Welcome suprises

This week I had two happy surprises. A few days ago I got this picture from the mission President, and a few others, with a letter saying Elder Norton had arrived safely. I think it is a very nice picture.

The last few days, I have been feeling a little teary with Andrew not being here. We went to see the Mark Mabry exhibit/photos/music and it was beautiful. We were listening to the gifted piano player and I started to say to my husband, "I wish Andrew could be here to hear this," but I only got as far as "I wish" and then the tears. I tried three times, but just could not choke it out. Then shopping made me homesick for him. Well, I am sure I'll get over it.

So, today I thought I would do a quick check of my email and I found this wonderful picture of Elder Norton with all that lovely snow in the background, plus a few more. A lovely family by the name of Kesler had five elders, including mine, and two sisters I think, for Christmas Eve. They took pictures, had a gift exchange, fed them, and let them watch Lion King. It warmed my heart to know that right then, he was watching Lion King. I cried of course. I was so grateful to these lovely people, that I am going to do the same thing tomorrow when we have the Elders over. Take pictures and send them to their parents.

Now, off to make surprises for the other little people I love. :-)

Merry Christmas

December 2008
Dear Friends and Family,

It has been a very good year in the Norton house. We are thankful for the many blessings we continue to enjoy on a daily basis. Here is our year in review.

Andrew turned 19 in April. His mission was delayed several months due to orthodontic follow up from his facial surgery last year. He worked hard at Domino’s and saved much and we said goodbye to him in November. He went in the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah on November 19 and will be leaving for his mission far away in Ogden, Utah on December 9. He has already experienced great things and is looking forward to his two years ahead of him. His adventures can be followed at http://www.missionsite.net/elderdrewnorton/main

Chris graduated from high school, turned 18, received his Eagle Scout, and started college at Eastern Arizona College. It has been a busy year for him with lots of adjustments. He had a great year in basketball as never before with a new coach at the high school. That talent carried over and he was asked recently to be part of EAC’s basketball team. He is thrilled and we are happy for him that years of hard work and dreaming have paid off. He is preparing to leave for a mission next Fall.

Joseph turned 16 this year and a junior. He has grown close to 6 inches in the last year and now towers over everyone at around 6’3”. We think he is not finished growing and Andrew may look up to his little brother when he returns. Joseph also enjoyed a good year in basketball playing JV and Varsity. The season is starting again. We are hoping he will break the trend and finish his Eagle in the next few months rather than waiting days before he turns 18. He played tennis this year too. Joseph is a true comedian and keeps us all laughing. He is carrying on a Norton family tradition of winning Mr. Wildkat at homecoming. This year (3rd year) the title was won by a pretty great dance impression of Michael Jackson.

Jefferson just turned 14 and he is the one that keeps our family on our toes. He is the family clown and we love his smile even though it normally means mischief is around the corner. He is a hard worker and he will likely finish his Eagle within a few months. He decided not to play football this year, but is back at basketball following his brothers. Jefferson plays piano for the Men’s meetings on Sundays. Jefferson starts high school next year.

Emily just turned 11 and is becoming quite the young lady. I am looking forward to her attending young women in church next year. She is a funny, happy, social girl. She plays the piano beautifully and enjoys dance and teaching dance as well. She is a good student. She likes to sing and spend time with friends and she had her first babysitting job last night. Emily is in 5th grade.

Noah is a bright, happy, active 8 yr old. He was baptized this year and began Cub Scouts. He loves school, reading, and his Gameboy. He is in 3rd grade.

Olivia started Kindergarten. She turned five and continues to be a bright spot in our home and hearts. She has such a sweet disposition and lights up a room with her smile. She is also taking dance and is quite the little artist.

That leaves Dawn at home alone. I am often to be heard by no one commenting on how quiet it is and looking for some kind of music to put in the nearest CD player. In my spare time, I am still a realtor part time and until recently, we had enough business to keep us busy. I was released from the Relief Society (women’s church organization) Presidency and am now the Cubmaster again. I also am the temporary Holiday Choir Director, which I really enjoy. Keeping up with my family, the bishop, and a part time job keeps me running, but I am thankful for the Lord’s tender mercies in my life and am continuously amazed at the evidence He gives me when I seek it, of His loving care for me.

