Last week's adventures

It finally snowed and stuck here in our nook, so we took Stuart out for his first adventure in the snow. It was more like ice, but fun, nonetheless.

Oops. Clean up time. This is our new friend, Cecelia.

(Oh. Double oops. He's still wearing Christmas pajamas...)

Thank you to whoever invented the cardboard box. Stuart loves you. These moments remind me of a book Stuart and I read together: Little Boy by Alison McGhee & Peter H. Reynolds. Thank you to my dear friend Liz who gave it to us. The authors repeat, little boy "so much depends on your big cardboard box."

Is it creepy that I watch him sleeping, usually once a day? It's when I reach nirvana.

Candle Light and Cooking Traditions

After enjoying our ambient candle-lit Christmas dinner, I'm wondering why I have never had a candle-lit dinner before now. Man, have I been missing out! This will be a mealtime tradition in the coming years at the Ondricek home.

We enjoyed a slow-cooked chicken (decidedly not my favorite way to eat a whole chicken), parmesan roasted broccoli, and Jared's homemade cornbread using polenta. Thank you, Jared, for your adventurous spirit! He's made cornbread from scratch before, but this one was the best!

For as much as I enjoy eating food, sometimes I think I enjoy making it more. I look forward to making meals and trying new ingredients and methods. Eating the food is like my dessert after all the fun.

I just bought myself a new cookbook, Nourishing Traditions: the cookbook that challenges politically correct nutrition and the diet dictocrats. Getting it was like Christmas morning again. And it's just a cookbook. Did I mention I love cooking?

What is your favorite meal-time tradition?

Sad News: Oh, Well

source

Well, after researching the MSW programs, I only applied to one. It appeared to be the only good match for my circumstances in life. After months of waiting, I finally heard back from them:

Hello,

The MSW Social Work Admissions Committee has reviewed applications for our Distance MSW program. It was a very competitive process with a large number of excellent applicants in the pool. Unfortunately, your application was not among those the Committee recommended for admissions at this time. Don’t assume this means there was something wrong with your application, it simply means we had too many strong candidates and had to make some difficult choices. You are welcome to re-apply for the next class which will begin in May 2013.

AKA: not this time, but we will gladly take your money next year.

Oh well. I know everything happens for a reason and a purpose. This is not the right time for me or my family. Or maybe this is not the right degree or school at this time. Either way, I am going to be alright with this decision. I am at peace.

This reminds me of these verses in Ecclesiastes chapter 3:

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

For me, right now is a time to heal, build up, embrace, lose and a time of peace.

What time is it for you in your life right now?

Gold Digger

He's only a year old and he's already after our money.

A Month of Travels, Part 2: Christmas in New York

I continue my travel log. . . .

After finishing up my adventures in Idaho and Utah, we flew in to BWI and took a bus to my parents in NYC. The bus ride was terrible because Stuart was really sick. He was miserable. All the people going to NYC were miserable and not friendly. I think it would have been better had they talked to him and distracted him. He loves people.

We went to NYC before Christmas so I could be present for when my sister and her husband attended the temple and received their endowments for the first time. Although Stuart was sick and later I got sick that week, I am so happy I didn't miss going to the temple with my family.

Then, later that week Jared drove up to be with us for Christmas and Krista and Benny's sealing to each other and their gorgeous son!

Every Christmas Eve we have a tradition of opening one gift in the evening. We enjoyed the gifts and beautiful scripture readings and stories from my dad. He told of his trip to Bethlehem and his spiritual experiences in the places where Jesus was born and grew. It was a beautiful evening. Here we are opening our gifts on Christmas Eve:

Jared and the babies. Stuart is so sick and his eyes are red from wiping all the goobers away. :(

Stuart was so happy when his daddy finally joined us. We missed him so much!!

No one was looking at the camera, but I wanted to capture our candle-lit dinner on Christmas. I suggested we do it because I want my family to have this tradition every Easter and Christmas. It makes me think of a simpler time and creates a reverent atmosphere. Jesus was born in a world with only natural lighting. :)

Christmas morning after church! We opened all the presents and Stuart was actually able to participate this year. Although, he was pretty weak and tired. Below he got a puzzle from his aunt and uncle. We love puzzles.

A journal I gave to Krista. It had an inspirational quote or scripture I wrote on every other page.

Benny is SO happy. He liked his Dr. Bonner's castile soap from Krista. We use this soap for EVERYTHING in our house. From scrubbing the tub to washing our hands.

The little boys fighting over the ball Stu got for Christmas.

Such a happy boy! Oh, I adore him!

Stuart loves these blocks and box he got from Aunt Jenn. Thank you!!

Then, a few days after Christmas my dad treated us to a show on Broadway: "What's all this, step in time!!" I LOVED Mary Poppins.

