The first gift of Christmas

Do you know what the first gift of Christmas was? Well, if any of you have ever read the book The Christmas Box, you might know what I'm talking about. I read that book this weekend, and that was one of the main points, I felt anyway, that the book was making. The first gift of Christmas was the gift of the Savior coming to the world. What a precious gift from a loving Father. And that's really what it comes down to - a gift of our Heavenly Father's love. The book goes on to make the point that a parent's love is one of the greatest gifts that can be given. And by love, it really means time.

This has caused me to think on this point a bit. Obviously, I'm not a parent. But I have many important people in my life. Do they understand how much I care? Do I make it clear that they are important to me? Do I make spending time with the people I care about a priority in my life? Or do I put it off, thinking that I'll do that tomorrow? Actions definitely speak louder than words. I know that I feel that in reverse. If people put forth an effort to spend time with me, even if it's just a few minutes here and there, I feel that they care.

So that's one thing I'm going to work on - making the relationships in my life a priority.

My quest....

Well, Thanksgiving came and went in somewhat of a blur, but it was very nice. I was not only deeply appreciative to have a few days off work, but glad to reflect on many of the great things I have been given in my life, hang out with family and friends, eat good food, etc. etc. This now brings us officially into the holiday season with Christmas just around the corner. And for some strange reason, time continues to fly. The last couple of years, everything just goes by so quickly and it almost doesn't seem like Christmas at all. So this year, I'm going to try to start at the beginning of the season and I have a quest.

Now I'm seeking comments from you - whoever you are. I really want to make this season feel like Christmas - to really feel the Christmas spirit. This, of course, is really the Spirit of Christ. So what do you do to help yourself draw closer to the Savior and feel the true meaning of why we have this special time of year? I would love any input. Like I said, I'm going to try some things on my own, and I may just blog about them as I go along. We'll see how it goes.

P.S. - One thing I know will help is some cold weather. So if any of you out there are hoping for no snow, just stop it right now. :)

A Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. . . .

.... No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. . . .

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Okay, so that's not the whole thing, but that comes from the Proclamation of Thanksgiving. Who knew there was such a thing? But I really love that Abraham Lincoln invites us to express our gratitude to our "beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens". I know that He has blessed me immensely, and I definitely have a lot to be grateful for. I hope we all take a minute to remember just where all our many blessings come from. May everyone travel safely and partake of much good food! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Who can see it? Who can? First one just may get a prize. Maybe. Okay, I realize that I'm writing this post in frustration. But I think that some people don't really believe the stories that I tell about some roommates (or one). So I'm documenting it. (Don't you worry, this is not a first occurrence). But not even kidding, I walk out of my room tonight and into the living room, and this is what I see. Does anyone notice the random pair of shoes sitting in the MIDDLE of the living room. Right in the middle of where people walk. This is somewhat typical. I am so sick of it. What amazes me, is that usually when things are left, it's as she's walking into her room. Why on earth is it so difficult to keep your shoes on for 15 more feet and take them off in your room instead of in the living room? Why? I am just simply and utterly bewildered. And extremely annoyed.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

So, I know I haven't posted in a while. Sorry about it. Nothing much to report honestly. My life is not all too exciting. So much so that my post today is actually about being sick. Yup, that's how I spent most of today. Feeling like this. I don't know if it's the flu. I'm achy all over. Pretty sure I've had a fever most of the day. And when I woke up, my throat felt like it was closed off. I actually stayed home from church and slept through the entire morning. Which brings up my point of why do we do this to ourselves? Am I the only one that has an absolute hard time "calling in sick"? Okay, I know today was church, but actually giving myself a break from something to try and recooperate when I'm feeling sick, it rarely happens. Does it have something to do with our society? We're such workaholics. But at the same time, what's going to happen if we don't take care of ourselves? Very good question. So, if anyone can answer me why I do this to myself, please let me know. And then we can all wonder - If I wake up tomorrow feeling like I am now, what are the chances that I'll call in sick to work.......

Deer Hunt Weekend

As is tradition in the Rowley family, many or most of us travel home when that special time of year comes around again. That's right. The deer hunt. :) What can I say, it really is a family tradition. I remember very well back in the day when my grandpa would come down and my uncles and cousins. We would all sleep in the living room in sleeping bags and very early, the hunters would go out and attempt to add to our food supply for the coming winter. Needless to say, there aren't quite as many of us that come anymore, but all of us that can still come home for the event. While the boys go out hunting, the rest of us stay home and hang out. It was such a fun weekend and so nice to just leave Provo and everything else behind for a few days. I wish it could have lasted a little longer, but I enjoyed the time we had. So here are a few pictures.

The hunters - Dad (In the background), Daniel, Kevin, and Trent. So far, Daniel and Trent were both able to get deer. My brother Brian did as well, but him and Greg were hunting in a different part of the state.
Playing with Steven on the tramp. He loved bouncing!Grandma and Hayley making cookies. I thought this was just really cute. Hayley is definitely developing quite the personality. She just makes me laugh. *Disclaimer: I did get pictures of my other nieces and nephews there, but they're on my parents camera in Richfield.

And, just in case those of you who read my post on "the 8's" and didn't really believe what I was looking foward to, here you go. Mom's strawberry rhubarb pie. Ah...... it's just heaven.

Yup, it tasted pretty good! :)

Wrong Era?

