A Good Reminder For Me On This New Year's Eve

Doctrine and Covenants 6:6-7

"Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion; seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."

A Contemplative & Somewhat Emotional Christmas

Jason, we miss you. We really missed you on Christmas Day. I drew you on the card this year. You know I had to. A lot of hopes for you through the years and dreams that you would finally reach your potential that you had in you and that we saw in you every day.

Karen and I also gathered memories from everyone in the family and we put together a book about you. A book that should have filled many more pages...many more years. Your earthly life was cut way too short. We gave copies of the book to everyone in the family. It was a quiet moment when the books were passed out to everyone. Some quiet tears were shed. A few pages were turned in the book by some but mostly the book was quietly placed with all the other unwrapped presents until we were all back at our homes. We all knew it was best to be alone to read the book and remember our memories about you. Too much emotion. I think the saddest part is knowing how much potential you really have and that a lot of people did not know you. The real you. That you hid behind your disease because that was all you could do at times and that some people thought that was all you were. Nor do a lot of people understand how hard it is to overcome that addiction. That people that have that addiction have to deal with it every day of their lives. But we also know that Heavenly Father, in his mercy, knew that it was time for you to go and to finally be free. And we are happy for you for that mercy. But we will miss you every day. Every minute. We are saddest that we don't get to make any more memories with you.

I picture you with your arms outstretched to us when we see you again someday for that hug that we will miss every day. I also picture you finally becoming this amazing person that we always knew you were.

I hope that I am worthy to see you again someday. Truly.

And don't worry, I will still talk to you and think about you every day. My Bumper. On to amazing and glorious accomplishments. Our hearts ache with how much we love you.

Twirling...

I think we should twirl more. Don't you think? Just a thought.

Happy day before Christmas Eve!

I'm SO Excited...

Well, I am not sure about that in that I need to get to the stores first thing this morning. “Morning” is the key though to avoid the crowds. But I AM so excited and grateful for all the blessings in my life. I can't even name all the blessings.

I hope I never forget to get excited...even for the smallest of blessings.

Yoda always!

So my brother Jason was all knowledgeable about Star Wars. He even spoke in the Yoda voice at times...totally cracking us up. So Stef and Kiley and Kolby found a Christmas Yoda complete with a santa hat (that you can't see) and a candy cane. More than perfect! A fitting tribute to remember Jason each Christmas. It is hanging proudly on mom's christmas tree. As it will every year. Jason, we think of you a million, zillion times of each day of the 365 days a year...but this is just a little tribute to you, sweetie. Always be near us. Always.

Yes, Lori, Santa Claus does exist!

"When you do something nice for someone, Santa Claus does exist."

Wow- that quote has to be the truth. I had a lot of "nices" shown to me in about 3 different ways yesterday.

1) The owner of our company was very generous to us yesterday in showing her appreciation to us for our hard work this year by letting us know we would get a little bonus this coming Tuesday. Not too forget the gift cards she gives us each Thanksgiving and Christmas. Nor can I forget the fact that I have been working there over 5 years and she gives out $500 to employees that have been there 5 years, $1000 to employees that have been there 10 years... and so on. I truly feel blessed. And so thankful. Yes, my $500 is going to my car! Everything extra does!

2) Let's just say there is something about a Santa in a red jogging suit who did a really sweet thing for me for this year. Let's just say it involved me receiving some brightly wrapped packages and a note not to open them till Christmas. And I just want to say thank you. It touched my heart and totally surprised me. And I will always remember this. It was just sweet. And truly un-needed but also such a sweet surprise. I have my ideas of who it was just because of how things transpired yesterday but I know "he" wants to remain anonymous I guess. The magic of Christmas for sure.

3) And when I was working at the temple last night, before our shift started last night, in prayer meeting when we were singing christmas songs- I mentioned to the chorister that my favorite song was "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" and it was the last song listed on the blackboard and I could tell we wouldn't have time to sing it in the time alotted...but sweetly she erased the song number just before 214 at the very end of our singing time and we were able to sing it. (I thanked her later.) Singing that song was just the cherry on the top of a very sweet day.

Yes, Lori, there is a Santa Claus.

Just an amazing day...not to forget that just being able to work at the temple makes every Thursday amazing. I was talking to a co-worker about that very fact last night. I feel so blessed.

