Adventures in Dating - Silver Bells

I'll bet you didn't know Jeremy was in a hand bell quire when he was young. Yeah. True.

He's talked about it several times  - he tends to repeat things a lot - and every time he just seems like he really loved it. It's something to random in my mind, I didn't even know there was such a thing, but you can just tell he loved getting to do something like that when he was young.

Last Thursday I had to get something done for my calling at Church so we kind of got a late start to the night and made it just in time to our local library. Uhhu. They were having a Hand Bell Concert! It was being put on by one of the local Churches here, and there were two groups. The advanced the the intermediate and then the advanced came back out. It was about an hour - maybe a little longer, and totally free, but it was seriously one of the funnest things we have done on a date. It was so neat to see them ringing all of those bells in a totally confusing and visually chaotic way, but hearing them making these beautiful songs come to life!! It was so beautiful!!! We even got to sing along at one point. It was wonderful!!

Totally free. Totally fun. And we got to snuggle up together the whole time. Check out your local venues and see what's fun and free to do...there will be tons with it being Christmas time right now. Let me know what you find!!

Oh and afterwards - he took me our for Sushi!! Big win!!!

Good Morning 2011

Who's glad 2010 is over?! I AM! So glad.

I hope you all had a very very Merry Christmas. Ours was so much fun! We stayed in AZ and Jer's cousins and Aunt and Uncle from OK came in along with his cousin from UT. It was so good to see them all!! The cousins from OK have a 4yr old daughter, and they stayed with us here at Karen's because Karen and Jim went to San Diego for Christmas. It was just what we needed. They are both so fun and funny, and their daughter is ADORABLE. We had a great time with them. We put out reindeer food, and looked at Christmas lights, and tracked Santa on the NORAD site, and we made Santa cookies together and after she went to bed we heard Santa's sleigh bells and heard him on the roof...it was pretty much the most fun I've ever had on Christmas eve!!!

New Years was relaxed. I got sick the Monday after Christmas with the worst head cold I've ever had, and I was in bed most of the week, so we stayed home and watched movies and then lit sparklers, drank cider and went to bed. exciting right?! Not really, but it was nice. I've told you all before that Jeremy and I have a tradition of him making a toast for us from time to time. New Years are always my favorite Toasts...We started dating on New Years. I want to leave you with this Year's Toast today:

"Here's to getting lost..... and finding our way."

Hey There!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We did! It was filled with laughter and cookies and Santa's sleigh bells. One of my favorite Christmases ever! I hope yours was just as fantastic!

We're still in AZ - kinda bummed, but Since I got a massive head cold on Monday, I'm kind of glad we didn't end p in the snowy north land.

I am on vacation from work all week, so I'm vacationing from blogland too...Just stopped t say hi, and that I hope you all have a very happy New Year!!!

Silent Sunday

Deck those Walls

This is MY computer... Bows are pretty.

We have a Christmas Ficus this year... Those are our stockings all hung by the stone display and steam cleaner with care...

I'm not opposed to forced merriment. These are not my walls...

There is also Tinsel on the windows, and a homemade paper chain and more tinsel on the door and some tinsel over some grouted boards on the wall... and I have tinsel on the counter...I think I need more tinsel....I like tinsel...it's sparkley...I like things that sparkle...did you hear that Jeremy? I like things that SPARKLE...

Have the Best Day!!

**UPDATE** This was a lot more cute when I first wrote it... It's not formatting correctly...

I believe in Santa

It's December!!!

I love this time of year. I love getting to focus on the savior so constantly. I love thinking about the nativity scene, and how it really might have looked. I love seeing the Bell Ringers all over, and I LOVE to give them a little something whenever I see them. I'm constantly shoving change in my pockets or hitting up Jeremy for his change when we're out so I have something for them. I love knowing that somewhere it's snowing, but that I don't have to drive in it.

HE HE HE HE HE

I love thinking about how still and quiet the whole world seems on Christmas day - after the gifts are opened and craziness is over - it seems to be still. 

Clear & Bright. 

I also love the feeling that Magic is Real this time of year. That reindeer fly, and Santa slips down chimneys all over the world to leave gifts for good girls and good boys. I love seeing children get so excited about leaving cookies out, and over who can name all the reindeer in order. 

I love how the magic we felt as children translates to grown up things like Charity, and Good Will to all man kind. I really believe the magic never dies - it just grows up with us. We remember people we pass on the street all year long and suddenly wonder if we can help them in some way. 

I believe Santa and our Savior can work together this time of year. They are both loving and caring men who only want us to be happy. They both give us special gifts and teach us special lessons. 

Of course Christ is the center of our Christmas - he should be. And with the right intentions - Santa can offer a lot to our children too. With the right words spoken by each of us Santa can cement magic and wonder into their sweet little hearts that might one day help them become the miracle and magic in someone else's life. They will want to help others and want to share what they have with those who are in need.

Just like Jesus teaches us...Hmm...

I found something pretty cool today. Check it out:

"Combat weather flight airmen stationed at EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska each year help Santa send out thousands of signed, North Pole-postmarked letters to children worldwide.

