O Christmas Tree by Kim

When I was a kid, the Christmas Tree was absolutely magical. Whenever I was near it, I felt warm, safe and very happy. I guess you could say I felt the Spirit of Christmas. To this day, I do not know what it was about my childhood Christmas tree that meant so much to me. Was it the fact that we went and picked it out together? Or that each year we all got a box of new ornaments in the mail from my Grandma Stott--a very sweet connection to her. Is it that after she passed away, we each got a new ornament from my mom and dad to carry on the tradition?

Or was it the way my dad lovingly strung the lights every year before we decorated it--gold lights down the trunk and colored lights on every branch. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that we all decorated it together and that was a happy celebration in and of itself.

AnnLoureen, Cindy, Juli, Kim, Jon, David
I know that a large portion of the magic came when it was dark outside and only the Chrismas tree lights were lit. I would stand in awe of the beautiful glow the tree put off as the colorful lights reflected off the gold garland that was always the finishing touch on our tree.

I remember loving our tree so much that I would be next to it as much as possible. I would read by it, play under it, lie under it and smell the pine as I gazed up at all the lighted branches. I even remember often trying to hug it. I would see how far my little arms could wrap around the tree. It was a little disappointing that the tree that looked and smelled so heavenly would poke me when I tried to hug it, but I would try anyway.

One year in Kentucky, we could not afford to buy a Christmas Tree. I remember wondering how it could ever feel like Christmas without one. That year, my little brother Jon and my little sister Juli went to the woods behind our house and cut one down by themselves. I remember watching them struggle as they tied branches together to try create something that resembled a Christmas Tree. I was so grateful for their act of service to our family. They too knew it just wasn't Christmas without a tree.

Now I have my own house and my own tree. Each year I pass a treasured ornament from my childhood down to my children. I love to hear their expressions as they unwrap and hang each ornament. Our tree is not real, and the lights are not colored, and there is no gold garland hanging around it to make it sparkle, but I hope in it's own way it invites the magic of Christmas into the hearts of my children each year. And who knows, maybe next year, possibly the first Christmas without my mom, I will get a real tree, put gold lights down the trunk with colored lights on every branch. We'll hang every treasured ornament from my childhood. Maybe I'll be able to find some gold garland and try to recreate the magic that was always in my childhood home at Christmas.

Thank you Mom and Dad for always making Christmas magical. Your love and the memories we have created together will forever live on in my heart and fill it warmth, love and happiness--the true Spirit of Christmas.

Snowballs and Overcoats

I was thinking about my favorite memories with Mom the other day. These memories that I hold dear are not of any great consequence compared to the world's standards, but that's no surprise. I remember having a snowball fight with Mom--just Mom.

It was great! It didn't last very long, but I'll never forget it! I felt so special! We were living on King's Hill Dr, so I'm guessing I was about five Years old. I remember feeling so elated and so loved to be blessed to spend such time with my Mother. I think of that experience often as I raise my own children. The memories that last and will be most cherished for them are not the fancy "horse and pony shows" that sometimes we feel we need to do to show love, but it is just TIME and love itself that mean the most.

The other memory I love is just as simple. It was a cold evening and Mom and I found ourselves walking from "Top of the World" chapel home to Kings Hill Drive. Mom had a large overcoat on and she quickly decided we could share the coat, making a game of the situation. Her arm was in one side of the coat, mine in the other, and we walked home together--matching steps and laughing the whole way. I never felt warmer on a cold evening than I did that night. Thank you for your love, Mom!

Julia Ann Bailey

Remembering and musing on song!

This is  Mom,

Thinking about things and remembering some of the wonders of my past, I thought about singing and humming. I did that very often as it was how I dealt with stress and frustration.

One of the times I remember singing and David asked me to stop. He didn’t like my singing. He was only little, around 2 if I remember. I laughed, Great a confidence builder!

I remember being called to lead Primary singing then shortly afterwards, the Sunday School. It was in Payson Utah a the white building with the basement Primary room. I was terrified, but it truly was a blessing to learn the wonderful songs of Primary and then the hymns. As President Packard says, memorize the hymns and they will be a great service to you. It is so true.

I remember so many times that when I finally listened to the words I was humming, it was of a hymn with exactly the words of comfort or instruction that I really needed at the time.