Thank you to all the people in my life who give me "nices" everyday. It's sometimes a smile or a hello. Maybe a kind word. I am just very grateful. Blessed really.

Oops... I keep skipping days here and there...

...getting my art posted everyday. More of a challenge than I thought. Ah, such lofty goals! So it is turing into every 2 to 3 days or so at times.

Anyway, here is a book I did for my friend Nancy. It is about sign language.

I want to find the time to post really cool and fun illustrations but for now, this is what I post. 

Happy Wednesday!!! Our group is going to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch today. Woohoo... and no, I am not eating cheesecake. I honestly go there for the salads.

Yes, I wish it was summer...

Okay, so I don't totally mind winter except for the icy roads...not a fan of that. But Christmas is during the cold weather and that is a great season for sure. But I still wouldn't mind dreaming of the summer and dreaming of enjoying the warmth.

So I drew a little girl who thinks it is summer... or at least I made her think it is summer since she is dressed for it. Or maybe she is in Hawaii in the winter...or maybe she isn't thinking at all...

Alien at Conference

So we had stake conference today. It was great. The speakers gave us great things to think about. Then suddenly at 11:30 (with a half hour to go), the power went out in the gym where I was sitting. All the lights went out...and I thought at first that a child had flipped a switch. I bet a lot of parents were quickly glancing around to make sure their children were not near any light switches. So then for the next half hour we all sat there in the dark. No announcement was relayed to us in the back of the stake center of what we should do and the area seventy kept speaking up at the front though we couldn't hear him. Finally at 5 to 12 we could here a choir so we knew it was almost over. We guess they had a prayer after and then as soon as we saw movement in the chapel part of the stake center, we all got up and left. So during that time in the dark, I drew an alien. So I guess an alien was at stake conference. I drove home in the slippery slush on the road. I have decided it doesn't matter if you have 4 wheel or all-wheel drive in slippery slush. Made for an interesting 2 minute drive home. But me and the alien on the paper got home safely. Supposed to snow hard all afternoon into the evening tonight. So I think all aliens and humans should stay home. ; )

Not a True Elf...

So today seemed like a good idea to put an elf up on my blog. I feel like one running around town in the snow buying presents...at least I didn't have to be a real elf and "make" the presents! So I guess I am a lazy elf...Anyway, I did some running around, shopping, went to lunch at Cafe Rio! Yummo!!!

And visited with my mom for a bit at her house. Stake Conference tonight and tomorrow.

Merry shopping and getting everything done in 13 days!

Happy Thursday!

So it is COLD outside...brrrr. (Just a side comment before I blog about what I really wanted to blog about...)

I was working on some sketches for my friend Jennifer last night. And I got to thinking that I am running out of previously drawn images to post on my blog each day. Yes, I know, having a cold for a month kind of slowed me down...but I am better now! Anyway, drawing Jennifer's kids last night reminded me of a sketch I did for my friends Christine and Mark for one of their daughter's baptisms. And I happened to have it on this computer...so here is Ashley. Drawing in pencil makes me happy. Happy Thursday! 

Snow

I think it is pretty and I know we need it...but I am SO not a fan of driving in it. I just want to stay at home and feel safe and calm. So I think I will stay home from work today...I will probably do some work at home but that is okay...I don't like to not get my work done. I had an extra day floating around anyway that I needed to use. So unless the weather changes quickly...today is my snow day.

Cowboy Jim

A story about a sweet little cowboy who listened to his dad...told by Bud Oakes.

I drew this as part of a picture book for my sister's father-in-law a couple of years ago. It was a story he told his kids as they grew up. My sister asked me to illustrate the book for them. Simple line style. But it was fun to do.

So my advice is for all you to be good cowboys and listen to your dad.

Turtle Time

Just a little turtle...feels like I have been on "turtle time" for the last month. Not moving too fast. Just moving along...a little slower than usual.

I guess we all need a little "turtle time" once in a while.

8 months yesterday since my sweet brother Jason passed away. Hard at times. I miss his laugh.

No, I am not reading...

Wish I was...

but am busy with Christmas preparations. Got most of my cards in the mail...worked on and finished my mom's newsletter (I put it together for her every year). And now to keep working on the book about my brother who passed away almost 8 months ago. A hard project to work on but it will be a good thing for each of us to have.