I love it when the snow falls ... especially at night. It makes the whole world just a little more quiet, calm and peaceful. It's almost like Heavenly Father is reminding us that the world can be a pure and holy place ... and that he sent His son to us. It always brings new meaning to the words Silent Night, Holy Night ...
As we begin to celebrate Christmas, I hope we can all internalize those words and pause more often to recognize and create peace around us.
Merry Christmas - Ari and Jeff
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
A Road Trip ... with Two Boys
Jeff and his BFF Kolby decided they really wanted to go see BYU play in the Las Vegas Bowl (although now we know that I use the word "play" loosely). My mom also bought my dad tickets to the game as part of Christmas. So I decided to ride along to do some last minute Christmas shopping with my mom while the rest froze at the game.
When was the last time you spent 12 hours in a car with two boys (both in their late 20s)? I assure you ... if it wasn't recently then you are in for a treat.
First, you must understand that Jeff and Kolby went to school together and they both work in HR. So they have a lot in common. Including their sense of humor.
One of the best moments was when we were headed out of St. George. We'd had 3 hours in the car already and had just eaten some In N Out (yum!). So things started to get silly. I'm in the backseat reading when I overhear them talking ... about being each others' one and only (true BFF - I put this in parenthesis because at first it was just one and only - until they decided they should clarify). So I just sad there listening quietly ... this was too good to pass up. They were being "macho" about it ... but it was quite funny. (and touching ... but I was way more into the funny part). So I text message Kolby's wife, Kristie. And she calls him! They were caught and we were all laughing really, really hard.
After the game we were driving back to St. George to stay at parents' house. Jeff kept making wrong turns (the normal exit was closed). You can imagine the jokes on Jeff after passing a certain Church's chicken for like the third time ...
Then on the way home, we had a Tommy Boy/Karen Carpenter moment. Jeff turned on my Carpenter's CD really loud, they started acting out the part in Tommy Boy (when this same event happens) and roll down the windows singing at the top of their lungs. It was charming. Luckily neither is aspiring to do that for a career. Just after that, I am again reading when I notice a very competitive discussion getting louder and louder in the back seat. An argument? Hardly. They were playing the ALPHABET game simultaneously with I SPY! I wish I were kidding.
Just so you know... they both made it all the way to Z before we made it home. I am so proud.
When was the last time you spent 12 hours in a car with two boys (both in their late 20s)? I assure you ... if it wasn't recently then you are in for a treat.
First, you must understand that Jeff and Kolby went to school together and they both work in HR. So they have a lot in common. Including their sense of humor.
One of the best moments was when we were headed out of St. George. We'd had 3 hours in the car already and had just eaten some In N Out (yum!). So things started to get silly. I'm in the backseat reading when I overhear them talking ... about being each others' one and only (true BFF - I put this in parenthesis because at first it was just one and only - until they decided they should clarify). So I just sad there listening quietly ... this was too good to pass up. They were being "macho" about it ... but it was quite funny. (and touching ... but I was way more into the funny part). So I text message Kolby's wife, Kristie. And she calls him! They were caught and we were all laughing really, really hard.
After the game we were driving back to St. George to stay at parents' house. Jeff kept making wrong turns (the normal exit was closed). You can imagine the jokes on Jeff after passing a certain Church's chicken for like the third time ...
Then on the way home, we had a Tommy Boy/Karen Carpenter moment. Jeff turned on my Carpenter's CD really loud, they started acting out the part in Tommy Boy (when this same event happens) and roll down the windows singing at the top of their lungs. It was charming. Luckily neither is aspiring to do that for a career. Just after that, I am again reading when I notice a very competitive discussion getting louder and louder in the back seat. An argument? Hardly. They were playing the ALPHABET game simultaneously with I SPY! I wish I were kidding.
Just so you know... they both made it all the way to Z before we made it home. I am so proud.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tagged...
I have gotten tagged a few times ... and have failed to follow through! So here is one ...
