The wooden rocking horse: Christmas 2008

It was chilly out in the woodshed this winter, but Grandpa Al was determined to get that little toy finished. He picked up the wood piece by piece to test if it would fit. Some pieces seem to slide perfectly into to scheme as Grandpa's little creation began to take shape.

Whiddling and drilling four legs stood strongly along soft curved runners. Two large boards ran the length of the back, leaving ample room for a special grandson to mount. Grandpa carefully carved the nose, long and slender for many fond strokes. Much like a wild stallion the eyes glazed in a permanent peering at the wild surroundings. Soft leather ears were tacked into place to complete the head as it slipped into the strong planked shoulders.
It would work just fine, thought Grandpa Bowman as he sanded and stained the horse in the chill air. It was winter time in 1982 and his grandson, almost one, deserved just such a rocking horse for Christmas. With the lasting firmness of fine workmanship, Grandpa Bowman carved on the under belly "Joshua, Love Grandpa Bowman 82."

In a conversation nearly 27 years later Joshua casually asked about that little rocking horse. "Hey, Mom, you remember that old horse Aaron and I used to play on? You don't happen to still have it around do you?" Kept all those years, after play and neglect, the wooden horse made its journey back to its original owner. Joshua now had his own son, not quite one, who would also appreciate just such a toy for Christmas.

The piercing eyes were now clouded with age, and the soft leather ears were chapped with wear. A leg had been beaten out of place by rowdy boys, and the handle bar jarred from the whole. 'Aw, I can fix that!' reflected Joshua as he glanced over his once cherished rocking horse. As he turned over the woodwork to assess the damages he noticed the scratched in words, etched so many years before. "Joshua, Love Grandpa Bowman 82."

In the same chill air in the winter of 2008, hand worked again to restore the wooden horse as it once was. This year little Danny's Grandpa Hancock screwed and sanded to put the pieces back where they had been. Adding a few more scraps of wood, the ancient rider was reinforced in preparations for many long rides over rough terrain. Some more stain and sanding placed lovingly by the now big Joshua restored the horse to its first Christmas glory.

Under the Christmas tree the little horse stood, once again, waiting for a little boy he already loved. And in the soft twinkle of that quiet eve, a bit of the wild look glinted back in his eyes. The underbelly carried one more cherished mark of creation "Joshua, love Grandpa Bowman 82." was now accompanied by "Danny 2008."


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Happy 27th on the 26th - Josh is the BEST!

My sweetheart celebrated the big 2-7 today! The way he talks you would think that he is close to retirement (if you round up you are practically 30, I'm not ready to be middle aged, my hair line just keeps receeding). If you ask me, he has just gotten more and more stunning as the years go buy (maybe it is the light reflecting off of his larger forhead?). For one whole week I get to tease him about how OLD he is. And it is true, Josh is OLLLD! When he asked Noah today how old he thought he was, Noah replied "46!" Ah, the candor and truth of childhood.

Josh has made every day of my life since I met him something wonderful. I remember the night that we had our first kiss (and many others) he asked if I was prepared to be treated like a queen. I thought it was just some corny line he used on all the girls to get some good smooching in, but I have been astounded everyday day since at how well he treats me. And how well he treats everyone else around him! He is a true people's person and does his best to put everyone at ease around him.


This year I tried so very hard to surprise him with a gift. I managed to transport his painting from Rexburg to Boise without his knowing it was in the car, but then one morning he decided he had to crawl around under the house and use the secret hole in the present hiding closet. So, he knew what he was getting. I had to find some other way to surprise him, so last night I sneakily re-decorated the Christmas tree as a Birthday Tree! Josh usually sleeps like a log, but last night he was a bit uneasy which made the decorating task a bit stressful for me. I was certain one of the ballons would pop as I put it on the tree and Josh would come out in a running tackle (you ought to try sneaking up on this guy, his reactions are prompt, hilarious, and lethal). All went well, and he didn't even see the tree until I was waking up this morning.


Josh's favorite gift by far was a gift certificate from Brooke and Jaime to Home Depot (insert Tim Allen 'ar, ar ar' here). Perhaps they were sick of us borrowing all Jaime's power tools for every little task around our house. With the help of all the lovely monetary donations of parents, Josh got the super-duper delux (and mega sale) set of drill, saw, light and dust buster! When he got to the check out line, they told him he had forgotten to get his bonus tool with the set! BONUS! Josh was so happy that when he called to tell me how his shopping spree had gone he was speechless. He has been playing with his toys all afternoon, happy as little boy with a Tonka truck. They never do grow up.

We love you Josh/Daddy! YOU ARE THE BEST!

hats & tu-tus :Christmas 2008

The only time Danny doesn't smile

two words: pea soup

Come to Zion

This General Conference address took a few days to sink in. The concept of Zion has seemed ellusive for the greater part of my life. Such intangible definitions as "the pure in heart" have left we longing a bit for a better understanding. Thank heavens for Apostles! Elder D. Todd Christofferson explained so very consicecly what it is to build Zion.
1-become unified in one heart and one mind
2-become individually and collectively a holy people
3- care for the poor and needy wiht such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us.

Because the city of Enoch followed those three steps to perfection, they were taken up to live with God before the flood (although Noah fit all the animals on the ark, a whole city might have been a stretch, although I am sure he would have appreciated the help mucking the stalls). They were a Zion society.

Zion is both a noun and an adjective. As a noun it describes a few places spoken of in the Bible and the Doctrine and Covenants. As an adjective it describes a group of people, or the attributes of one person (particularly their heart).
In order to get the rest of my learning across clearly, I will just quote the rest from Elder Christofferson:

"The Lord calls upon us to be beacons of righteousness to guide those who seek he safety and blessings of Zion"
"Zion is Zion because of the character, attributes, and faithfulness of her citizens."
"We become of one heart and one mind as we individually place the Savior at eh center of our lives and follow those He has commissioned to lead us."
"Much of the work to be done in establishing Zion consists in our individual efforts to become 'the pure in heart'."
"Nevertheless, as we pursue the cause of Zion, each of us should prayerfully consider whethe we are doing what we should and all that we should in the Lord's eyes with respect to the poor and the needy....Perhaps we can learn to be content with what is sufficiet for our needs."

Once again, these are only the highlights (literally in my copy) of the address, see the whole article for your own benefit.

Tub-O is 6 Months Old!

I have fallen in love with this little man! I can hardly believe he has been with our family for six months already - half a year! Danny is a delight. You just have to look at him to get a HUGE smile. He loves sitting, giggling, rolling, and eating! I have never seen a more handsome boy (don't tell Josh, but Danny really is more handsome!). My life has become more meaningful with him in it. What a blessing our Danny boy has been. I pray that he lives up to his namesakes, Dan Button, JD Hancock, and Josh Button. This is my small tribute to my little man. Oh, I love him!

snowflakes and sledding

We have been loving the glorious snowfall! knowing we don't have to get anywher makes it a lot more enjoyable.
Faith learned the finer art of catching big fluffy snowflakes on her tonge, and Danny went sledding for the first time!