All I want for Christmas

This year, during the holiday season, I’ve been curious about a couple things. During this time of year, everyone seems a bit friendlier, with a demeanor less self-involved. I always wonder why this is the time of year that people are more empathetic and generous. Do we try to justify and make amends for our seemingly arrogant, selfish behavior throughout the rest of the year? This is not to say that we are not kind, with a giving essence about us at other times, but why is Christmas so significant? Is it the reminder of a belief that we hold so dear to our hearts of the birth of our Savior and the true meaning it holds for the Christmas season? Or, could it be the fact that many people have more time off work to focus on everything else much more important, which is family and friends? If you were to ask me, I would say it is a combination of both. We often times feel so frustrated, stressed out, and irritable other times of the year, and although it may not be our intention to act the way we do, I think we are just finding ways to cope. It is nice to see all the smiling faces, and the gentle nature of which we hold this time of year. It really does make the season brighter for everyone. All I want for Christmas this year is not my two front teeth, but many of the same things that everyone wants. I would love more time to spend with my family, and more time at home to enjoy the Christmas decorations that I spent an entire day putting out. If I could have any material possessions for Christmas, it would be the fabric I’ve wanted to make curtains and all the accessories for my office. The other would be a commercial stamp maker to make rubber stamps for my business. I seem to be busier than I’ve been in long time. I’m working more than ever, since I now clean homes as a side job in addition to my part-time job at the mini storage…not to mention our meetings and trainings for Primerica. This is really opposite of what I want for the time being…more time at home with family. It will have to do though, since we’ve had to struggle in a backwards economy. I will keep my head up, and always remain positive, as those days in a brighter future will come full circle. I will remain in the moment of the most wonderful time of the year. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Grateful Thoughts

I have found it difficult to keep up with the network charade of blogging, with all the events and activities that have taken much of my time. I could hold the holiday season accountable for my lack thereof, but that just wouldn’t be a respectable thing to do. After all, I do favor this time of year, as it brings me great joy. My in-laws just turned 50 this year, and we had a great time surprising them with a party involving several close friends and family. Thanksgiving was pleasant this year, with lots of food to be enjoyed several times over. I am grateful we could spend it with both sides of the family. This year was the first time we ever got up before the crack of dawn to dash to all the “early bird specials” throughout many of the department stores this year, to shop for all the special people on our list. Although there were masses of people scrambling with urgency to find all the best deals, it was a breeze for us. With the anticipation of Christmas, I was excited to begin decorating the house and putting up the Christmas tree. I had to hassle with the Christmas lights, as many of the sets we have had burned out, or only half of the sets were working. I’m happy to say that my frustration is over, the decorations are out, and the tree is proudly displaying the colors of Boise State Football. In addition to my part-time job at the mini storage, and my service to Primerica, I’m also cleaning homes as a side job to make some additional income. So, there seems to be no end to my crazy, busy life. But, I’m grateful to have a job, a roof over my head, clothes to wear, food to eat, and all the little things in life that bring me the greatest happiness.

Thanksgiving Photos

The Love of Family

It was my second trip to Salt Lake City, Utah in last two weeks, only this time, I went to visit all of my relatives on my dad’s side of the family. I traveled down there with parents, my younger sister, and her boyfriend. It reminded me of the good old days, when we used to travel as a family and the three of us girls would be cramped up in the back seat. Anyway, there were two specific events that took place while we were there for the weekend. Somehow, I neglected my camera the entire trip, even though I managed to remember to pack it with all my other belongings. So, this post will be without photos. I will do my best to paint a good picture in your minds, as you continue to read along. Upon arriving in Salt Lake, my dad had to take care of some business with a few of his clients, delivering turkeys and hams for the holiday season. We then stopped for a bite to eat at the Golden Corral. The rest of our Friday night was spent with my Aunt Laurel, Uncle Steve, their three boys, and my Grandparents. On Saturday afternoon, we headed to the church for a “Pre-Thanksgiving” dinner that consisted of Sloppy Joes, several different salads, and many desserts, all of which were enjoyed by all of the other aunts, uncles, and cousins in the family. My parents took the liberty and brought a Piñata’ filled with an assortment of candy and other various goodies for all the younger children to enjoy. The boys played a couple basketball games, and there were many laughs as we talked about memories of the past. It has been at least two years prior to this last visit that I had seen my family in Utah, and I can’t believe how much some of the cousins have changed in those two short years. My cousin Keane just returned home from his mission to Long Beach, California. It was great to see him, and even better to hear him speak in his ward on Sunday about his experiences and his testimony of the Holy Ghost and how the spirit can lift us in times of trial, and the feelings of peace it can bring to each of our lives if we are accepting of it. I’m grateful for the love of family and how it blesses my life in more ways than one.

