Feeling Grateful

So, in the current month's Ensign (December 2011) the home teaching message, er, actually, it's really the First Presidency's message, talks about the choice to be grateful. Its a great message and I felt the need to be more grateful. So, for Family Home Evening last night James and I took the Youth's Challenge from the article. It challenges the youth to write down 100 things they are grateful for and gave a guideline to help think of things. James and I followed the guideline, each of us writing down our thoughts, then coming together to compare. This is what we came up with:

A. Ten physical abilities you're grateful for:

1. My 5 senses work; I am grateful to see.

2. I can walk; I am grateful to work on the computer.

3. I can read and write; I am grateful to be able to drive.

4. I can run; I am grateful to be able to read.

5. I can hug my husband; I am grateful to be able to sing.

6. I can play with my dog; I am grateful to be able to run.

7. I can swim; I am grateful to be able to hug my wife.

8. My body functions normally; I am grateful to be able to water-ski.

9. I can lift things; I am grateful to be able to throw a ball.

10. I can speak and sing; I am grateful to be able to give my wife kisses. :)

B. Ten material possessions you're grateful for:

1. Computer; Car

2. Books; House

3. Photographs; Clothing

4. Jewelry; TV

5. Clothing; Books

6. Shoes; Boomer

7. Decor; Tools

8. House; Food

9. Bed; Computer

10. Piano; Wedding ring

C. Ten living people you're grateful for:

1. My husband; My dad

2. Parents; My mom

3. Siblings; My wife

4. In-laws; A living Prophet

5. Extended Family; My siblings

6. Friends; In-laws

7. Ward Sisters; My co-workers

8. Grandparents; My college professors

9. Living prophets and apostles; My friends

10. Boomer (he's a person to me); Our ward

D. Ten deceased people you're grateful for:

1. Jared; Grandma and Grandpa Hall

2. Grandparents; The Savior (though, when he really thought about it, it doesn't really count. He Lives)

3. James Godson Bleak; Joseph Smith

4. President Hinckley; Sir Isaac Newton

5. Chase Hunt; George Washington

6. Aunt Louise; Brigham Young

7. Brigham Young; Lord Kelvin

8. Joseph Smith; Walt Disney

9. Passed members of the Quorum of the 12; Bishop Badger

10. Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution; Gordon B. Hinckley

E. Ten things in or about nature you're grateful for:

1. Flowers; Warmth

2. Soft green grass; Mountains

3. Trees; Grass

4. Mountains; Lakes and rivers

5. Seasons; Desert sunsets

6. Oceans; Eclipses

7. Colors; Trees

8. Animals; Colors

9. Beauty; Cacti

10. Calming ability; Javalinas

F. Ten things about today you're grateful for:

1. Coming home to a house; When I'm appreciated at work.

2. Coming home to Christmas lights; I'm grateful that I could play with Boomer.

3. Coming home to my husband; I can snuggle with my wife.

4. Coming home to my puppy; My big TV.

5. Coming home!; A warm delicious meal.

6. Friends at work; Timely use of Christmas lights.

7. Car with a heater; Friends at work.

8. Working windshield wipers; A desert rainstorm.

9. I had a lunch to eat; Sweet kisses.

10. We have jobs; Clean house.

G. Ten places on earth you're grateful for:

1. A home in Mesa; Our house.

2. A home in Elwood; The Draper Temple.

3. Temples; Bear Lake.

4. Oklahoma; BYU campus

5. Venezuela; NYC

6. My home; Venezuela

7. Provo, UT; Bear River High School.

8. Bear Lake; Mt. Lemmon.

9. Disney (Land and World); Disney Land

10. Florida; The beach

The Sealing room we were married in :) (Draper, UT Temple)

