Mary's Little Child

This is a season which is my favorite of the year. It is a time that I reflect on my feelings of the Savior and his ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

But these last few days I have been thinking about Mary, his mother.

I wonder how she felt as she wrapped the babe in swaddling clothes and laid him down. How did she feel as people came and spoke of angels visiting them and proclaiming the arrival of her son.

What an amazing thing it must have been for her to gaze into his eyes and know he is the Son of God. To know of the greater mission he was born to fulfill and the lives he would forever change. At the same time I wonder if she was praying for constant guidance to help teach Jesus the lessons of love and forgiveness he would in turn teach in his later years.

Mary was a perfect example of a woman I would like to become. She never questioned God and her part in his plan, but she accepted it fully.

She showed obedience and faith in God.

When Christ was found teaching in the temple at the age of 12, when she found him she wasn't angry with him but simply asked him why he stayed behind and accepted his answer when he stated he was doing his Father's business.

She showed patience and understanding.

And then we come to Christ's death she was there... How hard this must have been for her.

She showed love and forgiveness.

Yes, she is a wonderful example of the woman I would like to become.

Friends

Day 26 - What do you think about your friends?

When I think of all the friends that I have had in my life, so many faces and memories run through my head. And I realize just how many people I have gotten to know over time and just how lucky of an individual I am to call them friend.

One of my earliest memories of friendship was a touching one - one that I reflect upon often. I had this friend named Stephanie and I was talking to her about going to church and being in Primary. That was when I found out that she wasn't a member of the same church that I was and therefore I thought that meant the friendship must end. I remember crying all the way home and my mother promptly asking what happened.

I informed her of Stephanie's religion and explained how I thought it meant we couldn't be friends anymore. I know that my mother could have laughed and just told me to grow up or something... :) But she didn't.....

Instead, she pulled me over to the table and sat me down and explained that it doesn't matter what religion, race or lifestyle a person was - as long as they treated me well then they were true friends. I happily went to school the next day and explained everything to Stephanie and apologized - we happily held hands as we ran into class and things were great!

At a young age, my mother knew the importance of what a true friend should be to me and taught me what to look for. I know that my family and some friends would agree that I have not always picked the best friends, but I believe that there is good in everyone. Sometimes it is through some strong and bitter walls that you have to help peel off or break down before you see the person that individual can really become or who they are deep down inside.

I know the importance of friends and how they can be the support one needs just to hold themselves together.

I know that friends quickly forgive and love us even when we make childish mistakes.

I know that friends will really tell us exactly what we need to hear - even when it is hard.

I know that friends shape us into better individuals and teach us things about ourselves that we didn't know or couldn't see.

I know that I am grateful for the friends I have made over the years and I hope that as they see me, my friends will be proud of the individual they helped shape over the years.

Museum? No, I went to the NEWSeum!

So, I attended a members only Open Vault night at the Newseum. It was so much fun! I wish that I would have taken my camera because some of the displays were amazing and hilarious!

The event welcomed the new CEO of the museum and it was a fond farewell to the old. They had cheese and dessert bars and quite a few people! Of the museum only three (3) levels where open but the set up of the actual museum allows you to see a tad bit above and below you.

I saw a moose character head that was used in an SNL skit. I saw a DOW Jones scroll from the day that President Kennedy was shot. It was pretty neat to see part of the Berlin wall that is on display there as well although I couldn't actually stand in front of it (it was below us).

My favorite part of the night was viewing the Pulitzer Prize photograph gallery. The story behind how the image was captured by the photographer was just as amazing as the image itself. Some of the pictures brought tears to my eyes and others feelings of an overwhelming sense of gratitude for where I live and what I have.

After checking things out my friend and I decided it was time to grab a bite to eat. He had been wanting to try out this Mexican place up the street a little bit and I was all game! Little did I know what an interesting place it would turn out to be!

On the menu they had fried pork belly, grasshoppers, tongue, sushi and other delightful choices. We ended up trying a stuffed pepper, fried pork belly, tongue and a delicious mushroom taco! I am sooo tempted to get the grasshoppers - but I ended up chickening out at the last minute! OH well - there is always a next time, maybe when the parents come for a visit... he he he....

It was a fantastic night and I can't wait to go back to the Newseum to check out the other exhibits!

Mary Poppin's Bag...

Day 25 - What is in your wallet/purse?

Ha ha! There are some days when this would have made me laugh because I have so many things in there that I would just pass this question right over. BUT - lucky for those reading I actually cleaned out my bag and so the list is short! :)

** Wallet - checks, cards, license, cash (very little and surprised to find it).
** Burt Bee's Chapstick
** (3) Three different types of lipgloss
** Aspirin
** (4) Pens
** Keys

That's it! I know super exciting, let me tell ya! Next post will be about my recent adventure to the Newseum!

I'm Thankful For:

This year I am very thankful for friends that made the big hole in my heart a little smaller Thanksgiving day.

I made my first turkey this year - with many phone calls to my mother - and it turned out wonderfully! I also made three pies, stuffing and an appetizer. I hosted the dinner at my house and had eight people in the same situation I am in join me.

I couldn't believe the mountain of food that showed up! We had enough food to feed a small army! :)

After we stuffed ourselves full - we took a break and had a fun time talking, playing games and enjoying each other's company. Then we decided it was time to jump into the holiday spirit with "Elf" and tried out the delicious pies. This year I made the traditional pumpkin pie, blueberry pie and an apple pie. They were delicious!

Getting excited to eat!

Food - Food - Food!!

The table is always beautifully decorated at home, so I wanted to continue the tradition.

Carving of the turkey

Let the feast begin!

The "kiddie" table

Alzheimer's Walk 2011

I am playing a little catch up on a couple of things. The first is completing my fourth walk to end Alzheimer's.

Working in the place that I do, I see the effects of this terrible disease on a daily basis. I have watched family members struggle to understand why their loved one doesn't understand they aren't a child anymore. I have seen as an individual as slowly forgotten how to walk and eat - it really is a terrible disease.

Without fail this walk always brings a tear or two into my eyes as I see the crowds of people walking for the same cause I am.

This was a beautiful day for a walk and we had a GREAT team! We raised a total of $850!!! I was so proud of the team! We also had eight walkers, although a couple ended up getting a stomach bug and couldn't join us on the actual walk.

I am so grateful to all of those who supported me with this. I know that this is making a difference in the fight!

Speaking of fight - I had the song, "Eye of the Tiger" in my head the whole time and since I only know the one line sang it over and over! Most likely annoying the other walkers! :)

Here are a few shots from the walk!

At the beginning totally pumped to walk the 3 miles!

Lots of people joined us this year!

So excited!!

We reached the halfway mark - lost half of our team, but still going strong!

I'm Happy!!!

I can't pinpoint why - but today I woke up and I was just sooo happy!

I feel cute, I am listening to Christmas music, I love my job, I have awesome friends and I am just one happy girl! :)

It's going to be a great day!