D.C.: The Continuation

The White House

Abraham Lincoln's Hat, the one he was wearing the night he was shot(and a girl we don't know)

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The Return Pod from Apollo 11, the one that landed on the moon.

Vietnam War Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background

The Korean War Memorial. This picture does not do it justice. It was awesome. Definitely made for night time viewing.

My baby

Inside the Library of Congress

The Capitol

And to top it off, A trip to my favorite temple :)

How We Rang in 2010

With Great Friends!!

(Photos courtesy of DJ Harvey)

Quote of the Day

"There wouldn't be half as much fun in the world if it

weren't for children and men, and there ain't

a mite of difference between them

under the skins"

-Ellen Glasgow

A Late Post: Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was spent in Washington D.C. I feel SO very grateful to be a citizen of a free country. Being there made me so incredibly thankful for the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. So here is our Thanksgiving in pictures (I feel bad that we didn't get any pictures of the amazing people we spent it with; Ryan's aunt Tracy and uncle Barton and their cute son Caleb. We all got together with Ryan's cousin Laura and her husband Tim and their family. It was so fun and it was great to be with family).

Us and Abe.

Me and The Washington Monument.

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

View from Arlington Cemetary

The Library of Congress

The Constitution.

The Supreme Court.

Us and the Capitol Building.

To be Continued (since there are a LOT more pictures)...

Joy

I love, love, love Christmas.

I love the beautiful decorations.

I love the lights.

I even love the snow (but only during Christmas)

I love Christmas parties and being with those I love.

I love seeing the reactions of those who open the gifts I give them.

I love the cozy feeling of Christmas.

There is nothing quite like it.

This past Sunday in church, in Relief Society, a lesson was given on Joy.

The joy that our Savior Jesus Christ gives to us.

The second Chapter of Luke was read and something was pointed out that I've never really thought of before. When the angels appeared to the shepherds it was said:

"Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord". (Luke 2:10)

I never really thought that this joy is unto all people because this was the moment when the Plan of Salvation was put into place.

Christ had come.

He came to teach, to heal and to redeem.

Suddenly that angel wasn't speaking only to the shepherds, he was also speaking to me.

I need not fear.

He was born on this earth.

He has fullfilled what He promised He would.

I know that He loves me. I know He lives.

It is He who understands me perfectly. He has walked the path of my life alone.

He did that so that I wouldn't have to be alone.

I know He can heal hearts and bring Joy to our lives if we have faith in Him.
I know He loves me individually.

I'm so thankful for that lesson in Relief Society.

We sang "Joy to the World" for the opening and closing song.

During the closing song, I could hardly sing; I was so overcome with gratitude to my Savior. I'm so thankful for the Joy I feel and am able to express because of Him.

I love this Holiday season.

But I'm grateful that I can feel and spread this joy at any season.

And I hope I can portray the love of Jesus Christ in all that I do.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I'm Thankful For

Turkeys and mashed potatoes

My wonderful Parents

My Amazing Sisters and Brothers

Great In-Laws

Neices and Nephews

Ryan Jones

The Gospel

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Give Thanks

I'm Thankful for:

Those who inspire me to be better and live a more full life

Friends, really good friends!

Journals

Bookstores and Libraries

Popcorn

Good doctors

Our Ward

Good music

Growing up in Utah, surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Gratitude

I'm thankful for:

Funny people, those in my life, those who write books and those on my T.V.
A pay check every two weeks.
My health; I can run, jump, dance, see, hear, use my hands and feet.
The delightful invention of the web cam. I can talk to and see my family who are on the other side of the country.

Nine Years Ago Today

Nine years ago November 20, 2000 was a Monday. I remember that day as vividly as if it were yesterday. My sisters and I were sitting at the kitchen table. Shawna and I were both doing homework and Kelly was just sitting with us. My brother Scott was lying on the sofa in the living room. My mother was running around fervently and tenderly caring for Scott's every need. It was an uncommonly quiet night. There was a feeling of sadness. My sisters and I spoke every now and then in hushed voices, as if we all knew somehow that tonight would be the night. Shawna, like she always is, was a happy light in all of the gloom. I don't know how she does it. But I'm so grateful for it, just as I was then. Her and her husband Scott left for home. Kelly and I went into the living room to be with Scott. I could see that he was suffering. I couldn't bear it. I prayed and asked Heavenly Father to please help him, to end his suffering. My mother was fluffing pillows, putting a clean shirt on my brothers small frame and holding his hand. Oh my mother! How I love her. How I admire her strength. The next moments are too spiritual and dear to my heart to share, but I can tell you there was nothing gloomy and tragic about Scott's passing. The roots of my testimony grew deeper and stronger than they ever have in my life. I can not deny the existence of my Savior Jesus Christ. Our family has always been tight knit, but now it is solid as stone.

I am thankful for my brother Scott. His thirteen years on this earth were full. He is as funny and goofy as my dad. Whenever he was in my car with me and would pass by some missionaries he would almost fall out the car window waving to them. He was so excited to serve a mission. I know he is serving one now. He would spend a long time doing his hair and he always made sure his clothes matched. I guess that's what happens when you're the only boy and have three older sisters. But he also liked playing sports and doing anything outdoors. He would shoot the starlings in our yard with his bee-bee gun. And once he and I made the coolest snow fort.

He battled Leukemia bravely for two years. He matured so much during that time. It was amazing to me. I love how he kept anything anyone gave him. Friends, family, ward members, his hospital room was always flooded with visitors and they would always bring him stuff. I am so thankful for those people. I asked him once why he didn't eat any of the candy he got and he told me that it meant too much to him to eat it. He kept everything!

I feel peaceful today because I know where he is and I know I will see him again. I am thankful for eternal families. So thankful!

(Shawna and my little bro, Scott. Isn't he cute? :))

Excited, Jealous, and Sad (I think that sums it up)

It has finally hit me...Japan is really far away.

Random thought you say? No, not really.

I've never really thought about Japan or the distance in miles it is from Ohio...

or anywhere else in the United States for that matter.

It's weighing heavy on my mind lately.

Around 8,000 miles heavy.

About a month and a half ago, Ryan's sister Jennifer called.

Her husband Jason had been offered a job in Japan.

They prayed long and hard. This is one of those decisions that requires guidance.

The answer they got was, yes, they should take the job.

It such a wonderful opportunity for Jason.

And I'm so proud of him.

We were SO very excited for them. We STILL are very excited for them.

I've been thinking about our own move away from Utah and our family.

It hasn't been easy at times, but I wouldn't trade it for a second!

I know it will be the same for them.

Japan! That is going to be a tremendous experience.

I've been thinking about my incredible sister-in-law.

She is wonderful.

I love her laugh.

I like making her laugh, just so I can hear it.

She is a good sister and friend.

I miss her. I will miss her so much more.

That is why I've realized that Japan is so far away.

I've been so excited for them. And jealous. I mean, they get to see places like this...

I'm sad because we won't be able to go and visit and see all of this beauty. And because we won't be able to go and visit. However, there is chance we will all meet in Hawaii sometime. If that's what must be done to see them, I'll make that sacrifice.

This couldn't have come at a more opportune time...selfish wise. We are here in Ohio for two and a half more years, they will be over in Japan for two years. So it all works out. My cute niece Cassie set up an email account so that we can keep in touch easier. I LOVE that! And I love her :). Jessie and Carston I love just as much. To be cheesy, My cup runneth over!

I am so excited for this new adventure in their lives.

...and very jealous!