Home for Christmas;)

Yes...It is 1 am...and yes,I am being super lame and blogging right now.. But let's be honest, sleeping just isn't something that happens on Christmas eve:) at this moment in time, there is a seven year old little girl asleep in the room across from mine. There Is also an 18 year old blonde boy here who is celebrating his last Christmas In America. This house is filled with love tonight. It is the same love that was felt earlier tonight at our lovely wade family Christmas party. The same love that will be felt around Wendy's dinner table tomorrow, and the same love that's in Troy's sweet little boys and even,in Granny Smith's sweet holiday visit.:)

Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birthday, and if he could have anything for his birthday, I know for a fact, that it would be for families to come together, and to love and serve each other. I feel so ridiculously blessed to have so much family loving and serving me on this fine holiday:)

*That is all*

Merry Christmas to all...and to all a goodnight:)

One day.....

"You feel like you're falling backwards
Like you're slippin' through the cracks.You walk outside and all you see is rain, You look inside and all you feel is pain And you can't see it now...
But down the road the sun is shining
In every cloud there's a silver lining
Just keep holding on. every heartache makes you stronger But it won't be much longerYou'll find love, you'll find peace and the you you're meant to be
I know right now that's not the way you feel, But one day you will. Find the strength to rise above. Find just what you're made of. One day you will"

-Lady Antebellum


Sometimes...the sweetest silver lining you can find in a situation, is that it's not forever. That's how it feels right now. But with all that I am, I believe that one day I'll look back on everything I've been through, and know, that it was all for a reason, and a beautiful part of making me a much better person than I am right now:)

11.11

This morning, sister dearest asked me if I was jealous of her birthday. I didn't want to say yes. I didn't want her to have the satisfaction of having a better date of birth than I do! but come on guys, we all know how i answered that question!

This day coincides with my very favorite number, the most magical number of all, 11! For 120 seconds each day, 2 elevens beside each other bring me so much hope as they light up my cell phone screen. Today, that hope is doubled or even tripled! You see, all 24 hours of today are 11-11! So you'd better start wishing! This day is pure MAGIC!:)

Friday CAME.

For the past 16 and a half years, I have had a great friend by my side. He has lead me, he has helped me, he has loved me, and he has shown me how to be better. Part of me feels like losing that friend for two years is going to be really sad. But most of me, is filled with joy for my brothers and sisters in El Salvador and Belize, because now, this incredible young man is about to be their friend! He can lead them to the gospel, help them find their savior, love them, and show them how to be the very best they can be! There is no doubt in my mind he will change their lives, because friends, Kaden James Smith is the kind of person who changes lives, forever and for good!

South America, you have NO IDEA what you're in for! March 6th, 2013!

White as snow.

Last week, I sat around a familiar tree, with a familiar group of people. Because these people are all 16 years of age, the topic often circles back to that of driving. Each time we reach that conversation, I wait for the jab or mocking glare from P skousen. You see, he's seen me make some of the most terrible mistakes a driver can make and he's not very keen to let me forget them. But even, that left-side-of-the-road-can't-find-the-stop-sign incident he witnessed, was absolutely nothing compared to the many mistakes my father has seen me make in a motor vehicle.

The other day, I made such a mistake while backing out. Yet again i had caused damage to his car and I had done everything my very patient dad has repeatedly taught me not to do. When I talked to him about it a few seconds later, I fully expected there to be well deserved anger and frustration in his tone.

Instead, he just told me how to fix the problem, let me know everything was going to be okay, and even, gave me back the keys and let me try again.

My earthly father, was an absolutely beautiful representation of our heavenly father!

We all make mistakes, do things he has specifically taught us not to do, and sometimes, we even repeat mistakes from our pasts.

When we do, our father is not there to condemn us. He's not there to taunt us, or to make us feel inadequate because of our short-comings. just like my dad, he is there to love us, to remind us of the way back, and to help us start over when we fall short of the people we should be.

As someone who has fallen short countless times in my life time, I can testify that repentance is real. It is real because of our elder brother, Jesus Christ. No matter how far we feel we've strayed, how many ways we feel we have sinned, or how hopeless we feel we are, we will never sink below Jesus christ' atonement, or below our eternal father's perfect love for us.

I am so grateful to have this gospel in my life. And so grateful for the forgiveness which is constantly bestowed on me from my earthly family as well as from my heavenly parents!

The church is true guys. Know it. Live it and love it, because he loves you, I promise!

Heyyy Mattie Jane.....

Today, I found a really cute, worn out little Teddy bear. It reminded me of 1st grade.. And 3rd grade..and 7th grade! You see, so many of my most amazing memories are wrapped up in that thing! Just like theyre wrapped up in songs about cantelope, and in failed sledding adventures,and in the fray and high heels, and St.. George trips, but mostly, just, in you my dearest Mattie Jane cilvia guam Irish!! Growing up by your side has been an absolute delight and a pleasure! I can't believe how much we've made it through together, and I can't wait until we are crazy old ladies! You will probably chase me around the nursing home trying to hit me with your Kane! But I wouldn't have you any other way! You will always be my 74th cousin, and one of my dearest friends in this world! And I love you!

....just sayin.....

music is a magic thing!