Welcome Home!

Yes, I did just welcome myself home. I have so much to blog about.
Our trip to Georgia for Christmas.
A list of my 1sts this holiday season.
Seeing the former love of my life for the first time since he actually was the love of my life. Oh you know I need to blog about that.

My goals for 2011.

But for now, I have to tell you about my welcome home.

Not even 12 hours after being home from our trip I:
*Was informed of a funeral that I very much needed to attend, but the reality of it kept me up most of Wednesday night before the funeral.
*Was yelled at by my grouchy, mean, old next door neighbor about our mailbox stand needing to be fixed...never mind I seriously hadn't been home 12 hours, was having car trouble, and was
dressed for a funeral. AWESOME.
*Had to deal with a truck that wouldn't start on my way to the funeral.

That was my welcome home.

On an upside. As tragic as this funeral was it was a beautiful service. Normally I hate it when people say that, but it's true. It was very tastefully done. I was inspired. I was left wanting to be such a better person. I thought I would kick off the new year with the one thing that hit me the most from the service.

This man who passed away was tragically young. He had a family he left behind, brothers, a sister, kids, and a wife. He lived a good life. He served faithfully in his callings. (I didn't know him all that well, his wife was a huge inspiration in my life, though). He died of cancer and apparently did so with dignity. He was a good good man. The closing hymn at the funeral was sung by the priesthood holders from his ward. They all got up and sang "Called to Serve." The closing song at a funeral. I've never seen that done before. I got home and told Zach, I've never looked at death like that...as being called to serve in a different capacity. WOW! It really hit home to me. It left me strangely comforted. I have a testimony that our Heavenly Father takes us when our mission in life is over and when He needs us to complete a different mission. I know that it is all in our Heavenly Father's hands and He knows best. Click here to hear the song.

Letters to Santa

Another one...

Seriously. I can't get enough of these letters. These need to be published or something so everyone can be cheered up.

Dear Santa,

I want a book about the human body for I could learn.

I want to have a new mouse because my mouse is broke.

My mom wants socks because she always buys things and I feel sad because she buys for us but not for herself. I wish my mom could get socks.

Love Friend,

XXXXXXXXXXX

This is from another little 4th grade boy. He is from a Spanish speaking home (you can tell in the way he phrases some of his sentences...I left it in there because it somehow makes my heart sad/happy all at once).

I love my kids. I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE them.

I hope Santa treats them all well.

That is my wish from Santa. For real.

Letters to Santa

Today I had my students write letters to Santa.
Pardon the expression but this one is precious...I about died.
Dear Santa,
Am I on the good list? If I am then I know what I want, I want a new DS game. If you get it, I will thank you after. I will always believe in you. Christmas is the funnest holiday of the year because you are the best. I will also want to say "hi" to Rudolph. You bring kindness to Christmas. I'll set some cookies and milk up if you come. Next year I'll say hi to Comet. What kind of cookies do you like?

Your Friend,
XXXXXXX

Just know that the student who signed it was a fourth grade boy.
Seriously. It makes me want a kid like YESTERDAY!

Answer This...

I decided that I can do an Answer This post this month...it just needs to be a Christmas related topic...silly me.

What are your favorite things about Christmas? Mine are:
-Christmas Music (only religious ones, though. I am very picky about my Christmas music)
-Christmas Movies
-The excitement in the air. In my classroom. At home. At the store. EVERYWHERE
-Cuddling on the couch in my flannel PJ's with the fireplace going. It's practically perfect.
-Wrapping presents
-Christmas parties
-Hot chocolate
-Snow (but only during Christmas...snow in January...sucks to be quite honest).
-The colors and the lights
-Cider
-Last but not least...the focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
That's the very best part.

What are your favorite things about Christmas?

Joy to the World

" Truly He taught us to love one another,

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.

And in his name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,

His power and glory ever more proclaim! "

O Holy Night

Christmas Thoughts

It's December. That means it's Christmas time. That means that I will not be posting random stories from our daily life. No more snow day posts, letters, or Answer This posts...for now. It is Christmas month. Every post (hopefully every day) will be a Christmas thought. It's a way for me to share the spirit of Christmas with my friends and family as frequently as I want :) Enjoy your holiday season.

Worth of a Soul by Liz Lemmon Swindle (for purchase off of LDSart.com)

"At this Christmas season, may we commemorate--the Man of Miracles, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Although he healed the sick, raised the dead, caused the lame to walk, and the blind to see, there is no miracle comparable to the miracle of Christ himself.

-President Gordon B. Hinkley

Can't Wait...

I get to go here tonight with my mom. We do it every year. It's like a Christmas tradition. Just the two of us. I wore my tennis shoes to work today. This year I am more prepared than ever. I have been looking forward to this all week. When it is all over I will be sad. Until then...I just can't wait!

Answer This

What did you do with your snow day?

It's a snow day here in Idaho.

A real "no school" snow day.

After finding out (via Mike and Kate) that I had no school

After I had showered and was getting ready for work (by getting ready I mean I was up...not doing much else, but you get the idea)

*Massive MASSIVE break down of our emergency phone tree*

I texted one of the ladies from my 4th grade team

I love her like another mom

She informed me that we had no school

She then sent a text that said something like this:

"This is Mal's first official snow day, too. You have to take him out to play in it. My dogs love it!"

And so, even though I'm much more of a summer person--I did.

I took Mal out with me while I shoveled our driveway (while my cocoa motion worked me up a nice warm cup of Gingerbread hot cocoa)

Mal slid and jumped around

I laughed at him a lot.

After I finished shoveling-I played with him for just the tiniest amount of time.

I think he was satisfied, doesn't he look happy to you?

I love having Mal. He gave me a reason to get out and get in the snow if only for a second or two (literally). I wouldn't have done it otherwise. I dislike the cold.

But we've had a great day Mal and I.
Today we also:

Cuddled on the couch and watched Letters to God on Netflix. I cried.

We cuddled while I read.

We went back to sleep after we found out that Zach and my mom made it to work okay.

I worked out (my Pilates video:) Mal watched.

I did two loads of laundry. Mal watched.

Now Mal is curled up by my feet, I have the fireplace going, I'm getting ready to feed myself (I worked hard today: Pilates, snow shoveling, and snow playing), and watch a few episodes of Friends before getting to work and cleaning my house.
By the time Zach gets home I should have had the perfect snow day.

Just enough work, relaxation, and play.

What did you do with your snow day?