The Santa’s Mailbag program started in 1954 by 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron airmen, and has been carried on by those of the 354th Operations Support Squadron. 

Each year, the unit receives thousands of Dear Santa Claus letters and Christmas-wish lists. Volunteers in the 15-person unit sort and read the letters, select an appropriate reply from Santa Claus, and mail the letters with an official North Pole postmark. 

Each year, the unit receives and responds to about 4,000 letters.

The volunteers process letters through Christmas of each year. The flight must receive letters to Santa by mid-December to ensure a reply before Christmas. Children whose letters arrive too late will get a special “after Christmas” letter from Santa.

Children can write to Santa at:

Santa’s Mailbag, 354th OSS/OSW, 2827 Flightline Ave. Suite 100B, 

Eielson AFB AK 99702-1520

There is no cost for the letters, but self-addressed stamped envelopes or donations to help defray the cost of postage are accepted."

How special that these good people, who are already giving so much would be so willing to give more. I wonder if they accept cookies as payment for their kindness......

I hope all of you have the BEST DECEMBER 1ST EVER!! 

Decking the Halls

It's true. I'm ready for Christmas. Super EXCITED!!! We're supposed to be going to Utah to the WHOLE WEEK!!!! I haven't spent a Christmas with my family in 5 YEARS!! I can't freaking WAIT!!!

I'm really looking forward to it - that's why I'm using lots of CAPS!!!

Last night we went to Lisa and Josh's. We had FHE, and they we were going to put up their Christmas Tree, but ended up just hanging out and watching Mickey Mouse Christmas movies and eating a lot of sugary goodness.

We laughed and we ate food and we drank hot chocolate. It was fun and relaxed and just really nice. Good times were had by all!

I'm grateful for good friends. I have been blessed with good friends throughout my life. These two are two of the best friends I've ever had. I love them. We have good friends in Utah, and good friends in Japan, and good friends in Arizona, and good friends (who are also family) in Colorado, and good friends in Idaho, and in the past 300-something posts I've found good friends in SC, WA, PA...and a couple that I'm not really sure where they live. They make me laugh. They teach me things. They build me up, and they let me be a part of their lives....I'm very grateful for all of my wonderful friends.

There's a girl at work who is wonderful. I won't go into details, but she is the kind of person who will give more than she has if someone else is in need. The better I get to know her the more I want to be like her. I'm in awe of her generosity. There are literally too many examples of her kindness to those around her to share. Her service...is inspiring!!

Have the Best Day!!

Christmas Elves

I'm reading this book, and in the intro, and one of the stories it talks about how Elves brought extra magic to their families Christmas Celebrations. It's Dang cute, and I'm HOOKED.

I've been googling again. I found an Elf Door that's perfect for Christmas. 

And an Elf Door that I can leave out all year long! How fun would that be?!! I could make a little wreath for it....Dang cute right?!

 Then I found THESE!!! Oh they have changes of clothes, and little Santa sacks, and NAME TAGS! And you can get them to look like your kids!! Are you kidding me?!?! I love this!!

 There are tons of Elves on EBAY, but some of them are creepy. That's fair warning.

Isn't that a totally adorable tradition?  I'm totally starting it. Man...I need to have kids so I can do stuff like this without looking a little crazy...

Today I'm thankful for The Temple. We went this morning and I really needed it!!

And the service part...Temple workers. Wow. I want to be them!!

Finally Feels Like Christmas!!

It finally feels like Christmas. As we all know - not being children takes a bit of the Magic out of this time of year, but this year I had been particularly devoid of the spirit of Christmas. I'm not sure why. I mean I always love going to Church and hearing the stories and I've felt very close to THE SPIRIT this year, but...I guess it always felt like the wonder of Christmas was different than being grateful for the reason we celebrate. I hope this is making sense even though I'm sure it doesn't, and I am also sure the Bishop will be calling me to repentance any time now.


Short story long - I finally feel like it's Christmas. We have had the tree up since before Thanksgiving, and We have driven around to look at lights, and we have decorated the house. (I TOTALLY made this!!!) We helped my sister and her family decorate their tree, and took the kids to the light parade, (not the best shot of a float, but you get the idea...)This one is MUCH better!! Aint they CUTE??!!!!But My favorite thing and the thing that always make it FEEL Christmasy is when we go look at the Temple lights. Insert huge contented sigh right here....I love the Temple lights. Mesa does a beautiful display, and there is just something about being on the Temple grounds...It brings back good memories...it brings in good feelings...and looking at a manger scene on the Temple grounds...Wow!! You know? It's hundreds of thousands of little twinkle lights on hundreds of trees and bushes, and hundreds of man hours putting all of this together, and it is 1000% worth it!!!

I guess the point is that I am grateful for this season. I am grateful to have The Gospel in my life and a personal relationship with my Heavenly Father, and my Savior, I am grateful to feel their love in my life, and I am grateful for how a bunch or twinkle lights can bring the Christmas Spirit in so fully!!

And lets add another contented sigh here...