Happy Birthday Dan!

I have wanted to start this "tradition", if you will, for a long time: giving a shout out to my peeps on their birthdays. I got the simply lovely idea from a friend's blog. There is no better time than the present! Lucky me because I have a birthday to celebrate today! And so I start a new tradition, in hopes that I don't forget anyone's birthday in the future. ;)

(this is the ONLY digital picture I have of you, Dan. Sorry!)

Dan is one of the best friends I have ever had, and I am SO glad he was born. He is a fiercely loyal friend and an excellent listener. He shares wise advise and nerdy jokes. He was one of two friends who flew out to my wedding and here he is at our reception DC.

Thank you, Dan, for your friendship and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Temple Visit with Deb

Dear Deborah,

I am so pleased that I was a part of your special day. Your first time to the temple! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You are glowing with heavenly radiance and I love you. And your parents are adorable. Thank you Tom and Susan for sharing your daughter with the world! And especially with me.

The temple is like the yellow brick road: it leads you Home. It is the closest place to heaven on earth and I feel honored to have been there with you. I'll go with you any time. I hope you remember that day - remember the promises you made and the promises you received - and return often. With me. Or without me. :) Just go often.

Thank you. I love you. And did I mention I like you?

Congratulations!!

Deck the Halls

Following Ondricek tradition, we decorated our home for Christmas on December 1st! Nate's birthday. Happy birthday, Nathan!!

( I LOVE this kid!!!)

This is our fourth Christmas married, and we still don't have a proper tree. We never have. We are always moving over Christmas. This year, we decided these mini fake trees would do as our tree shrine. We are simple people and we already owned these from our wedding reception. Christmas weddings are convenient like that.

That's the baby Jesus above the trees. After all, he is the reason for the lighted shrine. :)

Thank you to our wedding planner, Rebecca! We owe you most of our holiday cuteness. And thank you to Liz Kershiz for giving me the beautiful star that adorns our tallest tree. It is perfect.

Jared's family had a tradition growing up. Every night in December, they opened a wrapped Christmas book as a family. They read the book all together and placed it by the fireplace with all the other decorations and piles of books they were reading. Each night the Christmas book collection grew. When the month was over and the decorations put away, they wrapped the books in wrapping paper to be stored and ready for the next year. I LOVE that my in-laws always have holiday themed books in the front room for enjoyment. Our little collection is currently just 2 books, but one day it will be at least 31!

What holidays books would you recommend for this tradition or just to read this reason?

Taking Risks

Look at my little guy. He's taking risks and being daring and I am so proud of him!

It's taken him a long time to try walking, and I think it's because of his cautious and observant personality. However, taking risks is also a good thing. We need to take risks. Trying risky things helps us try new things, and consequently learn.

My little son is taking risks, trying new ideas, and learning new skills. He came up with this invention on his own. And LOVED it for 30 minutes straight. Up, down. Up, down. Up, down. And a new skill is born.

Life and Death

I've been thinking about life and death lately. A heavy topic. I know.

Two beautiful friends at church just had two beautiful babies in the same week. I got to see both moms and both babies in the hospital. I teared up meeting both of the babies - such beautiful little souls just starting out in this world. Birth is one of my most favorite events of which to be a part. A bit weird? Maybe. But heaven and earth are so close in times of life and death. Especially when death is a possibility when giving life. Birth is beautiful, unpredictable business. I thank heaven that both of my friends and both of their babies only experienced the birth part, and avoided the possible death. Did I mention that they are BEAUTIFUL babies? Ugh! And I don't even have pictures.

But, there is also a little birth going on in my home. WHAT?!? I don't know? What do you call the birth of a bulb? Sprouting?

I digress. This beautiful little creation has been growing so well on my window sill the last 3 weeks. It was a gift, so I don't know what flower it is, but we love it anyway. We are not prejudice against different flowers at my house. :) Check out this growth in only 20 days!

Amazing right? It is doing so well with just water, sunlight, and loving cheers from it's fans. Grandma Virgie (on Jared's side) says that plants grow best when given lots of love. "Whisper sweet nothings in their ears," she said. I will do whatever she says. She has a back yard vegetable garden the size of Rhode Island, so grandma knows best!

If only my sweet nothings had worked for this little fellow. The circle of life has claimed this mini-rose plant from my potted garden and I am in mourning. This little love was a surprise "I LOVE YOU" gift one afternoon from my dear husband. He is the best! I potted it, kissed it, and lovingly placed it outside. It thrived, bloomed and rebloomed for seven months! Then it suddenly started losing leaves and dying, even after I brought it inside from the cold! I thought maybe it felt the stress and contention at home. Maybe it did. But I think I found the real murderers! Do you see them?

I think these TINY white spiders and their deadly webs killed my beloved rose plant that my beloved gave me! Everywhere these little life-suckers spun a web, the leaves or buds died! I first wiped their webs away and removed the diseased leaves. They came back. Then I wiped again and sprayed with white vinegar. They came back. Then I was worried that if I kept the plant inside, they would make themselves comfortable in my house. So, the plant (almost completely dead by then) and it's inhabitants were moved outside to the winter temperatures. Any ideas of what those little homicidal maniacs are?

And so is life. As one little life died on my window sill, another has taken its place and thrives.