Believe

What did you believe in as a kid? I believed in Santa Claus, Fairy-tales, and Dreams. One thing I love about this time of year--we are reminded about dreams and miracles. Not only do they exist, but they come true--just not in the ways we always expect.

I believe in a lot of things now. I believe in Santa Claus--not the man but of what he stands for. I believe in Fairy-tales--I've just learned to take a closer look at the journey they take rather than the happy endings. I believe in dreams--they do come true if I buckle down and work for them.

I believe in the real reason for the season--Jesus Christ. We celebrate His birth and His life at Christmas. Like a lot of other things I use to believe in, this perspective has also changed. Not only do I believe, but I have faith in Him. I've studied a lot lately about faith. Faith is confidence, Faith is motivation, Faith is power, Faith is action. So while I believe in Christ, my faith has become stronger and means more to me than ever. With my faith I've been able to face the unexpected turns my life has taken. It has given me the strength to make my dreams a reality. My faith reminds me of what I'm really here to do.

This is why I love the Christmas Season--its reminds us of what I believe and gives me the power to dream for one more year. Plus all the pretty holidays decoration and treats ;)

Champaign II

Okay here are videos to add to the cuteness of it all.

Mornings with Catherine and Weston

Champaign

Vacations. There are nothing better. I get a break from my life and get to experience many new things. This week Mark and I took off to go visit Scott and Amber. Six months ago they moved to Illinois. I've never been, so I thought a trip would be in order. Mark and I flew out to lots of fun, chaos, and cuteness. Of course with the 2.5 hour drive to Champaign, we got there late and crashed. I woke up the next morning to Weston going--where are they? That's about how every morning went. I didn't complain. One of the highlights was me snuggled up on the couch with both kids watching the Dragon Movie before the day started. Weston asked me every morning if we could go get Mark. Poor Mark woke up many times to Weston's little voice of excitement. Due to the weather, a sudden attack of illness, and Thanksgiving we didn't go outside much. But I didn't notice. There was plenty to do with crafts, Catherine's cuteness, movies, books, story reading, sleeping, talking, eating, and playing dragons.

Weston is just a crazy as ever with the never ending energy. I would love to know how Amber keeps up. Mark and I witnessed the Potty trained Wes. The best was when he brought his pop down all proud to show Amber. Sometimes I wonder how that much poop could fit in one little body. But it does!! Wes is also like his dad in many ways. Scott took us to the University and showed us where he learns all the smart stuff. Weston had a ball running around all the lockers. Poor kid was dripping in sweat by the time we left. So funny to watch. He loves to negotiate. I laughed as he would negotiate the number of bites at dinner. He would lose poorly but he got so excited about it. Too bad he is going to be a dragon slayer when he grows up instead.

Catherine is well way to freaking cute. She claps, giggles, snuggles, waves, babbles, crawls, dances, and makes the best faces. Amber fed her pureed meat and her face is priceless. I don't blame her though--I wouldn't eat that stuff either. She snuggles with her pink elephant and sucks away on her upside-down two fingers. Has the biggest smile, and loves her mommy. I love how she made the biggest mess at dinner, would chase after her brother, and mimic everything we did.

I've missed having Amber and Scott down the street. Being there was like nothing had changed. Scott is still a nerd. Amber is still my favorite. How she keeps her head straight amazes me. She makes being a mom look easy. I still lost at Phase 10. 2 nights in a row!! I don't know how but I swear Mark jinxed me. Either that or I was too distracted by the annoying songs being sung by my brothers. "Like a G6" & "Like a blizzard" is forever ingrained into my brain. Stupid! Overall I loved it and can't wait to go back in February!

I brought my camera and went to town. Come on did you expect anything less?

Weston

His Buddy Mark

Weston the Artist

We Made Candy Turkeys for Dinner. He was so Proud of Himself.

Christmas Preparations: He got so excited putting all the ornaments on the tree.

We Took a Bunch of Pictures like this. It never got Old

Locker Running

Catherine--Seriously Prepare for the Cuteness.

The Rest of Us

Early Morning Snuggles

Amber with her mom and sister Chatting with the rest of the Family.

What would we do without technology!?

Poor Sick People

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving strayed a bit from the tradition this year. But I LOVED it. Thanksgiving was spent with a queasy stomach and listening to my brother upchuck his stomach contents. I spent this Thanksgiving with Amber, her parents, her sister, Scott, Mark, Weston, & Catherine. Amber did a Fantastic job with dinner. I was suppose to make my mom's rolls--but I was kicked out of the kitchen due to illness :D. I refused to not give in and ate dinner anyway. I won and kept it down. I love the traditions of Thanksgiving. The smells, craziness, stuffed til you explode, and the reminder that I am more blessed than I realize!

Our Brilliant Chef

Oh How I LOVE Turkey!

