Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Flowers in the Winter



The last two weeks at work have been crazy!  I am answering the phone over 30+ times a day and each call averages over 10 minutes.  Each call is asking  complicated mind bogging questions.  This is all because the new changes in the Mortgage Industry that went into effect last week. Most of our customers don't understand the 1800 page document and they call us to figure it out. It honestly is very confusing and I struggle with it and I am supposed to be an expert, but there is so much to learn.  Each night I come home from work so weary.   I try each day to have a good attitude and I stay positive which has made all the difference.  I can barely remember anything outside of work relating to anything.   So I am so grateful for the patience of others.  Below is more info regarding the changes in the simplest way possible. Honestly, it is much too boring to read.   http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/corpgov/2010/11/16/mortgage-lending-practice-after-the-dodd-frank-act/

However, I have had many tender mercies in my life.  Yesterday, someone kind and thoughtful left a rose on my door with a sweet note.  It is amazing how a simple gesture can have such a positive impact in someones life.   Then today my husband had some beautiful flowers delivered to my office.   It sent them because it was my half birthday, but mainly he sent them to be sweet.  He has never done anything for my half birthday before and of course I had no idea it was my half birthday until he remembered.  I love the tender mercies!  Life can be beautiful!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Seattle trip

We left for Washington very early on the morning of the 26th.  We wanted to drive to the Seattle area in one day so we had a little more time in Washington.

Often during the Christmas season the pass is completely closed due to so much snow.  We were so grateful that this wasn't the case this year.  We barely saw snow our whole trip and so we were very grateful.  We haven't always been so lucky.  Matt had to drive the whole way.  I was too sick to drive and had taken some heavy duty cough medicine.  We arrived in Seattle late Thursday night. 


The first day there we spent at Matt's parents home. It was fun to visit them and to celebrate  them being married for 50 years.   In the evening  I went to a wedding reception from friends from years ago with Sheryl.  I saw so many of my friends and was able to catch up with some of them.  I loved it.
On Saturday we got up early and drove to see Matt's sister Sharon.  She lives right on the water.  It is beautiful.   After  we met up with everyone there we all drove together to Seattle.  
Sharon was an excellent tour guide.  She knows the ins and outs of Seattle.











First we explored the University of Washington together.  Kara has considered going to this college so we wanted to check it out.  It was a nice day.












We drove all around the Huskies new stadium.  The night before the Huskies had played BYU.  Then we drove down to the Pier.  It is so beautiful and we walked around the water and then we stopped at Ivars for some of their yummy clam chowder.





After a day in Seattle we met Matt's parents at Anthony's restaurant.   We wanted to take them out to dinner for their 50th anniversary.  It had yummy food.

On Sunday we went to church with Matt's parents.   After church we went to see my sister Katie's new home.  It is darling.  It was fun to visit with Tyler and to see cute Abe.   She is such a cute mom and is so good at decorating and doing anything that is domestic.

After that I went and visited my good friend Sara.  She was my Mia Maid adviser in Young Women's and she has been an such a dear friend all of these years.  


Later that evening Matt's parents came and picked us up and then we went for dinner at Matt's sister Melissa's home. We were celebrating Michael's 15th birthday.   Herb and Melissa made some yummy food.  It was so fun to visit with all of their family.









On Monday Matt went and spent time with his parents, we went exploring more around the Seattle area.  We ended up having lunch at Southcenter at the Rain Forest Cafe. It is a cute fun restaurant.
We later drove to meet up and visit with Melissa and say good bye.  Then one of my best friends growing up came over to Sheryl's home with her mom.  It was so good to catch up with her and it was nice to have her mom talk about my mom and memories she had of her.  It always makes me happy when someone shares their memories with me.

Later that evening Sheryl made us a dinner and everyone played card games.  My sister Katie and I just visited. I love talking to Katie and Sheryl.



The next morning we went straight to Sharon's home.  She had made us a yummy breakfast and had some gifts for the boys.  Sharon is the female announcer for the last 10 years at all Sea hawk games.  So she had some fun gifts for everyone.  She is such a sweet heart.   We left after that and drove to Boise.   We first stopped and visited Matt's grandpa.  We weren't able to see him during our last trip.  It was great to see him.  He is amazing man and a great example of living life to the fullest.
After we left his home we drove to my brother John's home.  My brother Matthew and family were also there so we enjoyed sharing New Year's Eve together.  It was fun to catch up with everyone.  Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures.
My niece Mikayl looking beautiful after just getting out of bed.  We got up early and left to come home.  It was a very short quick trip, but we were able to fit a lot in.   I was sad that we weren't able to go through Portland so I could have seen my aunts and my Grandma.   I miss them. :)
We arrived back home and unpacked and prepared to have to go to work the next morning.  I am grateful for all of our family and how kind they were to roll out the red carpet for us.  Thank you very much!  We love you all very much!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning

 I love Christmas.  I love celebrating on our Savior.   For Christmas eve my brother Mark and his wife Miriah and their  five children came for  dinner.   We had a great time visiting with them.  We have a traditional on Christmas Eve to watch a movie.  This year we watched, "Christmas for a Dollar."   I loved this movie and thought it brought out the true meaning of Christmas.  

 On Christmas morning,  Kara in her new PJ's, another traditional we have in our family is opening one present on Christmas Eve.  It is always a new pair of PJ's. Unfortunately this year I was sick.  Another really bad sinus infection and deep cough.  






 We sure missed Coby this year.  I know as my children get older we will be able to go and visit them  and not have everyone in front of our tree.  
 Opening presents
 I am so grateful for the blessing of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  It is such a blessing in my life to know I have a Savior and to know that he makes it possible for us  to repent.  I can't think of the Savior's birth without also thinking of this.   I always miss those that have died in my family during Christmas.   I am grateful for the knowledge that some day we will be able to live again with them.    Merry Christmas!