NEW YEAR

Well this was an interesting year.  This was Keith’s first full year as a counselor in the Bishopric of our Church.  He has found he is a very busy guy.  But he has enjoyed it.  He spends time with 12-13 year old young men.  He finds them a lot of fun.  He has met many new people and learned about many things that interest him.  He has also met a lot of new dogs.  Of course this makes are 3 pooches very jealous when he comes home.

Tricia is still working as the Primary President.  She is having a wonderful time spending so much time with those precious children.  She has made many new little friends and now even has a companion to sit with most Sundays.

Tricia had her surgery this year and recovered very quickly.  She was back to work and everything practically overnight.  This was a great blessing to her.  The greatest part of this was her parents visit during her surgery and first week of company.  She was very grateful for their comfort.

Keith continues to enjoy gaming on Wednesday and Friday nights.  He has found many new games he loves to not only play but share with others.

Tricia has really gotten into knitting.  She is half done with her afghan.  She has knitted many things as gifts this year and enjoys the relaxation.

Keith and Tricia also enjoyed the visit from their niece and her family.  They all took little Cia down to Orlando to Disney land and had a blast.

So goes another year for the Sagers.  We hope one and all have a very Merry Christmas and a Great New Year.

Visit from an Angel

So Kassie, Robert and Chelsia arrived safely on Wednesday.  Chelsia was a bit shy at first.  We went to the Farmer's Market to get the supplies for Taco fest and Robert had a good time with Keith off gaming.  Kassie, Chelsia and I came back and had goulosh.  She was sure scared of the dogs, so we kept Gimli outside or in his crate.  He seemed fine with this as Keith bought him a bone with stuff in it and he did not want Sunny or Apollo to get it.  After goulosh Chelsia and I watched a movie.  She finally fell asleep in my lap and I was one happy camper.

The next day was a big day. We went to Disney World.  She had a blast.  I think her favorite parts were the tea cups (we went around and around real fast) and meeting Mickey Mouse and Goofy.  She even got kissed and kissed Mickey Mouse.

Friday we rested.  We were all pooped.  Chelsia and I had fun playing, watching movies and just talking about silly stuff.  We also went shopping for new swimsuits for Chelsia and Kassie.

Saturday was the Fort and the beach in Saint Augustine.  Chelsia was fearless for the water.  She kept right on trucking even when the water went right over her head.  Uncle Keith and Robert kept trying to build a sand castle, but she knocked down all their efforts.  It was histarical.

Sunday we relaxed, had taco fest and went down to the park.

I can't wait to see what today brings.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Ok, so Mother's day the last few years has been kind of difficult for me.  Most people know now that I was unable to have children of my own and look forward each Sunday to spending my time with the Primary Children at church.  Each child brings me happiness and joy that know no bounds.  This Sunday I started out a little sad because of external things.  Sacrament meeting was a little difficult listening to a wonderful sister talk about raising her children.  I tried to be optomistic and see the little things I do as a teacher.  Then the Primary children get up and they all sing.  Every single one of them.  I could not keep my eyes dry through it.  It was so wonderful.  The final speaker was humorous and I left uplifted and felt better.  Then those wonderful leaders I work with, they planned a presentation for me and so many of the children came up, gave me a flower or card, and then they hugged me.  I sob so hard.  My heart overflowed with the Love those precious little ones gave to me. 

So what is Mother's day to me?  Mother's day is where women around the world, young and old, those who have children and those who don't are celebrated for all those little things that they do for the precious little ones of the world.  If I ever forget what I do for those souls, I will pull out those cards and see the love they have for me.  I will never feel as worthy of this as I should, but I will always know that I have touched these little lives for the good and it will help me to strive to do more and more each day.

This was the BEST mother's day I ever had.  I am so grateful for being able to hang out with these little ones every Sunday.  I learn more from them then I possibly give to them.  They help me remember the little things in life that are important.

To every woman, single or married, with children or without, behold your little ones around you.  Shower them with love and you will have set a pattern of love that they will share.

I am gratefully for my testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ and for the love he gives to me.  I am grateful for the sacrifice he gave so that I may work on returning to live with Heavenly Father again.

OH WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE

Ok, I admit, I am not the greatest at keeping my life updated.  So here we go...

Keith and I are now going electronic and trying to get rid of the hundreds and hundreds of CDs that we seem to own.  Putting them on itunes (then backing it up, just in case) and then selling the CDs.  We feel we will have more room for food storage.

General Conference this year was awesome and I keep posting my favorite talks on Facebook.  My favorite this year was from Elder Holland.  It was so meaningfull to me.  I loved what he said about perspective and kindness.  I also loved President Uchdorf and STOP IT.

All month of April I have been on on-call Jury Duty.  This is the busiest month I have had since I started working here and has stressed me out.  But so far I think the Lord knows how much I am worried about my staff and being out so I have gotten lucky and have not had to report.

Easter was good.  Jason and David are in Texas leaving Kelley here alone, so her and Jake came over for a simple Easter meal and we had very good conversations.  It was nice to have dinner together and have good conversations.  Of course, they both think I am nuts as I still like the Rocky and Bullwinkle show and turned that on to watch.

I also during the last couple of months got to use my new sewing machine with the embroidery arm and yes I used the embroidery.  I can hardly wait to see all the wonderful things I can make for my family with this machine.

I have one Christmas present done and bunches to go, so I know I need to get a move on or the fall will be stressful.

Kassie, Robert and Chelsia will be visiting woon and I can hardly wait.  Chelsia will be 2 and that is such a fun age (for the aunt that is).

BEING HUMBLE

So I observed a valubable leson while at my sewing convention on being humble.

The first instructor talked about how her husband spent time cutting the materials and everything for our class.  She talked about how supportive he is of her artistic craft and how grateful she was for him. 

The other instructors talked about how they had done all this work for us over and over.

So what I learned was the humbleness of the 1st instructor.  What a great example to me.  I would not know what to do without my wonderful husband who supports me to do with my talent.

ORIGINAL SEWING CONVENTION

Well I am back from my sewing convention.  I had 3 wonderful classes and 1 class I liked the actual item we made, but was not happy about the instructor.

I made a cool scarf, I mean mostly made, I was not able to finish any of the projects.  I also made a placemat and a cover for my sewing machine.  I was able to take a class on learning about measurements.  The last was an interesting class but way above my level.

I also bought a new quilting/embroider machine.  I will now be able to machine quilt.  I am so excited.  I am already working on my Christmas presents and this will be so helpful.

I am hoping to go next year, but I will need someone to go with.  Though going was a great adventure, I was really lonely with no one to talk to in between the classes and at night.

I cannot wait to finish my 3 projects and wear the scarf.  My goal is to be done this week.

FEBRUARY 2012

So.... I am finally over my cough.  Lingered forever.  So excited to be going to the sewing convention in Lakeland next week.  I look forward to learning so many new things and being able to create wonderful gifts this year.

Yesterday, we had a wonderful Primary Activity.  The kids loved it and they were so happy.  They all told me they learned so much and we had such a great time.

Keith and I are doing so much better with our food storage.  We are trying new things and have been working on eating at home more.

Work is very interesting lately.  We have been getting so much work and we are all doing great as a team.

I look forward to March and cannot believe we are half way through February already.