H. Ten modern inventions you're grateful for:

1. Airplanes; Internet

2. Dishwashers; TVs

3. AC/Heaters; Rockets

4. Computers; Computers

5. iPods; Cell phones

6. Cars; Jet airplanes

7. Light bulbs; Modern medical technologies

8. Pre-lit Christmas trees; Nuclear power

9. Helicopters; DVDs

10. Shape-Ups; Video Games

I. Ten foods you're grateful for:

1. Bread; Pizza

2. Chocolate; Chinese take-out

3. Peanut butter (especially mixed with chocolate!); Cold cereal

4. Fruit; Ice cream

5. Vegetables; Candy

6. Pasta; Black beans and rice

7. Mexican (some...); Steak

8. Cheeeeeese; Buffalo wings

9. French fries; Pasta

10. Meat; Cox Creamed Honey

J. Ten things about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you're grateful for:

1. Families are forever; Eternal families

2. Primary; Forgiveness through repentence

3. Relief Society; Volunteer leadership

4. The Priesthood; Fast offerings

5. Temples; Missionary program

6. The Atonement of the Savior; The Book of Mormon

7. Living Prophet; Temples

8. Same church that Christ Himself established; A ward family

9. The Restoration; A living Prophet

10. I am a child of God; The Priesthood

(It was hard to only list 10 for this section!)

We really had a great time doing this. It was fun to see us write the same things down and hear the different ones. All day today I've been thinking how I can add to this list. We are blessed so much by Heavenly Father! I feel like...was it Mormon or Moroni that said something like, "This isn't even a hundredth part"? I feel like this list of 100 things doesn't even scratch the surface of how many blessings I have in my life. I need to do these exercises more often. They're humbling and motivate me to be a better "thanker." Is that even a word? :) I want to be thankful more is what I mean :) So, thank YOU for reading this blog post :)

Christmas Spirit Abounding

A few of the things we've done to get into the Christmas Spirit :)

We decorated the house! We got a few more lights this year and added the little trees on the left. The cacti decor is done by our neighbor. He's done it the past 2 years :)

I acquired some new ornaments this year from different events. 

These are from an exchange I went to here in my ward. Cute stuff!

These are the ornaments I made. Fun, but very time consuming!

 

 I went to an ornament party with friends from our previous ward and made this lovely couple.

The ward Relief society dinner/program was amazing. I wish I'd gotten pictures of how the gym had been decorated. It was beautiful. The night was filled with the Spirit, beautiful Christmas music sung by different groups of ladies, and the food was delicious! It was even served to us by the young men and High Priests group. It was really fun. This is the ornament we got from the dinner. It's a clear glass ball with a Nativity scene inside.

This one was for fun :)

A little background story before going a little further.

An unexpected tragedy occurred to the Hunt family in our ward three days before Thanksgiving. Their 16month old son Chase passed away unexpectedly in an accident at their home. He was airlifted out to the hospital where he lived for one more day, passing on November 23rd. We'd been fasting all day that day and it was heart-breaking to hear the news. (James and I were just 10 minutes away from arriving at my parent's house when we received the news. I cried to my mother. She of all people could empathize with Brooke Hunt. It was very sobering. My brother, his wife and three daughters were also at my Mom's house for the holiday. I picked up my little 11month old niece and just gave her a hug. Life can be so fragile sometimes. While at home I reflected a little more on my own brother's death and mom let me read his journal. My heart ached for both my mom and Brooke because now I felt like I knew a tiny piece of what Brooke was going through. My mother's journal entry was very hopeful though as she shared her knowledge of families are forever. I'm so grateful we have this knowledge! Families are forever!)

Sorry for the brief interlude by myself there. I just had those thoughts in my head that I didn't want to forget :)

Chase's memorial service was held on Monday, November 28th. Our hearts just ached for this family. Not a dry eye existed as Justin Hunt himself carried in the casket (home-made by one of their family members). Encouraging talks by the Stake presidency were given and a poem was read by Chase's grandma. Then the Hunts (Justin, Brooke, Tailor, Porter and Paige) got up and sang "I Am A Child of God." Brooke said that was the song the Chase was sung to sleep to. Then she and Justin spoke which I personally thought was amazing. She shared all of Chase's accomplishments, travels, personality quarks, personal quotes from him...basically his entire life. She is an amazing woman. To be able to stand and do that...I know that the Lord was truly watching out for her and strengthening her. It won't happen over night but she will make it through with the Lord's help. Peace can only come from Him.

