke stains on it. So, we got new flooring! (It was a decent enough excuse for us to act on a looong overdue desire.) Oak laminate is cleaner... and louder.

We love it.

Merry Christmas to us.

Dallas, Texas

19 hours there, 14 back. Driving. Bob, me, and Reuben.

The Gaylord-Texan is a fantabulous resort. Worth the 2 am arrival to be in a deluxe suite. Worth the drive to have some quality time with my husband after a grueling 6 week work schedule. Great job presenting his poster at the scientific whatnot he presented for. (The excuse to get out there).

Notes:

*IHOP is a great restaurant. They currently have some awesome coupons we used (3 of the 4 times we ate there).

*Naps on vacations are nice.

*The Birmingham Alabama and Dallas Texas temples are beautiful.

*Dallas has a lot of Walmarts.

*Get regularly scheduled maintenances for cars BEFORE car trips, not during.

Thanks to Grandma, Grandpa, and Jan for watching the other 6 kids. Phew!

Now onto the laundry from two weeks of suitcases.

Thanksgiving: A Dream

We were assigned to bring the turkey for our outdoor feast.

Bob decided to bring an elephant instead, completed with snot/pickle brine and barbecued trunk.

I was in charge of setting up rickety old chairs, and was informed by our host that we would also need to include another chair for our guest, President Obama.

The mayor announced his arrival, and President Obama stepped up to the outdoor podium.

He did not say anything, but slowly began singing a Thanksgiving folk song.

My father-in-law stood up and said, "No, that's not quite the way it goes," and then accompanied the President on his guitar.

Their duet was lovely.

***

In reality, we had a fantastically normal Thanksgiving. We all drove up to the D.C. area to have Thanksgiving with my dad, Jeanene, and siblings. The food was delicious all week long (I need some recipes!!!) and a good time was had by all. We enjoyed a lot of bingo, coloring, Wii, Mt. Vernon, visiting the D.C. Temple visitors center, spending time with extended family and taking billions of pictures with Mom's iphone.

We also were able to be there for Grace's birthday and baptism. Yay Grace!