1. Jeff
2. Family
3. The Gospel
4. Reading
5. Traveling
6. Christmas
7. Helping young women (both in my calling and at my job)
8. Being kind
8 Words or Phrases I say too often:
1. Hello, this is Ari (when I answer my work phones)
2. A million things I say to parents about New Haven
3. No, no, no
4. So...
5. Come here, Ellie
6. Ellie no
7. Where's my cell phone?
8. I love you (best phrase ever ... and I don't think it can ever be said too much!)
8 Things I want to do before I die:
1. Travel more
2. Have a baby
3. Go on a Cruise
4. Work part time
5. Volunteer work
6. Meet a Prophet
7. Maintain a positive attitude no matter what happens
8. Watch my kids get married in the temple and have kids themselves
8 Things I have learned from my past:
1. Friends come and go, but family is here to stay
2. The gospel is the same no matter where you go
3. Heavenly Father understands the pain you are in and can bring peace in any moment
4. Marry your best friend.
5. Attitude is everything, because you can't control everything!
6. Never end a conversation angry and always leave with an I love you
7. Less makeup is better than more
8. Orange is not my color
8 Places I would love to see:
1. Ireland
2. Hawaii
3. Greece
4. Scotland
5. Caribbean
6. Sanibel Island, Florida
7. New York City (again)
8. England (again)
8 things I currently Want or Need:
1. More time (can I put that 8 times over?)
2. Finish up my pre-Christmas to do list
3. Maid
4. Food storage
5. A car that Jeff can drive in the snow that doesn't freak me out
6. A vacation (only 1 more week!)
7. Flat shoes to wear in the snow
8. A massage
8 People I tag to do this:
1. Megan
2. Missy
3. Becca
4. Lisa
5. Cinda
6. Merilee
7. McKenna
8. Stephanie
1. Jeff
2. Family
3. The Gospel
4. Reading
5. Traveling
6. Christmas
7. Helping young women (both in my calling and at my job)
8. Being kind
8 Words or Phrases I say too often:
1. Hello, this is Ari (when I answer my work phones)
2. A million things I say to parents about New Haven
3. No, no, no
4. So...
5. Come here, Ellie
6. Ellie no
7. Where's my cell phone?
8. I love you (best phrase ever ... and I don't think it can ever be said too much!)
8 Things I want to do before I die:
1. Travel more
2. Have a baby
3. Go on a Cruise
4. Work part time
5. Volunteer work
6. Meet a Prophet
7. Maintain a positive attitude no matter what happens
8. Watch my kids get married in the temple and have kids themselves
8 Things I have learned from my past:
1. Friends come and go, but family is here to stay
2. The gospel is the same no matter where you go
3. Heavenly Father understands the pain you are in and can bring peace in any moment
4. Marry your best friend.
5. Attitude is everything, because you can't control everything!
6. Never end a conversation angry and always leave with an I love you
7. Less makeup is better than more
8. Orange is not my color
8 Places I would love to see:
1. Ireland
2. Hawaii
3. Greece
4. Scotland
5. Caribbean
6. Sanibel Island, Florida
7. New York City (again)
8. England (again)
8 things I currently Want or Need:
1. More time (can I put that 8 times over?)
2. Finish up my pre-Christmas to do list
3. Maid
4. Food storage
5. A car that Jeff can drive in the snow that doesn't freak me out
6. A vacation (only 1 more week!)
7. Flat shoes to wear in the snow
8. A massage
8 People I tag to do this:
1. Megan
2. Missy
3. Becca
4. Lisa
5. Cinda
6. Merilee
7. McKenna
8. Stephanie
Sunday, December 14, 2008
SNOW ... and something to make you think...
It finally SNOWED! I was getting concerned that we might not have a white Christmas, but luckily it snowed yesterday! It's so beautiful ... now we just need a little bit more!
The irony of snow however, is this ... Ellie would rather die a thousand deaths that stand in the rain. Heaven forbid she get her feet wet. But she LOVES the snow. I came downstairs and she was standing outside in it with her face turned up to catch the flakes. Then she started burying her face in it! It's hilarious to watch ... good thing she doesn't know it's just really cold rain :)!
The other day Jeff and I were walking around and saw this on a sign:
"Are you part of the Inn crowd, or one of the Stable few."
It gave us pause ... especially at this time of year ... which one describes us? I hope to be part of the Stable few ... and know I often fall short, so that's what I'm working for.
