Skype and the Christmas Spirit.

I sit amid the Christmas tree glow and I am thinking back on this Christmas season that has now come and gone. 

The older I get, the better this season becomes.  

I may not listen for reindeer paws on Christmas Eve or wake up at the break of dawn to see if Santa came, but I KNOW the true meaning and it is in the front of my mind all season long.  Heavenly Father sent us his Only Begotten Son to come to the earth and live and atone for everyone.. including ME.  His birth was the beginning of a life that would save my life every single day.  What a wonderful holiday.  

As I was driving today the street that just yesterday was bustling with bad drivers, shopping bags, discounts, and last minute gifts was now quiet and covered with a peaceful hush.  I had just left a beautiful sacrament meeting where my nieces and nephews sang(or yelled) the beautiful words of Christmas hymns.


what followed would be a day that would leave my voice hoarse and my heart satisfied. 


This past week I had a few opportunities to give of myself and of my resources to help others have a better Christmas than they otherwise would which was the perfect thing to lead me into the day.  My heart was in the right place and ready to enjoy the true meaning.


After a perfect humble morning centered around family and the birth of Christ it was time.  
I pulled up to the familiar home where I had spent many hours at.  I walked in, comfortably, to the hospitality of the Goodfellows.  after waiting, longer than originally planned, I heard the familiar beep of skype coming from the computer room.  He was calling. I was going to see his cute smile soon.  The butterflies began to flutter faster than I thought they would.  As each couple of the family took their turn I knew mine was getting closer.  His mom came into the kitchen where I engaged in small talk with the rest of the family and told me it was my turn.  I went into the room, sat in the big computer chair, and there he was.  Looking the same as I remembered.  Handsome, Happy and Charming. We talked and talked as if we hadn't spent a day apart.  We talked of our families, friends, and futures.  


I am so proud of him and how much he has grown.  I am so grateful for the support that he gives me day in and day out.  he makes me laugh, makes me smile, makes me think, makes my testimony grow, and just makes me a better person and I am so lucky to have him in my life.  I am so glad that him and his family always invite me over for these special conversations that are really the cherry on top of my day.  
I love you bryce!  keep going... 7 MORE MONTHS (I want to say 6 but he likes to round up).

oh and..MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I hope yours was as filled with joy as mine was.

we owned the night.

as I whipped up some homemade apple fritters I thought to myself... if he was here what would we be doing?
watching our shows? getting a big daddy's pizza? renting a red box? going bowling? 
regardless what we'd be doing.. I know it would be WONDERFUL.
he always says what he misses most is just spending the night with me, a pizza, and a movie. 
and believe me-even on the most calm of nights... we OWNED THEM.  
I miss owning every single night with him. 
this country gets him for 7 MORE MONTHS! Panama don't take your time with him for granted. 

there are no words.

I looked around the room singing the words of "shadow's creep" through my tears.
these girls...these women(and a few men). 
each and everyone has imprinted upon my soul in a way that no one else has.
no friendship, no love can compare.. besides that love and friendship of my Heavenly Father.
that is the ONLY comparison I can think of. 

when I am with them I feel the most pure love I have ever felt.  

it is the PURE love of Christ coming through these amazing people I have been blessed to know.
at this Christmas party.. I thought to myself how lucky I am that the Lord believed in me enough that he sent me to Brighton to feel his love stronger than ever before.

my Brighton girls. I love you. with all of my heart. with all the love of Christ.

sad end. but a great journey

Friday afternoon, after a a movie with the family (the Muppets is amazing by the way!), we entered Rice Eccles stadium. 

coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and hand warmers. 

kick-off. from the beginning it wasn't looking good! the Utes lost...it was sad. 

but hello? I got to go to 6 wonderful games in that stadium!

I LOVED every minute of it! thank you Utes for a great season.. and lets be honest-a better season than we all expected!

GO UTES.... A UTAH MAN AM I!!!!