I am ashamed to admit that I skipped posting a 'Thankful Thursday' post last week. It was a busy-wonderful-fabulous day and filled with lots of special glowing moments. Every Christmas is special and has its own unique milestones to celebrate. This year was our 5th Christmas together, our 2nd Christmas as parents (since last Christmas I was pregnant), and Baby J's very first Christmas (and our 1st Christmas with a 6 month old).
It was perfect. We slept in, read the Christmas story, had a delicious breakfast made by Mr. H, and took our time opening presents and taking it all in. Baby J especially loved the wrapping paper, Mr. H got a new tie, and we bought a practical gift for each other = an external hard drive. We have thousands of pictures of Baby J and we don't want to lose them!
Anyway...back to Thankful Thursday.
I skipped it because I took the day off from all extra distractions and lived fully in the day. The day to celebrate Jesus Christ and share the moments with dear family and friends. If I were to have typed up a little blog post on that day, I'm sure I would have shared my full heart of thanks for Him who gave His life for me.
Since I am still on my 'Christmas vacation' and the lights on the tree are still twinkling, I still feel the brilliance of that Christmas spirit and it is wonderful. I love extending our Christmas experience between our family visits and friend-filled dinners. It is all wrapped up in a sentimental ball of goodness...better than most every other wonderful thing...even chocolate.
Wednesday
Tuesday
How did you sleep last night?
our neighborhood
circle of 20-30 somethings
2:30am
in the middle of our *long winters' nap*
thump thump thumpity thump
thump thump thump
a party
a gathering
the music
the bass
once awake
there is no going back
Mr. H calls the POlice
thump thump thump
.....silence.....
goodnight. again.
circle of 20-30 somethings
2:30am
in the middle of our *long winters' nap*
thump thump thumpity thump
thump thump thump
a party
a gathering
the music
the bass
once awake
there is no going back
Mr. H calls the POlice
thump thump thump
.....silence.....
goodnight. again.
Monday
Living the Christmas Spirit
"True happiness comes only by making others happy--the practical application of the Savior's doctrine of losing one's life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service."
~David O. McKay
Last night Mr. H and I went to visit a family and share a special Christmas message with them. We followed our printed-out directions (mapquest and googlemaps are GREAT, but with 'backroads' they typically show you the longer route), followed curves and hills, finally slowing down to check the numbers on the mailbox.
"This is the one!" I said and then looked with surprise at the home before us. It was very tall, built into a hill--unfinished so it gave the impression that it was held up by toothpicks. We looked at each other and shared nervous smiles. We had never been to this home before and didn't know the family very well, so we were slightly unsure about how the evening would unfold.
We grabbed our ribbon-wrapped plate of brownies (mentally giving ourselves pats on the back for being so thoughtful) and dodged dogs as we carefully climbed the wooden stairs (lots of them). Once inside a feeling of calm rested upon our hearts. It was warmed by a furnace and the feeling of Christmas rushed into my heart.
I looked around to find out where it was coming from. There was no tree in that room we entered, no glittery star, no fancy nativity. The room itself was not what I expected; we quickly sat down so we would feel more *apart* , standing up seemed so formal and silly.
We did not sing Christmas carols, but they were dancing in my head. What was it in this home that offered such a feeling, such a connection with that Christ spirit?
After only minutes of shared stories I learned that this humble family had a long-lasting tradition of helping those with greater need than they. We heard the story of the teenager who slept in the park who was welcomed to stay in their home. We listened to the account of the couple who they let stay in a trailor on their property so they could start anew. We lost count of how many people had been blessed by this family's willingness to serve and love. We tried not to act too alarmed with the report of the homeless man that was currently living on their property. So many stories, so many souls blessed by the choice to give.
This is the feeling of Christmas. This is the Christ spirit.
I looked down at the stack of brownies we brought. Now our chocolatey offering seemed so impractical and meager. What kind of gift is this? I questioned in my mind as I imagined the countless people that this family had helped over the years.
Our hearts continued to fill with the spirit of love. There was a pause and Mr. H began to speak. His eyes were bright and he shared the above quote about the "Christ spirit". He honored this family for their choice to serve and love as we are all taught by our Savior. He praised them for living always the spirit of Christmas and thanked them for sharing their stories with us.
We walked down the rickety wooden stairs, and marvelled at the example and lessons that we learned from our new friends. On our drive down the winding roads, we talked of ways that we could be more like this family--more open to others, more giving of ourselves, and more loving to all.
I submit that the Christmas spirit should not be just for the season of Christmas, but we should live with that spirit all year long.
What are some ways that your family lives the "Christ spirit" all year long?
