Thursday, December 31, 2009

The past decade...

So while watching a news special on the last decade in history, it made me think of my own personal history and the events that have unfolded in ten years- here's a BRIEF glimpse:
-Ten years ago, I was in HIGH SCHOOL, getting my license, and trying to understand why boys didn't ask me out! (LAME BOYS!)
-My mom passed away Oct. 2000 from a four year battle with colon cancer
-my stepdad got remarried August 2001 and I inherited five more stepsiblings
-we moved out of my the home I grew up in to a new house
- I graduated high school and made it to collge (barely) alive
- went to college and went out on a lot of interesting dates- confirmed my decision to go on a mission
-met Ryan and started dating
-wrote to Ryan for two whole years
-got an Associates of Arts degree in Dec 2003
-got engaged Dec 2003
-started dating when he got back- totally changed my mind about the mission- I found Mr Right and the timing was meant to be!
-moved back from St. George
-GOT MARRIED!!! (April 24, 2004) and moved into our first one bedroom apt- aww
-went to Hawaii on the honeymoon!
-started working at Montessori school and fell in love- started to get my Montessori certification (sept. 2004)
-STILL working at HDOS (Hot Dog on a Stick- yes I wore the funny hat!) and worked my way up to asst. manager- or asst. to the reginoal manager (OFFICE joke-jk!)
-spent our first thanksgiving in Flagstaff (TRADITION! LOVE IT!)
-bought our dang townhouse in Feb 2005 (big ohhhhhhh insert here!)
-got our precious dog BAILEY
- worked, worked worked
-GRADUATED with a BA in English in Dec. 2005- went on a snowboarding trip to celebrate! merry christmas!
-got our (WAAAY overpriced) English Bulldog
-found new home for said English bulldog (buh bye Mikey!)
-MEXICO anniversary trip!! SOOOO fun!
-quit my job at Montessori school
-goooooot pregnant!
-Ryan got accepted to rookie school and is pursuing his dreams!
- survived 32 excrutiating hours of labor to welcome our gorgeous baby girl Hailyn into the world!
-sold dang townhouse and moved (looooong process!)
- opened a Montessori preschool!

and the craziness continues!!! I left out some stuff for many reasons (yes it was even crazier than that!) but these are just MOST of the major highlights- it's been an exhausting decade! I went from high school to collge to marriage and having a child this decade- I'm exhausted!!! so I hope 2010 is a bit mellower, but through all the changes, losing my mom, to becoming a mom, I have grown so much more than I ever thought I would have to- and for that I'm grateful. I'm ever so grateful to my amazing husband, who works so hard, perserveres, and is just plain wonderful- I'm so lucky to be with him forever! I love him SOOOOOOO much it's crazy! and our gorgeous, amazing daughter who brings so much love and joy to our hearts, we are crazy for her! Through everything I am so very grateful to the Lord, who has known my needs when I haven't, who has blessed us beyond words can describe and who always has a plan, even better than my own, and always provides a way for us. I am truly blessed and grateful for wonderful family and friends, who stick with me through thick and thin, who know I love them even when we can't see each other as often as I'd like. I hope you all have a wonderful 2010, work hard for the things you want but remember if you trust in the Lord with all thy heart He will direct your path toward righteousness (proverbs 3:5) Happy New Year and God bless!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

A Letter from Jesus about Christmas...

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them..

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :


I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

* I saw this on Krista's blog and I think it's something to be shared- so share it! Remeber the true meaning of this season, it's to remember Christ ALWAYS and through our actions-they always speak louder than words. God bless and may you all have a Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Wish List...

So while Santa is making a list and checking it twice, I decided to make up my fantasy wish list- here it goes!

1. Ryan to be done with school(s) this is happening VERY soon!
2. a super duper organized and always spotless house (if you are one of these super organized people and are looking for a gift to get me- come on over!)
3. laudry to always be done and put away
4.The food/fit factor- eat whatever I want and aays look an fel trim and i shape-alo not to age:)
5. my biological father to move Utah
6. to be an expert cook (or at least find healthy meals my hubby will eat!)
7. no debt and a flowig bank acount;)
8. to be rid of the townhouse once and for all
9. finish my novel
10. to be really good at journalig/scrapbooking/documenting events
11. Travel where I want when I want!
Santa- I've been good this year- help a girl out!

(SIDENOTE! I do have MANY amazing blessings- wishes already come true- a gorgeous, wonderful hubby, a beautifu daughter and our health- so this list is rlly fo fun- ad sort of for goals too- many of these will happen in the next few months! Finers crossed!)