The irony of snow however, is this ... Ellie would rather die a thousand deaths that stand in the rain. Heaven forbid she get her feet wet. But she LOVES the snow. I came downstairs and she was standing outside in it with her face turned up to catch the flakes. Then she started burying her face in it! It's hilarious to watch ... good thing she doesn't know it's just really cold rain :)!
The other day Jeff and I were walking around and saw this on a sign:
"Are you part of the Inn crowd, or one of the Stable few."
It gave us pause ... especially at this time of year ... which one describes us? I hope to be part of the Stable few ... and know I often fall short, so that's what I'm working for.
Friday, December 12, 2008
It runs in the family
Jeff and I love Christmas lights. One of my favorite things is just driving around looking at what people put up ... it is a magical and beautiful (and sometimes comical) site.
Last night we were driving around with Ellie. Loving Christmas lights must run in the family ... she loved it! We stopped at one house that had music going with the Christmas lights in sync (nothing compared with the guy who lives next to Lisa's). Ellie couldn't quit looking at the lights as they were flashing ... she was trying to keep up with all the movement. It was pretty funny ... and then as we continued down the street she was looking everywhere.
She might have just liked that the window was down ... but I am convinced she likes the lights :)
Last night we were driving around with Ellie. Loving Christmas lights must run in the family ... she loved it! We stopped at one house that had music going with the Christmas lights in sync (nothing compared with the guy who lives next to Lisa's). Ellie couldn't quit looking at the lights as they were flashing ... she was trying to keep up with all the movement. It was pretty funny ... and then as we continued down the street she was looking everywhere.
She might have just liked that the window was down ... but I am convinced she likes the lights :)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
It's the most wonderful time of the year ...
Four years ago Jeff asked me on our very first date! We had already been hanging out ... a lot ... but when he asked me out on a date I can't TELL you how excited I was. He took me to temple square to look at the lights. Every year since then Jeff asks me out for this same date ... what a sweet heart huh?! We just went on Saturday ... and it was as beautiful as always (only there wasn't any snow ... weird)! I so love this boy!One of my very favorite parts is always the grove of trees around
the old Tabernacle. We both really loved these two red-orange trees - they really stood out against the orange forest (not that it looks orange in this picture ...)Temple Square is always one of my favorite places to visit ... but never more so than at this time of year ... with Jeff!
Nothing like Christmas lights to put you in the Christmas spirit!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Decorating for Christmas
One of my many favorite things about Christmas is the decorating! I love to decorate any time of the year, but particularly at Christmas. Nothing is cozier than a living room with a lit Christmas tree ... best place to snuggle!
We decorated on Saturday. We have a new table since last year and I kept thinking "I am going to have to go buy something" to put on that table. What I really wanted was a nativity. No amount of cute snowman decorations makes up for a representation of the real reason for the season (don't get me wrong I LOVE snowmen ... and have a lot of them ... but I wanted a nice nativity).
So part way through the festive decorating Jeff surprised me with the Willow Tree Nativity! What a sweetheart .... I LOVE it! And it goes perfectly on our table!
Naturally we needed something above it ... so I made a sign that says "Wise Men Still Seek Him." I think it made everything complete (and it is way more beautiful in person)! What do you think?
I love Christmas!
We decorated on Saturday. We have a new table since last year and I kept thinking "I am going to have to go buy something" to put on that table. What I really wanted was a nativity. No amount of cute snowman decorations makes up for a representation of the real reason for the season (don't get me wrong I LOVE snowmen ... and have a lot of them ... but I wanted a nice nativity).
So part way through the festive decorating Jeff surprised me with the Willow Tree Nativity! What a sweetheart .... I LOVE it! And it goes perfectly on our table!
Naturally we needed something above it ... so I made a sign that says "Wise Men Still Seek Him." I think it made everything complete (and it is way more beautiful in person)! What do you think?
Christmas Tree! I think we need to do some wrapping...
My new sign and my favorite snowmen! My mom always said "if you don't believe ... you don't receive" ... I can assure you We Believe!
Just found this adorable suitcase ... cute!
My new sign and my favorite snowmen! My mom always said "if you don't believe ... you don't receive" ... I can assure you We Believe!
Just found this adorable suitcase ... cute!
I love Christmas!
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