On the evening of December 9, had the opportunity to listen to part of the Virtual Temple Square Concert where a friend of mine performed. I met Karen Mitchell in Ottawa. At the time she was Relief Society President of the ward I served in in my first area. She and her sisters’ video was chosen to be part of the concert. It was so fun to see them! Great job ladies!
I had to stop watching the video so I could go see The Forgotten Carols with Kelsey. She had been wanting to see it, but not go to the movie theater alone. Kurt watched the kids while Kelsey and I had a girls night. It was a lot of fun. It was nice to get out and doing something.
I was able to go home and surprise the family for Mandy’s birthday. It was a fun time celebrated with Mom, Mandy, Mary, Meg, Carol, and me. We had dinner, Mandy opened her presents, and we opened up an early Christmas present from Dad and John. It is Facebook Portal and we were able to visit with them and John’s birth mother.
Each birthday has been different and this year was an interesting one for sure. I ended up at Mom’s so that I could take Meg car shopping in Price.
While in Price we also stopped to see Ronny and Stephanie at The Animal Hospital. I learned that Ronny’s parents have Covid and Stephanie’s family are all getting over it. Sue also came out to look at our cars and I also got to chat with Christy.
After that we went to Walmart and then to Dave and Kara’s new house. Meg, Dave, Kara and the kids went to Paul and Bel’s to help Millie with a science experiment. I missed it the fun. I didn’t realize we were going to go back to Dave and Kara’s. So I had gone to drive by it before headed up. I was the turn to Paul and Bel’s when I passed all the vehicles leaving.
After getting back to the house, and while Kara was dropping off Lily and picking up Jackson, Corrine gave Meg and I a tour. She would get so mad at Dave when he would interrupt. It’s a nice house and I can see future family parties happening there.
A funny from while we were eating ice cream and drinking homemade cider. I can’t remember exactly what we were talking about, but Kara had asked something to the effect of how Dad was doing in Texas. Jackson just looked at Meg and I and in a tone of disbelief exclaimed, “Wait, you have a dad? Like you have a dad?!” Meg, Kara, Dave, and I just burst out laughing and in my head I was thinking, “Well, I would kind of have to have a dad to be here.” It was a great and memorable moment.
It was time to head back to Altamont. We were already running super late. I called ahead and told the family to eat without Meg and I. After we got there and ate a late dinner we spent some time talking and I opened up presents. I am very blessed.
Thank-you to all for a memorable day and thank-you all for the wishes through texts and social media!
The Wisemen and Halloween Runner are from the family. The Necklace, Waterproof Lunchbox, and Candy Cane Globe are from Carol, and the Nativity is from Charla.
A week before Thanksgiving, President Nelson issued a 7 Day Gratitude Challenge. It was so nice to see social media flooded with Gratitude Posts instead of all the Negative Feeds. I thought I would share my Posts here as well.
I am grateful for sunsets! Sunsets remind me to find joy in the small things. They remind me to have hope in both the light and the dark times. Above else they remind me of our Heavenly Father’s love for us.
#givethanks
Today I am grateful for nature! Nature provides so many opportunities to go out and explore, admire God’s creations, create stronger bonds, help ground me, and of course make some wonderful memories!
#givethanks
Warning: longer post than usual... I had never planned to serve a mission. I was always the kid in primary/young women’s who would keep her hand down when asked who wants to serve a mission. Fast forward to my time in Price. I had finished up school and was figuring out my next step. I felt prompted to serve a mission. At first I wasn’t willing to recognize that prompting. I thought it was because Pres. Monson had recently changed the age limit and that’s why the idea of serving a mission came up. The promptings continued and after about a year of fighting with myself and Heavenly Father and after talking with my cousin Avan, I decided to go. Boy was it hard! My poor family who drove me to the MTC and watched me cry for almost 2 hours because of how much I didn’t want to go. But I went. Fast forward to now and even during my mission, my attitude changed. I am so grateful I went to Canada. I learned a lot about myself. My testimony and love for the Gospel grew. My love of people and culture grew. Each of these pictures represent the areas and people I served with (because we all know I couldn’t possibly fit every picture into one post 😉). I am grateful for my mission and the experiences I had!
#givethanks
I’m grateful for the roommates I have had through the years! Each of these women are beautiful and amazing people and I was blessed to share a small part of their lives with them.
#givethanks
Today I’m grateful for family, extended family, friends that are family, friends, so basically everyone that has come into my life. You all have shaped me into who I am today. Thank-you for the adventures, memories, examples, and support!
#givethanks
I am grateful for music! Music has had a tremendous part in my life. I’m grateful for parents and sisters who first introduced me to music. I’m grateful for my grandmother who payed for my piano lessons. I’m grateful to my piano teachers, choir directors, and theater directors for teaching me the value of music. Music is one of the most precious gifts we have!
#givethanks
I’m a day late for my last gratitude post for now. I’m thankful for a Savior who made the courageous decision to live a perfect life in an imperfect world. He healed and cared for those around him, and went to The Garden of Gethsemane to take upon the sins and sorrows of the world only to be crucified by the people he was trying to help. Three days later he rose again. Because of these selfless acts, we too can live again and have eternal life. He is our advocate, brother, and personal cheer leader. He wants us to succeed. We just have to reach out. So remember when you’re drowning in the waters of life, your life guard walks on water. #givethanks
This Thanksgiving was different, and it wasn’t just because of Covid. True there were not any family get-togethers. My mom and sisters stayed home and had a small Thanksgiving Dinner with Carol. Meg and I worked, so we didn’t join the festivities of home. Meg at some point made it home for Yams and Apples and some Dessert.
I ended up having Thanksgiving Dinner with Gordons. Becca had texted Tathan Thacker and I to see if we had any plans for dinner. Tathan had plans to go to his parents house. I told Becca I wasn’t sure what time I was going to get out of work. On Thanksgiving Day she asked what time I got off work. I realized I could slip away around 5 pm. She told me to be at their apartment by 5:30 pm.
I didn’t get there until 6 pm. I had made the chocolate pumpkin cheesecake to take and had to stop at home to get it. I arrived at their place and enjoyed an evening of dinner, desserts, talking, games, and puzzles.
Thank-you Gordon’s for a wonderful Thanksgiving! Even though it was very different Thanksgiving, it was a good one!
I didn’t take any pictures. These pictures are from the days after, except the work lunch. Enjoy the pictures of my Thanksgiving food.
Lunch from Work
Apple Pomegranate Salad I made technically after Thanksgiving
My Thanksgiving leftovers with the Yams and Apples I made.
