Thanksgiving 2012

 

We had a really busy and fun Thanksgiving break here in Washington.  The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was my big cycling video presentation that I had to submit the LMHQ by the end of day.  Between the actual prep, workout, uploading, downloading, etc... it managed to keep Darrin busy most of the day.  I don't think he was planning to get such a long workout!  But needless to say, it's been submitted.  Now the actual certification-yeeha!

Thursday, we spent home alone, which was actually nice.  We chilled at home, baked, cooked (a little, as we bought a precooked dinner from PCCs), watched tv, and then heated up our dinner.  We took a walk, as it was the first dry day in days.  It was perfect.  It was refreshing to keep things quiet and relaxing this year.

Friday night, a group of us headed into Seattle to view the gingerbread houses at the Sheraton and then head off to pizza-yum!  Seattle is all Christmas light-ted out.  Love it!

Saturday night, some of us (from Friday) headed to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens for their Christmas lights.  It was very cold, but DRY.  I always have fun with these friends and so had a great time.  Our family headed to Fatburger for dinner afterwards.  Wasn't the choicest of places, but the wait for everywhere else was crazy.  So Fatburger it was and it was fine.  Overall, great Thanksgiving break and the best part, Darrin didn't work!

 

November Visiting Teaching Message

I would not normall share this, but I found it to be a little more special to me.

It’s always around this time of year where we naturally contemplate and recognize the many blessings in our lives, whether they be spiritual, physical, emotional, or tangible.  I know that each of us is blessed in countless ways.

Two years ago on December 5^th, Darrin received the news that his long time friend passed away.  Darrin grew up in a little circle of friends I always called the “3 Musketeers.”  Chad, Shauna, and Darrin were inseparable.  Every high school memory has all three of them in it.  As time would have it, Chad and Shauna married quickly after Chad came home from his mission.  Those two long awaited for Darrin to make the next step.  When we met, Shauna asked me more questions than Darrin’s own mother.  Those two, understandably, wanted the best for their dear friend.

A little over two years ago, Shauna was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer—A  small town Mormon girl with lung cancer!  She was that 10% of lung cancer patients that never smoked, never drank, never exposed herself to anything harmful, but here she was, knowing that her months were counted.  As cancer does, it spread.  As they recognized this, Shauna’s sister gave Shauna a challenge: to write down 101 Things I know… And so she did and at the funeral, this loving sister read the list.

I took the challenge upon myself to list 101 Things I know, to see if I could actually do it.  And sure enough, I did.  It has still left a testament of all that I have been given, all that I have experienced, and truly, all that I know.  So for the start of the Holiday Season, I share with you my list, so that you too, can challenge yourself to do the same.

101 Things I know…

1.      I know that I have a Savior and Redeemer.

2.      I know that I was born of divine Heavenly Parents.

3.      I know that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and knows me.

4.      I know that Satan wants me to forget my divine potential, my divine worth.

5.      I know that I have righteous and wonderful parents, that I love dearly.

6.      I love my husband and am so grateful for him.  I love him; I love being with him; he’s my closest friend.

7.      I love my children.  They are truly blessed children with the sweetest and purest spirits.

8.      I know that Heavenly Father  blessed me with daughters so that I will love and appreciate my parents and what they have done for me.

9.      I know that the Lord and our Heavenly Father have a plan for me, with my husband and with my children. 

10.  I know that our family is eternal.

11.  I know that all three of my children were meant for me. 

12.  I know that childbirth is truly the miracle of life.

13.  I know that a cell is a living organism and so life begins at conception.

14.  I know of my faults and I have many.

15.  I know I am impatient.

16.  I know that patience is a virtue and those possessed of it have a spiritual gift.

17.  I know that Darrin is more patient than I.

18.  I love the rain.  I love listening to the rain.

19.  I know that we are supposed to find joy in this life.

20.  I know that life has challenges, but those challenges help us to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and help us to become more like our Savior.

21.  I know that when we serve others, we are serving our Heavenly Father.

22.  I know that movie theatre popcorn and Diet Pepsi are not healthy for you, but I love them together any ways.

23.  I know exercise is good for you and so run daily (to counter act my bad habits).

24.  I know that I have been blessed with choice friends, who have enriched my life and hopefully I have been able to enrich theirs.

