Christmas Choas

It has been awhile because life has been filled with Christmas ongoings.  Let's see if I can remember everything.  My favorite thing was starting to work in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.  It brings me so much happiness and I love getting up at 4 am (trust me I am not a morning person, but it is worth it).  At the beginning of the month I attended my ward Christmas party (see my earlier post), which in my opinion was the best one I have ever been to.  The next week I went to the BYU athletic Christmas party with all the family.  I always love it and this year was no different.  We decorated a gingerbread house (which saves me from buying one), ate Magelby's for dinner, and my Dad won the grand prize.  I went to a multi-singles-ward Christmas party were we all dressed up fancy.  I got my hair done, enjoyed dinner and mingling, but left when the dancing started.

I also attended a singles Christmas dinner hosted by my ward.  I met some very sweet elderly women, and had a Magelby's dinner again (I am blessed to have it twice this month, I love it).  Then my Grandma flew in to visit us for a few days.  I love my Grandma Mitchell and it had been over 3 years since she has come out from Missouri.  We went shopping, I took her to lunch, and she took us all to dinner.  We also attended my parent's family ward Christmas party.  Their party was really neat too and was themed after the movie Polar Express.  There was a train for the kids to ride in, the mail room (to write missionaries), Santa, a treat/craft station, and a snowball fight room (the boys loved this).  Dinner was catered by BYU, cookies brought by each family, and of course there was Hot Chocolate (just like the movie).  I also enjoyed watching Christmas movies, making cookies, and seeing Christmas lights with grandma.  My grandma had never been in the Tabernacle so we were also able to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert.  I have also been wanting a big change lately so I dyed my hair blond.  It is taking time to get used to it, but I think I like it.  This week I went with friends to dinner and a Christmas Cruise.  I have also enjoyed giving little treats to others, wrapping presents, and watching all the Christmas classics.  I am looking for to Grandpa Zobell coming for Christmas and shortly after Christmas going on a quick weekend trip with some girlfriends.  What a busy time of year, but I have tried to keep my focus on Christ (see my other blog).  Happy Christmas everyone!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sick Boredom

I have had a lot of time to think today because of being super sick, but I am so grateful!  First of all I missed Stake Conference this morning which made me sad because we had a visiting general authority.  Who?  I have no idea.  I also missed my tithing settlement, but got that rescheduled. I wanted to watch the Christmas Devotional online, but it doesn't work. However I get to go to the Motab Christmas Concert in a few weeks.  So with so many strikes I am still stinking HAPPY:D  This is because while reading in bed I was also listening to hymns.  The hymn "How Great the Wisdom" played and I was so grateful for everything!!!!!  The Savior is my Happiness.  I wish everyone got that!

Also I started making lists, not "to do" lists, but just fun things:
Favorite Christmas Songs...
O Holy Night
Silent Night
Carol of the Bells
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O Little Town of Bethlehem
To name just a few:)

Favorite Christmas Movies...
Elf
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
Anything Hallmark
A Christmas Story
The Nativity
Home Alone

Randomly I enjoyed making my own homemade OJ made in the juicer I bought last month.  I also scarfed down some tomato soup and grilled cheese.  Now the best part is reading a good book and listening to the rain!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I am loving Christmas this year.  I think I am realizing that even though I am very lonely I am loved by Christ and he brings me so much happiness!  I have been enjoying every detail of the Holiday because of this fact.  In the 2 last weeks I set up 3 Christmas trees, went on 3 Christmas themed dates, but my favorite activity so far has been today.  I woke up this morning and went to my Ward Christmas Party.  The details of that are on my other blog.  Then came my yearly tradition which I have been doing now for 3-4 years, The Festival of Trees!  I think this is the most wonderful thing ever!!!!  I love seeing the religious themed trees.  Pictured below are some of my favorites (I limited myself to a top 6 this year instead of like 20).  After the festival I enjoyed lunch with a friend and then crashed when I got home.  I have been getting more and more sick everyday this week.  Today it hit me like a brick wall, probably because I have been doing too much.  So I tried to sleep, but kept waking up because I would stop breathing.  This is when it would have been a good time to have home teachers assigned, but I haven't got them yet.  So here I am at home enjoying a book, being online, and about to watch a Christmas movie.  The holiday's can't get much better (I guess if I wasn't sick or had someone to share them with they could, LOL)!

My 2nd favorite tree decorated Missionary style with ties.

All the stuff that came with the Missionary tree if you purchased it.

My favorite tree decorated with different Nativities and also hand sewn costumes.

"It's a Wonderful Life" tree.  I should have got closer to show the details.

My favorite Christmas mug that I have been enjoying cider, cocoa, and Crio in.

I finally found an advent calender.  It is not my favorite as I am looking for a religious one,
but it will suffice until I find the best one. 

And last, but not least...my homemade Charlie Brown Country Christmas Tree.

Trending Now...

