A Time of Reflection

The last couple weeks I've been able to reflect on life and what's most important. My grandpa passed away and I went out with my family to Texas for the funeral. It was a sad and happy occasion, all wrapped up into one. We celebrated the good life that he lived, the wonderful family he had, but will miss him as well. I found it interesting that most major events in life are a mixture of happiness and sadness: leaving home for the first time, getting married, graduating college, moving, funerals, etc. I guess whenever a chapter of our life ends, there is excitement and happiness for what is to come- but a twinge of sadness that it is over.

I found a picture for our study (the most recent home project) that says, "Never let your memories be greater than your dreams." The quote got me thinking, is there a period of my life where I'd want to go back- is the best of life behind me?

Let's see...
Jr. High - no way
High school - no thanks
College - tempting... was such a blast, but no

I can definitely say I have no desire to live in the past. I have had a wonderful life up until now, but I also have so much hope and excitement for the future- for tomorrow, for next year, for 20 years.

One New Years Resolution - Check

So as promised in my last post, we finished our first house project of the year! I wanted to decorate our guest bedroom and when I first started out I wanted a pieced-together, eclectic, cottage look. Well I changed my mind before I really finished the first idea, realizing that really wasn't the look I wanted for that room. After searching the inner depths of my soul, I decided I wanted a more traditional yet cozy decor. It took us three weeks from start to finish and we learned how to install wainscoting, chair rail, crown molding, and case in a window - we could practically work at Home Depot now :)



BEFORE






AFTER

It's A Small World After All

So the other day, my sister, Wendy, calls and tells me about this piano she found on craigslist and that she wanted me and Jeff to come with her after work to check it out (ok mostly she just wanted Jeff to go since he has "The Ear"). So we drive to Mesa and knock on the door. You will never guess who answers the door...my friend Mary, who is a friend from BYU Nauvoo! Seriously, what are the chances of my sister finding a piano on craigslist AND her asking me to come with her AND it just happens to be an awesome, somewhat long-lost, friend! Such a small world! Anyway, it totally made my day.

On a side note, I'm really excited... we've been working on a house project this last week, which I am determined to get done before Jeff starts school next week and I am a "single wife" again. Anyway, hopefully I will unveil it's completion on my next post :)

Candy Canes and a Cozy Christmas

So I have made a New Year's resolution to post once a month, and I am so motivated I even posted about Thanksgiving as well (which I have quite sneakily backdated- hehe)! Christmas was so wonderful, I can't think of anything that would have made it better. We all headed over to my parents and kicked off Christmas Eve afternoon by making gingerbread houses.







Note that our house has a landing strip for Santa :)






Then Chris and Esther arrived with my newest, little nephew, Matthew Robert Gordon, born December 21, 2009. He is so adorable and his sister, Lily, kept saying she wanted to hold "baby Jesus".






After that, most everyone went to play Frisbee golf while, me and Mom got dinner ready. After dinner we acted out the Christmas story, Jeff, Amber and I were shepherds (although I thought we looked like we were at the spa) and Molly, spiritedly, was our little sheep. Then it was time for the kids to go to bed, and they were quite adamant that we not light a fire in the fireplace so Santa would not get burned - I told them he had a fire resistant suit so no worries! The adults played a fun round of white elephant (I got an awesome new hot pink purse!)



In the morning we woke up to sizzling bacon, eggs and apple rolls. We had a great time opening presents and Jeff has not been separated from his Ipod Touch since- only in death (or most likely a newer/ better device) will they part. Oh and a wonderful Christmas surprise was that on of my roommates, Carissa, is coming out to visit me in March! This was such a wonderful Christmas and I can hardly wait for the New year and all it will bring. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Turkey in the Midwest

So for Thanksgiving we went back to Iowa where Jeff's family all met up at Bob and Kristina's. While we were there we went and saw New Moon, which I think has irreversibly made me a "Team Jacob" fan. While we were there we played lots of games and I found time to read The Lost Symbol (entertaining read- but extremely similar to all the rest of Dan Brown's books, just different location and a new love interest for Langdon). Here's us with some of our nieces and nephews.

Then we headed off to Macomb, Jeff's hometown, for my first time ever. On our drive I noticed that every farm house had an accompanying red barn. I loved it! Do you wanna know why there is a tradition of red barns? Red used to be the cheapest to paint to buy. Anyway, Jeff showed me all around his old stomping grounds: where he was born, his high school, Dairy Queen, Western Illinois University, downtown Macomb, Journey- his favorite childhood card shop, and of course, his lovely childhood house. We had a great time and it was so fun to see where Jeff grew up.


While we were there we were able to make a quick trip over to Nauvoo to visit my friend, Amanda - recently home from her mission, and some of the Nauvoo sights. I just love Nauvoo. I spent a semester there while I was in college, and going back felt like putting on an old sweater - so cozy and familiar. Here we are in John Taylor's home, right near the famous little rocking horse.



We had a great trip and it was so fun to see all of Jeff's family!

Announcing the Arrival Of...

Wurli! Our new Piano! He already enjoys being the life of the party and here is some of my family jamming out with him.




(To my sisters who are dying for us to have a baby, I'm sorry- I just couldn't resist on the title) Anyway, we are looking forward to being able to tickle the keys of our little piano.

Cinnamon Rolls. I learned how to make cinnamon rolls! I know it is so silly, but I've always been intimidated by the whole yeast thing- I'm not sure if it's that yeast is a fungus or fermentation process or because it seems so "adult mom-like". Anyway, our ward had a bread/ cinnamon roll making class where I learned how easy it is to make bread in my (apparently) under-utilized Bosch. So that night me and my neighbor, Melanie, decided we would put our news skills to to the test while the boys watched the BYU football game. We made pizza, bread sticks, cinnamon twists, AND cinnamon rolls. Yes I think we were a little over zealous, but it was super fun and it all turned out great! Here we are with our pre-frosted cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven



Halloween. Since it was just Halloween, I can't post without at least mentioning it. We went to a block party and then enjoyed passing out candy to the little "trixters" (as I like to call them). I got to see my nieces Lily (the cutest Little Red Riding Hood you ever did see), Heidi (a pirate), and Amber (a witch- but she made sure to clarify that she was a "nice witch"). I went around with Ruth and my nieces "trick or treating" for a bit and to a couple haunted houses in our neighborhood. Let's just say I was glad to be holding the hand of a 6 year old when we went through the haunted houses because they did not try terrorize us quite so bad or pull the chain saw on us- few!

My Lovely Little .....

So I got home from work today and ran out to the backyard to see....


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My Lovely Little Garden! And yes, if you look close enough you can see radishes, snap peas, green beans, lettuce, carrots, chives, cilantro, and basil popping up. Yet to make their appearance are green onions, spinach, parsley and oregano. I planted everything a week and a half ago and I just love going out each day to see what new plant has sprouted! Maybe I'll put up a photo update in a month after my green thumb has fostered the growth of flourishing, voluptuous produce that puts all the grocery stores to shame :)