I remember singing, “There Is Beauty All Around”, when there was upsets and need for harmony. Remember how it got to be a pain to hear?

I remember the wonderful times we sang together. How I loved to hear you all sing. I still do. It is the joy of my life to hear and sing with you. I remember one time when I wanted to sing a trio with Juli and Kim and I just could not get the notes or parts right.

But we muddled through. I especially love singing Christmas songs. I could and do sing them all year round.

I will tell you a secret. I prayed to the Lord that He would bless me with the ability to sing, when I had become more like He wanted me to be. Sort of asking for my own reward for obedience. I had spent so many years in choirs, filling the seat hoping to learn and develop a talent I did not have. I could not and still can not tell if I am singing on the correct notes. I remember once riding from Lagoon with Lee and Mel I believe after a family reunion, singing and they commented on the variety of keys I sang in (for the same songs).

Family Home evenings when I could get you to sing, sitting often on the top of the couch back, were favorites for me and when ever we get together to hear you all sing. I dreamed of having a family recording group since you all sing so beautifully.

The two requirements I asked for in a husband, other than a Priesthood holder, was that he sing and have curly hair. Lee had both and I am grateful he passed the singing gift on, even if he was stingy with the curly hair.

I hope in this blog you all will read and write comments or blog entries that a prompted by each others’. It is truly a joy to see, feel and remember the times we have shared together.
Mom

Pretend or Profound

This blog brings back memories. When ever I did not know what to do I would pretend, has that become profound?

LaLoni started this blog. She gave me another email address so similar to one I had just started. That makes it 4 gmail addresses for me now. I can add another to the list to enter the HGTV dream home (8). What a hoot.

She gave me my password: getthestick  Does that ring a bell? Or tweak the fear level in your hearts or just cause a great big guffaw? I still have "the stick" or at least I thought I did. I just checked and it has disappeared. One of those moments of sorting out must have caused its demise.

We had so much fun together, I hated school to start. I looked forward to being together and having our great times until you got older and the homework got above my ability to help. Thankfully we had David in English and math and Cindy in math to help us out. I can remember AnnLoureen would have me read to her while she did her other homework. She didn't read as fast as she wanted but she could multi-task. That was when we were on Top of the World. In Payson, I remember when I was sick, she would come home all excited to show her school work and there I was on the couch. The reason I know? I would find her work on my chest when I woke up.

Persistence under adversity was the motto of our family then and now. You all are persistent and have met and kept your goals. What a joy it is to see you all with your talents and gifts so well developed and shared with so many.

I remember when you were little in our first Payson home, when you all were out playing in the living room. I felt like there out for all to see where all my faults. Children mimic what they see. I was seeing all that from each of you. It was a real teaching moment for me. It was discouraging while it was inspiring. I found a great quote about that to the effect that children are a mirror of us and wood burned it into a small plague to remind me.
Mom

"I'll Build You a Rainbow" Mom

After first meeting David over twenty-two years ago, David tried to describe his mother.  He asked me if I had ever seen the Church video of "I'll Build You a Rainbow?"  Of course I had.  It was a story of an amazing mom who got sick and passed away.  

(I just re-watched this video on YouTube @ the following link.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRlB0HV7nH0

The story is about an eight year old boy named Jamie.  His mom called him Big J even though he wasn't very big.  She said he had a big heart.  Jamie said his mom was his best friend.  While other mom's were busy going to fashion shows and such, Jamie's mom was playing with him.  Jamie and the other neighborhood boys said she was the best football player on the whole block.  

After I told Dave that I had seen this video he said, "That is my mom."  I have heard many stories to backup that claim.  

What an honor it would be to hear that from your children! 

In one part of the video, Jamie's mom says, "Jamie, I'm going away and I won't be coming back.  I'm dying."  Then Jamie said, "But Mom, you just can't die.  Mom, you just can't."  His mom said to him, "It's okay.  There's no regrets.  Why, I've been with you more than most moms have been with their boys in a whole lifetime."  

That is how David remembers his mom growing up, whether it was playing catch, reading, singing, creating things together, or countless other activities.  

We will be forever grateful for all of your love and time, Mom.  Thank you for all the building we did together!  We love you, Mom!
LaLoni Maren Lewis Stott