One of our other friends in the ward (who is actually home taught by James and was visit taught by Brooke), Sara Castillo, decided to put on a huge yard/garage sale where all the proceeds would go directly to the Hunt family. It was Saturday (12/10/11) and it was HUGE! It filled 3 driveways! SO MUCH stuff was donated for this sale. So many RS sisters came and helped, gave their time and service. We started setting up at 6am (it was dark and frigid too!) and the sale went from 7am to about 12:30pm. There was also a bake sale there with lots of delicious yummyness and hot chocolate. A few of the sisters had also hand made packets of greeting cards to be sold there. I think 310 cards were made and 3/4 was sold (at least that's the last I heard - all of them could've gone! I'm not sure.) We started shutting down the sale at 12 and Sara and I started counting. Just in paper currency and checks we were sixty-five dollars short of $4000!!! So she went out to see if there was any residual sales. People heard how close we were and they started giving more! People were wonderfully generous! I was amazed! During the sale people were charged, for example, seven dollars but they would give a $20 and said "Keep the change." It was so awesome! At around 12:30 we had just in paper currency, check and coin, $4001. IT. WAS. A. MIRACLE. But that isn't all!

Before the official yard sale day, there was an online auction going on and it had made $600.

So the grand tally of the sale was

$4600!!!

But, that's not all! Some of the things not sold at the yard sale will still be sold online.

Hunt family, you're an example of strength and service and we love you.

May the Lord continue to bless you and strengthen you.

For me personally this was a very good thing. I haven't had that strong of a testimony of Relief Society or Visiting Teaching since moving to Tucson. I was put into Primary right away and it felt like I could never relate to the sisters in the ward because I wasn't in RS or I don't have any children to talk about when we're all together. But yesterday showed me that I can relate to them completely. I may not be a mom yet but I can serve with them and help them. I've made a promise to myself to be a better visiting teacher because I can never know when one of the sisters will  need me and my help. My testimony has been strengthened of Relief Society. This is the first real opportunity I've had to witness the "relief" part of it. The Lord's been with the Sisters of Sahuarita. Whether collectively or personally he's been here. I'm so thankful that I was blessed to be here. I'm so thankful that I have the knowledge of the restored gospel in my life. I am so thankful to have a family forever. I'm so thankful to have a Savior who made it all possible with His life and example.

Merry Christmas

November (This post is a month long)

November. How do I describe you...you've been an interesting month to say the least. I would say..."emotional" would suit you but I hesitate to use that word because of connotations associated with it. How about "poignant"? Yes, I like that word. Lots of memorable moments that have affected ours and others' lives.

On November 14th, we received the sad news of Grandpa Gordon Hall's passing. I didn't know him as well as the rest of my Hall side did but I considered him just as much my Grandpa as anyone. I'll always treasure the night that James and I got to spend with him and Jean up on their farm summer 2010. We saw the all the new construction on the farm, saw the cows milked and the baby cows outside, slept in the upper room where James' dad and uncles slept and heard lots of fun stories. My parents got to meet him at James' and I's wedding and they just loved him. He was humorous and amiable and fun to be around. James said he remembered Grandpa best by how caring he was. He will be missed but loved and remembered always.

Gordon & Zelma Hall

November 17th 2011 - A day that forever changed the life of James Boehme Hall. He forever left the ages that began with a two and is officially, (well, his opinion of officially) OLD. James turned the big 3-0!

James was going to be out of town on his birthday so the weekend before I surprised him with a nice dinner (Red beans and rice, fresh green beans and pork chops) and a cake! He wasn't too thrilled with his cake though...

