Christmas/ Hooch's birthday

CHRISTMAS!!! This year, I really wanted it to be relaxed and since I've been traveling a lot recently, it was really nice to not have to leave town. I had Christmas with my sister, brother-in-law, 3 nephews and my BIL's brother, Ivan (thanks for hosting us). It's always fun to be with kiddos on Christmas because they are so excited! We had a good time and it was perfect- no stress- and fun. It was nice to have Christmas on Sunday this year as well because at church they sang various Christmas songs and read the Biblical account of the birth of our Savior, which my family usually does on Christmas Eve anyway, but it's nice to have it on the actual celebratory day.
I also "adopted" a family this year for the charity Coins for Kids (thanks sister for delivery it for me) and helped a coworker collect things for another family. I loved how while I was in the stores getting things, I could tell others around me were also getting anonymous gifts. You think you won't spend so much time stressing color, styles, toys etc because you don't know the people, but it was because of that, that I seemed to stress more. I really debated whether or not something was "cool" for the kids and spent more time shopping for them for my own family (given I knew exactly what my family wanted in most cases but still). Other people were in the aisles debating too, and it made me laugh and also feel good. Christmas seems to bring out the best of people! I've adopted families for a couple years now, and it helps put the real meaning of the season in perspective, and...selfishly... I LOVE wrapping gifts! It's seems silly to some (or a chore even- gasp!) but I love love love wrapping. I usually don't give gift cards so I can wrap something hahah. Even if I didn't get to wrap though, I'm grateful that I'm blessed in my life to have not only my needs met but also a surplus to help others. When I was younger our family had more then one Christmas where we were "adopted", and I feel grateful to semi pay that forward.
Christmas is also my sister's (we call each other hooch....I know...I know...seems random but it started off when we were like...? 12ish- 14ish and now it's a term of endearment hahah) birthday, so we did Christmas stuff in the morning, went to church, came home and ate an awesome meal (delicious hooch thanks!) and then switched gears to "birthday" time. I've always thought it would stink to have your birthday on Christmas, but she handles it really well. Just a shout out to the awesomeness of my sister! Seriously, she's one of the very best people that I know. She would shake her head and say that she's not perfect, and no she's not, but she's really striving to be and is a great example to me!! She's a wonderful mom and I kinda keep a mental note of how she handles things so I can remember to do the same when I have kids. I think me living close to her right now is allowing me time to kinda glean/ learn all I can before I have my own kids so I'm more prepared when I do. She's also a great friend to me. I stop over at her house after work a lot and she always listens to the randomness of my day etc. I love living so close to her! I love her so much! She's done so much for me throughout my life- she's been more of a mom sometimes than even a sister. She just always takes care of me. She has a great heart! She's kind and smart and beautiful! I love her so much...I can't articulate that well enough...I KNOW she's one of the greatest gifts the Lord has given me, and I'm grateful she's eternally my sister and friend!
Merry Christmas all =)

Come come ye saints~Nebraska/Iowa

I did my first mini vacation by myself! I have to say...I didn't really like going alone. I'm a social person and though I enjoyed this trip, I wish I would've shared it with someone. My mom was supposed to go with me, but long story short, she didn't and that's alright.
I decided to visit Nebraska and Iowa for several reason. #1- Southwest had $79 and $99 one way flights from Vegas to Omaha- shaa- #2 I could add another temple, the Winter Quarters Temple (in Florence- close to Omaha), #3 I could add two new states- Nebraska and Iowa and #4 last but not least- in doing my family history research to find conversion stories of my family members to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I discovered that I have four ancestors who died in/ around Winter Quarters, while crossing the plains as pioneers. William Stones (dad's side), Margaret Cameron Shirts, James McDonald and Newell Knight (all on my mom's side). None of them were buried in the cemetery I visited (more below about a possible semi relative) , but I'm certain that each of them had been in those spots where I stood. I cried a lot on this trip! It is funny how instantly you can feel the Spirit in such sacred places.

I arrived Friday night and picked up this fancy, lime green rental car and then, with only one turn around/lost moment, got to the hotel. I asked people "What do I have to do in Omaha or what should I eat of try?" I'm tellin' you- not one person could answer. They all said, "Ummm..." and kinda stared at me. I knew this trip would be interesting.

Saturday morning I went straight to the  Winter Quarters Temple and did a session. The temple itself is built on the cemetery. They had to move five graves (with permission from descendants) to build the temple. If for no other reason, that makes this temple unique, but there's so much more too it. In all temples, I feel the Spirit and they are reverent and amazing, but this temple seemed...more sacred? Can one temple be more sacred than others? Honestly no, but this one felt like...very hallowed ground! The Mormon pioneers spent some very trying times in this small place. My family members gave their lives for their faith here. I felt that in this temple and the visitors center next to it.
The Winter Quarter's Temple is a mini temple but two stories. Everything in it reminds you of the pioneers. The wood work is gorgeous and the chairs must honestly have been hand made with their cushions and backs needlework similar to the patterns the pioneers would have picked. The tissue boxes and waste baskets were even covered with embroidery and needlework (talk about attention to details). The windows were stained glass and had different pictures in them- a wagon, wheat, Brigham Young, etc. I've never seen anything like it.

visitors center window that
overlooks the cemetery

After I was done with the session, I went across the street to the Visitors Center. They have  a little tour of the entire pioneer journey starting at Nauvoo and finishing in the Salt Lake Valley. You can walk in a replica of one of the little log cabins the Saints actually made at Winter Quarters and hear their journal entries (need to be better about journaling!). You can pull a handcart   ( I didn't because I actually did a three day trip trekking with a handcart at age 16 and the lessons there haven't been lost on me- mole skin and I bonded ) or pet a stuffed oxen. They have a great video (only about 15-20 minutes long) that is a compilation of actual journal entries of pioneers. I cried a lot during that (good thing I was by myself- not another soul watching the movie with me at that time).  

