It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Our traditional Christmas Eve socks, slippers, and PJ's. After PJ's my mom reads the family a Christmas book (it's different every year). This year we also started the tradition of eating mom's homemade apple pie while she reads to us. It's a great tradition.
My cute mom. She rarely leaves the kitchen around Christmas time.

Opening stockings Christmas morning.

The 9 foot Christmas tree (which is actually about 13 feet because it sits on a huge box).

Lindi and Chloe (in her new Christmas sweater).

Cody, my cutie-petutie brother.

Jack and Grandpa.

Christmas was awesome, and everyone made a haul! I got a bunch of stuff for my new house!!! Thanks mom, Dad, and Heidi!!!!

An attitude of gratitude

I am continually amazed at how blessed I am. Really, I don't understand it, and I don't know how or why I could possibly deserve it. Ever since I got my job as a Social Worker, and have been able to see how much Satan has ruined the lives of children, adults, and families as a whole, I have grown a greater appreciation for my parents and the wonderful people that they are. Obviously, like everyone, they are not perfect, but their amazing example of living the Gospel and constantly trying to do what is right and honest has been the biggest influence and blessing in my life. I know that I will never truly know or understand how many sacrifices they have made for me and my siblings, but I want them to know I love them and am thankful for them!

In church on Sunday (it was the Christmas program) a man stood up, and before he sang he talked about family and friends and the Christmas Season. He challenged us to not wait till tomorrow, but to tell our family and loved ones how much we care about them. It was really beautiful. I love my family so much, they are my closest friends, and my biggest supporters. I love you guys!

As I look back on my life I can see how the Lord has literally carried me along my path. He is my everything, and I am so thankful for his perfect plan, which enables me to have true joy, and to forever be with my family.

When the latest Conference addition came I was reading the talks from the Priesthood Session when I found a quote that will now be a favorite forever. Elder Richard G. Scott quoted President Hinckley, who said: "Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth".

I am trying everyday to be that woman, although I may sometimes come short, I know that with the Savior as my guide I will never go astray.

Merry Christmas everyone, I love you!

Homeowner? Part 2

So, remember how a few posts ago I talked about putting an offer in on a house, and then the next day found out that there had already been an accepted offer put in? Well...I found out last week that the guys financing had fallen through! His misfortune is my gain because I put in an offer on Friday and heard back today that they accepted it!!! I am going to be a homeowner! I am so excited!

The house is 2 minutes away from my family, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, built in 2003, and so cute! I am going to put updates in it like tile in the bathrooms and kitchen, new carpet in the bedrooms, put an island in the kitchen, and cute shutters and scallops on the outside. It is going to be so stinkin' cute...and mine!

My nephews are cuter than yours. Sorry.

Laura and I with Tater-Tot at one of Cody's football games.
Jack.

Jack, Tate, and I

Jack and Great-Grandma at his "construction" party.

Brothers on Halloween.

Gingerbread Houses

Laura and I making our Gingerbread House.

Heidi and Cody.

The finished products.


My family started a new tradition this year, the day after Thanksgiving we will all make Gingerbread houses together. It was fun, and I am now displaying the one that Laura and I made together in my apartment. Heidi and Cody's is the more colorful one. Laura and I chose to go with coconut "snow" for most of our landscaping. I'm not sure where Lindi was during all of this...

I need botox...

For my job I have to do a lot of home visits to see the foster kids on my caseload. Usually I start the visit by talking with the foster parent and the child; the foster parent will update me on anything going on with the kid, doctors appointments, therapy, school, behaviors, etc. After I talk to the foster parent, I then talk to the child alone, to see how things are going. I'm guessing this policy comes from the fact that if your foster parent was beating the crap out of you, the child wouldn't tell me in front of the foster parent. I don't know, that's just a guess.

So, after I was done talking to the foster parent (who are actually his Aunt and Uncle) I started talking with my kid, alone. I usually try and talk to them about what is going on in their life, and if they have anything exciting going on. This particular kiddo is 9. Our conversation went like this:

Me: So, what are you excited about right now?

Kiddo: I am excited to turn 18, because then I will get all of my PFD's from my Aunt and Uncle(for those of you who don't live in Alaska, the "PFD" is the "free" money we get every year, just for being awesome Alaskans).

Me: Wow, I didn't get my PFD's till I turned 22.

Kiddo: How old are you right now?

Me: How old do you think I am?

Kiddo: 32?

Me: No.

Kiddo: 40?


Wow. I am actually going to be 24 on the 31st. I have to go, I am heading to Wal-Mart to buy some anti-wrinkle cream.

Thought for the day

I just love this. Thats all.

"It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of his blessings, He will hear our prayers." -Gordon B. Hinckley.