Dear James, you're not old sweetheart. You're still very young at heart and I love you so much! And turning 30 is a fun thing because now you can say you're 29 forever! :)

The reason James was out of town on his birthday because my father took all his sons to the LA car show! My brother, Jason, and his family came into town for Thanksgiving and to start off their vacation, the Brinkle boys voted for a boys only trip to LA for the car show. Even though it was on his birthday, James happily obliged going along. Who doesn't like going to the car shows???!!! It's been a Brinkle family tradition for as long as I can remember. I remember my Papa, my father and Jason going when we were younger. I've even gone to a few myself. They're a blast! Long day, but fun.

They started off Boys Only by doing Go Carts! They topped that off with Buffalo Wild Wings and football watching.

Theeeennn, to top that off, they went hot tubbin!

Don't you think inviting girls would've been fun?

The next day was the actual car show. I would love love love to show all the cars they saw but that would be a very long list. So I picked some favorites:

Blake Griffin car - he was Sooner (OU) basketball player. Boomer!

This is Tanner Foust, the guy on Team HotWheels who broke a world record jump at the Indy 500 this year. Open the link below to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SjX7A_FR6g&feature=related

 They certainly had a blast :) Jealous!

While the boys were off having fun at the car show, my mom, sister-in-law and three nieces were supposed to come visit Tucson. But alas, the season's sickness spell came upon the girls and they were unable to come down. No worries - I went up! Because they were sick we weren't able to do a whole lot outside of being at our house but it was great to see them and spend time with them. We colored and went to the park and played with the puppies and went for walks.

 When the boys got home with had a double birthday party for Michelle and James. Michelle turned 03 and James turned 30. Holly was very creative and came up with the idea for the birthday cakes. Then we went to town decorating them. I then taught them the wonderful Hall tradition of Heavy Heavy Hang-over with their birthday presents. Michelle liked that :) James had a mildly better reaction to his second cake too.

Michelle's Cherry cake (per request)

The awesome decorators of Michelle's cake

The birthday kids

Rocket Man's cake decorated by the honorable Holly

 

 

Heavy heavy hang-over thy poor head, what do you wish with a ::bonk:: on your head?

Unfortunately we (James and I) had work the 21st-23rd so we had to come home. So we worked and then did stuff around our house like laundry and decorate for Christmas! (Pictures of that in future post - the decor not laundry)

Thanksgiving day was a pretty day! We cooked and ate and played ping pong. It was wonderful :)

Food Babies

PIE!!! Look at that mongo Pumpkin pie!

James kept the girls entertained :)

Friday all the adults went to a morning session at the Mesa Temple. Its a special moment for a mother to have all her children in the temple at one time :) Right Mom?

Saturday we had family portraits taken at the temple.

After pictures we went to a park up in Chandler. It has a name...but we just call it the Train Park because it has a train you can ride in around the park :)

Marli and Michelle got to ride in the animal cart :)

That Merry-Go-Round was down right scary (and very very dizzying)

 

 

 

Decorating for Christmas at Mammy's

Helping Mammy

Marli helped me decorate the hutch. Good job on those snowflakes!

My red-neck family moment...see video

My parent's house. Good job boys!

River of lights

Last but not least, we had Christmas early at my Mom's house so that we could have it all together. We did something different and themed our Christmas "All Eyes Toward Home." So our gifts were fitted to that theme. Jason and Holly did "home based" gifts, giving James an etcher and a magnetic wrist band to hold nails or screws while tinkering. I got beautiful dishes with "Halls" in vinyl. Jason used his creativity to make Jordan a key holder out of legos. It was really shnazzy looking :) James' and I's gifts were "home made." I made a book for my parents that had the words of the family proclamation with pictures to go with the words. I made Jason and Holly a date bucket (thedatingdivas.com) where they can pull from a slew of ideas for their date nights. I gave them enough dates that they could do something different every Friday for a whole year! I also made Marli and Michelle rag dolls. My mom is making Holly and I wall hanging quilts and then she put together an entire Family History for Jason and I. Huge 2inch 3ring binders of where our lineage is from on our side. It was awesome! I think I really liked having a theme because it made our gifts more meaningful and memorable.

Well, congratulations - You made it to December. Thank you for putting up with my lack of blogging than slamming the blog with a post that takes me 3 hours to make. It's much appreciated :) Until next time!