The Visitors Center also had a Gingerbread Festival. Many wards, families, and local groups of boy scouts and girl scouts competed. Honestly it was really fun to see. (P.S.- I  put in the gingerbread house that looks like a haunted house for you, Melissa- see others do it too hahha)

After the Visitors Center I came back to look at the cemetery. It was there that I realized the Tree of Life depicted in the stained glass of the Celestial Room windows overlook the cemetery. How powerfully symbolic! I think I may have a relative buried there- well not a direct ancestor but one of their children. I will research that more. I took a picture of her name and grave site (the blank grass picture you see below and the name plate- Orpha Knight).

I then went over to Kanesville, Iowa (now known as Council Bluffs). I saw a replica of the Tabernacle where Brigham Young was sustained as the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I also read information about the Mormon battalion and watched a movie about it. I didn't realize I had an ancestor, Ephraim K. Hanks, who marched with them. How awesome is that!  While going to Iowa, I crossed the Missouri River and though it's not as big as the Mississippi, it would've been daunting to cross in the winter. The entire trip just made me very grateful for all my blessing. I'm so thankful for my pioneer ancestry and for their faith so I can have the gospel in my life! 

randoms

~Arizona- I've been traveling a lot- some business and some pleasure. I went to a work conference in Arizona but was only there briefly. I only got to see a few people (sorry guys!) since the conference took up all of Saturday and Sunday (yep- that stunk), but it was so good to see those few! I stayed with my friends Rinda and Susan (they don't live together- I kinda rotated~ thanks guys!!!). Rinda had made the above "man pillow" for her roommate, and since it's kinda a running joke between me and my friend, Rob, I had to document that someone legitimately has and uses one (not Rinda, but her roommate does). I gotta say that not only does Rinda have mad sewing skills, but I learned she's also very talented in bracelet making (she's so cute to fix all the ones her work kiddos can't fix) and all things genealogy. She's amazing! I seriously feel like I know so many wonderful women and I admire how well they manage everything in life. Rinda definitely has a lot on her plate, but she seems to balance it all and keep a positive attitude. She's hilarious (she even cheered me on doing P90X), but she's also someone you can talk to about  anything and everything. I love that! Thanks Rinda!

Susan cooked dinner for me one night and then we stayed up late just chatting about ..well..the complexities of life! She's also just...one of my idols! She works really hard at being her best, and she's definitely becoming "perfected" I think =p. I was blessed to attend just sacrament meeting with her (how awesome is it that she randomly has church at 12:30 which coincided with my training lunch break) and she brought me a skirt from Africa so I was dressed appropriately, and she made me a lunch! Not only was it delicious (and well balanced and all things fancy schmancy!), but I appreciated it because I didn't want to have to buy food on Sunday. Susan is not at all a fake or pretentious. She is simple, thoughtful and generous. She's loving. I appreciate her goodness! Thanks Susan!

My former classmate and friend, Troy, and I did lunch on Friday as well. I miss him! I spent almost three years straight sitting next to him (8ish hours a day 5 days a week) in class. We stayed at lunch for a few hours just catching up, and I realize how much I miss him and all those classmates- time flew faster than I ever thought. We've been done for over 3 years now- WOW! I call Troy my "oracle of man wisdom" and all things vestibular audiology. Now he's a big, wig professor at our former school- I can't believe it! He's just super amazing, and I love him to death. I'm glad he never charges me for all his advice, and he still even paid for my lunch hahha. Thanks T!                                                            I also hung out for a few hours with my friend, Eliza as well. It was the night before her birthday so perfect time to catch up. I love Eliza because we always have very deep and intellectual/ spiritual conversations. She makes me really think and ponder the big things in life. She's direct and honest. We always seem to end up laughing really hard and then crying as well. I don't know how we always manage to get those two emotions in but we do.  She's wonderful and I'm so grateful she's part of my life. 

Rob and I hung out one night and made fun of a Mariachi band while eating a not so great Mexican meal hahah. We hit up a party for a few minutes to say hello to some people and then stayed up late talking (apparently we 'broke in' Rinda's couch haha-no we did not kiss- we just cuddle up together to talk). We also had a big discussion that left me really thinking... still working on that. Rob is honestly one of my very best friends, and since I talk to him frequently, it was weird to think we hadn't seen each other in almost a year. He keeps me grounded...and...tells me the speed limit so I don't get more tickets hahah. I love him!  I also got to quickly see my friends Tami (woowoo birthday!), Esther , and Jules (my former roomie). How I miss those ladies!  I really do have amazing friends, and I miss Arizona a lot simply for the people in it!

~Family Party- Other quick trip- up to see my family (dad's side) for Christmas. We had awesome home made soup and bread and then we all made gingerbread houses. My step mom made one per family so I got my own. I enlisted one niece and one nephew to help me. I basically just put down the frosting where they wanted it and they did the rest. Our house may not have been the most outwardly beautiful, but it was sure a lot of fun to make! My dad read us "The Night Before Christmas" as well as the real story of Christmas- Luke 2 in the Bible. It's nice to be close to family! It's good to catch up with people and see how the kids have all grown. Two of my younger brothers, Kyle and Josh, both got engaged shortly after this Christmas party as well. Crazy but cool!