Dream Big Outing

A couple of days ago, my husband wanted to look at one of his "dream" cars, which happens to be the Subaru STI (I know there's a fancier name for it). I would give you more details, but unfortunately, I don't know much about it...other than the fact that it has a GPS navigational system built in, and other fun gadgets to give the car more power. I think it also has about 350 horsepower. When we got to the dealership, he saw one that he just loved, which is pictured above. He wanted to take it for a test drive just for fun, to really get a good feel for it. However, the one he had his eye on was one of the floor models, so we couldn't take it out. The salesman that was helping us, took a few pictures for us, so we can look at it as often as we want to. My husband says he will own this car sometime in the near future, so we are excited about that. It will give us something to look forward to.

Too soon for the Christmas tree?

It was just a few days ago, while we were driving home when we heard the first Christmas song being played on the radio. I thought… “Isn’t it too early to be playing Christmas music?” I said to my husband… “It’s just weird, since it was only days ago that we were celebrating the scary, haunted holiday we call Halloween.” Not only that, but many of the stores we enter now have Christmas trees decorated, and the aisles are filling up fast with everything Christmas. So, I had this thought. Is it too early to be putting up our own Christmas tree? In the past few years, I’ve always started displaying the Christmas decorations shortly after Thanksgiving. After all, we are still two weeks away from that day of Thanksgiving. But with the Christmas music being played and the stores executing the ornamentation of the Christmas season, it has me very anxious to begin unpacking the Christmas boxes even earlier this year. Since we have agreed to trim the tree with everything imitating the colors of Boise State, I thought it wouldn’t be such a bad idea, since football season isn’t even over yet. I’m just not sure I want to be the first one to put up the Christmas tree. I’m curious if anybody has any thoughts or opinions. It would be nice to know if anyone else has had these same thoughts.

Business Expansion Special Event

It was another great occasion for us in the business of financial services. My husband and I had the opportunity to attend the Business Expansion Special Event in Salt Lake City, Utah over the weekend. It really was special for us, since we were recognized and promoted as District Leaders for Primerica. It was quite an uplifting feeling when we walked across the stage to receive our plaque and shake the hands of some of the top earners of the company. It made us feel good about the things we’ve already accomplished, and it was great to see our team there with us as well. We had many people taking pictures of us, but unfortunately, I don’t have any to include with this post. When I do receive those photos, I will certainly display them. The event took place at the South Towne Expo Center, and it featured Glenn Williams, who is the President of Primerica Financial Services and Mark & Sandy Yozipovic, who are Million Dollar Earners with the company. The speakers we had the privilege of hearing from really put the opportunity we have to build a business into perspective, which represented the true meaning of Team Freedom and working together as a hierarchy in what is known as “The Greatest Opportunity of Our Lifetime”. I think back on our many struggles with the business in the past, and even though we’ve had to take a few steps back in order to take a few steps forward, it has been worth it. We know that there is not another opportunity like Primerica to help us reach our goals and dreams, so with each step forward, we will savor every moment, good or bad. As we were driving home from the event, I saw a billboard on the side of the road that showed a picture of Winston Churchill with one of his quotes that read “Never, Never, Never, Give Up” Pass it on. So, I thought about that for a moment, and I began picturing myself speaking at one of the big events for Primerica, and sharing our story with the many trials we’ve persevered, and the triumphs that we have enjoyed. The statement that reads “The Greatest Opportunity of Our Lifetime” would not be such a bold statement if it were not true. I believe that with all my heart. We may not always feel like doing this business, but we do it anyway, for the sake of our family and what we want to accomplish, as well as the crusade to help the many families who are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

A Colorful Season

The signs of fall are all around us. The leaves are falling, the air is brisk, the temperatures are cooler, and the days are shorter. Many homes are displaying the ornamental decorations of fall, with pumpkins, fall wreaths, bales of hay, corn husks, and cute little scarecrows adorning the entryway. I seem to have noticed all of these changes more suddenly this year, as I have begun taking my routine walks early in the morning, just before the sun rises. It feels good to be in tune with the colors of this season we call autumn. I just happened to look down as I was walking this morning, and found a bright red maple leaf that had fallen from a nearby tree in our subdivision. I picked it up, and it just looked so perfect. I had to take it home and get a picture of it. It reminds me of our little Autumn Blaze Maple tree that we just planted a few months ago. I can hardly wait for it to produce a leaf as beautiful as this one.