~David O. McKay
Last night Mr. H and I went to visit a family and share a special Christmas message with them. We followed our printed-out directions (mapquest and googlemaps are GREAT, but with 'backroads' they typically show you the longer route), followed curves and hills, finally slowing down to check the numbers on the mailbox.
"This is the one!" I said and then looked with surprise at the home before us. It was very tall, built into a hill--unfinished so it gave the impression that it was held up by toothpicks. We looked at each other and shared nervous smiles. We had never been to this home before and didn't know the family very well, so we were slightly unsure about how the evening would unfold.
We grabbed our ribbon-wrapped plate of brownies (mentally giving ourselves pats on the back for being so thoughtful) and dodged dogs as we carefully climbed the wooden stairs (lots of them). Once inside a feeling of calm rested upon our hearts. It was warmed by a furnace and the feeling of Christmas rushed into my heart.
I looked around to find out where it was coming from. There was no tree in that room we entered, no glittery star, no fancy nativity. The room itself was not what I expected; we quickly sat down so we would feel more *apart* , standing up seemed so formal and silly.
We did not sing Christmas carols, but they were dancing in my head. What was it in this home that offered such a feeling, such a connection with that Christ spirit?
After only minutes of shared stories I learned that this humble family had a long-lasting tradition of helping those with greater need than they. We heard the story of the teenager who slept in the park who was welcomed to stay in their home. We listened to the account of the couple who they let stay in a trailor on their property so they could start anew. We lost count of how many people had been blessed by this family's willingness to serve and love. We tried not to act too alarmed with the report of the homeless man that was currently living on their property. So many stories, so many souls blessed by the choice to give.
This is the feeling of Christmas. This is the Christ spirit.
I looked down at the stack of brownies we brought. Now our chocolatey offering seemed so impractical and meager. What kind of gift is this? I questioned in my mind as I imagined the countless people that this family had helped over the years.
Our hearts continued to fill with the spirit of love. There was a pause and Mr. H began to speak. His eyes were bright and he shared the above quote about the "Christ spirit". He honored this family for their choice to serve and love as we are all taught by our Savior. He praised them for living always the spirit of Christmas and thanked them for sharing their stories with us.
We walked down the rickety wooden stairs, and marvelled at the example and lessons that we learned from our new friends. On our drive down the winding roads, we talked of ways that we could be more like this family--more open to others, more giving of ourselves, and more loving to all.
I submit that the Christmas spirit should not be just for the season of Christmas, but we should live with that spirit all year long.
What are some ways that your family lives the "Christ spirit" all year long?
Thursday
Thankful Thursday
I am glad that I made the promise to do 'Thankful Thursday' a weekly post, it gives me an extra reason to count my blessings, which I believe is most healthy to one's overall happiness. Even on the darkest days, surely a thankful thought will brighten a moment or two!
So today, while the sun is hidden by the clouds and the cold air demands extra layers of clothes, I share with you my thankful Thursday thoughts on employment.
Today I am thinking in thanks for all of the jobs I've ever had, for the job I just left (see below post) and for the job that Mr. H will begin next summer.
I am thankful for the principle of work that my parents taught me through their examples of hard work both in the home and out. I am especially thankful for Mr. H's work ethic--he will work anywhere and do anything and give 100%, it's really quite impressive.
Some cool (and, not-so-cool) jobs that I have had:
-door greeter @ Shoney's (it was my very first job, give me a break!)
-carhop @ Sonic (nope. no skating for me)
-photo technician (Fuji mega-lab & WM)
-"waffle bar" girl @ a BYU cafeteria (didn't last. too early in the morning)
-special events staff @ BYU football games (no sir, just because you're cute doesn't mean I will let you into the game for free)
-customer service rep @ Comair (free flights, yes sir!)
-secretary @ the law school (ask me sometime about my 1st experience with "blind carbon copy")
-catering @ SLC for pre-pre-Olympic festivities
-tax season specialist @ a loan office (no math for me, just type the #s into the computer)
-1 full day @ the Golden Carrot (owner was allergic to scents, couldn't even wear scented deodorant!)
-call center for insurance claims after Hurricane Ivan
What cool (or not-so-cool) jobs have you had?
So today, while the sun is hidden by the clouds and the cold air demands extra layers of clothes, I share with you my thankful Thursday thoughts on employment.
Today I am thinking in thanks for all of the jobs I've ever had, for the job I just left (see below post) and for the job that Mr. H will begin next summer.
I am thankful for the principle of work that my parents taught me through their examples of hard work both in the home and out. I am especially thankful for Mr. H's work ethic--he will work anywhere and do anything and give 100%, it's really quite impressive.
Some cool (and, not-so-cool) jobs that I have had:
-door greeter @ Shoney's (it was my very first job, give me a break!)