Bret continues as bishop, husband, dad, teacher, and handyman extraordinaire. His day starts at 4:30 am, when he impressively and consistently goes running each morning. He has lost 25 pounds and is reaping the benefits of regular exercise. He likes sleeping in on Saturdays till, oh, 6am. He is still teaching seminary daily and institute twice a week. He wears himself out in the service of our family and others. We celebrated 20 years of marriage and employment this year.

Our family enjoyed a first this year by going to Disneyland. We wanted to do something special as a family before Andrew left and the face of our family changed forever. We had a great time in San Diego and at Disneyland. We are grateful at this time of the year, to stop our busy lives and ponder the greatest gifts. Peace, love, joy, and the birth of the ONE who brought it all. We are thankful for HIS message that even in times of great turmoil, we can still experience these things in the midst of the storms of life. Whether those storms are personal or national, we hope that you will be blessed to know of Christ’s loving sacrifice for you and how He makes a way for us to return to the God who created and loves us; and to live life more abundantly.

Merry Christmas to each of you that we love and wishes for a Happy and prosperous New Year.

It's in the Details

Olivia is a pretty special little girl. She has a magnetic personality. People are drawn to her. She is artistic in nature, singing, dancing, and drawing. She is my little arteest. She says things like her dance teacher reported to me: They had a party at her house on Monday and Olivia climbed under her tree, and said, "Look, I am your Christmas present." When her teacher asked her if she could stay with her at her house since she was her present, Olivia said, "I don't think my daddy will let me."

I have been amazed at the artwork she produces at this age. She designs dresses, draws recreations of events in our home and you can tell what they are. Some of my other children were drawing circles with the arms coming out of the side at age five. But she comes up with lovely ideas and puts them on paper. Here is her latest. I wrapped the present that she was taking to her party today. It's a book for and exchange. Now, while I am thrilled that the book is even wrapped, and I consider it a great day if I get something done beyond feeding the masses, she realized that this package needed something special. I came in only a few minutes after I wrapped it, to find her creating the special, what should I call it, tag, that is on the package. At that point she had the head with the google eyes and the antlers taped to the head and on the package. Of course, I knew what it was immediately. She had taken the pipe cleaners off something she got at school and I am not sure where she got the eyes, and she drew the rest and taped it on.

My children teach me every day. I am stunned by how wise they are. Olivia teaches me that beauty is in the details and even in our busy lives, it is worth the time to slow down and make something special. I just love her.

Just Run to HIM

The simple faith of a child can teach us so much.

The Hope that Christmas brings

Christmas is the best time to remember the hope and joy that the Christ child brought to the earth and to every person. I believe Santa is symbolic of that same hope. I know you will love this story, that appears MAY be true. I BELIEVE in miracles.

Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa

At Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding

A picture of a little girl. "Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling.

"Your friend?" Your sister?

"Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he

Said sadly.
Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

"She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!"

The child exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.

Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face,

Asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.

When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the

Child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.

"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.

"Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ..." the

Old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to

Collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.

"The girl in the photograph .. My granddaughter .. Well, you see ..

She has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the

Holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa

... Any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's

Asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."

Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave

Information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see

What he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon.

He knew what he had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that

Hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the

Least I can do."

When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening,

He retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was

Staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital.

"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.

Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier

That day. "C'mon .... I'll take you there," Rick said softly.

Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa.

They found out which room Sarah was in.

A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall..

Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and

Saw little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be

Her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had

Met earlier that day.

A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood

By the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead.

And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a

Chair near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were talking
Quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family,

And their love and concern for Sarah. Taking a deep breath, and

Forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!"

"Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed

To run to him, IV tubes in tact.

Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug.. A child the tender

Age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and

Excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald

Patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he

Looked at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he

Had to force himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted

Upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the

Women in the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept

Quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his

Hand gratefully, whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him

with shining eyes. Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him

excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd

been a very good girl that year. As their time together dwindled,

Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for

permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the

entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands. Santa looked

intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels.

"Oh, yes, Santa ... I do!" she exclaimed.

"Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you, "he said.

Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed.

He asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease.

He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he

finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly,

"Silent Night, Holy Night - all is calm, all is bright."

The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and

crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed

at them all. When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed

again and held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own.

"Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and

that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing

with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at

Mayfair Mall this time next year!" He knew it was risky proclaiming

that, to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to.

He had to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or

toys -- but the gift of HOPE.

"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright.

He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed

between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah's mother and

grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to Santa's

side to thank him.

"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly.

"This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding

and hugged him.

One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for

his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went

by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.

"Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"

"Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her.

After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each

child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.

"You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped.

Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little

miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely

recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were

rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year

before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the

sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.

That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus.

He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing

about -- this miracle of hope.. This precious little child was healed.

Cancer-free. Alive and well.

He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you,

Father. ' Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"

Call me cupcake

I have misplaced my camera, so you will have to be robbed by the cell phone version of my cupcake. I had a dear auntie that sometimes called those dear to her cupcake. So, in her memory today I will just call myself cupcake.

In the crazy busy-ness of this season, and it isn't just the season, it is my life, I decided to take a stand for simplicity. Sometimes you just need to STOP already. I argued with myself yesterday morning about whether I should go to my quilt club meeting. I have missed the last few and no I don't consider myself a quilter. I dream of being a quilter though and I always learn something fabulous. "But I have too much to dooooooooooooo." I whined. That is what I always whine when I convince myself NOT to go. But, I knew they were going to make something cute. It was a surprise. A sure way to get me to come.

So, I packed up my sewing machine and thread and went on over. I think there ended up being eight of us. I am one of the youngest, but I love every one of those ladies and even the ones that didn't make it. I feel like such the junior and they all seem so experienced and good at their quilting. But that is ok. I am learning.

As soon as I saw the project and the darling fabrics, I was so happy I came. We worked for about an hour and a half and this is what I produced. What to do with a fabric cupcake? Fill with sand and use as a pin cushion! That was the intention. I am so happy to replace my standard tomato that is falling apart. We had a great story from Colleen who said she inherited a tomato pin cushion from a family member (I am probably slaughtering the story, cause I gave my brain to my children and can't remember anything), and she once took all the pins out but ended up finding over 40 needles embedded inside the cushion! And on another occasion, she found still more. You get the gist of the story.

After we finished our darling creations (the photo really does not do it justice) we had a wonderful lunch of chicken enchiladas, muffins, and a lovely jello salad I had never seen or tried before. It had tapioca so the texture was different, but it really was wonderful.

It blessed my life to have been there. I love home-making. I find great satisfaction in standing back after working hard to make something, usually for someone else, but also for myself. My life has become so busy though, that I am not very connected to my home-making skills. It just felt good to create something lovely for such a small purpose. I think that cupcake is going to invite me to reconnect with sewing projects. That is something to be happy about.

Cupcake :-)

Do YOU know a veteran with PTSD?

If you know anyone who suffers from PTSD well, you know that not only can it destroy their lives, it can destroy the lives of those they love, particularly when they are a returning soldier from combat. PTSD can completely incapacitate our war heroes. Not only today, but for years to come and the rest of their lives. Many soldiers who are returning from Iraq and previous wars, are tragically ending their lives because they cannot live with what is going on inside their heads. Sadly, conventional means of treating them, are not as beneficial as one might hope. Finally, EFT has taken on this challenge. Gary Craig, EFT's creator, recently spent five days with some vets. You can watch the riveting 20 minute video clip at the link below. Warning: there are brief graphic war descriptions and a few offensive words. Click here or watch below.

PTSD for vets



If you know a Vet, please recommend EFT to him/her. You can truly save a life and give someone back their sanity. I have seen the results first hand myself. I helped a friend through a traumatic experience where she witnessed a man who hanged himself after the fact. She had clear symptoms of PTSD and now suffers absolutely no ill effects of the experience she had. Please see the following link for qualified EFT practitioners who can help. Just choose the specialty (trauma/war):

EFT Practitioners

or consider purchasing the DVD's for their own use:

EFT DVDs

I have A LOT of experience with EFT. Please feel free to ask questions if you want to know more. Or see www.ldseft.blogspot.com