Potter

A few months ago the idea came up to have the ER rent out the theater for the new Harry Potter movie. After a big phone call, it was booked. So over the last month I have been selling tickets to my ER cohorts. 249 tickets later the theater was filled. Oh the joy to not have to do that anymore ;) This week has been long. Between work, planning the event, sleep deprivation, and a massive headache I was at the end of the rope.

Today I woke up excited--even with 2 hours of sleep on board. The theater already had a line when I showed up. My crazy co-workers were lined up. At 1200 they let us open up--my seats secure with my sisters I handed out the real tickets. The theater was packed with my crazy friends in there real clothes. Weird. No scrubs in sight.

I LOVED the movie. All I can say is Hermione is my Hero. That girl can kick some butt. I can't wait to see the rest of it in July. Can't believe we have to wait til July. I must admit the stupid snake scared me to death. The sugar rush from the peanut butter M&M's wasn't helping. Intense, fantastic, comical, with an excellent soundtrack. Everything I love in a movie. Come on July you can get here faster right!!??

Look at me and my alert self


Kalli and her Mary Poppins bag. No seriously!

Sometimes there are no words.

Graditude

Words cannot express how grateful my heart is. Though the list is endless here are a few things that I am truly grateful for:

• The deep sense of love and peace I have felt from my Savior. I've had a lot of doubts about where my life is going and who I am this last month. As I reread through my journal tonight I ran across this passage on Oct 18:
  

My life is not what I thought it would be right now. But I've learned an incredible amount about myself. In the last 3 years I've learned to step up to the plate. That my Heavenly Father loves because He is my dad. My Savior wants me to succeed. His love is there alwasy pulling me back. That no matter how hard I try I will fail. Without failing I could not hope to understand the Savior and the true power of the Atonement. Atonement is the power to change. The healing power ot take my heart and soul and make me into the person the Savior know I can be. I can be more patient. I can understand that I will slip-but I can get right back on and try again. I can understand that change takes time. Nothing of worth will be easy. A lot of time I will feel beaten and destroyed. But that is where the Savior will come in. He is there for me. Do not give into the doubts of self deprivation or self doubt Satan will throw at me. He is working so hard to destroy me. Remember Christ does not demand perfection. He has taken care of that part. He does want my time, my heart, my humility, and my efforts.

• The Atonement. I know I have only begun to scratch the surface on the full power of the Atonement. But I have seen in work in my life the last month. The Atonement runs on MY faith. My faith to be healed both physically and emotionally. Scars from both can only truly close with this power. I have felt it work in my life, work to heal and to strengthen me. To help me take the next step, to face the next challenge of my life.
  
• My parents: Without them I don't know where I would be. They have been my rock, my driving force, and my strength my whole life. They have pushed me to be better. To not settle. To do the best that I can. They listen to my concerns, my heartbreaks, my self-doubts, my joys, and my stories. They tell me when to knock it off and just get back on the trail. Their love is endless and a great strength for me as i figure out this crazy life.
• My job: Yeah I know I have a love/hate relationship with the ER. Deep down the love is stronger. I wish I could be normal but where is the fun is that. Where else could I meet and learn from amazing staff. Where else could I be key in helping make a difference in lives on a daily basis? Where else can I make kids smile, or get hugs from a older ladies, or yell at some drunks in the same day? Where else can I be pushed, challenged, and stretched to the breaking point only to see just how strong I am? Where else would I get 80 threats on an ex-boyfriend's life? Where else would I be looked after so well? I can't think of one.
  
• Challenges: This year especially I've had a lot more on my plate. More has been asked of me. I have not backed down or given up. I did not give in to fear or doubt--even though it was there trust me. I put my heart on the line. Which is HUGE for me. I guard it closely. I've learned from every experience and while I still have a lot more to go each has pushed me and shown me what I am capable of. I can face change. I can step up to every challenge and come out on top of it. I am stronger than I think I am.
  
• Opportunities: I have so many options. So many things to try and to do. I have opportunities to serve to hike to travel to sleep to do as many new things as I can cram into one day. While it can be daunting, everything is open to me.
  
• Little things that simply make me happy; chocolate, pajamas, talking with my sisters, swapping jokes at work, walking through the canyon, new books, technology, journals, countless friends, baking, new carpet, hot showers, blaring music, shopping sprees, playgrounds, medicines, random texts, fuzzy blankets, Russell Crowe, the dragon movie, clean house, and like I said an endless list

The list is long but these things have stood out to me lately. I am happy, what more is there really?

Halloween

This Halloween wasn't typical for me. Due to recent events I didn't dress up or go to the party. But I still had fun. Pumpkins, candy, chocolate, movies, sleep, and relaxation time is always good. Plus it gave me time to decide it's time to plan my trip to Europe. Italy or Spain? What do you think? I still love Halloween. Next year I will have a party to end all parties. Halloween is still an amazing holiday. I might just have to leave all the decorations up for a while longer.