Journal Entry

I don't keep a journal. I know it's bad and I wish I could keep one going but I just don't. Props to those of you who do. Anyway, this entry is a bit like a journal entry and if it's boring for you sorry and you can stop reading but I have some thoughts I want to remember.

I have a friend who I really admire for many reasons but I have been thinking a lot lately about the way she builds people up. It seems like she is always so positive. It's fun to tell her about your successes because she is so good at cheering you on and making you feel great about yourself. She always tries to give people the benefit of the doubt and rarely speaks ill or anyone.

I have lost some weight. Not a huge deal but it was the result of a lot of hard work. I am not saying I need everyone around me to make a big deal out of it because I really don't. I think what I am trying to say is that I can tell. I can tell when people are genuinely happy for me.

Many times I think the natural man in all of us tells us that as we criticize and belittle others it will make us appear to be more accomplished, however, in reality I think it does quite the opposite. When we think this way about other people we are only bringing ourselves down and even if you don't say it out loud people can sense the way you feel about them. There's enough in this world tearing us down and making us feel insignificant and it's the last thing we need to be doing to our family and friends.

I want to be more like my previously mentioned friend. I want to take every chance I get to build other people up. To be happy for their accomplishments, to give encouragement and tell them I think they're great. I really think as I try to do this it will make me a happier person.

Temple Construction

We can hardly wait for our temple to be completed. Right now the closest temple is over 3 hours away making regular attendance a little difficult. Sunday after church we drove the whopping 40 minutes to our temple site to check out the progress. It is going to be beautiful. I though the sign posted in front was even cool. You can't see the rules for the construction company well enough in the picture so here are a few:

- All contractors are required to maintain a clean site - trash and recyclables should be placed in designated receptacles.

- Profanity, unacceptable language and lewd conduct will not be tolerated.

-Tobacco use on property is prohibited.

-Golden rule policy is required when interacting with neighbors of the project site.

Not your typical construction site rules. I just think it is awesome that even at this stage of construction the temple should be respected and there is a higher standard for everyone involved. This is what it will look like when it is done.

Home for Christmas

We were able to fly home to Utah for Christmas. It's the only thing I wanted this year after not being back since we moved 10 months ago. I think I appreciated the time spent with family and friends more than I ever have before. There are many pictures.

The first Saturday that we were there Scott and I were able to do a session in the temple with my family at the Oquirr Mountain Temple. Since we don't have a temple close here is Kansas this was a much anticipated event.

After the session we all went to my brother Dave's new home for a little party. It was a nice dinner and then things went down hill. Malia (the only girl of the 7 cousins) was sick and while she was in bed this is what the boys did with her stuff.

I am so dead Ü

After Church on Sunday I decided it would be a perfect time to get a nice picture of the boys. I was going for frame worthy but this is about all I could get.

Oh well.


Spencer was thrilled to spend as much time with his cousins as possible. This is the part that I feel worst about living so far away.

He is only 9 months younger that his cousin Cole and Spencer was in heaven while playing with him. Thanks Rae for the fun play date.

Check out the amount of sprinkles. Maybe mom should stop talking and supervise a little more.

All the fun packed into such a short amount of time started to wear the boys out a little. This is how I found the unwinding on the ride back to Grandma's house.

We were glad to see a little Utah snow while we were there. It wasn't much, but enough for a snowball fight with grandpa and the neighbors. Spencer was good at throwing them but not as good at taking them.

Got him!

When you are no longer living in Utah it becomes mandatory to visit temple square while visiting. The chance to ride a train and see the awesome lights was something we couldn't miss.

Ahhh beautiful.

Christmas eve with the Scott's involves a sub for Santa drop off that sets the mood for a night of good food the nativity story and opening presents.

I was Mary, Ryan is supposed to be the angel Gabriel Ü.

Landon was a wonderful Joseph who helped me along the donkey ride.

The wise men and their gifts for the baby.

Christmas morning was a little different since Santa had already come to Kansas but the kids didn't mind and it was sort of nice to spend more time talking about the real meaning of Christmas.

Dad has to check to made sure he approves of the new toys. He did eventually let Owen have a turn.

Christmas day was spent just the way I love. Visiting family and eating a lot.

The boys (including Scott) scored some fun new toys and have loved playing with them. It's nice to be "home" again in Kansas but we sure do miss being so close to our family and friends.

There were other events not pictured but very good for my soul including a mani with my mother-in-law (she is helping be become a delicate flower), Dinner at the Spag Fag with the Hinds where we can be 100% ourselves and they still like us Ü, lunch with friends, play dates and early mornings at the gym with my sister so she could show me how a real workout is supposed to be done (I could barely walk).

Just writing this incredibly long post has made me home sick and I now wait anxiously for our next visit. Thanks to our parents for making the trip home for Christmas possible. We love and miss you all.

Kansas City Christmas

Knowing that we would be in Utah for Christmas this year we decided to have a Kansas City Christmas before we left. Spencer wrote Santa a letter explaining that we would not be home on Christmas and asked if he could come early. It worked.

The preparations for his arrival.

New P.J.'s. This is the first year I gave into getting the ones I knew they would love rather than the ones I thought were cutest. This was a big step for me.

Christmas Morning...sort of

Santa did pretty well and the boys were pleased. I am convinced that we are now enjoying the most fun years of Christmas as far as Santa is concerned. It was magical and they were so easily pleased. Santa found the tool bench at a garage sale for a steal. Then I pointed out a picture of a tool bench in a store ad and told then how cool it would be to have one. A few minutes later when I asked Spencer what he wanted to ask Santa for for Christmas he answered... "a tool bench." It was too easy. He did waiver for just a bit toward a pillow pet but settled on the tool bench. It is missing a few parts and I feel sort of bad that every time they turn it on it says, "Safety first, remember to wear you safety goggles" and there are no safety goggles. Spencer said in his prayers a few days later that he was thankful that he could ask Santa for safety goggles next Christmas. This is my point. He is so easily pleased and no big deal we will get the goggles in a year Ü (I am looking so if you know where I can find some I would appreciate the tip).

Trains

My Boys are currently obsessed with trains so when we heard about the awesome train display at Union Station down town we decided we needed to see it. I didn't get great pictures but the boys were in heaven.

Then to stick with the theme of the night we went to Fritz's for dinner. The food is nothing great but the fact that it is delivered to your table by a train was a huge hit with the boys.

Last but not least we went out to the lights display on Crown Center and climbed on all the wooden trains and toys. No good pictures of this because it was too fun to get pictures. Spencer ran from the fire truck to the house yelling fire and shout instructions to the other children (classic Spence) while Owen climbed up and down from all the displays. It was a perfect night as a family.

What's the point?

When I was growing up I felt there was no point in making my bed each day as it was just going to get slept in again that night and messed up again anyway. Luckily I have grown out of that and love having my bedroom looking nice with my bed made each day. Lately, however, I have been wondering again...what's the point?