Merry Christmas!

Jeremy and I sure enjoyed our time with family this Christmas! And here's a plethora of pictures to prove it!

The kids opening their presents and playing with their toys!

(Poor Landon wasn't feeling too well that morning. Later that night they discovered it was pink eye. So sad.)

Little baby Emery is such a doll! Just ask Jeremy...

I hope he caught some of the baby fever! :)

We all enjoyed a very yummy Christmas brunch! Thanks Mom!

(I got this shirt for Emery at Target for only $1! It was a little tight but how can you pass up a deal like that?! It says "My First Christmas" - so cute!!)

Christmas is exhausting! :)

Later that night my dad had a Christmas party at the mortuary. (Sounds weird, right? Not for us! But next year I think he should have it decorated like The Nightmare before Christmas!)

More love for Emery! :)

We hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

the true meaning of Christmas

'for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy...

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For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

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And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

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Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

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And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

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And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

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And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

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But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.'

Luke 2:10-19

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"If we are to have the very best Christmas ever, we must listen for the sound of sandaled feet. We must reach out for the Carpenter’s hand. With every step we take in His footsteps, we abandon a doubt and gain a truth.
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It was said of Jesus of Nazareth that He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Do we have the determination to do likewise? One line of holy writ contains a tribute to our Lord and Savior, of whom it was said, He “went about doing good … ; for God was with him.”
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My prayer is that at this Christmas season and all the Christmastimes to come, we may follow in His footsteps. Then each Christmas will be the best Christmas ever."

- President Thomas S. Monson

{The Best Christmas Ever}

Ho Ho Ho!

I had a jolly good time taking the boys to see Santa.

And I just love this picture . . .

Just before we got there, I taught them how to say "Ho Ho Ho" just like Santa. It was very cute! And I was so shocked that they didn't cry when I put them on his lap! It was so much fun!

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I just love this quote about Santa:

"I want to emphasize that I have no quarrel with that well fed gentleman with the red suit and white whiskers. He was very generous to me when I was a boy, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to his visit at our home. All of those things with reference to Christmas are appropriate and good and all of them are for children, except, I suppose, the mistletoe."

- Elder Boyd K. Packer

[from A Christmas Treasury]

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Happy Holidays!

Pinning Ceremony

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

It was a great night! I was the second person pinned, so it got a little boring once I sat down. Luckily I had my best friend from nursing school beside me, so we had a good time. It's a good thing we were in the very back row!

(I really don't like this picture of me, but it's the only decent one I have of actually getting pinned. I was frustrated because she was pinning the ribbon on backwards. (The words face OUT lady!) I spent a good majority of next hour trying to get the pin on right!)

The "Lighting of Candles" ceremony. It was pretty cool! Except for the fact that we were all supposed to blow out our candles at the same time. It didn't really work out that great. :)

My nursing school BFF - Allison. She helped make nursing school tolerable! We had a fun and humorous two years together!

My sweet hubby and the pink roses he brought me! He made me feel so special!

The end of a very long two years!

I just want to say that I am so grateful for all the wonderful support I received the past few years. First and foremost, for my Father in Heaven. He has helped me every single step of the way and I'm so grateful for His love and guidance. Second, for my sweet husband and his never-ending love and support. (I'm pretty sure nursing school was more exhausting for him than it was for me.) And last but not least, for the support (both emotionally and financially) of my family and friends. Thanks to everyone who helped me along the way! I couldn't have done it alone!

And now... for a special treat!

(Thanks Tammy!)

I chose...

{more details to come later!}

please help! I need your vote!

This is kind of last minute, but I need some help! Tonight is the pinning ceremony (for nursing school graduation) and I can't decide what to wear.

We have to wear black and/or white. I have two possibilities, but I'm way to indecisive to pick one. Here are the choices:

A black and white print from White House Black Market:

Or this simple, black dress from Banana Republic:

(it's knee length)

(it's hard to tell, but it criss-crosses in the front.)

Please vote on the poll to the right. Thanks!

I'm baaaaack!!!

Sorry I've been so neglectful! I've just been so busy! I have lots to report...

Time to play catch up!

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Last week some of my family came into town and we had so much fun! I got to take a couple days off work and go to Disneyland with them. We had a great time! Here's a few highlights in pictures...

My first ride of the day! My mom and I shared a seat. It was a little tight. Well, maybe more than a little. We had a hard time getting out after the ride was over! We were kind of wedged in there. :)

Ted, Kristy and Carson

On the matterhorn! Me, Mom, Carson, Ted, Meg (hidden) and Kristy.

I got to ride with Carson on Autopia! He is so sweet and so much fun!

Waiting in line for It's a Small World. Meg and Carson are so cute!

Grandma Kay and Meg on It's a Small World. (Grandma's favorite ride!)

I just love that look of awe and wonder! Too cute!

Our very own pretty princess!

Showing off her jewels Grandma Kay bought for her!
This picture is one of my favorites! I made that flower clip for Meg and she wore it all morning. It made me so happy!
Nevermind. This is my favorite! The kids held hands as they rode in their strollers next to each other. It was so darn cute! I loved how sweet they were together!

The whole gang! Minus the photographer. (me!)

And Jeremy got to join us on Friday night! Yay!

I love Disneyland! Thanks to everyone for letting me tag along! It was so much fun!

On Monday the 8th, I finished my preceptorship! It's such a relief to be done! I had a wonderful preceptor. She was so kind and patient. I will always be grateful to her for putting up with me.

Last Wednesday, I had my LAST final (it was a general ed class). It's so awesome to think that that might be the last final I ever take! That is, if I don't go back to school to get my bachelor's or master's later on. Never say never, right?

On Thursday, I got my first call to attend a birth with the midwife! It was so awesome! The mom gave birth with no epidural or pain medication and it was amazing! I love that I'll be able to have experience with both hospital and out of hospital births. Anyway, I can't wait to go to my next birth! I get the chills when I see a baby being born. I just love it!

Coming up next week is the pinning ceremony for the nursing program. Pictures and video (hopefully!) to come!

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Phew!