Thankful for ...

It's Sunday. Turkey day was almost four days ago - yet the last four days have just reaffirmed what I am grateful for.

1. Tyson. He has been so wonderful the last four days. With the big move in hand, it's like he knows we need to spend time with family.

2. Family. Duh right? But get this, I got to work out with Jael and Julio. Go to church with 80% of my family. Have delicious meals. Giggle really loud during sacrament and make wonderful memories - with who else, but family. God was smart to make the family unit the number one cornerstone to society.

3. Income. Heavenly Father has always provided for us. He is truly aware of our needs.

4. Primerica.

5. Good friends.

6. The Gospel.

7. A warm bed.

8. A good laugh.

9. Mentors and heroes.

10. Next year.

I realized that through our happy meetings these last couples of days, someone, somewhere will never has a 2010. I'm grateful for that chance.

11. Colorado (more to come later ...)

This year we had just our family over, but we still set the table as if it was for kings. We spent much needed time with Julio and walked him through his first break up. We went to church as a family, we loved as a family, heck we even argued as a family. Mom provided such a warm home for movies, games, laughs. Sometimes - while chasing massive succes .... look around and see the success you have in your hands. Family is something that money can't buy.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Surrendered

I attended. Have you? Melynda treated me to the big opening night - I was just not quite ready for the masses of love struck girls and women. Now let me just say 12:30 pm is very early - specially for me, but I went. We had great seats (thanks to Mandy) and I just took it in.

***Disclaimer: I have not, again NOT read any of the books or even watched the FIRST movie. So I turned out to be the lame friend that kept asking questions during the whole movie.


My conclusion on the whole Twiglight saga?

Bella - cute but man she is obsessive
Edward - WAY too skinny. No love connection and not that great.
Jake - HOT HOT HOT. Why is she picking Edward again?

Christmas in November?

Wow this year all the Christmas prep is coming soo0 fast. For the first time I have this need to create a great holiday. I read a book called "Debt Proof Your Holidays" and it really got me thinking. Mind you I have never gone into debt for Christmas, but the book talked a lot more about why we get ourselves into debt - to make up for the lack of fullfilling experiences due to our rushed holiday time. Isn't true though? We work long hours, it's dark, we don't want to go out, we want to eat .... and so we put off and put off and put off and end up doing so much last minute shopping that we run out of time. Result: Overspent, overworked and no fullfiling memories of the season. This was me last year. Tyson and I were so busy that we just did not enjoy it. We did not plan anything so we were bored. I did not overspend but I was not careful either.

I resolved to not let that happen again.

So here was my game plan:

1. Plan Christmas budgets and gift ideas WAY in advance (for me it was October 1st)
2. Have all gifts bought by December 1st. Why? Because I will eliminate my last minute shopping frenzy and the nigths I do have off - I want to spend them doing memorie-filled activities. Plus I am working more so I have less time.
3. Get family exchanges sorted out before November. I got both my families and Tyson's family exchange sorted our and planned by November 1st.
4. Plan activites that are simple but meaningful. Tyson and I put up our Christmas tree up last night. I know it's crazy, but man it was fun. We already have 10 gifts under the tree. Stree level is very low and we get to enjoy it longer.
5. When we are off - plan activities that are cheap.Some examples are - get 24 Christmas stories from the Library and read a short story everynight. Do one service project during the next two months as a family.


On another note, I am excited for a little Thanksgiving activity I am doing for my family. I am feeling all sort of Domestic Diva-ish :)

Crazy Things You Do For Love ....

My little bro Julio is in love and when you are love - you do silly things that you might not ever have done before. Case in point. He ran 13.1 FREAKING MILES. I'm a runner. I love the wind in my hair - but 13 miles? In the cold? In a Superman custome? Love. Love will make you do crazy things. We of course supported him. It was fun. I was proud of my little brother and Sara. However, this run marks just a few of the magnificent changes Julio has done. He is in school and doing well. He is working and doing well. He paid off all his debt and doing well. He went back to church. My heart is soften by the power of one good woman. Julio is happier, has purpose. I've never seen him like this.

The lord is very kind.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching. I can't believe it's that time again. I am in high gear with my Christmas shopping and planning. I know. It's sick but it's me. I read a great book about Christmas and the kind that I really want to have. I'm excited.


Did I mentioned that I love Tyson? I do. I love him alot. I remembered just how much this past weekend.