25.  I believe in the words of my mother in law and that we are here on earth to be taught or to teach, just depends on the situation where we sit on the side of the table.

26.  I know I always feel better after a really good cry.

27.  I know I love falling asleep next to Darrin.

28.  I know I love watching and kissing sleeping children.

29.  I know that all things were created by God.

30.  I know that our bodies are sacred.

31.  I know that there are doctors who have been inspired to learn and discover medicine so that we can live healthier and longer lives.

32.  Teachers are selfless, especially elementary school teachers.

33.  I know that I have a better day if I kiss Darrin goodbye in the morning.

34.  I know that I sleep better if Darrin and I kneel in prayer together at the end of the day.

35.  I know that prayer is real.

36.  I know that I have seen miracles.

37.  I know a good hamburger when I see and smell one.

38.  I know that the French and Belgians make better fries and chocolate.

39.  I know that I love to laugh, real hard.

40.  I know I love to hear my children laugh.

41.  I love watching movies.

42.  I know that I am a better wife and mother when I am able to spend alone time with Darrin.

43.  I know that Darrin is the best man for me.

44.  I know that Darrin came from goodly parents.

45.  I know that Darrin’s parents set an example of how to live a good life, wonderful life, a happy life, and humble life.

46.  I know that service makes us humble.

47.  I know that I have a mother in law to make me more humble, more patient, more accepting of others.

48.  I know that pain is irritating.

49.  I know that I don’t like trials.

50.  I know that I don’t like being  out of control.

51.  I know that I am not in control of my life.

52.  I know that I don’t like seeing poverty.

53.  I know I don’t like seeing others hurt: emotionally or physically.

54.  I know I need more sleep, eat less sugar, smile more, yell less.

55.  I know that there is something special about quiet mornings on a cold winter day.

56.  I know that everyone likes the beauty fresh fallen snow.

57.  I know that noble fir Christmas trees smell the best.

58.  I know that Christmas music always brings the joyful season into our home.

59.  I know that every child believes in Santa.

60.  I know that deep down every adult has a hope for Santa.

61.  I know that our Savior was resurrected on the third day and so we too can rise again and live with our families forever.

62.  I know that the oceans were created so that I could smile, even on the dreariest day.

63.  I know that Darrin wishes at times he could upgrade me like he can with his computer and cell phone.

64.  I know that I need to appreciate my mother in law more.

65.  I know Darrin loves his brothers and sister.

66.  I know that they love him.

67.  I know my brothers and sisters love me, as I love them.

68.  I am grateful for my nieces and nephews.

69.  I love fresh tomatoes in the summer.

70.  I know that our forefathers were foreordained.

71.  I know that America, The United States of America, is awesome and a choice land.

72.  I know that freedom is an incredible blessing, but is not a right, but earned.

73.  I know that I cry every time I hear or sing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

74.  I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.

75.  I know that we have a living Prophet and Apostles on the Earth today.

76.  I believe in revelation.

77.  I believe in personal revelation.

78.  I know and am gaining a stronger testimony of The Book of Mormon the more I read it.

79.  I know that Darrin snores.

80.  I know that I drive Darrin crazy.

81.  I know that I probably am crazy.

82.  I know I love having the late night munchies with Darrin.

83.  I know I always feel better after I cuddle with my children.

84.  I know I love it when they fall asleep in my arms.

85.  I know that taking bike rides as a family brings us closer together.

86.  I know ice cream always makes a sad child happier.

87.  I know I am happier with a Diet Coke/Pepsi in my hand.

88.  I enjoy beautiful music.

89.  I enjoy a really good meal.

90.  I know that I enjoy fresh chips and salsa/pico de gallo.

91.  I know my dad was given a second chance.

92.  I know I love my dad.

93.  I know that my mom is beautiful and has many wonderful talents.

94.  I know that I can make great lemon bars and carmel corn.

95.  I know that I need to worry less and laugh more.

96.  I know that I am far from perfect and have many imperfections, but want to keep trying.

97.  I know that I should spend more time with my children and less time cleaning.

98.  I know that I don’t like to sew or quilt, but really cherish the things that have been made for me and my family.

99.  I know that I need to be a little more kinder and less judgmental.

100.      I know I need to be more like my Savior.

101.      I know that I need to tell Darrin and my children I love them more.

I love you Darrin, Jack, Megan, and Surrey… Love, Aly (& Mom)