This is dad, Jared, me and Karla (and my mom took the picture) enjoying a day downtown to see the new memorial site at ground zero. I didn't get any great shots of the actual site.

"MAY WE NEVER FORGET"

This one made me laugh. Stuart is trying to fit his butt on the top level of this doll house. He wanted to sit in it.

A visit with my cousin, Tracy, and her family. Thanks for popping in!

And last but not least, the event my whole family gathered for: the temple sealing of Benny, Krista and Camilo!!! Below is the happy family with the missionaries that taught Benny the gospel before he was baptized. They came all the way from Utah!

This is the whole family that was able to make it for the sealing. Everyone except Karla, who had to fly home early. We missed you Karla! Almost my whole family in the temple together. Amazing.

After the sealing, we had a dance party to celebrate, but Stuart was not interested in dancing or celebrating. He went home early to sleep.

This video is from the sealing celebration. It is Krista and Benny's "first dance." They started out dancing to a traditional love song, swaying to the beat. However, they are definitely not a traditional couple, so they surprised us all and busted out with this about 10 seconds into the dance. I missed the beginning, but here is the rest. They made me laugh, and unfortunately I giggled obnoxiousness through the whole thing. :)

Late in the week we opened more gifts with the family members who arrived after Christmas. Jared was enthralled. :)

This gift was extra special. I gave it to the sister behind the frame, Marcia. She had been crying from when she opened it. This little cross-stitched beauty says "Ewes not fat. Ewes fluffy" and has been up in our grandparent's house for decades. It reminds me of them and has been a joke between us sisters whenever we feel fat. At my last visit with grma and grpa Stephenson, grma insisted that we take something to declutter her home before they relocate to a rest home. I took her up on the offer and took this family "heirloom" for the sister that reminded me of it the most. But not because she is fat. ;)

What an eventful month!!! Two first endownments, two sealings, a graduation, travels across the country and time with lots of friends and family. What a blessing to have been there.

A Month of Travels, Part 1: Idaho

For me, December = traveling. But not just normal holiday travels. I usually travel for weeks every December, several years included moving across the country. This year was no exception. Minus the moving part.

Last month, Stuart and I were on the road for nearly three weeks! For Stuart, three weeks was too long. An eternity. And for me, it was almost too long. But I got to be present for several unforgettable events that I am so grateful I didn't miss.

First, I flew to UT with my dear Deborah:

She was an angel and helped me with Stuart at the airport an on the planes. If I could afford to pay her I would because she was like my nanny. She and her family helped so much with this trip and made it go smoothly. Thank you!!

We spent a night in UT and got to see family. Sorry. No pictures of UT.

Then we rented a car and spent four days in Idaho to be at our dearest Brittany's wedding. But lucky for me, two of my good friends were also graduating that weekend and I got to be there for the graduation, the wedding, the parties, and even stayed with Jared's grandparents! It was very eventful.

First, here are the handsome graduates from Brigham Young University-Idaho. I am so proud of you guys!!!

Sincere cheers to the graduates, and to their friends and families who supported them through it. Here are some of the best pictures, with some of the best people I know:

"Congratulations, daddy!"

I love you friends!! Thank you for letting me tag along for your special day. Congratulations!

The next day was the wedding and reception. Deborah and I are just so mad, but we both forgot our camera's during the sealing at the temple. :( But here are some from Deborah at the reception that night.

Their first dance as a married couple and they were singing to each other. I cried!

"These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive. These are the moments I'll remember all my life. I've got all I've waited for... And I could not ask for more."

It was seriously the sweetest reception I have ever attended. They are SO in love.

And I love my new "brother-in-law." Just look at that clown in the background.

Congratulations, Brittany and Zac. It was such a beautiful day to watch from the sidelines. I love you!

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures with the great-grandparents. They housed us, fed us, let me drive their car, and they watched Stuart!! Such giving and loving people. It was truly a memorable weekend.

Happy Birthday Dri and Sydnie!!

This week 2 dear friends of mine turned one year older! And might I add they must have gotten wiser too, judging from recent chats with these girls. They are the cream of the crop. I am so lucky to call them my friends. I love you Dri and Sydnie!

One characteristic I really admire in Dri is her ability to adapt and have a positive attitude in a new place. Just look at that smile! She is so happy and upbeat, even though she is far from home, far from family, and making a new life in a new culture. Dri, you inspire me to be a pioneer and to do it with a smile on my face.

Oh Sydnie. Happy birthday, mija! :) This is the most recent picture I have of you, unless I swipe one from the inter-webs... This was the last time I saw my Sydnie. I admire Sydnie's sense of humor. This woman can make me laugh harder than almost anyone on the planet. If we could hang out every day, I wouldn't need to exercise. I would burn through all my calories laughing the day away with you, Syd. I miss giggling with you. It's an out of body experience.

Happy birthday, amigas! I love you!