So, sometimes I think that maybe I was born in the wrong time period. And I'm not thinking I should have been born in Jane Austin's time or anything like that. Just probably about 50 or 60-ish yrs earlier. What can I say. I pretty much love the music of that time. The old standards - the classics I call them. You know, the greats like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., etc. I think you get the picture. Well, last weekend (Oct 11th), I was able to go with two of my friends and my parents to the show "The Rat Pack". It's a Broadway touring show that is if you were at a live concert of the Rat Pack back in the day. And for those of you who are't familiar, the Rat Pack is Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. (Okay, there were 2 others that people don't really know). Talk about such a fun time. We totally loved it!!!!

Here's a picture of the guy that was playing Frank Sinatra. (Shhh... we weren't supposed to take pictures...)

Hilary, Annie, and me after the concert.

Hope

Wikipedia defines hope as "a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of despair, wanting, wishing, suffering or perseverance - i.e., beliving that a better or positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary."

Okay, yes, I know it's Wikipedia, but I like what it says. Today and tomorrow are General Conference, and what a great opportunity to listen to what the Lord has to tell us through the prophets and apostles that He has called.

In the two sessions today, there is a theme that really stuck out to me. That is of faith and hope. President Uchtdorf stated that we need to make hope a more active part of our lives.

I've noticed lately that sometimes I struggle with that. In my line of work, I see a lot of the worst that society has to offer. I see many people that have lost hope because of their own decisions or decisions of others that have caused them to suffer. I have to admit that sometimes I feel despair and wonder about humanity and just think that the bad is starting to overtake everything. But there were so many things today that spoke to my heart and reassured me that there is a reason to hope. And also of how aware the Lord is of us and always with us. I love when Elder Holland said that the latter-days are not a time to fear and tremble. It is a time to be believing. And in order to have that faith and be believing, I have to do what Elder Andersen said, that "Faith is not just a feeling. It is a decision." Elder Holland also said to take heart and be filled with faith. The Lord has said that he will fight our battles. What a great re-assurance that I'm not in this fight alone. None of us are. Satan is not going to triumph. And why? Because of the greatest hope of all. "The hope that transcends the trivial. The hope of Israel."

My greatest hope is in Jesus Christ. The hope that things are all going to work out okay. The hope that people can change and heal. The abiding trust that God will fulfill his promises to us. As Elder Uchtdorf said, "Hope teaches us there is a reason to rejoice, even when all seems dark around us." And that's how I feel right now. The world has been seeming like a very dark place. But I've been reminded of The Light that chases away all darkness. And that hope and that knowledge is enough.

"...I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." (D&C 84:88)

Crazy 8's - the tag that is

Okay, well, Jenny tagged me with this one. So let's see...

8 TV shows that I love to watch:
1 - The Office
2 - Chuck
3 - Bones
4 - Psych
5 - Private Practice
6 - Friends
7 - Gilmore Girls
8 - BYU Football (Especially when they win. Which is a lot right now!!!!)

8 Favorite Restaurants
1 - Costa Vida
2 - Olive Garden
3 - Winger's
4 - Mimi's Cafe
5 - Chili's
6 - California Pizza Kitchen
7 - Tucano's
8 - I love New York Pizza (It's in Albany)

8 Things that happened yesterday
1 - Went to work
2 - Was amazed by some of the really stupid decisions some teenagers make
3 - Tended 4 of my nieces and nephews
4 - Went to a birthday party for a friend
5 - Stayed up too late
6 - Got my finger cut and bruised in a sword fight (yes, it's still swollen)
7 - Laughed when people didn't understand and gave me funny looks when I told them about #5
8 - Got new play therapy toys in the mail

8 Things that I am looking foward to
1 - Christmas season! (I know, maybe a little lame. But I really am)
2 - More fall-like weather
3 - General Conference
4 - Eating strawberry-rhubarb pie the next time I go home
5 - Someday (hopefully) feeling like I actually sort of know what I'm doing as a therapist
6 - Going to Wicked again in April!
7 - To someday have my own place where there aren't four of the same items all over the place, and to know that any mess that is made is by me or someone I chose to live with
8 -Eating some good food today.

8 Things on my wish list
1 - To get married (if you want me to be honest anyway)
2 - Go to Italy
3 - Go to Disneyland again really soon. :)
4 - To get to see all my cool family more often!
5 - To be done with roommates (Although I really do like some roommates!)
6 - To attend a Michael Buble concert (and sit real close!)
7 - To not get sick when flying (yeah right, but as long as I'm wishing...)
8 - To have more opportunities to sing. I don't have a lot of those right now.

8 People I Tag (uh....)
1 - Holly
2 - Emily Roundy
3 - Lori
4 - Emily West
5 - Bonnie
6 - Tiffany
7 - Hilary (One of those roommates I like :)
8 -Audri

It begins again...

And so it goes, that the end of September brings about the beginning anew of some of our favorite shows. :) Tonight was the premier of The Office. I love this show! Seriously. If you don't believe me, here's a picture of our Christmas tree 1 1/2 yrs ago.

It was a good premier. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the show again. This show just totally makes me laugh. And just because, I'm going to throw on a picture of Pam and Jim. :)

And then, there are other shows. Blasted TV. It kind of sucks me in. Okay. I really only have a few favorite shows. The next one that I'm most excited about --- Chuck!

I don't know if any of you are really familiar with this show. It was new last year. It's on NBC. For some reason, I totally love it.

I know. Pretty sad that this is currently the highlight of my life. But, my world can be complete again with my Jim and Chuck crushes to carry me through. Happy watching!