June!

Sunday evenings continue to be my favorite time of the week

I bought my tickets to Newsies nearly a year ago. I am so excited I finally got to see it for the second time. Loved seeing how much my friends enjoyed it, even if none of us had seats next to each other.

From left: Theresa, Nichole, me, Jamie, and Larissa

 I live on the third floor, so I asked mom my if she'd help me wash my windows. She proceeded to just come over while I was at work and wash them for me. So, basically, my mom's a saint. 

I am so grateful!

I had one chip in my windshield for 9 months with no problem. A second one meant the windshield was toast. Thank goodness Safelight is willing to come to my workplace.

My brother Adam turned the big 4-0. How weird is that? But he will always be young at heart.

And effortlessly cool.

Dave, Mom and Dad at Adam's party

My last chance to say good-bye to Laura before she married a doctor and moved to Virginia.

I'll miss our birthday lunches with Janette. 

My friends keep getting married and moving out of my ward, as they should.

Larissa and Rob threw a party for the 2016 Tony Awards. They had a costume contest, so I wore my 1776 costume (and won), though Jamie's Alexander Hamilton costume was brilliant. I love Larissa's parties. She invites the best people, and her food is beyond tasty.

Jamie is not giving away her shot!

I cannot see enough of Amy!

 Liz and I drove down to Manti one Friday to do a session at the temple, and see the 50th Anniversary of the Mormon Miracle Pageant. That temple is splendid. So much history and the architecture is gorgeous. The pageant was more entertaining and insightful than I remembered (and just as cheesy).

The G-unit was ordained a deacon on the same day his brother was blessed.

Big day. Great kids. Lots of family.

Brothers! 

Jordyn, PJ, and Peter

 Father's Day is always hilarious. The men in my family are the best.

Papa and Angel baby

I adore this little face!

 Finding Dory was darling

I always seize upon every chance for a mini Little Women reunion. Jillian and Summer were wonderful in West Side Story at CenterPoint Legacy Theater. I'd never seen the play or movie all the way through, and I was surprised at how funny and affecting it was. And the dancing was incredible. Could become a new favorite, even if there isn't a role for me in it anywhere ;)

This is me trying to avoid road rage (I was stopped at a light at the time):

 I won this computer monitor in another contest at work. Woo-hoo!

Peter also had a birthday. I love seeing him and PJ together.

I always knew Pete would be a terrific dad, and he absolutely is.

Low and, uh, less low

"It's always darkest before the dawn."

My dad said those well-meaning, totally cliche words to me on a dark night in Murray when I was the most stressed and depressed during my unemployment. I was running out of money and in the beginning stages of looking for work. My self-esteem was shot. Every bad piece of luck felt like a huge blow. In my unhappy state of mind, nothing was going my way.

And then I hit a curb on the way to get fries at Wendy's after a Friday-night movie, and one of my tires blew. I calmly pulled into a well-lit parking lot and called my dad for advice. He found me within minutes, and he and a generous passerby put my dad's spare tire on my car (our cars are close in make and model). My tires were less than a year old! They weren't supposed to give out so quickly! I couldn't afford another new tire right then! Dad gave me a huge hug and said those kind words while I cried. I could feel his love and his helplessness; his desire to do or say anything that would give comfort. I love that man.

He went home, and I decided to continue to Wendy's. They were out of fries. I asked how long ago they'd sold out, and it had been about half an hour. I would have been in time if I hadn't blown that tire.

I had to laugh.

And you know what? Dad was right. That was the very worst; the darkest day. After that, things seemed to pick up for me. Or maybe it was my attitude.

The next morning, I auditioned for Big River at Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley. I didn't end up being cast, but I belted "I'll Fly Away" and scored a callback where I know I did well and had a good time.

Later that same morning, I headed to a price club for tires and learned that since they were still under warranty all I had to pay for was installation. A brand-new tire for $17? Yes, please!

I stopped to eat a slice of pizza, and a buff, young guy ditched his friends to chat me up for about ten minutes before giving me his phone number. Based on the conversation and some other indicators, I ended up not calling him, but it's been so long since a man made a move on his own that I took that for a sign of good things to come. It's nice to feel admired and desired. A nice change.

The day was such a stark contrast to the night before, I knew that it had to be a tender mercy from God. He'd prompted Dad to say those words, encouraging me to look for the good and hope for the best. Life seemed to get better from then on, and it continues every day. I am grateful!

The next week, Dad bought me my own spare tire. When I went to the dealership to pick it up, the cashier joked that now I have one I'll probably never need it. I told her that would be just fine with me!

Christmas!!

Christmas was far better than I expected this year. I've had enough crummy Christmases that I worried. Nope. This one was good. Starting with waffles and cartoons Christmas Eve morning. Plus some yoga and housecleaning (sadly, the vacuum cleaner broke halfway through the first room -- humbug).

The evening was spent with my favorite cousins. Hooray!!

Nativity populated entirely with tiny humans for the first time since my brothers and I were kids.
Finally!!

Uncle Martin does a great job narrating

This tiny babe was everyone's favorite. Her mom even let me hold her for a little bit.
There is no sadness in the world that holding a tiny baby can't cure.

My nieces and nephew are the coolest.
(Also, they remind me a lot of their dad. A LOT.)

Aaron played guitar while his girlfriend Anna sang. She has a lovely voice. He is smitten.

My cousin Bryce invited a girl for the first time ever. Isn't she pretty? Doctor, too.
We're trying not to be too pushy ;)

There's a reason I look forward to seeing these people. And talking with them.

Relationship goals 

Taking sweater cutes from my mom

Christmas morning, Dave and I ate breakfast with Mom and Dad, then spent a few hours helping Mom prep for the big afternoon meal so that Mom wouldn't have to worry about it when everyone else arrived to open presents. Dad took the opportunity to remove snow for the second time that morning. Hooray for new snow on Christmas!

Perfect American breakfast for the perfect American family (2 kids - one boy and a girl. If only, Dave!)

Mom says this is the first time the money bread has ever come out of the pan perfectly.
Had to document it!

When it came time to open my gifts, I was far more spoiled than I ever expected. My parents are so generous to all of us. I don't deserve them.

Dad gave all the families a package with chicken sausage and ham. He also gifted us with Red Lobster biscuit mix, campfire roasting sticks, puffy vests for the boys, and sweaters for the girls. My dad is a true original, and sweetly thoughtful.

Mom made PJ a Busy Book. She said she made most of it up, so she'll never be able to recreate it. I may make her try to recreate it for me anyway ;)

A package of Red Vines bigger than Dave's head. Haha!

Now for some gorgeous shots of children:

This little guy wasn't feeling very well, but it didn't keep him from eating most of a package of graham crackers

The girls had quite the group of helpers to put together their new Lego sets

Mom's turkey dinner was delicious, and I especially love cherry pie

I stayed up past midnight and listened to as many Christmas songs on FM100.3 as I could before they clicked off. This year, they kept playing Christmas songs through the next day. Haha! I'm so glad. I love Christmas music. I wish it played a little longer every year. I will listen to "Feliz Navidad" over and over and over again as long as they will let me.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. I know I did!