-carhop @ Sonic (nope. no skating for me)
-photo technician (Fuji mega-lab & WM)
-"waffle bar" girl @ a BYU cafeteria (didn't last. too early in the morning)
-special events staff @ BYU football games (no sir, just because you're cute doesn't mean I will let you into the game for free)
-customer service rep @ Comair (free flights, yes sir!)
-secretary @ the law school (ask me sometime about my 1st experience with "blind carbon copy")
-catering @ SLC for pre-pre-Olympic festivities
-tax season specialist @ a loan office (no math for me, just type the #s into the computer)
-1 full day @ the Golden Carrot (owner was allergic to scents, couldn't even wear scented deodorant!)
-call center for insurance claims after Hurricane Ivan
What cool (or not-so-cool) jobs have you had?
Wednesday
What do your T-shirts say about you?
And furthermore, do you fold your t-shirts to be housed in a drawer or do you hang them up?
This stack of T-shirts represents my almost-4-year (2 months shy of 4 years!) employment with the University. I began this collection of shirts almost as soon as I was hired. Of course, I needed some University-themed shirts to wear on Fridays. Fridays in the office were 'casual days'--which means, you could wear jeans or another comfortable/casual pant choice as long as you had a shirt that had something to do with the school. Everyone loved Fridays, and everyone had their own collection of T-shirts.
Yesterday was my *last day* of employment at the office. I took an extended family leave, so I haven't actually worked at work since the day I went to the hospital to give birth to Baby J. The generous 6 month leave has run out--and after much deliberation, discussion, and prayer, I decided to stay home with Baby J instead of return to work at the office.
I could have a lengthy discussion here about why I chose to stay home, which feelings were the most difficult to work through while making this decision , and how awesome my husband is to support this course of action.
Instead, I would like to share with you what that stack of T-shirts means to me.
It all started when Mr. H and I were looking at all options for our future. We were newlyweds and circumstances had already turned our plans upside down so we were on the lookout for Plan B. I lost a managerial job with UPS due to a contractual hiccup and was looking for a place to work. I was on the hunt and there were not many options available.
One job sounded perfect but didn't offer insurance. Another offered insurance but the hours were unmanageable. As Mr. H started to narrow down his plans for continuing his education, I started looking at the two closest colleges for job openings. I applied at both for pretty much the same type of job.
Then we just waited. And prayed. I remember one afternoon we were visiting with my mother-in-law. We shared with her our concerns and hopes. She suggested we pray together and so we all knelt down next to her glass coffee table and she offered a touching, beautiful prayer with faith that it would be answered. I can still remember the feeling of peace and gratitude that I felt.
Within weeks, the job I wanted was mine and my journey in the office began. I was impressed by the friendliness of the other staff members and immediately felt welcomed into the familial group. My boss at the time even offered to loan me some money to cover the first two weeks before my first paycheck arrived.
Soon I felt like it was like a dream job: new friends, my very own cubicle, an intellectual environment (stark contrast to my experience at UPS), benefits, and quality programs for higher education. Mr. H would later begin his quest to finish his degree (and is currently 1 semester away from his Masters).
One of the most far-reaching blessings of the job was the benefits. The summer after I started working there, I was diagnosed with a rare blood disease. I was hospitalized and recieved several rounds of very expensive treatments. I am sure we would still be suffering the financial consequences of that health challenge if I had not recieved insurance through my job. It felt like a miracle to us, this time our prayers were full of thanks.
Another part of that experience that was so wonderful was the genuine outpouring of love that I received from dear friends (that had only known me for 4 months) at the office. More than one of my co-workers drove at least an hour to visit me in the hospital and share their well-wishes. I will never forget that.
There have been many more times that the benefits from my job, the friends that I made, and the familial culture of the office swooped in and carried me on its shoulders. My employment there has proved time and time again to be more than a job with "benefits" more than the paperwork can offer. Not to mention a deliciously amazing internationally-themed baby shower.
So what does that stack of T-shirts mean to me?
It represents the casual Fridays, the fun food days, the inside jokes, and the every day quality connections and fulfillment that I enjoyed.
Thank you to you. You know who you are. I love you. I miss you. I will always have my MSU T-shirts to remind me of it all.
This stack of T-shirts represents my almost-4-year (2 months shy of 4 years!) employment with the University. I began this collection of shirts almost as soon as I was hired. Of course, I needed some University-themed shirts to wear on Fridays. Fridays in the office were 'casual days'--which means, you could wear jeans or another comfortable/casual pant choice as long as you had a shirt that had something to do with the school. Everyone loved Fridays, and everyone had their own collection of T-shirts.
Yesterday was my *last day* of employment at the office. I took an extended family leave, so I haven't actually worked at work since the day I went to the hospital to give birth to Baby J. The generous 6 month leave has run out--and after much deliberation, discussion, and prayer, I decided to stay home with Baby J instead of return to work at the office.
