Christmas Eve

This year our traditions are taking a detour. If you need a refresher of all the traditions, click HERE. Instead of our normal night, our festivities are leaking into the day. You see, my grandpa is in a rehab facility and so to keep him involved we are meeting at the center. We'll do the nativity with him and then we'll go back and start the rest of the night. 

These past couple of weeks I have been thinking how truly blessed I am to have gotten to know all four of my grandparents. And the fact that they are all still living. I have taken that for granted my entire life. For 21 years, they have been there. Every step of the way. That is such a rare blessing. It hurts my heart knowing that there will come a day that I won't have living grandparents. But that is why I am grateful for my testimony. I know that I will see my family again. Isn't that just the most glorious thought? 

I wanted to keep this post short and sweet. Just wanting to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. 

These pictures are from last year. I never got them posted due to wisdom teeth removal. Also, our house looks a little different ;)

Roommates Reunited

I moved out of my apartment in April of 2014. It was a sad move but also a good move home. I was sad to say goodbye to my crazy roommates but I was excited to spend lots of time with my family.

Since I moved out, I have stayed in regular contact with Melissa, and I texted Brittani maybe five times. But two and a half years later, I saw four of my five roommates and it was as if no time had passed. We caught up with each other's lives and laughed at all the memories we had made. There are too many (some featured here on this blog) to type out.

Why did we all get together, you may ask. BRITTANI IS GETTING MARRIED!

We got together for Brittani's bridal shower and it was amazing. It is funny that we used to always joke "Ring by Spring" and now Tori is married (and has a baby), Brittani is getting married, and Camille is heading down that path. It is so exciting how our lives are changing.

Camille, Heidi, Brittani, Melissa

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert

I love the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is my dream to be in the choir (maybe one day, ha). Every year we try and get tickets to the Christmas Concert. Last year we didn't get tickets and I was so sad. So this year when we were lucky enough to get tickets, I was beyond excited. This time of year is stressful with all the holiday shenanigans and finals, but it is always worth it to sacrifice a night to go to this concert. 

I kid you not, twenty seconds into the concert, I was crying. The Spirit just filled my heart to the brim with gratitude. I felt so much love I could burst. The music was spectacular. The guest artist was amazing and funny. One of the songs sung was "Little Drummer Boy." It was just MoTab and kids dancing in the isle. Let me preface that I understood this song before Friday night. But this song took on a new meaning for me. I knew that all I have for Christ is my drum. That is it. At times I feel like my drum is broken but because it is all I have, it is enough for Him. I was in tears, again. I feel like I didn't explain that well, but that is probably because I can't explain it. It was a feeling that can't be put into words. 

I am so glad I got to share this experience with my sister and my mom.

Heidi, Jennie, Mom

Heidi, Jennie, Mom, Jordan, Leisa, Jeana, Roland

 Also, out of 21,000 people, we found my Aunt Leisa, Uncle Roland, Jordan, and Jeana! How crazy is that?

Temple Lights

My cousin Madi, who goes to school in Idaho, came to visit for Thanksgiving. This was kind of a big deal because her family lives in another state so we don't see her very often. When she comes to town, we always try and get together. We went to the temple lights the same night they were turned on. This is a big deal just because I either don't see the lights till two days before Christmas, or I don't see them at all. The lights this year did not disappoint.

Walking around temple square will always be one of my favorite things to do downtown.

Here is a list of why I love looking at the temple:

-to admire the work of our ancestors

-to remember the covenants I have made

-to remember the first time through the temple

-to count my blessings and count the temple twice

-to remember God's hand in my life

and

-to help keep an eternal perspective.

Madi, Heidi, Jennie

Selfie with the temple.

Jennie, Madi, Heidi