I was talking to a guy friend today and he was telling me how he was frustrated with dating.  It was interesting to note that I have had a lot of the same feelings he is feeling now.  Luckily I am in a patient, faithful stage right now so I was able to help him, or so I think.  I have known this friend for at least 5 years, maybe longer and we are about the same age.  We notice that there is a huge trend now among mid-singles.  That trend includes being scared of dating, commitment, and marriage.  We thought the trend also included lack of faith such as wanting to be financially stable before marriage or just thinking it would never happen.  I felt bad that he was feeling discouraged, but the best advice I could him was to have faith in the Lord's timing.  I also loved the below quote that I found today.  I believe that we can get through anything if we have someone to get through it with.  Right now I just have to do all things with the Lord. 

Fall Pictures Part #1

Recently a photographer friend wanted to take pictures of me and who am I to say no to building up my self-esteem. So here are a few of my favorites. More to come after our next shoot:)

 

 

Happy Halloween

I love Halloween!  I am pretty sure it is because I just enjoy all the fun costumes out there, with the exception of gory, immodest, or just gross.  I look forward to my Halloween work party more then the Christmas one.  This year I stressed a lot about what I was going to wear, but a friend came through and I had to supply very little.  I loved winning my work costume contest and especially loved seeing the delight in Trick-or-treater's eye's when I answered the door.  Almost every kid said, "Are you Mary Poppins?"  All the treats don't hurt either(; 

My favorite costume besides mine, was the "Double Check Discount" woman.



The lace up shoes were pretty painful,
I feel for the women of the early 1900's.

Completley authentic down to the shoes, carpet bag, bird umbrella, and hat. 
The only thing I forgot to put on was the scarf.

Cute Cuzins

I have three sides of cousins, mostly boys, but I have always been close to one cousin in particular.  This past weekend she got married and I am so happy for her!  I remember traveling in the car with her when I was young and thinking she knew so much about books and plays.  She was always quoting things and I wished I could be that smart!  We loved watching Clue and The Witches together.  When all the "Cool Dudes" came together we always had fun.  Anyways, so happy for Anneli and her new hubby, Brent!

Love this cousin so much!

All the "Cool Dudes" except Natalie. We love our Aunt Amy too!!!

Anneli's immediate family.  I miss seeing my Aunt Jannene regularly(:

In her (and my) heart

Normally I wouldn't write about spiritual things on this blog, however this is a half and half post and includes pictures of my niece, hence the personal blog that very few people know about.

So I was reading in Luke 2 today and the phrase "in her heart" stayed with me.  This was in reference to Mary pondering and keeping personal things about her Son in her heart.  This is my way of keeping things in my heart (journaling).  I loved this phrase because for the last few days I have loved getting a taste of being a Mom.  My Sister-in-law and niece, Eleanor, came to visit and I loved every minute, even when she was tired(: 

A lot of my friends and family know I am super sensitive to scents and babies are no exception.  The interesting thing that happened was I found the love for my niece overpower my other senses.  I got less sleep, helped clean up her boogers, helped change diapers, feed her, etc... and I found myself loving the experience.  I understand how Mary pondered things about her child (it probably was a little overwhelming being the Mother of the Savior though).  I honestly don't know how to put this into words, but it made me excited to be a Mom.  I love little E so much and would do anything for her and my siblings.  She has the cutest little personality and I have felt a fraction of what our Heavenly parents feel for us.  So here it is, some pics and best of all some videos!

Sweet Steph, yep we were both tired.

Yep, I know I'm cute!

Funny face

I heart Eleanor<3<3<3

She took this one herself

 

Debate

I missed the first debate and watched part of the vice presidential debate, but last night I had full intentions of watching the whole thing.  I watched for about an hour and then was just fed up.  Why do they have to argue about everything? Plus they are not that great about answering the question.  Really when it comes down to it they are both human, imperfect and will not change everything.  The way I see it is if Romney wins the economy will improve, I don't know about other things because it is such a big undertaking.  If Obama wins, then I feel we are closer to the second coming.  I ran across this picture today that I thought was great in regards to debating.  Anyway, just sayin;) 

Best Job

I have the best job!  I am not talking about my paid job at the police department, but one of the volunteer jobs that I have.  I feel loved, uplifted, close to the Spirit, happy, full of energy, full of purpose, understand what is really important, and stinking blessed.  I am not about to give away what I do, but any guesses?  I wish everyone could experience what I do!  I hope to do this for years or at least until I am a Mom. 

Baby Girl

Ever since I can remember my Bonus Mom has called me baby girl even though she married my Dad when I was turning 12.  I have always loved being her "baby girl" and have loved each of the nicknames that I got from all of my parents.  I feel so lucky, blessed, cherished, and really loved by each of my parents!

This last week they gave me some things from my childhood that I either didn't remember or missed a lot and brought back so many memories.  I am also lucky enough to have my baby book with my Mom's beautiful handwriting.  I thought I would share a few objects that are special to me.  

On the left is one of my favorite baby blankets, in the middle is something that embarrassed me a lot when I was younger.  I used to walked crooked, but I didn't know I wore a brace on my feet.  On the right was a tent that went over a card table for a fort I loved to play in.

My first picture and I love these bows they stuck on my head using honey

Believe it or not my hair went from being really dark as a newborn to really blond.
They kept this hair from my first haircut.

Me, Leaves, and an 8 mile hike