I could have a lengthy discussion here about why I chose to stay home, which feelings were the most difficult to work through while making this decision , and how awesome my husband is to support this course of action.
Instead, I would like to share with you what that stack of T-shirts means to me.
It all started when Mr. H and I were looking at all options for our future. We were newlyweds and circumstances had already turned our plans upside down so we were on the lookout for Plan B. I lost a managerial job with UPS due to a contractual hiccup and was looking for a place to work. I was on the hunt and there were not many options available.
One job sounded perfect but didn't offer insurance. Another offered insurance but the hours were unmanageable. As Mr. H started to narrow down his plans for continuing his education, I started looking at the two closest colleges for job openings. I applied at both for pretty much the same type of job.
Then we just waited. And prayed. I remember one afternoon we were visiting with my mother-in-law. We shared with her our concerns and hopes. She suggested we pray together and so we all knelt down next to her glass coffee table and she offered a touching, beautiful prayer with faith that it would be answered. I can still remember the feeling of peace and gratitude that I felt.
Within weeks, the job I wanted was mine and my journey in the office began. I was impressed by the friendliness of the other staff members and immediately felt welcomed into the familial group. My boss at the time even offered to loan me some money to cover the first two weeks before my first paycheck arrived.
Soon I felt like it was like a dream job: new friends, my very own cubicle, an intellectual environment (stark contrast to my experience at UPS), benefits, and quality programs for higher education. Mr. H would later begin his quest to finish his degree (and is currently 1 semester away from his Masters).
One of the most far-reaching blessings of the job was the benefits. The summer after I started working there, I was diagnosed with a rare blood disease. I was hospitalized and recieved several rounds of very expensive treatments. I am sure we would still be suffering the financial consequences of that health challenge if I had not recieved insurance through my job. It felt like a miracle to us, this time our prayers were full of thanks.
Another part of that experience that was so wonderful was the genuine outpouring of love that I received from dear friends (that had only known me for 4 months) at the office. More than one of my co-workers drove at least an hour to visit me in the hospital and share their well-wishes. I will never forget that.
There have been many more times that the benefits from my job, the friends that I made, and the familial culture of the office swooped in and carried me on its shoulders. My employment there has proved time and time again to be more than a job with "benefits" more than the paperwork can offer. Not to mention a deliciously amazing internationally-themed baby shower.
So what does that stack of T-shirts mean to me?
It represents the casual Fridays, the fun food days, the inside jokes, and the every day quality connections and fulfillment that I enjoyed.
Thank you to you. You know who you are. I love you. I miss you. I will always have my MSU T-shirts to remind me of it all.
Tuesday
Baby Buzz
"They [babies] can buzz you like a trillion cocktails.
Slur your speech and make you lose your mental functioning.
I imagine that you never get over the hang-over.
Impossible sobriety."
~Quote taken from yesterday's post on C.Jane's blog~
I have definitely been overcome by Baby J's impossible-to-really-describe effect on me since he was born just 6 months (and 2 days) ago. I laughed at the comparison to intoxication as I thought of our lack of sleep early on, and the overwhelming wonderity (wonder + insecurity) that befalls a new parent.
We now get our daily 'buzz' whenever the babe looks at us with his bright blue eyes and smiles because he recognizes us as his favorite people. Our hearts jump every time he smiles and something truly magical happens when we hear that little laugh. We are smitten, changed, and in awe of our little J.
Definitely "impossible sobriety".
**For your very own Baby J buzz, be sure to visit our blog as frequently as you like!**
Monday
It's 9am and I feel domestic!
GOOD MORNING!
This morning is different than most of my week-day mornings.
Here are the 4 main things that are different:
This morning is different than most of my week-day mornings.
Here are the 4 main things that are different:
- Baby J woke up at 6:50 instead of his usual 8 or 9:30
- Baby J didn't go right back to sleep after his morning feeding (which just means I had to really get up instead of go back to sleep with him)
- I didn't eat any breakfast
- I didn't log onto the internet as soon as I got up
And THESE are all the things I have gotten done since I rolled out of bed around 7:30:
-made the bed -took a shower -played with Baby J -put on real clothes & a bra! (not just a t-shirt and comfy pants) -prepared a gift for a friend's birthday -folded a load of laundry -have another load in the washer, and another in the dryer -paid cellphone bill by phone -wrote checks for other bills -made appointment at health department -made a batch of cake batter
...and there are 24 happy cupcakes baking in the oven RIGHT NOW. The baking mess has been cleaned up and I am wearing an apron (to keep my 'real clothes' from getting any 'batter splash' on them).
Ok. So what of those 4 different things made the difference? Was it that I skipped breakfast??
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